Apple Macintosh PowerBook 1400 User Manual

Follow the instructions in this

chapter to set up your computer

and learn the basics.

1

Getting Started

The information and illustrations in this chapter provide an overview of your
Macintosh PowerBook system and get you started using the computer. To
begin, take a few moments to review some important details about the
computer’s hardware, software, and learning materials.

Becoming familiar with your Macintosh PowerBook

Your PowerBook is designed to keep you working productively in any
locatio n. With a PowerBook, you have

m easily expandable hardware
m specialized programs for mobile computing and versatile productivity

applications, in addition to Macintosh system software

m interactive online instructions for using the computer, a manual for setting

up and troubleshooting, and print and electronic manuals for application
programs provided with the computer

Hardware at a glance

The illustration on the next page shows the built-in features of your computer,
including the slots for PC Cards, the expansion bay for adding a CD-ROM
drive or other internal device, and the ports for connecting to a network, a
printer, and other external equipment.

1

Microphone

O

Contrast control

¤

Brightness control

On/off key

Trackpad

Trackpad button

Battery

Expansion bay

(CD-ROM drive
installed)

Sleep indicator

Speaker grill

g

SCSI port (HDI-30)

¯

Power

adapter port

V

Apple Desktop

Bus (ADB) port

√

Sound

input port

Expansion port

(for optional video, network,
or other expansion card)

´

Printer/External

modem port

PC Card eject buttons

Exchangeable
BookCover

Two PC Card
(PCMCIA card) slots

Infrared window

Security slot

Reset button

-

Sound

output port

Software for mobility and efficiency

Your PowerBook comes with a variety of applications, utility programs, and
control panels that provide broad functionality and flexibility.

In the Applications folder

m Apple Internet Connection Kit, complete software for using the Internet
m Apple Te leco m , software for using a modem to send faxes
m ClarisWorks, for word processing, graphics, spreadsheet, database, and

telecommunications

m Claris O rganizer, for managing contacts and calendar information
m PowerBook File Assistant, for synchronizing file contents when you have

several versions of a file

m Apple IR File Exchange, for sending and receiving files using the

computer’s infrared window

m Remot e Acc ess Client, for connecting to a computer located elsewhere

In the Apple E x tras folder

m MoviePlayer, for viewing QuickTime movies
m A template for making BookCover inserts to display on the computer’s case
m Special ized files for use with a PC Card modem

In the Utilities folder

m Battery Recondition, for extending the useful life of batteries
m Drive Setup, for testing, formatting, and partitioning hard disk drives and

drives for removable media (except PC Cards), such as optical disks

m Disk First Aid, for testing and repairing floppy disks and hard disks or

removable media (except PC Cards)

In the Control Panels folder

m Apple Location Manager, for saving groups of system settings, called

“locations,” that you can use in different operating environments, such as
your office and home

Each folder contai ns other items as well.

Getting Started

3

Control Strip for quick changes

The Control Strip appears on the desktop when you start up your PowerBook
for the first time. This strip lets you change common settings quickly—by
pressing an icon and then choosing the option you want from a pop-up menu.

Monitor

battery’s charge

Turn

AppleTalk

on or off

Play

audio CD

filesharing

on or off

Set screen’s

colors or grays

Turn

down the
hard disk

Spin

Adjust for power

Set screen’s
resolution

conservation or

performance

Change
default
printer

Put computer
to sleep

Adjust
sound
volume

(The Control Strip on your PowerBook may not look exactly like the
illustration, depending on your computer’s settings.)

You can adjust the Control Strip and add or remove items from it. For
instructions, see “How do I use the Control Strip?” in the “Customizing
Your Computer” topic area of Mac OS Guide, available from the
Guide (h) menu.

Learning materials and other information about the computer

Your PowerBook comes with a user’s manual that provides the information
you need for setting up the computer, caring for it, and finding solutions to
problems with the hardware. Depending on the PowerBook model you have,
other manuals may be included as well.

4

The majority of instructions for using your PowerBook are online—in the
Macintosh Tutorial, which introduces new users to the computer, and Mac OS
Guide, which offers step-by-step instructions for the primary tasks you
perform with the computer.

The Guide menu

You use the Guide menu to open Macintosh Tutorial or Mac OS Guide.

Chapter 1

The Guide menu contains online instructions for using Macintosh system
software when the Finder is the active program. In addition to Mac OS Guide
and the tutorial, the Guide menu contains an explanation for using the Guide
online instructions (About Apple Guide) and a summary of shortcuts.

The Guide menu usually provides online help for other applications when
they are active.

You also use the Guide menu to turn balloons on or off. When turned on,
balloons display a description of the item on the screen at the pointer’s
location. The illustration shows the balloon for the Trash.

Whe n you have questions about the computer

When you have questions about using your Macintosh, you can look for
answers in several places. These include

m Mac OS Guide and other online instructions available in the Guide menu
m electronic manuals and Read Me documents on your computer’s hard disk
m files that provide demonstrations and tours of the hardware and software

(on the hard disk)

m the printed ma nuals that came with your computer and with any additional

application programs or equipment you’re using

m Apple’s World Wide Web sites and other information sources on the

Internet (by modem)

m the Apple support center (by telephone)

Getting Started

5

Wher e to find answer s

The summary that follows indicates the type of information you can expect to
get from each information source.

On the computer’s hard disk

In the Guide menu

The Guide menu (marked with the hicon) is your main source
of information about the Macintosh. You can learn basic skills in
the tutorial and get interactive, step-by-step help for tasks in
Mac OS Guide.

In electronic manuals

For some programs, condensed instructions and reference
information are supplied in an online manual. This type of document
usually contains illustrations and bookmarks you use for quick
access to the items you need. You can print this manual also.

In Read Me documents

The Read Me files that come on your computer’s hard disk
contain late-breaking information about your PowerBook and
some of the software that comes with your PowerBook.

In software samplers and tours

6

Some files on your hard disk offer a tour of the computer’s features
or an introduction to one or more applications.

Chapter 1

In the printed materials

User’s ManualUser’s Manual

Macintosh PowerBookMacintosh PowerBook

On the Internet

In this book

Use this book to set up and learn about your computer and for
useful tips and suggestions if you have problems while using your
computer.

In other manuals

For answers to questions about other equipment or about
application programs you have purchased, see the manuals
that came with them.

At Apple’s Web sites

Apple maintains a number of sites on the World Wide Web
that provide software updates, product information, and technical
information. The central site is http://www.apple.com.
Several other Apple sites (linked to the central one) provide
PowerBook updates, product details, and mobile computing
solutions.

Over the telephone

From Apple’s customer support line

If you can’t find an answer in any of the materials provided, call the
Apple Assistance Center. (See the service and support information
that came with your computer for the phone number.)

Getting Started

7

Preparing to set up th e computer

Now that you know some essential details about your PowerBook, you’re
ready to set it up and begin using it.

To set up your computer for the first time, you need the power adapter a nd
the power co rd t hat came with it.

When setting up your computer, place your computer on a sturdy, flat surface
near a grounded electrical outlet. Before following the setup instructions in
this chapter, you may want to read “Arranging Your Work Area and
Equipment” in Appendix A for tips on adjusting your work furniture and
computer so that you’re comfortable when using the computer.

Pluggin g in the computer

Plugging in the power adapter recharges the computer’s battery. You should
plug in the power adapter in case the battery has been drained duri ng
shipping or storage.

WARNING

Use only the power adapter that came with your Macintosh
PowerBook computer (model number M4896, 45W AC Adapter).
Adapters for other electronic devices (including other Macintosh
PowerBook models and other portable computers) may look similar,
but they may damage your computer.

8

Chapter 1

When you are ready to begin, follow these steps:

¯

Power adapter port

Power adapter plug

Power adapter

Power cord

1Plug one end of the power cord into the power adapter and the other end into a three-

hole grounded outlet or power strip.

Note: It’s impor ta nt to plug the adapter into a wall outlet before attaching it to
the co mputer.

WARNING

This equipment is intended to be electrically grounded. T h e
power adapter that came with your Macintosh PowerBook 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!

2Plug the power adapter plug into the power adapter port (marked with the icon

back panel of the computer.

¯

) on the

Getting Started

9

Opening the display

Slide the latch to the left to open the display.

1Slide the latch to the left and lift up the display.

2Position the display at a comfortable viewing angle.

You can adjust the angle of the display at any time by tilting it toward or away
from you.

10

Chapter 1

Removing the batter y label (if necessary)

2 Slide the battery out.

1 Slide and hold the latch to the right.

Most new PowerBooks are shipped with a label covering the battery to
protect it from losing its charge completely. If there is a label, you need to
remove it before the battery will provide power for the computer.

1With the display open, peel off the part of the label on the computer’s case, taking care

not to tear the label.
2Close the display.
3Move the latch under the battery to the right and hold it in that position.
4Slide the battery out of its compartment.

5 Carefully remove the label from the battery.

Avoid touching the battery’s metal contacts as you peel off the label.

6 Replace the battery and open the display.

Getting Started

11

Turning the computer on

on/off

Power key

To tur n on the computer for the first time:

m

Press the Power key (marked with “on/off”) at the upper-right corner of the keyboard
to turn the computer on.

You should hear a tone when you turn on the computer. It takes the computer
a few minutes to start up. You’ll see the Mac OS startup screen as the system
software is loaded on the computer. In a few moments the Macintosh desktop
appears, like the picture below.

12

Note: Your screen should look very similar to this, but it may not look exactly
the same.

Chapter 1

Prob lems tu rning th e computer on?

O

Contrast control

¤

Brightness control

m

Nothing happened when you pressed the Power key.

The battery may be drain ed. Make sure you plug in the power adapter,
and that the power adapter is firmly connected to both the computer and a
power source. If the power adapter is plugged into a power strip, make sure
the power strip is plugged in and turned on. Th en try pressing the
key again.

If the computer still doesn’t turn on, see “Problems Starting Up the
Computer” in Chapter 6.

The computer made a sound, but you can’t see anything on the screen.

m

Adjust t he brightness control (marked with the icon ¤) and contrast
control (O) until an image appears and the screen is easy to read.

Getting Started

13

What’s next?

m

You see a picture of a disk with a blinking question mark on the screen.

This icon usually means that the computer can’t find system software on
the hard disk or any disks attached to the computer. You may need to
reinstall system software. See “Reinstalling the Mac OS System Software”
in Chapter 7.

Yo u’ve now finished setting up your Macintosh PowerBook. Continue with
one of the following steps:

m If you are new to the Macintosh, turn to the next section, “Learning the

Basics.”

m If you have additional equipment to connect to your computer, see

Chapter 3, “Connecting Additional Equipment and Changing BookCovers,”
for instructions. (If you are a new Macintosh user, you should complete
“Learning the Basics” before connecting additional equipment.)

14

Chapter 1

m If you have application programs that you want to install on your computer,

see Chapter 4, “Installing and Using Application Programs,” for
instructions. (If you are a new Macintosh user, you should complete
“Learning the Basics” before installing application programs.)

IMPORTANT

If you need to turn off your computer at any point, read the
instructions in “Turning the Computer Off” later in this chapter to learn the
correct procedure for turning off your Macintosh PowerBook computer.

Learning the basics

Trackpad Trackpad button

If you are new to the Macintosh, you should begin by looking at the easy-to­use p r ogram called the Macintosh Tutorial. The tutorial teaches you the basic
skills you’ll need to use your computer. To start the tutorial, follow these
steps:

1Move your finger on the trackpad to move the arrow pointer (

8

) on the screen.

Place your index finger on the trackpad and your thumb on the trackpad
button. Don’t press the trackpad button yet.

Move your finger across the trackpad, watching the arrow on the screen.
Notice that the arrow on the screen moves in the same direction that you
move your finger on the trackpad.

The trackpad is sensitive not only to the direction you move your finger, but
also to how fast you move your finger. If you want the pointer to move a short
distance across the screen, move your finger slowly across the trackpad. The
faster you move your finger, the farther the pointer moves on the screen.

Getting Started

15

Tips for using the trackpad

For best results when using the trackpad, keep in mind these tips:

m Use your index finger (left or right hand). Use only one finger.
m Use only your finger on the trackpad (and be sure your finger is dry).

Do not use a pen or any other object.

m Sometimes humidity or condensation may cause moisture to gather

on the trackpad. If this happens, gently wipe the trackpad with a
clean cl oth before you use it.

m You can use the trackpad to click and drag. For instructions, see

“How do I use the trackpad to click and drag?” in the “Customizing
Your Computer” topic area of Mac OS Guide, available in the
Guide (h) menu.

2Move your finger on the trackpad so that the tip of the arrow (

mark in the upper-right portion of the screen.

3With the tip of the arrow (8) on the question mark, press and hold down the trackpad

button.

8

) points to the question

A list of choices (called a menu) appears. This is the Guide (h) menu, which
is the place to go when you have a question about how to use your computer.

4While holding down the trackpad button, move the arrow (

Tutorial” are highlighted, then release the trackpad button.

8

)until the words “Macintosh

A window appears welcoming you to the tutorial. You can set aside this book
for now and follow the instructions you see on the screen. When you have
completed the tutorial, return to this book.

16

Chapter 1

Reviewing the basics

You can use the following illustrations to review the elements you use on your
screen to do work with your computer.

Menu

Control Strip

Menus

The strip across the top of the screen is called the menu bar. The symbols and
words in it represent menus of commands. To open a menu, place the pointer
on the symbol or word for the menu a nd press the trackpad button.

Icons

Window

Guide menu

To find an answer to a question,

h

look in the Guide (

) menu.

Application menu

You can have several
application programs 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

17

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, or icons. To change the shape
or position of a window, or to close the window, use the elements shown here.

18

To make a partially

covered window

active, 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 boxes).

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.

Control Strip

The Control Strip gives you a quick and easy way to monitor and update your
PowerBook’s power management options and other useful features. For
instructions on using the Control Strip, see “How do I use the Control Strip?”
in the “Customizing Your Computer” topic area of Mac OS Guide, available
in the Guide (h) menu.

Reviewing the Guide menu

The Guide (h) menu is your main source of information when you’re
working with your computer. T h e menu is identified by a question
mark (h) in the upper-right corner of the screen.

Getting Started

19

Using M ac OS Guide to get answers to your questions

When you have a question while working with your computer, you can get the
answer by choosing Mac OS Guide from the Guide (h) 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 Mac OS Guide.

The Mac OS Guide window appears.

20

Whenever you use Mac OS 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 1

3Notice the three buttons at the top of the window: Topics, Index, and Look For.

Mac OS 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.

If you have problems while using Mac OS Guide, see “Tips for Using Mac OS
Guide” later in this chapter.

Getting answers with the Topics button

1 In the Mac OS Guide window, click the Topics button.

A list of general topics appears on the left side of the Mac OS Guide window.
(Depending on the hardware and software you have, the list of topics may
look different.)

Getting Started

21

2Click “Customizing Your Computer” in the list of topics.

When you click any topic area, a list of related questions appears on the right
side of the Mac OS 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.

22

If you want to

return to the main

Mac OS Guide

window, click here.

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 1

Click here to see the next
step (if there is one).

Mac OS 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 Mac OS Guide window.

Try the other ways of finding information in Mac OS Guide also: Use the
Index button to display a list of keywords, and use the Look For button to
search for a word or phrase that you enter.

Tips for using Mac OS Guide

Here are a few tips for using Mac OS Guide effectively:
m Mac OS Guide is available only when you are in the Finder—the

desktop area where you can see the icons of disks, folders, and files.
(Other programs may also have h elp available in the Guide menu,
however.) If you don’t see Mac OS Guide in the Guide menu, pull
down the Application menu (to the right of the Guide menu) and
choose Finder.

m Foll ow the steps when you’re instructed to; don’t skip ahead or read

ahead. That way the computer can check to make sure you’ve done a
step correctly.

m Unlike most windows, the Mac OS Guide window stays i n front of

other windows on the screen so that your instructions are never
covered. If you need to move the Guide window out of the way, drag
it by the title bar at the top of the window.

You can also move the window out of the way by clicking the zoom
box. Click the box once to shrink the window; click it a second time
to expand the window to its original size.

m If you need more information about an instruction or a term, click

the button labeled “Huh?” to get further explanation. (The “Huh?”
button is dimmed when no additional information is available.)

m If you wa nt to retur n to the main Mac OS Guide window, click the

Topi cs button in the lower-left corner of the Guide window.

m When you’re finished using Mac OS Guide, click the close box in the

upper-left corner of the window.

Close box

Topics button

Title bar

“Huh?” button

Zoom box

Right arrow

Getting Started

23

Turning the computer off

Always use one of the following methods to shut down the computer. If you
don’t, you risk losing any work you haven’t previously saved on a disk. You
also risk losing any open documents.

Turning th e computer off with the Power key

To tur n th e computer off, press the Power key. Detailed instr uctions follow.

1If the computer is in sleep, press the Power key (or any key on the keyboard except Caps

Lock or the trackpad button) to wake it.

For information on the sleep feature of your Macintosh PowerBook, see
“Putting the Computer to Sleep,” n ext.

2Press and hold the Power key for about two seconds.

The following dialog box appears on the screen:

24

3Press the Return key on the keyboard (or click the Shut Down button in the dialog box).

Chapter 1

Turning th e computer off with the Shut Down command

You can also turn your computer off by using the Shut Down command in the
Special m enu. Follow these steps:

1If the computer is in sleep, press the Power key (or any key on the keyboard except Caps

Lock or the trackpad button) to wake it.

2Move the tip of the arrow to the word “Special” at the top center of the screen.

If the word “Special” does not appear at the top of the screen, you’re not
working in the Finder. Choose Finder from the Application menu at the
far-right end of the menu bar.

3With the tip of the arrow on the word Special, press and hold down the trackpad button.
4While holding down the trackpad button, move the arrow until the words “Shut Down”

are highlighted. Then release the button.

Trouble? If a problem with the computer prevents you from using the Power
key or choosing Shut Down—for example, if the computer “freezes” so that
the pointer does not respond to the trackpad—you can turn off the computer
by pressing the reset button on the back of the computer. Use this method
only if you cannot choose Shut Down or Restart when you press the Power
key, or if you cannot choose either command from the Special menu.

Getting Started

25

Putting the computer to sleep

Sleep is a power conservation feature of Macintosh PowerBook computers,
reducing the amount of power the computer draws when it’s not b ei ng used.
When the computer is in sleep, it has a darkened screen and appears to be off.
A small green light flashes on the top of the display case when the computer
is in sleep. (Note: The computer must be on in order for you to put it to sleep.)

To put the computer to sleep, do this:

1Press and hold the Power key for about two seconds.

A dialog box appears.

2Click the Sleep button.

WARNING

Once you put your computer to sleep, listen for the hard disk
to stop spinning before you move your Macintosh PowerBook. Moving
your Macintosh PowerBook with the hard disk spinning can damage
your computer.

Other ways of putting your computer to sleep

m You can choose the Sleep command from the Special menu to put your

computer to sleep.

26

Chapter 1

m You can also put your computer to sleep by closing the display.

Sleep indicator

When the computer is in sleep, a small green light flashes in the upper-right
corner of the display.

After closing the display, be sure to check that the sleep light is blin king (at
the top-right edge of the display). If you don’t see the blinking light, open the
display and use the Control Strip or the Special menu to put the computer in
sleep.

Note: You may notice that the computer sleeps when the display is not closed
completely. Sleep is initiated by a magnet-controlled switch that may engage
before the display is flush with the lower part of the computer’s case. Also,
you may need to open the display to an angle of about 45 degrees to
disengage the sleep switch. (Then press any key, except Caps Lock or the
trackpad button, to wake the computer.)

For information on other ways of putting the computer to sleep, see the
“Batteries & Power” topic of Mac OS Guide, available in the
Guide (h) menu.

Getting Started

27

Automatic slee p

If you don’t use the computer for several minutes, it goes to sleep
automatically. This conserves battery power.

To wake th e computer, press any key on the keyboard (except Caps Lock or
the trackpad button). The screen reappears as it was before the computer
went to sleep.

Note: If the display is partly or fully closed, open it about halfway (to an
angle of 45 degrees) and press a key to wake the computer.

You can control the automatic sleep feature. For more information on sleep
and automatic sleep, see the “Batteries & Power” topic of Mac OS Guide,
available in the Guide (h) menu.

Restarting a computer that’s already on

You need to restart your computer—turn it off and back on again—when you
want to make certain changes to settings, use a newly installed system
software file, or start up the computer using a different disk.

You may also need to restart if you see a “system error” message on the
screen (indicating a temporary software problem). In this case, use the
trackpad to click the Restart button that appears.

28

Follow these instructions to restart your computer:

1Press and hold the Power key for about two seconds.

A dialog box appears.

Chapter 1

2Click the Restart button.

You can also do this to restart:

m

Choose Restart from the Special menu.

If the Special menu does not appear in the menu bar, you’re working in the
wrong program. Click anywhere on the desktop to return to the Finder.

When you choose Restart, the computer prompts you to save your work,
closes all open programs, and restarts itself.

Restarting using either of the methods outlined above does not affect your
RAM disk (if you created one) or its contents.

Trouble? If a problem with the computer prevents you from using the Power
key or choosing Restart—for example, if the computer “freezes” so that the
pointer does not respond to the trackpad—you can turn off the computer by
pressing the reset button on the back of the computer. Use this method only if
you cannot choose Shut Down or Restart from the dialog box that appears
when you press the Power key, or if you cannot choose either command from
the Spe cial me nu.

Getting Started

29

Read this chapter for information

on using expansion bay

modules and PC Cards.

2

Using Expansion Bay Modules and PC Cards

Using expansion bay modules

The floppy disk drive and the optional CD-ROM drive in your Macintosh
PowerBook are removable modules, which you can easily switch or replace
with another module. The place in your computer where modules go is called

expansion bay. When no module is installed in the expansion bay, you can

the
use it to store an extra battery for your computer.

You can switch modules or remove a module while the PowerBook is turned
off or in sleep. All expansion bay modules are inserted and removed in the
same way.

To protect your work and to be sure that the computer recognizes which
module is in use, follow these precautions for removing or switching
expansion bay modules:

m Veri fy that the computer is in sleep or has been shut down.
m Before removing a module, first quit any programs that may be using files

on the disk in that module. Then drag the disk’s icon to the Trash or select
the icon and choose Put Away from the File menu.

IMPORTANT

care not to remove a module if a floppy disk or CD-ROM disc is inserted and
in use.

Don’t switch modules while the computer is starting up. Also take

31

Removing an expansion bay module

To unlock the module, slide and hold the latch
on the underside of the computer.

To remove an expansion bay module from your Macintosh PowerBook, follow
these steps:

1 Quit any application programs or files that are using the floppy disk or compact disc

(CD) or other medium inserted in the expansion bay module.

Remember to save your work.

2If a floppy disk or CD is inserted in the module, click its icon to select it and drag its icon

to the Trash (or choose Put Away from the File menu).

You should not remove the module if a disk is in use. If you have any other
kind of optional expansion bay module, make sure you drag the icon for its
media to the Trash or select the icon and choose Put Away from the
File menu.

3Shut down the computer or put it in sleep.

Choose Shut Down or Sleep from the Special menu or use the Control Strip’s
sleep section.

4Unlock the expansion bay module by sliding the module release latch on the bottom of

your Macintosh PowerBook in the direction of the arrow.

The figure above shows a floppy disk module. Your PowerBook may have a
CD-ROM drive installed in the expansion bay. (For more about the CD-ROM
drive, see “Using a CD in the CD-ROM Drive” later in this chapter.)

32

Chapter 2

1 Slide and hold the latch on
the underside of the computer.

2 Hold the module
by the gripping surface and
pull it completely out of the computer.

WARNING

If you remove a module while using the power adapter, be
careful not to tilt the computer on end or let its weight rest on the
adapter’s connector.

5While holding the latch open, grasp the module by its gripping surface and pull it out of

the computer.

IMPORTANT

You should not remove an expansion bay module if it is in use or
you may lose data. If you try to remove the module when it is in use, you’ll
see a message telling you to reinsert it. Reinsert the module, quit any files
or programs that may be using the floppy disk or CD (or other medium
inserted in the module), and then drag the disk’s icon to the Trash or choose
Put Away from the File menu. Then put the computer in sleep (or shut it
down) and remove the module.

Using Expansion Bay Modules and PC Cards

33

Inserting an expansion bay module

Insert the CD-ROM drive module
all the way in until it clicks.

Check to see if the latch
returns to the right.

Foll ow thes e steps to insert an expansion bay module:

1Make sure the computer is in sleep or shut down.
2Slide the module in until you hear it click into place.

Make sure the gripping surface is facing down. Use a smooth motion but don’t
move the module too slowly. (The computer may not recognize the module if
you insert it very slowly.)

The latch clicks closed when the module is in place.

The figure above shows a CD-ROM drive. Follow the same procedure to
insert any expansion bay mod ule.

Using a CD in the CD-ROM drive

Many PowerBooks have the optional CD-ROM drive installed in the
expansion bay at the factory. If you have a CD-ROM drive, you insert or
remove it in the same way as any other module.

34

Chapter 2

Inserting a disc

2 Insert the disc,

label side up.

1 Push the
Open button.

To lo a d a compact disc in the drive, follow these steps:

1 Start up the PowerBook, if it’s not already on.
2Press the Open button to open the tray of the CD-ROM drive.

The tray opens.
(If the tray doesn’t open, a disc may already be in the drive. Drag its icon to

the Trash to open the tray. You’ll see a message if the disc is in use.)

3Place a CD-ROM disc in the tray, with the label facing up.

Make sure the disc is lying flat in the tray.

4Push the tray in to close it.

Using Expansion Bay Modules and PC Cards

35

Note: When the CD-ROM drive is in use, you may notice some vibration as
the co mpact disc spins rapidly. Certain discs can cause the drive to vibrate
because they have heavily inked artwork or a label that creates an imbalance
as the drive spins.

Some vibration is not unusual for a high-speed CD-ROM drive. To minimize
vibration from unbalanced compact discs, do not put labels on your CDs. I n
addition, place the computer on a flat, solid surface when using the
CD-ROM drive.

Eje cting a disc

Foll ow thes e i nstructions to open the tray and eject a CD-ROM disc from
the drive:

1 Open the tray.

There are several ways to open the tray of your CD-ROM drive.

If a CD-ROM disc icon appears on your screen:

m Select the disc icon on your screen and drag the icon to the Trash.
m Click the disc icon and choose the Put Away command in the File menu.
m While the CD player’s window is active, choose Eject CD from the File

menu, or simultaneously press the x and E keys.

36

If no CD-ROM disc icon appears on your screen:

m Press the Open button on your CD-ROM drive.

2Take the disc out of the tray.

Store your disc in a safe place, away from heat, dust, and moisture.

3Push the tray in to close it.

To avoid possible damage to the tray or the drive, keep the tray closed when
you are not using it.

Chapter 2

Using PC Cards (PCMCIA cards)

PC Cards (also known as PCMCIA cards) are about the size of a thick credit
card a nd have a 68-pin connector at one end. They come in many varieties,
such as fa x/modem cards, mass-storage cards, Ethernet connection cards, and
wireless communication cards. You can use PC Cards to expand your
Macintosh PowerBook’s capabilities.

This section tells you how to insert and eject PC Cards and provides
examples for setting up your communications software with a PC Card
modem. For information on using PC Cards, see the “Using PC Cards” topic
area of Mac OS Guide, available in the Guide (h) menu.

Inserting a PC Card

Your Macintosh PowerBook has two PC Card slots: an upper slot and a lower
slot. You can insert a card into either slot, or you can use both slots
simultaneously.

There are three types of PC Cards. The different types refer to the thickness
of the card. A Type I card is 3.3 millimeters (mm) thick, a Type II card is
5 mm thick, and a Type III card is 10.5 mm thick. Make sure you check the
documentation that came with your PC Card to verify that it is compatible
with your Macintosh PowerBook.

You can place a Type I or Type II card in either the upper or lower slot. You
can place a Type III card only in the lower slot. When a Typ e III card is in the
lower slot, you cannot use the upper slot. You may find it useful to get in the
habit of always using the lower slot to make sure the card you are using is
properly inserted.

IMPORTANT

You cannot use an SRAM storage card (also called a flash RAM
card) as a startup disk on your PowerBook. Use SRAM cards for extra storage
only. If you try to use this type of PC Card to start up the computer, you’ll see
an error message. If this occurs, remove the SRAM card before you restart
the co mputer.

Using Expansion Bay Modules and PC Cards

37

To inser t a card, do this:

A Type III PC Card must be inserted in the lower slot.

A Type I or Type II PC Card can be inserted in either the upper or lower slot.

m

Insert the card, connector first and label up, into the slot. Make sure the card is level.

38

Chapter 2

Yo u’ ll feel some resistance as you slide the card in. When the card is firmly
seated, you hear a click. Use a smooth motion but don’t move the card in too
slowly. (The computer may not recognize the card if you insert it very slowly.)

An icon for the PC Card appears on the desktop.
You are now ready to use the card.

Ejecting a PC Card

Your computer must be on or off in order to eject a PC Card. You cannot eject
a PC Card when the computer is in sleep.

IMPORTANT

Before you eject a card, make sure that nothing is blocking the
card’s slot. If you want to use the card again immediately, pull it out about an
inch more and then push it back in. (If you don’t follow this procedure and
you try to push the card back in to use it again, the card will not engage
properly.)

To eject a PC Card when the computer is on, follow these steps:

1If the computer is in sleep, press the Power key (or any key on the keyboard except Caps

Lock or the trackpad button) to wake it.

2Click the PC Card’s icon to select it.
3 Drag the card’s icon to the Trash.

In a few seconds the computer ejects the card partway.

4Grasp the card and pull it out of the slot.

IMPORTANT

Do not pull on a PC card before it has been ejected out of the
slot. Forcing a PC Card out of the slot may damage your computer or card.

Using Expansion Bay Modules and PC Cards

39

Other ways to eject a card

Press the eject
button next to the slot
that contains the PC Card.

When the computer is turned on, you can also do any of the following:
m Click the card’s icon to select it, pull down the File menu, and choose Put

Away. After the card is ejected, pull it out of the slot.

m Click the card’s icon to select it, pull down the Special menu, and choose

Eject PC Car d. After the card is ejected, pull it out of the slot.

To eject a PC Card when the computer is on or turned off, follow these steps:
m Press the eject button next to the slot containing the PC Card you want to

eject. (The eject buttons do not work if your computer is in sleep.) If the
card is not in use, it will be ejected.

Note: When the computer is on, this method of ejecting works for a PC Card
modem only.

40

Chapter 2

If you can’t eject a card

If you can’t eject a card,
insert the end of a
straightened paper clip
into the hole next to the slot.
This hole is for the upper slot.

This hole is for the lower slot.

If you are unable to eject a card, follow these steps:

1 Straighten one end of a paper clip.
2 Insert the end of the straightened paper clip into the hole next to the slot that contains

the card. Press gently but firmly until the card is ejected.

3Pull the card out of the slot.

Using Expansion Bay Modules and PC Cards

41

Using a PC Card modem

When you are using a PC Card modem, make sure you do the following:

1Install the communications software you want to use.

PC Card modems work with your communications software by accessing a
feature of your Macintosh PowerBook’s software called the Communications
Toolbox. Your software must support the Communications Toolbox in order to
use PC Card modems. If you’re not sure whether or not your communications
software supports the Communications Toolbox, contact the software’s
manufacturer.

See the documentation that came with your communications software for
instructions on setting up a PC Card modem. Check to see if PC Card modem
files for your software were included.

Modem files for some communications programs come on your Macintosh
PowerBook’s hard disk or the CD-ROM disc that came with your computer.
The instructions for setting up your modem with these application programs
are given in the sections below. You can get other modem files from the
manufacturer of your communications software. You can use the instructions
in these examples as guidelines for setting up your PC Card modem with
other types of communications software.

42

2Insert the PC Card modem.

When a PC Card modem is inserted, the following icon may appear on the
desktop:

Some card manufacturers may use a custom icon.

3Plug your modem into a working phone line.
4 Follow instructions for setting up your modem with the communications software you

are using.

Chapter 2

Using Apple Remote Access with a PC Card modem

Appl e Remote Access uses modem files (sometimes called connection scripts
or CCLs) to get the best performance from some modems. Follow these steps
to select your modem file:

1 Insert your PC Card modem.
2 Open the Remote Access Client application program.

If you need to install the software, open the Installer program or the Install
Remot e Acc ess Client icon and follow the instructions on the screen.

3 Open the Remote Access Setup control panel by choosing it from the Setup menu or

from the Control Panels folder in the Apple menu.

The following screen appears:

Select the modem you are using here.

Select the slot your PC Card
modem is inserted in here.

4Choose your modem from the Modem pop-up menu.

If your PC Card modem is not listed, check in the ARA Connection Files
folder (inside the PC Card Modem Files folder in the Apple Extras folder on
your hard disk). If the file for your modem appears, drag it to the Extensions
folder (inside the System Folder). If the file for your modem is not listed, try
using an existing modem file from the pop-up menu (such as a different
model from the same manufacturer). If this doesn’t help, you may need to get
a connection script from your PC Card modem’s ma nufacturer.

Using Expansion Bay Modules and PC Cards

43

5Choose the port that your PC Card modem is in.

You should see either the upper or lower PC Card slot listed. If you don’t,
make sure your modem is properly inserted. If you inser t the PC Card
modem in the other slot, you need to reselect the modem port.

Using Apple Telecom and Fax Terminal with a PC Card modem

To us e t h e Apple Telecom and Fax Terminal software with a PC Card modem,
follow these s teps:

1Insert your PC Card modem.
2 Open the Fax Terminal program by choosing it from the Apple menu.

If Fax Terminal is not in the Apple menu, you need to install the Apple
Tel ecom software, which is on the CD-ROM disc that came with your
computer.

3Choose Preferences from the Fax menu.

A dialog box appears in which you indicate the type of modem and modem
port you’re using.

44

Chapter 2

4Choose the type of PC Card modem you have in the pop-up menu on the upper left.
5Choose the slot your modem is in from the pop-up menu on the upper right.
6Change any other settings you want in the dialog box and click OK.

Then prepare and send your fax.

Configuring other software for use with a PC Card modem

Always be sure to specify the location of a PC Card modem when you
prepare to use software with it. Many programs are preconfigured for a
modem connected to the printer/external modem port, and you must change
that setting before you can make a successful connection.

Using Expansion Bay Modules and PC Cards

45

Read this chapter for information on

g

SCSI port (HDI-30)

-

Sound output port

BookCover

¯

Power adapter port

V

Apple Desktop

Bus (ADB) port

Expansion port

´

Printer/External

modem port

Infrared window

√

Sound input port

expanding your computer system

Connecting Additional Equipment

with additional hardware.

3

and Changing BookCovers

The illustration below shows where equipment should be connected to your
Macintosh PowerBook. In most cases, you should refer to the manuals that
came with your equipment for instructions on connecting it. Always shut
down your Macintosh PowerBook before you connect any cable other than
the power adapter.

47

Additional information is provided i n this chapter for adding the following
devices to your computer system:

m printers
m external modems
m SCSI devices
m external monitors
m sound input and output devices
m a security cable and lock
m exchangeable cover panels
m additional memory

Connecting a printer

The modem/printer port on your computer can accept either a direct
connection (to a printer such as a StyleWriter) or a n etwork connection (to a
printer such as a LaserWriter).

To connect a printer directly to your Macintosh PowerBook using the
printer/external modem port, follow these steps:

48

Chapter 3

1Connect your printer as instructed in the manual that came with your printer and install

any software necessary to use the printer.
2 Open the Chooser from the Apple (
3 Turn off AppleTalk by clicking the Inactive button in the AppleTalk section.
4 On the left side of the Chooser (in the upper section if you see two areas on the left),

select the type of printer you want to use.
5 On the right side of the Chooser, select the printer/modem port.

K

) menu.

The printer is ready to use.

Connecting an external modem

You can use a PC Card modem in your computer’s PC Card slot. For
information on connecting and using a PC Card modem, see the
documentation that came with your modem, “Using a PC Card Modem”
in the section “Using PC Cards (PCMCIA Cards)” in Chapter 2 of this
manual, and the “Using PC Cards” topic area of Mac OS Guide, available in
the Guide (h) menu.

You can also connect an external modem to the printer/external modem port
on the back panel of the computer.

To conn ect a n external modem, follow these steps:

1Make sure the computer is in sleep or shut down.
2Connect the modem to a power source and to the phone line.
3Make sure the modem is turned off.
4Connect the modem cable to the port marked with this icon:

5 Turn on the modem.
6Wake or restart the computer.
7Make sure AppleTalk is turned off in the Chooser.
8 To use the modem with telecommunications software, be sure to indicate that the

modem is connected to the printer/external modem port in that software’s setup
procedure.

The external modem is ready to use.

Connecting Additional Equipment and Changing BookCovers

49

Connecting SCSI devices

A SCSI device is any product—including hard disk drives, CD-ROM drives,

and scanners—that communicates with your computer by means of a

standard electronic interface. (SCSI stands for

Interface.) You can attach up to six SCSI devices to your computer by linking

them together in a chain that starts at your computer’s SCSI port.

To connect a SCSI device to your Macintosh PowerBook, you need an Apple

HDI-30 SCSI System Cable or equivalent. This cable is light gray, is about 19

inches long, and has 29 pins in the small end that connects to the PowerBook

(one “missing” corner pin).

Refer to the manuals that came with your SCSI devices for instructions on

installing any necessary software, setting SCSI ID numbers, and connecting

SCSI cables and SCSI terminators. Refer to the illustrations on the next page

for the proper positioning of SCSI terminators. A SCSI chain of devices must

include a termi nator attached to the first and last devices in the chain (but

nowhere else in the chain). Some devices include internal terminators. Your

Macintosh PowerBook is not internally terminated.

The names and the part numbers of the cables mentioned in this chapter are

the following :

Small Computer System

50

Chapter 3

Type of connection Name of part Part number

From your computer to Apple HDI-30 SCSI System Cable M2538

a SCSI device

From SCSI device to Apple SCSI Peripheral Interface Cable M0207

a SCSI device

For SCSI disk mode Apple HDI-30 SCSI Disk Adapter Cable M2539

To connect an PowerBook Video Adapter Cable M3927

external monitor

WARNING

When connecting SCSI equipment, always turn off power to
all devices in the chain, including your computer. If you don’t, you
could lose information and damage your equipment.

Wher e to ad d cable terminators when connecting a single SCSI device:

Connecting more than one SCSI device

Terminator
(If this SCSI device has an internal terminator, omit this external terminator.)

SCSI Peripheral Interface Cables

HDI-30 SCSI
System Cable

Terminator
(If this SCSI device has an internal terminator, omit this external terminator.)

Connecting one SCSI device

Terminator
(If this SCSI device has an internal
terminator, omit this external terminator.)

Terminator

HDI-30 SCSI System Cable

Where to add cable terminators when connecting two or more SCSI devices:

Using your Macintosh PowerBook as a hard disk

You can purchase a cable called the Apple HDI-30 SCSI Disk Adapter that
lets you connect your Macintosh PowerBook to another computer as a hard
disk. The PowerBook appears on the desktop of the other computer as a hard
disk icon, and you can transfer information between the computers by
dragging files. This feature is often called “SCSI disk mode.”

The Apple HDI-30 SCSI Disk Adapter cable is dark gray, is about 10 inches
long, and has 30 pins in the small end that connects to the PowerBook.

WARNING

carefully to avoid losing information and damaging your equipment.

Foll ow the steps for connecting and using SCSI devices

Connecting Additional Equipment and Changing BookCovers

51

Connecting your co mputer as a hard disk

Before making any connections, you need to assign a unique SCSI ID
number to the PowerBook. The unique ID number allows the computer to
communicate with several connected devices. The ID number preset at the
factory is 2. If you have another SCSI device with that number, you must
change the ID number on it or in the PowerBook Setup control panel.

IMPORTANT

If you wa nt to use your PowerBook as the “controlling” computer
(with another PowerBook connected as a hard disk), be sure to see the special
information about SCSI disk mode in the Powerbook 14 00 Read Me file on
your computer’s hard disk.

1Choose Control Panels from the Apple (
2 Open the PowerBook Setup control panel.

3In the SCSI disk mode section of the control panel, click the ID number you want

to assign.

K

) menu of your PowerBook.

If you are connecting the Macintosh PowerBook to an existing SCSI chain,
make sure to give it an ID number different from those of the other devices.
(Many devices include an ID number indicator on the back panel.)

52

4Close the PowerBook Setup control panel.
5Press the Power (on/off) key on the PowerBook once and click Shut Down to turn the

PowerBook off.

Chapter 3

6Shut down the computer you are connecting to and turn off any other devices in the

SCSI chain.

7Connect the small connector on the Apple HDI-30 SCSI Disk Adapter to the SCSI port on

your PowerBook.

8If you are connecting the Macintosh PowerBook directly to the other computer (rather

than to an external device in the SCSI chain), attach a SCSI system cable to the other
computer. Make sure you have a terminator connected to the SCSI cable that is attached
to your PowerBook.

9Connect the large connector on the Apple HDI-30 SCSI Disk Adapter cable to a SCSI

cable attached to the SCSI port on the last device in the SCSI chain, or to the SCSI
system cable on the other computer.

If the last device in the chain has an internal ter minator, disconnect the
device and connect the PowerBook in its place.

WARNING

Always shut down the PowerBook before connecting or
disconnecting the SCSI disk adapter cable. Connecting the adapter cable
while the computer is turned on can damage the computer.

10 Turn on the PowerBook by pressing the Power key.

After a few seconds a SCSI icon appears on the screen, showing the preset
ID number 2 or the ID number you assigned in step 3. (In some instances the
PowerBook screen may remain blank until the other computer or another
SCSI device is turned on.)

Connecting Additional Equipment and Changing BookCovers

53

WARNING

If you do not see the SCSI icon, and the computer starts
normally or displays an error message, press the Power key to shut down
(if you can) and then immediately disconnect your computer from the
SCSI chain. (If you can’t choose Shut Down, try pressing the reset
button. If you cannot shut down your Macintosh PowerBook, you
should disconnect the cable anyway, or you may lose information.) T h en
go back and repeat steps 5 through 9, making sure to use the proper
cables.

You cannot have password protection turned on in the Password Security
control panel while using your PowerBook in SCSI disk mode. Tur n
password protection off if you experience problems. See “How do I turn
password security on and off?” in the “Setting Options” topic area of
Mac OS Guide, available in the Guide (h) menu.

11 Turn on the other SCSI devices in the chain, if any.
12 Turn on the other computer.

The PowerBook appears as a hard disk icon on the screen of the computer
you connected it to. You can now transfer and use files as if the Macintosh
PowerBook were an external disk drive.

54

Chapter 3

Simplifying the connection process

Connect and disconnect your computer here.

These cables can stay attached to your
other computer or its SCSI chain.

Terminator
HDI-30 SCSI Disk Adapter

If you plan to use your Macintosh PowerBook regularly as a SCSI disk
with the same computer, you can leave the SCSI adapter cable attached to the
other computer or its SCSI chain. Make sure a terminator is attached between
the cable and the adapter. When you want to use your PowerBook as a hard
disk, simply shut down all devices and connect the adapter cable to the SCSI
port on your PowerBook.

WARNING

Always disconnect your Macintosh PowerBook from the
adapter cable when you are not using it as a hard disk. Your PowerBook
may not work correctly if the adapter cable remains attached.

Drawing b attery power in SCSI disk mode

Your Macintosh PowerBook continues to draw battery power when you use it
as a hard disk. Low battery power is indicated by a blinking low-power
warning on the PowerBook’s screen.

If you see this warning while using your computer as a hard disk, either plug
in the power adapter or quit SCSI disk mode, as described in the next section,
so you can remove the battery for recharging.

Connecting Additional Equipment and Changing BookCovers

55

Quitting SCSI disk mode

1Shut down the computer your PowerBook is connected to.
2Press the Power (on/off) key once to turn the PowerBook off.

Occasionally the PowerBook may not shut down (the pointer freezes on the
screen). If this happens, press the reset button on the back panel to turn off
the co mputer.

3 Turn off any other SCSI devices in the chain.
4Disconnect the PowerBook from the adapter cable.

If you plan to connect your PowerBook regularly to the same computer, you
can leave the adapter cable attached to the SCSI chain or the other computer.

IMPORTANT

Do not leave the adapter cable attached to the PowerBook. If you
do, the computer may behave as though it is still in SCSI disk mode when you
try to restart.

5If necessary, disconnect the adapter cable from the other computer or its SCSI chain.

Your equipment is now ready for normal use. If you disconnected the adapter
cable from the other computer or SCSI chain, make sure that the SCSI chain
is properly terminated.

56

Chapter 3

Connecting an external monit o r

Your PowerBook has an expansion slot in which you can install an optional
video card for connecting an external monitor.

An external monitor connected to your computer can function as an extension
of your PowerBook’s built-in screen—that is, you can drag objects from one
screen to another and do your work on either one. Or you can show the same
image on both screens.

To conn ect an external monitor, you need to install a video card in the
expansion slot. For instructions on installing a video card or other card in the
expansion slot, see Appendix C.

You also need the PowerBook video adapter cable, which is available from
your Apple-authorized dealer. Contact your Apple-authorized dealer to
purchase a video card and adapter cable and for information on which
monitors are compatible with your PowerBook.

Note: The video port transmits either 8-bit or 16-bit video signals, depending
on the type of expansion card you use.

Your PowerBook also supports most VGA and SVGA monitors. To connect a
VGA or SVGA monitor, you need an additional adapter cable, which should
come from the same source as the monitor.

To conn ect an external monitor, follow these steps. Also consult the
documentation that came with the monitor.

1Press the Power (on/off) key once to get the Shut Down dialog box.
2Click Shut Down or Sleep.

If you connect a monitor with your computer turned on, the computer will
not recognize the monitor.

Connecting Additional Equipment and Changing BookCovers

57

3Place the monitor where you will be using it.

8 inches minimum

Floppy disk drive

Keep the computer and the monitor at least 8 inches apart. Interference
between the monitor and your computer’s floppy disk drive can cause errors
on your floppy disks.

Arrange th e monitor so the top of the screen is slightly below eye level while
you work. Position the monitor to minimize glare and reflections on the
screen from lights and windows.

4Make sure the monitor’s power cord is attached to the monitor. Then plug the other end

into a grounded outlet or power strip.

If your monitor’s power cord is designed to plug into the power receptacle on
the ba ck of a computer, rather than into an electrical outlet, you can obtain a
cord with the correct plug from your Apple-authorized dealer.

58

Chapter 3

If you are using a power strip, make sure it is turned on.

5Make sure the monitor cable is attached to the monitor. Then attach the other end of the

Video port

Video adapter

Monitor cable

monitor cable to the PowerBook’s video adapter.

6Attach the video adapter to the video port (marked with the icon

back panel.
7 Turn on the external monitor.
8Press the Power (on/off) key to turn on your computer. (You can press any key if your

PowerBook is in sleep.)

™

) on the computer’s

The external monitor is automatically activated.

Trouble?

m

Nothing happened when you tried to turn on the PowerBook.

Make sure that all your equipment is connected properly, then try pressing
the Power (on/off) key again.

Make sure that the battery is charged, or that the power adapter is plugged
into both the computer and an electrical outlet. If you are using a power
strip, make sure it is turned on.

The computer is on, but the external monitor is dark.

m

Make sure that the monitor’s power cord is connected and its power switch
is on. Try adjusting the monitor’s brightness and contrast settings. If this
doesn’t work, try restarting your computer.

Connecting Additional Equipment and Changing BookCovers

59

Wo rking with an external monitor

Press here to remove the adapter.

For information on displaying the menu bar on the external monitor or using
an external monitor for presentations, see the “Monitors” topic of Mac OS
Guide, available in t he Guide (h) menu.

Note: The screen-dimming feature in the PowerBook control panel turns the
screen brightness down to a low level when you haven’t used the computer for
a few minutes. (You can thin k of dimming as “screen sleep.”) Dimming also
affects the external monitor. Wh en you move your finger on the trackpad or
press a key on the keyboard, the brightness is restored on both screens. For
more information on screen dimming, see the “Batteries & Power” topic of
Mac OS Guide, available in the Guide (h) menu.

Disconnecting an external monitor

1Make sure your computer is shut down or in sleep.
2Make sure your monitor is switched off.
3Disconnect the video adapter from the video port on the computer’s back panel. The

video port is marked with this icon: ™.

Press the small buttons on both sides of the connector to remove the video
adapter from the port.

60

Chapter 3

Connecting sound input and output devices

Microphone

Your computer has a built-in microphone. For information on using the

microphone to record sounds, see the “Sound” topic of Mac OS Guide,

available in the Guide (h) menu.

Your Macintosh PowerBook also has a stereo sound input port (marked with

the √ icon) for connecting external sound input devices that provide line-

level output. This port accepts a standard stereo miniplug like that used to

attach headphones to a portable tape player. You cannot use the internal

microphone and an external sound input device at the same time. For

instructions on selecting a sound device in the Monitors & Sound control

panel, see the “Sound” topic of Mac OS Guide, available in the

Guide (h) menu.

The Macintosh PowerBook also has a stereo sound output port (marked with

the - icon) to which you can connect externally powered speakers, an

amplifier, h eadphon es, or other audio output devices. The sound output port

accepts a standard stereo miniplug, like that used to attach headphones to a

portable tape player.

Connecting Additional Equipment and Changing BookCovers

61

Connecting other devices

Sample locking device
with security cable

Security slot

For instructions on connecting a device not discussed in this chapter—for
example, an external input device (such as a mouse) or networking
hardware—refer to the manuals that came with the device.

Attaching a security cable and lock to the computer

You can purchase a security cable and lock to protect your Macintosh
PowerBook. With a lock, you can secure your computer to a desk or table.
(Removable parts of the computer, such as the battery and disk drive in the
expansion bay, are not secured by a lock attached to the security slot on the
computer’s back panel.)

62

See your Apple-authorized dealer or computer retailer for details on what
security devices are available.

Note: You can protect the contents on your hard disk by turning on password
protection in the Password Security control panel. For information on using
the Password Security control panel, see Mac OS Guide, available in the
Guide (h) menu.

Chapter 3

Changing BookCovers on the computer’s case

Slide the switch to the left to open the display.

Your Macintosh PowerBook comes with a removable panel, the BookCover,

on the top of the case (behind the display when the computer is open).You

can remove this panel and replace it with a different color. The computer

comes with one clear panel and one graphite-colored panel.

You can use the clear panel and put ar twork under it to personalize your

computer or to keep track of meetings and appointments. A set of BookCover

inserts came with your computer—use these to make your PowerBook

stand out.

Removing a BookCover

Foll ow thes e steps to remove a BookCover.

1Slide the latch to the left and open the display approximately 1 to 2 inches.

Connecting Additional Equipment and Changing BookCovers

63

2While holding the latch open by its downward-pointing hook, grasp the panel on the top

1 Push and hold the latch all the way to the left.

2 Then slide the panel off.

with your fingers and slide it toward you until it disengages from the case.

You can anchor one thumb (the one not holding the latch open) on the front
edge of the display case and push backward with it as you pull the BookCover
with your fingers.

When the panel disengages (after moving about half an inch), you can release
the latch hook.

3Slide the panel away from the case and set it aside.

64

Chapter 3

Adding an insert

Make sure the tabs slide into the slots.

Follow these steps to remove a panel and replace it with another panel.

1 Remove the BookCover as described in the previous section.
2Place the insert on the plastic case and position it as you’d like it displayed.

Be sure the insert is not too thick for the BookCover to fit over it easily.

If the insert is smaller than the BookCover’s area, you may want to use a

small piece of tape to hold the insert in place.

Replacing a Book Cover

Follow these steps to replace a BookCover.

1Align the BookCover’s bottom edges with the grooves in the sides of the display case

and gently slide the BookCover toward the back of the computer. Stop when the two tabs

at the center of the BookCover reach the rear part of the display case.

Connecting Additional Equipment and Changing BookCovers

65

2Make sure that the BookCover’s center tabs and the two shorter side tabs are all

1 Push and hold the latch all the way to the left.

2 Then push the new panel all the way in and release the latch.

positioned so that they will fit into the openings on the rear part of the display case.

It’s impor ta nt to position the BookCover carefully to avoid breaking one of the
tabs when the cover snaps into the case. You may wa nt to change the angle of
the dis play to see whether the tabs are in the proper position.

3Move the latch hook to the left and hold it open with one thumb. Use your fingers to push

the BookCover backward until it snaps into place.

If any of the tabs is showing, hold the latch hook open and remove the
BookCover. Then realign the tabs and slide the cover into place.

4 Release the latch hook when the cover is in place.

66

Chapter 3

Creating your own BookCover inserts

In addition to the set of printed inser t s that came with the computer, you can

use the template on your hard disk to create new inserts. See the instructions

in the template’s folder for more i nformation about using the template.

Examples of inserts you might make with the template include

m a weekly appointment calendar and To Do lists

m your latest digital art

m a travel itinerary, with key contact information and a small map

m a cartoon or comic strip (perhaps with weekly episodes)

m notes for a presentation

m a “cheat sheet” for procedures you tend to forget, such as how to set up for

sending a fax or how to connect to an information service you don’t use
often

m outline art for your children to color (and the finished pictures)

Yo u’re likely to find other templates for BookCover inserts on popular

shareware forums or as supplements to commercial software.

Of course your inserts don’t have to come from the template. All sorts of

things would look good under the BookCover, including

m family pictures

m logos or insignias for your favorite club, sports team, or school

m a collage of colorful scraps and images

m assorted business cards

Connecting Additional Equipment and Changing BookCovers

67

Adding mem o ry to your co mputer

Your Macintosh PowerBook comes with at least 12 MB of RAM. You can
increase your computer’s memory by adding a RAM expansion card. You can
find out how much memory your computer has by choosing About This
Macintosh from the Apple (K) menu in the Finder.

You can purchase memory upgrades from Apple-authorized dealers. For
complete instructions on installing a RAM expansion card, see Appendix C.

Your Macintosh PowerBook also supports virtual memory, a feature that
makes use of hard disk space to provide additional RAM. Your computer was
developed to take advantage of the virtual memory feature and comes with
virtual memory turned on.

For information on using virtual memory, see the “Memory” topic area of
Mac OS Guide, available in the Guide (h) menu.

Using infrared file transfe r

Your Macintosh PowerBook has a built-in infrared (IR) window that can send
and receive files. You can exchange information with another PowerBook that
has IR capability or with a desktop computer that’s using an external IR
module.

68

To transfer files, your computer and the other IR device must be within 3 feet
of each other, with their IR wi ndows facing. You use the Apple IR File
Exchange program, on your computer’s hard disk, to send and receive files.
Complete instructions for using the software are provided in the Apple IR File
Exchange Guide (available in the Guide [h] menu when IR software is the
active application).

Chapter 3

Read this chapter for information on

installing and using application

programs on your computer.

4

Installing and Using Application Programs

Your PowerBook comes with some great software already installed that

includes such features as:

m hard disk password protection

m file exchange using the infrared window

m file synchronization

m DOS and Windows file compatibility

m Internet access

m productivity programs, including ClarisWorks and Claris Organizer

m fax transmission

m remote access to another Macintosh

Some of this software is already on your computer’s hard disk; some programs

and additional sample files are on the CD-ROM disc that came with your

PowerBook.

Using PowerBo ok Highlights

You can learn more about the software provided with your computer from an

icon on the hard disk called PowerBook Highlights. PowerBook Highlights

includes a short explanation of selected application programs on the hard

disk, as well as tips for handling files and working efficiently on battery

power.

69

1 Open the Macintosh HD icon (if necessary).

The files used to

start up and control

your computer

An introduction to the

computer’s features

and software that also

provides tips and

service and support

information

To get started with your software, follow these steps:

A window similar to this appears.

Important

information about

your PowerBook

A simple word-processing
program

A lively tour of the
computer’s hardware

Folders with the preinstalled
software and related information

Click a heading to see

the information for

70

Chapter 4

2Double-click the PowerBook Highlights icon.

If you don’t see a PowerBook Highlights icon, you can find a duplicate copy
on the CD that came with your computer.

If headings are not

displayed to the left of the

image (as in this figure),

click to display them.

that topic.

Click the right or left
arrow to go forward
or back in the content.

Use the topic headings (on the left in the figure) to see the information you
want. Use the arrows at the top of the window to move forward or back in
the content.

3When you’re finished, choose Quit from the File menu to leave PowerBook Highlights.

IMPORTANT

If you delete the PowerBook Highlights icon, you have not
deleted your preinstalled software. (Most of the software is in the
Applications folder on your computer’s hard disk.)

Getting help for application programs

Some application programs that come on your PowerBook (such as File
Assist ant and App le IR File Exchange) are documented in their own Apple
Guide onli n e help systems. Follow these steps to see if a program has an
Apple Guide help system:

1 Open the application program.
2 Open the Guide

(h)

menu.

If an item appears in the Guide menu for your application program, choose it.
If an item does not appear, then there is no Apple Guide online help for that
program.

Installing and Using Application Programs

71

Installing application pro grams

Insert the disk metal end first, label side up.

Yo u’ ll probably want to buy and install additional application programs. Refer
to the manuals you receive with your programs for instructions on installing
and using them.

In most cases, you install application programs onto your internal hard disk
from a CD-ROM disc or from floppy disks that you receive as part of an
application program package. The following illustration shows how to insert a
floppy disk in the floppy disk drive.

(For information about using a compact disc to install programs, see “Using a
CD in the CD-ROM Drive” in Chapter 2.)

Working wi th several programs at a time

You can open as many application programs and desk accessories as your
computer’s memory allows.

All open programs are listed in the Application menu at the right end of the
menu bar. The name of the active program (the one you’re using right now)
has a checkmark next to it, and its icon appears in the menu bar.

A checkmark indicates

the active program

72

Chapter 4

The Finder icon

Commands to hide or
display open windows

Open programs

Finding out which programs are open

If you have several programs and windows open, you can find out which
program is active and which other programs are open by pulling down the
Application menu.

Switching programs

You can switch to another open program or desk accessory by choosing its
name from the Application menu.

If a program’s icon is dimmed in the menu, that means its windows are
hidden. Choosing the program from the Application menu displays its
windows.

You can also switch to another program by clicking in a window that belongs
to an op en program, or by double-clicking a program icon (or the icon of a
document that was created with the program).

Hiding and showing w indows on the desktop

You can hide all windows except those of the active program by choosing
Hide Others from the Application menu.

The other programs remain open even though their windows are hidden.
When you switch to another program, its windows become visible again.

If you wa nt to see all the open wi ndows, choose Show All from the
Application menu.

Installing and Using Application Programs

73

Backing up your files

Making backup copies of important files is good protection against possible
damage to the originals.

Backing up and restoring system software and preinstalled programs

m You can make a set of backup floppy disks for the core system software on

your hard disk by using the Floppy Disk Maker application program. This
program and the disk image files it uses are in the System Backup folder,
inside the Apple Extras folder on your hard disk. Instructions for using
Floppy Disk Maker are in Appendix D.

m The CD-ROM disc that came with your computer contains disk images of

the co mplete system software a nd all application programs that were
preinstalled on your computer’s hard disk. You can make backup floppy
disks from these images using the Floppy Disk Maker application program.
(See Appendix D for instructions on making backup floppy disks.)

m If the System Folder on your hard disk is damaged, you can reinstall that

essen tial software from disk images on the hard disk or on the CD that
came with your computer. See “Reinstalling the Mac OS System Software”
in Chapter 7 for instructions.

74

m The CD that came with your computer also contains a program for

restoring the complete system software and all preinstalled application
programs from the disk images on the CD. See the document
“CD – Important Information” on the CD for instructions.

Chapter 4

Tips for backing up all t y pes of files

m You can back up an entire floppy disk by copying it to another floppy disk

or to a hard disk.

m You can use a commercial backup program to copy new and changed files

from a hard disk to another hard disk, to a tape drive, or to a series of
floppy disks.

m If your computer is on a network, you can back up files by copying them to

a shared disk on the network.

m You can back up files by copying them from one computer to the other

using SCSI disk mode. (See “Using Your Macintosh PowerBook as a
Hard Disk” in the “Connecting SCSI Devices” section in Chapter 3 for
more information on this procedure.)

Using “native” applic ation program s

Your computer is compatible with nearly all application programs intended
for use with Macintosh computers. But certain programs are designed
esp ecially for computers with PowerPC microprocessors. (T h ese are
some t imes called “native” applications.) You’ll find that these programs take
best advantage of your computer’s speed.

Special me mory requirements

Some native programs may be slightly larger than other programs and may
take up more memory. If you find that you are running out of memory when
you use programs designed for PowerPC microprocessors, you can use space
on your computer’s hard disk as additional memory. This feature is called

virtual memory. Your computer was developed to take adva ntage of the virtual
memory feature and comes with vir tual memory turn ed on. For instructions
on how to use or increase hard disk space as memory, see the “Memory” topic
of Mac OS Guide, available in the Guide (h) menu.

You can also add more memory to your computer, as described in Appendix C.

Installing and Using Application Programs

75

Shared libraries

Native programs use special files called shared libraries. These files help the
programs to run more efficiently and can be used by more than one native
program simultaneously. Any necessary shared libraries are installed
automatically in the System Folder when you install native programs.

If a native program requires a shared library and there is not enough memory
available for the shared library, you’ll see a message that the program could
not be opened because of insufficient system memory. If this happens, see the
“Memory” topic of Mac OS Guide, available in the Guide (h) menu, for
instructions on turning on virtual memory.

If a required shared library is missing, you’ll see a message that the program
could not be opened because the shared library could not be found. If this
happens, follow the directions that came with your program to reinstall the
program. If the shared library is still missing, contact the program’s
manufacturer for assistance.

76

Chapter 4

Read this chapter for

information about your

Macintosh PowerBook’s battery.

5

Power Managemen t

Power sources

Your computer can draw its operating power from two sources.

Main battery

m

battery. This battery typically provides power for 2–4 hours of work time.
Exact work time depends on the Macintosh PowerBook model you have
and the battery conservation features you use.

AC power

m

plugging in the power adapter.

These power sources are described in more detail in the following sections.

You can run your computer from a grounded electrical outlet by

Monitoring the battery charge

There are three ways you can determine the charge level of your battery:
m See low-power messages on your display.

Your computer came with a nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH)

m Look in the battery monitor portion of the Control Strip.
m Look at the battery level icon next to the clock in the menu bar.

77

Resp on ding to low-power messages

When the battery runs low, the computer displays a series of low-power
messages. The work time remaining after you see the first message varies
depending on how you are using the computer. It’s a good idea to act
promptly.

What you should do

When you see a low-power message, you should do the following:

m

Plug in the power adapter,

m

Save your work and put the computer to sleep.

m

Replace the empty battery with a charged one within two minutes.

or

Then

IMPORTANT

Always save your work when you see a low-power message.

What you should know

When the first low-power message appears, the screen dims automatically to
save power.

If you continue to work without plugging in the power adapter or changing
the battery, the computer displays a second low-power message and the screen
dims further.

The second message is followed by a third and final message indicating that
the computer is about to put itself to sleep or shut down. Withi n a few
seconds, the computer goes to sleep automatically to protect the contents of
RAM. All activities are interrupted. It’s a good idea to save your work when
you see the first two low-power messages to make sure you don’t lose
information.

If you continue working until the computer goes to sleep automatically, you
can wake it again as soon as you plug in the power adapter or replace the
battery with a charged battery.

If you can’t plug in the power adapter, the contents of RAM are retained in
sleep for about a day (as long as you don’t remove the battery).

78

Chapter 5

IMPORTANT

Recharge a depleted battery as soon as possible. Leaving a
depleted battery in the computer for a length of time (especially in a hot
location, such as the trunk of a car) may damage the battery so that it can’t
be recharged. If this happens, you need to replace the battery.

Using the Control Strip to monitor battery ch arge

The Battery Monitor portion of the Control Strip shows the current power
source and the approximate amount of charge left in your battery.

This icon indicates

the current

power source.

This icon indicates the rate at
which power is being drained
from the battery.

These indicators show the
approximate amount of charge
remaining, based on current
battery conservation settings.

For more information, see the question “How do I check the battery power
level?” in the “Batteries & Power” topic area of Mac OS Guide, available in
the Guide (h) menu.

Using the battery icon

The battery icon in the menu bar tells you the charge left in your battery.

The amount of black in the icon
indicates the charge level.

When a lightning bolt appears
in the icon, the battery is charging.

Power Management

79

Recharging the battery

¯

Power adapter port

Power adapter plug

Power adapter

Power cord

To recharge the battery, plug in the power adapter. Do not use an external
recharger designed for another Macintosh PowerBook model.

Use only the power adapter that came with your computer or a recharger
designed specifically for this model.

80

A lightning bolt icon appears in the battery monitor portion of the Control
Strip when the power adapter is plugged in and a battery is recharging.

The battery is recharged regardless of whether you are using the computer or
the co mputer is off or in sleep, so long as you use the adapter that came with
your computer.

Note: A battery recharges only in the battery compartment, on the left side of
the com puter’s front panel. Although you can store a battery in the expansion
bay (on the right side of the front panel), the battery cannot be charged there.

Chapter 5

2 Slide the battery out.

1 Slide and hold the latch to the right.

WARNING

Use only the power adapter that came with your computer.
Adapters for other electronic devices (including other portable
computers) may look similar, but they may damage your computer.

The correct power adapter for your PowerBook 140 0 series computer
supplies 45 watts of power (model number M4896). Adapters for older
models of the PowerBook provide lower wattages.

Removing or re pl acing the battery

To remove or replace the battery, follow these steps:

1Save your work and then shut down the computer, put it to sleep, or plug in the

power adapter.
2Close the display.
3Push and hold the latch beneath the battery.

4While holding the latch open, pull the battery out of its compartment.

Power Management

81

5Put the battery cap on the battery to protect the battery contacts.

Always snap the battery
cap on the battery when the
battery is out of the computer.

WARNING

Always put the battery cap over the metal contacts when the
battery is not in the computer. If the battery’s metal contacts are not
covered, a short circuit could occur, creating a safety hazard.

6If you are inserting another battery, remove the battery cap from the new battery to

expose the contacts. Then slide the battery into the battery compartment.

You can replace the battery with another NiMH battery. Make sure you only
use a battery that is designed for your Macintosh PowerBook. Store the
battery cap in case you want to remove and transport the battery later.

You can store an extra battery in the expansion bay if no module is installed
there.

7If you just inserted a new battery, it’s a good idea to plug in the power adapter in case

the battery is not fully charged.

IMPORTANT

Nickel-metal-hydride batteries contain metals that are hazardous
when released in the environment. It is inappropriate, and in some cases
unlawful, to throw batteries away with your household or business trash.
Instead of throwing away your spent batteries, dispose of them as described
here.

82

Chapter 5

In the United States

m

Return spent batteries to your Apple-authorized service
provider, who will make sure they are included in Apple’s battery recycling
program.

m

Elsewhere

or recycling programs for spent batteries. Dispose of spent batteries in
accordance with the mandatory or voluntary battery collection programs
in your location. Contact your Apple-authorized service provider for
information about the recommended disposal procedures in your area.

Maximizing work time

Your Macintosh PowerBook’s battery typically provides 2–4 hours of work
time before you need to recharge. The actual work time available depends on
which model of Macintosh PowerBook you have, what equipment you’re
using with your computer, and what steps you take to conserve power while
you work.

Models with a CD-ROM drive are likely to get less total work time from the
battery than models without that drive.

Note: The CD-ROM drive consumes slightly less power if a compact disc is
in the drive when the drive is not in use. This is because the computer
continually checks the empty drive, which uses a small amount of power.

For battery conservation tips, see the “Batteries & Power” topic of Mac OS
Guide, available in t he Guide (h) menu.

Many locations have government or Apple-sponsored collection

Power Management

83

rt

Chapter 6 Tips and Troublesh ooting
Chapter 7 Diagnostic Techniques

pa

II

Consult this chapter if you have

questions or experience

problems using your computer.

6

Tips and Troubleshooting

Whe n you have questions

If you wa nt to know how to do a particular task with your computer, refer to
Mac OS Guide in the Guide (
Guide, see Chapter 1 of this manual. If the suggestions in this chapter and
Mac OS Guide don’t solve the problem, go to Chapter 7 for instructions on
some general diagnostic techniques.

Whe n you run into trouble

While you’re using your computer, you may see a bomb icon or a n error
message, or you may have a problem such as the pointer (8) “freezing” on the
screen. If you have trouble with your computer, take a few minutes to read the
information in this chapter and Chapter 7. If your problem is related to a
particular procedure, you should also look for information on that procedure
in Mac OS Guide, available in the Guide (h) menu. If you are unable to
access Mac OS Guide (for example, if your screen is “frozen”), refer to this
chapter to see if you can resolve the problem.

h) menu. For instructions on using Mac OS

This chapter and Chapter 7 describe solutions to problems you may
experience with your computer. If the suggestions in these two chapters don’t
solve your problem, contact a local Apple-authorized service provider or call
the Apple Assistance Center. (See the service and support information that
came with your computer for the telephone number.) If your problem is with
third-party software or equipment, please call the software or equipment
manufacturer for help.

87

Problems s tarting u p the computer

Reset button

The computer doesn’t start up.

m The battery may need recharging. Plug the power cord into a working

outlet and then plug the power adapter into the computer. Let the battery
recharge for a few minutes.

m Check that the power cord is plugged into a working outlet. If it’s plugged

into a power strip, make sure the power strip is turned on. The power
adapter should get warm after being plugged in for 10 minutes. If it is cold,
make sure the adapter is securely plugged in and attached to the power
cord.

m The screen brightness may be turn ed down. Adjust the brightness control

(marked with the icon ¤) and contrast control (O), located to the right of
the dis play.

m Make sure the battery is properly seated in its compartment.
m Press the reset button on the back panel.

88

Chapter 6

The computer makes an unusual sound at startup.

m If you hear four tones, start up the computer with the Disk Tools disk that

came with your computer. If the computer does not start up, or if the hard
disk icon does not appear, the hard disk may need repair. Contact an
Apple-authorized service provider or call the Apple Assistance Center. If
the hard disk icon does appear, see Chapter 7.

m There may be a problem with the information stored in the area called

parameter RAM (PRAM) and nonvolatile RAM (NVRAM).
Resetting the PRAM and NVRAM erases the contents of your RAM disk,

if you have one. It also reverts the settings on most of your computer’s
control panels to their defaults (original, standard settings). You may wa nt
to check the settings in your control panels for memory, networking, and
monitors, and any aspect of your work that seems affected after you reset
the PRAM and NVRAM.

Foll ow thes e steps to reset the PRAM and NVRAM:

1. Shut down your computer.

2. Make sure the Caps Lock key is not engaged.

3. Position the fingers of your left hand on these keys: Command (x),
Option, and R. Locate the P key, so you can find it quickly for step 4.

4. Press the Power key (marked with “on/off”) to turn on your computer.
Immediately after you hear the startup sound, press and hold down the
Command (x), O ption, and R keys at the same time as you press and
hold down the P key.

5. When you hear the startup sound repeat twice, release the keys, then
immediately press and hold down the Shift key to start up with your
Extensions turned off. Release the Shift key when you see the message
“Extensions Disabled” d uring startup.

If you don’t see the “Extensions Disabled” message, wait until startup is
complete, then press and hold down the Shift key while you choose
Rest art from the Special menu. Continue to hold down the Shift key
until the message appears.

Tips and Troubleshooting

89

6. Open the System Folder, then open the Preferences folder.

7. D rag t h e Display Preferences icon to the Trash.

8. Restart your computer without holding down the Shift key.
The computer starts up with your Extensions turned on again.

9. W h en the computer has finished starting up, restore any custom control
panel and network settings.

m If you hear eight tones, there may be a problem with a RAM expansion

card. If you installed a RAM expansion card in your computer, check
Appendix C to make sure the card is properly installed. If you purchased
an expansion card from a third-party manufacturer, contact the
manufacturer for help.

See also “The Computer Makes Unusual Sounds” in the section “Other
Problems While Working” later in this chapter.

The computer starts up, but the desktop doesn’t appear.

90

m The screen brightness may be turn ed down. Adjust the brightness control

(¤) and contrast control (O), located to the right of the display.

m There may be a problem with the display of the windows. Restart the

computer and hold down the Option key until the desktop icons appear.
(When the desktop appears, all windows will be closed.)

m The computer may be trying to start up using an external hard disk that

does not contain the correct system software. Shut down, disconnect the
external hard disk, and restart your computer.

m Sta rt the computer, holding down the Shift key until you see the message

“Extensions off ” in the Welcome to Macintosh box. If the computer starts
up, turn to Chapter 7 and try the steps given in the section “Checking Your
Syst em Software Extensions.”

Chapter 6

When I start up the computer, I see a message about the system software.

m The system software on the startup disk you’re using may be incomplete or

damaged or may be the wrong version. Make sure you’re using the correct
disk as a startup disk.

m If you’re sure you’re using the correct startup disk, you may need to reinstall

system sof tware. See “Rei nstalling the Mac OS System Software” in
Chapter 7.

The computer displays a flashing question mark icon.

m This icon usually means that the computer can’t find system software on

any disks attached to the computer. If the computer is connected to any
external hard disks, make sure they are turned on. Then restart the
computer. If the problem recurs, the hard disk or its system software may
be damaged. See Chapter 7.

m Tur n off the computer, disconnect all external devices except the power

adapter, and restart the computer. If the computer starts up, turn to
“Problems with Equipment Connected to Your Computer” later in
this cha p ter.

The computer freezes or displays an error message during startup.

m Tur n off the computer, disconnect all external devices except the power

adapter, and restart the computer. If the computer starts up, turn to
“Problems with Equipment Connected to Your Computer” later in
this chapter.

m Sta rt the computer, holding down the Shift key until you see the message

“Extensions off ” in the Welcome to Macintosh box. If the computer starts
up, turn to Chapter 7.

About the codes in error messages: The number codes in error messages are
used in software development. Sometimes they can help a technician narrow
down the source of a problem. However, the codes are usually too general or
technical in nature to help you diagnose a problem yourself.

Tips and Troubleshooting

91

When the computer starts up, a message says there is not enough memory.

m There may not be enough memory to load all the system software

extensions you’ve installed. Restart the computer, holding down the
Shift key until you see the message “Extensions off” in the Welcome to
Macintosh box. Then try the following to increase available memory:

m Reduce the size of the disk cache in the Memory control panel.
m If you use a RAM disk, reduce its size or turn it off in the Memory

control panel.

m Remove s ome of th e system software extensions from the Extensions

folder (inside the System Folder).

You need to restart the computer for these changes to take effect.
m If these suggestions don’t work, you can increase memory by installing a

RAM expansion card in your computer. See Appendix C for information.

The computer won’t restart.

m If the computer freezes, you can try to “force” the program you’re using

to quit by simultaneously pressing the keys Command (x), Option, and
Esc on your keyboard. Then click Force Quit in the dialog box that
appears. (Note: Unsaved changes in your current documents will be
lost.) Imme diately save all open documents, quit all other open programs,
and restart the computer.

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m Press the reset button on the back panel.

Note: You will lose any work you have not saved.

m If the problem recurs, reset the parameter RAM. (See “The Computer

Makes an Unusual Sound at Startup,” i n the section “Problems Starting
Up the Computer” earlier in this chapter.) If the problem still occurs, see
Chapter 7.

Every time the computer starts up, it rebuilds the desktop.

m There may be a folder on your hard disk that has the same name as a file

the computer uses to keep track of information on your disks. Manually
search for a folder named “Desktop” or “Desktop file.” If you find one,
rename it “Storage.” Then restart the computer. (Do not use the Find File
feature to search for the desktop file. It may find it but you may not be able
to access it.)

Chapter 6

When the computer starts up, no icons appear in the windows, and the pointer alternates
between an arrow and a wristwatch, or an empty flashing box appears.

m There is a problem with the display of windows. Restart the computer,

holding down the Option key until the desktop icons appear. (When the
desktop appears, all windows will be closed.)

When I start up the computer, the display lights up for a moment, then shuts down.

m Make sure you are using the correct power adapter for your

computer model.

Problems wo rking with programs

The computer freezes or displays a system error message.

m There may be a temporary software problem. To reset the computer, try the

fol lowing suggestions in order until the computer starts up normally:

1. If the computer freezes, you can try to quit the program you’re using by
pressing the keys Command (x), Option, and Esc on your keyboard.
Click Force Quit in the dialog box that appears. (You’ll lose unsaved
cha nges in that program’s documents.)

Immediately save all open documents and quit all open programs. Then
restart the computer.

2. If you see a message about a system error, press the reset button on the
back of your Macintosh PowerBook to restart the computer.

3. Reset the PRAM. (See “The Computer Makes an Unusual Sound at
Sta rt up” in the section “Problems Starting Up the Computer” earlier
in this chapter for instructions.)

m If the problem recurs, it may involve one or more of your application

programs. See “Th e Computer Exhibits Odd Behavior, Such as Many
Unexplained System Failures,” next.

About the codes in error messages: The number codes in error messages are
used in software development. Sometimes they can help a technician narrow
down the source of a problem. However, the codes are usually too general or
technical in nature to help you diagnose a problem yourself.

Tips and Troubleshooting

93

The computer exhibits odd behavior, such as many unexplained system failures.

m Check for multiple System Folders on your startup disk, using the Find File

command. Throw away extra System Folders (but do not throw away any
System Folders from your RAM Disk Backup folder). T he System Folder
that your computer is using has a small computer icon on it.

m Check for vi ruses on all your disks, using a virus-detection program.

Eliminate any viruses the program finds.

If a problem recurs when you are using a particular program, try the
following:

m Consult the documentation that came with the program to make sure you

are using it correctly.

m Check for multiple copies of the program on your hard disk. Use the Get

Info command to check the programs’ version numbers. Keep one copy
of the latest version and throw away all other copies.

m Reinstall the program from a known good source (such as the original

program disks or the installer disks you made with Floppy Disk Maker).

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m Increase the program’s memory. Quit the program, select its icon, choose

Get Info from the File menu, and type a larger number in the Preferred
Size box.

m Contact the manufacturer or vendor of the program to find out whether

the program contains software errors or “bugs” and whether an upgrade
is availa ble.

m Check that the program is compatible with System 7.5. (See the

program’s documentation, or contact the manufacturer or vendor.)

m Make sure your control panels and system software extensions

(especially a ny that you recently added) are compatible with your
programs. See “Checking Your System Software Extensions” in
Chapter 7.

Chapter 6

A program won’t open.

m The application program may already be op en. Check the Applications

menu to see what programs are running.

m There may not be enough memory available to open the program. Quit any

programs you’re not using and try again. If that doesn’t work, try restarting
the co mputer.

m If the program is on a floppy disk, make sure the disk is unlocked. (You

unlock a disk by sliding the tab at the corner of the disk so that it covers
the hol e.)

m The program may be damaged, or it may not be compatible with PowerPC

technology. Check to make sure the software is PowerPC compatible, and
install it from a known good source (such as the original program disks).

m Contact the manufacturer or vendor of the program to see if the program is

compatible with System 7.5.

A program suddenly quits or disappears, or a message says a program has quit.

m There may be a temporary software problem. Restart the computer, then

try opening the program again.

m The program may have run out of memory. See the suggestions in “A

Message Says There is Not Enough Memory,” next.

m If the problem occurs when you are trying to print, there may not be

enough memory for printing.

m Contact the manufacturer or vendor of the program to see if the program

contains software errors or “bugs” and if it is compatible with the version
of system soft ware you’re using.

A message says there is not enough memory.

m There may be a temporary software problem. Save your work, quit all open

programs, and restart the computer. If you can’t use the Restart command,
see the suggestions in “The Computer Freezes or Displays a System Error
Message,” earlier in this section.

Tips and Troubleshooting

95

m If you get this message when you are trying to open or use a program,

follow these s teps:

1. Choose About This Macintosh from the Apple (K) menu. Take note of
the number in the “Largest Unused Block” section. This number tells
you how much memory is available to open programs.

2. Quit the program if it’s open, select its icon, and choose Get Info from
the File menu. Take note of the numbers in the Minimum Size and
Preferred Size boxes.

3. If the number in the Minimum Size box is larger than the largest unused
block, not enough memory is available to use this program. To free
memory, quit open programs or restart the computer. You can also type
a smaller number in the Minimum Size box if you want to open the
program using less memory. But some programs don’t work well if you
assign them less memory.

4. If the numb er in the Preferred Size box is smaller than the largest
unused block, you may need to assign more memory to the program. (A
program may need more memory if you are working with complex
documents.) Type a larger number in the Preferred Size box.

m If you frequently wa nt to open more programs than memory allows, try

the following :

96

m Use the Memory control panel to reduce the size of the disk

cache or remove or reduce the size of your RAM disk.

m Install a RAM expansion card in your computer. See Appendix C for

instructions.

When I try to open a document, a message says the program can’t be found.

m The document may have been created with a program that is not on your

hard disk, or with a different version of the program.

m You can also open a document from within a program by using the Open

command in the File menu. For more information, see the documentation
that came with your programs.

Chapter 6

m If you know the correct program is on your hard disk, there may be a

problem with the information that the computer uses to keep track of files.
Rest art t he computer and hold down the Command (x) and Option keys
until you see a message asking if you wa nt to rebuild the desktop. Release
the keys and click OK.

Note: If you have Macintosh Easy Open installed, you must use the
Extensions Manager control panel to turn off all extensions except the
Macintosh Easy Open control panel before you follow the steps given
above to rebuild your desktop.

A window has disappeared.

m Another open window may be covering the one you’re looking for. Move,

resize, close, or hide windows until you see the one you want.

m The program the window is associated with may b e hidden. Choose Show

All from the Application menu and then click the window you want, or
choose the program from the Application menu.

Other problems while working

The screen went blank.

m Screen dimming may be on. Move the pointer to restore the screen’s

brightness. You can adjust the interval before screen dimming takes effect,
or you can turn screen dimmi ng off, using the PowerBook control panel.

m The computer may have gone to sleep. Press the Power key (or any key

except Caps Lock or the trackpad button) on the keyboard to wake it.

m The battery may be drain ed. Install a charged battery, or plug in the power

adapter and let the battery charge for a few minutes. Then try to wake or
start up the computer.

The computer won’t wake from sleep when I press a key.

m If the display is closed or partly closed, open it to an angle of at least 45

degrees. T h en press any key (except Caps Lock or the trackpad button) to
wake the computer.

m You may be pressing a key that do esn’t wake the computer—the trackpad

button or Caps Lock key. Try pressing a different key.

Tips and Troubleshooting

97

Some icons look different from usual.

m There may be a problem with the information that the computer uses to

keep track of files. Restart the computer and hold down the Command (x)
and Option keys until you see a message aski ng if you want to rebuild the
desktop. Release the keys and click OK.

Note: If you have Macintosh Easy Open installed, you must turn off all
extensions except the Macintosh Easy Open control panel before you
follow the steps given above to rebuild your desktop.

m You may be using a file-compression program to save space on your hard

disk. Some compression programs change the appearance of icons.

When trying to open or move a font file, I see an error message.

m The font file may be damaged. To remove damaged font files, follow

these s t eps:

1. Drag the Fonts folder out of the System Folder.

2. Rest art t he computer.

3. Open the Fonts folder that you dragged out and drag undamaged fonts to
the System Folder icon. Click OK in the dialog box.

4. Thr ow a way the old Fonts folder.

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5. Reinst all the damaged font from the original disk.

An icon is blinking in the menu bar.

m A program needs attention. Open the menu and choose the program whose

icon is blinking (it may have a diamond by its name). Respond to any
messages on the screen. If it’s not clear what you should do, consult the
documentation that came with the program.

A file can’t be thrown away.

m The file may be locked. Select the file’s icon, choose Get Info from the File

menu, and click the Locked checkbox to remove the X. You can delete
locked files that are in the Trash by holding down the Option key while
you choose Empty Trash from the Special menu.

m An application program may be using the file. Close the file or quit

the program.

Chapter 6

m If the file is on a floppy disk, the disk may be locked. Unlock the disk by

sliding the tab so that it covers the hole at the corner of the disk.

m The file may be in a shared folder that can’t be changed. You can throw

away the file by turning off file sharing temporarily (click Stop in the
Sharing Setup control panel). Or you can select the shared folder, choose
Sharing from the File menu, and uncheck the box labeled either “Can’t be
moved, renamed, or deleted” or “Same as enclosing folder.”

The computer makes unusual sounds.

m A program may need your attention. If an icon is blinking in the menu bar,

open the menu, choose the program whose icon is blinking (it may have a
diamond by its name), and take the necessary action.

m Open the Easy Access control panel (if it is installed on your computer)

and check whether any features are turned on.

m Select a different system sound in the Monitors & Sound control panel.
m The computer speaker periodically turns itself off to save power.

Sometimes this causes a clicking or popping noise. T his sound is normal.

m If the sounds are regular or melodic, they may be caused by interference

from electrical equipment. Move the computer farther away from any such
equipment.

See also “The Computer Makes an Unusual Sound at Startup” in the section
“Problems Starting Up the Computer” earlier in this chapter.

I can’t access some of the memory on my computer.

m All computers set aside some memory for system overhead. Macintosh

PowerBook 14 00 series computers set aside about 300K of RAM.

m If you wa nt to open more programs than memory allows, you can use the

Memory control panel to decrease the size of the disk cache, or remove or
decrease the size of the RAM disk (if you’re using one). You can also have
a memory expansion card installed in your computer.

Tips and Troubleshooting

99

Problems with hard war e

Insert the end of a
large, straightened
paper clip into
this hole.

Floppy disk drive

I can’t eject a floppy disk.

m The disk may be stuck. Restart the computer, holding down the button on

your trackpad. If the disk is not ejected, you can eject it manually.
Carefully insert the end of a straightened paper clip into the small hole
near the disk drive’s opening, and push firmly until the disk is ejected.

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Chapter 6

I can’t save or copy files onto a floppy disk.

m The disk may be locked. Unlock it by sliding the tab at the corner of the

disk so that it covers the hole.

m The disk may be full. Throw away items on the disk that you no longer

need, or save the files on a different disk.

m The disk or disk drive may be damaged. Test it with Disk First Aid (on the

Disk Tools disk that came with your computer).