Newton Keyboard support driver for the HP-LX Copyright (C) K.Adachi 1997 User's Guide for Ver 0.5 (Beta Test Version) [1] Scope This driver program enables the usage of a Newton keyboard (manufactured by Apple Computer, Inc.) on the HP200LX or the HP100LX. [2] Package This package contains the following driver. o ntkey2lx system - ntkey2lx.com (.\NTKEY2LX\ntkey2lx.com) [3] Necessary resources o The HP 200LX or the HP 100LX o Newton keyboard by Apple Computer, Inc. Part number X0035LL/A (No other keyboards are supported). Note: I received a report, however, that this driver works with X0035B/A (British model) o Cable HP-F1015A, available as a cable for connection between an HP-LX palmtop and a PC. (HP-F1016A, available as a connection cable for Mac, CANNOT be used.) o Mini DIN connector, 8 pin, female o Small amount of solder for wire connection [4] Usage o Creating a connection cable for a Newton keyboard Cut off the HP-F1015A cable and replace the 9-pin D-SUB female connector with a mini-DIN female connector as follows. /-U-\ /- -\ ____ | 8 7 6 | / \ / \ +--- ---+ | 5 4 3 | | 5 4 3 2 1 | \ / | | | 2 1 | | 10 9 8 7 6 | \ / +------------+ ^- -^ A \-/ A Mini-DIN 8-pin HP-F1015A female female connector connector as seen from as seen from outside (hole side) outside (hole side) 1 - 4 DTR GND 4 - 5 GND 5 - 2 RXD These three connections should be made. o Connecting a keyboard Connect a Newton keyboard to your HP-LX palmtop by the cable assembled as above. o Running a driver program First completely exit from the System Manager. At DOS prompt, enter as follows. - If you are using the HP-LX with normal clock or with a double-speed crystal supplied by SHS, enter ntkey2lx - If your HP-LX is running on a 32.00 MHz crystal, then enter ntkey2lx -1 - If your HP-LX is running on a 36.00 MHz crystal, then enter ntkey2lx -2 This will load the driver in the memory as a TSR program. To remove it, enter ntkey2lx -r Note: SHS (Setagaya Haijin Salon) is the original developer of the "double speed" clock upgrade for the 100LX and the 200LX. Its crystal is marketed in Japan by PS Plaza Wakamatsu in Tokyo. Several other sources exist for the crystal upgrade, but the compatibility with this driver is not yet verified for these second sources. o Press ALT+CTRL+','(Comma) on the keyboard of the HP-LX palmtop. Short beep sound tells you the keyboard driver is now active. Press any keys on the Newton keyboard to prove it. [5] Command option for loading the driver Option is not case sensitive. Unknown options will lead you to a display of usage summary. -1 Identify clock speed as x 2.02 (32.00MHz) This options tells the driver that the HP-LX is running on a 32.00 MHz crystal. You cannot use it simultaneously with option '-2'. -2 Identify clock speed as x 2.27 (36.00MHz) This options tells the driver that the HP-LX is running on a 36.00 MHz crystal. You cannot use it simultaneously with option '-1'. -c Swap CapsLock and Ctrl. '-c' option assigns the Ctrl function to the Capslock key on Newton keyboard, and Capslock function to Ctrl key. When this option is set, a part of the combinations of three or more keys, which includes the combination of Apple key and CapsLock key, may not work correctly, due to the hardware restriction of the Newton keyboard. When this option is active, Fn key on the HP-LX is simulated by Apple+Ctrl key. Break key is represented by CapsLock+Apple+\(BackSlash) combination only. Examples: ntkey2lx -c ntkey2lx -2c -e Simulate [ESC] by Ctrl+[. This option makes Ctrl+[ key combination to work as pressing the ESC key. Application software sees the pressing of Ctrl+[ exactly the same as pressing of ESC key. Examples: ntkey2lx -e ntkey2lx -ce -n PowerBook like key-bind. This option makes the Newton keyboard to have a key layout similar to a Powerbook keyboard. Newton Keyboard Assigned Function ----------------- ------------------ `(backquote) `(backquote) Apple [See Note] ESC Note: If the Apple key is pressed down and released without any other key pressed during the action, then it is interrupted as a press-down and release of the ESC key. The action of keeping ESC key down cannot be simulated, Examples: ntkey2lx -n ntkey2lx -2n -a Swap Right arrow and Up arrow. This option assigns the function of the Up Arrow key to the Right Arrow key on the Newton keyboard, and the Right Arrow function to the Up Arrow key. The Right Arrow and Up Arrow are also swapped in combination with Apple key. This option cannot be used together with options -k and -t. Examples: ntkey2lx -a ntkey2lx -ace -k Make an inverted T-shape layout of cursor keys ([/(Slash)] works as [UP]). This option changes the key layout on the Newton keyboard as follows. Keytop on the Assigned Newton keyboard Function ------------------------------------ [/(Slash)] {Up Arrow} [Right Arrow] {Down Arrow} [Down Arrow] {Right Arrow} [Up Arrow] /(Slash) Key swapping is effective also in combination with Apple key. For example, the combination of [Up Arrow] key and Apple key works as Menu key. This option cannot be used simultaneously with options -a and -t. Examples: ntkey2lx -k ntkey2lx -c -k -2 -t Make an inverted T-shape layout of cursor keys ([ShiftR] works as [UP]). This option changes the key layout on the Newton keyboard as follows. Keytop on the Assigned Newton keyboard Function ------------------------------------ [Shift R] {Up Arrow} [Right Arrow] {Left Arrow} [Up Arrow] {Right Arrow} [Left Arrow] Shift R Key swapping is effective also in combination with Apple key. For example, the combination of [Left Arrow] key and Apple key works as Ins key. This option cannot be used simultaneously with options -a and -k. Examples: ntkey2lx -t ntkey2lx -1ct -r Remove TSR program This option removes the driver resident in the memory. This option cannot be specified together with other options. [6] Other functions o After being loaded, this driver can be activated and deactivated by the following key strokes. ALT+CTRL+','(Comma) ... activate the driver. ALT+CTRL+'.'(Period) ... deactivate the driver. The driver is not active when loaded. It should be first activated. o While the driver is resident in the memory, you can deactivate it to use other programs, which use the COM1 port. Note: Do not activate the driver (by ALT+CTRL+','(Comma)key) while other program is still using the COM1 port. The program may not work correctly, even if you deactivate the driver again by ALT+CTRL+'.'(Period) key. However, if an application initializes COM1 port each time before use (such is a case with internal System Manager applications), probably it works correctly even after a cycle of activation/deactivation of the driver. Filer on System Manager is confirmed to connect successfully to a host, by only disabling the driver and switching the cable connection. You do not need to terminate and restart the System Manager in this case. o When the driver is deactivated and still in the memory, the power consumption is the same as the normal condition before the loading of the driver. This is why I recommend to deactivate it by ALT+CTRL+'.'(Period), whenever you do not use the Newton keyboard. o You may want to load EXkey.com (creation by Maruha) before this driver, to solve the problem of shift+arrow keys, which otherwise were not passed correctly to the application. o This driver should be loaded before you start the System Manager. It may not work correctly if you load it in the DOS process shelled out from System Manager by [Ctrl]+[123] key. Approximately one second after the switching between the applications on System Manager, the Newton keyboard may not accept keystrokes.The keystrokes during this period may be ignored. o Following keys on the Newton keyboard are assigned with functions different from the original keys. Newton Keyboard Assigned Function ----------------- ------------------ `(backquote) ESC (Note) Option Alt Delete BackSpace Note: The Command option -n can change this assignment. o Following HP-LX keys are simulated by the key combination on the Newton keyboard. the HP-LX Keys Keystrokes on Newton Keyboard -------------------- ------------------------------------- `(backquote) Apple+`(backquote) F1 to F12 Apple+1 to Apple+= [Filer] to [&...] Apple+Q to Apple+I Del Apple+Delete Ins Apple+Shift R Home Apple+Left Arrow End Apple+Right Arrow PgUp Apple+Up Arrow PgDn Apple+Down Arrow Menu Apple+/(Slash) or Apple+\(BackSlash) ZOOM Apple+Space DATE Apple+,(Comma) TIME Apple+.(Period) CUT Apple+X COPY Apple+C PASTE Apple+V Fn Apple+CapsLock (Sticky) BREAK Ctrl+Apple+/ or Ctrl+Apple+\ [7] Limitations o If you use Newton keyboard in the DOS process shelled out from the System Manager, you need to mark the 'Enable Com1 Port in DOS' checkbox in Communication port setting screen (Press [More] [s](Setup) [MENU] [O](Options) [C] (Communication ports) for opening this screen.) o Settings in the MODE command with parameters "con rate=XX delay=YY" are ignored by this driver. o The power consumption of the HP-LX is higher, while the driver is loaded and activated, even if a Newton keyboard is not in use. The consumption is the same when the HP-LX is switched OFF (in Deep Sleep). o The programs, which uses COM1 as serial or IrDA port, does not work, while the driver is resident and activated. o If soft reset by methods other than [Ctrl]+[Alt]+[Del] key combination is intended, this driver should be removed before the reset. [8] Notice o This software is distributed on non-guarantee basis. None of those, who engaged in the development of this software, are responsible for any damage (including the destruction of the HP-LX palmtop itself), which may be caused by the usage of this software or the usage of the cable created for this software. o This software is a freeware. Its author has no obligation to supply a permanent support for it. o The redistribution of this software is permitted under the condition that the content of this package is 100% intact. If the program is modified, the source code should be included in the package to enable the recompilation of the executable, in the same way as the original package. The redistribution of the executable only is not permitted in any case. Cheers! K.Adachi GGB01541@niftyserve.or.jp At Fuchu City, Tokyo, Japan