WG0974: VKDA.386 Corrects Keyboard Problems

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Windows for Workgroups version 3.11

Microsoft has an Application Note, "WG0974: VKDA.386 Corrects Keyboard Problems"

When you start Windows for Workgroups version 3.11 on certain computers, your system may stop responding (hang) at the password dialog box or in Program Manager (if you set your password to null during Setup). Application Note WG0974 contains a new virtual keyboard driver to correct this problem.

You can obtain this Application Note from the following sources:

• Microsoft's World Wide Web Site on the Internet
• The Internet (Microsoft anonymous ftp server)
• Microsoft Download Service (MSDL)
• Microsoft FastTips Technical Library
• Microsoft Product Support Services

THE TEXT OF WG0974

  Microsoft(R) Product Support Services Application Note (Text File)
              WG0974: VKDA.386 CORRECTS KEYBOARD PROBLEMS

                                                   Revision Date: 8/94
                                                       1 Disk Included

| INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS DOCUMENT AND ANY SOFTWARE THAT MAY     |
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| text must be copied without modification and all pages must be      |
| included;  2) If software is included, all files on the disk(s)     |
| must be copied without modification (the MS-DOS(R)  utility         |
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|                                                                     |
| Copyright (C) 1994 Microsoft Corporation.  All Rights Reserved.     |
| Microsoft and MS-DOS are registered trademarks and Windows is a     |
| trademark of Microsoft Corporation.                                 |
| AST is a registered trademark of AST Research.                      |
| COMPAQ is a registered trademark and Aero and LTE Elite are         |
| trademarks of Compaq Computer Corporation.                          |
| DEC is a trademark of Digital Equipment Corporation.                |
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SYMPTOMS

When you start Windows for Workgroups version 3.11, your system may stop responding (hang) at the password dialog box or in Program Manager if you set your password to null during Setup. The WG0974 disk included with this Application Note contains a new virtual keyboard driver that corrects this problem for the following computers:

   Manufacturer      | Model(s)

   Acer America      | Pac 150, 1100LX Portable
                     |
   Advent            | Machines using Blue Lightning chip set
   Corporation       |
                     |
   Ambra Corporation | Machines using Blue Lightning chip set,
                     | including B466DL, B466TL, D466DL, D466TL, and
                     | D466BL
                     |
   AST(R)            | Ascentia 900N 486/75 laptop
                     |
   Compaq            | All Aero(TM) machines, LTE Elite(TM) 4/50 or 75CX
                     |
   Compudyne         | Specific models unknown
                     |
   Crystal Data      | 486 machines
   Systems           |
                     |
   DEC(TM)           | 316 SX, 320 SX
                     |
   GRiD(R) Systems   | 320S with Tandy(R)/Phoenix BIOS V 1.10
                     |
   GTSI              | 0783 486 SX/25 (SFA and desktop)
                     |
   IBM(R)            | Valuepoint PS/2(R) 450TX2/D machine types
                     | 6382, 6384, and 0783
                     |
   KLH               | computers
                     |
   Tandy             | 2500 SX/20, 2500 SX/25, 2500 SX/33, and 4020
                     |
   Twinhead          | 486/33, Superset 590 386/25
                     |
   Victor            | 300 SX/33 and 400 SX


   NOTE: Machines manufactured by Compaq after April 1, 1994, that
   ship with Windows 3.1 come preinstalled with a virtual keyboard
   driver (VKD) that corrects this problem. Upgrading to Windows for
   Workgroups 3.11 leaves this VKD in place and allows the keyboard to
   work properly. However, if you install Windows for Workgroups 3.11
   to a new directory, the keyboard stops functioning. If you perform
   such an installation, you must manually install the new VKD.

CAUSE

The keyboard controllers in these machines generate unnecessary interrupts each time a key is pressed and released. The keyboard stops responding because the Windows for Workgroups 3.11 VKD, unlike the Windows 3.1 VKD, does not ignore these extra interrupts.

RESOLUTION

To correct this problem, use one of the following methods:

• Install the new VKDA.386 file provided with this Application Note.

  -or-

• Install the Microsoft Mouse version 9.x driver. The replacement VKD that comes with this software (MOUSEVKD.386) handles the extra interrupts generated by the keyboards.

  NOTE: You may also be able to download a new VKD from the your computer manufacturer's bulletin board service (BBS). For example, SP0738.ZIP, which is available on the COMPAQ(R) BBS, contains a new VKD that corrects this problem. Contact your computer manufacturer to see if an updated driver is available.

To install the new VKDA.386 file

1. Insert the enclosed WG0974 disk in the appropriate floppy disk drive.

2. To copy the file to the Windows SYSTEM subdirectory, type the following at the MS-DOS command prompt and then press ENTER

         copy <drive>:\vkda.386 <destination>
   

   where <drive> is the floppy disk drive containing the WG0974 disk and <destination> is the drive and directory of your Windows SYSTEM subdirectory.

   For example, if the WG0974 disk is in drive A and your Windows directory is called WINDOWS and is on drive C, type the following at the MS-DOS command prompt and then press ENTER:

         copy a:\vkda.386 c:\windows\system
   

3. Use a text editor to edit the keyboard= entry in the [386Enh] section of the SYSTEM.INI file. Change

         keyboard=*vkd
   

   to:

         keyboard=c:\windows\system\vkda.386
   

TO OBTAIN THIS APPLICATION NOTE

You can find WG0974.EXE (size: 27852 bytes) 
                       , a self-extracting file, on the following

• Microsoft's World Wide Web Site on the Internet

        On the www.microsoft.com home page, click the Support icon.
        Click Knowledge Base, and select the product.
        Enter kbfile WG0974.EXE (size: 27852 bytes) 
                               , and click GO!
        Open the article, and click the button to download the file.
  
  

• Internet (anonymous FTP)

        ftp ftp.microsoft.com
        Change to the Softlib/Mslfiles folder.
        Get WG0974.EXE (size: 27852 bytes) 
  

• Microsoft Download Service (MSDL)

        Dial (425) 936-6735 to connect to MSDL
        Download WG0974.EXE (size: 27852 bytes) 
  

   ARTICLE-ID: Q119591
   TITLE     : How to Obtain Microsoft Support Files from Online
               Services