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1990-07-28
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156 lines
TD 1.0 - Time & Date Management Utility
=========================================
COPYRIGHT 1987 TransTech
Released for personal use only
May not be distributed for profit
Tired of having to use the Control Panel to set the time and date
every time you boot your system? Wish you didn't have to think about
it any more?
TD comes close to giving you a battery back-up clock just with software.
Should you buy and install the Dallas Semiconductor DS1216E SmartWatch,
TD will automatically take advantage of it.
INSTALLING TD
=============
To use TD, copy TD.PRG into the AUTO folder on your boot disk. If you
have a hard disk, copy TD.PRG to a convenient folder for when you may need
to reset the time/date from the desktop. Select TD.PRG with a single
mouse click, pull down OPTION on the desktop and click on Install
Application. Select TOS as the application type. Then pull OPTION down
again and click on Save DeskTop.
TD OPERATION WITHOUT A SMARTWATCH
=================================
When your system is first turned on TD will come up in time/date edit
mode. If TD has been run at least once with this boot disk, the time/date
entered at the last boot will appear. Edit the time and date as described
below. Type RETURN when the time is correct to continue booting your
system.
Whenever the system is reset, TD will automatically set the system time
and date using the ST's IKBD or intelligent keyboard. The IKBD maintains
the date and time, but GEMDOS is too stupid to use it automatically.
If you notice that the date and/or time need correcting, you may run TD
from the desktop by double-clicking as usual. You may edit the date/time
as described below, then press RETURN to set it.
TD OPERATION WITH SMARTWATCH
============================
Operation is greatly simplified with the addition of a SmartWatch. When
the system is turned on or reset TD reads the contents of the SmartWatch
and automatically sets the system time and date. Of course, the date and
time must initially be set after installation by running TD.PRG from the
desktop. From time to time you will notice that the SmartWatch will lose
or gain a few seconds, like any watch. Simply run TD.PRG from the
desktop when the time or date needs correction.
If you prefer not to have the date and time displayed at boot time, you
may use TDBOOT.PRG instead of TD.PRG. TDBOOT can only read the
SmartWatch and set TOS system time. It streamlines the booting process
by being smaller (only 2K) and not writing to the screen at all. It
is installed by placing it in the AUTO folder on your boot disks. Of
course, you shouldn't have both TD and TDBOOT installed in the AUTO
folder - that would just set the time/date twice every boot! TDBOOT can
be run from the desktop; it gives the copyright notice and sets the time
and date as well.
You can force TD to ignore the SmartWatch's presence. Re-install TD
as TOS-Takes Parameters, then run TD and pass any command line
(except an empty one). TD will act as though no SmartWatch is present.
Although I used this for testing, you may find it useful if you
are 'fooling' the system by intentionally entering the wrong date,
or for demonstrating the program's non-SmartWatch mode.
EDITING THE TIME AND DATE
=========================
When TD enters the edit mode, the time and date are displayed with function
key labels underneath each field. To increment the value of a field
simply press the indicated function key. Shifting the appropriate function
key will lower the value. Values wrap around to their lowest or highest
values if the allowed range for that field is exceeded. Function Key F9
is a special case - it is the Next Day key and will automatically
adjust month and year to the next day as well as the date. The day of the
week is automatically computed and cannot be changed. The number of days
in each month and leap years are controlled and compensated for. Once
the correct date and time have been entered, press RETURN at the exact
time entered. If for any reason you do not wish to set the time and date,
even though you may have edited it, just press UNDO and TD will exit
without setting either the SmartWatch or the system date and time.
INSTALLING A SMARTWATCH
=======================
The DS1216E SmartWatch is an intelligent IC socket manufactured by
Dallas Semiconductor. It can plug into any standard 28-pin 32K ROM socket.
The ROM is then plugged into the SmartWatch. Operation of the computer
should not be affected in any way. This is the same component provided
in many of the clock kits on the market today.
SmartWatch contains a special time-of-day and date clock IC, a lithium
battery and power-fail detect logic. It maintains the date and time with
no power applied to the system. In normal operation the SmartWatch should
last ten years.
Installation of the SmartWatch is not a casual thing. The installer should
be able use hand tools, perform fairly delicate manipulations, and
recognize such items as ROM chips, cables, plugs and sockets, etc. Patience
is another key requirement. This is not to say that the average person
cannot do it; with proper instructions anyone should be able to do the
job but it is safer with someone who has at least an introduction to the
inside of a computer. Word of warning:
NEVER WORK ON ANY ELECTRONIC OR ELECTRICAL DEVICE WITH POWER CONNECTED!
To install in the 520ST, remove the top plastic cover and the metal shield
covering the circuit board. Remove any of the ROM's from its socket, plug
the SmartSocket in its place, and plug the ROM into the SmartSocket. Be
sure to align pin one (indicated by notches or dots) for both the ROM
and the SmartWatch.
Normal installation in the 1040ST requires that the metal bracket holding
the power supply be modified to make room for the SmartWatch. Only the
raised square metal cover needs to be removed to get to the power supply
and the ROM chips. Be sure to remove all electrical components when
hacksawing or drilling that metal bracket. Note: this is not a task for
the faint-hearted! TransTech sells a kit which simplifies installation of
the SmartWatch in the 1040ST which requires no permanent modifications to
the computer.
GETTING A SMARTWATCH
====================
SmartWatch may be available from local or mail-order electronics dealers.
TransTech also has the SmartWatch available, as indicated when you
enter TD's edit mode.
Transformation Technologies
10509 S.D. Mission Rd., Suite T
P.O. Box 880668
San Diego, CA 92108
(619) 283-9328
BUGS AND PROBLEMS
=================
The only known problem is that under MT C-Shell TD makes the cursor
disappear and gets the keyboard driver a little confused. The solution
is not to use it under MT C-Shell, only from the desktop.
TD should be accurate until the year 2080 AD. If accuracy or any other
problem is noticed, please drop me a line or give me a call at TransTech.
*** USE & ENJOY ***
May God bless you all,
Jim Frimmel March 20, 1987