Epson EL 486UC+ User Manual

EPSON

User’s Guide

This manual is printed on 50% recycled paper, 10% post-consumer content.

663

Read This First

Before you set up your EPSON® EL 486UC+ computer, read this card for guidelines on how to get started. Also keep it around for future reference because it provides important information about your system and how to get technical assistance when you need it.

Setting Up Your System

Most systems sold by EPSON Direct” are preconfigured; all the hardware and software (such as MS-DOS® and Microsoft® Windows™, is already installed. However, be sure to follow these general procedures when setting up your system:

Install any internal options. If you purchased additional,

optional equipment that goes inside the computer—such as option cards, memory modules, a hard disk, or a diskette drive-you should install these devices first. See Chapters 4 and 5 in your User's

Set up the computer. Follow the steps in Chapter 1 of the

User's

Chapter 2 to run the SETUP program.

Guide to connect your system components and in

Guide for instructions.

Install your Windows applications and other software.

Install any Windows applications and other software programs you plan to use. See the documentation that came with the application programs for instructions.

Note

Be sure to make backup copies of all the diskettes you

use to set up your system and install your software.

Install VGA device drivers and utilities. If you have a

monitor that supports resolutions over 640 x 480, you’ll probably want to use some of the VGA device drivers and utilities that came with your computer to enhance the display capabilities of your built-in VGA adapter. Drivers for Windows have been installed on the hard disk. To install additional drivers, see the README file on the Utility diskette for instructions.

Where to Get Help

EPSON provides the following support services through EPSON Direct and the EPSON Connection:“”

Technical assistance with the installation, configuration,

and operation of EPSON products

Assistance in locating your nearest Authorized EPSON

Customer Care Center

Assistance with Extra Care Road Service

Sales of accessories, manuals, or parts for EPSON products

through EPSON Accessories at (800) 873-7766

Customer relations

EPSON technical information library fax service

Product literature on current and new products.

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

EPSON Direct: (800) 374-7300

EPSON Connection: (800) 922-8911

CompuServe On-line Support

If you have a modem, the fastest way to access helpful tips, specifications, drivers, application notes, tables for DIP switch or jumper settings, and bulletins for EPSON products is through the Epson America Forum on CompuServe.®

If you are not currently a member of CompuServe, 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 Compu Serve Magazine,

CompuServe’s monthly publication.

To take advantage of this offer, call (800) 848-8199 in the United

States and Canada and ask for representative #529. In other

countries, call the following U.S. telephone number:

(614) 529-1611, or your local CompuServe access number.

If you are already a CompuServe member, simply type

GO EPSON at the menu prompt to reach the Epson America

Forum.

Important Record lnformation

Take a moment to write down some important information about your system. You can easily refer to this card if you call for assistance.

Computer serial number:

Purchase date: Monitor serial number:

Printer serial number: Otherdevice serial number: Otherdevice serial number: Option cardsinstalled:

Slot I:

Slot 3:

Slot 5:

Slot 2: Slot 4:

MSDOSversion and serial number: Windowsversion and serial number:

Software Version program number

EPSON is a registered trademark of Seiko Epson Corporation. EPSON Direct and EPSON Connection are service marks of Epson America, Inc.

Other product names used herein are for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective companies.

Torrance, CA

Serial number

400290100-l

6/94

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 ofmerchantability 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.

COPYRlGHT 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.

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 the total

ampere rating of the devices plugged into the extension cord does not exceed the cord’s ampere rating. Also, make sure the total of all devices plugged into the wall outlet does not exceed 15 amperes.

Except as specifically explained in this User's Guide, do not attempt to service the computer yourself. Adjust only those controls that are covered by the operating instructions.

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.

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.

Beim AnschluB des Computers an die Netzversorgung muB sichergestellt werden, dab die Gebäudeinstallation mit einem

16 A Überstromschutzschalter abgesichert ist.

iii

Importantes 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 marques sur l’ordinateur.

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

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

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

source de chaleur.

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

introduire d’objets dans les ouvertures.

l Utiliser seulement le type de source d’alimentation électrique indiqué

sur l’etiquette.

l Tout l’equipement doit être branche sur des prises de courant avec

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

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

abîmé ni effiloché.

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

s’assurer que l’intensite en amperes requise pour tous les appareils branches sur ce cordon ne soit pas superieure a la capacite du cordon. S’assurer aussi que cette intenste ne depasse jamais la somme de 15 amperes pour l’ensemble des appareils.

l Sauf dans les cas specifiques expliques dans ce manuel de l’usager,

ne pas essayer d’entretenir ou de reparer l’ordinateur soi-même. N’ajuster que les commandes décrites dans les directives.

l Debrancher l’ordinateur et contacter un technicien qualifié dans les

circonstances suivantes: Si le cordon ou la prise sont abimes; si un liquide a pénétré a

l’interieur de l’appareil; si on a laisse tomber l’appareil ou si le boîtier est endommage; si l’ordinateur ne fonctionne pas normalement ou fonctionne d'une manière tres différente de l’ordinaire.

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

batiment soit muni d’un disjoncteur de 16 amperes pour proteger l’ordinateur contre les courts-circuits et le survoltage.

lntroduction

Your new EPSON® computer offers the following features:

Intel® 486SW 25 MHz, 486DW 33 MHz, 486DX2/ 50, or

486DX2/ 66 MHz microprocessor

4MB of internal memory, expandable to 64MB

System and video BIOS shadow RAM

SKI3 of internal processor cache, with support for 64KB,

128KB, or 256KB of external cache

512KB of on board video memory, expandable to 1MB

Math coprocessor built into the microprocessor on the DX and DX2 systems

Built-in VGA port

Two built-in serial ports and one built-in parallel port

One built-in PSI 2 built-in PS/ 2 compatible mouse port

Three 16-bit, full-length and two 8-bit, half-length ISA

option slots (if your system has a DXor DX2 processor,

access to the bottom 16-bit slot may be restricted by the

heat sink/ fan assembly on the processor)

Support for up to four storage devices (two externally accessible and two internal)

Password security.

compatible keyboard port and one

Introduction 1

Using the built-in interfaces, you can connect most of your peripheral devices directly to the computer, so you do not have to install option cards. You can use the option slots to enhance your system with extra functions such as a modem card, a network controller card, or additional interface ports.

The shadow RAM feature speeds up processing by moving the system and video BIOS into the RAM area of memory.

With the standard 512KB of video RAM, the VGA controller supports standard resolutions up to 640 x 480 in 16 colors and extended resolutions up to 640 x 480 in 256 colors or 1024 x 768 in 16 colors (interlaced or non-interlaced). When you upgrade to 1MB of video RAM, the system supports extended resolutions up to 1024 x 768 in 256 colors.

Your system may have been configured for you. If so, everything you need to get started is already in place. Your hardware configuration options have been set to ensure optimal system performance. The hard disk drive already contains the MS-DOS®operating system and Microsoft@ Windows.TMIn addition, the drivers needed to take advantage of your system’s enhanced video resolutions have been installed for you. Just connect your keyboard, mouse, and monitor and you’re ready to go.

VGA Drivers

Your computer comes with VGA drivers for use with the integrated VGA interface. With these drivers, you can take advantage of the extended VGA features such as high resolutions and 132-column text mode when you run popular application programs. If your system was configured for you, these drivers are already installed. If you need to install them yourself, a README file on your Utility diskette describes how to install the VGA drivers for common application programs.

2 Introduction

OptionaI Equipment

You can easily upgrade your computer by installing additional memory and a wide variety of options, as described below. (Installation instructions are provided in Chapters 4 and 5.)

System Memory

By adding 4MB, SMB, 16MB, and 32MB SIMMs (single inline memory modules) to the main system board, you can expand the computer’s memory up to 64MB.

Cache Memory

You can increase your cache memory to 64KB, 128KB, or 256KB by installing SRAM chips on the main system board. Additional cache allows your system to access frequently used

data faster, improving overall system performance.

Video Memory

You can install video memory chips to increase the video memory to lMB, allowing you to use higher resolutions with

more colors.

Microprocessor

You can upgrade your system with these microprocessors:

486SXJ 33 486DW 33 486DX2150

486DX2166.

Introduction 3

Math Coprocessor

You automatically install a math coprocessor when you upgrade your system with a DX or DX2 microprocessor, because a math coprocessor is built into the 486DX and 486DX2 chips.

Drives

Your system can support up to four mass storage devices, including hard disk drives, diskette drives, a tape drive, a CD-ROM drive, or an optical drive. As your storage needs expand, you can install additional drives. Some restrictions apply however; see Appendix A for more information.

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 in this book; see the following chapter summaries to find the

sections you need.

Chapter 1 provides simple instructions for setting up your

system and connecting peripheral devices such as the monitor and printer.

Chapter 2 describes how to run the SETUP program to define

your computer’s configuration. You may need to do this the first time you use your computer, or later if you change the configuration.

Chapter 3 covers general operating procedures, such as

resetting the computer, using the password, and changing the processor speed.

4 Introduction

Chapter 4 describes how to remove and replace the computer’s

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

Chapter 5 explains how to install and remove disk drives. Chapter 6 contains troubleshooting tips.

Appendix A lists the specifications of your computer and the operating environments that have been tested on your system.

At the end of this manual you’ll find an Index and a list of U.S. and international marketing locations.

Conventions Used in This Manual

This manual uses the following conventions in the text:

Introduction 5

Where to Get Help

If you purchased your computer in the United States or Canada, EPSON provides customer support and service through a network of Authorized EPSON Customer Care Centers. EPSON also provides support services through the EPSON Connection.” In the United States, dial (800) 922-8911. In Canada, dial (800) GO-EPSON.

Call the EPSON Connection for the following:

Technical assistance with the installation, configuration, and operation of EPSON products

Assistance in locating your nearest Authorized EPSON Reseller or Customer Care Center

Customer relations

EPSON technical information library fax service

Product literature on current and new products.

You can purchase accessories, manuals, or parts for EPSON products from EPSON Accessories at (800) 873-7766 (U.S. sales only). In Canada, call (800) GO-EPSON.

When you call for technical assistance, be ready to identify your system and its configuration, and provide any error messages to the support staff. See Chapter 6 for more information.

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. International marketing locations are listed at the end of this manual.

6 Introduction

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

CompuServe On-line Support

If you have a modem, the fastest way to access helpful tips,

specifications, drivers, application notes, tables for DIP switch or jumper settings, and bulletins for EPSON products is through the Epson America Forum on CompuServe.®

If you are not currently a member of CompuServe, 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 (800) 848-8199 in the United

States and Canada and ask for representative #529. In other

countries, call the following U.S. telephone number:

(614) 529-1611, or your local CompuServe access number.

If you are already a CompuServe member, simply type

GO EPSON at the menu prompt to reach the Epson America

Forum.

Introduction 7

Introduction

VGA Drivers Optional Equipment

System Memory

Cache Memory

Video Memory Microprocessor

Math Coprocessor

Drives........................

How to Use This Manual

Conventions Used in This Manual........................

Where to Get Help

CompuServe On-line Support

Chapter 1

Getting Started

Choosing a Location

Unpacking Your Computer

Connecting Peripheral Devices

Connecting a Keyboard Connecting a Mouse Connecting a Monitor Connecting a Printer or Other Device Connecting the Power Cord

Turning On the Computer

Turning Off the Computer

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

Setting Up Your-System

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

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

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

2 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4

1-l

l-l l-2

l-3 l-3

1-4

l-4

l-5 l-6 l-7 l-9

Chapter 2

Starting the SETUP Program The System Setup Option

Setting the Time and Date Setting the Video Display Type

Running the SETUP Program

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

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

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

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

2-2 2-3 2-3 2-4

Checking System Memory

Setting the Diskette Drive(s)

The Fixed Disk Setup Option

Defining Your Own Drive Type

The Advanced System Setup Option

Configuring Cache Memory Configuring Memory Shadow

Configuring Chipset Registers Setting the Boot Options The System Security and Anti-Virus Options

Entering or Changing a Password Deleting Passwords

Using the Diskette Access Option The System Summary Option Exiting SETUP Post-SETUP Procedures

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

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

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

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

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

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

2-4 2-4 2-5 2-5 2-6 2-6 2-6 2-7 2-8 2-9 2-10 2-11 2-11 2-12 2-12 2-13

Chapter 3

Working Comfortably Inserting and Removing Disks

Stopping a Command or Program Resetting the Computer Using a Password

Changing the Processor Speed

Chapter 4

Removing the Cover Replacing the Cover

Locating the Internal Components

Changing the Jumper Settings

Setting the Jumpers

Installing Memory Modules (SIMMs)

Inserting SIMMs

Removing SIMMs Installing an Option Card Removing an Option Card Removing the Option Card Connector Board

Using Your Computer

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

Installing and Removing Options

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

3-l 3-2 3-3 3-4 3-5 3-6

4-2 4-4 4-5 4-6 4-8 4-10 4-11 4-12 4-14 4-18 4-18

Replacing the Option Card Connector Board...........

Adding Video Memory

Installing the Video Chips

Installing External Cache

Installing the Cache Chips

Upgrading the Microprocessor

Replacing the Processor Chip

Post-installation Procedures

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

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

4-20 4-21 4-21 4-23 4-24 4-26 4-27 4-30

Chapter 5

Installing a Hard Disk Drive in the Internal Drive Bay........

Removing the Mounting Frames

Connecting the Hard Disk Drive Cables Installing the Hard Disk Below the Mounting Bracket Installing the Hard Disk On the Mounting Bracket

Removing a Hard Disk Drive From the Internal Drive Bay Installing a Drive in the Upper External Drive Bay

Connecting the Drive and Power Cables

Removing a Drive from the Upper Drive Bay Reconnecting the Drive and Power Cables to the

Diskette Drive in the Lower Drive Bay

Post-installation Procedures

Chapter 6

Identifying Your System The Computer Will Not Start The Computer Does Not Respond Keyboard Problems Monitor Problems Diskette Problems Diskette Drive Problems Hard Disk Drive Problems Password Problems

Software Problems

Printer Problems

Option Card Problems

Memory Module Problems

lnstalling and Removing Drives

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

......

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

.......

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

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

Troubleshooting

5-2 5-3 5-4 5-8 5-11 5-13 5-14 5-16 5-18

5-19 5-21

6-l 6-3 6-4 6-5 6-5 6-6 6-7 6-8 6-9 6-10

6-11 6-11 6-12

vii

Mouse Problems

Controller Problems

External Cache Problems

Appendix A Specifications

6-12 6-13 6-13

CPU and Memory Controllers Interfaces Mass storage Keyboard

SETUP Program Physical Characteristics Power Supply Option Slot Power Limits Environmental Requirements

Video Resolutions and Colors

Tested Operating Environments

Options Available from EPSON Hard DiskDrive Types Drive Option Information

Connector Pin Assignments

DMA Assignments

Hardware Interrupts

System Memory Map

System I/O Address Map

Index

A-l A-2 A-3 A-4 A-4 A-4

A-5 A-5 A-5 A-6 A-6 A-7 A-7 A-8 A-10 A-11 A-12 A-13 A-14 A-15

Viii

Chapter 1

Setting Up Your System

This chapter briefly describes how to set up your computer. It includes the following information:

Getting started

Connecting peripheral devices

Turning the computer on and off.

Getting Started

Follow the instructions below for choosing a location for your

new system and unpacking it.

Choosing a Location

When you are ready to set up your system, choose a safe,

convenient location that provides the following:

A flat, hard surface. Surfaces like beds and carpets attract

static electricity, which can erase data on your disks, damage the computer’s circuitry, and prevent proper ventilation.

Moderate environmental conditions. Select a cool, dry area

and protect your computer from extremes in temperature, humidity, dust, and smoke. Avoid direct sunlight or other

sources of heat.

Good air circulation. Leave several inches of space around the computer so air can move freely.

Setting Up Your System

l-l

No electromagnetic interference. Do not place your system too close to any electrical device, such as a telephone or television, which generates an electromagnetic field.

Appropriate power source. Connect all your equipment with the appropriate power cords for the power source in your area.

Unpacking Your Computer

When you unpack your system components, make sure you have these items:

computer

diskette

keyboard

manual

Your system may also include an EPSON PS/2 compatible mouse and may come with the operating system and software already installed on a hard disk drive.

If you purchased any optional equipment that wasn’t installed at the factory—such as option cards, memory modules, a hard disk, or a diskette drive-you install these options before you connect your computer. See Chapters 4 and 5 for instructions.

1-2

Setting Up Your System

Connecting Peripheral Devices

Use the illustration below to locate the ports on the back of your system as you connect the keyboard, monitor, printer, and other devices.

monitorcable

power inlet

poweroutlet

MOUSE

PA RA LLEL

Connecting a Keyboard

To connect a keyboard, hold the cable connector so the arrow

on the connector faces up. Insert it into the port marked K/B.

Connecting a Mouse

If your system came with an EPSON PSI 2 compatible mouse:

you connect it to the computer’s built-in mouse port. To

connect the mouse, insert the connector into the port marked

MOUSE

Setting Up Your System

1-3

Caution

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

If your system has not already been configured, you may need to install a mouse driver. See your mouse manual for instructions. (If you are using Windows, the mouse drive was automatically installed by the program.)

Connecting a Monitor

You can connect your VGA monitor to the computer’s built-in VGA port as described below. (If you will be using a different type of monitor, connect it to the video adapter card installed in your system instead.)

Place your monitor on top of or near the computer. Turn the monitor and computer around so the backs are facing you.

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 the 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

Examine the connector on the monitor cable and line it up with the Sport on the computer. Then insert the connector into the port.

Caution

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

Setting Up Your System

If the connector has retaining screws, tighten them.

Plug the monitor’s power cord into the power inlet on the back of the monitor.

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 1 Amp.

Connecting a Printer or Other Device

Your computer has one bidirectional parallel and two serial ports. To connect a printer or other peripheral device, follow the appropriate instructions below.

Using the parallel port

Follow these steps to connect a parallel printer:

Place the printer next to the computer so that the backs are facing you.

Align the connector end of the printer cable with the

PARALLELport and plug it in. If the connector has retaining screws, tighten them.

Connect the other end of the cable to the printer. To secure

the cable, squeeze the clips at each side of the printer port

and push them into place.

Plug the printer’s power cord into a grounded electrical outlet.

Setting Up Your System

1-5

Using

the serial ports

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

To connect a serial device, insert the connector into one of the ports marked COM1 and COMC. If you are connecting only one serial device, use the COM1 port.

Connecting the Power Cord

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

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.

1-6

Plug the other end of the power cord into a grounded electrical outlet.

Setting Up Your System

Turning On the Computer

After you set up your system, you are ready to turn on the power. Use the illustration below to identify the features of your system’s front panel. (Your computer’s front panel may look a bit different from the one illustrated in this manual.)

Before you turn on your computer, check the following safety rules to avoid accidentally damaging your computer or injuring yourself

Do not connect or disconnect any peripheral device cables

(including the keyboard or a mouse) or power cables unless

the computer’s power is off.

Never turn off or reset your computer while a disk drive light is on. This can destroy data stored on the disk.

Never turn on the computer with a protective card in the

diskette drive.

Setting Up Your System

1-7

Always wait at least 20 seconds after you turn off the power before you turn it on again to prevent possible damage to the computer’s electrical circuitry.

Do not leave a beverage near your system. Spilled liquid can damage the circuitry of your equipment.

Follow these steps to turn on your system :

Turn your computer around so the front panel faces you. Place your monitor, printer, and other devices in a convenient arrangement.

If there is a protective card in the diskette drive, remove it.

Turn on the monitor, printer, and any other devices connected

to the computer.

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

The power indicator lights up, then the screen displays the BIOS version number and copyright information. The computer performs its power-on diagnostics, which are a series of checks that make sure everything is working correctly. During diagnostics, you see a screen message telling you to press F2 to run the SETUP program. (Chapter 2 describes starting and using SETUP.)

1-8

When the computer completes its testing, it displays a screen describing the system’s configuration. If necessary, press the Pause key on the keyboard to view the configuration screen. Then press any key to continue the startup process.

If necessary, use the controls on your monitor to adjust the brightness and contrast until you can easily see the characters on the screen. If your monitor has horizontal and vertical hold controls, you may need to use them to

stabilize the display.

Setting Up Your System

If your system is configured to automatically load a program (such as Microsoft Windows or a word processing program), you see the first menu or screen display of that program. If not, you may see the operating system prompt, such as C: \> or A: \>.

If there is no operating system installed on your computer, you see an error message. Ignore the message for now; once you install the operating system, you will not see it.

Now you need to run the SETUP program to make sure your computer is configured properly. First turn off the computer, as described below, then see Chapter 2 for instructions. When you finish running SETUP, be sure to see “Post-SETUP Procedures” on page 2-13 for guidelines on what you need to do next.

Turning Off the Computer

Whenever you turn off your system, follow these steps:

Save your data and exit any application program you are

using.

Check the hard disk drive light and the diskette drive light(s) to make sure they are not on. Do not turn off the computer if a drive light is on, because you can damage the drive or lose data.

Remove any diskette(s) from the diskette drive(s).

Press the power button to turn off the computer.

Turn off the monitor, printer, and any other peripheral devices.

Setting Up Your System

1-9

Chapter 2

Running the SETUP Program

You may need to run the SETUP program the first time you use your computer. If your system came unconfigured, you need to define how it is set up. If your system was configured for you, you may want to check the settings or adjust the date and time. You also may need to run the program again later if you change your configuration.

SETUP lets you verify or change the following:

System settings such as date, time, diskette drive type(s): and video display type

Automatic or manual selection of hard disk drive(s)

Automatic or manual selection of advanced hardware features for optimizing system performance

System booting options

Password security and anti-virus features.

SETUP also allows you to see summary information about your system.

The SETUP program and the factory default settings are stored in the computer’s ROM BIOS (read-only memory, basic input/ output system). The configuration information you enter is stored in an area of memory called CMOS RAM. This memory is backed up by a battery, so it is not erased when you turn off or reset the computer.

Running the SETUP Program

2-1

Starting the SETUP Program

When you start your computer, it performs some power-on diagnostics. During these diagnostics, you may see the following message:

Press <F2> to enter SETUP

(In SETUP, you can disable this message, if desired.)

Press F2 to run SETUP. This message is only on the screen for a few seconds. If you missed it, restart the computer and try again.

If the system detects an error in your configuration, you hear two beeps and see an error message followed by this message:

Press <Fl> to resume, <F2> to Setup

Press F2 to run SETUP.

SETUP displays the Main Menu. From this menu, you can

select the various options to identify your system’s configuration and then save your new values to CMOS. If you change your mind, you can cancel any changes you have made

and restore the default values stored in ROM or load the values previously stored in CMOS.

The table below lists the keys you can use to perform SETUP operations.

2-2

Running the SETUP Program

+ 105 hidden pages

Epson EL 486UC+ User Manual

Introduction 1

VGA Drivers

System Memory

Cache Memory

Video Memory

Microprocessor

Math Coprocessor

Drives

How to Use This Manual

Conventions Used in This Manual

Where to Get Help

CompuServe On-line Support

Contents

Getting started

Choosing a Location

Unpacking Your Computer

Connecting Peripheral Devices

Connecting a Keyboard

Connecting a Mouse

Connecting a Monitor

Connecting a Printer or Other Device

Connecting the Power Cord

Turning On the Computer

Turning Off the Computer

Starting the SETUP Program