COMPAQ SLT Screen Blanks When Returning to MS-DOS Prompt

 Last reviewed: November 9, 1995
Article ID: Q68278
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows operating system versions 3.0, 3.0a, 3.1, 3.11

SYMPTOMS

When you use a COMPAQ SLT286 with Microsoft Windows, the screen may go blank after you press ALT+TAB to switch between applications.

CAUSE

This symptom is directly related to the COMPAQ PowerCon utility.

The PowerCon utility is used by the SLT286 to conserve battery life by shutting down the display and hard disk after a specified period of inactivity. The ALT+TAB combinations prematurely trigger the PowerCon utility.

WORKAROUND

You can set Windows to ignore the ALT+TAB key combination as follows:

  1. Start PIF Editor.

  2. Click the Advanced button.

  3. Under the Reserve Shortcut Keys, check ALT+TAB.

MORE INFORMATION

The PowerCon function can be disabled by running the COMPAQ setup utility provided with the system. This alleviates the problem discussed above, but eliminates the power conservation features offered by PowerCon.

The COMPAQ product included here is manufactured by a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding this product's performance or reliability.

KBCategory: kbhw kbdisplay kb3rdparty kbgraphic
KBSubcategory: win30 win31
Additional Reference Words:

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Last reviewed: November 9, 1995
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