Path: senator-bedfellow.mit.edu!dreaderd!not-for-mail Message-ID: Supersedes: Expires: 20 Jun 2006 04:29:07 GMT X-Last-Updated: 2002/04/29 From: Philip Wilk Organization: none Newsgroups: comp.sys.laptops,comp.answers,news.answers Subject: Compaq Contura Aero Frequently Asked Questions Followup-To: poster Approved: news-answers-request@MIT.EDU Summary: This posting should be read by anybody posting the aero-l mailing list or posting to comp.sys.laptops with a question concerning the Compaq Contura Aero. Originator: faqserv@penguin-lust.mit.edu Date: 10 Apr 2006 04:29:27 GMT Lines: 10183 NNTP-Posting-Host: penguin-lust.mit.edu X-Trace: 1144643367 senator-bedfellow.mit.edu 569 18.181.0.29 Xref: senator-bedfellow.mit.edu comp.sys.laptops:460184 comp.answers:63339 news.answers:306205 Archive-name: pc-hardware-faq/laptops/compaq-aero Posting-Frequency: 57 days Last-modified: 2002/04/29 Version: 3.31 URL: http://www.zenspider.edu/~pwilk/aero/aero-faq.txt ------------------------------ Subject: Introduction Compaq Contura Aero Frequently Asked Questions Version 3 Editors: Philip Wilk (Version 3) Current Ekkehard Rohwedder (Version 2.0) Renee Roberts (Version 1.0) To send submissions, corrections or deletions for this FAQ, please email pwilk-faq@zenspider.com or post to the aero mailing list. This document is to be freely distributed. Under _no_ circumstance should a fee be charged for the procurement of this FAQ. It is the sole property of everybody who has contributed (a whole bunch of way cool folks). ------------------------------ Subject: Short Contents 1 General 1.1 About this FAQ 1.2 Resources 1.3 Technical Data 1.4 User Opinions 1.5 Who's using an Aero 2 Hardware 2.1 Aero 2.2 Accessories 3 Software 3.1 Upgrades 3.2 Configuration 3.3 Operating Systems ------------------------------ Subject: Long Contents 1 General 1.1 About this FAQ 1.1.1 Where to find the FAQ 1.2 Resources 1.2.1 Internet 1.2.2 Mailing List 1.2.2.1 Unsubscribing to the mailing list 1.2.3 Companies that carry Aero parts and supplies 1.3 Technical Data 1.3.1 Exploded View 1.3.2 System Unit 1.3.3 Passive Matrix Monochrome Display 1.3.4 Passive Matrix Color Display 1.3.5 Stock Hard Drives 1.3.6 Internal Power Supply 1.3.7 Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) Battery Pack 1.3.8 AC Adapter 1.3.9 Convenience Base 1.3.10 External Diskette Drive 1.3.11 Video Controller 1.3.12 Part Numbers 1.4 User Opinions 1.4.1 Is the machine really that bad? 1.4.2 Opinions on Aero features (The Quick FAQs) 1.5 Who's using an Aero 2 Hardware 2.1 Aero 2.1.1 CPU 2.1.1.1 Is it upgradeable? 2.1.1.2 Is it FPU upgradeable? 2.1.2 Memory (RAM) 2.1.2.1 How do you upgrade? 2.1.2.3 How much are memory upgrades? 2.1.3 How to disassemble the Aero 2.1.3.1 The tale of a journey inside. 2.1.4 Hard Drive 2.1.4.1 Partitions 2.1.4.2 Noisy 84Mb hard drives 2.1.4.3 Upgrading the hard drive 2.1.4.4 Hard Drive installation 2.1.4.4.1 Prequel to the step-by-step tutorial 2.1.4.4.2 A step-by-step tutorial 2.1.4.5 Installing the old drive in your desktop. 2.1.4.6 Fixing the Master Boot Record 2.1.4.7 Aero harddrive upgrade list 2.1.4.8 External harddrive solutions 2.1.5 Screen 2.1.5.1 The pulsing backlight puzzle 2.1.5.2 The screen connection 2.1.5.3 What if my screen is unevenly backlit? 2.1.5.4 800x600x16 VGA mode 2.1.5.5 Special supported 256 color VGA modes 2.1.5.6 Special supported text modes? 2.1.5.7 Screen hinge problem (the darn "display clutch") 2.1.5.8 Screen Disassembly 2.1.5.9 Backlight Replacement 2.1.6 Keyboard 2.1.6.1 Aero keyboard diagrams 2.1.7 Trackball 2.1.7.1 Replacement Trackball 2.1.7.2 Cleaning Trackball 2.1.7.3 Ballistic Mouse driver? 2.1.7.4 Trackball and left-handedness? 2.1.8 Battery and Power Brick 2.1.8.1 Replacing the Battery 2.1.8.2 Conditioning and the Memory effect in NiMH batteries 2.1.8.2.1 Conditioning the Battery without a conditioner 2.1.8.3 Battery Warning 2.1.8.4 Batteries discharging too quickly when suspended 2.1.8.5 Super-fast recharge? Charge indicators? 2.1.8.6 Battery Monitoring 2.1.8.7 Battery Loose? 2.1.8.8 Please explain the aero battery 2.1.8.9 Recharging in the auto 2.1.8.10 Power Brick 2.1.9 Ports 2.1.9.1 Is the printer port an EPP port? 2.1.9.2 Mouse on serial port 2.1.9.3 PS/2 Mouse port 2.1.9.4 Serial Port (16550AF UART) 2.1.9.5 Port Expander (the other port) 2.1.10 Speaker 2.1.11 CMOS (ROM) 2.1.11.1 Replacing the CMOS Battery 2.1.11.2 CMOS and ROM errors 2.1.12 The Year 2000 (Y2K) 2.2 Accessories 2.2.1 Floppy Drive 2.2.1.1 Floppy Drive and BIOS support 2.2.1.2 Connecting with out powering down 2.2.1.3 Aero does not recognize floppy drive 2.2.1.4 Problems reading/formatting disks 2.2.1.5 Do you need a floppy? 2.2.1.6 You still do not think you need a floppy? 2.2.1.7 Repairing the Floppy Drive 2.2.2 PCMCIA 2.2.2.1 Should I install the new V1.25 PCMCIA driver disk? 2.2.2.2 Compaq-approved cards 2.2.2.3 PCMCIA type III cards? 2.2.2.4 PCMCIA modems (& FAX/Modems), reviews 2.2.2.5 PCMCIA FAX/Modems and Suspend/Resume 2.2.2.6 External Monitor 2.2.2.7 Sound cards 2.2.2.8 Ethernet cards 2.2.2.9 Storage Devices and Multiple function cards 2.2.3 Parallel Port devices 2.2.3.1 Sound 2.2.3.2 Storage Devices 2.2.5 Ethernet Adapters 2.2.6 Expanders 2.2.6.1 Can I make my own expander? 2.2.6.2 Mobile Port Expander 2.2.6.3 Convenience Base 2.2.7 Power Adapters 2.2.8 Case 2.2.9 SCSI 2.2.10 Other things 3 Software 3.1 Upgrades 3.1.1 Service Files 3.1.1.2 PCMCIA Drivers and Utilities 3.1.1.3 Enhanced Parallel Port (EPP) Drivers 3.1.1.4 Windows Stuff 3.1.1.5 Utilities 3.1.1.6 Diagnostics and Portable Setup 3.1.1.7 Mouse Drivers 3.1.2 Softpaqs 3.1.2.1 Rundown on Softpaq installation procedure 3.1.2.2 ROMPaq versions 3.1.2.3 Install a Softpaq without using the floppy drive? 3.1.2.4 Determining the BIOS date 3.2 Configuration (see also appropriate operating system) 3.2.1 Tabular Rasa (clean slate) 3.2.2 Power-Management 3.2.2.1 Problems when Power-up from standby 3.2.2.2 PCMCIA modems and Suspend/Resume crashing 3.2.2.3 Forcing hibernation 3.2.2.4 Spin down disk/disable powersaver when on AC power 3.2.2.5 Is there a disk sleep hotkey? 3.2.2.7 Windows vs. power management and the date problem 3.2.3 Networking/Linking 3.2.3.1 Lap2Desk and WinLink 3.2.3.2 WinLink problems 3.2.3.3 Network File System (NFS) 3.2.4 Diagnostics Partition 3.3 Operating Systems 3.3.1 MS-DOS 3.3.1.1 Standard CONFIG.SYS & AUTOEXEC.BAT 3.3.1.2 What is in CONFIG.SYS & AUTOEXEC.BAT? 3.3.1.3 Memory managers 3.3.1.4 Disk compression 3.3.2 Windows 3.1 3.3.2.1 Problems with WinFax Lite 3.3.2.2 Windows Video driver 3.3.2.3 Problems with Windows Speaker Driver 3.3.2.4 PCMCIA Stuff 3.3.2.5 Problems with Modems/Serial Devices 3.3.2.6 32 bit disk access or no? 3.3.2.7 Windows for Workgroups 3.3.2.8 Speaker Driver 3.3.3 Windows95 3.3.3.1 The path to '95 by copying setup to the aero 3.3.3.2 The path to '95 by installing via Winlink (Lap2desk) 3.3.3.3 Win95 upgrade inventory 3.3.3.4 PCMCIA, the floppy drive, and getting it to work 3.3.3.5 Networking 3.3.3.6 Running Windows 95 and Windows 3.x 3.3.3.7 Repartitioning 3.3.3.8 Contura Aero, EPP, and Parallel Port Zip Drive 3.3.3.9 Common Problems 3.3.3.10 Internal Speaker Driver 3.3.3.11 Hibernate, Suspend, Power Management, and ilk 3.3.4 Windows 98 3.3.5 Windows NT 3.3.6 Linux 3.3.6.1 Linux and the Aero 3.3.6.2 Recommended Kernel 3.3.6.3 Conserving memory 3.3.6.4 Installation without Floppy 3.3.6.5 X-configuration for color 3.3.6.6 X-configuration for mono 3.3.6.7 HD configs, Windows, and other musings 3.3.6.8 Parallel Port Things 3.3.6.9 Monkey Distribution 3.3.7 Other UNIX 3.3.8 OS/2 3.3.8.1 Can I run OS/2on the Aero? 3.3.8.2 OS/2 Installation Problems 3.3.8.3 OS/2 Warp in 4MB RAM? 3.3.8.4 Aero floppy under Warp? 3.3.8.5 PCMCIA supported under OS/2? 3.4 Original Compaq Software Disks ------------------------------ Subject: 1 General ------------------------------ Subject: 1.1 About this FAQ This FAQ was compiled due to requests for various information that can best be answered with a FAQ. It may help to reduce bandwidth for common questions and problems relating to the Compaq Aero(tm). The authors are not affiliated with Compaq Computer Corp, or any affiliate of theirs. We own Compaq Aeros, and wish to help others with their questions regarding the Aero. We hope to update this FAQ on a regular basis, but there are no guarantees. This FAQ is actually a collaborative effort from many individuals on aero-l whose questions and answers were incorporated. Although digestifying lots of posts results in a less authoritative style for the FAQ, I believe it makes for a more spellbinding reading (e.g. watching over somebody's shoulder as they disassemble the Aero and upgrade the hard disk). Also, often there is more than one possible answer, or the answer is not known (perhaps you know it?). Undoubtedly there are still many bugs, errors, or obscure things in this FAQ. You are welcome to send us your contributions/corrections or suggestions. The usual disclaimer applies: the authors and contributors disavow any responsibility for the information contained in this document. If following the FAQ makes your Aero go up in smoke, do not blame us (but, if it makes for good reading, tell us about it. Heck, tell us about it even when it was not caused by the FAQ). You have been warned! - Ekkehard Rohwedder There are some stylistic differences between Ekkehard Rohwedder's FAQ and mine. I have chosen to site my references by including some of the mail header of the original posting (Date and From) when ever possible. These entries are preceded by a [C] indicating the following is a comment. Ekkehard Rohwedder used a [Q] and [A] format, with a big list of all the contributers at the end. There are still some entries of the old format left in the FAQ with incomplete attributions. I apologize if any contributors have not been referenced in a proper fashion, and I also apologize if I include an email address that was not intended to be distributed. I will seek to fix such problems quickly as they arise, but as of yet, nobody has complained. - Philip Wilk ------------------------------ Subject: 1.1.1 Where to find the FAQ You can find the FAQ at: http://www.zenspider.com/~pwilk/aero_stuff.html Because we are an official FAQ (ie news.answers and comp.answers), You can also find the FAQ at any Usenet FAQ archive such as . It should be archived under: pc-hardware-faq/laptops/compaq-aero and at www.faq.org archive at the following URL: http://www.faqs.org/faqs/pc-hardware-faq/laptops/compaq-aero I have created the FAQ in a consistant format that should be easily digested into HTML. Infact, some people have done this to most public faqs that are distributed on usenet. If you want the faq broken up in a multi-part HTML document, point your browser at: http://www.landfield.com/faqs/pc-hardware-faq/laptops/compaq-aero/preamble.html ------------------------------ Subject: 1.2 Resources This is a specialized FAQ for the Compaq Contura Aero. There might be some general information to be found that is applicable to other hardware. For information on laptops in general, see http://www.enteract.com/~epbrown for the Laptop FAQ. ------------------------------ Subject: 1.2.1 Internet For additional information, please consult the following: (thanks for the update Ulrich Hansen) WWW Sites: - Home of the laptop FAQ for the comp.sys.laptops newsgroup MANUFACTURER - the Compaq WWW site. Compaq's support page for the out of production aero that includes part numbers and other support items. Compaq's support forum for the out of production aero. NON-BUSINESS AERO SITES - Philip Wilk's WWW page on the Aero with links to many avaliable resources. - A Little Aero Page. - Ruel's Compaq Contura Aero Page - Contura Aero Land LINUX/UNIX AND AERO information on running Linux on laptops with only 4mb of memory. Matt's Compaq Contura Aero Linux Page Robert Geer: Installing Linux on a Compaq Contura Aero 4/33C Laptop Ali Albayrak/Harald.T.Alvestrand: Frequently asked Linux-specific questions about the Compaq Contura Aero Getting XFree for Linux to run on the Aero Experiences of installing UNIX on an aero OS/2 AND OTHERS Compaq Aero OS/2 Warp Installation Notes Operating System Round Up TOPICAL USENET NEWSGROUPS: , , , , and . If you post to these groups, put the word "aero" somewhere in the subject line so that it is easy for other aero owners to search for topical posts. Avoid cross-posting. You can also access the Aero Mailing List via newsgroup at . FTP SITES: . Archives of the old aero mailing list. [C] From: "Martin Ramsch" Subject: Re: Website list Date: Thu, 22 Nov 2001 21:07:36 +0100 "Ulrich Hansen" schrieb im Newsbeitrag > I also have five dead links included: "The Compaq Press Releases". If > anybody has already downloaded and archieved the contents, I would be happy > to get them as email attachment. [...] There is a fantastic WWW archive at http://www.archive.org/ which aims at archiving the complete web -- and does an astonishing good job ...! > NOT AVAILABLE ANY MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! > > Compaq Press Releases Feb. 7, 1994 "Compaq Introduces World's First 'No > Compromise' Affordable Subnotebook PC" June 1, 1994 > http://www.compaq.com/newsroom/pr/1994/pr070294a.html > > "Compaq Lowers Prices On Portables, Desktops And Servers" > http://www.compaq.com/newsroom/pr/1994/pr010694a.html > > Aug. 15, 1994 "Compaq Offers Comprehensive Price Reductions On Most > Prolinea, Deskpro And Contura Models" > http://www.compaq.com/newsroom/pr/1994/pr150894a.html > > Oct. 14, 1994 "Compaq Contura Aero and Presario Products Win Design & > Engineering Awards" Dec. 22, 1994 > http://www.compaq.com/newsroom/pr/1994/pr141094a.html > > Compaq to Exhibit Presario and Contura Aero Products at CES " > http://www.compaq.com/newsroom/pr/1994/pr221294a.html All five pages are still available there at: http://web.archive.org/web/20010405060539/http://www.compaq.com/newsroom/pr/1994/pr070294a.html http://web.archive.org/web/20010405055659/http://www.compaq.com/newsroom/pr/1994/pr010694a.html http://web.archive.org/web/20010405061752/http://www.compaq.com/newsroom/pr/1994/pr150894a.html http://web.archive.org/web/20010405061925/http://www.compaq.com/newsroom/pr/1994/pr141094a.html http://web.archive.org/web/20010405062350/http://www.compaq.com/newsroom/pr/1994/pr221294a.html ------------------------------ Subject: 1.2.2 Mailing List To receive the lastest info on the aero mailing list, please send mail to majordomo@aisb.org with "info aero" as the body of the email message. You can also access the mailing list as a unsenet newsgroup: . The help returned should look something like (but for the most current and up-to-date information, request the inforrmation yourself): >>>> info aero Welcome to the AERO mailing list, the mailing list for people interested in the Compaq Contura Aero subnotebook computers. To send something to the members of the list, mail it to "AERO@AISB.ORG". To subscribe to the list, unsubscribe from the list, or to change your address, send a request to MAJORDOMO@AISB.ORG. This is handled by a Majordomo list server. A message with just the word "HELP" in its body will provide instructions on how to edit your subscription information. (If you sent your subscribe message to AERO@AISB.ORG, it may have been redistributed to the whole list. So please use the MAJORDOMO address to request administrative changes.) Daily digests are now available. To get these, subscribe to the "AERO-DIGEST" list instead of the "AERO" list. There is an archive of the list available upon request. Another useful source of Aero info is http://www.zenspider.com/~pwilk/aero_stuff.html When posting questions or informative messages to the list it is often important to indicate what operating system you are using. The Aero list includes people running Windows 3.1, Windows 95, OS/2, Linux and others. Doug DeJulio Doug DeJuio's Aero is doing duty as the list server for this list: Christian Perrier wrote: > > Am I misunderstanding or do you really said that the aero mailing list > listserver is run on your aero? Exactly correct. This has been true for quite a while now (a few years). > If so, I'd interested in details about your setup... It's running Debian Linux, and using a LinkSys PCMCIA ethernet card to connect to a T1. It's got 12M of RAM and about 500M of disk, and it just sits in a corner all day providing services. It provides: * mailing list server for this list * web server (http://www.aisb.org/) * IMAP/POP and SMTP servers for my friends and family * user accounts with shell access for my friends and family * anonymous FTP (some Aero-related stuff) at ftp.aisb.org Running Linux, the Aero is fully up to the task of providing all those services, even with just 12M/500M (though sorting and updating a mail folder with >1500 messages in Pine can be pretty slow). A little while back I basically destroyed my battery (it only holds a charge for about 10 minutes now), so it's on AC power. Also, someone bumped into it in the machine room, and the battery door cover broke, and it has since gone missing. Also, someone bumped into the ethernet card, and the transciever is now basically only attached with bubble gum and string. Doug DeJulio ------------------------------ Subject: 1.2.2.1 Unsubscribing to the mailing list You should have gotten this information when you subscribed, and you should have saved it for future reference. To unsubscribe, write to majordomo@aisb.org and in the body of the message put "unsubscribe aero" or "unsubscribe aero-digest" and that should get you off the list. If that does not work, get the help file by putting "help" in the body of the message to majordomo. ------------------------------ Subject: 1.2.3 Companies that carry Aero parts and supplies The aero has been discontinued for some time now. It has been increasingly more and more difficult to find parts and supplies, but they are certainly out there. If you do find them, you oftem find them at quite a bargain. [C] i have found nice 4000 mAH batteries here http://www.sabahoceanic.com/nbcompaq.html for $63.30 + $5 shipping. its much better than 2400mAH battery for $99 i have seen at Fry's and in Micro Center [C] as of January 2001, for memory Impediment Incorporated 541 Plain Street Marshfield, MA 02050-2713 (781) 834-3800 FAX:834-3666 part number: KTC-AERO/16 16MB MODULE AERO [C] http://www.buycomp.com , DR-31 battery for $75 [C] http://www.easyhosting.com/pcoutlet/main.html [C] From: Evelyn Lee Date: Fri, 16 Oct 1998 13:02:09 -0700 Reliable Computer Parts, Inc in Springfield, Virginia; also found on the internet at www.rcp.com. They have a great purchase program called replacement price, purchase price, and zapback price. The replacement price is the price including exchanging your broken item, the purchase is straight purchase, and the zapback is a competitive price that you tell them about and they will try to meet to be competitive. Phone: (800) 569-5300. If you know your part number, this is a great way to go. [C] Subject: On-line Auctions Date: 29 Oct 1998 Do a search for Aero and/or Compaq at: http://www.ebay.com [C] Subject: Xtend Hypercharger/Conditioner Date: 29 October 1998 http://www.xmpi.com/html/product_faq.html http://www.xmpi.com/html/compaq_hc.html [C] Date: 1996 Compaq Direct 1-800-888-6079. Compaq Works 1-800-318-6919. J&R Music World 1-800-221-8180 [C] Subject: Excellent service at PC Service - pass it on... Date: Thu, 25 Jun 1998 08:53:43 -0500 From: "Brockwell, Stephen E." I have to pass on this info about the excellent service I received from PC Service. ( http://www.pcservice.com ) Called them after noon on Monday this week and ordered a clutch hinge for my Aero. Price with shipping about $33 and was told that it would probably be at my house by Friday. It was delivered at 10 AM Tuesday (less than 24 hours). I live in Elgin OK and the part was sent from Ft Worth TX.... about 180 miles away. Longer distances may mean longer delivery times.(your mileage may vary, etc) After putting the part in and making my Aero live again, I called PC Service at: 1-800-340-2667 to tell them about the good job they did and to pass on the thanks to the most senior supervisor I could get. They seemed to be astounded that anyone would call to talk about good service but they deserved it. A satisfied customer...... ed. note: Date: 2 April 1999, It seems that many people are very satisfied with the folks at PC Service. As of now, they still have the aero clutch in stock. [C] WARNING, DO NOT DO BUISINESS WITH THESE PEOPLE! Date: Sep 1996 Subject: Re: Looking for an Aero >Barnett's Cptr Whse(NY,NY) has a package deal - I bought my aero from these bastards, and the whole business was a nightmare. I would strongly advise no member of the list to deal with this company-they are the most dishonest, rude bunch you will meet. It's not just me either: comp.sys.laptops has nothing good to say about them. Go somewhere else. ------------------------------ Subject: 1.3 Technical Data The specifications below are from Compaq Computer Corp WWW Page http://www.compaq.com (unless noted differently) TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS -- Publication Date: April 1995 Source Document: Product Bulletin Document Number: 024A/0395 ------------------------------ Subject: 1.3.1 Exploded View See for diagrams. ------------------------------ Subject: 1.3.2 System Unit Dimensions (Height x Width x Depth): Contura Aero 4/25 1.5 x 10.25 x 7.5 inches (3.8 x 26 x 19 cm) Contura Aero 4/33c 1.7 x 10.25 x 7.5 inches (4.3 x 26 x 19 cm) Weight (Contura Aero 4/25): Model 170 standard battery 3.5 lb (1.63 kg) Model 170 extended life battery 4.0 lb (1.81 kg) Weight (Contura Aero 4/33C): Model 170 4.2 lb (1.9 kg) Model 250 Power Requirements 10.8 V Temperature Range: Operating 50oF to 104oF (10oC to 40oC) Nonoperating -4oF to 140oF (-20oC to 60oC) Relative Humidity (noncondensing): Operating 10% to 90% Nonoperating 5% to 95% Shock: Operating 10G, 11 ms, half sine Nonoperating 60G, 11 ms, half sine Vibration: Operating 0.25G, 5 - 500 Hz 1/2 octave/min sweep 1 hour duration Nonoperating 1G, 5 - 500 Hz, 1 hour duration Maximum Altitude (unpressurized): Operating 10,000 ft (3,658 m) Nonoperating 30,000 ft (12,192 m) ------------------------------ Subject: 1.3.3 Passive Matrix Monochrome Display Dimensions (Height x Width) 4.82 x 6.42 inches (12.24 x 16.32 cm) Diagonal Size 8.03 inches (20.4 cm) Mounting Internal Display Type MSTN-Backlit LCD Gray Scales 16 inch 640 x 480 64 inch 320 x 200 Brightness/Contrast Adjustable through keyboard Maximum Pixel Resolution 640 x 480 Character Display 80 x 25 Horizontal Frequency 31.2 KHz (CRT mode); 32 KHz (LCD mode) Vertical Frequency 125 Hz (60 VGA/70 CGA) Display Inverter Board: Operating Voltage (Backlight) +5.1 V, +9 V, +18.7 V Operating Output Voltage 310 Vrms Maximum Input Power 1.8 W Maximum Output Power 1.25 Wrms ------------------------------ Subject: 1.3.4 Passive Matrix Color Display Dimensions (Height x Width) 4.74 x 6.32 inches (12.05 x 16.1 cm) Diagonal Size 7.75 inch (19.69 cm) Mounting Internal Display Type CSTN-Backlit LCD Color Resolution 256 colors - low resolution (320 x 200) 16 colors - high resolution (640 x 480) Brightness/Contrast Adjustable through keyboard Maximum Pixel Resolution 640 x 480 Character Display 80 x 25 Horizontal Frequency 31.2 KHz (CRT mode) 32 KHz (LCD mode) Vertical Frequency 125 Hz (70 VGA/70 CGA) Display Inverter Board: Operating Voltage (Backlight) +26 V, +34 V, +38 V Maximum Input Power 2.8 W Maximum Output Power (Backlight) 2.0 Wrms ------------------------------ Subject: 1.3.5 Stock Hard Drives Hard drive specifications may vary slightly depending on vendor. 170 MB 250 MB ================================= Formatted Capacity Per Drive 171.6 MB 256.0 MB Drives Supported One One Drive Height (with drive frame) 0.5 inch 0.5 inch (12.7 mm) (12.7 mm) Drive Size 2.5 x 0.5 inches 2.5 x 0.5 inches (6.35 x 1.27 cm) (6.35 x 1.27 cm) Drive Type 65 65 Transfer Rate: Media 14.3 - 22.1 Mbits/sec 35.9 Mbits/sec Interface 4 MB/sec 4 MB/sec Seek Times (including settling): Track-to-Track 7 ms 5.0 ms Average 20 ms 17 ms Maximum 28 ms 24.0 ms Physical Configuration: Cylinders 1440 1704 Heads 4 4 Sectors/Track 48 - 72 92 - 54 Bytes Per Sector 512 512 Logical Configuration: Cylinders 873 723 Head 16 11 Sectors/Track 24 63 Bytes Per Sector 512 512 NOTE 1: Hard drive specifications may vary slightly depending on vendor. [C] Date: Wed, 21 May 1997 16:51:19 -0700 From: Pavel Svitek Quantum ProDrive 40/80AT Configuration Guide CMOS Values Capacity 40MB 80MB Cylinders 965 965 Heads 5 10 Sectors 17 17 Write Precomp 65535 65535 Landing Zone 965 965 Note on Write Pre-compensation: The Quantum ProDrive series drive does not require write pre-compensation, your CMOS setting should be set to reflect that this feature is not enabled. If the setting of 'none' is not present, the value 65535 is a number that the BIOS will accept to disable this feature. Related Documentation: Jumper definitions Quantum IDE disk drives have multiple jumper setting options and are used to set specific drive features. The most common settings are used to define the drive as the primary or secondary drive on the IDE cable. [Master / Slave] Quantum IDE drives have additional jumper settings used for optional features found on the drive. Listed below are the various jumper options that may be found on Quantum IDE drives and the corresponding feature that they enable. DS Jumper - Drive Select Used to identify the drive as the primary [MASTER] drive in a single or dual drive configuration. This is the factory default setting. SP Jumper - Slave Present Used only when the second [SLAVE] drive in a two drive configuration does not support DASP. DASP (Drive active / drive 1 present) is a CAM (Common Access Method) defined signal that indicates the presence of a second drive, DASP is used during power on initialization and after a reset. Prior to this definition, products were introduced which did not utilize this method to detect the presence of a second drive. The SP jumper is used on the MASTER drive, with the DS jumper, when the second drive does not support DASP. CS Jumper - Cable Select Only used in systems that support the cable select feature. Cable Select allows for each IDE disk drive to be jumped the same and the position on the cable determines the ID. This requires a special cable and both drives on the interface would have to support this feature. PK Jumper - Park [Spare] This jumper does not enable any feature. It is used, instead, to provide a spare location to any jumper removed from the drive during a configuration change. Jumper Settings Single Drive: DS only Master Drive: DS only Slave Drive: No jumpers __________________ | | | | | | | | | | | ss | | ds | |________________| ------------------------------ Subject: 1.3.6 Internal Power Supply Input Requirements: Input Voltage 10.8 - 17.5 VDC Standby 10.8 - 17.5 VDC Power Output: Steady State 10 W Peak 17 W VDC Output V01 (+5) V02 (+12) 60 0 mA V03 (+40) Nominal Voltage 5.10 V 12.0 V 43.0 V Continuous Current 1.25 A 60.0 mA 40.0 mA Peak Current 3.0A 60.0 mA 40.0 mA Regulation Tolerance +/- 3% +/- 5% +/- 5% ------------------------------ Subject: 1.3.7 Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) Battery Pack Dimensions (Height x Width x Depth): Standard .725 x 2.04 x 5.37 inches (1.84 x 5.18 x 13.64 cm) Extended Life .725 x 2.04 x 8.07 inches (1.84 x 5.18 x 20.5 cm) Weight: Standard .696 lb (.316 kg) Extended Life 1.09 lb (.494 kg) Power Supply: Nominal Voltage 10.8 Capacity 1500 mAh (standard) 2300 mAh (extended life) Battery Life (NOTE 2): Contura Aero 4/25 2.5 to 4 hours (standard) Contura Aero 4/33 C 2.5 to 4 hours Environmental Requirements: Operating 50oF to 104oF (10oC to 40oC) Nonoperating -4oF to 122oF (-20oC to 50oC) NOTE 2: Battery life is based on an estimated typical use pattern of an average user. Battery life will vary based on the configuration of the computer and the usage pattern of the individual user. To maximize battery life, Compaq recommends that power conservation be set to high. ------------------------------ Subject: 1.3.8 AC Adapter Dimensions (Height x Width x Depth) 1.1 x 2.24 x 2.4 inches (2.79 x 11.68 x 6.1 cm) Weight (without cords) 6 oz (0.227 kg) Voltage 17.5 - 20 volts, 1.4 amps Power: Minimum 17 Maximum 20 Minimum Charge Time 1.0 hour ------------------------------ Subject: 1.3.9 Convenience Base Dimensions (Height x Width x Depth) 2.63 x 12.4 x 12.0 inches (6.67 x 31.6 x 30.5 cm) Weight 2.9 lb (1.32 kg) Environmental Requirements: Operating 50oF to 104oF (10oC to 40oC) Nonoperating -7.6oF to 140oF (-20oC to 60oC) Relative Humidity (noncondensing): Operating 10% to 90% Nonoperating 5% to 95% Shock: Operating 10 g, 11 ms, half sine Nonoperating 60 g, 11 ms, half sine Vibration: Operating 0.25 g, 5 - 500 Hz/octave/min sweep Nonoperating 1.00 g, 5 - 500 Hz/octave/min sweep Maximum Unpressurized Altitude: Operating 10,000 ft (3,658 m) Nonoperating 40,000 ft (15,750 m) ------------------------------ Subject: 1.3.10 External Diskette Drive Dimensions (H x W x D): Disk Drive 1.10 x 4.25 x 5.87 inches (2.8 x 10.8 x 14.9 cm) PCMCIA Interface Card .19 x 2.13 x 4.37 inches (48 x 5.4 x 11.1 cm) Diskette Size 3.5 inch (8.89 cm) Weight 12.2 oz (340 g) LED Indicator Green Capacity Per Diskette 1.44 MB (720 KB) I/O Space Configurations: Primary 3FX Secondary 37X PCMCIA Interface Card Type II Read/Write Heads 2 Voltage Requirement +5 Vdc Environmental Requirements: Operating 41oF to 113oF (5oC to 45oC) Nonoperating -7.6oF to 140oF (-22oC to 60oC) Relative Humidity (noncondensing): Operating 10% to 90% Nonoperating 5% to 90% Shock: Operating 8 G, 11 ms, half sine Nonoperating 100 G, 11 ms, half sine Vibration: Operating 1.0 G, 5 - 500 Hz/octave/min sweep Nonoperating 1.5 G, 5 - 500 Hz/octave/min sweep Acoustic Noise 33 dBA Maximum Unpressurized Altitude: Operating 9,850 ft (3,077 m) Nonoperating 50,000 ft (12,308m) NOTE 1: Hard drive specifications may vary slightly depending on vendor. 2: Battery life is based on an estimated typical use pattern of an average user. Battery life will vary based on the configuration of the computer and the usage pattern of the individual user. To maximize battery life, Compaq recommends that power conservation be set to high. ------------------------------ Subject: 1.3.11 Video Controller [C] Date: Tue, 17 Feb 1998 14:41:48 +0100 From: Markus Gebhard I have looked for something in the FAQ and happened to find the chapter: Video Controller It is from Christian Rausch and I do not know when this informations have been written down. But this informations are all pretty much out of date, for we know much more about the Aero's graphics. It is all written down at http://kakadu.rz.uni-passau.de/~gebhar03/aero/video.htm Here is the peace of information most related to 1.3.11: The 4/33c ueses a SPC8106F0b, not a SPC8108. It has 512k of RAM but the model F0b of this chip is not able to access the upper 256k. The F0c revision is able to do this but there is no Aero in the world with this chip revision. I think it would be a good idea to add a link to the video part from my page at this place and to delete the last part of the text in 1.3.11, for it only will cause confusion. [C] From: Christian.Rausch Date: 1996? according to compaq: http://www.compaq.com/productinfo/notebooks/video_specs/videospecs.htm the Aero uses a SMOS 8108 LCD controller from SMOS/Epson. Description The SPC8108FOC is a versatile VGA graphics controller capable of driving liquid crystal displays and analog CRT monitors. The controller integrates all LCD interface, sequencing and gray shading logic into one small form factor 144 pin package. With the addition of an industry standard '477 type RAMDAC, the SPC8108FOC will also drive a VGA fixed frequency or multifrequency monitor. The target products for this device are price and power sensitive 80 x 86 microprocessor based subnotebooks or other specialized LCD systems where a high quality 16 or 64 gray shade VGA image on a 320 x 200 to 640 x 480 LCD panel display are the major design criteria. I do not know if this really is the controller inside the Aero, since I haven't opened my Aero 4/25 yet (has anybody else looked at the LCD controller's label ? Please, tell us what's written on it! Has anybody seen the above mentioned '477 RAMDAC?). The product brief above tells that the SPC8108 is a MONOCHROME LCD controller, but according to Compaq it's also used on color Aeros! So, maybe SMOS built a special version for Compaq, or Compaq uses some tricks to use the SPC8108 for the color LCD screen. If the Aero's controller is the SPC8108 above, or at least similar to the SPC8108, then we're not lucky, because it seems to be restricted to 256k video RAM, which is not enough for 640x480x256(colors). The other 256k are used, according to Compaq, for the 'pop-up feature when coming out of stand-by' and seem to be inaccessible by the LCD controller. ------------------------------ Subject: 1.3.12 Part Numbers Data taken from CompaqDocument Number: 107315-025, Volume 1, January 1996 If two numbers are given, the first is an assembly part number, and the second is a replacement part number. You probably want the second if you are fixing your aero. System Boards Assembly Spare Part System 4/25 System * 003209-002 197241-001 4/25 4/33C System * 003489-001 199222-001 4/33C * Without PCMCIA eject rails. Memory Boards Assembly Spare Part Option 4 MB Expansion 003296-002 190565-001 190532-001 8 MB Expansion 003308-001 190596-001 190597-001 Misc. Internal Assembly Spare Part System Backlight Inv, mono 003215-001 190522-001 4/25 Display Panel, mono -- 190624-001 4/25 Backlight Inv, color 003492-001 199223-001 4/33C Display Panel, color -- 199232-001 4/33C Trackball Assembly -- 197286-001 4/25, 4/33C Trackball, Matte* -- * -- Display Clutch 190638-001 185099-001 4/25 Display Clutch 190638-002 199336-001 4/33 * A Trackball (Matte), retainer ring, and/or trackball cleaning kit may be obtained directly by U.S. customers by calling 1-800-841-2761. In Canada, call 1-800-952-7689. Misc. External Spare Part System AC Adapter 190621-001 4/25, 4/33C Automobile Adapter 190551-001 4/25, 4/33C Convenience Base Unit 190568-001 4/25, 4/33C Mobile Port Expander 197364-001 4/25, 4/33C NiMH Extended Life Battery Pack 190626-001 4/25, 4/33C NiMH Standard Battery Pack (w/spacer) 190697-001 4/25 Battery Spacer 197317-001 4/25, 4/33C Trackball Cleaning Kit * 184115-001 All * A Trackball (Matte), retainer ring, and/or trackball cleaning kit may be obtained directly by U.S. customers by calling 1-800-841-2761. In Canada, call 1-800-952-7689. Hard Drives Drive Type Min ROM Spare Part System 84 MB 65 System 190660-001 4/25, 4/33C 170 MB 65 System 190661-001* 4/25 170 MB 65 System 199275-001 4/33C 250 MB 65 System 199233-001 4/25, 4/33C * Currently restricted to 4/25 for FCC approval. Modems Assembly Spare Part System SpeedPaq 144/P PCMCIA 198112-001 194131-001 All PCMCIA 14.4 Data + Fax * 149776-001 194097-001 All PCMCIA 2400/9600 Data + Fax 149775-001 194098-001 All SpeedPaq 192 PCMCIA Fax Modem 004234 187123-001 All 192 PCMCIA Fax Modem 004329 188512-001 All 288 PCMCIA Fax Modem 004467 189661-001 All * Obsolete. Replaced by 187123-001. Must also order 187145-001 (modem adapter kit). External Diskette Spare Part System PCMCIA External 1.44 MB Diskette 190563-001 4/25, 4/33C Cables Used With Spare Part System Display Cable Mono display 197238-001 4/25 Display Cable Color display 199258-001 4/33C Communication Cable WinLink 197318-001 4/25, 4/33C Trackball/Speaker Cable -- 197312-001 4/25, 4/33C ROM Information Spare Part ROMPaq 181088-001 Power Supply/Battery Spare Part Power Supply 190521-001 Clock Battery 117099-001 and as mentioned in various posts to the list: replacement battery cover and Memory upgrade door 197239-001 (Gallivan) you can also take a look at Gebhard Markus's page of parts: http://kakadu.rz.uni-passau.de/~gebhar03/aero/parts/parts.htm ------------------------------ Subject: 1.4 User Opinions [C] From: filipe.gama@ip.pt (Filipe Gama) Subject: What to do with my Aero? Date: 29 Oct 2001 16:03:40 -0500 "John C. Sanders" wrote: > I have a Compaq Contura Aero with a screen problem or, to put it more > precisely, a screen cable problem. Hi John You can easely fix the aero. Mine had that problem some months ago and now is working ok My 486/33 colour aero has a 1gb drive, 20 Mb of ram, a IR door and a 56K modem. Throught the IR door I can connect to a Siemens 25 GSM mobile phone and access the web at the astonished speed of 9600 baud ;-)) Now I m testing a GPS device connected to the aero (an old Garmin 45 ) and so far so good. (It shows me where I am and with a map of Lisbon in the screen - where I live, it is almost as good as a "In car Navigator") Bye Filipe Gama Lisbon Portugal ------------------------------ Subject: 1.4.1 Is the machine really that bad? [C] Date: Wed, 26 May 1999 04:36:13 -0500 I finished painting my Aero last night, and I just now got her back together. http://www.cybertron.com/~timethy/pics/aero1.jpg 32 kb http://www.cybertron.com/~timethy/pics/aero2.jpg 39 kb She's flourescent pink green orange and yellow. :) --Timmy [C] Date: Wed, 7 Apr 1999 17:50:10 +0200 From: Stefan `Sec` Zehl Subject: Ode to aero. Hi, I just got this fuzzy feeling about my aero, and thought i'd write it down. I like my aero very much. I bought it a couple of years ago, it was mostly a coincidence. A freind of mine had one, and I immedeatly liked its small size. 8M ram and a 386 seemd quite good back then. At first it ran windows, and did that quite well. I never did big things with it, just write a few text, the occasional small C program (using djgcc, if anyone cares :) and playing a game every now an then. I had to lend it to other people (including my mother) quite a bit, which wrote bigger texts, while sitting outside in the green grass (albeit the display is not very well readable in the sunlight). Then when I was converted to 'the Unix side' i didn't use it for about a year. Finally though, I installed FreeBSD on it, and it got used a little more again. Taking notes during lectures (this was where my 4M ram module got flakey and triggered spontaneous reboots - i then bought a new 16M one) And one or another small game. Actually I got X running (in the well known modes) after some fiddling around, but am not very satisfied with this. I prefer to use the console now. After some fiddling around I even got it to spin its harddisk down on inactivity (unix does like to access the disk every now and then). Then my Akkus (still the same from the original buy) still last 2-3 hours, which is enough for the odd use without an power outlet. Now that I have an Palm III to take small notes, plan my schedule and play a quick game, my aero didn't get unused, no. It merely got more Äinteresting' tasks. So it served my leased line, and acted as a router for more than a week, when no computer was at hand (including the time to set up) where it proved to be as reliable as any other server. Actually this happend more than once, since it's just convinient :) I can act as an DNS server, irc, web and ftp-server on small meetings where we connect severeal laptops together. Possibly even connect all of them to the internet via a GSM modem, and NAT (although i didn't yet do this). Also it is a reliable Backup device for my pilot when I'm away. All in all, I must say, that the aero was an worthy companion all the years, and definitly made life easier. I have to admit, that it's lifetime is definitly coming to an and (compaq even started to recycle the name %-). Of course I will not trash it now, as it still does good things, but I don't think I will put much more time in upgrades or fixing things. Nowerdays, i'd just like to be able to run X without big problems, maybe even play an mp3 file while traveling around, and all in all be a bit faster. Ah, btw. I didn't upgrade my harddisk from it's original 150 (not sure now) Megs, and didn't yet break my clutch (*knocking on wood*) but the display cable starts getting loose, as it flickers quite abit every now and then. Fare wall all aeronauts, for this is truely a great computer. CU, Sec -- Failure is not an option. It comes bundled with your Microsoft product. [C] Yeah, it's so bad that I just bought my second one! :-) No, honestly, I LOVE this thing. It's just that the couple of recent problem threads on this list represent real problems. Nobody posts: "Ooooo! I love the battery life" or "Wow - Check that great keyboard layout" or "Only 4 pounds - How did I ever live with that old, heavier, laptop" or "Man, was this a great price for such a nice system" or "Isn't it great to have an integrated trackball instead of one of them lame-brained dongle-pointer-dealies that are forever falling off or getting caught on stuff or rubbing on the side of the chair you're sitting in?" See, nobody complains when everything's coming their way. Relax - it's a GREAT computer. ------------------------------ Subject: 1.4.2 Opinions on Aero features (The Quick FAQs) [Q] How much battery life can I expect (main use word processing). How long to recharge? Is there a separate power brick and recharger? [A] Up to 4 hours maximum and 1 hour to recharge. You don't need a separate recharger but you can buy one if you wish to recharge two batteries at once. [A] I get two to three hours runtime on my 4/33 color machine using Windows. Recharge time is about 1.5 hours; but that's also using the "extended" battery which ships with the color Aeros. Of course, recharge time is longer if you're using the machine; but you can use it while the battery is recharging. The AC adapter is not your usual "wall-wart" brick. It's a block about 4.5" x 2.25" x 1.2" with an 18" cable to the plug which goes into the Aero. The other end has a socket for the line cord that plugs into the wall. This unit serves as both the battery charger and the AC adapter. Extras are available for $29 or so; I bought a second one so I can have one at work and one at home. Note that the battery must be recharged while within the Aero. The optional Convenience Base has a spot for recharging a second battery; without this you'd have to put a spare battery into the Aero to recharge it. [Q] What do you think about the ergonomic factors (e.g., screen size, keyboard layout, trackball, etc?) [A] Keyboard is great and silent. Screen size 8" is more than enough for 640x480 resolution screen. Think about it: on desktops people are using a 15" screen with 1024x780. [A] I like them. Screen size is just fine for me. The DOS text-mode font seems fine; better than some laptops I've seen. I like the keyboard more than any other subnote I've used, and the trackball is fine. However, these are all very subjective things and what works for me may not work for you. ------------------------------ Subject: 1.5 Who's using an Aero [C] Date: Sat, 8 Sep 2001 12:07:18 +1200 (NZST) From: Donald Gordon Subject: Aero sighting (for section 1.5 of the FAQ) I just noticed the "Who's using an Aero" section of the Aero FAQ and thought I would add my NZ$0.02: There was an ad on NZ television (some time ago now) for the online yellow pages; it featured what looked like a copy of the yellow pages with a laptop inside that looked suspiciously like an Aero. There was a nice closeup of the purple powerbutton too. Cheers don [C] From: "Daniel Gentleman (ns)" Date: Fri, 21 Nov 1997 16:30:53 -0600 There is a kind of computer cart sold at Wal-Mart that has a Contura Aero sitting on it on the little picture of it on the box. [C] Date: Thu, 17 Apr 1997 21:45:15 -0600 Reply-To: adavie Subject: Media appearances of Aero I noticed that one of the characters of Fox's "Living Single" show (the character played by Queen Latifah) uses an Aero. I think this is my first television sighting (other than the Aero commercials) of our little friend, but i don't watch much t.v. outside of the Simpsons... Has the Aero appeared in any movies or other t.v. shows? [C] From: mccann Date: Fri, 18 Apr 1997 09:08:05 -0400 It's hardly Hollywood, but I have noticed that the facilities engineers use Aeros in the modern office building where I work. It looks like they plug them into something to take environmental readings (office air quality, humidity, temperature). ------------------------------ Subject: 2 Hardware ------------------------------ Subject: 2.1 Aero The aero has an ISA bus. [C] From: JLSmith42 Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1998 23:32:40 EDT Subject: Beverage Spill Repair (was: seeking innards of aero) > I caffeinated my aero with a cup of coffee and it did a nice ZZZZZZ!!! > and stopped functioning. I'm believe I blew out the power supply and the > hard drive and the pcmcia network card in the slot. If I replace the > motherboard and the hard drive, will the machine function again? > i.e. Do you think I irreparably damaged the display as well? i had an experience similar to this with coca-cola instead of coffee. it spilled all over the inside; i ended up taking the machine apart for draining, cleaning, and drying. i'm still using it, and have noticed no probelms whatsoever from the incident. perhaps i was just lucky!! try testing your suspect parts ( if you have that capability ) just to be sure they are dead. mount your HD in another computer to see if it accepts power. ( the stock HD seems to be well sealed from external influence. but i suppose that all HD's are ;) ) same with your network card. Unless your display took a direct hit, it should probably be fine. good luck. just my 2 bits -- jls Leo Smith [C] Date: Fri, 02 May 1997 20:59:32 +0200 From: Arnaud Hubert Subject: Aero's serial number Hi fellow Aeronauts, I finally got back my Aero 10 days after taking it to maintenance for having broken of the pins of the PCMCIA connector (I inserted the PCMCIA SCSI card upside down, God I'm stupid). The guy there explained to me what the serial number means: Mine is 7435HMR40135: 7 is the factory unit. 4 is the year ('94). 35 is the week of manufacturing (the 35th of 94). The rest is meaningless. ------------------------------ Subject: 2.1.1 CPU Intel inside! ------------------------------ Subject: 2.1.1.1 Is it upgradeable? From: Gordy Gale Date: Mon, 07 Dec 1998 15:00:21 -0800 >>We can't even buy the parts necessary to perform this upgrade and even >>if we could it has been deemed IMPOSSIBLE. >> >>Sincerely, >>Ryan Mitchell >>Purchasing Manager >>Corporate Upgrades, Inc. [message edited slightly for brevity] [C] Date: Mon, 5 Oct 1998 09:44:21 -0700 (PDT) To: Quinton Jones Jr From: "Douglas J. Hirsch, Maximum Upgrades" RE: AMD DX5-133 (a.k.a. AMD5x86P75) running at 133MHz This upgrade chip works with most Intel 486/33 chips, but there are a few exceptions. Some SX/33 chips were made in a 196 pin package that is not compatable with the 208 pin AMD upgrade (Gateway Handbook and Compaq Aero use these chips). Douglas Hirsch Internet Support Maximum Upgrades web: http://www.maxup.com ------------------------------ Subject: 2.1.1.2 Is it FPU upgradeable? [C] I am using Q386 3.65, a math accelerator and coprocessor emulator for 386SX and higher machines. (Copyright Quickware) It works nice. (e.g. with Mathematica) You should be able to find it on any SIMTEL mirror in the directory mathcopr. The name of the newest version seems to be q87_371.zip. I do not think that there is any possibility to plug in a real coprocessor. [C] Date: Fri, 17 Jul 1998 09:34:20 -0600 (MDT) From: bgeer I am using a fpu emulator for DOS/Win3/Win95 which can be found at: http://www.delorie.com/djgpp (see below for details) DJGPP is a port of the Gnu toolset to M$ OS. It is free. It includes gcc & g++ compilers, ar, make, gdb debugger, bash, grep, less (more, only different:-), diff, df, du, & all the vastly more useful tools us Unix'ophiles have come to know & love. Specifically for DOS/MSWin it includes cwsdpmi (DPMI services) & go32 which enables all programs compiled w/ gcc & g++ to execute in 32-bit mode on DOS, Win3, Win95, WinNT. I use this toolset on my Aero & have absolutely no problems with it. My most notable project is developing access functions to drill into Clipper databases for improved data query. With very very few #ifdef's the exact same code compiles & runs on DOS/MSWin & Linux. I've found that my programs run 5 to 10 times faster on Win95 in a bash window than in a DOS prompt window. > How about giving us a clue as to where to look on that site? > Or maybe even, (dare I ask?) a filename or a closer URL?? :^) Oh, where's your sense of adventure?!?!? [Just kidding...] Ok: djdev201.zip contains bin/emu387.dxe & bin/go32-v2.exe djlsr201.zip contains [sources] csdpmi3b.zip contains bin/cwsdpmi.exe Newer versions may be available - I downloaded this over a year ago! Yes, there's lots of stuff there...but it adds up to a mere 63Mbytes of stuff if you grab everything including sources & all of emacs. Last time I installed a Borland or Microsoft C++ compiler it added up to more disk space & didn't provide cross-platform compatibility. ------------------------------ Subject: 2.1.2 Memory (RAM) ------------------------------ Subject: 2.1.2.1 How do you upgrade? Both the online help and the printed docs tell you how to do it. The Aero can be expanded to 8, 12, or 20 meg of RAM. Going to 20 meg requires a 16 meg module, Compaq doesn't sell one. In any case, third party memory seems to be a lot cheaper than Compaq memory, and I've seen nothing in the docs which claims that using 3rd party memory affects the warranty in any way. Note that there's only space for one memory module. If you buy a 4M module (for 8M total), and later want to go to 12 or 20 meg, you must replace the 4M module. [C] Date: Thu, 01 May 1997 10:55:04 -0800 From: "Gerry M." Subject: Re: Memory port cover The memory slot cover does not usually break!!! It looks like it's going to when you try to pry it with a screw driver but it shouldn't. Take your time and do it slowly. Its supposed to be make from very flexible plastic at least thats what the Compaq rep told me. I managed to open the slot by using a wide flat head screw driver and a coin. You twist the screw driver slowly assisted by the coin. Refer to the diagram below... ----------------- | | | | Screw Driver---> || <== | here | | | | --------\/------- Coin Here [C] Date: Sat, 10 Jul 1999 11:51:55 -0700 From: Gordy Gale Subject: Re: Upgrade to Win95 (Addendum) Philip, According to the 3 Compaq Telephone tech guys I spoke with, the System ROMPAQs that are available, SP1487 (old), SP1992 (latest), are COMPLETE system flash ROMS. They said that there was no other way to do it. No such thing as a partial ROM flash, as you are essentially reprogramming the BIOS, just like on a desktop motherboard. Just to be sure, I asked the specific question, "Should I run SP1487 first and then run SP1992?" The tech said "NO, SP1992 is all you need to run as it is the latest version". [C] From: Philip Wilk Date: Thu, 5 Sep 1996 16:24:04 -0700 (PDT) Subject: sp1992 warning See note above. The following is probably incorrect, it must have been due to something else. I almost had a cardiac arrest last night. I purchased my 16Mb memory module and installed it but my aero only recognized 16Mb. So I proceeded to install sp1992 not noticing that it was a *patch* for sp1487. I was running a 6/94 bios (hey, if its not broke don't fix it). Sp1992 got rather confused, attempted to install itself and then crashed. When I rebooted, it kept on getting memory configuration errors. *Moment of panic*. My aero will not start up. I kept on choosing the save-config option and after a couple times through of recognizing/not recognizing the 20Mb of memory; it finally booted. I quickly installed the full ROM upgrade sp1487 and since then have not had any problems. *whew* ------------------------------ Subject: 2.1.2.3 How much are memory upgrades? [C] Date: Mon, 26 May 1997 12:53:23 -0700 (PDT) From: Elizabeth Yip I upgraded the memory to 20M ($119 at Components Direct (888)426-6799, Sales Rep.: Nicholas). [C] Date: Thu, 27 Feb 1997 09:32:46 -0800 From: "Randy, Evelyn & Mark" I just ordered a 16M memory module from Impediment Incorporated, 541 Plain St., Marshfiedl, MA 02050-2713. Kathleen Leu at kathy@impediment.com is the person that handles portable memory sales. She quoted $75 for an 8M module (PN: KTC-AERO8) and $135 for a 16M module (PN: KTC-AERO16). S&H came to $10. There's another outfit in El Segundo, CA called En Pointe Tech. Call Gentry Richardson ar (310) 725-5248 for ordering. Their quotes were as follows: 4M $65, 8M $85, 16M $135. Another source is Ariston Technologies - (714) 846-7676, 16892 Bolsa Chica Street, Suite 204, Huntington Beach, California. Their quotes: 4M $52, 8M $84, 16M $149. Memory Plus, Inc.46 East Main Street Westboro, MA 01581 TO ORDER, CALL: (800)388-7587 or (508)366-2240 FAX: (508)366-7344 Internet Address: parts@memoryplus.com. Their latest quotes: $60, $90, and $169 resp. McGlen Micro, Inc. 17748 Skypark Circle Suite 252 Irvine, CA 92614, USA Sales, Customer Support: (714)851-8078 (800)899-8849 Fax: (714)851-0251 Their quotes: $52, $84, and $149 Found these folks by search engine on computer memory and calling. There's lots more available. Evelyn [C] From: . The price was $128 plus $9.50 shipping (it's to be delivered Monday, so I can't speak to quality; others on this list say they work, though). Not bad, considering Southland was quoting $150 last week. Southland's number is 1-800-255-4200, and I spoke to Kay (who handles new accounts). The 16mb RAM part number is: SMC 16MB-AERO. They also sell 8mb and 4mb, I think. Best, Andy [C] From ("Sylvain Soulieres"), on 8/19/96 For those of you who are looking for a cheap 16 MB RAM upgrade module for their Compaq Aero, I just ordered one from "Southland Micro Systems". I should receive it by the end of the week... At that time, I will post a final status on the module... Note that their WEB site specified a price of U$ 215 for the module (P/N "SMC 16MB-AERO"), but I just talked to Nadia from sales (phone extension 160), and their current price is U$ 150 + shipping + insurance charges !!! Here are the coordinates : Vendor : Southland Micro Systems Location : Irvine, California 92618 Web site : www.southlandmicro.com Phone : (800) 255-4200 or (714) 380-1958 You should also note that they offer an unconditionnal lifetime warranty on their modules. [C] Sylvain had no problem with his memory from Southland, so I went and bought me 16 Mb for the same price. Works great! - Philip Wilk [C] From: