Apple 550C User Manual

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Macintosh PowerBook 550c

This product is forJapan only.

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Basics

Macintosh PowerBook 550c

Basics General Information - 1

General Information

The Macintosh PowerBook 550c features a built-in
trackpad, intelligent batteries, two battery bays, an
optional PCMCIA expansion module, a darker shade of
plastics, and a 10.4" display. The computer is available in
Japan only.

Basics Rear Panel - 2

Rear Panel

The illustration below shows the location of ports and
connectors on the rear panel of the Macintosh PowerBook
550c.

Basics PowerBook Screw Matrix - 3

PowerBook Screw Matrix

Nine different types of screws are used in the Macintosh
PowerBook 550c. All are Torx screws and require either a
T-8 or T-6 Torx screwdriver.

Note:

The legend for the screws follows on the next page.

Basics PowerBook Screw Matrix - 4

Legend for Macintosh PowerBook 550c Screws

1 Feet

2 Hard drive, keyboard, bottom case (middle front),

display assembly, floppy drive, daughterboard EMI
shield (top edge), inside edge of top case, right side panel

3 Display bezel, display, clutch, DAA

4 Trackpad cable and actuator, daughterboard EMI shield

(sides), motherboard standoff

5 Rear panel

6 Hard drive bracket

7 Inverter board, interconnect board

8 Bottom case (front corners), left side panel

9 Floppy drive bracket

Basics PowerBook Cable Matrix - 5

PowerBook Cable Matrix

For a matrix of cables that work with specific models of the
PowerBook family of computers, refer to the PowerBook
Cable Matrix. (The Macintosh PowerBook 550c uses the
same cables as the Macintosh PowerBook 520/540 Series.)

Basics PCMCIA Module Handling - 6

PCMCIA Module Handling

The PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card
International Association) expansion module is an option for
the Macintosh PowerBook 550c. The module inserts into the
computer’s second (left) battery bay and has two slots that
accept a variety of third-party PCMCIA cards.

There are three types of PCMCIA cards: Type I (3 mm),
Type II (5 mm), and Type III (10 mm). Type I and Type II
cards fit in either the upper or lower slot of the expansion
module. Type III cards fit in the lower slot and take up both
slots.

The following are guidelines for properly handling the
PCMCIA expansion module:

• Do not insert or remove the PCMCIA expansion module
while the computer is on or in Sleep mode. if you do, the

Basics PCMCIA Module Handling - 7

computer will shut down and all RAM contents will be
lost.

• Eject the PCMCIA module using the lever at the front of
the module; eject a PCMCIA card using the PCMCIA Eject
control panel or the PCMCIA Quick Eject module in the
computer’s Control Strip.

• Keep the protective cap that comes with the module and
place it back on the module when it is not in use.

• Do not open the module or insert anything other than a
PCMCIA card into the card slots.

• Keep the module in a safe place, away from small objects
that might fall into it.

• Before ejecting a PCMCIA card, make sure nothing is
blocking the card’s slot. To immediately reinsert the
card, pull it out an inch more and then push it back in.

• Use only cards that are compatible with the PCMCIA
expansion module. Refer to the compatibility
information that came with the card.

Basics Battery Information - 8

Battery Information

The Macintosh PowerBook 550c includes two nickel­metal-hydride (NiMH) batteries. Each battery provides
power for up to 3.5 hours of work time, depending on the
battery conservation features employed. A smart processor
included in each battery pack indicates the battery’s charge
status.

For instructions on how to verify the battery voltage, see
the Additional Procedures chapter of this manual.

For additional information on PowerBook batteries,
voltages, ampere hours, and part numbers, see the
PowerBook Battery Matrix in Hardware/Compatibility
Charts.

Basics Battery Information - 9

Battery Handling

±

Warning:

undamaged, dead batteries to Apple for recycling—do not
discard dead batteries with other waste. If the battery is
damaged, do not return it to Apple. Dispose of damaged
batteries according to local ordinances. Review battery­handling and disposal instructions in Bulletins/Safety.

The following are guidelines for properly handling the
Macintosh PowerBook 550c battery:

• Handle the battery carefully. Do not drop, puncture,
disassemble, mutilate, or incinerate it.

• Do not short-circuit the battery terminals.

• Do not leave a battery in the computer for longer than a
week without plugging in the power adapter.

• Do not leave the battery in hot locations (such as the
trunk of a car).

NiMH batteries contain toxic materials. Send

Basics Battery Information - 10

• Keep the battery in a cool, dark place; do not store it for
longer than 6 months without recharging.

• If you are using one battery: Completely discharge and
then recharge the battery once every 90 days.

• If you are using two batteries: Swap the left and right
batteries every month.

• Fully charge a replacement battery before using it;
Apple ships batteries in a partially charged state.

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Specifications

Macintosh PowerBook 550c

Specifications Processor - 1

Processor

CPU

Addressing

Motorola 68040 microprocessor
66/33 MHz

32-bit internal registers
32-bit address bus
32-bit data bus

Specifications Memory - 2

Memory

RAM

ROM

PRAM

VRAM

Clock/Calendar

4 MB RAM installed on the daughterboard
Expandable to 12 MB with 8 MB Apple RAM expansion card
Expandable to 36 MB with third-party RAM expansion card

2 MB

256 bytes of parameter memory

512K of static video display memory

CMOS custom chip with long-life lithium battery

Specifications Disk Storage - 3

Disk Storage

Floppy Drive

Hard Drive

15 mm high, internal, 1.4 MB Apple SuperDrive

2.5 in., 750 MB hard drive

Specifications I/O Interfaces - 4

I/O Interfaces

SCSI

Apple Desktop Bus

Serial

Sound

HDI-30 SCSI port with 1.5 MB/sec. transfer rate
Supports up to six external SCSI devices
Connect SCSI device to computer with HDI-30 SCSI system cable.

Apple Desktop Bus (ADB) port
200 mA maximum current draw for all ADB devices

RS-422 serial port; mini DIN-8 connector

Stereo sound-in port
Stereo sound-out headphone jack; standard 3.5 mm stereo

miniplugs

Specifications I/O Interfaces - 5

Video

Ethernet

Processor-Direct Slot

Power Adapter

Modem

Security

Micro DV-14 video-out port; 8 bit, 256 color video output
Supports most Macintosh, VGA, and SVGA monitors

High-speed Ethernet port; Apple AUI connector

90-pin processor-direct slot (PDS) for PDS devices or optional

Personal Computer Memory Card International Association
(PCMCIA) adapter/PCMCIA expansion module (allows use of
two Type II or one Type III PCMCIA-type card)

Power adapter port

Slot for optional internal modem

Slot for third-party security equipment

Specifications I/O Devices - 6

I/O Devices

Keyboard

Trackpad

Microphone

Built-in keyboard with 12 function keys
76 keys domestic, 77 keys ISO
Two-level tilt adjustment

Solid-state trackpad

Electret, omnidirectional
Output voltage of 4 mV, peak to peak

Specifications Sound and Video - 7

Sound and Video

Sound Generator

Video Display

Apple sound chip provides 16-bit sound capable of driving stereo

headphones or other stereo equipment through the sound jack

Built-in stereo speakers

10.4-in. diagonal screen
Backlit, active-matrix color display; 640 x 400 pixels at

thousands of colors; 640 x 480 pixels at 256 colors

Specifications Electrical - 8

Electrical

Main Battery

Power Adapter

Two nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) batteries
Up to 3.5 hours of usage per battery before recharging
Recharge time: 2 hours in shut down or sleep mode, 4 hours while

computer is running

110–240 VAC line voltage
40 W, 50–60 Hz

Specifications Physical - 9

Physical

Dimensions

Height
Width
Depth

Weight

2.25 in. (5.7 cm)

11.5 in. (29.2 cm)

9.65 in. (24.5 cm)

7.3 lb. (3.3 kg)

Specifications Environmental - 10

Environmental

Operating Temperature

Storage Temperature

Relative Humidity

Operating Altitude

Storage Altitude

50–104°F (10–40°C)

-13 to 140°F (-25 to 60°C)

20–80% noncondensing

0–10,000 ft. (0–3048 m)

0–15,000 ft. (0–4572 m)

Specifications Other - 11

Other

Internal Modem

SCSI Adapter

PCMCIA Module

Sends and receives data at 19.2 bps; sends and receives faxes at

14.4 bps

Enables connection between PowerBook computer and desktop

Macintosh (PowerBook appears as a hard drive on the desktop)

Enables use of two Type I or II PCMCIA cards or one Type III card

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Troubleshooting

Macintosh PowerBook 550c

Troubleshooting General - 1

General

The Symptom Charts included in this chapter will help you
diagnose specific symptoms related to your product. Because cures
are listed on the charts in the order of most likely solution, try
the first cure first. Verify whether or not the product continues to
exhibit the symptom. If the symptom persists, try the next cure.
(Note: If you have replaced a module, reinstall the original module
before you proceed to the next cure.)

If you are not sure what the problem is, or if the Symptom Charts
do not resolve the problem, refer to the Flowchart for the product
family.

For additional assistance, contact Apple Technical Support.

Troubleshooting Power Manager Reset - 2

Power Manager Reset

Reset the power manager if

• The battery and power adapter are proven good, but the
computer will not power on.

• The computer will not reset after a system crash.

To reset the power manager in the Macintosh PowerBook 550c,

• Remove the AC adapter and the battery.

• Let the unit sit without power hooked up for 3–5 minutes.

• Simultaneously hold down the Control, Command, Option, and
Power On keys for 5–10 seconds.

• Reinstall the battery and, if necessary, reconnect the AC
adapter.

• Turn on the computer.

Troubleshooting AC Adapter Voltage Test - 3

AC Adapter Voltage Test

To test the AC adapter voltage,

• Use narrow test probes for the leads on your voltmeter

• Make all measurements with the negative or common lead
touching the outer shield of the connector (ground)

• Use the following table to identify the connector pin number,
signal name, and DC voltage present

Connector Pin Signal DC Voltage

1 VBATT 16.4–16.6V

2 VMAIN 16.4–16.6V

3 GND 0V

4 GND Sense 0V

Troubleshooting Symptom Charts/Startup - 4

Symptom Charts

Startup

RAM failure occurs
(eight-tone error
chord sounds after
startup chord)

Hardware failure
occurs (four-tone
error chord sounds
after startup chord)

1 Reseat RAM expansion card and check connection.
2 Replace RAM expansion card.
3 Replace daughterboard.
4 Replace motherboard.

1 Disconnect hard drive cable and restart computer. If startup

sequence is normal, reconnect cable and retest.
2 Replace hard drive.
3 Disconnect floppy drive cable and restart computer. If

startup sequence is normal, reconnect cable and retest.
4 Replace floppy drive.
5 Replace motherboard.

Troubleshooting Symptom Charts/Power - 5

Power

Screen is blank;
computer doesn’t
respond

1 Restart computer.
2 Connect power adapter and restart computer in 3–4 minutes.
3 Try known-good, charged main battery.
4 Check all interconnect board, daughterboard, and

motherboard connections.
5 Reset the power manager.
6 Replace keyboard.
7 Replace interconnect board.
8 Replace daughterboard.
9 Replace motherboard.