Epson ActionPC 5500 User Manual

IMPORTANT NOTICE

DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY

Epson America makes no representations or warranties, either express or implied, by or
with respect to anything in this manual, and shall not be liable for any implied warranties
of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose or for any indirect, special, or
consequential damages. Some states do not allow the exclusion of incidental or
consequential damages, so this exclusion may not apply to you.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Epson
America, Inc. No patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of information
contained herein. Nor is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of the
information contained herein. Further, this publication and features described herein are
subject to change without notice.

TRADEMARKS

EPSON is a registered trademark of Seiko Epson Corporation.
EPSON Connection is a service mark of Epson America, Inc.
General notice: Other product names used herein are for identification purposes only and

may be trademarks of their respective owners. EPSON disclaims any and all rights in
those marks.

The Energy Star emblem does not represent EPA endorsement of any product or service.

Copyright © 1995 by Epson America, Inc.
Torrance, California, USA

ii

8/95

Important Safety Instructions

Read all of these instructions and save them for later reference. Follow
all warnings and instructions marked on the computer.

Unplug the computer before cleaning. Clean with a damp cloth only.
Do not spill liquid on the computer.

Do not place the computer on an unstable surface or near a radiator
or heat register.

Do not block or cover the openings in the computer’s cabinet. Do not
insert objects through the slots.

Use only the type of power source indicated on the computer’s label.
Connect all equipment to properly grounded power outlets. Avoid

using outlets on the same circuit as photocopiers or air control
systems that regularly switch on and off.

Do not let the computer’s power cord become damaged or frayed.
If you use an extension cord with the computer, make sure it has a

3-prong plug. Also make sure the total Amp rating of the devices
plugged into the extension cord does not exceed the cords Amp
rating. Make sure the total of all devices plugged into the wall outlet
does not exceed 15 Amps.

Except as specifically explained in this User’s Guide, do not attempt to
service the computer yourself.

Unplug the computer and refer servicing to qualified service
personnel under the following conditions:

If the power cord or plug is damaged; if liquid has entered the
computer; if the computer has been dropped or the cabinet damaged;
if the computer does not operate normally or exhibits a distinct
change in performance. Adjust only those controls that are covered
by the operating instructions.

If you plan to use the computer in Germany, observe the following:
To provide adequate short-circuit protection and over-current

protection for this computer, the building installation must be
protected by a 16 Amp circuit breaker.

iii

Importances instructions de sécurité

Lire attentivement les instructions suivantes et les conserver pour les
consulter en cas de besoin. Observer soigneusement tous les
avertissements et directives marqués sur l’ordinateur.

Ž

Débrancher l'ordinateur avant de le nettoyer. N'utiliser qu’un chiffon

humide. Veiller à ne pas renverser de liquides sur l’appareil.

Ž

Ne pas placer l’ordinateur sur une surface instable ni près d'une

source de chaleur.

Ž

Ne pas bloquer ni couvrir les orifices d' aération de l’appareil. Ne pas

introduire d'objets dans les overtures.

Ž

Utiliser seulement le type de source d'alimentation électrique indiqué

sur l’étiquette.

Ž

Tout l’équipement doit être branché sur des prises de courant avec

contact de terre. Ne jamais utiliser une prise sur le même circuit
qu’un appareil à photocopies ou un système de contrôle de
ventilation avec commutation marche-arrêt automatique.

Ž

S'assurer que le cordon d'alimentation de l’ordinateur n’est pas

abîmé ni effiloché.

Ž

Dans le cas où on utilise un cordon de rallonge avec l’ordinateur,

s’assurer que l’intensité en ampères requise pour tous les appareils
branchés sur ce cordon ne soit pas supérieure à la capacité du cordon.
S'assurer aussi que cette intensité ne dépasse jamais la somme de 15
ampères pour l’ensemble des appareils.

Ž

Sauf dans les cas spécifiques expliqués dans ce manuel de l’usager,

ne pas essayer d'entretenir ou de réparer l’ordinateur soi-même.

Ž

Débrancher l’ordinateur et contacter un technician qualifié dans les

circonstances suivantes:
Si le cordon ou la prise sent abîmés; si un liquide a pénétré à

l’intérieur de l’appareil; si on a laissé tomber l’appareil ou si le boîtier
est endommagé; si l’ordinateur ne fonctionne pas normalement ou
fonctionne dune maniére très différente de l’ordinaire. N’ajuster que
les commandes décrites clans les directives.

Ž

Pour utiliser l’ordinateur en Allemagne, il est nécessaire que le

bâtiment soit muni d'un disjoncteur de 16 ampères pour protéger
l’ordinateur contre les courts-circuits et le survoltage.

iv

Wichtige Sicherheitshinweise

Bitte lesen Sie diese Sicherheitshinweise, und heben Sie sie zur späteren
Verwendung auf. Beachten Sie alle Warnungen und Anweisungen, die
auf dem Computer angebracht sind.

Ziehen Sie das Netzkabel des Computers vor der Reinigung heraus.
Verwenden Sie zur Reinigung nur ein feuchtes Tuch. Achten Sie
darauf, daß keine Flüssigkeiten auf dem Computer verschüttet
werden.

Stellen Sie den Computer nur auf einer stabilen Arbeitsfläche auf,
und halten Sie ihn von Heizkörpern und Warmluftquellen fern.

Achten Sie darauf, daß die Öffnungen im Computergehäuse nicht
blockiert oder verdeckt werden. Führen Sie keine Fremdkörper in die
Lüftungsschlitze ein.

Verwenden Sie nur die auf dem Typenschild des Computers
angegebene Stromversorgung.

Schließen Sie alle Geräte an ordnungsgemäß geerdete Steckdosen an.
Verwenden Sie keine Steckdosen, die mit demselben Stromkreis wie
Fotokopiergeräte oder Klimaanlagen, die sich regelmäßig ein- und
ausschalten, verbunden sind.

Achten Sie darauf, daß das Netzkabel des Computers stets in
einwandfreiem Zustand ist.

Stellen Sie bei Verwendung eines Verlängerungskabels sicher, daß
der gesamte Amperewert aller an das Verlängerungskabel
angeschlossenen Geräte den zulässigen Höchstwert des Kabels nicht
überschreitet. Stellen Sie ferner sicher, daß der Gesamtwert aller an
die Wandsteckdose angeschlossenen Geräte 15 Ampere nicht
überschreitet.

Führen Sie keine Wartungsarbeiten am Computer durch, die über
das im

Benutzerhandbuch

beschriebene Ausmaß hinausgehen.

v

Ž

Ziehen Sie den Computer heraus, und rufen Sie qualifiziertes

Wartungspersonal, wenn eine der folgenden Bedingungen auftritt:
Das Netzkabel oder der Netzstecker ist beschädigt; Flüssigkeit ist in

den Computer eingetreten; der Computer wurde fallengelassen oder
das Gehäuse ist beschädigt; der Computer funktioniert nicht
ordnungsgemäß oder die Leistung hat sich merklich geändert. Stellen
Sie nur die Bedienelemente ein, die in der Gebrauchsanweisung
beschrieben sind.

Ž

Nehmen Sie den Computer bei Flugreisen als Handgepäck mit in den

Fluggastraum, damit er nicht in einem drucklosen Frachtraum
verstaut wird.

Ž

Beachten Sie den folgenden Hinweis, wenn Sie den Computer in

Deutschland in Betrieb nehmen:
Beim Anschluß des Computers an die Netzversorgung muß

sichergestellt werden, daß die Gebaudeinstallation mit einem 16 A
Überstromschutzschalter abgesichert ist.

vi

Introduction

Your new EPSON® computer is a full powered, full featured
system that gives you complete access for all your business or
home computer needs. And because your computer is plug and
play compliant and designed to take advantage of Microsoft
Windows® 95, you’ll be able to use all the latest technology and
software.

With the computer’s high-performance processor and memory
you can run a vast array of the latest programs, utilities, and
games designed for productivity and fun.

Your system’s state-of-the-art PCI (Peripheral Component
Interconnect) bus architecture gives you fast and efficient
access to both PCI and IDE option cards. It also provides PCI
performance for IDE drives and your VGA or high-resolution
monitor.

And when you’re ready for even more capability, you can
install option cards or additional drives, upgrade your
processor, and expand your system and video memory.

®

Computer Features

Your computer offers the following features:

Upgradable 486-class processors

4

or 8MB of RAM (Random Access Memory), expandable

to 132MB using SIMMs

PCI-based system board providing PCI caching, memory,

bus control, and video control, as well as EIDE (Enhanced
Integrated Drive Electronics) and diskette drive device
control

Introduction 1

High-speed, PCI video controller with 32-bit DRAM video
interface and 32-bit PCI interface

Two PCI ATA-2 compatible IDE interfaces supporting up
to four IDE devices, such as hard disk drives and CD-ROM
drives (two on each interface)

8KB of internal cache in the processor
512KB or lMB of onboard video memory for resolutions

from 640 x 480 True Color™ support up to 1280 x 1024 with
16-color support (noninterlaced); memory expandable to
2MB

Three Energy Star compliant power-saving modes for the
CPU, video, and hard disk drives in standard
configurations

Three 16-bit, ISA (Industry Standard Architecture) option
slots and one PCI option slot supporting one PCI bus
option card

Space for up to three mass storage devices, two externally
accessible and one internal.

Power-saving Feature

In standard configurations, this computer complies with the
United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star
Program, which promotes the manufacture of energy-efficient
printers, computers, and monitors. Your computer’s
power-saving feature places the CPU, video, and hard disk
drives in three different power-saving modes when the mouse
and keyboard have been inactive for a specified period of time.
You can customize the power-saving feature in SETUP.

2 Introduction

ISA and PCI Expansion Buses

Your computer includes expansion buses for two types of
option cards: ISA and PCI. The PCI bus provides extremely fast
data transfer (33 MHz) for a high-performance PCI card, such
as a high-speed video card. PCI cards use plug and play
technology that automatically configures resources used by the
card, such as interrupt requests and memory addresses.

The ISA bus transfers data at 8.33 MHz for up to three 16-bit
ISA option cards. You can use these slots for standard ISA 8-or

16-bit cards such as fax/modem cards, sound cards, and SCSI
(Small Computer System Interface) cards.

SVGA Feature Connector

If you install a high-resolution graphics adapter card or a
full-motion, multimedia card, you can connect it to the
computer’s SVGA (Super Video Graphics Array) feature
connector. This allows you to use the adapter’s special graphics
features while accessing the standard SVGA signals provided
by your main system board.

System and Video BIOS

The computer’s system and video BIOS are contained in a flash
memory device on the main system board, which you can
upgrade using special software, without replacing the chip.

Your computer supports shadowing of the system and video
BIOS to allow BIOS routines to run from fast, 32-bit RAM
instead of from the slower ROM devices.

Introduction 3

How to Use This Manual

This manual contains the information you need to get the best
results from your computer. You don’t have to read everything;
see the following chapter summaries to find the sections you
need.

Chapter 1

connecting peripheral devices such as the monitor and printer.

Chapter 2

your computer’s configuration and how to install the PCI IDE
drivers.

Chapter 3

your power-saving feature and using a password.

Chapter 4

cover, change jumper settings, and install optional equipment
such as option cards, memory modules, and video memory.

Chapter 5

devices.

Chapter 6

Appendix A

At the end of this manual, you’ll find a glossary and an index.

provides instructions for setting up your system and

explains how to run the SETUP program to change

covers general operating procedures, such as using

explains how to remove and replace the computer’s

explains how to install and remove mass storage

contains troubleshooting tips.

lists the specifications of your computer.

4 Introduction

Where to Get Help

If you purchased your computer outside the United States or

Canada, contact your EPSON dealer or the marketing location

nearest you for customer support and service.

If you need help with any software program you are using, see
the documentation for that program for technical support
information.

Electronic Support Services

If you have a modem, the fastest way to access helpful tips,
specifications, drivers, application notes, DIP switch or jumper
settings, and bulletins for EPSON products is through the
online services below.

EPSON bulletin board service

You can call the EPSON bulletin board service (BBS) 24 hours a

day at [phone]. No membership is required. Make sure
your communications software is set to 8 data bits with no stop
bit, 1 parity bit, and a modem speed up to 28.8 Kbps. See the

documentation that came with your communications software

for more information.

CompuServe online support

CompuServe® members can call the Epson America Forum on

CompuServe. If you are already a member, simply type

GO EPSON at the menu prompt to reach the Forum.

Introduction 5

If you are not currently a member, you are eligible for a free
introductory membership as an owner of an EPSON product.
This membership entitles you to:

An introductory $15 credit on CompuServe

Your own user ID and password

A complimentary subscription to

CompuServe Magazine,

CompuServe’s monthly publication.

To take advantage of this offer, call [phone] in the United
States and Canada and ask for representative #529. In other
countries, call the following U.S. telephone number:
[phone], or your local CompuServe access number.

6 Introduction

Contents

INTRODUCTION

Computer Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Power-saving Feature . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .

ISA and PCIExpansion Buses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SVGA Feature Connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

System and Video BIOS . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .

How to Use This Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Where to Get Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Electronic Support Services . . . . . . . . .

CHAPTER 1

Choosing a Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Setting the Voltage Selector Switch . . . . . . .

Connecting System Components . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Connecting a Keyboard or Mouse . . . . . . .

Connecting a Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Connecting a Parallel or Serial Device . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Connecting the Power Cord . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Turning On the Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Turning Off the Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CHAPTER 2

Starting the SETUP Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2

SETUP Function Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4

Setting Standard Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 2-4

Setting Advanced Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2-6

Setting Advanced IDE Drive Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8

Setting Power Management Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9

Setting Options for Peripheral Controllers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11

Detecting Your Hard Disk Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12

Selecting SETUP Colors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 2-13

SETTING UP YOUR SYSTEM

RUNNING SETUP AND INSTALLING DRIVERS

1
2
3
3
3
4
5
5

1-1
1-2
1-3
1-3
1-4
1-5
1-7
1-8
1-9

vii

Setting System Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 2-13

Determining a Password Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14

Setting a Password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 2-14

Deleting Your Password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 2-15

Using the Anti-Virus Option. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15

Using SETUP Defaults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16

Exiting SETUP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2-17

Installing System Drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17

Installing the PCI IDE Drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18

Installing Video Drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-20

CHAPTER 3

Working Comfortably . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 3-1

Backing Up Your Files . . . . .

Using Energy Wisely . . . . . . .

Using Your Power-saving Feature
Inserting and Removing Diskettes
Stopping a Command or Program

Resetting the Computer . . . . .

Using a Password . . . . . . . . .

Changing the Processor Speed .

USING YOUR COMPUTER

Using the Right Furniture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2

Positioning Your Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3

Lighting Your Workspace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4

Using the Keyboard and Mouse. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4

Maintaining Good Posture and Work Habits . . . . . . . . . 3-5

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3-6
3-6
3-6
3-8
3-9
3-10
3-11
3-12

CHAPTER 4 INSTALLING AND REMOVING OPTIONS

Removing the Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 4-2

Replacing the Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 4-4

Locating the Internal Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5

Locating System Board Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6

Changing the Jumper Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7

Setting the Jumpers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 4-10

Installing Memory Modules (SIMMs) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11

Inserting SIMMs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 4-13

Removing SIMMs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4-15

viii

Installing an Option Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-16

Removing an Option Card..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...4-19

Removing the Option Card Connector Board . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-19

Replacing the Option Card Connector Board . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-20

Adding Video Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 4-21

Using the SVGA Feature Connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-23

Upgrading the Processor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 4-24

Post-installation Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-26

CHAPTER 5

Setting the IDE Device Jumpers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2

Installing a Hard Disk Drive in the Internal Bay . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3

Installing the Hard Disk Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3

Connecting the Cables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 5-7

Removing a Hard Disk Drive from the Internal Bay . . . . . . . . 5-10

Installing a Drive in an Externally Accessible Bay . . . . . . . . . . 5-12

Attaching Mounting Frames to the Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12

Installing the Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 5-13

Connecting the Power Cables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16

Removing a Drive From an Externally Accessible Bay . . . . . . . 5-20

CHAPTER 6

Identifying Your System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 6-2

The Computer Will Not Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3

The Computer Does Not Respond . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5

Keyboard Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 6-6

Mouse Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 6-6

Monitor Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 6-6

INSTALLING AND REMOVING DRIVES

TROUBLESHOOTING

ix

APPENDIX A

CPU and Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Controllers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Interfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Mass Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Mouse. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SETUP Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Power Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Option Slot Power Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Physical Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Environmental Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Video Resolutions and Colors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Processor Upgrades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Information for Qualified Hard Disk Drives . . . . . . . . .

DMA Assignments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Hardware Interrupts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

System MemoryMap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

System I/O Address Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Connector Pin Assignments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Tested Operating Environments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Options Available from EPSON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SPECIFICATIONS

A-2
A-3
A-4
A-5
A-5

A-5
A-6
A-6
A-6
A-7
A-7
A-8
A-8
A-9
A-10
A-11
A-11
A-12
A-13
A-14
A-14

GLOSSARY

INDEX

x

Chapter 1

Setting Up Your System

This chapter briefly describes how to set up your computer. It

includes the following information:

Choosing a location
Setting the voltage selector switch
Connecting system components

Turning the computer on and off.

Choosing a Location

Before you set up your system, choose a convenient location

that provides a flat, hard surface. Do not place your system too
close to any electrical device, such as a radio, that generates an
electromagnetic field. Protect your computer from extremes in
temperature, humidity, dust, and smoke, and avoid direct
sunlight and other sources of heat.

Read the “Important Safety Instructions” at the front of this

manual for more information about choosing a suitable

environment for your system.
Also read “Working Comfortably” in Chapter 3 for guidelines

on creating a comfortable and safe working environment.

Setting Up Your System

1-1

Setting the Voltage Selector Switch

Your system is powered by a 145 Watt power supply. The
power supply input voltage is controlled by a switch on the

computer’s back panel that may be set to 115 VAC or 230 VAC.

The computer is shipped with the voltage selector switch set to

115 VAC, which is appropriate for line source voltages between
100 and 120 VAC. This is generally the correct setting if you use

the computer in North America, South America, or Japan.
If you plan to operate the computer in the United Kingdom,

Europe, or some South American countries, you will almost
certainly need to reset the voltage selector switch to 230 VAC.
Line source voltages between 200 and 240 VAC are acceptable
with the switch set to 230 VAC.

Caution

Before you turn on the power to your system, make sure the
voltage selector is set appropriately for the electrical power
source in your location or you will seriously damage your
system.

To change the voltage selector switch setting, insert the tip of a
flat screwdriver into the notch on the switch. Slide the switch to
the right to select 115 VAC or to the left to select 230 VAC.

1-2

Setting Up Your System

Connecting System Components

Use the illustrations below to locate the ports on the back of
your system as you connect the keyboard, monitor, printer, and
other devices. The icons on the case identify the function of
each port.

Caution

Be sure the power is off before you connect any device to the
computer; otherwise you will damage the system board.

Connecting a Keyboard or Mouse

Refer to the illustration above as you connect your keyboard
and mouse.

To connect the keyboard, hold the cable connector so the

arrow on the connector faces up. Insert it into the
keyboard port, marked with the icon shown at the left.

Setting Up Your System

1-3

To connect the mouse, insert the connector into the
computer’s built-in mouse port so the arrow or mark on
the connector faces up. The icon for the mouse is shown
at the left.

Caution

Although the connectors and ports for the mouse and
keyboard are physically identical, they cannot be used
interchangeably. Be sure to plug the connectors into the
appropriate ports, or you may damage your system.

Your mouse drivers for Windows applications have been
installed for you. If you need to install other mouse drivers, see
your mouse manual for instructions.

Connecting a Monitor

Refer to the illustration on page 1-3 as you connect your VGA
or SVGA monitor to the computer’s built-in monitor port.

Follow these steps to connect your monitor:

1. Place your monitor near the computer. Turn the monitor
and computer around so the backs are facing you.

2.

There should be two cables provided with your monitor: the

monitor cable (to connect it to the computer) and the power
cable (to connect it to a power source). On most monitors,
the monitor cable is permanently attached to the monitor. If
your monitor does not have an attached cable, connect the
cable to it now.

1-4

Setting Up Your System

3.

Examine the connector on the monitor cable and line it up

with the monitor port on the computer. Then insert the

connector into the port.

This icon identifies the VGA monitor port.

Caution

To avoid damaging the connector, be careful not to bend
the pins when you insert it.

4.

If the connector has retaining screws, tighten them.

5.

Plug the monitor’s power cord into the power inlet on the

back of the monitor.

6.

Plug the other end of the power cord into a grounded

electrical outlet or into the power outlet on the back of the
computer.

Caution

Before you plug the monitor’s power cord into the back
of your computer, make sure the monitor’s power
requirements do not exceed 2 Amps at 115 volts and
1 Amp at 220 volts.

Connecting a Parallel or Serial Device

Your computer has one multimode parallel (printer) port and

two serial ports. To connect a printer or other peripheral
device, refer to the illustration on page 1-3 as you follow the
instructions in this section.

Setting Up Your System

1-5

Using the parallel (printer) port

Follow these steps to connect a parallel device to your
computer:

1. Place the parallel device and the computer so that the backs
are facing you.

2. Align the connector end of the parallel cable with the printer
port and plug it in. If the connector has retaining screws,
tighten them.

This icon identifies the printer port.

3. Connect the other end of the cable to the parallel device. To
secure the cable, squeeze the clips at each side of the device
port and push them into place.

4. Plug the parallel device’s power cord into a grounded
electrical outlet.

If you want to take advantage of the port’s extended

capabilities, see “Setting Options for Peripheral Controllers” in
Chapter 2.

Note

If you use ECP (Extended Capabilities Port) mode, be sure
the parallel device also has ECP capabilities. Check your
parallel device software documentation for the correct DMA

channel (DRQ) setting. Then set jumpers JP30 and JP31 to

match this setting. See “Changing the Jumper Settings” in

Chapter 4 for more information.

1-6

Setting Up Your System

Using the serial ports

If you have a printer, a modem, or other device with a serial
interface, you can connect it to one of the serial (RS-232C) ports.
Make sure you have a cable compatible with a DB-9P connector.

To connect a serial device, insert the connector into

either of the two serial ports, which are marked with the

icons shown at the left.

Connecting the Power Cord

Follow these steps to connect the computer’s power cord:

1. Plug the power cord into the power inlet on the back of the
computer.

WARNING

To avoid an electric shock, be sure to plug the cord into
the computer before plugging it into the wall outlet.

2.

Plug the other end of the cord into an electrical outlet.

Setting Up Your System

1-7

Turning On the Computer

Once you set up your system, you’re ready to turn on the
power. Refer to the illustration below to locate the
button and other features on the front panel.

Caution

Before you turn on your system, be sure to read "Important
Safety Instructions” at the front of this manual to ensure that
you have created a safe working environment.

POWER

Follow these steps to turn on your system:

1.

Turn on the monitor, printer, and any other devices
connected to the computer.

2.

Turn on the computer by pressing the
right side of the front panel.

1-8

Setting Up Your System

POWER

button on the

The power

(SPEED)

indicator lights up; then the computer
performs its power-on diagnostics, which are a series of
checks to make sure everything is working correctly.

During diagnostics, if you see a message telling you to

press

Del

to run the SETUP program, ignore this prompt

for now.

3.

You see the first screen of your operating system.

You’re now ready to start enjoying your new system, although
you may want to run SETUP to set the time, enable power

saving features, or setup a password. See Chapter 2 for

instructions.

Turning Off the Computer

Whenever you turn off your system, follow these steps:

1. Save your data and exit any application programs. If you are
running Windows 95, select Shut Down.

2.

Check the drive lights to make sure they are not on. You can

damage the drive or lose data if you turn off the computer
when one of these lights is on.

3.

Remove any diskettes from the diskette drives.

4.

Press the

5.

Turn off the monitor, printer, and any other peripheral

POWER

button to turn off the computer.

devices.

Setting Up Your System

1-9

1-10

Setting Up Your System

Chapter 2

Running SETUP and Installing Drivers

If you reconfigure your system or add options, you must use a
configuration program called SETUP, which is contained
within your system’s BIOS. SETUP lets you change the settings
for your hardware configuration, security options, and
power-saving features. The configuration information you
enter is stored in the computer’s ROM (read-only memory) and
is backed up by a battery, so it is not erased when you turn off
or reset your computer.

If you are using Windows 3.1 and need to reconfigure your
hard disk drive, you may also need to install video and PCI
IDE drivers.

This chapter describes the following SETUP and driver
installation procedures:

Starting the SETUP program

Setting standard options
Setting advanced options
Setting advanced IDE drive options

Setting power management options
Setting options for peripheral controllers

Detecting your hard disk drive

Selecting SETUP colors
Setting system security
Using SETUP defaults

Running SETUP and Installing Drivers 2-1

Exiting SETUP

Installing system drivers.

Starting the SETUP Program

To start the SETUP program, turn on the computer and

Del

immediately press and release the
power-on diagnostics and displays the main SETUP screen.

This screen contains four windows from which you can select
icons that allow you to perform SETUP functions.

The Setup window lets you configure the following basic and
advanced features:

Standard options, such as date and time and drive
configurations (see page 2-4)

Advanced options, such as boot options and display types

(see page 2-6)

Advanced Hard Disk Drive options, such as LBA mode and
data transfer options for each IDE device (see page 2-8)

key. This interrupts the

2-2

Power Management options, including time-out periods for
Doze, Sleep, and Suspend modes (see page 2-9)

Peripheral options that enable on-board controllers and
identify the memory address each device uses (see
page 2-11).

Running SETUP and Installing Drivers

The Utility window provides the following icons:

Detect Master lets you auto detect the parameters of the

master hard disk drive (see page 2-12)

DetectSlave lets you auto detect parameters for a slave hard

disk drive (see page 2-12)

Color Set lets you choose colors you want to use for your

SETUP utility (see page 2-13).

The Security window contains two icons:

Password lets you setup a password for when you either

start your system or run SETUP (see page 2-13)

Anti-Virus lets you enable virus protection on your system

(see page 2-15).

The Defaults window lets you reset SETUP values for your
system according to your needs (see page 2-16).

Running SETUP and Installing Drivers

2-3

SETUP Function Keys

You can use the mouse to click on a selection to highlight it and
double-click on a selection to open it. You can also use the keys
in the following table to perform

SETUP function keys

SETUP

operations.

Press

Tab
Enter
Page Up
Page Down

Home
End

Esc
Alt H
Alt Space

To

Move the cursor to the next or previous icon or option setting

Move the cursor to the next window
Select the current option or value
Go back one page at a time, within a set of data pages
Go forward one page at a time, within a set of data pages
Go to the first page within a set of data pages
Go to the last page within a set of data pages

Return to the previous window

Display a list of keys and their functions

Exit SETUP

Setting Standard Options

When you select the
you see the Standard Setup window. Standard Setup lets you

set the system time and date, define the diskette drives, and

view or select the master and slave hard disk drive parameters.

Standard

icon from the Setup window,

2-4

Running SETUP and Installing Drivers