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| Thread ID: 24413 | 2002-09-10 11:39:00 | Making External Monitor default... | SoniKalien (792) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 78312 | 2002-09-10 11:39:00 | Here's a tuffy: I have a Compaq Presario 1240 Laptop. It has a NeoMagic MagiGraph128XD video card and Unisys external Monitor. The whole mission is to get the laptop to behave like a desktop. I have (finally) succeeded in getting the external mouse at boot (and hence disable internal touchpad which overrides mouse when touched and doesn't return) and have removed a lot of software guff like the touchpad drivers etc and now it's really fast! The final part (and hardest) is to get the laptop to switch to external monitor and not internal when switched on. There is no BIOS setting, and it defaults to both at boot up. I would like external as default because of a higher refresh rate availability and a faster PC! and also like to remove the TFT screen so I end up with something looking like a black Commo128. Can I somehow put a key combo (FN+F3) in a batch file or such to simulate pressing the buttons? Is there software (I'm still looking) to do this? will I have to make my own? (no cos I can't program my way out of a wet floppy) but I'm an old hand with batch files.. TIA SiK |
SoniKalien (792) | ||
| 78313 | 2002-09-10 12:44:00 | Try this free download: AceMacro Keyboard/Mouse utility (www.freedownloadscenter.com) I haven't tried it out myself yet, but it sounds like it will be able to do what you want. Cheers. |
Rod J (451) | ||
| 78314 | 2002-09-10 14:01:00 | Thanks, but that relies on mouse positions and doesn't appear to record keyboard. However, on the plus side, at least you have given me a better idea what do look for! :D | SoniKalien (792) | ||
| 78315 | 2002-09-11 06:25:00 | The way to send a particular code from a batch file is with "echo", e.g.@echo T will send the letter T as if typed. The trick is to know the actual keycodes ... then use the Alt/<keypad digits> technique to enter the codes to the file. If you have a look in the msdos section of Simtel, you will find programmes to display the keycodes, (some are 2 byte) as they are pressed. (Turbo Pascal manuals give the codes ... they will also be on the WWW). In Simtel, you might even find a programme to run and send the codes, but the batch file is quite good enough. The technique was often used to send a formfeed to a PostScript printer, to get the last page of a file. |
Graham L (2) | ||
| 78316 | 2002-09-11 07:07:00 | In Simtel: in the msdos/batchutl directory, keystf.zip looks the simplest and smallest. stackey3.zip and stfkey.zip might be worth a look too. | Graham L (2) | ||
| 78317 | 2002-09-11 08:48:00 | Thanls GL, I'll LYKHIG.. (let you know how it goes) Apparently a lot of old compaq laptops are now finding their way to the desk as the TFT screens are dying. Cost $1400 for a replacement part, so there are a few other people out there who are doig the same thing - connect an external monitor and unbolt the TFT and toss it. |
SoniKalien (792) | ||
| 78318 | 2002-09-12 01:18:00 | It looks like it cant be done in DOS, as the [FN] key is a special one. I don't think the BIOS keyboard wotsit recognises either because I can switch only after Windoze has started loading. None of the keyboard code programs I tried could see it, both DOS and Windoze versions. Thanks for yer help - it looks like I'll just have to manually switch every morning. Cheers SiK |
SoniKalien (792) | ||
| 78319 | 2002-09-12 07:00:00 | Have a look at google using "keyboard scan codes" . The codes required are not ASCII character codes . . . they are the keyboard scan codes . It will be possible . . . perhaps a little assembly code (using the Debug assembler to process it) to chuck the codes at the BIOS routines . You need to have an OS there to use these things . I wonder if they put a jumper on the motherboard which can disable the TFT . . . . Getting into laptops is a problem . Oh, I've just reread your posting; the <FN> key? a special nonstandard not an Fx key like F1, F2 . . . . One of the matches in the google search refers to a programme to intercept and log the scan codes . . . If you can catch that nasty one, you can send it into the system . |
Graham L (2) | ||
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