Compaq E500 User Manual

Compaq Armada E500

Notice / Using this Guide / Index

Series of Personal Computers

Reference Guide

Getting Started Taking a Look at the Computer Using the Keyboard Using Battery Packs Managing Power Working with Removable Drives and

Device Bays Using an Internal Modem (Available

on Select Models) Connecting External Devices Using PC Cards Using Audio Features Upgrading the Computer Maintenance and Travel Guidelines Security Features Intelligent Manageability Computer Setup and Diagnostics

Utilities Troubleshooting Customer Support Regulatory Notices Electrostatic Discharge Specifications

Getting Started

Finding Assistance Identifying Packing Box Contents

Taking A Look At the Computer

Front Components Left Side Components Right Side Components Rear Components Bottom Components Status Indicator Lights

Using the Keyboard

Using the Pointing Device Using Hotkeys Using the Embedded Numeric Keypad

Using Battery Packs

Learning About Battery Packs Using a New Battery Pack Charging Battery Packs Inserting and Removing the Primary Battery Pack Storing a Battery Pack Maximizing Battery Pack Life Recycling Used Battery Packs System Beeps

Managing Power

Selecting a Power Source Using Suspend (Standby) and Hibernation Managing Low-Battery Conditions Charging a Battery Pack Monitoring the Charge in a Battery Pack Calibrating a Battery Pack Using Power Preferences Conserving Battery Power

Working with Removable Drives and Device Bays

Bay Configuration Caring for Removable Drives Selecting Diskettes DualBay Devices MultiBay Devices

Using an Internal Modem (Available on Select Models)

Connecting the Modem Cable Selecting Communication Software Using Modem Commands and Dial Modifiers Uninstalling the Modem Using the Modem While Traveling Internationally

Connecting External Devices

Connecting an External Enhanced Keyboard Connecting an External Monitor Connecting a Television Monitor Connecting a Mouse or Other External Pointing Device Connecting a Serial Printer Connecting a Parallel Printer Connecting Infrared Equipment Connecting USB Peripherals Connecting to a Docking Device

Using PC Cards

PC Card Types Inserting a PC Card Removing a PC Card PC Card Device Drivers Changing PC Card Settings Managing PC Card Power Zoomed Video Stopping a PC Card

Using Audio Features

Identifying the Audio Components Using Internal and External Microphones Using Internal and External Speakers/Headphones Controlling Audio Volume Speaker Ports

Upgrading the Computer

Upgrading System Memory Upgrading the Hard Drive Attaching a Hard Drive Adapter Adding an Internal Modem

Maintenance & Travel Guidelines

Updating the System Reinstalling Software Caring for the Computer Preparing the Computer for Shipping or Travel Traveling with the Computer

Security Features

Types of Security Using the Cable Lock Using the Power-On Password Using Quick Controls Using the Setup Password Enabling and Disabling Devices DriveLock Overview

Intelligent Manageability

Intelligent Manageability Overview Asset Management Fault Management Security Management Configuration Management

Computer Setup and Diagnostics Utilities

Selecting Computer Setup or Diagnostics for Windows Using Computer Setup Using Compaq Diagnostics for Windows

Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting Checklist Audio Battery CD-ROM Drive and DVD-ROM Drive Diskette Drive and SuperDisk LS-120 Drive Hard Drive Hardware Installation Keyboard Memory Modem PC Card Power Printer Screen Software Application Pointing Device Infrared USB

Notice

The information in this guide is subject to change without notice.

COMPAQ COMPUTER CORPORATION SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR TECHNICAL OR EDITORIAL ERRORS OR OMISSIONS CONTAINED HEREIN; NOR FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM THE FURNISHING, PERFORMANCE, OR USE OF THIS MATERIAL.

This guide contains information protected by copyright. No part of this guide may be photocopied or reproduced in any form without prior written consent from Compaq Computer Corporation.

Compaq Office.

Microsoft, MS-DOS, and Windows are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

Imation and SuperDisk are trademarks of Imation Enterprises Corporation.

Software described herein is furnished under a license agreement or nondisclosure agreement. The software may be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of the agreement.

Product names mentioned herein may be trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

and Armada are registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark

COMPAQ ARMADA E500 SERIES OF PERSONAL COMPUTERS REFERENCE GUIDE

First Edition September 1999 Part Number 131511-001

Compaq Computer Corporation

CONTENTS

preface

USING THIS GUIDE

chapter 1

GETTING STARTED

Finding Assistance ..........................................................................1-1

Identifying Packing Box Contents ..................................................1-2

chapter 2

TAKING A LOOK AT THE COMPUTER

Front Components...........................................................................2-1

Left Side Components.....................................................................2-3

Right Side Components...................................................................2-4

Rear Components............................................................................2-6

Bottom Components........................................................................2-7

Status Indicator Lights ....................................................................2-8

chapter 3

USING THE KEYBOARD

Using the Pointing Device...............................................................3-1

Identifying TouchPad Components............................................3-2

Navigating with the TouchPad....................................................3-3

Setting TouchPad Preferences .................................................... 3-3

Identifying Pointing-Stick Components .....................................3-4

Navigating with the Pointing-Stick.............................................3-5

Setting Pointing-Stick Preferences .............................................3-6

Contents v

Using Hotkeys.................................................................................3-7

Switching the Image...................................................................3-8

Adjusting System Volume..........................................................3-8

Initiating Quick Controls............................................................3-9

Setting a Power Conservation Level ..........................................3-9

Viewing Battery Status...............................................................3-9

Adjusting Panel Contrast............................................................3-9

Brightness.................................................................................3-10

Displaying System Information................................................ 3-10

Stretching Text .........................................................................3-10

Using the Embedded Numeric Keypad ........................................3-11

Toggling the Keypad On and Off.............................................3-11

Operating the Keypad Keys as Standard Keys.........................3-12

Enabling the Keypad at Startup................................................3-12

chapter 4

USING BATTERY PACKS

Learning About Battery Packs........................................................4-1

Using a New Battery Pack..............................................................4-2

Charging Battery Packs ..................................................................4-2

Inserting and Removing the Primary Battery Pack ........................4-3

Removing the Primary Battery Pack..........................................4-3

Inserting the Primary Battery Pack ............................................4-4

Storing a Battery Pack ....................................................................4-5

Maximizing Battery Pack Life........................................................ 4-5

Recycling Used Battery Packs........................................................4-6

System Beeps..................................................................................4-6

Beeps with a Blinking Battery Charge Light .............................4-6

Beeps with a Blinking Power/Suspend Light.............................4-7

Turning Beeps On or Off............................................................ 4-7

chapter 5

MANAGING POWER

Selecting a Power Source ...............................................................5-1

Using Suspend (Standby) and Hibernation..................................... 5-2

Managing Low-Battery Conditions ................................................5-4

Identifying Low-Battery Conditions ..........................................5-4

Resolving Low-Battery Conditions............................................5-6

Restoring from Hibernation After Resolving a Critical

Low-Battery Condition...............................................................5-6

vi Contents

Charging a Battery Pack..................................................................5-7

Monitoring the Charge in a Battery Pack........................................5-8

Using the Battery Status Tab ......................................................5-8

Using the Battery Meter or Power Meter Icon ...........................5-8

Using the Power or Power Meter Tab.........................................5-9

Calibrating a Battery Pack.............................................................5-10

Running a Calibration...............................................................5-11

Stopping a Calibration ..............................................................5-12

Using Power Preferences ..............................................................5-12

Setting Power Preferences in Windows 95 and

Windows NT 4.0.......................................................................5-13

Setting Power Preferences in Windows 98...............................5-15

Turning Auto Insert Notification On or Off .............................5-16

Conserving Battery Power ............................................................5-16

Battery Power Conservation Checklist.....................................5-16

Conserving Battery Power in Windows 95...............................5-17

Conserving Battery Power in Windows 98...............................5-17

Conserving Battery Power in Windows NT 4.0 .......................5-18

chapter 6

WORKING WITH REMOVABLE DRIVES AND DEVICE BAYS

Bay Configuration...........................................................................6-1

Caring for Removable Drives .........................................................6-2

Changing the Startup Sequence with MultiBoot ........................6-3

Selecting Diskettes..........................................................................6-4

DualBay Devices.............................................................................6-5

Inserting a DualBay Device........................................................6-5

Removing a DualBay Device......................................................6-6

Second Battery Pack ...................................................................6-6

MultiBay Devices............................................................................6-7

Inserting a MultiBay Device.......................................................6-7

Removing a MultiBay Device ....................................................6-8

Using the CD-ROM Drive or DVD-ROM Drive........................6-9

Manually Ejecting a Compact Disc ..........................................6-10

Using the LS-120 Drive............................................................6-10

Using the Third Battery Pack....................................................6-10

Contents vii

chapter 7

USING AN INTERNAL MODEM (AVAILABLE ON SELECT MODELS)

Connecting the Modem Cable ........................................................7-1

Selecting Communication Software ...............................................7-2

Using Modem Commands and Dial Modifiers...............................7-3

Uninstalling the Modem .................................................................7-3

Using the Modem While Traveling Internationally .......................7-3

Using a Country-Specific Modem Adapter................................7-3

Selecting a Country-Specific Modem Configuration.................7-4

Travel Connection Checklist......................................................7-5

chapter 8

CONNECTING EXTERNAL DEVICES

Connecting an External Enhanced Keyboard.................................8-1

Connecting an External Monitor ....................................................8-1

Connecting a Television Monitor ...................................................8-2

Connecting a Mouse or Other External Pointing Device ...............8-3

Connecting a Serial Printer.............................................................8-3

Connecting a Parallel Printer..........................................................8-3

Connecting Infrared Equipment .....................................................8-4

Configuring the Infrared Port.....................................................8-5

Enabling the Infrared Port ..........................................................8-5

Connecting USB Peripherals ..........................................................8-6

Connecting to a Docking Device....................................................8-6

chapter 9

USING PC CARDS

PC Card Types................................................................................9-1

Inserting a PC Card.........................................................................9-1

Removing a PC Card ......................................................................9-3

PC Card Device Drivers .................................................................9-4

Changing PC Card Settings ............................................................9-4

Managing PC Card Power ..............................................................9-4

Zoomed Video ................................................................................9-5

Stopping a PC Card.........................................................................9-5

viii Contents

chapter 10

USING AUDIO FEATURES

Identifying the Audio Components...............................................10-1

Using Internal and External Microphones ....................................10-2

Using Internal and External Speakers/Headphones ......................10-3

Controlling Audio Volume............................................................10-3

Speaker Ports.................................................................................10-4

chapter 11

UPGRADING THE COMPUTER

Upgrading System Memory ..........................................................11-1

Checking the Amount of Memory............................................11-1

Obtaining an Optional Memory Expansion Board ...................11-2

Inserting a Memory Expansion Board......................................11-2

Removing a Memory Expansion Board....................................11-4

Upgrading the Hard Drive.............................................................11-6

Removing and Inserting the Primary Hard Drive.....................11-6

Attaching a Hard Drive Adapter ...................................................11-6

Adding an Internal Modem ...........................................................11-6

chapter 12

MAINTENANCE & TRAVEL GUIDELINES

Updating the System .....................................................................12-1

Obtaining Customized Update Information

with Info Messenger .................................................................12-1

Obtaining Software Updates and Enhancements

by Subscription .........................................................................12-1

Obtaining Software Updates from the Compaq

Internet Site...............................................................................12-2

Ordering Preinstalled Software.................................................12-2

Updating the System ROM.......................................................12-2

Reinstalling Software....................................................................12-4

Caring for the Computer ...............................................................12-4

Preparing the Computer for Shipping or Travel ...........................12-5

Traveling with the Computer ........................................................12-5

Contents ix

chapter 13

SECURITY FEATURES

Types of Security..........................................................................13-1

Using the Cable Lock ...................................................................13-2

Using the Power-On Password .....................................................13-3

Establishing the Power-On Password....................................... 13-3

Entering a Power-On Password................................................13-3

Changing the Power-On Password...........................................13-4

Deleting the Power-On Password............................................. 13-5

If You Forget Your Power-On Password.................................13-5

Using Quick Controls ...................................................................13-6

Enabling Quick Controls..........................................................13-6

Initiating Quick Controls..........................................................13-6

Using the Setup Password.............................................................13-7

Establishing the Setup Password..............................................13-7

Entering the Setup Password....................................................13-8

Changing the Setup Password ..................................................13-8

Deleting the Setup Password....................................................13-9

Enabling and Disabling Devices...................................................13-9

DriveLock Overview ..................................................................13-10

User and Master Passwords Overview...................................13-10

Establishing DriveLock Protection ........................................13-11

Changing the User or Master Password .................................13-12

Removing DriveLock Protection............................................13-13

chapter 14

INTELLIGENT MANAGEABILITY

Intelligent Manageability Overview.............................................14-1

Asset Management........................................................................ 14-2

Changing the Asset Tag Number .............................................14-2

Fault Management ........................................................................14-3

Fault Management Alerts .........................................................14-3

Security Management ...................................................................14-4

Configuration Management..........................................................14-4

x Contents

chapter 15

COMPUTER SETUP AND DIAGNOSTICS UTILITIES

Selecting Computer Setup or Compaq Diagnostics

for Windows..................................................................................15-1

Using Computer Setup ..................................................................15-2

Selecting from the File Menu ...................................................15-3

Selecting from the Security Menu ............................................15-4

Selecting from the Advanced Menu .........................................15-5

Using Compaq Diagnostics for Windows.....................................15-6

Displaying System Information................................................15-6

Running a Diagnostic Test........................................................15-6

chapter 16

TROUBLESHOOTING

Troubleshooting Checklist ............................................................16-1

Solving Software Application Problems.................................16-26

appendix A

COMPAQ CUSTOMER SUPPORT

Preparing to Call Technical Support..............................................A-1

Worldwide Telephone Numbers ....................................................A-2

appendix B

REGULATORY NOTICES ............................................................................B-1

appendix C

ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE ....................................................................C-1

appendix D

SPECIFICATIONS .....................................................................................D-1

INDEX.....................................................................................................I-1

Contents xi

preface

USING THIS GUIDE

Some or all of the following format conventions are used in this guide to distinguish elements of text:

■ Names of keys are shown in bold type as they appear on the

keyboard, for example,

■ Keys that you should press at the same time are represented

by the key names and the plus (+) symbol, for example,

Ctrl+Alt+Delete.

■ Commands are presented in lowercase, bold type as shown

install or a:\install.

here:

■ An arrow symbol is used to separate icons or menu options

that you should select in succession; for example, click the Start buttonÅSettingsÅControl Panel.

Ctrl, Backspace, Tab.

■ When you need to type information without pressing the Enter

key, you are directed to “type” the information.

■ When you need to type information and press the Enter key,

you are directed to “enter” the information.

NOTE: Text set off in this manner presents commentary, sidelights,

or additional information.

IMPORTANT: Text set off in this manner presents clarifying

information or specific instructions.

WARNING: Text set off in this manner indicates that failure to follow

directions could result in bodily harm or loss of life.

CAUTION: Text set off in this manner indicates that failure to follow

directions could result in damage to equipment or loss of information.

Using This Guide xiii

chapter

GETTING STARTED

Finding Assistance

■ For setup instructions, refer to the setup poster included with

the computer.

■ To access the online reference guide to the computer:

■ Install the Armada Reference Guide onto your hard drive

from the QuickRestore CD-ROM included with the computer

■ View the Armada Reference Guide from the QuickRestore

CD-ROM

■ To access additional information about the computer:

■ Select StartÅCompaq Information Center

■ Go to the Compaq Internet site at http://www.compaq.com

■ To contact Compaq customer support, refer to Appendix A in

this Reference Guide.

Getting Started 1-1

Identifying Packing Box Contents

The contents of the packing box vary according to your

geographic region and according to the computer hardware

configuration that you ordered.

The following picture and component list identify the standard

components that are included with most computer models.

As you unpack the box, make sure you have received all of the

standard and optional components that you ordered.

1-2 Getting Started

Identifying Hardware Components

Component Function

Computer Compaq Armada Personal Computer.

Hard drive (inserted in computer hard drive bay)

Battery pack (inserted in computer battery bay)

Weight savers (2) ■ Protects a vacant MultiBay and

Power cord External adapter models: connects AC

AC adapter Converts AC power to DC power.

Modem cable (internal modem models only)

Country-specific modem adapter (provided with internal modem models by region as required)

Security screws Contains tamper-resistant security

Primary hard drive when used in hard drive bay. Can also be used with an adapter in the MultiBay.

Primary battery pack. NOTE: The battery pack can be charged

and used as shipped, but battery charge displays will not be accurate until the battery pack is calibrated.

DualBay.

■ Can replace a MultiBay/DualBay

device to reduce computer weight.

NOTE: A weight saver can be inserted or removed while the computer is on, off, in Hibernation, or in Suspend.*

Adapter to AC electrical outlet.

Connects modem to RJ-11 telephone jack or to a country-specific adapter.

Adapts modem cable for use with nonRJ-11 telephone jacks.

screws for hard drive.

3-to-2-prong plug adapter (Japan only)

*In Windows 98 the term

Adapts the power cord for use with a 2-prong electrical outlet.

Standby

replaces the term

Suspend.

Getting Started 1-3

WARNING: To reduce the risk of personal injury, electric shock, fire,

or damage to the equipment:

■ Do not disable the power cord grounding plug. The grounding

plug is an important safety feature.

■ Plug the equipment into a grounded (earthed) electrical outlet that

is easily accessible at all times.

■ Disconnect power from the equipment by unplugging the power

cord from the electrical outlet.

■ Do not place anything on power cords or cables. Arrange them so

that no one may accidentally step on or trip over them. Do not pull on a cord or cable. When unplugging from the electrical outlet, grasp the cord by the plug.

1-4 Getting Started

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