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pre

Two laptops. Both have problems...

Dell XPi133ST P133, 48Mb, 2Gb, Win98, IE6.
Current Status: won't network using Network Neighbourhood.

IBM 560 Thinkpad P133, 24Mb, 1Gb, Win95, IE4.
Current Status: won't boot.

...and a TEAC CDROM that won't work with either...

quote

"As humans we are complex and chaotic when healthy and rigidly orderly when ill."
- Stuart Davidson

esoteric

Take a trip into the underbelly of your Windows system, and get down and dirty at the command line. Discover a number of useful programs that you may not even know you had installed...

DOS Box Commands

C:\ chkdsk - otherwise known as "scandisk'. Useful for spot-checks of your drives, or should you ever find yourself booting to the recovery console.
C:\ format - formatting is what format does, but unlike using the formatting options in a device's properties window or in the disk management console, you can force the file system type with this command. Handy for creating large FAT32 volumes that Windows would normally restrict to NTFS.
C:\ verify - actually a command rather than a program, this will tell Windows to verify that files are written correctly - handy when copying files to floppies. Floppies are renowned for generating bad sectors for no apparent reason, and verify will ensure that at least at the time the files were written that they could be read back just fine. Between floppies and the verify command, 'snearkernet' isn't dead just yet.
C:\ fc - file compare, carried over from DOS. This program will efficiently compare the contents of the two files, ASCII or binary, and list the differences. A great tool for, er, hacking savegames.
C:\ winver - yes, there is a program whose sole purpose is to popup a window and tell you what version of Windows you are using. A simpler method is to run 'ver' at the command propmpt. Listed here purely for entertainment value.

computer

Specifications: Dell� Latitude� XPi CD

Microprocessor
System Information
PC Cards
Memory
Ports and Connectors
CD-ROM Drive
Video

Audio
Keyboard
Display Key Combinations
Power-Conservation Key Combinations
Processing-Speed Key Combination
Speaker Key Combinations
System-Functions Key Combinations

CD-ROM Drive Key Combination
Physical
Environmental
Display
Battery
AC Adapter
Regulatory

Microprocessor

Microprocessor type:

Latitude XPi CD M166ST and Latitude XPi CD M133ST

Intel� Pentium� microprocessor with MMX technology running at 166 MHz or 133 MHz

Latitude XPi CD P150ST

Intel Pentium microprocessor running at 150 MHz

Internal cache:

Latitude XPi CD M166ST and Latitude XPi CD M133ST

32 KB

Latitude XPi CD P150ST

16 KB

External cache

256-KB pipelined-burst SRAM

Math coprocessor

internal to microprocessor

Voltage

3.1 V

System Information

System chip set

Pico Power Vesuvius-LS Core Logic

Data bus width

64 bits

Address bus width

32 bits

DRAM bus width

64 bits

DMA channels

7 (0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7)

Timers

3 channels (speaker, DRAM refresh, and system clock)

Interrupt levels

14 (1, 2, and 9 shared; 3-15 [13, internal])

Security EEPROM

256 bytes

Flash EPROM

256 KB

BIOS source

Phoenix

NIC controller

located on the replicator (Ethernet SMC91C92; Token Ring IBM04H8297)

I/O controller chip

National Semiconductor PC8733VJG

Serial port UART

16550

Local bus:

Latitude XPi CD M166ST and Latitude XPi CD M133ST

66 MHz

Latitude XPi CD P150ST

60 MHz

PCI bus:

Latitude XPi CD M166ST and Latitude XPi CD M133ST

33 MHz

Latitude XPi CD P150ST

30 MHz

PC Cards

PC Card controller:

Latitude XPi CD M166ST and Latitude XPi CD M133ST

Texas Instruments PCI 1131 CardBus controller

Latitude XPi CD P150ST

Texas Instruments PCI 1130 CardBus controller

PC Card connectors

2 (type I or type II cards can be used in any combination; type III cards have special installation instructions)

PC Card connector size

68 pins

Cards supported

3.3-V and 5-V

Bus type

PCI

Bus speed

30 MHz

Data width:

PCMCIA

16 bits

CardBus

32 bits

* The device driver for the PCI 1131 CardBus controller is compatible with the PCI 1130 CardBus controller. However, the device driver for the PCI 1130 CardBus controller is not compatible with the PCI 1131 CardBus controller.

Memory

Architecture

EDO memory

Wait states

7-2-2-2 for EDO

Memory module sockets

Memory module capacities:

Latitude XPi CD M166ST and Latitude XPi CD M133ST

8-, 16-, and 32-MB fast-page mode

Latitude XPi CD P150ST

8- and 16-MB fast-page mode

Memory module type

EDO on system board
FPM in DIMMs

Standard RAM

16 MB (EDO) on system board

Maximum RAM:

Latitude XPi CD M166ST and Latitude XPi CD M133ST

80 MB

Latitude XPi CD P150ST

48 MB

Memory access time:

tRAC

70 ns

tCAC

20 ns

BIOS address

F000:0000 (system)

* The computer supports fast-page mode memory modules for memory upgrades.

Ports and Connectors

Serial (DTE)

(1) 9-pin connector; 16550-compatible 16-byte buffer

Parallel

(1) 25-hole connector
(unidirectional, bidirectional, EPP 1.9, or ECP)

Video

(1) 15-hole connector

PS/2-style keyboard/mouse/keypad

(1) 6-pin mini-DIN (does not support more than one device at a time)

Infrared

2 ports compatible with IrDA Standard 1.1 (Fast IR)

Audio jacks

microphone-in;
line-in/audio-in;
headphones/speakers

Advanced Port Replicator

200-pin connector

CD-ROM Drive

Disc size

8 cm and 12 cm (no adapter required)

Data transfer rate (minimum):*

Sustained

900 KB/sec (mode 2 disc)

Burst

14.4 MB/sec (PIO mode 3)

Seek time:

Random

200 ms

Full-stroke

500 ms

Access time:

Random

250 ms

Full-stroke

550 ms

Memory buffer

128 KB

* The data transfer rate of the CD-ROM drive in your computer may be faster, depending on when you purchased the computer.

Video

Video type

hardware-accelerated, 128-bit PCI

Video controller:*

Latitude XPi CD M166ST and Latitude XPi CD M133ST

NeoMagic 2093

Latitude XPi CD P150ST

NeoMagic 2090

Integrated video memory

1.1 MB (2.0-MB performance equivalent)

Video resolution**

800 x 600 pixels, 65,536 colors (however, the integrated video adapter can support up to 1024 x 768 pixels on an external monitor)

* The device driver for NeoMagic 2093 video controller is compatible with the NeoMagic 2090 video controller. However, the device driver for the NeoMagic 2090 video controller is not compatible with the NeoMagic 2093 video controller.

** Extended video modes require special video drivers.

Audio

Audio controller:*

Latitude XPi CD M166ST and Latitude XPi CD M133ST

ESS 1887
ESS 690 wavetable music synthesizer
ESS 938 3D audio spatializer (on systems using Windows 95)

Latitude XPi CD P150ST

ESS 1888
ESS 690 wavetable music synthesizer
ESS 938 3D audio spatializer (on systems using Windows 95)

Audio type

SoundBlasterPro-compatible 3.01 voice and music functions

Stereo

16-bit (analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversion)

FM music synthesizer

20-voice, 72-operator

Interfaces

internal ISA bus;
external stereo line-in (minijack, stereo);
external microphone-in (minijack, mono);
external headphones/speakers-out (minijack, stereo)

Speakers

(4) 8-ohm speakers

Internal speaker amplifier

1 W into 8 ohms mono

Headphones amplifier

150 mW into 32 ohms stereo

Controls

volume can be controlled with key combinations, software applications menus, the Speaker window in the Dell Control Center, and the System Setup program

* The device driver for ESS 1887 audio controller is compatible with the ESS 1888 audio controller. However, the device driver for the ESS 1888 audio controller is not compatible with the ESS 1887 audio controller.

Keyboard

Number of keys

85 (US, Canada, Korea, Thailand, and locations that use traditional Chinese);
86 (Europe);
87 (Japan)

Key travel

3.0 � 0.5 mm (0.12 � 0.02 inch)

Key spacing

18.25 mm (0.72 inch)

Layout

QWERTY (US and Canada);
AZERTY (Europe);
Kanji (Japan)

Display Key Combinations

<Fn> down arrow

Incrementally increases brightness.

<Fn> up arrow

Incrementally decreases brightness.

<Fn> right arrow

Incrementally decreases contrast (no effect on active-matrix color display).

<Fn> left arrow

Incrementally increases contrast (no effect on an active-matrix color display).

Toggles the computer's display between regular video mode and reverse video mode (white on black). This key combination works only if the computer is in text mode; it has no effect if the computer is running a graphical operating system or application program. This feature is not supported on the Dell Latitude XPi CDs active-matrix display.

Toggles the computer's display between expanded mode and regular video mode. This key combination works only if the computer is in video text mode; it has no effect if the computer is running a graphical operating system or application program.

Switches the video image to the next display in the following sequence: the built-in display, an external monitor, both displays simultaneously.

<Fn><d>

Turns off the built-in display.

Power-Conservation Key Combinations

Displays the battery status in the System Setup program

<Fn><d>

Turns off the built-in display

<Fn><h>

Turns off the hard-disk drive

Activates the suspend mode

<Fn><a>

Activates suspend-to-disk mode

<Fn><b>

Activates and deactivates battery swap mode

Processing-Speed Key Combination

<Fn></>

Switches between the microprocessor's maximum speed and a slower compatibility speed

Speaker Key Combinations

Toggles the built-in speakers on and off; this key combination affects system sounds, such as beep codes and keyboard clicks.

Incrementally increases the integrated sound for audio application programs.

Incrementally decreases the integrated sound for audio application programs.

Toggles mute function on or off for audio application programs.

System-Functions Key Combinations

Restarts (reboots) your computer

Opens the System Setup program

<Fn><w>

Prepares the computer for attachment to the Advanced Port Replicator

CD-ROM Drive Key Combination

<Fn><e>

Ejects the CD tray

Physical

Dimensions:

Height

63.0 mm (2.48 inches)

Width

280.9 mm (11.06 inches)

Depth

233.5 mm (9.19 inches)

Weight:*

Latitude XPi CD M166ST and Latitude XPi CD M133ST

3.4 kg (7.4 lb)

Latitude XPi CD M150ST

3.3 kg (7.3 lb)

* Includes battery and hard-disk drive

Environmental

Temperature:

Operating

10� to 40�C (50� to 104�F)

Storage

–40� to 65�C (–40� to 149�F)

Relative humidity:

20% to 80% (noncondensing)

Operating

90% (noncondensing)

Storage

95% (noncondensing)

Maximum vibration:

Operating

0.51 GRMS, using a random-vibration spectrum that simulates truck shipment

Storage

1.1 GRMS, using a random-vibration spectrum that simulates air/truck shipment

Maximum shock:*

Operating

152.4 cm/sec (60 inches/sec)
(less than or equal to a pulse width of 2 ms)

Storage

203.2 cm/sec (80 inches/sec)
(less than or equal to a pulse width of 2 ms)

Altitude (maximum):

Operating

3048 m (10,000 ft)

Storage

10,600 m (35,000 ft)

* Measured with the hard-disk drive in head-parked position

Display

Type

active matrix color (TFT)

Dimensions (active area):

Height

184.5 mm (7.26 inches)

Width

246.0 mm (9.68 inches)

Diagonal

307.5 mm (12.1 inches)

Maximum resolution/colors

800 x 600 pixels; 65,536 colors

Response time (typical)

80 ms

Operating angle

0� (closed) to 180�

Dot pitch

0.31 mm

Power consumption:

Panel (typical)

0.69 W

Backlight

2.10 W

Controls

brightness can be controlled through a key combination or the Display window in the Dell Control Center

Battery

Type

lithium ion

Dimensions:

Height

20.5 mm (0.81 inch)

Width

78.5 mm (3.09 inches)

Depth

152.75 mm (6.01 inches)

Weight

0.41 kg (0.9 lb)

Voltage

14.4 VDC

Capacity

36 WH

Charge time (approximate):*

Computer on

2.5 hrs

Computer off

1.5 hrs

Life span (approximate)*

400 discharge/charge cycles

Temperature range:

Charge

10� to 40�C (50� to 104�F)

Discharge

10� to 40�C (50� to 104�F)

Storage

–40� to 65�C (–40� to 149�F)

NiCad reserve battery:

Voltage

7.2 V

Operating time (approx.)

2 minutes (if computer is in battery swap mode); 40 days (if power is turned off)

* Battery performance features such as charge time, operating time, and life span can vary according to the conditions under which the computer and battery are used.

AC Adapter

Input voltage

90 to 135 VAC and 164 to 264 VAC

Input current (maximum)

1.2 A and 0.6 A

Input frequency

47 to 63 Hz

Output current

4.5 A (maximum) and 3.5 A (continuous)

Rated output voltage

18.5 VDC

Height

27.94 mm (1.1 inches)

Width

58.42 mm (2.3 inches)

Depth

133.35 mm (5.25 inches)

Weight (with cables)

0.4 kg (0.89 lb)

Temperature range:

Operating

0� to 40�C (32� to 104�F)

Storage

–40� to 70�C (–40� to 158�F)

WARNING: The AC adapter that accompanies the Dell Latitude XPi and the Token Ring Advanced Port Replicator is designed to handle the specific power requirements of those devices. Do not use the AC adapter that accompanied a Dell Ethernet replicator or Dell Latitude XP computer to power the Dell Latitude XPi portable computer or the Token Ring Advanced Port Replicator.

Regulatory

FCC Class (U.S. Only)

Class B

IC Notice (Canada Only)

Class B

CE Certifications (Europe only)

EN 55022, EN 50082-1, IEC 801-2, IEC 801-3, IEC 801-4, EN60950:1992 + Amd.1:1993 + Amd.2:1993

Korean Notice

Class B

centrefold

from FHM

tips

For frequent floppy to HD transfers:

copy the following to a batch file :
move A:\*.* C:\download
and call it cp2hd.bat
create a shortcut to the batch file and copy it to the C:\Windows\Send To\ directory.
Rename the the shortcut "Move to Downloads".
Next time you use A drive right click and go to "Send To" this will move the contents of the floppy dir to your downloads directory.

NB: this assumes you have dir called "download" on your C drive. If you want to send your floppy contents elsewhere put the appropriate directory in at 1) above.