Compaq N150 User Manual

Hardware Guide

Compaq Evo Notebook N150 Series

Part Number: 233050-001

May 2001

This guide provides comprehensive information on setting up the computer hardware and software, identifying computer components, using the battery pack, connecting external devices, and adding upgrades and accessories.

and Trademark Office. Evo is a trademark of Compaq Information Technologies Group, L.P. in the United States and other countries.

Microsoft, MS-DOS, Windows, Windows NT are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries.

Intel, Pentium, Intel Inside, and Celeron are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the United States and other countries.

All other product names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective companies.

Compaq shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein. The information in this document is provided “as is” without warranty of any kind and is subject to change without notice. The warranties for Compaq products are set forth in the express limited warranty statements accompanying such products. Nothing herein should

be construed as constituting an additional warranty.

Hardware Guide First Edition (May 2001) Part Number: 233050-001

Contents

1 Hardware and Software Setup

Setting Up the Hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–1

Setting Up the Software. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–6

Completing Initial Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–6

Installing Optional Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–7

After Software Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–7

2 A Look at the Computer

Front Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–1

Top Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–3

Right Side Component. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–7

Left Side Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–8

Rear Panel Components. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–10

Bottom Components. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–12

Additional Standard Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–14

3 Keyboard and Pointing Devices

Using the TouchPad. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3–1

Using Hotkeys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3–2

Hotkeys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3–3

Using the Embedded Numeric Keypad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3–5

Enabling the Numeric Keypad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3–5

Disabling the Numeric Keypad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3–6

Converting the Numeric Keypad

Keys to Standard Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3–6

Using the Easy Access Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3–6

Hardware Guide iii

Contents

4 Battery Packs

Charging Battery Packs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4–1

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

Replacing the Primary Battery Pack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4–2

Installing or Removing the Optional

Media Bay Battery Pack. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4–4

Using the Battery Quick Charge Check. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4–6

Calibrating the Battery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4–6

Storing a Battery Pack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4–8

Recycling a Used Battery Pack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4–8

5Drives

Caring for Drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5–1

Removing and Inserting the Hard Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5–2

Inserting or Removing a Media

Bay Drive. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5–3

Connecting the Optional

External Diskette Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5–4

Removing and Inserting Storage Media. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5–5

Inserting and Removing a Diskette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5–5

Inserting a Disc into the CD or DVD Drive . . . . . . . 5–6

Viewing the CD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5–7

Removing a Disc from the CD or DVD Drive . . . . . 5–7

Changing the Startup Sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5–8

6 Audio

Using Audio Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6–1

Connecting to the Stereo Line-Out/Headphone Jack 6–2

Connecting to the Stereo Line-In Jack . . . . . . . . . . . 6–3

Adjusting Volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6–3

7 External Device Connections

Connecting an External Keyboard or Pointing Device . . 7–1

Connecting an External Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7–2

Connecting a Serial Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7–2

iv Hardware Guide

Connecting a Parallel Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7–3

Connecting Infrared Equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7–3

Infrared Connection Guidelines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7–4

Infrared Configuration Guidelines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7–5

Enabling the Infrared Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7–5

Connecting USB Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7–6

Connecting a Modem or NIC Cable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7–6

Using the Security Slot. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7–8

8 Computer Upgrades and Add-Ons

Before Removing or Installing Components . . . . . . . . . . 8–1

Upgrading Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8–2

Removing and Inserting a

Memory Expansion Board. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8–3

Adding and Using PC Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8–6

Configuring a PC Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8–6

Inserting a PC Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8–7

Removing a PC Card. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8–8

Conserving Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8–8

Installing Additional Device Drivers. . . . . . . . . . . . . 8–9

Adding Wireless Devices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8–9

Media Bay Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8–10

External Diskette Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8–10

Battery Packs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8–10

Upgrading the Hard Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8–10

Contents

9 Specifications

Regulatory Agency Series Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9–1

Computer Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9–2

Operating Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9–2

Rated Input Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9–3

Port and COM Port Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9–3

Communications Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9–4

Hardware Guide v

Contents

10 Computer Utilities

Using the PhoenixBIOS Setup Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10–1

Power Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10–1

Enabling Power Savings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10–2

Timeout Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10–2

Setting Standby . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10–2

Hibernation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10–3

Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10–3

Index

vi Hardware Guide

Hardware and Software Setup

Setting Up the Hardware

1. Record the Product Key for your operating system. You will need to enter or verify this number during software setup. You may also need it to update or troubleshoot your operating system. The Product Key is located on the Certificate of Authenticity label on the bottom of the computer.

Locating the Product Key

Hardware Guide 1–1

Hardware and Software Setup

2. Locate the battery pack in the shipping box. If tape is covering the battery contacts, remove it before installing the battery pack.

3. Install the battery pack into the battery compartment. a. Turn the computer bottom side up. b. Insert the battery at a 45-degree angle into the

compartment 1, ensuring that the battery tabs are flush with the front edge of the compartment.

c. Press down the battery pack until the release latch 2

clicks.

Installing the battery pack

4. Turn the computer top side up and place it on a flat surface near an electrical outlet.

1–2 Hardware Guide

Hardware and Software Setup

WARNING: This is a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. For more Class B information, refer to the Regulatory and

Safety Notices guide on the

Library CD, included with the computer. To reduce the risk of personal injury, electric shock, fire, or damage to the equipment:

■ Do not disable the power cord grounding plug. It is an important

safety feature.

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

that is easily accessible at all times.

5. Connect the computer to external power. Plug the AC Adapter cable into the power connector 1. Plug the power cord into the AC Adapter 2 and into an electrical outlet 3.

Power cords and electrical outlets vary by country.

Compaq Notebook Products Reference

✎

Connecting the AC Adapter and power cord

Hardware Guide 1–3

Hardware and Software Setup

6. Open the computer by sliding the display latch to the right 1 and raising the display 2.

Opening the computer

1–4 Hardware Guide

Hardware and Software Setup

7. Turn on the computer by pressing the power button 1.

Turning on the computer

When power is turned on:

■ The power/standby light 2 turns on.

■ The battery pack in the battery compartment begins to charge

and the battery light 3 turns on. The battery light:

❏ Remains on while the battery pack is charging. ❏ Turns off when the battery pack is fully charged.

■ You are prompted to begin software setup.

Hardware Guide 1–5

Hardware and Software Setup

Setting Up the Software

Completing Initial Setup

You can begin initial setup as soon as the computer is connected to external power and the initial setup prompt is displayed on the screen.

Before responding to the initial setup prompt and proceeding through the online instructions, read the following caution and other initial setup information:

CAUTION: To prevent file corruption and ensure that the correct drivers install during initial setup:

■ Do not unplug the computer from the electrical outlet.

■ Do not shut down the computer.

■ Do not remove or insert a drive.

■ Once you begin initial software setup, you must complete the

entire process. Setup time varies by computer configuration.

■ If you are prompted to select a language or operating system,

choose carefully.

❏ The languages and operating system that you do not

choose will be deleted from the system and cannot be restored during initial setup.

❏ An operating system available during initial setup is

enhanced by Compaq. When an operating system is deleted, the enhancements are also deleted.

■ During the setup process, you must accept the End User

License Agreement to continue. The Product Key referenced on the License Agreement screen is on the Certificate of Authenticity label on the bottom of the computer. You may want to verify that the Product Ke y displayed on the screen is the same as the number on the label.

1–6 Hardware Guide

Installing Optional Applications

You can install third-party applications or preloaded Compaq utilities at any time after initial setup is complete.

■ To install a third-party application, refer to the documentation

included with the application.

■ To install a preloaded Compaq utility, select the Setup

Compaq Software icon on the Desktop, then follow the instructions on the screen.

If the icon does not display on the Desktop after initial setup is complete, select Start > Run. On the command line, type:

C:\cpqapps\setup.exe preload /s

To view the descriptions and space requirements of preloaded Compaq utilities without installing them, select the Setup Compaq Software icon on the Desktop, then select Next. After viewing the utility information, select Cancel.

After Software Setup

Hardware and Software Setup

After the initial setup is complete, you may want to:

■ Calibrate the battery pack.

Although you can use a new battery pack that has been fully charged to run the computer, the computer cannot accurately report the amount of charge in the battery pack until the battery pack has been calibrated. For calibration information and instructions, refer to the “Battery Packs” chapter in this guide.

■ Read suggestions for creating a safe and comfortable work

environment. Ergonomic and safety information about the computer is

provided in the Safety & Comfort Guide on the Notebook Products Reference Library CD included with the computer.

Hardware Guide 1–7

Hardware and Software Setup

WARNING: To reduce the risk of personal injury, electric shock, fire, or damage to the equipment:

■ 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.

1–8 Hardware Guide

A Look at the Computer

Front Components

Hardware Guide 2–1

A Look at the Computer

Front Components

Component Function

1 Stereo line-out/headphone

jack

2 Stereo line-in jack Connects a CD player, turner, or tape

3 Power light On: Power is turned on.

4 Battery light On: A battery pack is charging.

5 Hard drive Removable primary hard drive. Two

Connects stereo speakers, headphones, headset, or television audio.

deck.

Blinking: Computer is in Standby. The power light also blinks if a battery pack that is the only available power source reaches a low-battery condition.

Blinking: A battery pack that is the only available power source has reached a low-battery condition.

screws secure the drive to the computer.

2–2 Hardware Guide

Top Components

A Look at the Computer

Component Function

1 Power button Turns on the computer.To turn off the

computer, use the operating system Shut Down command.

2 Microphone Inputs single-channel sound to the

computer; can be used whether the computer is open or closed.

3 Easy Access Buttons Four buttons that provide quick access

to the Internet. Refer to Chapter 3, “Keyboard and Pointing Devices,” for information about these buttons.

4 Stereo Speakers (2) Produce Stereo Sound.

Hardware Guide 2–3

A Look at the Computer

Top Components

Component Function

5 Windows application key Displays the shortcut menu for the item

beneath the pointer.

6 TouchPad and TouchPad

buttons

7 Windows logo key Displays the Windows Start menu.

Moves the cursor, selects and activates. The right and left buttons function like buttons on an external mouse.

2–4 Hardware Guide

A Look at the Computer

Top Component Lights

Component Function

1 Drive light indicator Turns on when the hard drive, CD, or

DVD is accessed.

2 Diskette drive light Turns on when the diskette drive in the

Media Bay or the optional external diskette drive is accessed.

3 Num lock light On: Num lock is on and the embedded

numeric keypad is enabled.

4 Caps lock light On: Caps lock is on.

Hardware Guide 2–5

A Look at the Computer

Top Component Lights

Component Function

5 Scroll lock light On: Scroll is on. 6 Power light On: Power is turned on.

Blinking: Computer is in Standby. The power light also blinks if a battery pack that is the only available power source reaches a low-battery condition.

7 Battery charge light On: A battery is charging.

Blinking: A battery pack that is the only available power source has reached a low-battery condition.

2–6 Hardware Guide

Right Side Component

Component Function

A Look at the Computer

Media Bay Accepts a CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD,

diskette drive, or second battery pack.

Hardware Guide 2–7

A Look at the Computer

Left Side Components

Component Function

1 Security slot Attaches an optional security cable to

the computer.

2 Vent Allows airflow to cool internal

components.

CAUTION:To prevent damage,

the system will shut down if a severe overheating condition occurs. To prevent loss of information, do not block the cooling vent. Avoid placing the computer on a blanket, rug, or other flexible surface that may cover the vent area.

3 Air intake vent Cools internal components.

2–8 Hardware Guide

A Look at the Computer

Left Side Components

Component Function

4 RJ-11 jack (internal modem

models only)

5 USB connector Connects USB devices. 6 PC Card slots (2) Support a 32-bit (CardBus) or 16-bit

7 PC Card eject buttons Eject a PC Card from the PC Card slot.

Connects the modem cable to an internal modem. A modem cable is included with internal modem models.

PC Card.

Hardware Guide 2–9

A Look at the Computer

Rear Panel Components

Component Function

1 Infrared port Links to another IrDA-compliant device

for wireless communication.

2 Parallel connector Connects a parallel device. 3 Serial connector Connects a serial device. 4 Keyboard/mouse connector Connects an external keyboard or

PS/2-compatible external mouse.

To connect a keyboard and a

✎

mouse at the same time, use an optional Y-adapter.

5 RJ-45 jack (network models

only)

2–10 Hardware Guide

Connects the network cable. A network cable is not included with the computer.

A Look at the Computer

Rear Panel Components (Continued)

Component Function

6 USB connector Connects USB devices. 7 External monitor connector Connects an external monitor or

microportable projector.

8 DC power jack Connects any one of the following:

■ AC Adapter

■ Optional Automobile Power

Adapter/Charger

■ Optional Aircraft Power Adapter

Hardware Guide 2–11

A Look at the Computer

Bottom Components

Component Function

1 Media Bay release latch Releases the media bay device from the

connector.

2 Serial number Identifies the computer; needed when

you call Compaq customer support.

3 Fan Provides airflow to cool internal

components.

4 Reset button Manually resets the system if a failure

occurs.

WARNING: Resetting the

computer will cause unsaved information to be lost. Before performing a reset, close all applications and shut down Windows, if possible.

2–12 Hardware Guide

A Look at the Computer

Bottom Components (Continued)

Component Function

5 Memory expansion

compartment cover

6 Hard drive Removable primary hard drive. Two

7 Battery security latch Secures the battery pack in the battery

8 Battery release latch Releases the battery pack from the

9 Battery compartment Holds the primary battery pack.

- Media Bay Supports a CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD,

Covers the memory expansion compartment that contains a memory expansion slot for one memory expansion board.

screws secure the drive into the computer.

compartment.

battery compartment.

diskette drive or second battery pack.

Hardware Guide 2–13

+ 62 hidden pages