Epson Equity 320SX PLUS User Manual

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EPSON

EQUITY® 32Osx PlUS

User’s Guide

Page 2

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.

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.

Equity is a registered trademark of Epson America, Inc.

General notice: Other product names used herein are for identification purposes

only and may be trademarks of their respective companies.

Torrance, California

Y740991001

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FCC COMPLIANCE STATEMENT FOR AMERICAN USERS

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to

provide reasonable protection against hamrful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause

harmful interference to radio or television reception. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause interference to radio and television reception, which can be

determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to

correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna

Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver

Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected

Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

WARNING

The connection of a non-shielded equipment interface cable to this equipment will

invalidate the FCC Certification of this device and may cause interference levels

which exceed the limits established by the FCC for this equipment. It is the

responsibility of the user to obtain and use a shielded equipment interface cable with this device. If this equipment has more than one interface connector, do not leave cables connected to unused interfaces.

Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the manufacturer could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

FOR CANADIAN USERS

This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise emissions

from digital apparatus as set out in the radio interference regulations of the Canadian Department of Communications.

Le present appareil numérique n’emet pas de bruits radioélectriques dépassant les limites applicables aux appareils numériques de Classe B prescrites dans le réglement sur le brouillage radioéctrique édicté par le Ministére des Communications du Canada.

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Important Safety Instructions

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

2. Unplug this product from the wall outlet before cleaning. Use

3. a damp cloth for cleaning, not liquid cleaners or aerosol cleaners.

Do not use this product near water. Do not place this product on an unstable cart, stand, or table.

5. Slots and openings in the cabinet and the back or bottom are

provided for ventilation; these openings must not be blocked

or covered. This product should never be placed near or over a

radiator or heat register.

This product should be operated from the type of power

7. source indicated on the marking label. If you are not sure of the type of power available, consult your dealer or local power company.

Connect all equipment to properly grounded (earthed) power outlets. If you are unable to insert the plug into the outlet, contact your electrician to replace your obsolete outlet. Avoid using outlets on the same circuit as photocopiers or air control

systems that regularly switch on and off. Do not locate this product where the cord will be walked on.

10. If an extension cord is used with this product, make sure that the total of the ampere ratings on the products plugged into

the extension cord do not exceed the extension cord ampere rating. Also, make sure that the total of all products plugged into the wall outlet does not exceed 15 amperes.

11. Never push objects of any kind into this product through the

cabinet slots. Never spill liquid of any kind on the product.

12. Except as specifically explained in the User’s Guide, do not

attempt to service this product yourself. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.

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13. Unplug this product from the wall outlet and refer servicing to qualified service personnel under the following conditions:

When the power cord or plug is damaged.

If liquid has entered the product.

If the product does not operate normally when the operating instructions are followed. Adjust only those controls that are covered by the operating instructions,

since improper adjustment of other controls may result in damage and will often require extensive work by a qualified technician to restore the product to normal operation.

If the product has been dropped or the cabinet has been damaged.

If the product exhibits a distinct change in performance.

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Importantes Mesures de Séurité

Lire attentivement les instructions qui suivent. Les conserver

1. en lieu stir.

Observer les avertissements et suivre rigoureusement les

2. instructions marquees sur l’ordinateur.

Debrancher l’appareil avant de le nettoyer. Se servir d’un

3. chiffon humide, sans detergents ni aerosols.

Ne pas se servir de l’ordinateur pres de l’eau.

4. Ne pas placer l’appareil sur un meuble instable.

5. Les ouvertures et fentes à l’arrière et au dessous du coffre en

6. assurent la ventilation. 11 est important de ne pas couvrir ni

bloquer ces prises d’air. De meme, il ne faut jamais placer

l’ordinateur près d’un appareil de chauffage. N’utiliser comme type de courant que celui qui est indique sur

7. l’etiquette. En cas de doute, consultez votre distributeur ou la compagnie électrique de votre secteur.

Toutes les connexions électriques doivent être des connexions

8. de sècurite, avec contact de terre. Si la fiche de sécurité n’entre

pas dans le socle de prise de courant, demander a un electricien de remplacer l’ancien socle par un socle neuf. Eviter de brancher l’ordinateur sur le même circuit que des machines qui se mettent en marche et s’arriêtent tour a tour, telles que photocopieurs ou climatiseurs.

Ne pas laisser de fils ou cordons électriques dans un lieu de

9. passage; éviter de leur marcher dessus.

10. S’il est nécessaire d’employer un cordon prolongateur pour brancher l’appareil, s’assurer que la consommation d’energie

totale des machines branchees sur le cordon prolongateur ne depasse pas la capacite en amperes dudit cordon. L’ampérage total de toutes les pièces branchees sur le socle ne doit pas depasser 15 amperes.

11. Ne jamais rien introduire dans les prises d’air. Ne pas renverser de liquide sur l’appareil.

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12. Sauf dans les cas specifiquement indiques dans le Guide de l’utilisateur, ne pas essayer de réparer l’ordinateur soi-même; s’adresser à un spécialiste qualifié.

13. Debrancher l’appareil et s’adresser au personnel de service qualifie dans les cas suivants:

Lorsque le cordon, les broches, la prise ou le socle sont endommages.

Lorsqu’un liquide a pénétré a l’interieur de l’appareil.

Lorsque l’ordinateur ne répond pas normalement aux

commandes passées en suivant les instructions. Ajuster uniquement les controles décrits dans les instructions; il est possible de gravement endommager l’appareil en touchant les autres, ce qui pourrait nécessiter l’intervention d’un technicien qualifié pour le remettre en état de marche.

Lorsque l’appareil est tombe ou le coffre a été endommagé.

Lorsque la performance de l’ordinateur est nettement

inferieure a l’ordinaire.

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Introduction

Optional Equipment Operating Systems and Other Software VGA Utilities

How to Use This Manual ............................ 3

Where to Get Help.

Chapter 1

1 Choosing a Location 2 Removing the Protector Card 3 Connecting a Monitor

Using the VGA Interface. Using a Display Adapter Card.

4 Connecting a Printer or Other Device

Using the Parallel Interface.

Using the Serial Interface 5 Connecting the Keyboard 6 Connecting the Mouse

7 Connecting the Power Cord

8 Turning On the Computer

Turning Off the Computer

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Setting Up Your System

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1 2 2

l-l l-3 l-4 1-4 l-7 1-8 l-8 l-l1

1-12 1-13 1-15 1-16 1-18

Chapter 2

Starting the SETUP Program

Selecting Options Setting the Date and Time. Setting the Diskette Drive(s) Setting the Hard Disk Drive(s).

Hard Disk Drive Types

Running the SETUP Program

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

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Setting the Primary Display Type Setting the Keyboard Test Function Setting the Shadow RAM.

Setting the CPU Clock Speed EMSSize Setting the Password

Setting the BuiIt-in Interfaces

Saving Your Settings

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Changing or Deleting a Password.

Setting the Parallel Interface. Setting the Serial Interface Setting the Disk Drive Controllers

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2-8 2-9 2-10 2-11 2-12 2-13

2-14

2-15

2-15 2-16 2-l 6 2-16

Chapter 3

Installing MS-DOS or Another Operating System Special Keys on the Keyboard Stopping a Command or Program Resetting the Computer Using a Password. Using Disks and Disk Drives

How Disks Store Data Types of Diskette Drives Caring for Diskettes and Diskette Drives Write-protecting Diskettes Using a Single Diskette Drive System Inserting and Removing Diskettes

Formatting Diskettes

Making Backup Copies

Using a Hard Disk Drive

Using Your

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Computer

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3-4 3-5 3-6 3-6 3-8 3-10 3-12 3-14 3-15 3-l 7 3-l 7 3-18

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Chapter 4

Enhancing System Operations

Using AUTOEXEC.BAT and Other Batch Files Changing the Processor Speed

Entering Keyboard Commands. Using the ESPEED Program.

Using Expanded Memory Beyond 640KB.

Modifying the CONFIG.SYS File

Using the VGA Utilities.

Chapter 5

Removing the Cover Removing the Subassembly. Replacing the Subassembly Replacing the Cover

Chapter 6

Changing the Jumper Settings

Setting the Jumpers. Replacing the Battery Installing an Option Card Removing an Option Card

Adding Memory Modules

Installing Memory Modules

Removing Memory Modules.

Installing a Math Coprocessor Removing a Math Coprocessor Post-installation Setup for Memory Cards

Post-installation Setup.

Accessing Internal Components

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Installing and Removing Options

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4-l 4-2

4-4 4-5 4-7 4-8 4-11

5-2 5-5 5-9 5-17

6-2 6-3 6-5 6-9 6-13

6-14 6-15 6-18 6-21 6-24 6-25 6-25

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Chapter 7

Installing and Removing Disk Drives

Using the Correct Drive Bay How to Use This Chapter Setting the Hard Disk Drive Jumpers

Changing the Jumper Settings

Installing a Hard Disk in the Vertical Position

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Removing the Mounting Frames From the Drive. Removing and Attaching the Mounting Plate

Installing the Drive

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Removing a Hard Disk From the Vertical Position Installing or Removing a Drive in the

Horizontal Position.

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Installing a Drive in the Horizontal Position Removing a Drive From the Horizontal Position.

Appendix A

CPU and Memory Controllers. Interfaces

Power Supply. Mass Storage Keyboard Environmental Requirements Physical Characteristics. System Memory Map.

Specifications

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7-2 7-3 7-4 7-5 7-7 7-8 7-10 7-l 1 7-17

7-19 7-19 7-27

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

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Appendix B

Performing System Diagnostics

Starting the Diagnostics Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The Main Menu Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Setting the Run Time Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Error Logging. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Selecting Diagnostic Tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Selecting Multiple Tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Running the Tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Memory Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Hard Disk Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Hard Disk Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Hard Disk Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Media Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Performance Test. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SeekTest....................................

Read/Verify Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Check Test Cylinder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Force Bad Tracks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Hard Disk Error Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Floppy Disk Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Performing the Tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Floppy Disk Error Messages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Miscellaneous Diagnostics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Printer Adapter Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Communication Adapter Test. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Exiting System Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

B-2 B-2 B-4

B-6 B-8 B-8 B-10 B-12 B-12 B-13 B-16 B-l 7 B-18

B-18 B-18

B- 19 B-19 B-19 B-20 B-21

B-22

B-23

B-23 B-24 B-25

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Appendix

Troubleshooting

Identifying Your System Error Messages

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The Computer Won’t Start

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The Computer Does Not Respond Password Problems

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Accessing Your Current Password. Keyboard Problems Monitor Problems Diskette Problems Diskette Drive Problems

Hard Disk Problems.

Installing the Drive.

Preparing the Drive

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Accessing Data on the Drive. Software Problems Printer Problems Option Card Problems. Mouse Problems Memory Module Problems Battery Problems Math Coprocessor Problems

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Glossary

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C-l C-2 C-3 C-4 C-5 C-6 C-7 C-8 C-9 C-11

C-12

C-13

C-14 C-14 C-15 C-16 C-17 C-18 C-19 C-19 C-20

Index

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Introduction

The Epson® Equity® 320sx PLUS is a high-performance

personal computer which offers exceptional speed and convenience in a compact design.

Your 20 MHz, 80386SX system includes 2MB of internal memory, a built-in VGA (video graphics array) display adapter, built-in parallel and serial interfaces, and an IBM PS/2™ compatible mouse port. These interfaces allow you to connect most of your peripheral devices directly to the computer, so you do not have to install option cards.

The Equity 320sx PLUS also provides four option slots (three

16-bit and one 8-bit) in which you can install additional

devices, such as a modem or a network card.

Your computer can support up to three internal drives: either

two diskette drives and one hard disk drive, or one diskette drive and two hard disk drives.

Additionally, your system offers shadow RAM to speed up processing by moving the ROM BIOS and the video ROM into the RAM area of memory. This allows the computer to

access and display information faster.

Optional Equipment

You can easily upgrade your computer by installing additional memory and adding just about any optional device that is compatible with the IBM Personal Computer, PC XT,” or PC AT.”

By adding memory modules to the main system board, you can expand the computer’s memory up to 24MB. The first

16MB can be used as either extended or expanded memory;

any memory above 16MB can be used only as expanded.

Introduction 1

Page 15

You may want to install an 80387SX, 20 MHz math coprocessor in your computer to speed up mathematical calculations in certain application programs.

Check with your authorized Epson dealer for information on optional equipment.

Operating Systems and Other Software

You probably have a version of MS-DOS® to use with your

computer. However, you can run another operating system, such as, OS/2, UNIX operating system, refer to the documentation that came with it to install and run it on your computer.

You can use virtually any application program designed for

the IBM PC, PC XT, PC AT, or compatible computers on your Equity 320sx PLUS. You may also use powerful 32-bit software designed for 80386 computers with your system.

or XENIX® If you use another

VGA Utilities

Epson has included special VGA device drivers and utilities

that you can use with your built-in VGA adapter. With these

utilities, you can take advantage of extended VGA features such as 16-color graphics mode resolutions up to 800 x 600 and 132-column text mode. The VGA device drivers and utilities are described in the VGA Utilities booklet that came with your system.

2 Introduction

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How to Use This Manual

This manual explains how to set up and operate your

computer, install options, and run diagnostic checks. Although the illustrations show a computer with a 21/4-inch diskette drive, instructions for using a 31/2-inch drive are included.

You do not need to read everything in this book; see the following chapter summaries.

Chapter 1 provides simple step-by-step instructions for setting up your system. On the back cover foldout are illustrations identifying the different parts of your computer; refer to these as you set up your system.

Chapter 2 describes how to run the SETUP program to define your computer’s configuration. Do this before you use your

computer. You may need to do it again later, if you change

the configuration.

Chapter 3 provides instructions for important operating procedures, such as using and caring for disks and disk drives.

Chapter 4 describes specialized features you can use to enhance your system’s performance.

Chapter 5 describes how to remove and replace the computer’s cover and subassembly to access the internal components.

Chapter 6 describes some of the options you can use in your computer and contains instructions for setting jumpers, replacing the battery, and installing options.

Introduction 3

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Chapter 7 describes how to install and remove disk drives. Appendix A gives the technical specifications for the

computer. Appendix B outlines the system diagnostic tests you can run

to diagnose hardware problems.

Appendix C contains troubleshooting tips.

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

Where to Get Help

If you purchased your Epson product in the United States,

Epson America provides local customer support and service

through a nationwide network of authorized Epson dealers

and Service Centers.

Epson also provides the following support services through

the Epson Consumer Resource Center at (800) 922-89 11:

Assistance in locating your nearest Authorized Epson Reseller or Service Center

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

Epson technical information library fax service Product literature with technical specifications on our

current and new products

Sales of ribbons, supplies, parts, documentation, and

accessories for your Epson product Customer Relations.

4 introduction

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Chapter 1

Setting Up Your System

Setting up your Equity 320sx PLUS personal computer is easy.

Just follow the eight steps in this chapter. As you set up your

system, you may want to leave this manual’s back cover foldout open so you can refer to the illustrations identifying the different parts.

Choosing a Location

Setting Up Your System

1-1

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Before you set up your computer, it’s important to choose a

safe, convenient location that provides the following:

A sturdy desk or table strong enough to support the weight of your system and all of its components.

A flat, hard surface. Soft surfaces like beds and carpeted floors attract static electricity, which can erase data on your disks, damage the computer’s circuitry, and prevent proper ventilation.

Good air circulation. Leave several inches of space around

the computer so air can move freely.

Moderate environmental conditions. Select a cool, dry

area and protect your computer from extremes in

temperature, humidity, dust, and smoke. Avoid direct

sunlight or any other source of heat.

Appropriate power sources. To prevent static charges,

connect all your equipment to three-hole, 120-volt grounded outlets. You need one outlet for the computer,

one for the monitor, and additional outlets for a printer

and any other peripheral devices.

No electromagnetic interference. Do not place your

system too dose to any electrical device, such as a

telephone, which generates an electromagnetic field.

1-2

Setting Up Your System

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2 Removing the Protector Cord

If you have a SW-inch in the diskette slot. This card is inserted at the factory to protect the read/write heads in the drive. To remove it, flip the latch up to pop the card out part way, as shown below; then pull it out.

(If you have a second 51/4-inch diskette drive, be sure to

remove the protector card from it.)

diskette

drive, there is a protector card

Save the protector card. If you transport your computer, you may want to insert the card into your diskette drive prior to

shipping. This will protect the read/write heads during the shipping process.

Setting Up Your System

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Connecting a Monitor

The way you connect your monitor to the computer depends on the type of monitor you have. If you have a VGA monitor

(or a multi-frequency monitor with an analog connector),

you can connect it to the computer’s built-in VGA port. See

“Using the VGA Interface” below. If you have any other type of monitor, see “Using a Display Adapter Card” on page 1-7.

Using the VGA interface

Follow these steps to connect your VGA monitor to the VGA port on the computer:

Make sure your monitor and computer are turned off.

Place your monitor on top of or near the computer. For easy access, turn the monitor and computer around so

the backs of both components are facing you.

If necessary, connect the monitor cable to the monitor. (Your monitor may have a permanently attached cable.)

1-4

Setting up Your System

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Examine the connector end of the monitor cable, and position the plug to match the orientation of the monitor port (marked with a monitor icon). Then insert the plug into the port, as shown below.

If the connector has retaining screws, be sure to tighten them.

Setting Up Your System

1-5

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Plug the monitor power cord into the monitor’s power

inlet, as shown below.

Plug the other end of the power cord into an electrical

outlet.

1-6

Setting Up Your System

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Using a Display Adapter Card

If you are using a non-VGA monitor, you’ll need to install a

display adapter (video) card in one of the computer’s option slots before you can connect the monitor. your dealer may have already installed the video card for you.}

If the video card has not yet been installed, you’ll need to follow the instructions in Chapter 6 to install an option card. But first, check the following table to make sure your display adapter card and monitor are properly matched.

Monitor/video card compatibility

Monitor Monochrome

Color or EGA

Monochrome or or color VGA

EGA cards support only EGA monitors.

Video card Monochrome display adapter (MDA)

Multi-mode graphics adapter (MCA)

Enhanced graphics adapter (EGA) Hercules

Color graphics adapter (CGA)

Multi-mode graphics adapter (MGA) Enhanced graphics adapter (EGA)’

Video graphics array (VGA)

graphics card

When you are installing the video card, check to make sure

any switches or jumpers on the card are set properly. For example, you may need to change a switch setting to select color or monochrome. See the documentation that came

with your monitor or video card for instructions.

Setting

Your System

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Note

If you install a display adapter card, you must set jumper

Jl on the main system board to disable the built-in VGA

interface so that your card can operate as the primary display adapter. You may also need to set jumper J3 to indicate whether a color or monochrome monitor is installed. See Chapter 6 for instructions on changing jumper settings.

Once you have installed your video card, return to this section to connect your monitor to the computer. If your

monitor came with its own manual, follow the instructions

there. Otherwise, you can follow the steps in “Using the VGA

Interface” on page 1-4; just insert your monitor connector into the video card port instead of the built-in VGA port.

Connecting a Printer or Other Device

Your computer has both parallel and serial interfaces. To connect a printer or other peripheral device to one of these interfaces, follow the instructions below.

Using the Parallel Interface

The parallel interface on your computer is Centronics

compatible and uses a DB-25S connector. To connect your printer and computer, you need an IBM

compatible printer cable. If you are not sure which cable you need, check with your Epson dealer.

Once you have the right printer cable, follow these steps:

Make sure the printer and computer are turned off.

Place the printer next to the computer with their backs facing you.

1-8

Setting Up Your System

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One end of the printer cable has a 25-pin, D-shell

connector. Position the plug to match the orientation of the parallel interface (marked with a special icon shown in the illustration below). Then plug the connector into the port, as shown below. If the plug has retaining screws, tighten them by hand or with a screwdriver,

depending on the screw type.

retaining screws

Setting Up Your System

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Connect the other end of the cable to the printer as shown below. 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 three-hole, 120-volt, grounded electrical outlet.

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Setting Up Your System

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Using the Serial lnterface

If you have a printer, a modem, or other peripheral device with a serial interface, you can connect it to the serial

(IR-232C) port on the back of the computer. The serial port uses a DB-9P connector, so be sure you have a

compatible cable. To connect a serial device, follow the same steps as above for connecting a parallel device but insert the connector into the serial port, marked with a special icon, as shown below.

Note

You need to ensure that the serial port is set up so it functions properly. If you are using the port for a serial printer, you need to redirect printer output to the serial port instead of the parallel port. To do this, you can use the MS-DOS MODE or SETMODE command. See your MS-DOS manuals for instructions.

Setting Up

Your

System

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Connecting the Keyboard

Follow these steps to connect the keyboard:

Make sure the computer is turned off.

Hold the keyboard cable connector so the indicator on the housing faces up. Insert the connector into the appropriate port, marked with a keyboard icon, as shown

1-12

Although the connectors and ports for the keyboard and mouse are physically identical, they cannot be used interchangeably. Be sure to plug the keyboard

Setting Up Your System

Page 30

You can raise the keyboard by adjusting the legs on the bottom. To change the angle of the keyboard, turn it over and flip each leg upward until it locks into place, as shown below.

6 Connecting the Mouse

Your computer has an auxiliary port for an IBM PS/2 compatible mouse that uses a miniature DIN (6-pin) connector.

Before you connect a mouse, make sure your computer is turned off.

If your mouse has this type of connector, you can connect it to the built-in port on your computer. If you have a mouse that requires a different interface port, you can connect it to

the built-in serial port or install an option card to provide the interface.

To connect a mouse to the built-in mouse port, hold the mouse connector so it is oriented properly with its port.

Insert the connector, marked with a mouse icon, as shown in

the following illustration.

Setting Up Your System

1-13

Page 31

mouse connector

Once you have connected a mouse, you may need to add commands to your MS-DOS CONFIG.SYS file to enable your computer to use a mouse. See your MS-DOS and mouse

manuals for instructions.

If you want to use a mouse or other pointing device

1-14

Setting Up

Your

System

Page 32

7 Connecting the Power Cord

Follow these steps to connect the power cord:

Plug the power cord into the AC power inlet on the back panel, as shown below.

WARNING

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

Plug the other end of the power cord into a three-hole,

120-volt, grounded electrical outlet.

Setting Up Your

System

l-15

Page 33

Turning On the Computer

After you set up your system, you’re ready to turn on the power. But first, read the following safety rules to avoid accidentally damaging your computer or injuring yourself:

Do not connect or disconnect any peripheral device or

power cables when the computer’s power is on.

Never turn on the computer with a protector card in the

diskette drive. Never turn off or reset your computer while a disk drive

light is on. This can destroy data stored on the disk. Always wait at least five seconds after you turn off the

power before you turn it on again. This allows the computer to clear and reset its memory.

Do not leave a beverage near your system or any of its

components. Spilled liquid can damage the circuitry of

your equipment.

Always turn off the power, disconnect the computer’s power cord, and wait 30 seconds before you remove the cover. Only remove the cover to access internal devices, add memory, change jumper settings, or replace the battery.

Follow these steps to turn on your system:

Make sure the power cord is plugged into the AC power inlet on the back panel of the computer and into a

three-hole, 120-volt, grounded electrical outlet.

Turn your computer around so the front panel faces you and place your other system components in an arrangement that suits you. (See step 1, “Choosing a Location,” for a typical arrangement.)

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

1-16

Setting Up YourSystem

Page 34

To turn on the computer, press the power button located

on the right side of the front panel, as shown below.

power button

The power indicator next to the button lights up. After a few seconds, the computer counts the amount of memory in your computer, and then performs a diagnostic self test. This

is a series of checks the computer completes each time you

turn it on to make sure everything is working correctly.

If necessary, use the controls on your monitor to adjust the

brightness and contrast until characters on the screen are

clear and at a comfortable level of intensity. If your monitor has horizontal and vertical hold controls, you may need to use them to stabilize the display.

Note

If you or your dealer have made a major change to your system, such as adding a disk drive, you may need to wait a few minutes for your computer to complete power-on diagnostics the first time you turn it on.

Setting Up Your System

1-17

Page 35

When the system has successfully completed its self test, you see the following prompt:

Press <Del> to start SETUP

Do not press any key yet. If MS-DOS has already been installed on your system, you’ll see a prompt to enter the date. (For information about loading the operating system, see your MS-DOS manuals.)

If there is no operating system on your computer, you see an error message. Ignore the message for now. Follow the instructions below to turn off the computer and then go on to Chapter 2 for instructions on running the SETUP program.

Note

If your computer’s configuration does not match the information stored in the computer’s CMOS RAM (defined through the SETUP program), you see an error message

and a prompt to press the F1 key. Press F1 to continue.

Then run the SETUP program to correct the information.

(See Chapter 2 for instructions.)

Turning Off the Computer

When you are ready to turn off your system, reverse the sequence of steps you followed to turn it on. Turn off the computer first, then turn off the monitor and any peripheral devices.

Now go on to Chapter 2 and follow the instructions to run

the SETUP program.

1-18 Setting

Up Your System

Page 36

Chapter 2

Running the SETUP Program

When you use your computer for the first time, you need to run the SETUP program to define how your system is set up. This is a simple procedure which you must do at least once. You may need to run it again later if you change some part of your configuration.

The SETUP program is stored in the computer’s read-only memory (ROM), so you can run the program any time you turn on or reset your computer. You do not need to insert a diskette or access the hard disk.

SETUP lets you verify or change the following:

Current date and time

Type of diskette drives(s) installed

Type of hard disk drive(s) installed

Type of video display adapter you are using

Keyboard testing function

Shadow RAM function

CPU clock speed

EMS size

Password feature

Built-in interface settings for the parallel and serial ports,

and the diskette and hard disk drive controllers.

Running the SETUP Program

2-1

Page 37

The configuration you define through SETUP is stored in a special area of memory called CMOS RAM. This memory is backed up by a battery, so it will not be erased when you turn off or reset the computer. Whenever you reboot the computer, it checks the settings, and if it discovers a

difference between the information in the CMOS RAM and your system’s configuration, it prompts you to run SETUP. You see a message such as the following:

CMOS memory size mismatch

RUN SETUP Press <Fl> to RESUME

Press

to run SETUP and correct the setting.

UTILITY

Starting the SETUP Program

To start the SETUP program, make sure there is no diskette in the diskette drive; then turn on your computer. (If the computer is already on, press the panel to reset it.)

After the computer completes its self test, you see the following prompt:

RESET

button on the front

Press <Del> to start SETUP

As soon as you see this message, press the not press

Del

within five seconds, the computer starts loading

Del

key. If you do

the operating system and you will not be able to run SETUP. If this happens, reset the computer and try again.

You see the following options:

Start operating system

Run SETUP

The first option is highlighted. Press 4 to highlight

SETUP,

and then press

Enter. The

SETUP menu appears on

Run

the screen.

2-2

Running the SETUP Program

Page 38

The menu automatically displays the base memory size, the extended memory size, and whether a math coprocessor (numeric processor) is installed. Additionally, the SETUP menu lists the parameters you can change.

Selecting Options

A solid cursor bar highlights the parameter currently selected.

You can scroll through the parameters using the four arrow

keys (

‘ , ’ , “

change, press

Page Up

”

). When you reach a parameter you want to

Page Down

to display and select

the available options. An information window appears at the bottom of the menu;

it describes the options available or any other keys to press to change the highlighted configuration parameter.

The rest of this chapter describes how to choose the correct SETUP parameters for your system.

Setting the Date and Time

The real-time clock in your computer continously tracks the

date and time-even when the computer is turned off. Once

you set the date and time using SETUP, you should not need

to change either parameter, except to adjust the time for daylight savings, if necessary. (The computer automatically changes the date for leap years.)

The current month is highlighted and a calendar on the right side of the screen shows all the days for the month. The current day is flashing. Press

Page Up

Page Down

to select

the correct month, day, and year. To change the time, move the cursor to the next line and

press

Page Up

Page Down

to enter the correct hour and minutes according to a 24-hour clock. For example, 5 p.m. would be hour 17. You cannot set the number of seconds.

Running the SETUP Program

2-3

Page 39

Setting the Diskette Drive(s)

Your system probably came with one diskette drive installed

and you may have another drive of a different size or capacity. The SETUP menu offers five possible selections for your diskette drives (A and B):

1.2MB 51/4-inch

360KB 51/4-inch

1.44MB 31/2inch

720KB 31/2-inch

Not installed.

Check the settings displayed for both drives and correct them if necessary. (If you have only one diskette drive, select

Not

installed

Note

If you do not know the capacity of your diskette drive, ask

your dealer.

for drive B.)

2-4

Running the SETUP Program

Page 40

Setting the Hard Disk Drive(s)

The SETUP program lets you select the type of hard disk

drive(s) installed in your computer. If you have two hard disk drives, the first one is C and the second one is D. Be sure to choose the correct setting for both drives.

Follow these guidelines:

If your system does not have a hard disk, select

i n s t a11ed for drives C and D. If you have only one hard

disk drive,

If your computer came with an Epson 100MB hard disk drive (or if you installed this drive yourself), select number 60 for drive C.

If you have installed another type of hard disk drive, you need to select the drive type number that matches your drive. See “Hard Disk Drive Types” below.

Hard Disk Drive Types

If you have installed a hard disk in your computer that is not the standard Epson 100MB drive (type 60), you need to select the correct type number to match your drive.

select Not i nsta11ed

for drive D.

Not

The following table lists the types of standard hard disk

drives you can use in your computer. Check this table and the documentation supplied with your hard disk to find the correct type number for your drive. (Your drive’s

documentation should list all the parameters necessary to

identify it in this table.) If none of the types listed match

your drive, see “Defining your own drive type,” below.

Running the SETUP Program

2-5

Page 41

Hard disk drive types

2-6

Running the SETUP Program

Page 42

Hard

disk drive

Defining your own drive type

types (continued)

If the parameters for your hard disk (listed in its documentation) do not match any of the types listed in the table above, you can define your own type. Follow these

steps:

With the cursor at

Page Up

you come to 47-USERTYPE.

the Hard disk type

Page Down

to scroll through the types until

option, press

Use the numeric keys to enter the appropriate values for these parameters:

Cyl n

Head

WPcom

LZone

= the number of cylinders on the disk.

= the number of read/write heads in the drive.

= the precompensation cylinder.

= the landing zone (the area on which the computer parks the heads when you run the HDSIT program).

Sec = the number of sectors on the disk.

Size = the total amount of storage capacity for the disk.

Running the SETUP Program

2-7

Page 43

Press Enter

after typing each number. If you enter an invalid number, the computer beeps and does not go on to the next parameter. Check your drive documentation and try again.

You do not enter a value for Size; SETUP does this

automatically based on the other values you have entered.

Setting the Primary Display Type

This option lets you define the type of adapter you are using in your computer for your primary display device:

VGA or EGA

Color 80 x 25

Monochrome

Color 40 x 25.

Note that this option defines the display adapter (the built-in VGA port or an optional video interface card in your computer), not the monitor connected to it.

If you have connected your monitor to the computer’s builtin VGA port, select

VGA

EGA.

Otherwise, follow these

guidelines to select the correct adapter type: 0

If you have a color graphics adapter (CGA) or a multimode graphics adapter (MGA) attached to an RGB (color) monitor, select

Co1 or 80x25. (Also be

sure to set the

color/mono switch on the MGA card to color.)

If you have a monochrome display adapter (MDA), an MGA, or a Hercules MGA attached to a monochrome monitor, choose

Monochrome. (Also

remember to set the

color/mono switch on the MGA card to mono.)

2-8

Running the setup Program

Page 44

If you have a composite color monitor, such as a color television with a video input, try selecting Co1or 80x25. If you find that the monitor’s resolution is poor, run SETUP again and select Co1or 40x25.

If you have two display adapters of different types, select the setting for the one you want to be your primary display adapter. The other one is your secondary adapter.

Note

If you have installed an EGA or VGA display adapter card,

or another type of card that you want to be the primary display adapter, you must set jumper Jl on the main system board to disable the built-in VGA interface.

If you install one type of display adapter card and then change the type of monitor you are using (from color to monochrome, or vice-versa), you also need to set jumper

J3. If you have two types of cards, set the jumper to match

the monitor that is your primary display. See Chapter 6 for instructions on changing jumper settings.

Setting the Keyboard Test function

There are two options for the keyboard test function:

Installed or Not installed. Select Installed if you want the computer to test the operation of the keyboard each time you turn it on or reset it. Select computer to skip the keyboard test to save time as you boot the system.

Not i ns tall ed

Running the SETUP Program

if you want the

2-9

Page 45

Setting the Shadow RAM

Your computer can access RAM (random access memory) faster than ROM (read-only memory). The Shadow RAM feature enables the Equity 32sx PLUS to copy the contents of its system BIOS and/or video ROM into RAM so it can perform certain operations faster.

The SETUP Shadow RAM option lets you choose what to place in the shadow RAM area:

0 System 3 Video 0 System and video 0 None. Select

System+Video

unless you have installed a memory card or video card that provides its own shadow RAM (in which case you can select just

None

if you do not want to use the Shadow RAM function.

Note

System

or just

Vi deo). Select

Shadow RAM uses 128KB of the RAM available between

640KB and 1MB in your system (384KB). If you use the shadow RAM feature, 256KB of this memory is available for use as extended or expanded memory. If you do not use shadow RAM, you can use all of the 384KB of RAM as

extended memory, but only 256KB of it as expanded

memory. See “Using Expanded Memory Above 640KB” in

Chapter 4 for more information.

2-10

Running the SETUP Program

Page 46

Setting the CPU Clock Speed

This option lets you set the default speed at which your computer’s processor operates when you turn it on:

High speed (20 MHz)

Low speed (10 MHz)

Auto speed.

When it is running at high speed, the

TURBO

light on the

front panel is illuminated. At high speed, it can access memory faster, so your programs

work faster. You should use high speed for everything you do unless you are using an application program that requires the slower speed. Some programs (especially older ones) have specific timing requirements when accessing diskettes. Check your application program manual.

You can also set the processor to change speed automatically. This enables the computer to switch to low speed whenever it

needs to access a diskette but run at high speed for all other

operations.

Select

Hi gh speed

Auto

speed

to have the computer switch to low speed

for 20 MHz,

Low speed

for 10 MHz, or

automatically when necessary.

Note You may not want to use the automatic setting for certain copy-protected programs. See “Changing the Processor

Speed” in Chapter 4 for more information.

In addition to selecting the default operating speed through SETUP, you can change the speed temporarily by giving a keyboard command or by running the ESPEED program. See

“Changing the Processor Speed” in Chapter 4 for more information.

Running the SETUP Program

2-11

Page 47

EMS Size

The EMS Size option provides a simple way to set the amount of memory you want to use as expanded. Expanded memory can be used by application programs conforming to the

Lotus/Intel®/Microsoft® Expanded Memory Specification (LIM EMS). The Equity 320sx PLUS is compatible with

version 4.0 of the LIM EMS.

Once you have set the expanded memory size with the EMS Size option, you also need to use a memory manager to convert the memory to expanded memory. Many application programs come with a memory manager and there are a variety of other memory managers available. If you already have a memory manager (such as the one provided with MS-DOS), you should use that manager along with EMS Size.

If you do not have another memory manager, you can use the EMM386SX.SYS memory manager which is on your Reference diskette. See “Using Memory Beyond 640KB” in Chapter 4 for instructions.

Note

Do not use EMS Size to define expanded memory if you plan to install Windows on your system. See your

Windows documentation for more information.

The total amount of your computer’s extended memory

appears in the information window. You can define how much of it you want to use as expanded memory in units of

256KB.

2-12

Running the SETUP Program

Page 48

For example, with 2MB of memory, you can specify any of the following as expanded memory:

0KB

3 256KB

512KB

768KB

1024KB

1280KB.

Setting the Password

The SETUP program lets you set an optional password to control who can use your system. If you do not want to set a password for your computer, skip this section.

Once you set a password through SETUP, you must enter it every time you turn on your computer or reset it by pressing the

RESET

button. If you do not enter it correctly, you cannot

access your system. To set a password, move the cursor to the

Next to it, you

password you see I

see Not i nsta 11 ed.

n s t a 11 ed.) Press

Password

option.

(If you have already set a

Page Up

Page Down

to display the following:

New Install

Running the SETUP Program

2-13

Page 49

Now type the password you want to use. You can type up to eight characters using the letter or number keys, in upper- or lowercase. For example, you could enter the following:

123aBc!

You can use the backspace key to correct mistakes. After you

type the password, press

Note

Enter.

Be sure to remember the password you enter or write it down and keep it in a safe place. If you cannot remember it, you will not be able to access the computer the next time you turn it on. If you forget your password, however, there is a way to disable the function. See “Password Problems” in Appendix C for more information.

Changing or Deleting a Password

If you want to change the current password, highlight the

Password

display

option and press

New

Ins t a

Page Up

11.

Then enter a new password, as

Page Down

described above. To delete the password, press

display

Not installed.

Page Up

Page Down

Be sure to save your settings (as described at the end of this chapter) when you exit the SETUP program.

2-14

Running the SETUP Program

Page 50

Setting the Built-in interfaces

This option lets you define how the following built-in

interfaces operate:

Parallel port (LPTl, LPT2, LPT3)

Serial port (COMl or COM2)

Hard disk drive controller (HDC)

Floppy disk drive controller (FDC).

Setting the Parallel lnterface

The built-in parallel port is set to act as the primary port

(LPTl). If you install an option card that provides an

additional parallel interface, you may need to select LPT2 or LPT3 for the built-in port. Follow these guidelines:

If you are using only the built-in port, select LPTl. Also select LPTl if you have installed an additional port but want to keep the built-in port the primary adapter.

If you have installed an additional port that is pre-set to act as the primary port or one that you want to be the primary

port,

select

LPTE.

For example, if you have

installed an IBM monochrome adapter/parallel interface

card, the parallel port on the card must be the primary

adapter and you need to select LPT2 for the built-in port.

If you have installed two additional parallel ports and want them to be primary and secondary, select

If you have installed three additional parallel ports and

you do not want to use the built-in port,

Note

select Disable.

LPT3.

Be sure to set any jumpers on the card(s) to indicate how

you want the port to be recognized (LITI, LPI2, or LPT3).

Running the SETUP Program

2-15

Page 51

Setting the Serial Interface

The built-in serial port in your computer is set to act as the

primary port (COMl). If you install an option card that provides an additional serial port, that port automatically becomes secondary (COM2). However, if you want the port on the card to be COMl, select COM2 for the built-in port.

If you install a card (or cards) that provides two additional serial ports and you want them to act as the primary and secondary ports, select

Note

Disable

for the built-in port.

Be sure to set any jumper(s) on the card(s) to indicate whether you want the port(s) to be primary or secondary.

Setting the Disk Drive Controllers

If you are using the standard drives that came with your computer, the hard disk drive controller (HDC) and diskette drive controller (PDC) should

be set to Enable.

However, if you install an option card that provides a

controller for a diskette drive or hard disk drive, you need to disable the built-in controller.

Saving Your Settings

After you have made your selections for SETUP, press exit. You see the following prompt:

Save SETUP configuration (Y/N)?

Press Esc to return to the menu to make corrections. Press Y and

Enter

2-16

Enter

Running the SETUP Program

to save the settings in the CMOS RAM. Press N and

to exit SETUP without saving your changes.

Esc

Page 52

If you saved your changes, the SETUP program resets your system and the computer runs through its power-on diagnostic tests.

If something is wrong, however, you see an error message and a prompt to run SETUP. Follow the instructions on the screen to run SETUP again to correct it. (You may need to reset the computer.)

If you have just run SETUP for the first time, the next thing you need to do is install MS-DOS on your computer. See your MS-DOS manuals for instructions. (If you are using a

different operating system, follow the installation

instructions provided with it.)

Running the SETUP Program

2-17

Page 53

Chapter 3

Using Your Computer

This chapter briefly describes the following procedures for

using your computer:

Installing MS-DOS or another operating system

Using special keys on the keyboard

Stopping a command or program

Resetting the computer

Using a password

Using disks and disk drives.

Installing MS-DOS or Another Operating System

After you connect the components of your system and run the SETUP program, you must install the operating system on your computer. If you are installing MS-DOS, follow the instructions in your MS-DOS manuals. If you are installing

another operating system, such as MS OS/2 or UNIX, see the manual that comes with that system for instructions on installing and using it. The procedures in this manual assume that you are using MS-DOS with your computer.

Note

Be sure to make backup copies of your original operating system diskettes.

Using Your Computer 3-1

Page 54

Special Keys on the Keyboard

Certain keys on your keyboard serve special functions when your computer is running MS-DOS or application programs. The special keys are described in the table below.

Special key functions

3-2

Using Your Computer

Page 55

Special key

The

Caps Lock, Num Lock,

functions

(continued)

and

Scroll Lock

keys work as toggles; press the key once to turn on a function and again to turn it off. When the function is enabled, the corresponding light in the upper right corner of the keyboard is on.

Stopping a Command of Program

You may sometimes need to stop a command or program

while it is running. Many programs provide a command you can use to cancel or even undo an operation. If you have entered an MS-DOS command that you want to stop, try one of the following commands:

Hold down the

Ctrl

key and press C

Ctrl

key and press

Break.

Using Your

Computer

3-3

Page 56

These methods may also work in your application program. If not, you may need to reset the computer, as described below.

Caution

It is best not to turn off the computer to stop a program or

command. If you created new data and have not yet stored

it, the data will be erased if you turn off the computer. The computer stores your data in its memory area (RAM) until

you save it; but the data is erased each time you turn off or

reset the computer.

Resetting the Computer

Occasionally, you may want to clear the computer’s current

settings or its memory without turning it off. You can do this

by resetting the computer.

For example, if an error occurs and the computer does not respond to your keyboard entries, you can reset it to reload MS-DOS and try again. However, resetting erases any data in memory that you have not saved; so reset only if necessary.

To reset the computer, MS-DOS must be either on the hard

disk or on a diskette in drive A; so if you do not have a hard disk, insert the Startup diskette in drive A.

3-4

Using Your Computer

Page 57

There are two ways to reset the computer:

If you are using MS-DOS, hold down press the

Del

key. The screen goes blank for a moment

Ctrl

and

Alt

and then the computer should reload MS-DOS. If it doesn’t, try the next method.

Press

the

RESET

button on the front panel. This method

works even when the computer does not respond to your

keyboard entries.

If resetting the computer does not correct the problem, you probably need to turn it off and reboot it. Remove any diskette(s) from the diskette drive(s). Turn off the computer and wait five seconds. If you do not have a hard disk, insert the Startup diskette in drive A. Then turn on the computer.

Using a Password

If you set a password when you ran the SETUP program, you must enter it every time you turn on the computer or press the

RESET

button. Follow these steps to use your password:

and

If you do not have a hard disk, insert your Startup diskette in drive A.

Turn on the computer or press

RESET.

After the computer

completes its memory test, the screen displays the following prompt:

Enter Password :

Type your password at the prompt. The screen does not display the characters you

After you type the password correctly and press

see

the

Press <Del> to start SETUP

press

Del,

the computer loads MS-DOS and displays the

type.

Then press

Enter.

Enter, you

prompt. If you do not

MS-DOS command prompt.

Using Your Computer

3-5

Page 58

If you do not enter the correct password the first time, press

Enter

and try again.

If you want to change or delete your current password, you must run the SETUP program. See Chapter 2 for instructions.

Using Disks and Disk Drives

The disk drives in your computer allow you to store data on

disk, and then retrieve and use your stored data. This section explains how disks work and tells you how to:

Use different types of diskettes and diskette drives

Care for your diskettes and diskette drives

Write-protect diskettes

Use a single diskette drive system

Insert and remove diskettes

Format diskettes

Make backup copies

Use a hard disk drive.

How Disks Store Data

Diskettes are made of flexible plastic coated with magnetic

material. This plastic is enclosed in a square jacket that is either slightly flexible (51/4inch diskette), or hard (31/2inch diskette).

Unlike a diskette, a hard disk is rigid and fixed in place. It is sealed in a protective case to keep it free of dust and dirt. A hard disk stores data the same way that a diskette does, but it

works much faster and has a much larger storage capacity.

3-6

Using Your Computer

Page 59

All disks are divided into data storage compartments by sides, tracks, and sectors. Double-sided diskettes store data on both sides. On each side are concentric rings, called tracks, on which a disk can store data.

A disk is further divided by sectors, which are similar in shape to pie slices. The figure below provides a simple representation of tracks and sectors.

Double-sided, double-density diskettes have either 40 or 80 tracks on each side, and double-sided, high-density diskettes have 80 tracks on each side. Diskettes can have 8, 9, 15, or 18 sectors per track.

A hard disk consists of two or more platters stacked on top of one another and thus has four or more sides. In addition, a hard disk has many more tracks per side than a diskette, but the number of tracks depends on the capacity of the hard disk. The number of sectors depends on the type of hard disk.

Using Your Computer

3-7

Page 60

Your computer uses the read/write heads in a disk drive to

store and retrieve data on a disk. To write to a disk, the computer spins it in the drive to position the disk so that the area where the data is to be written is under the read/write head. A diskette has an exposed area where the read/write head can access it.

Because data is stored magnetically, you can retrieve it, record over it, and erase it-just as you play, record, and erase

music on a cassette tape.

Types of Diskette Drives

The following list describes the four types of diskette drives you can use in your computer and which diskettes to use with them:

1.44MB drive-Use 3 1/2-inch, double-sided, high-density,

135 TPI (tracks per inch), 1.44MB diskettes. These diskettes contain 80 tracks per side, 18 sectors per track, and hold up to 1.44MB of information, which is approximately 600 pages of text.

1.2MB drive-use 5 1/4-inch, double-sided, high-density,

96 TPI, 1.2MB diskettes. These diskettes contain 80 tracks per side, 15 sectors per track, and hold up to 1.2MB of information, which is approximately 500 pages of text.

3-8

720KB drive-Use 31/2-inch, double-sided, double-density,

135 TPI, 720KB diskettes. These diskettes contain 80 tracks per side, 9 sectors per track, and hold up to 720KB of information, which is approximately 300 pages of text.

Using

Your Computer

Page 61

360KB drive-Use 5 1/4-inch, double-sided, double-density, 48 TPI, 360KB diskettes. (You can also use single-sided,

160KB or 180KB diskettes.) These diskettes contain 40 tracks per side and 8 or 9 sectors per track. With 8 sectors per track, a diskette holds up to 320KB. With 9 sectors per track, a diskette holds up to 360KB of information, which is approximately 150 pages of text.

Note

You must format a new diskette before you can store data on it. See “Formatting Diskettes,” later in this section.

Drive and diskette incompatibilities

If your computer has more than one type of diskette drive, or if you use different types of diskettes, you need to be aware of

certain incompatibilities between the drives and diskettes. Because of the type and size differences, you cannot use a

31/2-inch

diskette

in a 51/4inch drive or vice versa. There are also limitations on using diskettes that are the same size as the drive but have different capacities. The following tables summarize the possibilities and limitations.

5 1/4-inch drive/diskette compatibility

l If you write to this diskette in a 1 .2MB drive, you may not be able

to read it or write to it in a 360KB drive later.

3 1/2-inch

drive/diskette compatibility

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Because of these incompatibilities, always indicate the diskette type and density when you label your diskettes. (Usually this information appears on the manufacturer’s label.)

If you have any combination of the above drives (1.44 MB,

1.2MB, 720KB, or 360KB), you can copy files from one drive

to another-using COPY or XCOPY-as long as the correct

diskette type is in each drive. You can also use these commands to copy files between a hard disk and any type of diskette. However, you cannot use the MS-DOS DISKCOPY command to copy from one diskette drive to another if the two drives are not the same type. For more about copying files and diskettes, see your MS-DOS manuals.

Caring for Diskettes and Diskette Drives

Follow these basic precautions to protect your diskettes and

avoid losing data:

If you have a diskette that contains data you don’t want to accidentally write over or erase, be sure you write-

protect it. This is especially important for your operating system and application program diskettes. See “Writeprotecting Diskettes,” below, for more details.

a a

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Do not remove a diskette from the diskette drive or reset or turn off the computer while the drive light is on. This light indicates that the computer is copying data to or from a diskette. If you interrupt this process, you can destroy data.

Remove all diskettes before you turn off the computer. Keep diskettes away from dust and dirt. Small particles of

dust or dirt can scratch the magnetic surface, destroy data, and ruin the read/write heads in a diskette drive.

Never wipe, brush, or try to dean diskettes in any way.

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Keep diskettes in a moderate environment. Don’t leave

diskettes sitting in the sun, or in extreme cold or heat.

Keep diskettes away from magnetic fields, such as electrical appliances, telephones, and loudspeakers. (Remember that diskettes store information magnetically.)

Do not place diskettes on top of your monitor or near an external hard disk drive.

Always hold a 51/4-inch diskette by its protective jacket and never touch the magnetic surface (exposed by the read/write slot). The oils on your fingertips can damage it.

Do not place anything on top of your diskettes, and be sure they do not get bent.

Carefully label your diskettes and indicate the type and density. Attach the label only along the top of a diskette

(next to the manufacturer’s label). Do not stick several

labels on top of one another; this can make it difficult to

insert and remove the diskette in the drive.

Write on a diskette label before you attach it to the diskette. If you need to write on a label that is already on the diskette, use only a soft-tip pen-not a ballpoint pen or a pencil.

Store diskettes in their protective envelopes and in a proper location, such as a diskette container. Do not store diskettes flat or stack them on top of each other.

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Write-protecting Diskettes

You can write-protect a diskette to prevent its data from being altered. When a diskette is write-protected, you can read it and copy data from it, but you cannot store new data

on it or delete any files it contains. If you try to change data

stored on a write-protected diskette, MS-DOS displays an

error message.

To write-protect a 51/4-inch diskette, cover the small,

rectangular notch (shown below) with an adhesive writeprotect tab. Write-protect tabs usually are included in a new package of blank 51/4-inch diskettes.

To remove the write protection, peel off the write-protect tab.

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On a 3M-inch diskette, the write-protect device is a small switch on the back of the diskette in the lower right comer,

shown below. To write-protect a 3M-inch diskette, slide the switch toward the edge of the diskette until it clicks into position, exposing a hole in the comer.

-write-protect switch

To remove the write protection, slide the switch toward the center of the diskette until it clicks into position and the hole is covered.

Note

Some program diskettes have no notch or switch so they are permanently write-protected. This protects them from being accidentally erased or altered.

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Using a Single Diskette Drive System

MS-DOS expects the computer to have at least two diskette drives and displays prompts and messages accordingly. Usually, MS-DOS recognizes the first diskette drive (the top drive) as A and a second diskette drive as B. If you have only one diskette drive, MS-DOS can treat it as both A and B when you need to perform operations that normally require two diskette drives.

For example, if you enter a command to copy data from A to B, MS-DOS copies the data from the first diskette you place in the drive (which would be drive A) to the computer’s memory. Then MS-DOS prompts you to insert another diskette (for drive B) and copies the data from memory to the new diskette. When copying is complete, you see a prompt to insert the original diskette (A).

Because you may often swap diskettes this way, it is important to remember which diskette is which. It is also a good idea to write-protect your original diskette. See “Writeprotecting Diskettes,” above.

If you have a hard disk and one diskette drive, you can load the operating system and application programs from the hard disk, create and store your data there, and use the diskette drive just for copying data to or from diskettes.

However, if you have only one diskette drive and no hard

disk, you need to use that drive to load the operating system as well as any application program you are using. First, insert

the operating system diskette (the Startup diskette, for

example) in drive A and load the operating system; this copies it to the computer’s memory (RAM) so you do not need to leave the system diskette in the drive. Then remove the system diskette and insert your application program diskette to load that data into memory, too. See your application program manual for detailed instructions.

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You can load MS-DOS from an application program diskette if that diskette contains the operating system This means it is a bootable diskette. See your MS-DOS manuals for information about creating a system diskette.

Inserting and Removing Diskettes

If you have a 51/4-inch diskette drive, insert a diskette as follows: hold the diskette with the label facing up and the

read/write slot leading into the drive, as shown below.

slot

Slide the diskette into the slot until it is in all the way. Then turn the latch down to lock it in a vertical position. This keeps the diskette in place and enables the read/write heads in the drive to access the diskette.

When you want to remove a diskette, first make sure the disk drive light is off. Then flip up the latch and carefully pull out the diskette. Place it in its protective envelope and store it in

a proper location, such as a diskette container.

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If you have a 3 1/2-inch diskette drive, insert the diskette with the label facing up and the metal shutter leading into the drive, as shown in the following illustration. Slide the diskette into the drive until it clicks into place.

When you want to remove the diskette, make sure the drive light is off; then press the release button. When the diskette pops out, remove it and store it properly.

Caution

Never remove a diskette or reset or turn off the computer while a diskette drive light is on. You could lose data. Also, be sure to remove all diskettes before you turn off the computer.

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Formatting Diskettes

Before you can store data on a new diskette, you must format it using the FORMAT command. Formatting prepares the diskette so that MS-DOS can write data on it. You need to do this only once, before you use the diskette for the first time.

You can also reformat previously used diskettes to store new

data. This process erases all the data on the diskette, so be sure you do not want to save any of the files on a used diskette before you format it. See your MS-DOS manuals for instructions on using the FORMAT command.

Making Backup Copies

It is important to make copies of all your data and system

diskettes. Make backup (or working) copies of all diskettes that contain programs, such as your MS-DOS, Reference, and Utility diskettes; then use only the copies. Store the original diskettes away from your working diskettes. Also, copy your data diskettes regularly, whenever you revise them and store them away from your originals.

If you have a hard disk, you’ll probably use it to store the programs and data files you use regularly. Keep backup copies of all your files on diskettes.

You can copy your data in several ways. See your MS-DOS manuals for instructions on using the following commands:

You can use the COPY or XCOPY command to copy individual files or groups of files.

You can use the DISKCOPY command to make an exact duplicate of a diskette.

You can use the BACKUP command to back up hard disk

files to diskettes. Because BACKUP can split large files across two or more diskettes, it makes more efficient use of diskette space than COPY or XCOPY.

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Using a Hard Disk Drive

Using a hard disk is similar to using a diskette. However, the hard disk provides several advantages:

A 40MB hard disk can store as much data as approximately thirty-three 1.2MB diskettes, and a 100MB hard disk can store as much data as approximately eighty-two 1.2MB diskettes.

Your computer can perform all disk-related operations faster.

You can store frequently used programs and data files on

the hard disk, eliminating the inconvenience of swapping diskettes to access different files.

The added storage capacity makes it easy to move back and forth between different programs and data files. However, because it is so easy to add programs and files to your hard disk, you may find yourself trying to organize hundreds of files.

MS-DOS lets you keep related files together in directories and

subdirectories so they are easy to find and use. See your MS-DOS manuals for instructions on managing your files and directories.

A hard disk must be partitioned and formatted before you can use it. Be sure you have performed the procedures in your MS-DOS manuals to prepare your hard disk for use.

Backing

the hard disk

While the hard disk is very reliable, it is essential to back up

your hard disk files to diskettes in case you lose some data

accidentally. Make copies of all your system and application program diskettes before copying the programs to the hard disk. After you create data files on the hard disk, be sure to copy them to diskettes whenever you revise them to keep your backup diskettes up-to-date.

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Caring for your hard disk drive

Follow these precautions to protect your hard disk drive from damage and to avoid losing data:

Never turn off or reset the computer when the hard disk

access light is on. This light indicates that the computer is copying data to or from the hard disk. If you interrupt this process, you can lose data.

Never attempt to open the hard disk drive. The disk itself is enclosed in a sealed container to protect it from dust.

Before you move your computer even a short distance, you may need to run the HDSIT program to prepare the hard disk for moving, as described below.

Preparing the hard disk for moving

If you need to move your computer to a new location, you

may want to run the HDSIT program-provided on your Reference diskette-to protect the hard disk during the move.

HDSIT moves (or

parks)

the disk drive’s read/write heads to a region on the disk surface that does not contain data, and locks them securely in position. This protects the hard disk from being damaged if the computer is bumped accidentally.

Many hard disk drives, induding all Epson drives, automatically park their heads when you turn off the computer. If your hard disk drive does not do this, or if you

are not sure that it does, be sure to run HDSIT. Follow these steps to run HDSIT:

Insert the Reference diskette in drive A. Then type A : and

1. press

Enter

Type the following and press

HDSIT

to log onto that drive.

Enter:

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You see a message on the screen that tells you the disk drive’s

read/write heads will remain locked until you reset the computer or turn the power off and on again. The computer locks the heads and disables the keyboard. Remove any diskettes and turn off the computer. You are now ready to move it to the new location.

Note

For convenience, you may want to copy the following two files from the Reference diskette to your hard disk:

HDSIT.COM

HDSIT.VER

Then, when you want to run HDSIT, just log onto the

directory on your hard disk where you stored the files, type

H DS

IT, and press

Enter.

See your MS-DOS manuals for

instructions on using the COPY command.

If you have a 51/4-inch diskette drive and you still have the original diskette drive protector card, you may want to insert it into the drive prior to shipping your computer to protect the read/write heads.

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Chapter 4

Enhancing System Operations

This chapter tells you how to use the following procedures to

enhance the operation of your computer:

Using AUTOEXEC.BAT and other batch files

Changing the processor speed

Using expanded memory beyond 640KB

Using the VGA utilities.

Using AUTOEXEC. BAT and Other Batch Files

As you get used to using MS-DOS and your application programs, you may find that there are commands you need to run frequently. You can automate the execution of these commands by listing them in a special file called a batch file. When you type the name of the batch file and press MS-DOS executes the commands in the file just as if you had typed each command from the keyboard.

Enter,

If you have a word processing program that can save a file as a text-only file (sometimes called an ASCII file), you can use it to create a batch file. You can also use the MS-DOS COPY

or EDLIN command, or a text editor, to create the file. One batch file that you may find particularly useful is called

AUTOEXEC.BAT. Every time you turn on your computer, MS-DOS looks for the AUTOEXEC.BAT file and automatically executes each of the commands.

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When you install MS-DOS, it creates an AUTOEXEC.BAT file for you. To modify the file or replace it with a new one, you can use the COPY or EDLIN command, a text editor, or a word processing program that can save a file as a text-only file. However, be sure to name the file AUTOEXEC.BAT and store it in the root directory of the hard disk or diskette from which you load MS-DOS.

See your MS-DOS manuals for more information about

creating and using batch files.

Changing the Processor Speed

Your computer’s processor can operate at two speeds: high and low. High speed is 20 MHz, low is 10 MHz. On high, the computer can access memory faster than on low. Your processor is set to operate at high speed (by default) in the SETUP program unless you change the speed to low or set the speed to change automatically.

NoteNote

When your computer is operating at high speed, theWhen your computer is operating at high speed, the

TURBO

operating at low speed.operating at low speed.

light on the front panel is on, and it is off when

You should use high speed for almost everything you do since your programs will work faster. However, certain application programs have specific timing requirements for diskette access and can run only at the slower speed. See your software manual to determine if this is the case.

Some copy-protected programs require the computer to run at low speed while accessing the program on a diskette. These programs also usually require you to leave a key disk-the diskette that contains the copy protection-in the diskette

drive. If you use a copy-protected program often, you may

want to set your processor speed to change automatically to

low speed when accessing the diskette and return to high speed when it is finished.

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There are different types of copy-protected programs. Depending on the type you have, you may or may not want to set the processor to automatic speed. Follow these guidelines:

If you are using a copy-protected program that can run only on a diskette or that requires a key disk, try to start the program on high speed. If this works, you do not need to set the speed to change automatically. If you can’t load the program on high, set the speed to change automatically.

If you are using a copy-protected program that does not require a key disk but requires a special procedure to install it on a hard disk, set the speed to low while you are installing the program. Once it is installed, set the speed to high, where you should be able to leave it while you load and run the program.

If this does not work, try installing and loading the program at low speed and then change to high speed to run it. Do not set the speed to change automatically.

There are three ways to change the processor speed:

Run the SETUP program

Enter a keyboard command

Run the ESPEED program.

If you frequently use programs that require the processor to

operate at low speed or require the automatic speed change

when your computer is accessing a diskette, use SETUP to

change the processor speed. See Chapter 2 for instructions. If you use these programs only occasionally, you should use

the keyboard commands or the ESPEED program (described below) to change the processor speed.

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Entering Keyboard Commands

You can change the processor speed by entering one of the commands shown in the following table.

Speed setting commands

To enter these commands, hold down the Ctrl key and the Alt key simultaneously and then press the 2, +, 1, or - key. Use the + or - key on the numeric keypad or the 1 or 2 key on the main keyboard.

Note

You can use the commands listed above while you are

running a program. However, if the program uses one of

the same commands for another function, you cannot use

it to change the processor speed. For example, if you are running a program that uses the Ctrl Alt - command to move the cursor, you cannot enter Ctrl processor speed to low. Another alternative is to use the ESPEED program, described below.

Alt - to change the

The speed setting remains in effect until you press the RESET button or turn off the computer, or until you change it again

using the SETUP program, another keyboard command, or

the ESPEED program.

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Using the ESPEED Program

ESPEED provides an easy way to change the processor speed if your application program does not recognize the Cttl keyboard commands or if you want to include the program command in a batch file.

The ESPEED program is provided with your system on the

Reference diskette. If you do not have a hard disk, insert your Reference diskette in drive A and log onto drive A before you enter the command to start the program.

If you have a hard disk drive, copy the file ESPEED.COM from your Reference diskette onto your hard disk and run the program from there.

For information on how to run the ESPEED program, type

the following at the MS-DOS command prompt and press

Enter:

ESPEED ?

You see this display:

Format: ESPEED

No Parm : Displays current CPU Speed H

L ?

The message tells you the switches you should use to

: Set to High Speed : Set to Low Speed : Help Message

set

the speed to high or low. For example, to select low speed, type the following and press

ESPEED L

Enter:

To change the processor speed back to high, enter this command:

ESPEED H

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To display the current CPU speed, press

Enter.

You see the following:

type ES P EED

only and

<+>

20.0 MHz <-> <Esc> : Exit

: Speed Up : Speed Down

To change the speed when you see this display, press the +

or - key; then press

Esc

to exit.

The processor speed you set remains in effect until you change it using the ESPEED program again, a keyboard command, or the SETUP program; or until you press the

RESET

button or turn off the computer.

Entering the ESPEED command In a batch file

You may want to run the ESPEED program by including the

command in a batch file. For example, if you have a program called SLOWDOWN which requires a slower processor speed, you could include the following commands in a batch file to start the SLOWDOWN program:

ESPEED L SLOWDOWN

You could name the batch file SLOW.BAT. Whenever you need to run the SLOWDOWN program, insert the program diskette in drive A. Then type

SLOW

and press

Enter. The

computer changes the speed to low and starts the

SLOWDOWN program. See your MS-DOS manuals for instructions on creating and

using batch files.

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Using Expanded Memory Beyond 640KB

The Equity 320sx PLUS comes with 2MB of random access memory. MS-DOS and your application programs that run

under MS-DOS use the first 640KB of memory. You can use any memory above 1MB as extended memory (up to 16MB)

or expanded memory (up to 24MB).

Shadow RAM uses 128KB of the RAM available between 640KB and 1MB in your system (384KB). If you use the shadow RAM feature, 256KB of this memory is available for use as extended or expanded memory. If you do not use shadow RAM, you can use all of the 384KB of RAM as extended memory but only 256KB of it as expanded memory

(to allow room for the expanded memory page frame).

Expanded memory is required by certain programs (such as Lotus l-2-3) that support the Lotus/Intel/Microsoft Expanded Memory Specification (LIM 4.0 EMS). To take advantage of expanded memory, you need to use a memory manager to convert the computer’s extended memory to expanded memory. If you do not have another memory manager, you can use the one provided on your Reference diskette, EMM386SX.SYS. Follow the steps given below.

Note

Microsoft Windows comes with its own expanded memory manager. Do not use EMM386SX.SYS (or the EMS Size

SETUP option) if you are installing Windows on your system. See your Windows documentation for more information.

Run the SETUP program to allocate the amount of memory you want to use as expanded memory. See “EMS Size” in Chapter 2 for instructions.

Copy the file EMM386SX.SYS from your Reference diskette to the root directory of your hard disk (or the Startup diskette).

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Add a command to the CONFIG.SYS file to include the memory manager as a device driver, as described in the next section. The CONFIG.SYS file is used by MS-DOS to set up the computer’s system configuration requirements.

Modifying the CONFIG.SYS File

If you have a word processing program that can save a file as a text-only file (also called an ASCII file), you can use it to add the memory manager to the CONFIG.SYS file. Follow these steps:

Start your word processing program.

Load the file CONFIG.SYS and add the following command line:

DEVICE-EMM386SX.SYS

For information on optional parameters, see “Using EMM386SX.SYS options,” below.

Note

You can copy the FMM386SX.SYS file to a directory other than the root directory as long as you either

enter that directory in a PATH command (for example, in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file), or include the pathname on the DEVICE= command line. For example, if EMM386SX.SYS is in the directory \DRV on drive C, include the pathname like this:

4-8

DEVICE-C:\DRV\EMM386SX.SYS

If you plan to use any of your expanded memory to create a virtual disk with the MS-DOS VDISK device driver, be sure to insert the EMM386SX.SYS command line before the VDISK command line in your CONFIG.SYS file. See your MS-DOS manuals for information about VDISK.

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Save the file as an ASCII text file.

4. Reset the computer. If you do not have a word processing program capable of

saving an ASCII text file, you can modify CONFIG.SYS using the MS-DOS EDLIN or COPY CON command, or a text editor. See your MS-DOS manuals for instructions.

Using EMM386SXSYS options

You can include optional parameters in the DEVICE=

command line to tailor the way the memory manager works.

The table below summarizes the EMM386SX.SYS parameters.

EMM386SXSYS

parameters

The D parameter specifies whether you want EMM386SX.SYS to run diagnostics on your expanded memory page frame

each time you load the program. It does not run the diagnostics unless you include the D parameter.

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The M[n] parameter specifies a particular 64KB page frame

address for EMM386SX.SYS. The value n must be a number from 1 to 9 to indicate one of the following addresses:

l Default setting

For example, to specity a page frame address of 0CC000h, add the following command line to your CONFIG.SYS file:

DEVICE-EMM386SX.SYS /M4

Note

If you have installed an EGA or VGA display adapter card, you cannot enter the following values for n:

/Ml -Ml

/M2

-M2

The P[nnn] parameter specifies the number of handles (or process IDS) available to EMM386SX.SYS. The value for nnn must be in the range of 64 to 256. The default value is 64.

The X[nnnn-nnnn] parameter specifies a hexadecimal memory address range to exclude from mapping by

Eh4M386SX.SYS. The first address (nnnn) is the beginning address of the range and the second address (nnnn) is the ending address.

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EMM386SX.SYS automatically excludes from mapping any

addresses that are reserved for use by your system ROM and RAM. If you install an option card, such as a network card,

that uses the memory address range C000 through E000,

include the X parameter in the DEVICE= command line to exclude this memory range from expanded memory mapping.

For more information about your system’s memory, see “System Memory Map” in Appendix A.

Using the VGA Utilities

Your built-in VGA (video graphics array) display adapter supports both standard VGA monitors and multi-frequency monitors with analog connectors. The VGA adapter operates in all standard VGA resolutions without requiring any device

drivers. However, if you are using a monitor that supports

extended VGA features, you may want to use one or more of the device drivers provided on the Utility diskettes that came with your computer.

You need to install the VGA device drivers if you want to use

extended VGA features such as these:

Resolutions up to 800 x 600 in graphics modes with 16 colors

132-column text mode in 16 colors

Graphics cursor movement performed by the built-in VGA hardware.

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You can use the VGA utilities (also provided on the Utility

diskettes) to take advantage of other special features of your VGA adapter. Even if you do not use any device drivers, you may want to install some of the VGA utilities, such as the following:

VGAMODE

SETVGA

Provides 132-column text in text-based programs such as WordStar® and WordPerfect.

Sets the built-in VGA adapter to emulate

the operation of other adapters, such as

Hercules@ and CGA adapters.

SNOOZE

Turns off your VGA display when you

have not used your computer for a

specified period of time.

The VGA device drivers and utilities are described in the VGA Utilities booklet that came with your system.

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Chapter 5

Accessing Internal Components

To access your computer’s internal components, you need to remove the cover and possibly the subassembly that contains the drive bays and the power supply. Follow the instructions in this chapter when you need to perform these steps:

Remove the computer’s cover

Remove the subassembly

Replace the subassembly

Replace the cover.

Be sure to heed all the cautions and warnings so you do not injure yourself or damage the computer. If you have any reservations about performing these steps yourself, ask your Epson dealer for assistance.

drive. You do not need to remove it to install or remove an

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Removing the Cover

To access any internal components, you need to remove the

computer’s cover. Follow these steps:

Turn off the computer and then any peripheral devices (including the monitor and printer).

Disconnect the computer’s power cable from the electrical outlet and from the back panel. Then disconnect any cables that are connected to the

computer, including the keyboard cable.

If the monitor is on top of the computer, lift it off and set it to one side.

Turn the computer around so you are facing the back

panel. The cover is secured by a large screw on the back panel, as shown below. Turn the screw counterclockwise to unlock the cover.

screw

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The cover is also secured by two latches on the back of the cover near the comers. Press both latches inward and

then lift up the cover from the back panel. You might meet some resistance from the g-rounding tabs along the inside of the cover.

latches

Pull the cover away from the front of the computer to

completely remove it. Then set it aside.

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Before you touch any of the components, touch the inside of the computer’s back panel, as shown below, to ground yourself and avoid an electric shock.

WARNING

Be sure to ground yourself to the inside back panel of the computer every time you remove the cover. If you are not properly grounded, you could generate an electric shock when you touch a component.

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Removing the Subassembly

You need to remove the subassembly to install or remove disk drives, or to access the SIMM or math coprocessor sockets on your computer’s main system board. The

subassembly is the large metal casing that holds the

horizontal drive bays and the power supply, as shown below.

subassembly

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Follow these steps to remove the subassembly:

Remove the front panel from the computer by lifting up

slightly on the three clips at the top of the panel and tilting it toward you. Then set it aside.

clips

If you have a hard disk drive, the drive cable is connected to the main system board on the left side of the subassembly, as shown below.

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Grasp the connector and pull it straight up to remove it from the socket. Do not pull only on the cable.

The diskette drive cable is connected to the socket behind the hard disk drive socket; disconnect it in the same manner.

To lift the subassembly from the front of the computer, place your thumbs under the diskette drive and grasp the top edge of the computer with the rest of your fingers, as shown in the following illustration. (If you have a diskette drive installed in the lower horizontal drive bay, place your thumbs underneath that drive instead.)

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Raise the front of the subassembly, as shown below.

Reach back underneath the subassembly and disconnect the two power supply cables connected to the right side of the main system board, as shown below. Pull each connector straight up. Do not pull only on the cables.

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Lift the entire subassembly out of the computer and carefully place it on your work surface.

Replacing the Subassembly

Follow the steps below to replace the subassembly inside your computer:

Notice that there are four mounting slots on the back of the subassembly: two in the upper comers and two in the

lower corners.

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There are four corresponding tabs on the inside back panel of the computer which fit into the openings in the subassembly slots.

tabs

Lift up the subassembly from your work surface and lower the back end into the computer, guiding the top slots on the subassembly into the top tabs on the computer.

5-10

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Page 95

Hold up the front of the subassembly at a slight angle

and arrange the ribbon cables so they curve underneath the subassembly and extend out its left side. Then grasp the two power supply cables, labelled P4 and P5. Each

connector has six pin holes and a large tab on one side,

as shown below.

There is one 12-pin power supply socket on the right side of the main system board (toward the back) that holds both of the power supply connectors, as shown below.

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Position power supply connector P4 so the large tab on the connector faces the right side of the computer. Beginning with the six pins toward the back of the computer, carefully line up the holes in the connector with the pins in the socket and then push in the connector.

5-12

Caution

If you do not correctly align the holes with the pins in the socket, you could severely damage your computer when you push in the connector.

Connect power supply connector PS to the remaining six pins in the socket using the same procedure.

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Page 97

Carefully lower the front of the subassembly onto the

5. computer. Make sure that all four tabs on the back of the

computer are inserted into the slots on the subassembly as you lower it.

small tabs

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Page 98

Guide the tabs on the front of the subassembly over the opening in the front of the computer so the two small tabs sit behind the opening and the large tab with the curved lip sits over the front of the opening. If necessary, press on the large tab until the subassembly snaps into place.

Locate the hard disk drive and diskette drive ribbon cables. (The hard disk drive cable is slightly longer than the diskette drive cable.) Look at the back of each drive to

make sure you know which cable is which.

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Both the diskette drive and hard disk drive sockets are located on the main system board on the left side of the subassembly, as shown below.

Both sockets have a notch on one side. Connect the diskette drive cable first. As shown below, there is a tab on one side of the connector.

diskette drive connector

tab

diskette drive socket

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Align the connector with the socket so the tab on the connector lines up with the notch in the socket. Make sure the holes in the connector fit over all the pins in the socket and then push in the connector.

Caution

If you do not correctly align the holes with the pins, you could severely damage your computer when you push in the connector.

Now connect the hard disk drive cable in the same manner.

To replace the front panel, fit the three ridged tabs on its bottom edge into the three notches on the lower edge of

the computer, as shown below.

5-16

tabs

Tilt up the front panel until the clips on the top of the panel touch the computer. Then push on the top of the panel until it clicks into place.

Accessing Internal Components

Epson Equity 320SX PLUS User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Contents

Introduction

Optional Equipment

Operating Systems and Other Software

VGA Utilities

Where to Get Help

Choosing a Location

2 Removing the Protector Cord

Connecting a Monitor

Using the VGA interface

Using a Display Adapter Card

Connecting a Printer or Other Device

Using the Parallel Interface

Connecting the Keyboard

6 Connecting the Mouse

7 Connecting the Power Cord

Turning On the Computer

Turning Off the Computer

Starting the SETUP Program

Selecting Options

Setting the Date and Time

Setting the Diskette Drive(s)

Setting the Hard Disk Drive(s)

Hard Disk Drive Types

Setting the Primary Display Type

Setting the Keyboard Test function

Setting the Shadow RAM

Setting the CPU Clock Speed

EMS Size

Setting the Password

Changing or Deleting a Password

Setting the Built-in interfaces

Setting the Serial Interface

Setting the Disk Drive Controllers

Saving Your Settings

Installing MS-DOS or another operating system

Special Keys on the Keyboard

Resetting the Computer

Using a Password

Using Disks and Disk Drives

How Disks Store Data

Types of Diskette Drives

Caring for Diskettes and Diskette Drives

Write-protecting Diskettes

Using a Single Diskette Drive System

Inserting and Removing Diskettes

Formatting Diskettes

Making Backup Copies

Using a Hard Disk Drive

Using AUTOEXEC.BAT and other batch files

Changing the Processor Speed

Entering Keyboard Commands

Using the ESPEED Program

Using Expanded Memory Beyond 640KB

Modifying the CONFIG.SYS File

Using the VGA Utilities

Removing the Cover

Removing the Subassembly

Replacing the Subassembly