SOFTPAQ NUMBER:  SP5656
PART NUMBER:  224307-406
FILE NAME:  N/A
TITLE:  Armada 4100 ROMPaq Upgrade (14 January 1998)
VERSION:  586J_011498 Rev A
LANGUAGE:  English

CATEGORY:  Portables/ROMPaqs

PRODUCTS AFFECTED:  Compaq Armada 4100 Series

OPERATING SYSTEM:  N/A

SYSTEM CONFIGURATION:  N/A

EFFECTIVE DATE:  9 March 1998

ELECTRONIC DISTRIBUTION ALLOWED:  Yes

SOFTPAQ UTILITY VERSION:  2.x

SUPERSEDES:  SP5598 (12/11/97 ROM) 

DESCRIPTION:  Creates the ROMpaq Firmware Upgrade Diskette for 
Compaq Armada 4100 Series notebooks, which allows a user to upgrade to 
a 01/14/98 System ROM. 

Enhancements/Fixes:

- NSTL Year 2000 Compliance
  The 01/14/98 ROM ensures that compliance will be maintained should NSTL
  (an independent testing organization that has developed a set of criteria
  for Year 2000 compliance on PCs) release a new version of automated tests
  that checks for correct rollover from the year 1999 to 2000.  

Enhancements in this release include several changes that were also 
implemented in previous ROM versions dated 7/17/97, 08/01/97, 10/21/97,
and 12/11/97:

- Corrects Handling of 64-MB Memory Upgrade 
  The optional 64-MB memory upgrade is not counted properly by the system
  due to setup issues with the chipset.  For example, when an optional 64-MB
  upgrade memory module is installed in the Armada 4100, the system only
  recognizes 64 MB instead of counting the base standard memory plus the
  additional memory installed.  The 12/11/97 ROM adjusts the system setup, 
  enabling the Armada 4100 to properly handle a 64-MB memory upgrade.

- Prevents 32-MB Memory Refresh Violations at Elevated Temperatures
  Some 32-MB memory upgrade kits utilize memory chips that can cause memory 
  timing errors (which lock the system) at internal temperatures above 60 degrees 
  Celsius.  Installing the 12/11/97 ROM allows the system to refresh the memory at
  a faster rate, preventing this problem.

- Enhancements in the 10/21/97 System ROM are intended for use on the 
  Armada 4150, 4150T, 4160T, and 4160T Streamline Notebooks.  It 
  resolves an issue where certain combinations of optional memory 
  modules used in conjunction with placing the machine in a suspend
  mode may open the system board main fuse.  These enhancements may be
  used with other models of the Armada 4100 Notebook family with no 
  changes in functionality. 

- Armada 4100 notebooks with Fujitsu 810-MB and 1.0-GB hard drives experienced 
  errors when booting Microsoft Windows NT 3.51 if a Mobile CD (MCD) Expansion 
  Unit was not attached.  The 08/01/97 System ROM resolves these errors.

- Various failures, including error messages and software corruption, 
  have been encountered on the Armada 4160T when using memory upgrade 
  option kits.  The 7/17/97 ROM automatically adjusts the system timing 
  enabling the Armada 4160T to function properly with memory modules 
  installed.

- Non-System Disk Error
  When transitioning from AC/DC power source during POST, the system 
  no longer displays a non-system disk error. Previously, on AC/DC 
  transition, the system displayed an intermittent, non-system disk 
  error.

- Brazilian "." Key Fixed
  Allows for the proper function of the decimal point in the embedded 
  numeric keypad.  Previously, when the "." in the embedded numeric 
  keypad was depressed, the "~" character was displayed.  The 7/17/97 
  ROM allows for the proper function of this key.

- Improved Popup Positioning 
  Allows for popup windows to be navigated across the entire surface of 
  the LCD. Previously, the user was limited as to where the popup window 
  could be navigated on the LCD.

- QuickLock
  Under F10 Setup, when the QuickLock feature is enabled and the system 
  is put into Hibernation, the system did not remain in QuickLock mode 
  after coming out of Hibernation. All Hotkey functions were also lost. 
  The 07/17/97 ROM allows for the system to remain in QuickLock mode 
  after resuming from Hibernation, and Hotkey functions are not lost.

- Suspend Mode
  When docked in a convenience base, the required time to resume from 
  Suspend is now comparable to the time it takes when undocked.

- MIDI Audio
  While using Windows for Workgroups, units attached to the MCDU no 
  longer disable MIDI audio when resuming from standby. 


HOW TO USE:

1. Obtain a formatted 1.44-MB diskette.

2. Download the SoftPaq to a directory on your hard drive and change 
to that directory.  The file that is downloaded is an executable with 
a filename based on the SoftPaq Number above.

3. From that drive and directory, execute the downloaded file 
and follow the on-screen instructions.  You will be prompted to 
insert the formatted diskette in a drive to create the diskette.

4. After the diskette has been created, you may delete the  
SoftPaq file downloaded in step 2.

5. Power down the computer.

6. Place the newly created Compaq Armada 4100 ROMpaq diskette in 
Drive A: and power up the computer.  Follow the instructions on the 
screen to upgrade the System ROM.

IMPORTANT: DO NOT TURN OFF POWER TO THE SYSTEM WHILE PERFORMING 
THIS PROCEDURE!

Copyright 1997, 1998, Compaq Computer Corporation.  All rights reserved.

Product names mentioned herein may be trademarks and/or registered 
trademarks of their respective companies.