Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site ecsvax.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!bellcore!decvax!mcnc!ecsvax!dgary From: dgary@ecsvax.UUCP (D Gary Grady) Newsgroups: net.micro Subject: Re: COMPAQ DESKPRO QUESTIONS Message-ID: <508@ecsvax.UUCP> Date: Wed, 16-Jan-85 16:48:06 EST Article-I.D.: ecsvax.508 Posted: Wed Jan 16 16:48:06 1985 Date-Received: Sat, 19-Jan-85 00:37:42 EST References: <7247@brl-tgr.ARPA> Organization: Duke U Comp Ctr Lines: 46 <> > We are buying Compaq's just as if they are PC's. I understand they > have some kind of liscencing agreement with IBM to use PC ROM's and > are therefore much more compatible than other clones. I don't believe that this is true. I own a Compaq portable and I've encountered numerous BIOS differences. The most annoying one was one that I discovered before I bought a printer. Hitting Shift-PrtSc causes the Compaq to attempt to print the screen. It tries for 16 seconds ON EACH CHARACTER ON THE SCREEN. There is no way to stop it without rebooting. So if one is in the middle of editing a long document (as I was) and hasn't saved it recently (yup), one has to just go away for 8 hours or so. The keyboard scan codes on the Compaq portable are different from those on the PC. In particular the PgUp and left-arrow keys seem to be reversed, as are PgDn and right arrow (this is based on my experience with PC-Write, which makes heavy use of scan codes). Compaq also seems to have problems with diskette drive quality assurance. Several friends with Compaqs have had drive failures. (I, however, have been lucky so far.) On the other hand, the Compaq is faster in screen i/o, even on the portable, thanks to better BIOS code and no need to wait for horizontal retrace. I think it's a pretty nice machine overall. I'm certainly not disappointed that I own one. You might take a look at the Zenith Z-150 and Z-160. While not as fast as the Deskpro, these are good PC compatibles which are at least as compatible as the Compaq. In addition, they have a better keyboard layout (but complete scan code compatibility), a monitor ROM, the capability to boot from either drive, a more complete version of DOS, and a number of other advantages. Those concerned about the future solvency of micro manufacturers may find Zenith particularly attractive because (1) Zenith makes a lot more than micros and (2) Zenith is the main micro supplier to the DoD. So Zenith is unlikely to hit financial problems unless the Defense Department suddenly runs into severe budget cuts. Finally, the machines are available as kits from Heath, so you know they have to be fairly easy to work on. -- D Gary Grady Duke U Comp Center, Durham, NC 27706 (919) 684-3695 USENET: {seismo,decvax,ihnp4,akgua,etc.}!mcnc!ecsvax!dgary