Release Notes for Compaq FX!32 V1.5

(Document Modification Date: August 18, 1999)
Compaq FX!32 (TM) lets you install and run 32 bit, x86 programs on your Windows NT Alpha system. This file provides the following installation and other release-specific information for Compaq FX!32 V1.5:

See the Compaq FX!32 website for information about technical support and additions to information contained in this document:

http://www.digital.com/amt/fx32/

1. Revision History

2. What's New in Compaq FX!32 V1.5

Compaq FX!32 V1.5 includes the following features and enhancements:

3. Installing Compaq FX!32 V1.5 and x86 Programs

Perform the following steps to install Compaq FX!32 V1.5 and then install and run your Win32 x86 programs on Alpha Windows NT 4.0.

To upgrade a previous version of FX!32 to FX!32 V1.5, you only need to install FX!32 V1.5. You do not need to uninstall or disable the previous version of FX!32, nor do you need to uninstall or reinstall x86 programs.

3.1 Prerequisites

Compaq FX!32 V1.5 requires Alpha Windows NT 4.0 with Service Pack 4 or higher, and Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 or higher. If your system includes the Alpha 21264 microprocessor, install Service Pack 3 instead of Service Pack 4 or 5. You can obtain Service Packs from the following URL:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/search.asp

You can access the native Alpha version of Internet Explorer 4.01 or higher from the following URL:

http://www.microsoft.com/ie/download

NOTE: You do not need to reinstall FX!32 after you install a Windows NT Service Pack. In addition, you do not need to disable FX!32 to install Service Packs.

3.2 Installing Compaq FX!32 V1.5

Use the following procedure to install Compaq FX!32 V1.5:

1. Log into the system as Administrator. Ensure that you have at least 20MB free disk space in the directory in which you are installing FX!32.

2. Install Compaq FX!32 V1.5 as follows:

At the end of the installation procedure, the system prompts you to restart your system to complete the installation. By default, the installer places the Compaq FX!32 V1.5 files and a set of sample files in the \fx32 directory. The sample files are Win32 x86 programs that you can run under Compaq FX!32 V1.5 to verify your installation.

That's it! You are now running Compaq FX!32 V1.5 and you can install and run Win32 x86 programs on your Alpha Windows NT system. Refer to the section about Installing Win32 x86 Programs for information about installing x86 programs.

NOTE: If you intend to install FX!32 V1.5 and then completely uninstall it to run a version of FX!32 released before V1.3, you need to back up any existing optimized code with the pre-V1.3 version of FX!32 before you install FX!32 V1.5. You can restore that optimized code after you uninstall V1.5.

3.3 Uninstalling Compaq FX!32 V1.5

You must completely uninstall V1.5 before you attempt to install a version of FX!32 released before V1.3. For example, if FX!32 V1.5 is currently installed on your system, you need to uninstall V1.5 before installing V1.2. When you uninstall FX!32 V1.5, ensure that you select (check) all of the following options in the FX!32 Uninstaller dialog box:

If you do not uninstall FX!32 V1.5 before installing an earlier version of FX!32, you need to reinstall V1.5 and then uninstall V1.5 completely to ensure that the correct registry modifications are made. After you uninstall V1.5, you can then install previous versions of FX!32.

If you completely uninstall FX!32 V1.5 and install a version of FX!32 released before V1.3, you need to restore backed up optimized code.

3.4 Installing Win32 x86 Programs

Use one of the following methods to install Win32 x86 programs:

The utilities Add/Remove x86 Programs and Install X86 Application install only x86 programs. If you receive a message that indicates you are running the wrong version of Windows, the corresponding program is a native Alpha program and you can install it without the FX!32 installer utility.

NOTE: Many websites offer to download and automatically install x86 programs or program plug-ins. Ensure that you do not install x86 programs or plug-ins directly from websites. Instead, save the executable installation program to your system, and use either Add/Remove x86 Programs or Install X86 Application to install the x86 program on your system.

After you install your programs, they run transparently under Compaq FX!32 V1.5.

4. Using the x86 Programs Utility

The x86 Programs utility is a simplified version of the FX!32 Manager that lets you control the optimization of the x86 programs. To start the x86 Programs utility, select the menu option Start | Programs | Fx!32 | x86 Programs Manager. Note that when FX!32 is enabled on your system, if you double-click on the FX!32 icon in the System Tray, the system displays the x86 Programs utility.

If you prefer the FX!32 Manager interface, you can still use the FX!32 Manager. To start the FX!32 Manager, navigate to the \fx32 folder (for example, C:\fx32) and double-click on the executable file fxmgr.exe.

NOTE: Do not run both the x86 Programs utility and the FX!32 Manager at the same time. Before you invoke one utility, ensure that the other is not running.

5. General Restrictions

The following restrictions apply to Compaq FX!32 V1.5:

In general, compiler IDE's (such as those for various C, C++, and FORTRAN compilers) are hard-coded for a particular architecture and access the system in ways that are not supported by Compaq FX!32 V1.5. This restriction does not apply to interpreters, such as Microsoft Visual Basic.

6. General Program Information

This section provides general information about programs as well as the interaction between Compaq FX!32 V1.5 and Windows NT.

Common Shared Files Directories

On Windows NT 4.0, installers typically install programs in the \Program Files directory and shared components in the subdirectory, \Program Files\Common Files. Compaq FX!32 V1.5 redirects x86 programs to the directory, \Program Files (x86), and x86 shared components to the subdirectory, \Program Files (x86)\Common Files. This segregation avoids conflicts between similarly named Alpha and x86 files and prevents programs from attempting to use shared components of the opposite architecture, which is not supported.

Components that cannot be successfully shared across architectures are segregated and operate correctly. Components that can be successfully shared across architectures, such as OLE objects, continue to function in their correct cross-architectural manner.

InstallSHIELD
As a workaround, rename the existing uninst.exe to uninst_alpha.exe and then reinstall your x86 program. Retain both versions of the file uninst.exe for future use.

At this point the system can display an error message if you subsequently attempt to uninstall an Alpha program. To uninstall an Alpha program that requires the file uninst.exe, rename the x86 version of this file to uninst_x86.exe and rename the Alpha version to uninst.exe.

Multiple Architecture Distributions

Editing Images
Problems have been reported for both the x86 and native Alpha versions of the image editor. It can fail regardless of the program from which it is invoked, and errors occur when Compaq FX!32 V1.5 is not involved.

The general workaround is to delete an empty image display and reinsert the desired image into the program.

7. Specific Program Information

This section provides information about specific programs that have been tested with FX!32 V1.5. Refer to the Windows NT 4.0 Release Notes for additional information about running specific programs.

Adobe Acrobat Capture 2.0

In addition, ensure that you run the last known Sentinal Driver from Rainbow (http://www.rainbow.com/).

Adobe PhotoDeluxe Business Edition 1.0

Adobe Photoshop 5.0

Autodesk AutoCAD LT 97

Autodesk AutoCAD R14
When native Alpha Active Movie is installed, and you attempt to install the AutoCAD Learning Assistant CD, the system displays the following error message: "Setup was not able to register active movie control." This error message refers to the Intel version of Active Movie which is included in the distribution. When you click on the OK button to dismiss that error message, the installation is successfully completed.

Lotus 1-2-3 (Millennium Edition)

Lotus Approach 9 (Millennium Edition)

Lotus FastSite (Millennium Edition)

Lotus Freelance Graphics 9 (Millennium Edition)

Lotus SmartSuite 9 (Millennium Edition)
Click the OK button, the system displays the following error message:

Click the OK button, the system displays the following error message:

Click the OK button. The system displays the Smartsuite extras dialog box, and then prompts you that the installation process is complete, and restarts your system.

Lotus WordPro 9 (Millennium Edition)

Macromedia Director 6.0

Microsoft Excel 97

Microsoft Internet Explorer

Microsoft Office 97

Microsoft Office Binder 97

Microsoft Office 2000

Microsoft Outlook 97

Microsoft Outlook 98

Microsoft PowerPoint 97

Microsoft Word 97

8. License Agreement

LICENSE TERMS

1. GRANT

Upon purchase of a license for this Software Program Version (the "Software"), Compaq Computer Corporation ("COMPAQ") grants you the right to use the Software on the Quantity of computers specified on your hard copy License Agreement which serves as your Proof of License.

You may copy the Software into the local memory or storage device of the specified Quantity of computers. You may copy the Software onto a network server or secure intranet for the sole purpose of distributing the Software to the specified Quantity of computers within your company. You may make archival or back-up copies of the Software.

You may permanently transfer your rights to use the Software, the Software itself including any updates to the specified version of the Software, and the accompanying documentation including your hard copy License Agreement, provided you retain no copies of the Software, updates, documentation, or License Agreement, and the recipient agrees to the License Terms.

2. COPYRIGHT

The Software is owned by COMPAQ and its suppliers and is protected by copyright laws and international treaties. Your use of the Software and associated documentation is subject to the applicable copyright laws and the express rights and restrictions of these terms.

3. RESTRICTIONS

You may not rent, lease, or otherwise transfer the Software except as expressly authorized in these terms. You may not make the Software available over the internet or similar networking technology. You may not remove any copyright, trademark, or other proprietary notices from the Software or the media. You may not reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble the Software, except to the extent COMPAQ cannot prohibit such acts by law.

LIMITED WARRANTY

COMPAQ warrants that the Software will perform substantially as described in the Software Product Description (SPD), or documentation accompanying the Software if an SPD is not provided, for a period of ninety (90) days from delivery.

EXCLUSIVE REMEDY. The entire liability of COMPAQ and its suppliers and your exclusive remedy for Software which does not conform to this Limited Warranty shall be, at the option of COMPAQ, either (1) repair or replacement of the nonconforming Software, or (2) refund of your purchase price. This warranty and remedy are subject to your returning the nonconforming Software during the warranty period to COMPAQ in the country in which you obtained the Software.

DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES. THE ABOVE WARRANTIES ARE YOUR EXCLUSIVE WARRANTIES AND NO OTHER WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WILL APPLY. COMPAQ SPECIFICALLY EXCLUDES THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. COMPAQ does not warrant that the operation of the Software will be uninterrupted or error free.

ALLOCATION OF LIABILITY

THE TOTAL LIABILITY OF COMPAQ AND ITS SUPPLIERS TO YOU FOR ANY CAUSE WHATSOEVER SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE PURCHASE PRICE YOU PAID FOR THE PRODUCT. THIS LIMITATION WILL APPLY REGARDLESS OF THE FORM OF ACTION, WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR TORT, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION NEGLIGENCE. THE FOREGOING LIMITATION DOES NOT APPLY TO DAMAGES RESULTING FROM PERSONAL INJURY CAUSED BY THE NEGLIGENCE OF COMPAQ.

IN NO EVENT WILL COMPAQ OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES RESULTING FROM LOSS OF DATA OR USE, LOST PROFITS, OR ANY INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES.

U.S. GOVERNMENT RESTRICTED RIGHTS

Consistent with FAR 12.211 and 12.212, Commercial Computer Software, Computer Software Documentation, and Technical Data for Commercial Items are licensed to the U.S. Government under vendor's standard commercial license.

GENERAL

You are responsible for compliance with all applicable export or re-export control laws and regulations if you export the Software. This agreement is governed by and is to be construed under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

If you have any questions concerning this Agreement, please contact your local COMPAQ sales office or write to: Compaq Computer Corporation, Software Business Practices, ZKO1-2/D22, 110 Spit Brook Road, Nashua, NH. 03062-2802.

All trademarks are the sole property of their owners.

Copyright Digital Equipment Corporation, 1999


Trademarks

© 1999 Digital Equipment Corporation

COMPAQ, the Compaq logo, and the Digital logo Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

FX!32 is a trademark of Digital Equipment Corporation.

Microsoft, Windows, Windows NT, and/or other Microsoft products referenced herein are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

All other product and company names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.