Epson ActionNote 866C, ActionNote 880C, ActionNote 880CX Product Support Bulletin

EPSON PRODUCT SUPPORT BULLETIN

Date:
PSB No.:
Reference:
Originator:
Authorization:
Affected Product(s):

Subject:

The purpose of this document is to provide information on configuring the ActionNote 866C, ActionNote
880C and ActionNote 880CX computer systems to ensure that Windows NT 3.51 will operate properly.

Reason For This Bulletin:
An issue was reported that the unit would lock up if the computer’s internal cache was enabled and if the

option “Shutdown and Restart” was selected in Windows NT 3.51.
Configuration Changes:

1. The notebook should have at least BIOS version 1.01T. To see if this FLASH BIOS is installed on the
computer, turn the computer on and watch the screen. The following will appear :

PhoenixBIOS(TM) A486 Ver 1.03,
Copyright (C) 1985-1993 Phoenix Technologies Ltd.
All Rights Reserved

7/31/96
PSB.1996.07.001
SI 960139
AV
KAS
AN 866C, AN 880C, and AN 880CX
Using Windows NT 3.51 on the ActionNote 866C, 880C, and 880CX Notebooks

(C) Copyright 1994 Seiko Epson Corp.

V1.01T

If it says Ver 1.00B or 1.00C, the system needs the FLASH BIOS upgrade. The FLASH BIOS can be
downloaded from the Epson Forum on CompuServe or the Epson Download Service. To access the
Epson Forum on CompuServe, type in GO EPSON and download the file AN101T.EXE. To access
the file on the Epson Download Service, dial 800-442-2007. The file is located in the
Portable/Notebook Computer Library and the name of the file is AN101T.EXE. If you are unable to
download the file, it is available through the Epson Connection.

2. The hard disk settings in the system SETUP will need to be changed. Normally, the Hard Disk
selection in the system SETUP is set for AUTO hard drive detection. This setting can cause the
issues discussed above for various hard drives. This setting will need to be changed to USER
DEFINED and the parameters of the installed hard drive will need to be entered. For example, if the
TOSHIBA MK1824FCV hard drive is installed, the hard drive setting must be changed to USER
DEFINED and the following parameters need to be entered.

Cylinders: 682
Heads:
Sectors: 63

This will allow the system to utilize the Toshiba MK1824FCV hard drive with Windows NT 3.51.

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Note:

When using a hard drive that has parameters larger than the allowable size mandated by the BIOS,
only 504 MB of that hard drive will be usable. For example, the Toshiba MK1924FCV hard drive has
the following parameters:

Cylinders:
Heads:

1053
16

Sectors: 63
Allowing for a maximum size of 540 MB of hard drive space. However, the notebooks will only accept

the following parameters.
Cylinders:

Heads:

1024
16

Sectors: 63
This will limit the usable hard drive space to 504 MB.

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