
Newton Keyboard support driver for the HP-LX
Copyright (C) K.Adachi 1997


User's Guide for Ver 0.5 (Beta Test Version)


[1] Scope

    This driver program enables the usage of a Newton keyboard
    (manufactured by Apple Computer, Inc.) on the HP200LX or
    the HP100LX.


[2] Package

    This package contains the following driver.

    o ntkey2lx system
      - ntkey2lx.com (.\NTKEY2LX\ntkey2lx.com)


[3] Necessary resources

 o The HP 200LX or the HP 100LX

 o Newton keyboard by Apple Computer, Inc.
   Part number X0035LL/A
   (No other keyboards are supported).
   Note: I received a report, however, that this driver works
         with X0035B/A (British model)

 o Cable HP-F1015A, available as a cable for connection between
   an HP-LX palmtop and a PC.  (HP-F1016A, available as a
   connection cable for Mac, CANNOT be used.)

 o Mini DIN connector, 8 pin, female

 o Small amount of solder for wire connection


[4] Usage

 o Creating a connection cable for a Newton keyboard

   Cut off the HP-F1015A cable and replace the 9-pin D-SUB
   female connector with a mini-DIN female connector as follows.

        /-U-\
      /-     -\                  ____
      | 8 7 6 |                 /    \
     /         \            +---      ---+
     | 5   4 3 |            |  5 4 3 2 1 |
     \         /            |            |
      | 2   1 |             | 10 9 8 7 6 |
      \       /             +------------+
       ^-   -^
       A \-/ A

    Mini-DIN 8-pin          HP-F1015A female
    female connector        connector
    as seen from            as seen from
    outside (hole side)     outside (hole side)

                   1 - 4 DTR
              GND  4 - 5 GND
                   5 - 2 RXD

              These three connections should be made.


 o Connecting a keyboard

   Connect a Newton keyboard to your HP-LX palmtop by the cable
   assembled as above.


 o Running a driver program

   First completely exit from the System Manager. At DOS
   prompt, enter as follows.

   - If you are using the HP-LX with normal clock or with a
     double-speed crystal supplied by SHS, enter
         ntkey2lx

   - If your HP-LX is running on a 32.00 MHz crystal, then
     enter
         ntkey2lx -1

   - If your HP-LX is running on a 36.00 MHz crystal, then
     enter
         ntkey2lx -2

   This will load the driver in the memory as a TSR program.
   To remove it, enter
         ntkey2lx -r

     Note: SHS (Setagaya Haijin Salon) is the original
           developer of the "double speed" clock upgrade for
           the 100LX and the 200LX.  Its crystal is marketed in
           Japan by PS Plaza Wakamatsu in Tokyo.  Several other
           sources exist for the crystal upgrade, but the
           compatibility with this driver is not yet verified
           for these second sources.


 o Press ALT+CTRL+','(Comma) on the keyboard of the HP-LX
   palmtop.  Short beep sound tells you the keyboard driver is
   now active.  Press any keys on the Newton keyboard to prove
   it.


[5] Command option for loading the driver

Option is not case sensitive.  Unknown options will lead you to
a display of usage summary.

 -1   Identify clock speed as x 2.02 (32.00MHz)

      This options tells the driver that the HP-LX is running
      on a 32.00 MHz crystal.  You cannot use it simultaneously
      with option '-2'.


 -2   Identify clock speed as x 2.27 (36.00MHz)

      This options tells the driver that the HP-LX is running
      on a 36.00 MHz crystal.  You cannot use it simultaneously
      with option '-1'.


 -c   Swap CapsLock and Ctrl.

      '-c' option assigns the Ctrl function to the Capslock
      key on Newton  keyboard, and Capslock function to Ctrl
      key.

      When this option is set, a part of the combinations of
      three or more keys, which includes the combination of
      Apple key and CapsLock key, may not work correctly, due
      to the hardware restriction of the Newton keyboard.

      When this option is active, Fn key on the HP-LX is
      simulated by Apple+Ctrl key.  Break key is represented by
      CapsLock+Apple+\(BackSlash) combination only.

      Examples:
          ntkey2lx -c
          ntkey2lx -2c


 -e   Simulate [ESC] by Ctrl+[.

      This option makes Ctrl+[ key combination to work as
      pressing the ESC key.

      Application software sees the pressing of Ctrl+[ exactly
      the same as pressing of ESC key.

      Examples:
          ntkey2lx -e
          ntkey2lx -ce


 -n   PowerBook like key-bind.
      This option makes the Newton keyboard to have a key layout
      similar to a Powerbook keyboard.

       Newton Keyboard    Assigned Function
      -----------------  ------------------
         `(backquote)        `(backquote)
       Apple [See Note]           ESC

      Note: If the Apple key is pressed down and released
            without any other key pressed during the action,
            then it is interrupted as a press-down and release
            of the ESC key.  The action of keeping ESC key down
            cannot be simulated,

      Examples:
          ntkey2lx -n
          ntkey2lx -2n


 -a   Swap Right arrow and Up arrow.

      This option assigns the function of the Up Arrow key to
      the Right Arrow key on the Newton keyboard, and the Right
      Arrow function to the Up Arrow key.

      The Right Arrow and Up Arrow are also swapped in
      combination with Apple key.

      This option cannot be used together with options -k and
      -t.

      Examples:
          ntkey2lx -a
          ntkey2lx -ace


 -k   Make an inverted T-shape layout of cursor keys
      ([/(Slash)] works as [UP]).

      This option changes the key layout on the Newton keyboard
      as follows.

      Keytop on the         Assigned
      Newton keyboard       Function
     ------------------------------------
      [/(Slash)]            {Up Arrow}
      [Right Arrow]         {Down Arrow}
      [Down Arrow]          {Right Arrow}
      [Up Arrow]            /(Slash)

      Key swapping is effective also in combination with Apple
      key.   For example, the combination of [Up Arrow] key
      and Apple key works as Menu key.

      This option cannot be used simultaneously with options
      -a and -t.

      Examples:
          ntkey2lx -k
          ntkey2lx -c -k -2


 -t   Make an inverted T-shape layout of cursor keys
      ([ShiftR] works as [UP]).

      This option changes the key layout on the Newton keyboard
      as follows.

      Keytop on the         Assigned
      Newton keyboard       Function
     ------------------------------------
      [Shift R]             {Up Arrow}
      [Right Arrow]         {Left Arrow}
      [Up Arrow]            {Right Arrow}
      [Left Arrow]          Shift R

      Key swapping is effective also in combination with Apple
      key.   For example, the combination of [Left Arrow] key
      and Apple key works as Ins key.

      This option cannot be used simultaneously with options
      -a and -k.

      Examples:
          ntkey2lx -t
          ntkey2lx -1ct


 -r   Remove TSR program

      This option removes the driver resident in the memory.
      This option cannot be specified together with other
      options.


[6] Other functions

 o After being loaded, this driver can be activated and
   deactivated by the following key strokes.
       ALT+CTRL+','(Comma)  ... activate the driver.
       ALT+CTRL+'.'(Period) ... deactivate the driver.
   The driver is not active when loaded.  It should be first
   activated.

 o While the driver is resident in the memory, you can
   deactivate it to use other programs, which use the COM1
   port.

     Note:
     Do not activate the driver (by ALT+CTRL+','(Comma)key)
     while other program is still using the COM1 port.  The
     program may not work correctly, even if you deactivate the
     driver again by ALT+CTRL+'.'(Period) key.

     However, if an application initializes COM1 port each time
     before use (such is a case with internal System Manager
     applications), probably it works correctly even after a
     cycle of activation/deactivation of the driver.  Filer on
     System Manager is confirmed to connect successfully to a
     host, by only disabling the driver and switching the cable
     connection.  You do not need to terminate and restart the
     System Manager in this case.

 o When the driver is deactivated and still in the memory,
   the power consumption is the same as the normal condition
   before the loading of the driver.  This is why I recommend
   to deactivate it by ALT+CTRL+'.'(Period), whenever you do
   not use the Newton keyboard.

 o You may want to load EXkey.com (creation by Maruha) before
   this driver, to solve the problem of shift+arrow keys, which
   otherwise were not passed correctly to the application.

 o This driver should be loaded before you start the System
   Manager.  It may not work correctly if you load it in the
   DOS process shelled out from System Manager by [Ctrl]+[123]
   key.

   Approximately one second after the switching between the
   applications on System Manager, the Newton keyboard may not
   accept keystrokes.The keystrokes during this period may be
   ignored.

 o Following keys on the Newton keyboard are assigned with 
   functions different from the original keys.

    Newton Keyboard    Assigned Function
   -----------------  ------------------
      `(backquote)         ESC (Note)
         Option            Alt
         Delete         BackSpace

   Note: The Command option -n can change this assignment.

 o Following HP-LX keys are simulated by the key combination on
   the Newton keyboard.

     the HP-LX Keys       Keystrokes on Newton Keyboard
   --------------------  -------------------------------------
      `(backquote)        Apple+`(backquote)
        F1 to F12         Apple+1 to Apple+=
    [Filer] to [&...]     Apple+Q to Apple+I
           Del            Apple+Delete
           Ins            Apple+Shift R
          Home            Apple+Left Arrow
           End            Apple+Right Arrow
          PgUp            Apple+Up Arrow
          PgDn            Apple+Down Arrow
          Menu            Apple+/(Slash) or Apple+\(BackSlash)
          ZOOM            Apple+Space
          DATE            Apple+,(Comma)
          TIME            Apple+.(Period)
          CUT             Apple+X
          COPY            Apple+C
          PASTE           Apple+V
          Fn              Apple+CapsLock (Sticky)
          BREAK           Ctrl+Apple+/ or Ctrl+Apple+\


[7] Limitations

 o If you use Newton keyboard in the DOS process shelled out
   from the System Manager, you need to mark the 'Enable Com1
   Port in DOS' checkbox in Communication port setting screen
   (Press [More] [s](Setup) [MENU] [O](Options) [C]
   (Communication ports) for opening this screen.)

 o Settings in the MODE command with parameters "con rate=XX
   delay=YY" are ignored by this driver.

 o The power consumption of the HP-LX is higher, while the
   driver is loaded and activated, even if a Newton keyboard is
   not in use.  The consumption is the same when the HP-LX is
   switched OFF (in Deep Sleep).

 o The programs, which uses COM1 as serial or IrDA port, does
   not work, while the driver is resident and activated.

 o If soft reset by methods other than [Ctrl]+[Alt]+[Del] key
   combination is intended, this driver should be removed
   before the reset.


[8] Notice

o This software is distributed on non-guarantee basis. None of
  those, who engaged in the development of this software, are
  responsible for any damage (including the destruction of the
  HP-LX palmtop itself), which may be caused by the usage of
  this software or the usage of the cable created for this
  software.

o This software is a freeware.  Its author has no obligation to
  supply a permanent support for it.

o The redistribution of this software is permitted under the
  condition that the content of this package is 100% intact. If
  the program is modified, the source code should be included
  in the package to enable the recompilation of the executable,
  in the same way as the original package.  The redistribution
  of the executable only is not permitted in any case.



Cheers!


K.Adachi GGB01541@niftyserve.or.jp  At Fuchu City, Tokyo, Japan
