FILE NAME: P S 2 & K E Y S . R E F Original DATE: June 4, 1996. REVISE DATE: August 2, 1999 FROM: Artic Help Center Artic Technologies 1000 John R. Road Suite 108 Troy, MI 48083. (248) 588-7370 Extension 11 Sales (248) 588-2650 Fax (248) 588-1425 Help Center www.artictech.com InterNet WEB Site sales@artictech.com InterNet E-Mail Sales help@artictech.com InterNet E-Mail Help TO: All Artic Users. SUBJECT: Disabling parallel port DMA arbitration on IBM PS/2 systems. The IBM PS/2 computer line with its Micro Channel architecture has underlying differences between models that can cause conflicts. The manufacturer which produces the parallel port security key used in DEC Business Vision, WinVision Solo and WinVision 95 has passed along the following notice concerning IBM PS2 computers. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- On some IBM PS/2 systems, it is possible to use DMA to print on the parallel port. This can cause problems with security keys when running Windows 3.1 in Enhanced mode or under OS/2. At the current time, the only known way to resolve this problem is to disable DMA arbitration on the parallel port. Depending on the model of PS/2, it is possible to accomplish this either by using the reference diskette, or through a setup utility that is built into the system BIOS. If the system uses a reference diskette, boot the system with this diskette. If the system has a built in setup utility, power up the system, and when the cursor jumps from the upper left corner of the screen to the upper right corner, press CTRL-ALT-INS simultaneously. In either case, the setup utility will come on line and display the main menu. Then do the following: 1. From the main menu, select the Set Configuration option. The Set Configuration menu will then appear. 2. From the Set Configuration menu, select the Change Configuration option. The Change Configuration screen will then appear. 3. From the Change Configuration screen, use the arrow keys to select the Parallel Port Arbitration Level field under the Built In Features section. 4. Use either F5 or F6 to select the Disable option. This will disable DMA arbitration. 5. Use F10 to save the configuration. 6. Use F3 to return to the Set Configuration menu. 7. Use F3 to exit the utility program. This completes the manufacturer's notes. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Remember, all Trade Marks and/or Product Names are the legal property of their respective companies. Artic Technologies welcomes you to use the above information, but cautions that you do so at your own risk. Even though these steps have been thoroughly tested, we cannot guarantee that they will work in your specific computer environment. This is an Artic Technologies Technical Support reference document. You may share it freely with anyone as long as the document remains intact and complete, the information is not modified and no charges are levied for it.