CompuServe Thread

#NT The REAL Truth

10 messages in this thread
#168768From: M. G. BATCHELORMay 8, 1995 12:35 AM
Has anyone successfully installed a tablet (Wacom specifically) along with the mouse under NT? Initially I tried setting up the WFWG config I use under NT, it *seemed* to install OK, but after re-boot…it wasn't there, and NT was SEVERELY whacked-out, forcing a complete re-install. Nope, Last Good Config. wouldn't work. Had to find/delete all hidden files, and re-write the boot sector to restore DOS/WIN opertion. So, I never tried again (g>. In the little bit I've looked for a tablet/mouse solution (especially MY Wacom tablet), I haven't seen anything that addresses this. Can *any* tablet run under NT, currently ? Help!, BILL
#169021From: John SchmidtMay 8, 1995 10:52 PM
Bill, >> Can *any* tablet run under NT, currently ? Well, Summagraphics had, (has?), a beta version of a Wintab driver for NT. This requires that it be the only pointing device in NT, though. And the beta had a "time bomb" in it, in that it expired April 1. To keep using it after that date, you have to keep resetting the computer's date. I *think* it might still be on their BBS: 512-873-1477, and I'd imagine the official one should be out soon. I've also heard of a beta version from CalComp, but I don't know anything about it. You also might want to contact LCS Telegraphics at 617-225-7970. They write OEM and custom digitizer drivers. John
#169033From: M. G. BATCHELORMay 8, 1995 11:41 PM
Thanks John. I just got the Wacom & the mouse to run under NT. It works well, but pressure sensitivity is disabled, …..and I lost my modem <g>. I believe this is a beta driver, too. Have you by any chance had a need to configure a SCSI scanner or an erasable optical drive ? Just curious….that's next. Just curious, it takes me about *1m45s* to get into NT from a reboot, which is incredibly long. I was wondering if your system takes that long ? I suppose the disk scans are taking all the time, with about 2.5GB total with 3 devices and 12 partitions. Thanks, BILL
#169042From: Jeremy Hubbell [Adesk]May 9, 1995 12:11 AM
PMJI, There is a 1.0 version of the Wacom driver on their BBS(the number's in the manual). It's about 300k zipped. Works pretty well. Haven't tested PS, though. Is this the version you have or is it a beta version? The file name is I386NT10.zip. Jh
#169169From: M. G. BATCHELORMay 9, 1995 1:02 PM
<< There is a 1.0 version of the Wacom driver on their BBS(the number's in the manual). It's << about 300k zipped. Works pretty well. Haven't tested PS, though. << Is this the version you have or is it a beta version? The file name is I386NT10.zip. I don't believe that was the zip filename. It was something like Wac_NT.zip. I tried unsuccessfully to get on their BBS (busy), so I searched on CIS, their web page & FTP site. I think it was d/l from their FTP site. Anyway, 2 reference files are MSVCRT20.dll dated 4/15/94 @ 233,472 bytes, and WACOM.cpl dated 12/9/94 @ 197,632 bytes. I'll try to access the BBS again FWIW. I've perused so much NT information in the last few days, that it's all run together now. But, it seems like I remember reading that PS data is not currently supported under NT. I'm happy to have the mouse & tablet both working at all, tho' <g>….a step in the right direction. Thanks for the info.. BILL
#169113From: John SchmidtMay 9, 1995 10:45 AM
Bill, >> Just curious, it takes me about *1m45s* to get into NT from a reboot, which is incredibly long. I was wondering if your system takes that long ? I suppose the disk scans are taking all the time, with about 2.5GB total with 3 devices and 12 partitions. Well, my machine is a P90 w/64megs, 4 HD's, (total >2gig), and a CD ROM. From the moment I hit "NT Workstation" in the bootup menu until the Ctrl-Alt-Del logon prompt in NT, the time elapsed is 55 seconds. I did notice this is about 15 seconds longer than before, when it wasn't recognizing my CD ROM yet. I would think the extra time might be because of all your partitions; does NT scan and list all of them during the startup check, or only the physical HD's themselves? I, too, initially lost my modem when the IRQ was taken over by the CD in NT, even though it doesn't use it in DOS. The only solution was to reconfigure the modem, which is now on COM4, and sharing IRQ3 with COM2. CSNav, WinCim, and ProComm2 are all working fine in NT now, (with the exception of ProComm's faxing ability, which I understand is a problem with most fax software in NT). John
#169170From: M. G. BATCHELORMay 9, 1995 1:02 PM
Hi John, << does NT scan and list all of them during the startup check, or only the physical HD's themselves? >> Yeah, it scans & lists all the partitions. It skips the CDROM of course, and the erasable optical, since it doesn't recognize it yet. When I installed the #2 service pack update, the total time was reduced from over 2m to 1m45s or sometimes a little less. Apparently all the partitions cause this delay I guess, as otherwise our machines are similar. However, I am running 3 types of controller/adpaters: EIDE, SCSI I/II, & proprietary Panasonic (CD). It is awfully slow, and my WFWG boot time is a fraction of that (not scanning any drives at boot-up, though). << I, too, initially lost my modem when the IRQ was taken over by the CD in NT, even though it doesn't use it in DOS. The only solution was to reconfigure the modem, which is now on COM4, and sharing IRQ3 with COM2. CSNav, WinCim, and ProComm2 are all working fine in NT now, >> I probably can't do that, using this Wacom on COM2. I believe it uses more than 1 interrupt under NT as well, unlike inder WFWG. I was gonna' put a USR 28.8 modem in someday soon, so maybe I'll go ahead & do it now and try to resolve this stuff at the same time. I understand that CIS will have their 28.8 lines up by this summer. I'm glad you mentioned CsNav, 'cause the program is so finicky, I hadn't tried to configure it under NT yet. Lately (since the recent update), it's been acting strange off & on. I wish they would re-write it, 'cause it's a great program when it works right. BTW, just running the NT terminal to access CIS compared to terminal emulation under CsNav: It *seemed* that I got higher performance under NT. Have you noticed anything like that ? Thanks, BILL
#169321From: John SchmidtMay 10, 1995 12:03 AM
Bill, >> BTW, just running the NT terminal to access CIS compared to terminal emulation under CsNav: It *seemed* that I got higher performance under NT. Have you noticed anything like that ? Nope; ain't got the courage to try something like Terminal yet… John
#169247From: Mark YankeeMay 9, 1995 5:58 PM
John, << Well, Summagraphics had, (has?), a beta version of a Wintab driver for NT. >> Summagraphics did re-upload it a few weeks ago. FWIW, when that "time bomb" went off it caused me to re-install NT. 🙁 Mark
#169322From: John SchmidtMay 10, 1995 12:03 AM
Mark, >> FWIW, when that "time bomb" went off it caused me to re-install NT. 🙁 'Guess I'll stick to my mouse for now. John