2500 SX (250-4076) Utilities Faxback Doc. # 1011
A utility is a program that performs a basic task not specifically related to
a particular application. Utilities serve a wide variety of users. The Tandy
2500 SX utilities and their functions are as follows:
UTILITY NAME FUNCTION
setupSX.exe Update or review your system configuration
vga1024.exe Select the video mode that is most compatible with
your software
speedSX.com Change the CPU clock speed
kp.exe Create and change a keyboard password
password.com Create a power-on password
Before using these utilities, read this section carefully. Incorrect use of
some utilities can lead to system malfunctions or loss of data.
HOW TO USE THE UTILITIES
The Tandy 2500 SX utilities are shipped on the MS-DOS diskettes. Use this
diskette each time you want to run a utility, or copy the utilities to a hard
disk so that you can run them without the diskette.
Use the MS-DOS copy command to copy utilities to hard disk. For example, to
copy the SetupSX utility, type: copy a:setupSX.exe c: and press <ENTER>.
SETUPSX
The computer uses non-volatile CMOS RAM memory to store information about your
system configuration: the drives, memory, and video support installed in your
system. The non-volatile CMOS memory is battery powered when AC power is
removed. CMOS memory retains data when AC power is removed. CMOS memory
retains data when the computer is turned off. Use the SetupSX utility to
update the information stored in CMOS.
Run SetupSX when you install or remove a drive or memory. At startup, the
computer compares your actual configuration with the configuration recorded
when you turn on the computer. If the actual and recorded configurations
differ, the computer prompts you to run SetupSX.
Run SetupSX when you replace the real-time battery. The battery powers the
clock and CMOS RAM.
NOTE: If the battery fails, the information stored in CMOS memory is erased.
To replace the battery, contact a Radio Shack Service Center or refer to
"Replacing the Battery" in the "Installing Optional Hardware" section.
THE SETUPSX CONFIGURATION SCREEN
The SetupSX utility summarizes your system configuration, as it is currently
recorded in CMOS memory, on a graphic screen. This screen is displayed each
time you run the SetupSX utility.
From the SetupSX configuration screen, you can:
* Set the system time and date.
* Adjust the volume level of the speaker.
* Change the key sequence that controls the volume.
* Change the CPU clock speed
* Configure the serial and parallel ports. You can disable a serial port or
designate it a primary or secondary. You can disable a parallel port or
specify whether it uses bidirectional or unidirectional transfer.
* Identify diskette drives and hard disk drives installed in your computer.
you can select one installed diskette drive as the startup drive. The
selected startup drive becomes Drive A.
* Update the amount of extended memory installed. The amount of memory
displayed is the amount CMOS RAM recognized at the last boot-up. This lets
you avoid an error message at boot-up.
* Configure shadow RAM as extended memory. Read the on-line help about this
parameter before changing the default value.
The keys listed on the bottom of the screen enable you to move around on the
screen. They provide the following functions:
* F1--Displays help information about the highlighted item.
* F2--Updates the information recorded in CMOS memory and restarts the
computer. When you finish updating the system configuration, press F2 to
store the new values.
* ESC--Ends the SetupSX utility and exits to MS-DOS without updating the
information in CMOS memory.
* DIRECTION KEYS--Enable you to move among fields on the screen.
* SPACE BAR--Displays the option that can be assigned to a SetupSX parameter.
For hard disk drives, pressing the space bar displays a list of all
predefined disk types. For all other fields, pressing the space bar changes
the option displayed on the screen.
HOW TO RUN THE SETUPSX UTILITY
Run the SetupSX utility any time you want to review or update your system
configuration as recorded in CMOS memory. Under some circumstances, the
computer prompts you to run SetupSX.
A single beep at startup indicates that no problems were found during
diagnostics. If the tests detect differences in the actual configuration and
the configuration recorded in SetupSX, a two-beep warning signal is sounded
and a message to press F1 and run SetupSX is displayed.
To run SetupSX from MS-DOS Disk 1:
1. Insert MS-DOS Disk 1 into Drive A.
2. If the MS-DOS operating system prompt is currently C>, type: a: and press
<ENTER>.
3. At the A> prompt, type: setupSX and press <ENTER>.
4. SetupSX displays the SetupSX configuration screen. Update your system
configuration. Then, press F2 to update the information in CMOS memory and
restart the computer.
NOTE: If, after you reset the computer, it still sounds a warning signal and
prompts you to run SetupSX see the "Troubleshooting" section.
To run SetupSX from a hard disk:
1. At the C> prompt, type: setupSX and press <ENTER>.
2. SetupSX displays the SetupSX configuration screen. Update your system
configuration. Then, press F2 to update the information in CMOS memory and
restart the computer.
NOTE: If, after you reset the computer, it still sounds a warning signal and
prompts you to run SetupSX see the "Troubleshooting" section.
To run SetupSX form the DeskMate Desktop, select setup.pdm in the PROGRAMS
box.
UPDATING THE SYSTEM CONFIGURATION
When you install or remove a hard disk drive, a diskette drive, or memory, you
must update the system configuration. The amount of memory installed in your
computer will be updated automatically when you run SetupSX. In addition to
running the SetupSX utility, be sure to update the system worksheet at the end
of this manual.
To run the SetupSX utility and update the worksheet when you add a hard disk
drive, you need the following information:
* the locations of defective tracks (if any)
* the drive type number, or
* the number to heads, the number of cylinders, the capacity of the disk, the
number of the precompensation cylinder, the head landing zone (where heads
are parked), and the number of sectors per track.
Information about defective tracks may be listed on a media error map included
with the hard disk drive. Other information is in the hard disk installation
guide.
VIDEO MODE CONTROL--THE VGA1024 UTILITY
The vga1024.exe utility is a specialized utility designed to work with you
VGA-compatible video circuitry. Refer to the "VGA-Compatible Video" section.
CHANGING THE CPU SPEED--THE SPEEDSX UTILITY
Your CPU supports two CPU clock speed settings, fast (16MHz) and slow (8MHz).
Use the SpeedSX utility to choose either setting.
To select the fast CPU speed, type speedSX fast and press <ENTER> at the
MS-DOS prompt. To select the slow speed, type speedSX slow and press <ENTER>
at the MS-DOS prompt.
The CPU speed changes immediately, but the new setting is not recorded in CMOS
memory. If you turn off the system or press the RESET button, the speed
defaults to the setting saved in CMOS memory. If, however, you press [CTRL +
[ALT] + [DEL], the new setting remains in effect. To change the setting in
CMOS memory, run SetupSX.
PASSWORDS
Passwords help protect your computer from unauthorized users. Your computer
supports two passwords:
* POWER-ON PASSWORD--Prevents unauthorized use of your computer when you are
not present. When a power-on password is required, you must enter it each
time you turn on the computer or press the RESET button. Use the
password.com utility to create a power-on password.
* KEYBOARD PASSWORD--Enables you to temporarily lock and unlock your keyboard
(and mouse if you have one) without turning off the computer. The keyboard
password is cleared when you turn off the computer. Use the kp.exe utility
to create or change a keyboard password.
Each password can have as many as seven characters, consisting of any
characters on the keyboard. The system does not distinguish between uppercase
and lowercase letters. Try to create passwords that are easy for you to
remember but difficult for anyone else to guess. For example, do not use your
name. Use a word or number that has special meaning to you.
The password utilities record the exact keys you press as you create a new
password. This means that, if you use the 6 from the typewriter keys when you
create the password, you can not substitute the 6 from the numeric keys when
you enter the password.
NOTE: When you create a password, the characters in the password are displayed
on the screen as you type them. This enables you to verify the password as you
type it. When you change a password, or enter a password to access your
computer or keyboard, the password characters are not displayed as you type
them.
CREATING AND USING A KEYBOARD PASSWORD
A keyboard password enables you to lock the keyboard and mouse. By default,
the keyboard password is the same as the power-on password. Use kp.exe to
specify a keyboard password that is different from the power-on password. To
further protect your data, you can use kp.exe to clear the screen before
locking the keyboard.
Follow these steps to lock the keyboard:
1. Be sure you are in the drive and directory containing kp.exe and that you
are at the MS-DOS prompt.
2. To use an already created keyboard password: type kp and press [ENTER] to
lock the keyboard. or type kp /b and press [ENTER] to clear the screen and
lock the keyboard. To specify a new keyboard password: type kp /c and press
[ENTER]. The system prompts you to enter a new password and then locks the
keyboard. or type kp /b/c and press [ENTER]. The system clears the screen
and prompts you to enter a new password, and then locks the keyboard and
mouse.
When the system prompts you to enter a password, type the password, using the
[BACKSPACE] key to correct any errors, and press [ENTER]. The following prompt
appears: Is this correct? (Y/N/ESC)
3. To verify the password, type Y and press [ENTER]. To correct the password,
type N, and press [ENTER], and type the correct password. To cancel the
utility, press ESC. You will return to the MS-DOS prompt.
To unlock the keyboard and mouse, type the keyboard password and then press
[ENTER].
CREATING AND USING A POWER-ON PASSWORD
A power-on password enables you to restrict the use of the computer, keyboard,
and mouse. If you can not supply the correct password, the computer will not
accept input from the mouse or the keyboard. You might not want to write your
password down in a safe place in case you forget it.
To create a power-on password:
1. At the system prompt, type password and press [ENTER].
2. Type the password, using the [BACKSPACE] key to correct any errors. Press
[ENTER]. The following prompt is displayed: Is this correct? (Y/N)_
3. If the password is correct, type Y and press [ENTER]. If the password is
incorrect, type N, and press [ENTER], and enter the correct password.
You will be prompted to enter the correct password each time you turn on the
computer or press the RESET button.
ENTERING A POWER-ON PASSWORD
If you have specified a power-on password, the following prompt is displayed
when you turn on the computer: Enter Password:_ Type the complete password,
and press [ENTER].
The computer permits three attempts to enter the correct password. If the
correct password is not entered by the third attempt, the computer will not
accept further input from the mouse or the keyboard. To try again, turn the
computer off then on again, or press the RESET button.
CHANGING OR REMOVING A POWER-ON PASSWORD
When the computer prompt you for the power-on password at startup, you can
change or remove the existing password.
To change the password, type the current power-on password, followed
immediately by a forward slash (/), followed immediately by the new password.
Then press [ENTER]. For example, if the current password is old and you want
to change it to new, type old/new an press [ENTER].
To remove the current password without assigning a new one, simply press
[ENTER] after the slash. After you remove the power-on password, the password
prompt is no longer displayed when you turn on the computer.