Quick Answer:

Boot Mode is the alternate operating mode of our USB X-keys MWII devices, and like Memory Resident Mode it is used to save your programmed macros to your X-keys device's internal memory.

Further Details:

Overview:

Boot Mode is very similar to Memory Resident Mode in that when operating in Boot Mode all of your X-keys device's macros are stored in the X-keys device's internal memory. Our MacroWorks II software is required to write programming to an X-keys device operating in Boot or to read programming from that device.

If you want to use your X-keys device on multiple computers you will not need to install any additional software on any of these computers, however you will need to install our MacroWorks II software on at least one computer when you wish to change the programming on an X-keys device. While operating in Boot mode your X-keys device will be recognized by the operating System as being a USB Keyboard.

Layout Files:

Our MacroWorks II software can be used to read the programming off of a USB X-keys device operating in Memory Resident Mode, and can save the layout as a file on your computer. MacroWorks II layout files are saved with a .mws file extension.

Programming Software:

Our MacroWorks II software is used to create and modify the layout files for X-keys devices operating in Boot Mode. The MacroWorks II software is also responsible for writing your program to the X-keys device's internal memory, and for reading the programming already stored in that memory.

Device Compatibility:

PS/2 X-Keys Devices:

All X-keys PS/2 Devices operate in Memory Resident Mode only and their operating mode can not be changed.

USB X-keys Devices:

X-keys Devices (pre September 2003): These devices operate in Memory Resident Mode only and their operating mode can not be changed.

X-keys SE Devices: These devices can be switched between SPLAT Mode and Memory Resident Mode. SPLAT Mode is the default operating mode for these devices. These devices do not support Boot Mode.

X-keys MWII Devices: These devices can be switched between SPLAT Mode and Boot Mode. SPLAT Mode is the default operating mode for these devices.

Exceptions:

Please note that our USB LCD, 84 key and 128 key devices so not support Boot Mode, and are SPLAT Mode only devices.

Converting to Boot Mode:

For instructions on how to convert your X-keys device to Boot Mode, please refer to the following P.I. Engineering KnowledgeBase article: How do I convert my X-keys device to Boot Mode?