HYPERKEY.TXT
HyperKey(TM)
Keyboard Accelerator
by
HyperWare(TM)
Shareware Version 4.14
Installation and User's Guide
December 2, 1991
Program and Document Copyright (C) 1987-1991 by Roger Cross.
HyperWare
RR#1 Box 91
Pall Mall, TN 38577
Sales/Administration: (615) 864-6868
Technical Support: (615) 864-6869
FAX (Group II, III): (615) 864-6870
BBS, 8N1 (HST, V.32, V.22bis): (615) 864-6871
MasterCard / Visa / COD Cashiers Accepted
Scope of This Document
This document contains information on HyperWare's: Shareware
License, product disclaimer, additional license plans, order
methods, product line brief, company address, FAX, BBS and voice
phone numbers.
The balance of this document is an installation and user's guide
for the HyperKey product. It outlines the procedure for installing
HyperKey, and includes additional information for customization.
HyperWare Shareware License Agreement
This software and documentation is protected by both United States
copyright law and international treaty provisions. This "Shareware"
version of HyperKey is NOT PUBLIC DOMAIN NOR FREE SOFTWARE. Users
are granted a limited license to make and use an evaluation copy
for trial use on a private, non-commercial, non-governmental basis,
for the express purpose of determining whether HyperKey is
suitable for their needs. At the end of this trial period you
should either register with HyperWare or discontinue using
the software.
You may make copies of the software and documentation only for your
own use or for the use of others in conducting their own trial use,
however all materials relating to this license statement, software,
documentation, order information, copyright and trademark
statements must remain intact as supplied in the original shareware
package. You may not distribute, rent, sublicense, integrate or
lease the software or the documentation. You may not alter, modify,
or adapt the software or documentation, including but not limited
to translating, decompiling, reverse assembling, or creating
derivative works.
What Does This Mean?
If, after a reasonable trial period, you continue to use this
product you should pay for the service provided by HyperWare.
HyperKey is not free nor is HyperWare giving away free software.
We are giving you the opportunity to try HyperKey, without risk,
before you pay for it. It is just that simple. Try it; either
purchase a registered license or quit using it. There is no risk or
refund problems.
How long is the trial period? You should be able to determine that
HyperKey meets your needs within 3 months. If you require a longer
period, please consider your motives: a registered license is very
inexpensive. This is a great offer, there is no need to abuse it.
All corporate, business, government, organization, or other
entities require a commercial license! ONLY PRIVATE USE is
permitted by this "Shareware" license.
If you license a copy of HyperKey, you will receive a professional
manual, discounts on future versions, free technical support; and a
registered version of HyperKey which does not display the opening
Shareware panel. In addition, your purchase will help HyperWare
support, upgrade and development new products.
You may make copies of the original Shareware package. The original
package is archived and will fit on one 360K floppy. If you operate
a BBS, please place a complete package copy in your public download
sections, (BBS operators may receive a special discount if you
display in your opening BBS panel that you are using HyperKey!).
Disk Vendors MUST obtain written permission from HyperWare before
distributing any HyperWare product. Generally, ASP approved vendors
will be granted permission; others are handled on a case-by-case
basis. Contact HyperWare for details.
HyperWare currently offers several different licenses plans:
A Non-Commercial Use License is provided for direct upgrade of
Shareware users; it is ideal for private users. $49.00 is a small
price for the increased performance you receive!
A Commercial Use License provides commercial and governmental
interest with the highest performance utilities available! $69.00
is insignificant when compared to the increase in productivity
HyperWare SpeedKit provides! Call your standard software supplier
or order direct from HyperWare.
A Commercial Site License for large commercial and governmental
users can provide the most cost effective means for your
organization to enjoy the benefits of using HyperKey with the
minimum of cost. Site fees are based on the number of users.
Special discounts are also available for Non-Profit, Educational
and Charitable organizations. Call HyperWare for details.
ALL PRICES, TERMS AND DISCOUNT PLANS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT
NOTICE. Discounts are not cumulative; they apply to single orders
of like products only. Unit prices are the same as for individual
users.
Shareware Disclaimer
HyperWare specifically disclaims all warranties, expressed or
implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of
merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose with respect
to defects in the software and documentation, and the program
license granted herein in particular, and without limiting
operation of the program license with respect to any particular
application, use, or purpose. In no event shall HyperWare be liable
for any loss of profit or damage, including but not limited to
special, incidental, or consequential damages. This statement shall
be construed, interpreted, and governed by the laws of the State of
Tennessee.
Trademark Information
HyperWare, HyperKey, HyperKey, HyperScreen, Touch-Shifting and
SpeedKit are trade-marks of Roger Cross.
MS-DOS is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
Microsoft Windows is copyrighted by Microsoft Corporation.
Qualitas and 386MAX are trademarks of Qualitas, Inc.
SpeedStor is a trademark of Storage Dimensions.
Disk Manager is a trademark of Ontrack Computer Systems, Inc.
Other programs and/or equipment mentioned herein are trademarks or
registered trademarks of their respective publishers and/or
manufacturers.
Available HyperWare Products
SpeedKit Version 4.30
HyperWare's family of enhancement utilities for your IBM and MS-DOS
operating systems, HyperKey, HyperKey, and HyperScreen, are
included in one cost effective package.
HyperDisk, Version 4.30
HyperDisk is the ultimate disk caching utility that increases your
computer disk drive's performance by implementing advanced features
including support for Conventional, Extended, and Expanded Memory
usage, interrupt-driven I/O for both read and write caching, and
support for PC, XT, AT, 80386, and 80486 type computers. It also
features advanced options such as Shadow RAM loading of all
overhead memory. Conventional RAM requirements vary from 10K to 35K
depending on the model and size of cache selected.
HyperKey, Version 4.14
HyperKey is a powerful keyboard enhancement package that allows
each user to customize completely all keyboard functions including
type-ahead buffer, repeat rates, keyboard clicking, and Touch
Shifting(TM).
HyperScreen, Version 2.17
HyperScreen is a screen utility that accelerates video output in
all text modes and a versatile screen blanker that supports both
text modes and all graphic modes. Free with registeration.
Order Information
To order call or use the enclosed order form for MAIL or FAX.
We accept Visa or Mastercard, company or personal check.
International orders should be payable in U.S. dollars (Visa or
Mastercard preferred). Orders outside Canada, Mexico or the United
States should include an additional $8.00 U.S. for shipping and
handling.
HyperWare
RR#1 Box 91
Pall Mall, TN 38577
Sales/Administration: (615) 864-6868
FAX (Group II,III): (615) 864-6870
Technical Support
Registered users may obtain direct Technical Support for this
product Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Central Time.
Technical Support: (615) 864-6869
Registered and Non-Registered users may obtain Technical Support by
accessing HyperWare's BBS.
BBS (USR-HST/V.32bis/V.32/V.22bis; 8N1): (615) 864-6871
Hyperware's BBS
Obtain the latest updates, registration information, general
utilities and services. Available, online 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week. Asynchronous format: 8 Data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit.
Modem is U.S. Robotics Dual Standard, supporting: USR: HST; CCITT:
V.32bis, V.32, V.22bis, V.22, V.21; Bell: 212A and 103; MNP error
control protocol Service Classes 1-5.
You MUST use your real name and telephone number.
Chapter 1
Introduction to HyperKey
HyperKey boosts performance of your PC by enhancing your
keyboard. It gives you complete control over your keyboard's
Typematic functions, providing Type Ahead Buffering,
Typematic Pacing for instant stops while scrolling or repeating,
Clicks for silent keyboards, Touch Shifting, and more.
HyperKey versus BIOS
Your PC has a Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) that
normally controls your keyboard functions. BIOS does very
little to provide support for many windowing and scrolling type
applications common in today's PC systems. Both the Delay to
Repeat (Typematic Delay) and the Period of Repeat
(Typematic Rate) are slow and cumbersome. Although PC
BIOS provides a Type Ahead feature, it is a scant 15
characters. Type Ahead buffering can be both an advantage
and a disadvantage. If you are waiting for a slow program to
request more input, you may enter it before you are prompted,
saving time when the program needs your input. However,
when you are scrolling or repeating some keystroke, Type
Ahead causes you to overshoot your target and then beeps
incessantly as your application complains that you have
exceeded its limits.
HyperKey addresses all these problems. You may set the
Typematic Delay and Typematic Period to any values. Type
Ahead buffering provides 128 keystrokes and does not fill with
repeated keys as BIOS does. The Typematic Period is paced to
match your application's needs and will never overshoot or get
ahead of your application. In summary, HyperKey allows your
PC Keyboard to excel in speed and performance.
Chapter 2
Installing HyperKey
This chapter contains both the automatic and manual
procedures for installing HyperKey. Before you actually install
HyperKey on your system, read all of Part II of this manual
and any READTHIS files on the disk.
To install HyperKey, you will need:
1) One of the following computer types: IBM PC, XT, AT,
Portable, PS/2 etc.; Compaq Portable, DeskPro,
DeskPro II, etc.; or any other 100% IBM-compatible. If
you have a near-compatible, you may be able to use
HyperKey, but you should follow the more cautious
installation procedure outlined in Appendix A.
2) Microsoft's MS-DOS operating system, or 100%
compatible; versions 2.0 through 4.0 are acceptable.
Backup Your System
It is a good idea to backup your hard disk before installing any
new program. This is especially true if you have a particularly
complex or non-standard system.
The Install Program: INST_KEY.EXE
To install HyperKey on your hard disk, run the
INST_KEY.EXE program. Place a backup of the HyperKey
floppy in Drive A: and type the following:
A:INST_KEY<Enter>
Note: <Enter> means that you press the <Enter> key.
1. You will first be asked if you want to install
HyperKey. If you have a complete system backup,
enter "Y". Note: When INST_KEY prompts you
for a response, enter only the first letter of your
choice.
2. Verify that your HyperKey floppy is in Drive A: and
proceed with the installation by pressing the Space Bar.
3. You will be asked whether you want to install HyperKey
as a device driver or as a TSR. We recommend the
device driver method, which will use less Conventional
memory. If you have DOS version 2.xx, you must use the
TSR version.
4. Enter the letter of the disk drive where you plan to
keep the HyperKey files. This will typically be Drive C:,
but your configuration may differ.
5. You may now specify any HyperKey options. Please
refer to Part III, Chapter 3, "HyperKey Parameters,"
before making selections.
6. Reboot your computer to complete installation of
HyperKey: simultaneously press <Ctrl><Alt><Del>.
Manual Installation
For users who are familiar with the DOS operating system, this
section provides a quick review of procedures to manually
install HyperKey.
HyperKey may be installed as an MS-DOS Device Driver or as
a Terminate and Stay Resident (TSR) program. Most
commonly, HyperKey may be installed as a device driver, but
for some near compatibles it may be necessary to install
HyperKey after some other TSR that makes your system
keyboard IBM compatible. If you choose the device driver
method, you must include the HyperKey specification in your
CONFIG.SYS file. Use a text editor to update the
CONFIG.SYS file on your boot drive root directory.
The HyperKey device driver definition is normally before any
other device driver definition, as in the following example:
CONFIG.SYS FILE
---------------
device=hyperkey.exe {parameters (SEE BELOW)}
.
.
.
device=other.sys
.
.
.
The device=other.sys statement above is given as an example
of other drivers, and need not be present.
If you choose the TSR method, you also may run hyperkey.exe
at the DOS Command prompt; alternatively, you may place the
hyperkey.exe specification in your AUTOEXEC.BAT system
file on your boot directory.
At the DOS Command prompt enter the following:
A:>hyperkey {parameters (SEE BELOW) }
Chapter 3
HyperKey Parameters
You control the operating characteristics of HyperKey via the
command line parameters you specify in your CONFIG.SYS or
AUTOEXEC.BAT file.
Parameter Definition
D:nn TYPEMATIC DELAY
Sets the delay time before the key repeats itself,
starting from when you hold down the key, until
repetition begins. Start with a value of 350. Units
are in milliseconds.
R:nn TYPEMATIC PERIOD
Sets the minimum time between repeats of a key
after the initial Typematic Delay. Smaller values
repeat faster, larger values repeat more slowly.
Start with a value of 30. Units in milliseconds.
P:nn TYPEMATIC PITCH
Allows you to decrease the TYPEMATIC
PERIOD automatically after each repeated key.
The value nn is subtracted from the repeat period
after each repeated key. Default is 500. Units are
in microseconds.
S:nn TYPEMATIC SPAN
Sets the number of repeat characters to be
affected by the TYPEMATIC PITCH control.
For example, if you select a TYPEMATIC
PITCH of 500 and a TYPEMATIC SPAN of 10,
each of the first 10 repeated keys will repeat
faster than the previous one by 500 microseconds
(1/2 millisecond), then remain constant for all
keys thereafter. Default is 0 (disabled).
H:nn SPAN HOLDOFF
Allows you to delay the initial effects of
Typematic Span function. The repeat period will
remain constant for nn characters before the
Span functions begin to decrease the period
(increase the rate of repeats). For example, you
have set the SPAN to 30 and the PITCH to 500,
and now you want the first 5 characters to repeat
without increasing the rate. You set the SPAN
HOLDOFF to 5. Default is zero.
B:b EXTENDED BUFFERING
Enables HyperKey's Type Ahead buffer. B or
B:+ to enable; B:- to disable. Default is enabled.
Note: If after installing other enhancement
products, you get two or more keys delivered for
each key you strike, disable this option.
B:nn EXTENDED BUFFER SIZE
During installation, the size of the extended
keystroke may be specified. Values for nn may
range from 16 to 4096. Two bytes are required
for each keystroke. Default is 128.
I KEYBOARD LOCK INDICATORS
Changes the Keyboard Lock Indicators, such as
CapsLock and NumLock. Use the first letter of
the indicator name, UPPER-CASE sets the
indicator, lower-case clears the indicator.
Indicators are CAPSLOCK, NUMLOCK,
SCROLLLOCK and INSERTSTATE. Example:
d:>HyperKey -ICNSI ;Sets all indicators.
d:>HyperKey -ICn ;Sets CAPSLOCK,
clears NUMLOCK.
Some computers do not accept indicator changes
by device drivers, therefore you may need to
execute Hyperkey during AUTOEXEC.BAT
initialization to change the indicators after
BOOTING the machine.
A:b ACTIVE
Enables all HyperKey functions. A:+ to enable;
A:- to disable. If you discover one of your
programs is incomputable with HyperKey, you
may disable it during that program's use.
C:b CLICK ON MAKE
Issues a "Click" when a new Key is Struck. Enter
C or C:+ to enable Clicks; C:- to disable. Default
is disabled.
C:nn CLICK PITCH
Sets the "Pitch of the Click". This function is
machine speed dependent. Experiment to create
the sound you find most pleasing. Default is 100.
CR:b CLICK ON REPEATS
Issues a "Click" on ALL Keys, new and repeated.
CR:+ to enable; C:-to disable. Default is
disabled.
L:n CLICK PERIOD
Sets length of time the "Click" sounds. Parameter
is machine speed dependent. Experiment to find
a pleasing value. Default is 32.
T:b TOUCH SHIFTING
Sets touch shifting mode. Allows you to enter a
shifted keys combination serially. For example, to
enter <Ctrl><F1>, simply press the <Ctrl> key
and release, then press the <F1> key and
release. Directly speaking, Touch Shifting
converts serial keying combinations to the
equivalent parallel keying operation. Touch
Shifting is very useful for 101 and 102 key
Keyboards. T or T:+ to enable; T:- to disable.
Default is disabled.
OK OVERRIDE DISPLAY METHOD
Allows you to select the display method.
HyperKey normally displays data directly via the
Video BIOS. OK or OK:+ forces I/O directly to
the Video BIOS, while OK:- forces DOS I/O.
Alternatively, the standard output device may be
redirected to any device or file. Default is direct
to Video BIOS. In the following example,
HyperKey will display the report via DOS
Standard Output device.
C:>hyperkey OK:-
In the following example, output is redirected to
CON (console) device.
C:>hyperkey >CON
OK:nn OVERRIDE COLORS/ATTRIBUTES
Allows you to select the Colors/Attributes for the
Current Display. Color displays provide 16
foreground (text) colors to be applied on either
8 (CGA) or 16 (EGA/VGA) background colors.
Monochrome displays provide a variety of display
attributes; some allow two or more intensities,
underlining, blinking, etc. For CGA displays there
are 120 useful combinations and for EGA/VGA
displays 240. Monochrome displays vary and are
generally less than CGA. Value nn may be
entered in either decimal or hexadecimal formats.
Decimal example:
C:>hyperkey OK:30
Hexadecimal example:
C:>hyperkey OK:X1E
Both examples select yellow text on blue
background.
Alternatively, you may select the colors manually
by specifying, as in the following example:
C:>hyperkey OK:0.
OKC:nn OVERRIDE COLORS ONLY
Same as OK:nn, except only Color Display
attributes are affected. Useful for systems with
both monochrome and color displays.
OKM:nn OVERRIDE ATTRIBUTES ONLY
Same as OK:nn, except only Monochrome
Display attributes are affected.
Sample Device Driver Parameter Specifications
The following examples illustrate the use of device driver
parameter specifications in the CONFIG.SYS file:
Example 1:
device=hyperkey.exe D:250 R:25 B:-
With this set of parameters, the following conditions
apply:
The delay to repeat time is 250 milliseconds.
The minimum repeat delay is 25 milliseconds.
No Type Ahead buffering is provided.
Example 2:
device=hyperkey.exe
With no parameters set, the following conditions apply:
The delay to repeat time is 350 milliseconds.
The minimum repeat delay is 30 milliseconds.
Type Ahead buffering of up to 128 characters.
Sample Terminate and Stay Resident Parameter Specifications
The following examples illustrate the use of TSR parameter
specifications in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file or from the
command line:
Example 3:
D:>hyperkey D:300 R:35 B:-
With this set of parameters, the following conditions
apply:
The delay to repeat time is 300 milliseconds.
The minimum repeat delay is 35 milliseconds.
No Type Ahead buffering is provided.
Example 4:
D:>hyperkey
With no parameters set, the following conditions apply:
The delay to repeat time is 350 milliseconds.
The minimum repeat delay is 30 milliseconds.
Type Ahead buffering of up to 128 characters.
Changing HyperKey Parameters after Installation
After installing HyperKey, you may alter the operating
parameters by running hyperkey.exe at the DOS prompt. Only
the parameters you give on the command line will be changed.
For example, assume that you installed HyperKey using the
device driver method and specified a Typematic Period of 25
milliseconds. Later you decide the repeat rate could be a little
faster. Simply enter at the DOS prompt:
D:>hyperkey R:18
HyperKey will now deliver repeat keys every 18 milliseconds.
Microsoft Windows and the Keyboard
When Microsoft Windows is active, keystrokes cannot be
intercepted by a device driver such as HyperKey. Therefore,
HyperKey is inoperative while using the Windows environment.
Intel Inboard 386
If you have an Intel Inboard 386 (TM), change the order of the
device drives in your CONFIG.SYS file, as follows:
device = \sys\invoc.sys {Intel Inboard Driver}
device = \sys\speed.sys {Intel Inboard Driver}
device = \sys\hyperkey.exe D:250 R:25
.
.
.
device = other.sys
.
.
.
Chapter 4
Error Messages
HyperKey: Invalid Parameter:"UNKNOWN"
HyperKey found an invalid command line parameter.
Check your command line parameters against the
definitions in the previous section, "HyperKey
Parameters." HyperKey is installed with default settings.
HyperKey: Incorrect DOS version
HyperKey does not work with this Version of MS-DOS.
HyperKey requires DOS version 2.0 or later. HyperKey
is not loaded.
Appendix A
Installation of Near Compatibles
For near compatibles, follow this procedure to test installation:
1. Make a complete backup of your hard disk, if you have
one.
2. Put a copy of hyperkey.exe on newly formatted floppy
diskette.
3. With the Diskette in drive A, enter at the DOS Prompt:
A:>hyperkey
4. If everything functions normally, your compatible is
"near" enough to install HyperKey on your hard disk.
5. If your near compatible requires that either a device
drive or TSR be installed to emulate IBM BIOS
functions, specify HyperKey immediately after the BIOS
Emulator.
6. If after you have installed HyperKey (specified in either
the CONFIG.SYS or AUTOEXEC.BAT files) you
discover some problems, you can reboot the computer
and abort the installation of HyperKey by holding the
<Ctrl> <Left Shift> and <Alt> keys. For most
systems you must wait to depress these keys until the
system has finished initializing the keyboard, but before
the system begins reading the operating system device
drivers from the disk (or diskette). Generally, you can
depress the shifts keys when the disk or diskette (lights)
becomes active.
HyperWare
RR#1 Box 91
Pall Mall, TN 38577
Sales/Administration: (615) 864-6868
Technical Support: (615) 864-6869
FAX (Group II, III): (615) 864-6870
BBS, 8N1 (HST, V.32, V.22bis): (615) 864-6871