This article contains the Read Me document for version 1.0.1 of the Newton Backup Utility for Windows.
DISCUSSION
Newton Backup Utility 1.0.1 for the Windows Operating System
This document contains the latest information on the Newton Backup Utility (NBU). You'll find general tips for backing up, restoring, and installing packages using NBU. You'll also find troubleshooting information.
This version of NBU requires a 486 microprocessor or later generation microprocessor. NBU works with Windows 3.1 or later, Windows for Workgroups 3.11 or later, Windows NT 3.5 or 3.51, and Windows 95. NBU requires 8 megabytes (MB) of memory (RAM) to run on Windows 3.1, Windows for Workgroups 3.11, and Windows 95. To run on Windows NT, NBU requires 16 MB of memory.
Preparing to Install NBU
Before you install NBU, delete any other version of NBU on your computer that you have previously installed.
Selecting A Baud Rate
NBU and the Connection application on the Newton MessagePad are preset to use a 38400 baud rate. This data communications rate works with most Windows machines. However some computers may be unable to communicate at this speed and thus need a slower communciations rate. If you discover problems with NBU's communications, such as the connection dropping unexpectedly or seeing time-out error messages, you can set NBU and your Newton to communicate at a slower rate. To set up for a slower communications rate, install one of the transport packages placed on your desktop during installation. The three transport packages are:
9600Baud.pkg
4800Baud.pkg
2400Baud.pkg
You can install one of these packages on your Newton PDA using NBU or the Newton Package Installer (not included with NBU.) If you're unsure about which package to install, begin by selecting the package that represents a 9600 baud rate and if you still experience communication problems, install a package for a lower baud rate until you find one that works on your machine.
After installing the package on your Newton PDA, you'll see a new baud rate appear in the Newton Connection slip pop-up menu. Select the lower rate (such as "Serial 9600 Baud") on the Newton PDA.
You must also select that same baud rate in the NBU application Settings window. Select Settings from the Newton menu. When the Settings window appears, select the lower rate from the pop-up menu. Be sure to select the same speed you chose on the Newton PDA.
You may need to use a lower baud rate if your computer has the following characteristics:
- An 8250 UART or other hardware characteristics that make for slow performance
- The minimum amount of system memory recommended for use with NBU. A 486SX (or earlier) microprocessor.
You might also consider purchasing a 16550 UART that would allow you computer to use NBU at its preset speed. If you use a laptop computer equipped with PCMCIA, you can purchase a PCMCIA 16550 UART card.
Virtual Memory
If your computer uses Windows 3.1 (or later version), or Windows for Workgroups 3.11, NBU requires that virtual memory be turned on.
For all Windows versions, NBU requires that any virtual memory that you use be set to Permanent and not Temporary.
Setting Scheduling and Minimum Timeslice Parameters
NBU requires specific Windows scheduling parameters to run using Windows 3.1 and Windows for Workgroups 3.11. These settings are located in the 386 Enhanced Control Panel. In most cases, the required settings are the default Windows settings. Some communications applications set these parameters to different values, however, so it's a good idea to check these settings.
NBU requires the following settings: - Windows in Foreground must be set to 100 Windows in Background must be set to 50 - Exclusive in Foreground must not be checked. - Minimum Timeslice (in msec) must be set to 20.
NBU may not function correctly without these settings. If the Minimum Timeslice is set to a value higher than 20, NBU may not be able to maintain a 38400 baud rate.
Resetting the Newton to Solve Problems
If you are having problems using NBU after selecting a lower baud rate and checking your settings, try resetting your Newton PDA. To reset your Newton PDA, remove the battery cover from your Newton PDA and use a pen or pin to press the button marked Reset located above the batteries.
General tips
- If you cancel an operation, the Newton Backup Utility may exhibit problems on subsequent operations. If you observe this, quit the application and restart.
- NBU performs significantly better when it is the only active application. To avoid complications in the transmission of data, do not operate any other application on your desktop while NBU is communicating with the Newton PDA.
- If you experience problems using the Newton Backup Utility when initiating operations from your Newton PDA, try initiating them from your computer.
- The Newton Backup Utility and other Newton applications work best when adequate internal memory is available on your Newton PDA. If you get an out-of-memory message, close applications you are no longer using or remove unneeded applications.
- Don't use the Newton Backup Utility when you have a screen saver application program active; unexpected results may occur.
Tips on installation
- If you have problems installing the Newton Backup Utility, you may need to disable the virus-protection programs on your computer. After you install the Newton Backup Utility, you can reactivate the virus-protection programs.
Tips on the online documentation
- The Newton Backup Utility includes an online user's manual located in the NBU directory. This guide is in PDF format and you can open it using Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you don't have Acrobat Reader, you can request a copy from Adobe Systems. Call 1-800-272-3623 (U. S. customers only) or contact your local Adobe Systems distributor. If you don't have immediate access to Acrobat Reader, refer to the SUMMARY.WRI document located in the NBU directory.
Tips on backing up information
- When you first back up information on your Newton PDA, the Newton Backup Utility creates a new backup file. When you make subsequent backups, the Newton Backup Utility adds new information to the existing backup file. Occasionally, (for example, when you change time zones or when the backup file gets very large) it's a good idea to delete the existing backup file and make a new backup of all the information and packages on your Newton PDA.
- When you use a serial connection to connect your computer to your Newton PDA, Apple recommends you use your computer's hard disk to back up and restore information. Don't back up or restore using a floppy disk.
- Apple recommends that you create a permanent swap file (instead of a temporary one) for your computer system if your computer uses Win32s. See the Appendix in the SUMMARY.WRI document or the online user's guide in the NBU directory for instructions about turning on virtual memory and creating a swap file.
- The Newton Backup Utility works best when you back up and restore storage cards of 4 MB or less.
Tips on restoring information
- When you restore packages to your Newton PDA, you may see an "X" on top of the package icon. This means the package hasn't been activated. To activate the package, restart your Newton PDA or open the package by tapping its icon.
- If you transfer information from an earlier-model Newton PDA to a Newton PDA using the Newton 2.0 operating system, the Newton setup instructions may appear. If you've already entered setup information on your Newton PDA, you don't need to repeat the information. The information appears when you open the Extras Drawer and start the setup application.
Troubleshooting
When backing up a Newton PDA that is running a version of the operating system earlier than 2.0, I cannot connect to the Newton Backup Utility.
If you have a PCMCIA card in the Newton PDA, remove the card and try to backup again.
When I use the Windows 95 file browser to find a package, I can't find my package.
- If a package doesn't have the extension .PKG, it will not show up when you choose to view packages with *.PKG extensions. Set the browser to view all files by choosing "*.*" to see your packages.
I've set the communication settings for the utility, but I can't connect from the Newton PDA.
- Be sure to close the settings window and any other open menus or windows of the utility before you try to connect from the Newton PDA. The utility will not respond to the Newton PDA when a window or menu is open.
I've created a Windows 95 shortcut for a package, but when I drag and drop the shortcut onto the utility, it doesn't work.
- The Newton Backup Utility does not support the use of Windows 95 shortcuts.
When I reopened or exited the utility, Windows or the utility froze up and wouldn't work.
- Computers that have 16550 UART chips from SMC and that run Windows for Workgroups version 3.11 may freeze when you open or exit the utility. To fix the problem, install a new serial.386 driver in your Windows System directory. Contact the Microsoft Product Support Services for Windows to obtain an updated version of the serial.386 driver. Installing the driver fixes the problem with some SMC serial cards. If the problem persists, the serial card is defective, and you should purchase a new one.
When I open the utility, I see a message asking me to select a COM port.
- The first time you open the utility, you must select a COM port to use. Thereafter, the utility uses your selection each time it opens. If your selected COM port is unavailable, or a problem occurred with it, you see the message asking to select another COM port. Click the Settings button and select an available COM port.
I have a mouse connected to serial port COM1. When I choose serial port COM3 for my Newton PDA connection, my mouse stopped working.
- Exit Windows to get your mouse running again. Choose a different COM port for your Newton PDA connection. When running Windows, it's not possible to use the combinations of COM1 and COM3 or COM2 and COM4 at the same time.
When I start up NBU, I see a Win32s error message.
- Check that Win32s is properly installed on your computer. The game Freecell is provided on the NBU disks. If you start up the game and it runs fine, then Win32s is properly installed. To run the game, you must first decompress it. Use the DOS command Expand to decompress the game files. ( For example, type: Expand a:\freecell.ex_ c:\nbu\freecell.exe.)
I see an error message about a General Protection Fault.
- Win32s is not compatible with certain video drivers, specifically S3 drivers such as those used with Orchid, Diamond, Dell equipment. Your video driver must be a 1.3 version or higher.
- One solution may be to edit your System.ini file and add the following line in the [Display] section: aperture-base=0
Otherwise, obtain a video driver from your manufacturer that is the 1.3 version or higher.
When I try to select a COM port, no COM ports are available or a conflict message appears.
- Check to see if you have selected two ports that share an IRQ. When using a System.ini file, COM1 and COM3 both use IRQ4 and COM2 and COM4 use IRQ3. If you have selected COM ports that share the same IRQ, each port becomes inaccessible. This can also occur when another device (such as a mouse, tablet, or modem) has accessed a COM port with the same IRQ.
You can useWin Terminal to determine which ports are valid selections for your computer. If a message that a port is busy or is not available appears, NBU can't use that port.
When doing a first backup, I tapped the Stop button on the Newton and an error occurred.
- Avoid using the Stop button to stop procedures in mid-process. Use the desktop application to cancel the connection if necessary.
I cancelled a restore operation by canceling from the Newton PDA, but my computer continues to keep working.
- If pressing the Stop button on the desktop application doesn't stop the operation, an error has occurred, and you must press Control-Alt-Delete to end the NBU session and restart your computer. Avoid cancelling operations from the Newton PDA.
I see error message "Package <package name>: is not recognised as a Newton package."
- Such a problem may occur if you have decompressed packages inappropriately. If you have compressed packages on your computer, do not use Stuffit Expander to decompress Windows files (such files will decompress as a Mac binary files).
- If you use Stuffit with Windows to decompress a hqx file, open the Cross Platforms options and select Never for both the "Convert text to windows" and "Save Macintosh in Mac Binary" options.
I use a special color scheme with the Microsoft Plus Pack and the check boxes in my backup list appear as solid black boxes.
- Use the default settings for color on your computer or select a different color scheme.
Known Problems
- The barber pole in the status message may not work on some machines.
- If NBU is idle for a long period prior to connecting, you may experience problems reconnecting. If you experience such a problem, exit and restart the NBU application.
If you experience problems using NBU, you can sometimes increase the application's reliability by resetting the Newton PDA shutting off your computer and restarting Windows and then NBU.
Copyright 1996 Apple Computer, Inc. All rights reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, Macintosh, Newton, and Power Macintosh are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. registered in the U.S. and other countries. Adobe and Adobe Acrobat are trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated or its subsidiaries and may be registered in certain jurisdictions. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.