Apple 6400 User Manual
Follow the instructions in this
chapter to set up your computer
and learn the basics.
1
Getting Started
The illustration on the facing page shows all the equipment you will need to
set up your computer and begin using it. Place your equipment on a sturdy,
flat surface near a grounded wall outlet. Before following the setup
instructions in this chapter, you may want to read “Arranging Your Office”
in Appendix A (in the section on health-related information) for tips on
adjusting your work furniture so that you’re comfortable when using
the co mputer.
If you used the setup poster: The poster included with your Macintosh
Performa computer was designed to help you start using your computer as
quickly as possible. This chapter contains more detailed information than the
poster. If you have already set up your computer using the poster, you may
want to turn to the section “What’s Next?” later in this chapter.
1
Pluggin g in the computer
Before you plug your Macintosh into a wall socket, carefully read all the
setup instructions in this chapter. Then, before you connect anything to your
Macintosh, follow the instructions in this section on how to plug it in. The
plug grounds the computer and protects it from electrical damage while you
are setting up.
When you are ready to begin, follow these steps:
1Place the computer where you want it—either on the floor or on a sturdy desk.
If your computer came with a modem, you may want to set your computer
near a phone jack (if possible) so that you can connect your modem later.
2Make sure the voltage switch on the back of the computer is set for the kind of voltage
system you will be connecting to.
The voltage switch must be set correctly to avoid damaging your computer.
If you don’t know the voltage used in the country you’re in, refer to the table
“Voltages for Different Locations” later in this chapter.
Before you plug your computer in,
check to see that the voltage
switch on the back is
properly set. If you need
to change the setting,
insert a small screwdriver
here and slide the switch.
2
Set the switch to show “115” for
voltages in the 100–130V range.
Set the switch to show “230” for
voltages in the 200–270V range.
Chapter 1
Voltages for different locations
For any voltages between 100 and 130 in the chart below, set the voltage
switch on the back of your computer to “115.” Set the switch to show “230”
for a voltage between 200 and 270.
IMPORTANT
In some countries, you may have one of two voltages. If you’re not
sure which of the two voltages you have, check with your electricity supply
company before plugging in your computer.
Country Voltage
Japan 100
Algeria, Indonesia, Lebanon, Libya, Peru, S. Korea, Vietnam 100 or 220
Ecuador, Jamaica, Philippines, Taiwan 110
Bermuda, Canada, Puerto Rico, United States, Venezuela 120
Colombia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia 127
Brazil 127 or 220
Hong Kong 200
India, South Africa 220–250
Israel, Pakistan, Singapore 230
Australia, Kuwait, Malta, New Zealand, Northern Ireland,
Papua New Guinea, Oman, Qatar, United Kingdom 240
Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain,
Sweden, Switzerland 220–230
Bahrain, Chile, China (People’s Republic), Czechoslovakia, Egypt,
Greenland, Hungary, Iceland, Iran, Jordan, Liechtenstein, Nepal,
Paraguay, Poland, Romania, United Arab Emirates, Russia and the
Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS),Yemen, Yugoslavia 220
Getting Started
3
3Plug the socket end of the computer’s power cord into the power cord socket on the
back of the computer.
4Plug the other end of the power cord into a three-hole grounded outlet or power strip.
Make sure at least one end of the power cord is within reach so that when you
need to unplug the computer you can do so easily.
Standby power button
4
Chapter 1
Power cord socket Computer power cord
WARNING
This equipment is intended to be electrically grounded. Your
Power cord plug
Macintosh is equipped with a three-wire grounding plug—a plug that
has a third (grounding) pin. This plug will fit only a grounded AC outlet.
This is a safety feature. If you are unable to insert the plug into the
outlet, contact a licensed electrician to replace the outlet with a properly
grounded outlet. Do not defeat the purpose of the grounding plug!
If the computer starts up: If you hear a tone, the computer has started up and
you need to turn it off before proceeding. Press the standby power button (®)
located on the back of the computer to turn it off.
Installing an expansion card
If you purchased an expansion card (such as a special video card) for your
Macintosh, install it now. See Chapter 9, “Installing Expansion Cards,” for
instructions. If you don’t have an expansion card, continue with the next
section, “Connecting a Monitor.”
Connectin g a monitor
You can connect many types of monitors to your Macintosh. To connect a
monitor, refer to the instructions that came with it, in addition to the
instructions here.
Connecting the monitor p o wer cord
Monitors have two cords to connect: a monitor power cord and a monitor
video cable.
To connect the monitor power cord, follow these steps:
1Place the monitor where you’ll be using it.
Keep these considerations in mind:
m Allow a few inches for air circulation around the computer and monitor.
m Position the monitor with the top of the screen at slightly below eye level
whe n you sit at the keyboard.
m Position the monitor to minimize glare and reflections on the screen from
overhead lights and windows.
m Consult “Arranging Your Office” in Appendix A for suggestions on
locating your computer equipment.
Getting Started
5
2Connect the monitor power cord to the monitor.
On some monitors, the cord is already attached.
3Plug in the monitor power cord.
Some monitor power cords are designed to plug into the back of your
computer.
Some monitor power cords must be connected to a grounded electrical outlet,
not to the computer. Check the information that came with the monitor.
6
Chapter 1
Monitor power socket Monitor power cord
Monitor power cord plug
Connecting the monitor video cable
After you plug in the monitor power cord, connect the monitor video cable to
the co mputer’s monitor video port.
To connect the monitor video cable, follow these steps:
1Attach the monitor video cable to the monitor so that it appears as shown in the
illustration.
On some monitors, the cable is already attached.
2Attach the monitor video cable to the monitor video port on the back of the computer so
that it appears as shown in the illustration.
™
Monitor video port Monitor video cable
If your monitor has a microphone or speakers, you may need to connect
additional cables. See the documentation that came with the monitor.
Getting Started
7
Connectin g the mouse and keyboard
1Plug the mouse cable into the recessed port on the back of the keyboard.
The plug and the port are marked with the ◊ icon (symbol). The positions of
the port and icon on your keyboard may be different from those pictured.
By the way: A port marked with the ◊ icon is called an Apple Desktop Bus
(ADB) port.
Plug the mouse cable into the recessed port
on the keyboard. The flat part of the plug
should be pointing down, as shown here.
8
Chapter 1
This cable plugs into the Apple Desktop Bus (ADB) port,
◊
marked with the
icon, on the back of the computer.
2Plug the keyboard cable into the ADB port marked with the
◊
icon on the back of
the computer.
V
ADB port
Some monitors also have a port to which you can connect the keyboard or
mouse. See the information that came with the monitor.
Getting Started
9
3If you want to adjust the keyboard angle, lower the feet on the keyboard.
To adjust the keyboard angle, lower the feet until they snap into position.
Connectin g the mod em
A modem is hardware that may already be installed inside your computer. The
modem enables your computer to send and receive faxes and telephone calls,
to connect to the Internet, to access online services, and to communicate with
other computer users. (You use the modem through the appropriate software
already installed on your Performa. See your modem documentation for
information on how to use the modem and software.) You can confirm whether
you have an internal modem by seeing if you have an internal modem
connector on the back of your computer, as shown in the next illustration.
(Also, a standard telephone cord will have come with your computer.)
10
Chapter 1
If your computer came with an internal modem and you want to connect the
modem now, follow the next illustration. If your computer came with an
external m odem, connect it to the external modem port and follow the
instructions in the modem manuals that came with your computer or with
the modem.
IMPORTANT
When connecting a modem, make sure you connect the modem to
an analog phone line—the kind used typically in homes. (A digital phone
line could damage the modem.) If you’re connecting the modem at home, you
probably have an analog phone line. Your modem manuals contain more
information about using your modem.
Line splitter (purchased separately)
To telephone
To internal modem
External modem port
(This port is covered
if an internal modem is
installed. If it is covered,
do not remove the cover
or plug anything into the
external modem port.)
Internal modem connector Phone cord
Phone jack in wall
You can use any standard phone cord to connect your internal modem
connector to a phone jack. If you have only one phone jack, consider
purchasing a line splitter at an electronics supply store. A line splitter enables
you to plug your phone and your modem into the same jack at the same time.
Keep in mind that when your phone and your modem share a single phone
line, you will not be able to use both pieces of equipment at the same time,
even if they are attached to separate phone jacks. While you use your modem,
outside callers will get a busy signal and you cannot call out. When your
phone is in use, you cannot use the modem. (By the way, you can keep your
answering machine connected to your phone, even if your phone and modem
share the same telephone line.)
IMPORTANT
During lightning storms, disconnect your modem by unplugging its
phone cord from the phone jack. This helps avoid accidental voltage overload.
Getting Started
11
Connecting other equipment
If you are new to the Macintosh, it’s a good idea to get some experience using
your computer before you connect other equipment, such as a printer or
scanner. To learn basic Macintosh skills, continue with the instructions in
this cha p ter.
When you’re ready to connect other equipment to your Macintosh, see the
instructions in Chapter 3.
Turning the computer on for the first time
To tu r n the computer on for the first time, follow these steps:
1Turn on your monitor.
Note: You may not see the monitor power come on until you turn on the
computer in the next step. Also, larger monitors can take several seconds to
turn on if you have extra DRAM installed in your computer.
See the information that came with your monitor for the location of the power
switch. On newer Apple monitors, the power switch is located on the front of
the unit.
12
By the way: Dep endi ng on the type of monitor you have, you may only need
to turn it on once. Some monitors turn off automatically when you shut
down the computer, and turn on automatically when you start up the
computer. Other monitors have to be turn ed on separately each time you
turn on the computer.
2Press the Power key (marked with a triangle) on your keyboard.
You hear a tone from the computer as it starts up.
Chapter 1
3 Follow the instructions on your screen.
You will see a “welcome screen” with a Launcher (shown below) that you use
to choose what you want to do next.
m If you don’t know how to use a mouse, press the letter M on your keyboard
for an on-screen program that teaches you how to use the mouse.
m If you’re new to the Macintosh but familiar with how to use a mouse, click
the Tutorial button to go through the Performa Tutorial, a program that
teaches you how to use your computer.
m If you want to learn more about the capabilities of your Macintosh (not
how you can use the Macintosh but more about what the Macintosh can
do), click one of the other buttons on your screen.
Click one of these
buttons. (The buttons
on your screen may
be different.)
Click Exit when you’re
finished exploring to
go to the Macintosh
desktop.
Note: If you see a blinking question mark or nothing at all, see the next
section, “Problems Turning On Your Computer?”
Getting Started
13
4When you’re finished exploring the items on your screen, click Exit.
Your Launcher has
more—and perhaps
different—items in it
than are shown in
this illustration.
5Take Part 2 of the Tutorial or skip to the section “What’s Next?” later in this chapter.
Yo u’ ll see the Macintosh desktop as pictured below. (Note: Most computer
screens have a slight black border around them.)
Hard disk icon
Macintosh desktop, after you
exit the welcome screen
14
Click the Tutorial Part 2
button to continue learning
the basics of your computer.
(Your Launcher has more
items in it than are shown
in this illustration.)
Chapter 1
Problem s turnin g on your compu ter?
If the screen is dark, check these items to see if you can identify
the problem:
m Is the computer plugged into a power source? If it is plugged into a
power strip, is the power strip turned on?
m Is the computer turned on? The power-on light on the front panel
should be on. If it isn’t, press the standby power button (marked with
the symbol ®) on the back of the computer.
m Are the keyboard and mouse cables connected correctly? (Don’t
disconnect the keyboard or mouse cable while the computer is on.
You could damage your equipment.)
m Is the monitor power cord plugged in?
m Is the monitor turned on? (Check the power-on light on the front of
the monitor.)
m Is the monitor video cable—the one connected to the monitor video
port (™) on your computer—attached firmly to both the monitor
and computer?
m Is the brightness control on the monitor adjusted correctly? (On most
monitors, the brightness control is marked with the symbol ¤.)
If you see a blinking question mark on the screen, turn to “Solutions to
Common Problems With Your Computer” in Chapter 6.
Getting Started
15
What’s next?
Congratulations! You’ve finished setting up your computer. Now continue
with one of the following steps:
m If you are new to the Macintosh, see the next section, “Learning the Basics
in the Performa Tutorials.”
m If you are an experienced Macintosh user, turn to Chapter 2, “Getting
Help,” to learn about Macintosh Guide. Or select Macintosh Guide from
the Guide menu (h) in the upper-right corner of your screen and explore
it yourself.
What you can’t find in this manual you can find
in Macintosh Guide, your main source of
information when working with your computer.
m If you want to connect other equipment, such as a printer, to your computer,
see Chapter 3, “Connecting Equipment and Expanding Your Computer.”
16
Chapter 1
m If you want to install application software on your computer, see
Chapter 4, “Using Programs and Backing Up Disks.” The chapter contains
information on setting up your programs and managing memory. You’ll
need this information to properly set up any programs specifically designed
for computers with PowerPC microprocessors.
m If you want to turn off your computer, see “Turning the Computer Off ”
later in this ch apter.
IMPORTANT
If you need to turn off your computer at any point, please see
“Turning the Computer Off ” later in this chapter. It is very important to use
the correct procedure for shutting down your Macintosh before turning it off.
Before you begin working with your computer, be sure to read the important
health and safety information in Appendix A.
Learning the basics in th e Performa tutorials
Read this section if you haven’t already gone through Mouse Skills or the
Performa Tutorial that appeared on your screen when you first turned on your
computer, or if you want to go on to Part 2 of the Performa Tutorial. These
programs teach you the basic skills you’ll need to use your computer.
To st art th e Performa Tutorial, Tutorial Part 2, or Mouse Skills once you are
past the introductory “welcome screens,” follow these steps:
1Slide your mouse along your mouse pad or desk.
Hold the mouse as shown, with the cable pointing away from you. Don’t press
the mouse button (under your index finger). Notice that the arrow (8) on the
screen moves in the same direction that you move the mouse.
Mouse button
If the arrow doesn’t move, make sure that the cables connecting the mouse
and keyboard are secure and that your mouse is positioned as shown in the
illustration.
Getting Started
17
2Move the mouse so that the arrow (
want to take.
8
) is over the picture of the particular tutorial you
If you don’t see the Performa Tutorial, Tutorial Part 2, or Mouse Skills
pictures on your screen, put the arrow on the word “Learning” and click
(press and release) the mouse button.
If you run out of room on your mouse pad or desk while moving the mouse,
pick up the mouse and place it where there’s more room. (The ar row on the
screen moves only when the mouse is in contact with the mouse pad or desk.)
18
3Click the mouse button on the picture of the tutorial you want to take.
A window appears welcoming you to the tutorial. You can set this book aside
for now and follow the instructions on the screen. When you have completed
both parts of the tutorial, return to this book.
Chapter 1
Reviewing th e basics
Use the following illustrations to review the elements on your screen with
which you work on your computer.
Menu
Icons
Window
Menus
The strip across the top of the screen is called the menu bar. The symbols and
words in it represent “menus” (lists) of commands. To open a menu, place the
pointer on the symbol or word for the menu and press the mouse button.
Guide menu
To find an answer to a question,
look in the Guide (
) menu.
h
Application menu
You can have several
applications open at once.
To see which program is active
or to switch from one program
to another, use this menu
(called the Application menu).
Getting Started
19
Icons
Icons are small pictures that represent disks, programs, documents, and
folders. You can double-click any icon to open it and see what it contains.
This icon represents your computer’s internal hard disk.
Icons like this one represent application programs, which you use to create
documents and do other work.
Icons like this one represent documents, which you can create and edit.
Icons like this represent folders. A folder contains other icons.
To throw away an item you no longer want, drag it to the Trash icon and choose
Empty Trash from the Special menu.
Windows
Windows are boxes that display text, graphics, and icons. To change the shape
or position of a window, or to close the window, use the elements shown here.
20
To bring a partially
covered window
to the front, click
anywhere in it.
Chapter 1
Close box
To close a window,
click the close box.
Title bar
To move a window, drag it by the middle of the title bar
(anywhere in the bar except the small box on each end).
Zoom box
To make the window bigger, click
once here. Click again to return the
window to its original size.
Scroll arrow
To bring hidden portions of a window’s
contents into view, click one of the
four scroll arrows.
Size box
To change the shape or size of a
window, drag the size box.
Turning the computer off
To tu r n the computer off using the Power key on the keyboard, follow these
instructions:
1If the computer is in sleep mode (the monitor is on but the screen is dark), press any key
except Caps Lock to wake it.
2Press and hold the Power key on the keyboard for about 2 seconds.
The following dialog box appears on the screen:
3Press the Return key on the keyboard (or click the Shut Down button in the dialog box).
You can also turn off your computer by choosing Shut Down from the Special
menu. Detailed instructions follow.
Note: If you are still in the welcome screens (the introductory screens that
appeared when you turned on your computer for the first time), use the Power
key to turn off your computer, as described above.
1Move the tip of the arrow (8) to the Special menu at the top of the screen.
2With the tip of the arrow on the word “Special,” press and hold down the mouse button.
3While holding down the mouse button, move the arrow down the list of choices until the
words “Shut Down” are highlighted, then release the mouse button.
Getting Started
21
If you can’t shut down your computer
If a problem with the computer prevents you from using the Power key on
the keyboard or choosing Shut Down—for example, if the computer “freezes”
so that the pointer does not respond to the mouse—you can turn off the
computer by pressing the standby power button (®) on the back of
the co mputer.
IMPORTANT
button on the back of the computer to turn it off. Only use the standby
power button when there is a problem that prevents the computer from being
turned off with the Power key on the keyboard or the Shut Down command.
To make sure your work is saved, use the Power key on the keyboard or the
Shut Down command.
Turning the computer on
To tu r n on the computer after you’ve shut it down (using either the Power key
on the keyboard or the Shut Down command):
m
Press the Power key (marked with a
Note: Your monitor may have to be turn ed on separately each time you turn
on the computer. If you have trouble turning on your computer, see the
section “Problems Turning On Your Computer?” earlier in this chapter.
You could lose unsaved work if you use the standby power
π
) on the keyboard.
22
Chapter 1
Where to find answers
When you have questions about using your Macintosh, there are several
places where you can look for answers.
In the Guide menu
The Guide menu (marked with the hicon) is your main source of
information about the Macintosh. To learn how to get different kinds
of help from the Guide menu, see Chapter 2 in this book.
In this book
Macintosh Performa
User’s Manual
Use this book to help you set up your computer and learn about it,
or to find solutions to problems with your equipment.
In other manuals
Some of the programs that already came installed on your
computer have separate manuals. Most of these manuals came in
the box with your computer. Some come online. (You can find them
as clickable buttons in the Applications section of the Launcher,
next to their application buttons.) For answers to questions about
other equipment or about application programs you have
purchased, see the manuals that came with the equipment or
programs.
From the Read Me files in the Apple Extras folder
The Apple Extras folder (in your System Folder) on your hard disk
contains SimpleText documents, called About Apple Extras with
important information about some of the application programs
included with your computer. Similar files called Read Me files can
also be found inside application folders and in the Documents folder
on your desktop.
From Apple’s customer support hotline
If you can’t find an answer in any of the materials provided, call the
customer support hotline. The phone number for the hotline is in the
service and support information that came with your computer.
Note:
If you have problems with an application program not
published by Apple, call the program’s publisher. Click the Phone
Numbers button in the Service/Support area of the Launcher to get
a software publisher’s phone number.
Getting Started
23
Use the instructions in this
chapter to learn about the help
available to you in the Guide menu.
2
Getting Help
The Guide menu is your main source of information when you’re working
with your computer. The menu is identified by a question mark (h) in the
upper-right corner of the screen.
25
Getting answers to your questions
When you have a question while working with your computer, you can get the
answer by choosing Macintosh Guide from the Guide menu.
1Pull down the Application menu (in the upper-right corner of the screen) and choose
Finder to make it the active application program.
A checkmark in the menu indicates that the Finder is the active program.
2Pull down the Guide menu (marked with the
h
icon) and choose Macintosh Guide.
The Macintosh Guide window appears.
26
Whenever you use Macintosh Guide, its window remains in front of other
windows. If the window gets in your way, you can move it by dragging its
title ba r (the gray bar across the top of the window).
Chapter 2
3Notice the three buttons at the top of the window: Topics, Index, and Look For.
Macintosh Guide gives you three ways of finding information:
m
Topics
lets you choose from a list of general subjects; it is like the table of
contents in a book.
m
Index
lets you choose from an alphabetical list of more specific subjects; it
is like the index in a book.
m
Look For
lets you search for information related to a specific word or phrase
that you type.
In the following sections you will practice using each method.
If you have problems while using Macintosh Guide, see “Tips for Using
Macintosh Guide” later in this chapter.
Getting answers with the Topics button
1 In the Macintosh Guide window, click the Topics button.
A list of general topics appears on the left side of the Macintosh Guide
window. (Depending on the hardware and software you have, the list of topics
may look different.)
Getting Help
27
2 In the list of topics, click “Customizing Your Computer.”
When you click any topic area, a list of related questions appears on the right
side of the Macintosh Guide window.
To get instructions,
click a question…
…and then click OK.
3Click the question “How do I set the time and date?” and then click OK. Or double-click
the question.
A small window appears with instructions for you to follow.
28
If you want to
return to the main
Macintosh Guide
window, click
this button.
4 Read and follow the instructions in this window.
5When you have completed all the steps, click the Topics button in the lower-left corner to
Chapter 2
Click here to see the next
step (if there is one).
Macintosh Guide provides step-by-step instructions to answer the question
you selected. When you have completed each step, click the right arrow in the
lower-right corner to see the next step.
return to the main Macintosh Guide window.
Now continue with the next section.
Getting answers with the Index button
1 In the Macintosh Guide window, click the Index button.
An alphabetical list of subjects appears on the left side of the window.
Slider
Scroll bar
2Scroll through the alphabetical list until the phrase “background pattern” is visible.
You can scroll through the list either by dragging the slider to the letter B or
by using the scroll bar at the right of the list.
3Click the phrase “background pattern” in the alphabetical list.
When you click any index entry, a list of related questions appears on the
right side of the Macintosh Guide window.
To get instructions,
click a question…
…and then click OK.
Getting Help
29
4Click the question “How do I change the background pattern?” and then click OK.
If you want to
return to the main
Macintosh Guide
window, click
this button.
5 Read and follow the instructions in the window.
6When you have completed all the steps, click the Topics button in the lower-left corner to
Or double-click the question.
A small window appears with instructions for you to follow.
Click here to see the next
step (if there is one).
Macintosh Guide provides step-by-step instructions to answer the question
you selected. When you have completed each step, click the right arrow in the
lower-right corner to see the next step.
return to the main Macintosh Guide window.
30
Now continue with the next section.
Chapter 2
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