User`s guide

EPSON
EPSON AMERICA INC.
SERVICE DEPARTMENT
PRODUCT
SUPPORT
DATE:
6/8/87
NUMBER:
S-0012
SUBJECT:
EPSON EQUITY ENHANCED KEYBOARD COMPATIBILITY
The purpose
of this bulletin is to provide information regarding
the compatibility of the enhanced "AT"
style Equity
Plus series
keyboard with the
Equity
family of computers and
a general
statement on software support.
With the introduction of the Equity It and III+, Epson brought out
an enhanced keyboard design - very similar to the enhanced
keyboard introduced by IBM on the Model 339 AT. There are a couple
of areas to make note of.
1. Keyboard Compatibility
The enhanced keyboard cannot be used on an Equity -‘I, II or
III. The enhanced keyboard (as with IBM's) requires explicit
ROM BIOS support. The
Equity It
and Equity III+ incorporate
this support;
the earlier machines do not.
It is possible, however, to use
a third-party
"enhanced-style"
keyboard (such as the Datadesk Turbo-101) which offers switch
selection for PC/XT or
AT usage. (Please note that early
versions of the Equity I and II did not support any third
party keyboards.)
The correct jumper settings for non-Epson keyboards are:
Equity I:
J2 and J3 jumpered
Equity II:
J3,
J4 and J5 set for position 1
Also note that once the above jumper changes
have been made,
attempting to
use the Epson keyboard will result in damage to
the keyboard-and main board.
2. Software Compatibility
Not all
applications "know" about the
enhanced keyboard. The
scan codes
and mapping are subtly different. If you experience
difficulties with
certain applications
(particularly any that
re-program the keyboard), contact
the software vendor and ask
about enhanced keyboard support.
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