ShaneEP
(MM club member)
2003-01-02 04:23 PM
Laptop vs PC

Anyone have any ideas on how to tell a PC from a Laptop? Registry key or file existance maybe...Just an idea. Thanks.

Diane
(Fresh Scripter)
2003-01-02 04:50 PM
Re: Laptop vs PC

A laptop is usually smaller in size than a desktop, and has the monitor built in.

Please excuse my lame attempt at humour, i'm still celebrating the new year.


Diane
(Fresh Scripter)
2003-01-02 04:52 PM
Re: Laptop vs PC

Seriously though I believe you should check for a reference to PCMCIA in the registry (you'll have to search for the key yourself as I don't own a laptop). If this key exists then its a laptop, if not its a desktop.

ShaneEP
(MM club member)
2003-01-02 05:02 PM
Re: Laptop vs PC

Thanks for the idea...Will see what I can find.

Happy New Years To You Too by the way...


Sealeopard
(KiX Master)
2003-01-02 05:06 PM
Re: Laptop vs PC

Please search the KiXtart BBS for 'laptop PCMCIA' as this has already been discussed numerous times.

BrianTX
(Korg Regular)
2003-01-02 05:10 PM
Re: Laptop vs PC

Or look at this site:

http://www.swynk.com/friends/hobbs/queries.asp#Laptop%20query

Brian


ShaneEP
(MM club member)
2003-01-02 06:04 PM
Re: Laptop vs PC

Maybe I wanted to discuss it again. If you don't want to be included then don't reply.

How does this look?

code:
 
$BATTERY = KeyExist("HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Compbatt")
If $BATTERY
$laptop = "Yes"
Else
$laptop = "No"
Endif



LonkeroAdministrator
(KiX Master Guru)
2003-01-02 06:07 PM
Re: Laptop vs PC

that might be more trustable.
as I see it, PCMCIA can be in any pc.


Diane
(Fresh Scripter)
2003-01-02 06:41 PM
Re: Laptop vs PC

Looks good, and i'd like to know what desktop would have a PCMCIA in it

Les
(KiX Master)
2003-01-02 06:44 PM
Re: Laptop vs PC

We have several...

Sealeopard
(KiX Master)
2003-01-02 07:04 PM
Re: Laptop vs PC

We have some, too. They are also not necessarily desktops, as they are more or less all-in-one computers/LCD screens with no keyboard/mouse attached eihter.

GRF
(Fresh Scripter)
2003-01-02 07:09 PM
Re: Laptop vs PC

Try HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\HARDWARE\DESCRIPTION\System\CentralProcessor\0\ProcessorNameString. All the laptops I've checked have "Mobile CPU" in the Value Data.

Sealeopard
(KiX Master)
2003-01-02 07:18 PM
Re: Laptop vs PC

That is because the CPU is most likely one designed for laptops. However, you can also buy laptops that contain a desktop CPU which doesn't necessarily has the advanced power-savings features.

ShaneEP
(MM club member)
2003-01-02 07:41 PM
Re: Laptop vs PC

PCMCIA values may also be different in laptops that have the port but no card installed?

ShaneEP
(MM club member)
2003-01-02 07:45 PM
Re: Laptop vs PC

Can also check the following key...

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\ACPI

The Start value should be 0 for laptops and 4 for PCs...

Can anybody prove these wrong?


GRF
(Fresh Scripter)
2003-01-02 07:48 PM
Re: Laptop vs PC

There was no ACPI key on my IBM Thinkpad w/ Win98.

ShaneEP
(MM club member)
2003-01-02 07:54 PM
Re: Laptop vs PC

Figures...How about the CompBatt key?

Diane
(Fresh Scripter)
2003-01-02 08:19 PM
Re: Laptop vs PC

Side-topic,
Sealeapard
quote:
We have some, too. They are also not necessarily desktops, as they are more or less all-in-one computers/LCD screens with no keyboard/mouse attached eihter.
Those sound interested, what brand are they?


ShaneEP
(MM club member)
2003-01-02 08:31 PM
Re: Laptop vs PC

One more try...

Win9x...
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Enum\ACPI\*PNP0C0A

Win2k-xp...
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum\ACPI\PNP0C0A

??


Sealeopard
(KiX Master)
2003-01-02 09:21 PM
Re: Laptop vs PC

Diane: WE got those computers from Advantech at http://www.advantech.com

They are medical-grade computers with a 12'' LCD screen, 4 serial ports, 2 PCMCIA, 1 1/2-lenght PCI, 256MB RAM, 850MHz P-III, 40GB HD. However, they have a couple of different models.

We are using those as a client computer for a custom data acquisition system that sits on a laptop. The PanelPC collects the data and displays information to subjects while the laptop is used by an operator to control the experiment.

We even use some KiXtart scripts for remote administration of the PanelPCs as they won't have input devices connected to themselves.