KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q68278: COMPAQ SLT Screen Blanks When Returning to MS-DOS Prompt

Article: Q68278
Product(s): Microsoft Windows 95.x Retail Product
Version(s): WINDOWS:3.0,3.0a,3.1,3.11
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): win31
Last Modified: 14-NOV-1999

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows versions 3.0, 3.0a, 3.1, 3.11 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SYMPTOMS
========

When you use a COMPAQ SLT286 with Microsoft Windows, the screen may go blank
after you press ALT+TAB to switch between applications.

CAUSE
=====

This symptom is directly related to the COMPAQ PowerCon utility.

The PowerCon utility is used by the SLT286 to conserve battery life by shutting
down the display and hard disk after a specified period of inactivity. The
ALT+TAB combinations prematurely trigger the PowerCon utility.

WORKAROUND
==========

You can set Windows to ignore the ALT+TAB key combination as follows:

1. Start PIF Editor.

2. Click the Advanced button.

3. Under the Reserve Shortcut Keys, check ALT+TAB.

MORE INFORMATION
================

The PowerCon function can be disabled by running the COMPAQ setup utility
provided with the system. This alleviates the problem discussed above, but
eliminates the power conservation features offered by PowerCon.

The COMPAQ product included here is manufactured by a vendor independent of
Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding this product's
performance or reliability.

Additional query words:

======================================================================
Keywords          : win31 
Technology        : kbWin3xSearch kbZNotKeyword3 kbWin300 kbWin300a kbWin310 kbWin311
Version           : WINDOWS:3.0,3.0a,3.1,3.11

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1986-2002.