Powerbook Duo Frequently Asked Questions:
(updated 22 March 1998)
Note: This is a copy from America Online. If someone knows of a site that is keeping this up to date, please email me, and I'll point my FAQ link there. Thanks. In the meantime I'll modify this one slightly to make it easier to navigate as well as laid out as more html instead of pure text.
And, by the way, if you have a general or specific question about Duo's, please post your questions on comp.sys.mac.portables. I browse there daily, and if I can answer it I will in a public place that hopefully will benefit others. (Kim)
The original Duo FAQ is available via ftp.
Table of Contents
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Part 1: The Duo
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* Introduction: What is a Duo?
* The Models: What Duo models are/will be available?
Duo 210 : Economy Duo -- Oct, 1992
Duo 230 : Standard Duo
Duo 250 : Active Matrix Duo -- Oct, 1993
Duo 270c : Color Duo
Duo 280 : 040 Gray Duo -- May, 1994
Duo 280c : 040 Color Duo
Duo 2300/60 : 603 Gray Duo -- Jan, 1995
Duo 2300/60c : 603 Color Duo
* Dockless Duos: Do I have to buy a Dock?
File Transfers
Ram Disks
Updating Systems
Installing Software
* Optimizing Duos: How can I squeeze the most out of my Duo?
Systems
Why don't my title bars have that "3-D" affect?
Why doesn't Strech 3.0 work with my Duo?
How can I get that "3-D" affect in my title bars?
FPU's
What is a FPU?
Do *I* need/want one?
How does a FPU affect battery life?
RAM
What's ram?
How much ram do I need?
RAM Disks
What is a ram disk?
Why/when should I use a ram disk?
How do I install a RAM system disk?
How do I get rid of a RAM disk (get the ram back)?
Batteries
What's that switch on the battery for?
What do the numbers on my battery mean?
What's a "type II/III" battery?
Which battery do I have?
Can I use the new (type II/III) batteries in older Duos?
Do I need to completely discharge (condition) my batteries?
What's the *right* way to insert a battery?
Battery Power
Why should I turn off my modem when I'm not using it?
How can I get more life out of my battery?
Hard Disks
Why should I reformat my drive?
Why does my 80 MB drive say it's 75 MB?
What's the problem with reformatting 120 MB drives?
How do I reformat my drive for maximum capacity?
What's the largest internal HD available? (520 MB)
Where can I get it?
Displays
What are those vertical dark lines on my screen?
What are those black spots on my monitor?
How can I get rid of both?
Serial Port
How do I connect a printer to a Duo?
What's the "internal/external" or "compatible/normal" switch in the Powerbook setup mean?
How do I use non-com toolbox programs with an internal modem?
Programmers Keys (needed for MacsBug)
Where is the interupt/restart key on a Duo?
Why don't they work when the Duo is docked?
What alternative is available?
Part 2: Accessories
===================
* Expandability/Docks: What do I need a Dock for?
Features: what can a dock do?
Micro-Docks:
Apple's Floppy Adapter
Newer Tech SCSI Microdock
Newer Tech Color Microdock
Newer Tech Ethernet Microdock
Lapis SCSI Dock
Asante's Ethernet Microdock
Mini-Docks:
Apple's Mini Dock
E-Machines Powerlink Presenter
E-Machines Desknet/Etherdock
RasterOps DuoMate 8
RasterOps DuoMate 16sc
Full-Docks:
Apple's Dock
Apple's Second Dock
Coming Attractions
FAQ's about docks
Why can't I close the lid of my Duo while it's docked to a mini dock?
How can I have the lid closed while docked to a mini dock?
* Recommended
Useful programs
Battery Optimization
Useful accessories
AppleTalk Cable
SCSI Adapter
Ethernet
Hand Scanner
Useful Sources of Information
Magazines
News groups
FTP sites
Part 3: Repairs and Upgrades
============================
* Bugs/Problems: Help! My Duo just...
Keyboard: keys unresponsive;
rev A,B,C,D keyboards - how to tell which
ADB: keyboard/mouse freezes up
Enabler: What enabler you should use.
Buzz: makes noise while asleep
HD gone: duo in dock won't recognize Powerbook HD
Missing Battery: duo can't find it's battery
Battery Leads: pressing on palmrest crashes Duo
Stylewriter II
* Sources: Where should I buy...?
Ram Suppliers
HD Suppliers
CPU Suppliers
Clearing Houses
Others
* Opening Duo's: How do I install...?
Install ram : easy for tech savvy people
Install HD/modem : hard - not recommended
* Upgrades
Apples 2xx -> 250
Apples 2xx -> 270c
Apples Duo LC040 Upgrade
Apples Color Display Upgrade
MacProducts 2xx -> 33 MHz/40 MHz
James MacPhails FPU add on
Disabling the Hardware Sleep
* Modems
Onward to:
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