FutureTech Systems

Frequently Asked Questions for FM5400


FAQ Topics	Question
1. BIOS Updates 2. Plug and Play BIOS 3. Restoring Battery Capacity 4. Vadem PCMCIA Chipset in Windows 95 (CardWork) 5. PCMCIA on the Mini Docking Station 6. 28.8k Fax Modem with Vadem PCMCIA Chipset in Windows 95 7. Setting up Windows NT (all versions) 8. Floppy Doesn't Work with 64MB Installed 9. Floppy Drive and MPEG Module

BIOS Updates The newest BIOS versions are : 1. For FutureMate™ FM5400P : version 2.4. 2. For FutureMate™ FM5400 : version 6-01. Please refer to the FAQ for Plug and Play BIOS to find out which notebook model you currently own. Here is a history of the BIOS updates for FutureMate™ FM5400P: Version 2.4, Date:Sep.30,1996 This version has been released to fix the following problems: 1. System's clock will automatically roll over the new millennium (Year 2000). 2. When playing hardware MPEG under Windows 95 and switching the screen to the DOS full screen mode, certain remains were left on the screen. Version:2.3 Date:Sep.02,1996 This version has been released to fix the following problems: 1. System hangs intermittently while exiting CardWizard under Windows 3.1x . 2. Supports the Samsung 12.1" TFT LCD. 3. FDD is being inaccessible via system after fitted system with 64-MB of DRAM . Version:2.0 Date:Aug.06,1996 This version has been released to fix the following problems: 1. System failed to boot up while the P-166 MHz CPU and the docking station are simultaneously installed on the system. 2. The horizontal display is deflected while the SimuScan mode is selected. 3. The ASCII codes on the keyboard are non-standard in both F11 and F12. Version:1.6 Date:May.23,1996 This version has been released to fix the following problems: 1. System intermittently failed to boot up from the TEAC FDD . 2. Certain Korean characters could not be recognized by the keyboard. 3. System failed to perform "Memory Sizing" during boot process. Here is a history of the BIOS updates for FutureMate™ FM5400: Version:06-01 Date:Sep.26,1996 This version has been released to fix the following problems: 1. "External PS/2 Mouse is detected" is shown on screen while performing software reset. 2. PS/2 Mouse sometimes can not be detected by the system. 3. FDD can not be found while 64-MB DRAM is installed. 4. System's clock will automatically roll over the new millennium (Year 2000). 5. System memory size can not be detected while different sizes of DIMM modules are installed. 6. When playing hardware MPEG under Windows 95 and switching the screen to the DOS full screen mode, certain remains were left on the screen. Version:05-15 Date:Jul.22,1996 This version has been released to fix the following problems: 1. System intermittently failed to boot up from the TEAC FDD. 2. System sometimes failed to perform "Memory Sizing" during boot process. 3. Certain Korean characters could not be recognized by the keyboard. Version:05-12 Date:May.23,1996 This version has been released to fix the following problems: 1. System failed to work with the docking station . 2. "CMOS CHECKSUM ERROR" is shown during warm boot. Return to top

Plug and Play BIOS The there are two versions of FutureMate™ 5400, the 5400 and the 5400P. The major difference between the two is that 5400 does not support Plug and Play, while the 5400P does support Plug and Play. There are two ways for you to determine which version you currently have. 1. Look at the bottom of the notebook, and look for the label with the model number. If the model number is "5400T" for TFT or "5400D" for Dual Scan, then you have the older version without Plug and Play BIOS. If the model number is "5400PT" for TFT or "5400PD" for Dual Scan, then you have the newer version with Plug and Play. 2. Boot up the computer, and look on the first screen. If you see the line "Plug and Play BIOS Extension v.1.0", then you have the newer version with Plug and Play BIOS. If you don't see the above message, then you have the older version without Plug and Play BIOS. If you need BIOS update, go here. If you have 5400P, then download the current version.. If you have 5400, then download the current version. Return to top

Restoring Battery Capacity Because of the battery's "memory" characteristic, the batteries need to be fully drained and recharged to restore the full power capacity if it is used for the first time or after extended usage. The following shows how the full battery life can be restored. 1. Keep the machine on until the machine shut off automatically due to low battery, even if there are battery low warning beeps. 2. Pull out the battery and let it cool down. To prevent overheating, the machine stop charging the battery if its temperature is over a certain limit. 3. After the battery is cooled down, plug in the battery and AC adaptor. The Power - On LED Indicator (the left LED on the right side of the notebook) will show a red color and will turn to orange color after a few seconds, meaning that the battery is being charged. 4. Wait until the Battery-Charge LED Indicator (the right LED on the right side of the notebook) turns to green color, which means battery is full or that AC adapter can not charge the battery any more. 5. Pull out the battery and let it cool down. Repeat steps 3 and 4. After the battery is charged for the second time, the original battery capacity should be restored. Return to top

Vadem PCMCIA Chipset in Windows 95 (CardWork) Upon turning on your computer, if you see "On Board Vadem 469 Detected" at the first screen, you need to install CardWork driver. 1. Install Win95 first. 2. Start Win95 , Choose Control Panel/System/Device Manager/PCMCIA Socket highlight "PCIC or Compatible PCMCIA Controller" , click Properties/Driver/Change Driver, choose "Vadem PCIC Compatible PCMCIA Controller". Click OK all the way out and restart windows. 3. Insert CardWorks floppy disk to A:\. From Start/Run, type "A:\setup", and press [enter]. Follow the instruction on screen to complete the setup. 4. Edit CONFIG.SYS file in MS-DOS Prompt , only keep the following four lines: DEVICE=C:\CARDWORK\SSVADEM.EXE DEVICE=C:\CARDWORK\CS.EXE DEVICE=C:\CARDWORK\CSALLOC.EXE DEVICE=C:\CARDWORK\CARDID.EXE 5. Restart Win95 and insert PCMCIA modem card or network card , Win95 should be able to automatically detect the device. If not , you need to use manufacturer driver to install. 6. If you see the error message "Cannot find SSPCCRDX.VXD" from Cardwizard, follow these steps: Delete the Cardwork directory from either Windows or the DOS Prompt. Delete the lines forCardwork from CONFIG.SYS Delete any files that starts with "ss", i.e., ss., from the Windows\System directory. Follow the procedure listed above to reinstall Cardworks. Return to top

PCMCIA on the Mini Docking Station 1. In Control Panel, change the PCMCIA controller (default is PCIC Compatible controller) to be "Vadem PCIC Compatible controller" 2. Run "CardWork" setup from A:\. Choose "compact" setup & "4 slots". Restart Windows'95 3. Go to Control Panel \ Vadem PCIC controller \ Properties \ Resources \ Change Setting, select the setting which has two I/O address. For example, select "Basic Configuration 2" 4. In Control Panel\PCMCIA icon, you will see 4 sockets there. 5. Insert PCMCIA modem and network cards into the sockets, they will be recognized right away. Restart Windows'95 and log in to the network. Return to top

Using a 28.8k Fax Modem with Vadem PCMCIA Chipset in Windows 95 If you have trouble using your 28.8k Fax Modem, following these steps : Note : This procedure forces Windows 95 to use the Fax Modem in 16-bit Cardsoft mode, and may not be compatible with some of the communication software written for Windows 95, including the Windows 95 Dial-Up Networking. Follow these steps only if your fax modem does not work. 1. Install Cardwork. (Click Here for instruction on installing cardwork.) 2. Insert the Fax Modem card. Cardwizard should start, and should show you the manufacturer of the card in one of the slots. It should also show you a question mark in front of the card's name. 3. Click on the slot with the modem, and click on View / Properties / Drivers. 4. Check the box next to Change Drivers. This will activate the two choices above it. The choice "Use Plug and Play Mode" should be selected. 5. Select "Use Cardsoft Mode", and click on OK. 6. Remove and re-insert the card when prompted by Cardwizard. 7. After the card is inserted, click on the slot again in Cardwizard, and click on the Wizard button. Then click on Auto Correct. 8. After Auto Correct is finished, you should be able to use the card. 9. When you use the card, be sure to select "Cardsoft Modem" as the modem currently installed on your computer. Return to top

Setting up Windows NT (all versions) If Windows NT Setup does not progress pass the first setup diskette and gives this error message`SETUPLDR:Couldn't open drive multi(0)disk(0)fdisk(0)` Then please check if you have a three-mode floppy disk drive. Take out the removable floppy drive, and look for a sticker labeled "3-mode". Only 3-mode floppy drives can be used to install Windows NT or other advanced operating systems. Return to top

Floppy Drive Doesn't Work with 64MB Installed If you have 64MB of system memory installed, you must upgrade the BIOS to version 2.3 or above. Otherwise you will not be able to access the floppy drive. To download the BIOS Update file, click here. Since you must boot from a system diskette to upgrade the BIOS, you would need to remove one of the 32MB DIMM modules before you upgrade the BIOS by opening the CPU panel on the bottom side of the notebook. After the BIOS is upgraded, you can re-install the DIMM module. Return to top

Floppy Drive and MPEG Module If you wish to use the floppy drive and the MPEG module simultaneously, you must install the MPEG module in the floppy drive bay in the notebook, and install the floppy drive in the mini docking station. Then, start the computer, press Ctrl-Alt-S to enter the BIOS configuration setup, and disable the option "Internal FDC" in the Disks menu. Return to top