QB 4.00 README.DOC: FIXSHIFT.COM Corrects BIOS Key Problems (33404)

SUMMARY

The following information was taken from the QuickBasic Version 4.00b README.DOC file. It outlines changes to Page 9 of the "Microsoft QuickBasic 4.0: Learning and Using" manual for Versions 4.00 and 4.00b. The information below applies to the QuickBasic Versions 4.00, 4.00b, and 4.50:

MORE INFORMATION

Some keyboards have an extra set of DIRECTION (arrow) keys, in addition to those on the numeric keypad. A bug in the ROM BIOS of some machines with these keyboards can interfere with the QuickBasic editor. Disk 3 (disk 2, if you are using 3.5-inch disks) includes a program, FIXSHIFT.COM, that fixes this bug. If you have such a keyboard, run this program by typing FIXSHIFT. If your machine does not have the bug, FIXSHIFT displays a message telling you so.

Otherwise, FIXSHIFT prompts you for the appropriate actions. FIXSHIFT takes about 450 bytes of memory. Except for the BIOS bug, it has no effect on other programs you run.

The following is not found in README.DOC:

Unlike in QuickBasic Version 4.00, the SETUP program in QuickBasic Version 4.50 does not automatically copy FIXSHIFT.COM to your working disk. If you need it, FIXSHIFT.COM is on the QuickBasic Version 4.50 Utilities 2 disk.

The above article is especially relevant if you are trying to trap the dedicated cursor keys (UP ARROW, DOWN ARROW, RIGHT ARROW, LEFT ARROW) using the ON KEY(n) GOSUB statement.