Use Key200 to Load Database Files

Many users have explored a way to load Database, NoteTaker and PhoneBook files by highlighting the file in Filer and pressing Enter. The method involves the use of FILER.INI along with a keyboard stuffing routine.

Here is another way to do almost the same thing using the HP 200LX's built-in KEY200 program. Users of the HP 100LX can use the add-in KEY100 program available on the CD InfoBase. The advantage to this method is that you click the Filer key once to open a Database file and double click it to open a NoteTaker file. To open Filer itself, however, you'll have to get used to pressing CTRL+Filer. The disadvantage is that the Database or NoteTaker program will only open the currently active file. You can't use this method to automatically open a different Database file.

The KEY200 program calls for a text file that will remap the keyboard. Key in the following text into Memo and save the file as C:\_DAT\DNB.TXT

Ctrl Filer : ^Ctrl Ctrl ^Ctrl Filer ^Filer

^Filer Filer : Ctrl Memo ^Memo ^Ctrl

Filer : Ctrl Phone ^Phone ^Ctrl

Remarks-The first line sets the CRTL+Filer keys to open Filer. The next two lines toggle between the Database and NoteTaker application.

To activate this file, put the following command in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file somewhere before the command that starts System Manager (i.e., 200 or 100).

D:\BIN\200 C:\_DAT\DNB.TXT

If you're using KEY100 on the 100LX, you'll need to change the first part of the command to reflect this. If you're using Software Carousel, put the command in the batch file that starts the System Manager work area.

Once everything is in place you can press CTRL+Filer to open Filer or press Filer to open your Database program or double click Filer to open NoteTaker.

If you don't use NoteTaker, you can modify the DNB.TXT file to open the PhoneBook by omitting the Ctrl and ^Ctrl words from the Filer: line.

If you like KEY200 as a way to make your Palmtop behave, here's another line you can add to DNB.TXT.

^More More : More ^More Menu ^Menu A ^A T ^T

This line will let you double click the More (&...) key to open the Application Manager and Terminate All applications and put you at the DOS prompt. You may prefer that to pressing More Menu All Terminate.