Epson Apex 100 Product Support Bulletin

Product Support Bulletin

Subject: Proper Method for Running Benchmark and Diagnostics Programs

EPSON

Date: 06/04/93
Page(s): 1 of 1

This bulletin describes the proper method for running any benchmark or diagnostics
programs. This applies to any computer system.

In most cases, the computer should be started using an MS-DOS boot diskette
that’s ‘clean’ ­The appropriate executable can then be run, either from diskette or hard drive.

There will be some exceptions to the above rule. In attempting to benchmark or
troubleshoot any add-on that requires a device driver (CD-ROM, local area network,

etc.), obviously the necessary device driver(s) must be loaded. Also, some

programs will require a minimum number of FILES or BUFFERS to be defined in
the CONFIG.SYS file. Such programs will usually display this requirement if they
are run without the necessary CONFIG.SYS file.

For the most consistent results, use the absolute minimal boot configuration that’s

allowed by the hardware being tested.

in other words, one with no CONFIG.SYS or AUTOEXEC.BAT files.

PSB No: S-0158
Originator: MWT

Product Support Bulletin

Subject:
Date:

Page:
The purpose of this bulletin is to provide the 80386 Accelerator board test

results, conducted by the Computer Product Support Center, involving the
SOTA 386si from SOTA Technology, inc.

The Equity models tested were the Equity I, Equity II Equity I + and Equity le.
The Apex models tested were the Apex, Apex Plus and Apex 100. All were
tested with Norton Utilities and MS - DOS.

The table below shows compatibility and the Norton SI rating of the
various systems.

Model
Equity I

Equity I+

Equity/Apex Compatibility with the SOTA 386si

3/02/90

1 of 3

Norton SI

12.0

12.0/16.9

Compatibility
Functioned normally with Norton Utilities and

MS- DOS 2.11
Functioned normally with MS - DOS 3.3 and

Norton Utilities at both CPU speeds.

PSB No:

Originator:

S-0111

MS ;. CL5

Equity le

Equity II

Apex

Apex Plus

Apex 100

NA

14.3

15.9

11.5

12.0/16.9

Unable to boot at 10MHz. Performance
erratic at 4.77MHz

Functioned normally with MS - DOS 3.2 and
Norton Utilities. (Tested only at 7.16MHz.)

Unable to boot at 4.77MHz. Functioned
normally at 8MHz with MS - DOS 3.2 and
Norton Utilities.

Unable to boot at 9.54MHz. Functioned
normally at 4.77MHz with MS - DOS 3.2 and
Norton Utilities.

Functioned normally with MS - DOS 3.3 and
Norton Utilities.

PSB No: S-0111
Page: 2 of 3

Installation of the board in most of the units was quick and simple to do when
following the installation instructions accompanying the boards. Installation of
the SOTA 386si in the Equity I and the Equity II is rather difficult. Due to the

amount of disassembly required, we strongly recommend that only Authorized

Service Centers install the board in the Equity I and Equity II.

Installation Instructions

Equity I

1. Remove the following from the main unit:
a) upper case

b) rear panel
c) front panel
d) FDD/power supply block.

2. Follow instructions for a standard installation for the SOTA 386si in an
8088 - based system.

not to prevent reassembly.

folded.

Take care to fold the SOTA connector cable so as

The cable is sturdy and will tolerate being

3. Reassemble the main unit and go through the testing and initialization

procedure outlined in the SOTA manual.

Equity II

1. Remove the following from the main unit:
a) upper case
b) rear panel

c) front panel

d) FDD/power supply block.

2. Follow instructions for a standard installation for the SOTA 386si in an
8086 - based system.
not to prevent reassembly. This will necessitate routing the cable so that it

does not conflict with the power connection to the main system board.
The cable is sturdy and will tolerate being folded.

3. Reassemble the main unit and go through the testing and initialization
procedure outlined in the SOTA manual.

Take care to fold the SOTA connector cable so as

PSB No: S-0111
Page: 3 of 3

Our Computer Product Support Center receives numerous calls requesting
information and recommendations on 80386 Accelerator boards for use with the
Equity and Apex (8088-

We have found that the SOTA 386si may meet your requirements and are

competitively priced!

Although these boards were tested by qualified product support specialists,

Epson America makes no representations that these third party products are
compatible with all hardware configurations or software applications.

We recommend that you certify these products with your specific hardware and
software requirements and consult with the third party vendor to ensure reliable
operation.

SOTA Technology can be reached at:

SOTA Technology, Inc.
657 N. Pastoria Ave.
Sunnyvale, CA 94086

Phone: (408) 245 - 3366

and 8086 - based) personal computers.

Product Support Bulletin

Subject:

Date: 9/5/89
Page:

Q. Where can I obtain help regarding software or hardware questions on the

APEX 100 computer?

A. PFS First Choice applications software

Software Publishing Corp. provides the warranty and end - user support for
the First Choice software. Please refer to the First Choice User’s Guide for
customer support information.
support is (415) 962 - 9002.

APEX 100 Hardware and MS- DOS software support

Epson America Inc. provides technical support for questions regarding the
MS - DOS (software) and the APEX 100 computer, Apex printer and Apex
monitors (hardware). Customers can obtain support by calling our Product

Support Department at (213) 539 - 9955, or by writing to:

Apex 100 Computer -

1 of 8

Answers to Common Questions

PSB No:
Originator:

The telephone number for PFS First Choice

S-009

Epson America, Inc.
Product Support Department
23610 Telo Ave.

Torrance, Ca. 90505

Q. Where can I obtain warranty repair service for my Epson Apex products?

A. Epson America, Inc. has a network of Authorized Epson Customer Care

Centers located throughout the U.S. If you require service please call our

toll free Consumer Information number at (800) 922- 8911 to locate the

nearest Apex Customer Care Center for service or product upgrades. You
must provide proof of purchase for warranty service.

Q. Does the APEX 100 have a serial interface port?

A. Yes, an IBM PC- compatible (25 - pin connector) serial port is standard

with the APEX 100 and can be used to connect a serial device such as

an external modem, serial mouse or a serial printer.

PSB No: S-0097
Page: 2 of 8

Q. What kind of printer can I use with the APEX 100?
A. The APEX 100 includes an IBM PC - compatible parallel interface which is

used to connect any printer or plotter with a standard parallel interface.
An IBM PC- compatible parallel printer cable (not included) is required to
connect a printer to the computer.

Epson currently offers outstanding printers in the ActionPrinter line. The
T - series printers are 9 - pin printers with near letter quality print.

1000 is an 80 column printer and the T750 is a 136 column printer. The
L- series printers are 24 - pin printers with superb letter quality print. The
L1000 is an 80 column printer and the L750 is a 136 column printer.

Q. What type of hard disk drive does Epson use with the APEX 100\20 and

what is the average disk access time.

A. Epson uses a 3.5” (5.25” frame), 20 MB, Miniscribe 8425, MFM hard disk

drive with an average access time of 69ms. The average power draw is

10 watts.

The T-

Q. Can a hard disk drive be added to the APEX 100 model?
A. Yes, you can either replace the lower floppy disk drive with an internal

half height hard disk drive (5.25” frame) and IBM PC/XT- compatible
controller or install a hard disk card.
hardcard is that you keep both floppy drives which comes in handy for
disk copying.

the hard disk drive requires a separate hard disk controller card while the

hardcard’ plugs into an I/O expansion slot. We recommend a hard disk

which draws 14 watts or less.
Another thing which you must consider, if you decide on using a hardcard

is the size (width) of the hardcard.

one slot, usually 1 - 1/2 slots, which means they will fit in one slot if the

board next to them is a half length board. The Plus Development
hardcards are very thin so they will fit regardless of what type of board is
in the adjacent slot. A less expensive 1 - 1/2 slot hardcard which we have

tested in the APEX 100 is the Standard Brand hardcard. This hardcard is

available in both 20MB (Flashcard - 20) and 30MB (Flashcard - 30) models.

We recommend using a Western Digital (Model WD1002A- WX1) hard disk

controller card, as this model has been tested with the APEX 100.

In either case you will use an I/O expansion slot because

One advantage to installing a

Most hardcards take up more than

PSB No: S-0097
Page: 3 of 8

Q. Can a hardcard be installed in addition to a hard disk drive?
A. Yes, but you must be sure that you do not mix MFM and RLL type hard

drives and you must be sure that the power supply is not overloaded by
using low powered hard disk drives (less than 12 watts avg. each). The
hardcard must also have a jumper for selecting it as drive 2 to avoid
conflict with the first hard disks drive’s controller.

Q. What hard disk controllers can I use?
A. The Western Digital (WD1002A- WX1) hard disk controller is recommended

for use in the APEX 100 for MFM type HDDs.
XTGEN controller as there are known compatibility problems. RLL type
hard disk drives require RLL controllers.
20MB, the WD1002A- WX2 hard disk controller with Western Digital’s
SuperBios ROM should be used.

For MFM disk drives larger than

Do not use the WD1002-

Q. What type of floppy disk drives does the APEX 100 have and what kind

of floppy diskettes should I use?

A. The APEX 100 - series computers use half - height, 5 1/4”, 360KB floppy

disk drives.
soft- sector, 48 TPI floppy diskettes.

marked DSDD or 2S - 2D, Soft- Sector, 48TPI.
be formatted using the FORMAT command on the MS- DOS utilities

provided before being used.
Q. Can I use other types of floppy disk drives with the APEX 100?
A. The Epson 3.5”, half - height, 720KB floppy drive (Epson Model code

A112A - AA) has been tested with the APEX 100 computer and is
compatible (available from Epson Computer Products dealers).

5.25”, 1.2MB and 3.5”, 1.44MB, half - height floppy disk drives are not
supported with the APEX 100 personal computer in its standard

configuration.

Q. Is it possible to disable the APEX 100 floppy disk controller?

A. Yes, move jumper J1 on the system board from position A to position B.

Make sure to use only double - sided, double-density,

The diskette boxes are usually

New blank diskettes must

Third party external drives can be used for this requirement.

PSB No: S-0097
Page: 4 of 8

Q. Can I add an external floppy disk drive to the APEX 100?
A. Epson does not currently manufacture an optional external floppy disk drive

for the APEX 100, however, the following companies manufacture external

3.5” and 5.25” floppy disk drives which are compatible with the APEX 100.
Manzana Microsystems Inc.

7334 Hollister Ave.,
P.O. Box 2117
Goleta, CA 93118
(805) 968 - 1387

Q. Where can I get application software for the APEX 100 computer?
A. You can use virtually all software programs written for the IBM PC/XT

computers. Make sure the system requirements on the software package
matches your computer configuration and video adapter type. Software is

available through Epson Accessories, Inc. at 1 - 800 - 873 - 7766, or at your

local software store.

Q. Can I install a Math- Coprocessor chip and what type do I need?
A. A Math-Coprocessor chip is an option which speeds up the floating point

math functions used in many spreadsheet and math - intensive software
applications. It can be purchased at electronic parts retailers and computer
stores (Epson America Inc. does not supply them). An Intel 8087- 1
Math - Coprocessor chip which runs at 10MHz is recommended for use with

the APEX 100 computer.

socket provided at I.C. location 3M on the APEX 100 system board.

Suite

B

The Nth Group
3198

Morro
(805)

The Math-Coprocessor chip is installed in the

Main

Bay,

772 -

Str.

CA 93442

6121

Sysgen, Inc.
556 Gibraltar Dr.
Milpitas, CA 95035
(408) 263 - 4411

Q. Can I use an IBM Enhanced style keyboard with the APEX 100?
A. Yes, you may use a third- party “enhanced- style” keyboard such as the

IBM XT- 101, NorthGate C/T - 101, Datadesk Turbo - 101, Keytronics 101,
5150 and 5151 or the standard PC/XT type 84 - key keyboards by selecting

the proper dip switch setting on the front panel of the APEX 100.

Q. What kind of mouse works with the APEX 100?
A. There are many IBM PC- compatible mice that will work with the APEX

100. Most manufacturers make two different types. A bus mouse comes

with its own interface board and takes up an I/O expansion slot in the

computer.
require any I/O expansion slots.
Systems are popular models that can be used.

A serial mouse plugs directly into the serial port and doesn’t

Microsoft, Logitech, Genius, and Mouse

PSB No: S-0097
Page: 5 of 8

Q. Can I use the APEX 100 Monochrome Monitor (Model # AP - 1040) with

other IBM PC - compatible computers?

A. The Apex 12” Monochrome monitor (Model AP - 1040) uses a TTL video

signal which is IBM PC - compatible and can be used with other computers
that have a monochrome TTL video board. It should not be confused,

however, with the earlier Apex composite video monochrome monitor (Model

# AP - 1010A) which is not compatible with the APEX 100 video board.

Q. Can I use the Apex color monitor with other IBM PC- compatible

computers and what are the specifications?

A. The Apex 13” color monitor (Model AP - 1020B) is an IBM PC - compatible,

16 color, RGB, dual function monitor which can be set up for either color
or green screen mode with a switch on the rear panel. It has a 640 x
200 (black and white) or 320 x 200 (4 color) graphics dot resolution. It
can display 16 colors in 80 column x 25 row text mode. The dot pitch
is .52mm.

Q. What other monitors are compatible with the APEX 100 and is it possible

to use a television set?

A. Most IBM PC- compatible RGB color or TTL monochrome monitors will

work with the video board provided with the APEX 100 computer.
Composite monitors are not supported.

IBM PC- compatible EGA and VGA monitors can also be used if the
existing video board is replaced with an EGA or VGA video board (available
from computer dealers). The front panel dip switches 1 - 5 and 1 - 6 must

be set to the ON position, otherwise the computer will give one long beep
and two short beeps and no video will be displayed.

A standard television set cannot be used with the APEX 100, although
there are some new TV sets being manufactured which can also be used
as computer monitors with the proper interface card.
computer dealer or further information.

Q. How many option cards can be installed in the APEX 100?

A. The APEX 100 has five I/O expansion slots. One slot is occupied by the

video adapter board and the hard disk controller takes up a second slot

in the APEX 100\20. The expansion slots can be used for a wide variety
of IBM PC/XT - compatible (8 - bit) option cards.

Check with a

PSB No: S- 0097
Page: 6 of 8

Q. What kind of option cards are available for the APEX 100 computer and

where can I buy them?

A. Most IBM PC/XT- compatible option boards will work in the APEX 100

computer. You should visit a computer retail store to see a wide range
of products. The products must state specifically that they are IBM

PC/XT - compatible.
impossible for Epson to test all option boards available to insure
compatibility. We recommend that you purchase boards from a dealer who

will exchange the board if for some reason it is not compatible.

Q. Can a 286 Accelerator board be installed in the Apex 100?
A. Yes, we have found that the SOTA 286i and 286 Express products may

meet your requirements and are competitively priced!

Since there are many different manufacturers, it is

286 Express
PC Technologies, Inc.
704 Airport Blvd.
Box 2090
Ann Arbor, Ml 48106
(313) 996 - 9690

Q. What streamer tape drives can I use for high speed file backup?
A. The APEX 100 has been tested with the Backup Diskit - 60MB, Model

TEX - 60 from Idea Associates and the Everex Stream - 20MB, Model 4.02
from Everex Systems, Inc.

Q. What kind of joystick can I use with the APEX 100 and where do you

connect it?

A. There are many IBM PC- compatible joysticks available and some have

different types of connectors. The joystick connector must match the
connector type on the board it is being used with. An IBM PC­compatible joystick with a 15- pin IBM compatible game port connector
must be used with the Epson APEX 100. We recommend using the Kraft

Premium or Kraft KC3 joystick, as we have tested them with the APEX 100.

You do not need to purchase a game card as it is included with the APEX

100 video adapter card.

SOTA 286i
Sota Technology, Inc.
657 N. Pastoria Ave.
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
(408) 245 - 3366

PSB No: S-0097
Page:

Q.

How do you connect two joysticks when there is only one joystick
connector?

A.

A joystick adapter cable with 3 connectors is available from computer

dealers which allows you to connect two joysticks into the single port.

Will IBM compiled BASIC programs run on the APEX 100?

Q.
A.

Most BASIC programs written for the IBM PC- XT will run on the APEX

100.
programs will not run.
resident in copyrighted ROMs.
GW- BASIC which is loaded from diskette.

BASIC, some programs will not operate correctly.

Q.

What type of modem can be used with the APEX 100?

As with all compatible computers, some IBM and Tandy BASIC

This is because they require IBM BASICA which is

All compatibles use a version of

Due to differences in the

7 of 8

A.

IBM PC/XT- compatible internal modems can be used, as well as, external

modems which connect to the serial interface port.

Epson manufactures both types of modems, the Epson Link 1200 external
1200 baud modem (Epson Part No. C202A- A) and the Epson Link
1200 - PC internal modem (Epson Part No. C203A - A), which can be

purchased from Epson Accessories, Inc. at 1 - 800 - 873 - 7766.

Will the APEX 100 work in foreign countries?

Q.
A.

The APEX 100 computer can be used in both the United States and
internationally simply by selecting the appropriate input voltage on the
voltage selection switch located on the rear of the unit. The APEX 100 will
operate on either 115VAC or 230VAC at 50/60 Hz power.

Most monitors and printers are not designed to operate on dual voltages
and will be damaged if plugged into the wrong AC voltage. This applies to
the Apex monitors and printers as well. You should use a step down
transformer to convert 230VAC to 115VAC for these types of products.

Q.

Can the Xenix Operating System be used?

A.

The APEX 100 has been tested and certified by Santa Cruz Operations to

be compatible with the Xenix System V 86XT Operating System.

PSB No: S-0097
Page: 8 of 8

Q. Is the IBM 5250 emulation board compatible with the APEX 100?
A. Yes, the IBM 5250 emulation board (ver. 2.1) is certified with for use with

the APEX 100.

Q. Can the APEX 100 be used as a workstation on a Local Area Network?
A. The APEX 100 has been tested as a workstation using network adapter

hardware from the following companies:

(EtherNet), Standard Microsystems Corp. (ArcNet) and Fox Research, Inc.

(FoxNet).

IBM (Token Ring), 3Com

Product Support Bulletin

Subject:

Date:
Page:

The purpose of this bulletin is to provide the results of compatibility testing

conducted by the Computer Product Support Center with the Sysgen
OmniBridge controller and Bridge - Filer external floppy disk drives.

Equity I

Equity II

Equity and Apex Series Compatibility with the System OmniBridge
Controller and BridgeFiler External Floppy Drives

04/11/90

1 of 3

PSB No:

Originator:

Comments

The Equity I was found compatible with the OmniBridge
controller. It was able to support one or two external
disk drives (daisychained) together. The external drives
could be used as high density (1.2M and 1.44M) or
normal (360K and 720K) disk drives.

The Equity II was found to be totally incompatible with
the OmniBridge controller.

S-0088B
KAS

60

Equity III

Equity I +

Equity le

The Equity III was found compatible with the OmniBridge
controller. It was able to support one or two external
disk drives (daisychained) together. The external drives
could be used as high density (1.2M and 1.44M) or
normal (360K and 720K) disk drives.

The Equity I + was found compatible with the
OmniBridge controller.
two external disk drives (daisychained) together. The
external drives could be used as high density (1.2M and

1.44M) or normal (360K and 720K) disk drives.

The Equity le was found compatible with the OmniBridge

controller. It was able to support only one external
floppy drive, unlike the other models tested. The drive
could be used as a high density (1.2Mb and 1.44Mb) or

normal (360K and 720K) disk drive.

It was able to support one or

PSB No: S-0088B

Page: 2 of 3

Equity II +

Equity lIe

Equity Ill +

Equity 386SX

The Equity II + was found compatible with the
OmniBridge controller.
two external disk drives (daisychained) together. The
external drives could be used as high density (1.2M and

1.44M) or normal (360K and 720K) disk drives.

The Equity Ile was found compatible with the
OmniBridge controller.
two external disk drives (daisychained) together. The
external drives could be used as high density (1.2M and

1.44M) or normal (360K and 720K) disk drives.

The Equity III + was found compatible with the
OmniBridge controller.
two external disk drives (daisychained) together. The
external drives could be used as high density (1.2M and

144M) or normal (360K and 720K) disk drives.

The Equity 386SX was found compatible with the
OmniBridge controller.
two external disk drives (daisychained) together. The
external drives could be used as high density (1.2M and

144M) or normal (360K and 720K) disk drives.

It was able to support one or

It was able to support one or

It was able to support one or

It was able to support one or

Equity 386/20

APEX

APEX +

The Equity 386/20 was found compatible with the
OmniBridge controller.
two external disk drives (daisychained) together. The
external drives could be used as high density (1.2M and

1.44M) or normal (360K and 720K) disk drives.

The Epson APEX was found compatible with the
OmniBridge controller.
two external disk drives (daisychained) together. The
external drives could be used as high density (1.2M and

1.44M) or normal (360K and 720K) disk drives.

The Epson APEX was found compatible with the
OmniBridge controller.
two external disk drives (daisychained) together. The
external drives could be used as high density (1.2M and

1.44M) or normal (360K and 720K) disk drives.

It was able to support one or

It was able to support one or

It was able to support one or

PSB No: S-008B
Page: 3 of 3

APEX 100

APEX 200

NOTE:

The Epson APEX 100 was found compatible with the

OmniBridge controller.
two external disk drives (daisychained) together. The

external drives could be used as high density (1.2M and

1.44M) or normal (360K and 720K) disk drives.

The Epson APEX 200 was found compatible with the

OmniBridge controller.
two external disk drives (daisychained) together. The

external drives could be used as high density (1.2M and

1.44M) or normal (360K and 720K) disk drives.

The recommended switch settings for the OmniBridge controller are
as follows:

1-1 DOWN 2-1 DOWN
1-2 DOWN 2-2 DOWN
1-3 DOWN
1-4 DOWN

2-3 UP
2-4 UP

It was able to support one or

It was able to support one or

These settings select NO ADDRESS for the OmniBridge BIOS and
allow it to coexist with the internal FDC of the computer in which it
is being installed.
FDC or connect any cables from the OmniBridge to internal floppy
drives. This was found to be a universal setting for all of the
computers listed above as compatible with the OmniBridge controller.

This way you do not need to disable the internal