The ADBManager will let you selectively disable and re-enable ADB devices. This application is useful if you have conflicting ADB devices. I use this application to disable my joystick when I am not using it with my flight simulator; this way I don't have to power-down the CPU to unplug it. The device is effectively turned off by setting its service routine pointer and data pointer to 0 (or NIL/NULL for you programmers). An additional extension (startup document) can be used to disabled ADB devices when the CPU is booted.
The Inside Macintosh manuals recommend against adding any ADB devices to the bus while the CPU is on. If you have been adding and removing devices to and from your desktop bus the time has come for you to use the ADBManager. Connect all your devices and disable the devices not used with the ADBManager. This application does not allow you to add more than the number of devices specified for your particular Macintosh model.
Requirements:
This program requires an Apple Desktop Bus, the Macintosh SE and all newer Macintoshes have this desktop bus, it’s the port into which you plug your mouse and keyboard(s).
ADBManager currently requires System 6.0.4 or higher. The tested Macintosh models are a IIci, IIsi, IIx, IIfx, Centris 610 & 650, and an LC III.
Things to consider/recommendations:
The ADBManager will not let you disable your keyboard if it has an ID of 2. Anything else can be disabled, this includes mouses, joysticks, track balls, keypads, and all that can be connected to the desktop bus.
From within the ADBManager application all buttons and commands can be executed with the keyboard. As long as the application is running any devices may be re-enabled.
For system 6 users, if the application is not already selected, the ADBManager application might not be able to be re-launched to re-enable a device. System 7 users can move around the Finder with key sequences and thus re-launch the ADBManager application. Restarting the Macintosh will reset the desktop bus and enable all ADB devices.*
The ADBManager cannot recognize the difference between a joystick acting as a mouse and a real mouse, it might be difficult to find the mouse which is to be disabled. If there is only one mouse on the bus it might show up with an ID of 3.
* This is not necessarily true if you installed the ADBInit. See Saving ADB configuration below for details.
Installation:
There should be three files in the ADBManager distribution folder:
• The ADBInit - Drag on top of your system folder, the Finder will know what to do with it. The ADBInit does not have to be installed in order for the ADBManager to function.
• The ADBManager - Application to configure the desktop bus.
• This document - Keep this with the ADBManager application.
The Menu bar:
The menu bar has two menus: the apple () menu and a File menu. The apple menu contains some brief information about the ADBManager such as author and copyright notes. The File menu contains four entries: ADBManager, Help, Save and Quit. The ADBManager item opens the ABDManager dialog box which lets you disable and re-enable ADB devices. The Help item shows you a help screen. The Save item will let you save the current ADB configuration to a preference file. The Quit item quits the application.
Menu commands and their windows:
- ADBManager dialog box:
The ‘Type’ column shows the device type, the ‘guessed’ type is listed after it in parenthesis. The type number is looked up in a ‘STR#’ resource table.
The ‘ID’ column shows all the available ADB IDs. The ones initially in use have their check box checked.
The Reset button resets the entire desktop bus. This will re-enable all devices which might have initially been disabled. You can also reset the bus by typing <ESC>.
The OK button will read all the check boxes, disable and enable the devices accordingly, and close the ADBManager dialog box. You can also type <return> or <enter> for the settings to take effect.
The Cancel button will close the ADBManager dialog box regardless of the settings of the check boxes. You can also cancel with <cmd - . > (hold down the command key and press ‘period’).
Each check box can be toggled by holding down the command key and typing the ID number or letter. For example to un-check the box for a mouse on ID 3 type in <cmd - 3>, type <cmd - 3> again to check the check box. This can also be accomplished by clicking on the check box itself.
Note: Changes won’t take affect until you press the OK button or type <return> or <enter>.
-The Help Window:
The help window shows some limited help on how to operate the ADBManager. The help window can be closed by typing <return>, <enter>, or clicking on the OK button.
- Saving ADB configuration:
The ADB configuration can be saved to a preference file. This file will be located in the ‘Preferences’ folder inside your system folder (or the system folder if the ‘Preferences’ folder does not exist). The ADBInit will use this file to configure the desktop bus when you boot your CPU. To temporarily disable the ADBInit hold down the <A> key as you boot. You have three options for the extension:
• Save the ADB configuration.
• Show the extension icon on the bottom of the screen when booting. The ADBInit icon will show if everything ran fine.
• Play a sound. A pleasant sound will play if the extension ran successful, an unpleasant sound if the ADB configuration failed.
The ADBInit will do nothing if it can’t find the preference file.
Note: If you have installed the ADBInit, saved a preference file and you reboot your CPU to reset the desktop bus; hold down the <A> key to keep the ADBInit from running.
The ADBInit:
The ADBInit can disable devices as the CPU is booted. The preference file as described above will be used to determine what devices should be disabled. The ADBInit will not run if you hold down the <A> key when starting the CPU. The ADBInit will display three different icons as it launches and runs.
Known devices:
The following table is a listing of device types that I know about. Feel free to inform me of other device types and I will add them to ADBManager’s database.
Device: Type number:
Extended keyboard (I and II) 2
Desktop mouse 1
Apple Keyboard 8
Credits:
The only code that is not completely my own is that of the ShowIcon7 code. ShowIcon7 allows the ADBInit to show it’s icon. From the source code:
“This code is based on Patrick C. Beard's ShowIconFamily by Patrick C. Beard, which in turn was derived from the original ShowInit by Paul Mercer, Darin Adler, Paul Snively, and Steve Capps.
Modified by James W . Walker for compatibility with IconWrap 1.2 , for use as a separate code resource , and to use the new System 7 icon - drawing routines. This code is in the public domain.”
I modified the source code a little to compiled a library file and included it in my ADBManager project. I’ll make the library and the PASCAL interface file available if there is demand for it.
Version History:
Changes in numeric version means some kind of change in resources or code. In the future, as more device ID numbers become known, each change will be indicated with a lower case letter.
1.0 - Full working version of the ADBManager application. Only a dialog box with check boxes for each device.
1.0.1 - A menu bar was added. Completion of ADBInit and preferences file. ‘Help’ window, ‘About’ window. More debugging.
1.0.2 - Improvements in interface. New ADBInit and ADBManager icons. New ‘Help’ screen. Decrease in size. Release to the public.
Shareware stuff:
I will update this application as it becomes necessary or as I find or get reports of bugs. Use this application AS IS. Due to my limited access to different types of Macintosh models (including high-end models) I cannot guarantee that this application isn’t flawless. It’s been very stable on the machines I have tested this on. The application and the init have been running without problems on my IIci since December 1st, 1993 (Mac IIci, 8MB RAM, 80MB internal drive, System 7.1 with Hardware System Update 2.0.1).
This application is shareware. If you choose to keep the ADBManager for a period of more than two weeks please send me US$ 10 to the address below.
If you can’t afford $10 send me a postcard and tell me what you think and how you use the ADBManager. Send suggestions and bug reports to the address above or electronically to kiberkli@sunspot.syr.edu. Also - if you discover more ADB types - please tell me about them and I’ll add them to the applications internal data base.
Klaus I. Berkling
7265 Wakefield Drive
Fayetteville, NY 13066
USA
• Distribution of the SOFTWARE (ADBManager application and ADBInit startup document) is granted to Internet FTP sites and other pubic access services (including user groups).
• Distributing the SOFTWARE with a commercial, shareware or freeware product which uses the SOFTWARE as part of the product’s operation is prohibited without my written consent.
• Distribution of the SOFTWARE is freely permitted to all other users.
• Any distributor may not charge for the SOFTWARE other than a reasonable fee for transfer media or other electronic transmission.
WARRANTIES:
IN NO EVENT SHALL I BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF I HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF SUCH DAMAGES.
Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for consequential or incidental damages, the above limitation may not apply to you.
Macintosh and the Apple logo is a registered trademark of Apple Computer Inc.
Apple Desktop Bus is a trademark of Apple Computer Inc.
The application signature codes ‘ADBm’ and ‘ADBi’ are registered with Apple’s Developer Support Center.
The file type code ‘ADBs’ is also registered with Apple’s Developer Support Center.
