MP978 / MP979 Frequently Asked Questions

Windows NT 4.0 Related Questions

Non-Operating System Related Questions

Q: How to do you properly load Windows 95?
Q: I have reloaded Windows 95 and I have errors in Device Manager.
Q: I have entries in device manager under Other devices for PCI Bridge and PCI Universal Serial Controller.
Q: My Sound Card, Video Card, PCMCIA or USB support does not work after loading Windows 95.

A: All these issues are associated with the loading of Windows 95. This computer has some advanced features which require a specific installation procedure. Make sure you have a copy of Win95 which contains USB support. To tell you can look at the printing on the CD. Just below "Microsoft Windows 95" it should read "With USB Support". If your CD does not say this, you need to download the USB supplement.

1. Put the Win95 CD in the drive and Click Start, Run. In the open box type d:\other\usb\usbsupp.exe. If you get an error stating that this file or one of its components cannot be found, Click Start and Run again. This time enter d:\other\updates\usbsupp.exe.
2. Follow along with the USB update. When this completes it will restart the computer.
3. Insert the "Notebook Multimedia Utilities" CD into the CD ROM Drive
4. Click Start and Run. In the Open box type: d:\win95\english\other\setup.exe
5. Confirm the licence and finish the installation. The system will restart.
6. When the system restarts it will begin finding new hardware. After finding some of the hardware it will ask you to restart. Each time it asks you to restart, you MUST ANSWER NO.
7. Once Windows completes its loading, click on Start, Shutdown, and Restart the Computer.
8. Click on Start, Settings, Control Panel, and Display.
9. Click on the settings tab, and click advanced options. The Adapter tab will be on top, click on Change. You will get a Manufacturer/Model List. (If you do not, click show all devices and you will get this list). Click on Have Disk.
10. You will be asked for the location of the drivers. Type d:\win95\english\vga. This will locate the C&T video driver, click Next.
11. The system will copy files. If asked for the Driver Disk, enter d:\win95\english\vga. If asked for the Windows 95 CD ROM, switch CDs and Enter d:\win95 as the location.
12. Click on the Monitor Tab and click change.
13. You should get a manufacturer/model list (if you do not, click show all devices). Under "standard monitor types" select "Laptop Display 1024x768" . If you have the 12.1" LCD you should select "Laptop Display 800x600". Click OK.
14. Click Apply then Close back to the Display Properties.
15. Change the desktop area  to 1024x768.  If you have a 12.1" LCD you should set the screen area to 800x600.  You can also set the colors to a higher number if you desire.  Click OK and restart the computer.
16. Click on Start, Settings, Control Panel, System, Device Manager and click the Plus sign next to Other Devices.  You should find an Unknown Device.
17. Double Click the Unknown Device, click the driver tab, then update driver. Click yes to search for a driver.
18. After searching, a driver will not be found.  You will have an option for Other locations. Insert the Multimedia Utility CD and enter d:\win95\english\sound as the location of the files.
19. This should find the Yamaha sound card. Click on finish.  If asked for the driver disk enter d:\win95\english\sound.  If asked for the Win95 CD, swap CDs and enter d:\win95 as the path.
20. Close out of System Properties. Back to control panel
21. Double Click Power, Click on advanced and Uncheck "Wake Up Computer When the Phone Rings"  Close Power Properties back to control panel.
22. Double Click PCMCIA.  This will start the PCMCIA wizard.  Click on Next, Next, Finish. Then Click Yes to shutdown the computer.

Q: My batteries will not charge to 100%
Q: Battery Life seems poor
 

A: These issues are associated with "battery training".

The batteries used by this computer are "smart" batteries. This means that they have a level indicator built into the battery. This indicator needs to be "trained" periodically so that it can match its levels to the actual battery capacity. This should be done when the battery is new and also periodically as the battery wears. If this is not done the battery indicator on the battery or in the system will be incorrect (it usually will not show full charge). Also note that the indicator on the battery or on the system (depends upon model) is the most accurate. The battery meter function in Windows 95 is only accurate to +/- 10%. The following is the procedure to train a smart battery:

Note: if you have activated battery low suspend to disk, disable it because this will prevent the battery from draining all the way.

1. Run the system until the battery starts to beep
2. Click Start, Shutdown, and Restart in MS-DOS Mode (If you are using Win NT, just click on start and shutdown)
3. Once at a DOS prompt let the system run until it shuts off (If you are using Win NT, wait until the "It is safe to turn off your computer" message appears and let the battery run out with this screen on)
4. Insert the AC adapter and let the system charge until the indicator on the small LCD indicates full charge (check the manual for your model for indicator operation)
5. Repeat this procedure 3 times.

Although the procedure is similar to curing "memory effect" on NI-CAD batteries, THIS IS NOT MEMORY EFFECT. Memory effect only happens on NI-CAD batteries. With memory effect the battery stops producing power too soon. With battery training the battery is capable of producing power for the same amount of time, just the detection circuit says it is low to soon. This rundown should be done just using the computer ONLY. Trying to "deep discharge" the batteries using an external device, although good for the older NICAD batteries, will damage or destroy NI-MH and LI-Ion batteries.

Q: How to I install Windows NT 4.0
Q: Windows NT has been loaded and the Screen is in 16 colors and does not fill the LCD
Q: Windows NT has been loaded and my PCMCIA card(s) do not operate properly
Q: No Audio In Windows NT

A: All these issues deal with configuring and Loading the drivers for Windows NT.

When installing Windows NT, please follow these directions, in THIS ORDER. Also Note that you should REMOVE ANY PCMCIA CARDS from the system while doing this procedure.

1. When the system starts to boot, press F2 to enter Setup. In setup, go under Advanced and Audio Options. Toggle the Audio Setting from AUTO to ENABLED. This will then allow you to change the sound card settings. Change the IRQ to 10 for MP978 or 9 for MP979. Also note that the sound card uses Port 300, so you cannot use this for other devices (like network cards). While still in setup, go under Boot Options and move the option for CD ROM to the top of the list which will allow the system to boot from the CD. Go to Exit and save and Reboot.
2. As the system is rebooting, Insert the NT CD ROM into the CD Drive. Note that the system can boot from the CD, so the 3 installation diskettes are not necessary. The system will boot from the CD and begin setup. At the end of the text mode setup it asks you to remove any disks and reboot. When the system reboots, go back into setup and move the CD ROM to the bottom of the Boot Options List. Then save and exit. The computer will boot and continue the NT installation.
3. During the network installation portion of setup, do not install any drivers for your network card.  Instead Click select from list.  From the list, load "MS loopback Adapter".  This will allow you to properly update Windows when installing service packs.
4. After Windows is installed, Install Service Pack 3 or higher.   If you will not be using a network card, go to control panel, network, adapters and remove the MS Loopback Adapter.
5. Once NT is installed, you need to load the VGA Driver. Go to Control Panel, Display, Settings, Display Type, and next to adapter, click Change. Then click on Have Disk. Insert the Windows NT 4.0 Driver disk into the FDD and enter A: as the driver location. Once it finds the driver, click Finish then close Display properties. Click OK to Restart the system. When the system reboots, the display settings dialog will appear. Select the resolution and colors for your system (1024x768xTrue Color), test the Mode, and apply the settings.
6. Go to Control Panel, Multimedia, Devices and Click Add. Select Unlisted or Updated driver. Insert the Windows NT Audio Driver Diskette and enter A: as the location of the drivers. It will find the Yamaha audio drivers, click OK. An audio configuration dialog will appear, however all the settings will be grayed out. Just click OK. Close Multimedia properties and restart the computer.
7. If you plan on using a PCMCIA network card, Insert it Now and boot the system. Go under Control Panel, Network, Adapter and add the appropriate drivers for your card. Note that you should set the card to use Port 320, IRQ 9 for MP978 or IRQ 10 for MP979, and Memory D4000. Reboot and configure your network settings.
8. If you are using a PCMCIA modem, Install it and load the proper drivers. This will usually be COM3, IRQ5. If for some reason your modem automatically configures on IRQ9, you must change the Network to IRQ 5 to avoid the confliction.

Q: Windows NT 4.0 locks during shutdown when using PCMCIA modems

A: This is a Microsoft problem which is fixed by installing Windows NT Service Pack 3.

Q: The power switch does not turn the computer off

A: The power switch function is controlled by the system BIOS. During the POST test, when the computer is first started, or if the system locks for any reason, the BIOS cannot process the pressing of the power switch. If this happens, hold the power switch down for 10 seconds. This will override the normal function and shut the computer off.

Q: The system will lock up Windows 95 while either suspending or resuming.

A: This is caused by a conflict between the power management and mouse drivers. To solve this, go to Control Panel, Power, Advanced and UNCHECK "wake up the computer when the phone rings"

Q: How Does the FDD operate when connected to the printer port.

A: In order to use the FDD off the printer port, you just connect the drive with the included cable and turn the system on. Note that you should follow these guidelines:

• You must attach the FDD to the printer port BEFORE turning the computer on
• You may only use the cable which was included with the system
• If you wish to remove the FDD and change to a printer you must Shut the system OFF, remove the drive and power back up. You cannot change on the fly.

   

  Back To FAQ List

Q: How do you enable TV out
Q: What are the uses of the Fn Key.

A: The following is a list of the Hot Key functions produced by pressing the Fn key in combination with other keys:

Q: How Do I configure an external monitor

A: If you just want to enable external video you can press Fn+T to toggle the display to CRT or BOTH. This setting will only be in effect until you restart the computer. To retain the setting, you must set the display options in the CMOS setup. Here is how to do this:

1. Turn the computer on and press F2 to enter Setup
2. Under Main, set Boot Display Device to BOTH (CRT is not recommended because this will blank your LCD)
3. Press the right arrow to go to Exit and select Save and Exit

The following is if you are having trouble with the image which appears on the external monitor or if you are using a device which is not a monitor (like a projector):

Whenever the LCD is active, any monitor settings are ignored and the video frequencies are set to the LCD's required frequencies. This was designed to prevent any user or software from setting a display mode or frequency which would cause the image not to appear on the LCD or possible damage the LCD. Some monitors or other devices (ESPECIALLY PROJECTORS) are not compatible with, or do not produce the best results when using, the LCD's required frequencies. In these cases, you should set the monitor type to match the device (or a compatible device) and press Fn+T to toggle to CRT Only (LCD disabled). Once you toggle to CRT only, the output will be set what has been defined in software.

Q: When using PCMCIA modem cards, no dial sounds are heard

A: This is a bug in Microsoft's support for CardBus Controllers. It is fixed by updating the socket and card service drivers from Win95. You can download this update directly by clicking HERE.

Note that if no dial sounds are heard after installing this update, you may need to adjust the volume controls. For detailed information, read the README.TXT file which is part of the download.