Epson Equity III+ User Manual
®
EPSON
Equity™ III+
User’s Guide
Y12699112300
IMPORTANT NOTICE
DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY
Seiko Epson Corporation makes no representations or warranties, either express or implied, by or with
respect to anything in this manual, and
and fitness for a particular purpose or for any indirect,
not
allow
the exclusion of incidental or consequential damages,
shall
not be
liable
for any implied warranties of merchantability
special or
consequential damages. Some states do
so
this exclusion may not apply to you.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in
transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise,
without the prior written permission of Seiko Epson Corporation. No patent liability is assumed
with respect to the
preparation of this publication, Seiko Epson Corporation assumes no responsibility for errors or
sions. Nor is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the
herein. Further, this publication and features described herein are subject to change without notice.
use of
information contained herein. While every precaution has been taken the
use of
a
retrieval system, or
omis-
the information contained
TRADEMARKS
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
Centronics is a
Epson is
Equity is
IBM is a
MS and
registered trademark of
a
registered trademark of Seiko Epson Corporation.
a
trademark of Epson America,
registered trademark and AT and
GW
are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.
Centronics
Inc
XT
are trademarks of International
Data Computer
Corp
Business
Machines Corp.
Copyright 0 1986 by Seiko Epson Corporation
Nagano, Japan
FCC COMPLIANCE STATEMENT
FOR AMERICAN USERS
This equipment generates and uses radio frequency energy and if not installed and
used properly, that is, in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, may
cause interference to radio and television reception. It has been type tested and found
to comply with the limits for a Class B computing device in accordance with the
specifications in Subpart J of Part 15 of FCC
reasonable protection against such interference in a residential installation. However,
there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this
equipment does cause interference to radio or 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:
l Reorient the receiving antenna
l Relocate the computer with respect to the receiver
l Move the computer away from the receiver
l Plug the computer into a different outlet so that computer and receiver are on
different branch circuits.
If necessary, the user should consult- the dealer or an experienced radio/television technician for additional suggestions. The user may find the following booklet prepared by
the Federal Communications Commission helpful:
“Television Interference Handbook”
This booklet is available from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington DC
20402. Stock No. 004-000-00450-7.
ru es,1which are designed to provide
Note: If the interference stops, it was probably caused by the computer or its periph-
eral devices. To further isolate the problem:
Disconnect the peripheral devices and their input/output cables one at a time.
If the interference stops, it is caused by either the peripheral device or its I/O
cable. These devices usually require shielded I/O cables. For Epson peripheral
devices, you can obtain the proper shielded cable from your dealer. For nonEpson peripheral devices contact the manufacturer or dealer for assistance.
WARNING
This equipment has been certified to comply with the limits for a Class B
computing device, pursuant to Subpart J of Part 15 of FCC Rules. Only
peripherals (computer input/output devices, terminals, printers, etc.) certified to comply with the Class B limits may be attached to this computer.
Operation with non-certified peripherals is likely to result in interference
to radio and TV reception.
The connection of a nonshielded 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.
Contents
Introduction
How to Use this Manual
Setting Up Your System
1
Unpacking
Removing the disk drive protector sheet
Choosing a Location
Arranging the Components
The front panel
The back panel
Connecting the Power Cord
Connecting a Video Monitor
Connecting the Keyboard
Connecting a Printer
Parallel interface
Serial interface
The Equity III+ character set
Turning On the Computer
Safety rules
Turning on the power switch
Initial setup procedure
Initial screen display
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Intro-1
Intro-2
1-1
1-1
1-2
1-2
1-3
1-4
1-5
1-6
1-7
1-9
1-11
1-11
1-12
1-12
1-13
1-13
1-13
1-14
1-15
Using the Equity III+
2
Locking the Computer
Inserting and Removing Diskettes
Special Keys on the Equity III+ Keyboard
Controlling the Volume
Selecting Execution Speed
Resetting the Computer
Turning Off the Computer
3
Using Disks and Disk Drives
How Disks Work
Choosing Diskettes for the Equity III+
Drive and diskette incompatibilities
Caring for your Disks and Disk Drives
Protecting your Data
Making backup copies
Write-protecting diskettes
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2-1
2-1
2-2
2-3
2-5
2-5
2-6
2-7
3-1
3-1
3-2
3-2
3-4
3-5
3-5
3-5
V
Using a Single Floppy Disk Drive
Using a Hard Disk Drive
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3-7
3-7
Installing Option Cards
4
Removing the Cover
Installing an Option Card
Removing an Option Card
Replacing the Cover
Post-installation Setup
5
Troubleshooting
The Computer Fails to Start Up
The Video Display Does Not Appear
The Computer Locks Up or Freezes
Floppy Disk Problems
Hard Disk Problems
Software Problems
Printer Problems
Option Card Problems
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Appendixes
A
Jumper Settings
Changing a Jumper Setting
Memory Card Jumpers
Main Circuit Board Jumpers
Multi-function Card Jumpers
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4-1
4-1
4-3
4-6
4-7
4-8
5-1
5-1
5-2
5-2
5-3
5-4
5-4
5-4
5-5
A-1
A-2
A-2
A-4
A-9
Equity III+ Specifications
B
CPU and Memory
Controllers
Interfaces
Power Supply
Mass Storage
Keyboard
Environmental Requirements
Physical Characteristics (CPU Only)
Power Requirements
Options
C
Glossary..
Index
vi
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B-1
B-1
B-1
B-1
B-2
B-2
B-3
B-3
B-3
B-3
B-4
C-l
Index-1
Figures
1-1
System arrangement
1-2
Front panel
1-3
Backpanel
1-4
Connecting the power cord
1-5
Connecting the monitor
1-6
Connecting the cable to the keyboard
1-7
Opening the keyboard connector cover .
Plugging the keyboard cable into the main unit
1-8
Adjusting the keyboard legs
1-9
1-10
Connecting the printer cable to the parallel port
1-11
Connecting the printer
1-12
Turning on the power
Locking the computer
2-1
Inserting a diskette
2-2
Standard keyboard
2-3
Volume control knob and CPU speed switch
2-4
Write-protect notch
3-1
Write-protect switch
3-2
Back panel screws
4-1
Sliding back the cover
4-2
Removing the cover
4-3
Option slots
4-4
16-bit and 8-bit option cards
4-5
Removing an option slot cover
4-6
Inserting an option card
4-7
Replacing the cover
4-8
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1-3
1-4
1-5
1-7
1-8
1-9
1-9
1-10
1-10
1-11
1-12
1-14
2-1
2-2
2-3
2-5
3-6
3-6
4-2
4-2
4-3
4-3
4-4
4-5
4-6
4-7
A-1
Location of cards
A-2
Jumper positions
Removing memory card retaining screw
A-3
A-4 Memory card jumpers
A-5
Removing circuit board screws
A-6 Unplugging connector CN6 from hard disk controller
card
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A-7 Removing circuit board
A-8 Unplugging connectors CN6 and CN3 from the circuit
board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
A-6
A-6
A-7
A-7
vii
A-9 Main circuit board jumpers .......................
A-10 Disconnecting disk drive cable from multi-function card .
A-11 Removing multi-function card retaining screw
A-12 Multi-function card jumpers
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Tables
A-8
A-10
A-11
A-11
1-1
Monitor/video card compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2-1
Special keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3-1
Drive/diskette compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A-1 Memory card jumper settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A-2 Main circuit board jumper settings
A-3 Multi-function card jumper settings for parallel port . . .
A-4 Multi-function card jumper settings for serial port . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1-8
2-4
3-3
A-3
A-5
A-9
A-10
Introduction
Your Epson Equity
III+ personal computer is a versatile, high-
performance system which offers you a wide variety of choices. First you
choose between two models of the Equity III+ main unit, then select the
monitor and peripherals you want to use with it to assemble the configuration that does the most for you.
The Equity III+ main unit is available in these models:
l
One 1.2MB (megabyte) high-density floppy disk drive
l One 1.2MB floppy disk drive and one 40MB internal hard disk drive.
Both models include 640KB (kilobytes) of memory. You can install additional
drives in your Equity III+ to increase its storage capacity: another floppy disk
drive (360KB, 720KB, or 1.2MB)
andone or more hard disks (10MB, 20MB,
40MB, etc.).
Optional cards and external devices further expand the capabilities of
your Equity III+. Its serial and parallel interfaces let you connect almost any
peripheral device you choose. Here are some options you can use with your
system:
.
Monochrome monitor (green or amber)
l
Monochrome video card
l
RGB (red, green, blue) color monitor or RGB enhanced color monitor
l
Composite color monitor
l Color/graphics video card
l
Graphics or enhanced graphics video card
l Memory expansion card
l 80287 Math coprocessor
l
An Epson printer or plotter.
You can also use most cards for the IBM® Personal Computer,
PC XT™, and PC AT™ on the Equity III+. Check with your Epson dealer
from time to time to find out which peripherals and option cards are
available.
Intro-1
The Equity III+ comes with the MS™-DOS operating system and the
GW™-BASIC programming language. If you have used MS-DOS before on
another computer, you will find that it works the same on the Equity III+. Be
sure to refer to your Equity MS-DOS manual, however, for descriptions of
the special utility programs added by Epson.
You may have purchased other software; you can use most software
products designed for the IBM PC, PC XT, and PC AT on your Equity III+.
Refer to your software program documentation for information on using the
software.
Additionally, the Equity III+ supports multiple users and multiple tasking with the appropriate operating system. Consult your Epson dealer for
more information.
How to Use this Manual
This user’s guide explains how to set up and care for your Equity III+. It
also describes how to start using your system and install optional devices.
You may not need to read everything in this book; some sections may
describe a particular option or accessory you do not have.
Follow the instructions in Chapter 1 to set up and turn on your system.
Chapter 2 describes some general operational procedures. Chapter 3
explains how disks and disk drives work and shows how to use them. Chapter 4 describes how to install and remove option cards. If you encounter a
problem, refer to Chapter 5 for troubleshooting guidelines.
Appendix A describes how to change jumper settings inside the main
unit when you install certain optional devices, Appendix B presents the
Equity III+ hardware specifications, and Appendix C is a glossary of computer terms used in this manual. Refer to the glossary whenever you come
across an unfamiliar word.
Intro-2
Chapter
1
Setting Up Your System
Setting up your Epson Equity III+ personal computer is easy. Just follow
the steps in this chapter.
Unpacking
As you remove your system components from their cartons, be sure
to inspect each piece. If anything is missing, looks damaged, or seems wrong,
consult your Epson dealer.
Once you have unpacked your Equity III+ computer components and
documentation, you should have the following:
The main unit and power cord
The keyboard with detachable cable
Keys for locking the computer
An MS-DOS operating system diskette (version 3.2) and a GW-BASIC
programming language diskette with supplemental MS-DOS utilities
An MS-DOS manual and a GW-BASIC manual
A diagnostics and system-dependent utilities diskette and a Diagnostics
manual
This Equity III+ User’s Guide.
In addition to these items, you probably bought a compatible video monitor
and video card.
You’ll also find a registration card with the main unit. Fill this card out
now and mail it to Epson. With your registration card on file, Epson can
send you update information.
Be sure to keep your packing materials. They provide the best protection
possible for your computer if you need to move or ship it later.
1-1
Removing the disk drive protector sheet
A cardboard sheet occupies the diskette slot in the floppy disk drive.
This sheet is inserted at the factory to protect the read/write heads. Be sure
to remove it before you connect any cables. Turn the latch that covers the
disk slot counterclockwise until it is horizontal. Carefully pull out the sheet.
rive
If you have an optional 360KB or 720KB d
button to release the protector sheet.
Save the protector sheet and reinsert it whenever you move the computer, even if you just move it to another part of the room. If you don’t plan
to use your computer for a week or more, such as when you go on vacation,
reinsert the protector sheet to help prevent dust from entering the disk drive.
as well, press the disk drive
Choosing a Location
2
Whether you use your computer at home or in the office, you need to find a
comfortable, convenient location where it can run properly.
Before you set up your new system, choose an appropriate place.
Choose a location that provides the following:
A large, sturdy desk or table. Make sure it can easily support the weight
of your system, including all its components.
A flat, hard surface. Soft surfaces like beds and carpeted floors attract
static electricity, which erases data on your disks and can damage the
computer’s circuitry. Soft surfaces also prevent proper ventilation.
Good air circulation. Air must be able to move freely under the system
as well as behind it. Leave several inches of space around the computer
to allow ventilation.
Moderate environmental conditions. You need to protect your com-
puter from extremes in temperature, humidity, dust, and smoke. Avoid
direct sunlight or any other source of heat. High humidity also hinders
operation, so select a cool, dry area. Because you can’t risk losing data
stored on disk, do not expose your computer to dust and smoke which
can damage disks and disk drives.
Appropriate power sources. To prevent static charges, connect all your
equipment to 3-prong, 120-volt grounded outlets. You need one outlet for
the main unit, one for the monitor, and additional outlets for a printer
and any other peripherals. The auxiliary power outlet on the rear panel
of the Equity III+ reduces the number of wall outlets you need.
1-2
l
No electromagnetic interference. Locate your system away from any
electrical device that generates an electromagnetic field. Even a telephone can cause trouble, especially if you keep diskettes right next to it.
Arranging the Components
3
system. Figure 1-1 shows a typical setup.
First decide how you want to arrange the different parts of your
Figure 1-1.
If you have special computer furniture or want to customize your setup,
you can arrange your system components to suit your own needs.
Before you connect the cables, take a look at the front and back panels
of the main unit.
System
arrangement
1-3
The front panel
Figure 1-2 identifies the various components on the front panel.
P;;;r Ha;;v$sk
lamp LED lamp LED lamp
~/-!~j
Keyboard VOLUME MONITOR
cable
socket
control
knob
SELECT SPEED
switch switch
Figure
Floppy disk
drive
~~
\:j<g
RESET button
1-2. Front panel
Disk lock/
release latch
Optional
disk drive
slots
Floppy disk drive. The top drive is a floppy disk drive that uses high-
density (1.2MB) diskettes.
Disk lock/release latch. To lock a diskette in place, turn this latch clockwise until it is vertical. To release a diskette, turn it counterclockwise
until it is horizontal.
Floppy disk drive LED lamp. A red light indicates that the drive is being
accessed. To avoid losing data, never remove a diskette or turn off the
computer’s power when this light is on.
Slots for optional disk drives. You can add another floppy disk drive
(1.2MB, 720KB, or 360KB) and/or hard disk drive in these slots. All
Equity III+ units come with at least one 1.2MB floppy disk drive.
Hard disk drive LED lamp. A red light indicates that the drive is being
accessed. To avoid losing data, do not turn off the computer’s power
when this light is on.
Power LED lamp. When the light is on, the power is on. The light is red
if the CPU (central processing unit) speed is 6 MHz, orange for 8 MHz,
and green for 10 MHz.
1-4
Key Lock. Use the key to lock the main unit and keyboard. Turn the key
clockwise to lock the computer and counterclockwise to unlock it. You
can remove the key in either position. (Locking the computer disables
RESET button.)
the
RESET
button. Press this button to reset the computer. When an operat-
ing system is running and the computer is unlocked, you can press the
RESET button to reboot the system.
CPU SPEED
switch. Use this switch to select the CPU’s execution speed:
6 MHz, 8 MHz, or 12 MHz, from left to right. Do nor change the speed
while you are running a program.
MONITOR SELECT
switch. Slide this switch to the left if you are using a
monochrome monitor or to the right if you are using a color monitor.
VOLUME control. Turn the knob clockwise to make the computer’s
speaker louder, or counterclockwise to make it quieter.
Keyboard cable socket. Plug in the keyboard cable here.
The back panel
Now look at the back panel to identify the input/output ports. Figure
1-3 shows where you connect your peripherals.
Voltage
switch
Option card
access slots
/
/
AC power
AC power AC power Printer
inlet
inlet
\
\
outlet
outlet
/
/
parallel
parallel
port
port
Figure 1-3. Back
panel
RS-232C
serial
serial
port
port
1-3
WARNING: Connect all your peripherals before you plug in the power
cable. After you plug in the power cable, always turn off
the power switch before you connect or disconnect any
peripheral.
Voltage switch. Leave this switch at 115V for USA and Canadian use.
Slide the switch to the right to select 230V for use in other countries (as
necessary).
AC Power outlet. Auxiliary power outlet. Some monitors (and other
types of peripherals) can be plugged into the main unit here, instead of a
wall outlet. The main unit’s power switch controls the monitor or
peripheral connected to this outlet.
AC Power inlet. Plug the power cord into the main unit here. Be sure
the power switch is off when you plug the power cord into an outlet.
Printer parallel port. Allows you to connect a peripheral with a paral-
lel interface, such as a printer or a plotter.
RS-232C serial port. Allows you to connect a peripheral with a serial
interface, such as a modem, another computer, or a printer.
Option card access slots. The Equity III+ has nine slots to hold up to
nine option cards. Option cards allow your computer to control your
peripherals or enhance your computer’s performance. One option card
slot holds the hard disk controller card and another contains the parallel
and serial interfaces as well as the floppy disk controller. You also need to
use one or more slots for the video card(s) you purchased for your monitor. You can use the other slots to install additional options, such as a
memory expansion card.
Connecting the Power Cord
4
back panel, as shown in Figure 1-4. To avoid an electric shock, be sure to plug
this end into the main unit before plugging the other end into the wall socket.
For now, do not plug the power cord into an electrical outlet.
1-6
Insert the power cord into the AC power inlet on the left side of the
Figure 1-4. Connecting the power cord
Connecting a Video Monitor
The procedure you use to connect your monitor to the main unit
depends on the type of monitor you have. Refer to your monitor manual for
detailed instructions or follow the general guidelines below.
Note: Your dealer may have installed a video card in your main unit to control
your monitor. If not, you need to install it before you can connect your
monitor. See Chapter 4 for instructions on how to remove the main
unit’s cover and install an option card.
1.
Place your monitor on top of or near the Equity III+ main unit. It is
easiest to connect the monitor cable if the backs of the monitor and
main unit face you.
2.
If necessary, connect the monitor cable to the monitor. (Some monitors
come with permanently attached cables.)
3.
Connect the appropriate end of the monitor cable to your monochrome
or color/graphics card connector at the back of the main unit, as shown
in Figure 1-5. If the plug has retaining screws, tighten them with a screw-
driver.
1-7
Figure 1-5. Connecting
the monitor
The monitor type must match the video card in the main unit. If you
have a color card, you can use one of two connectors: a nine-pin, female
D-connector for RGB monitors or an RCA connector for composite
video monitors. Consult Table 1-1 to make sure your card and monitor
match.
Table 1-1. Monitor/video card compatibility
Monitor Video card
Monochrome
Color or enhanced Graphics or color graphics or One 9-pin RGB output, or
color enhanced graphics
Note: Be sure to set the switches on the video card to match your monitor.
4.
Plug the monitor’s power cable first into the power inlet on the monitor
Monochrome or graphics or
enhanced graphics
Output type
One 9-pin output (TTL
compatible)
one RCA-type jack for
composite video
and then into an electrical outlet.
1-8
Note: If a monochrome monitor has the proper type of plug, you can
plug it into the auxiliary outlet next to the power inlet at the back
of the Equity III+ main unit.
5.
Set the monitor switch on the front panel of the main unit for the type of
monitor you are using. (See Figure 1-2.) Slide the switch to the left for a
monochrome monitor or to the right for a color monitor.
Connecting the Keyboard
Follow these steps to connect the keyboard:
1.
Connect the cable to the keyboard as shown in Figure 1-6. If there is a
plastic band around the connector, remove it first.
Figure 1-6. Connecting the cable to the keyboard
2.
Open the cover on the lower left corner on the front panel of the main
unit, as shown in Figure 1-7.
Figure 1-7. Opening the keyboard connector cover
1-9
3. Plug the other end of the cable into the keyboard socket, as shown in Figure
1-8. Do not force the connector, but be sure to insert it all the way.
Figure
1-8. Plugging the keyboard cable into the main unit
You can tilt the angle of the keyboard by adjusting the legs on the bottom. To adjust the legs, turn the keyboard over and lift each leg upward until
it locks into place, as shown in Figure 1-9. You can adjust the legs to two
different positions, or leave them flat.
1-10
Figure 1-9. Adjusting the keyboard legs
Connecting a Printer
The Equity III+ has both parallel and serial interfaces. You can easily
connect a printer or plotter that has either type of interface-just follow the
instructions below. Epson offers a full range of printer products. Consult
your dealer for more information.
Parallel interface
The Equity III+ parallel interface is Centronics®-compatible and uses a
DB-25S connector. Most Epson printers have parallel interfaces.
To connect a printer to the main unit, you need an IBM-compatible
printer cable. If you are not sure which one you need, consult your Epson
dealer. Once you have a printer cable, follow these steps to connect your
printer to the parallel interface on the main unit:
1.
Place the printer next to your system.
2.
Before you connect the printer, be sure the power switches on both the
main unit and the monitor are off.
3.
One end of the printer cable has a 25-pin male D-connector. (Refer to
your printer manual to determine which end this is.) Connect this end
to the parallel port on the back panel of the main unit, as shown in
Figure 1-10. If the plug has retaining screws, tighten them with a small
screwdriver.
Figure 1-10. Connecting the printer cable to the parallel port
1-11
4.
Connect the other end of the cable to the printer as shown in Figure
1-11. To secure the cable, tighten the squeeze locks at each side of the
printer port and push them into the connectors on each side of the
cable.
Figure 1-11. Connecting the printer
5.
Plug the printer’s power cable into an electrical outlet.
Serial interface
If you have a printer (or another peripheral such as a modem) with a
serial interface, connect it to the serial (RS-232C) port at the back of the
main unit. The Equity III+ uses a DB-9P connector, so be sure you have a
compatible cable (or an adapting cable that converts the 9-pin output to the
standard 25pin output). To connect a serial device, follow the same steps
above for connecting a parallel device.
You need to ensure the serial port is set up so it functions properly. If you
are using the port for a serial printer, you must also redirect printer output to
the serial instead of the parallel port. Use the MS-DOS SETMODE program
(or the MODE command) to make these changes. See your MS-DOS manual for instructions.
The Equity III+ character set
The Equity III+ uses a special character set that assigns graphics and
international characters to some of the ASCII codes. In most cases, if you try
to print these characters on a standard printer, you get italic characters
1-12
instead. Some Epson printers support the IBM character set (the character
set the Equity III+ uses) as a standard feature, and others can be adapted. In
addition, some application programs can print the special graphic characters
on a standard printer when you use a special printer driver program. Ask
your Epson dealer for more information.
Turning On the Computer
8
start using your Equity III+ computer. But before you turn it on, read the
following safety rules.
After you set up your system, you’re ready to turn on the power and
Safety rules
Follow these rules to avoid accidentally damaging your computer or
injuring yourself:
Never turn the computer on or off with a protector sheet in the disk drive.
Do not attempt to dismantle any part of the computer. Only remove the
top cover to install and remove option cards. If there is a hardware
problem you cannot solve after reading Chapter 5 on troubleshooting,
or if you want to install an optional 80287 math coprocessor, consult
your Epson dealer.
Always turn off the power, disconnect the computer’s power cord, and
wait a few minutes before you remove the computer’s cover.
Do not unplug cables from the computer when the power switch is on.
Never turn off or reset your computer while a disk drive light is on. This
can destroy data stored on disk or make a whole disk unusable.
Always wait at least five seconds after you switch the power off before
you switch it on again. Turning the power off and on rapidly can damage
the computer’s circuitry.
Do not leave a beverage on top of or next to your system or any of its
components. Spilled liquid can damage the circuitry of your components.
Turning on the power switch
Now you are ready to turn on your system. It is a good idea to turn on
the monitor and any peripheral devices before you turn on the main unit.
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First, make sure the power cord is plugged into the power inlet on the
back panel of the main unit. Then plug the power cable into a 3-prong,
120-volt, grounded electrical outlet. Turn on the monitor so you can see the
messages that appear as your computer starts up. If you have a printer or
other peripheral device, turn it on next.
You can turn on your computer with or without a system diskette in the
top disk drive. For now, leave the drive empty. To turn on the computer, flip
up the power switch on the right side of the main unit, as shown in Figure
1-12. The power indicator on the front panel lights up and the cooling fan
inside the main unit starts. After a few seconds, the computer begins to
perform an internal self test.
Power switch
Figure
1-12. Turning on the power
If you cannot see the screen display clearly, use the controls on your
monitor to adjust the brightness and contrast until characters on the screen
are clear and bright. If the display is not stable, check your monitor’s horizontal and vertical hold controls.
Initial setup procedure
If this is the first time your Equity III+ has been used, you need to use the
diagnostics diskette to perform an initial setup. This is a simple procedure
which you must do at least once. You may need to do it again if you change
your system configuration-by adding a disk drive, for example-or to
change the system date or time. See your Diagnostics manual for instructions.
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Initial screen display
After the computer completes its self test, a message tells you how much
RAM (random access memory) is available, for example:
640 KB 0K
Then the following message displays:
Non-System disk or disk error
Replace and strike any key when ready
This tells you the computer can now load an operating system from a diskette in the top drive. The Equity III+ needs a disk operating system (DOS) to
function. It comes with MS-DOS version 3.2. If you want to use another
operating system, consult your dealer.
To load an operating system, insert the system diskette you want to use
(see “Inserting and Removing Diskettes” in Chapter 2). Refer to your
MS-DOS (or other operating system) manual for details on how to use the
system.
Note: Use only a backup copy of the system diskette for daily use and keep
the original in a safe place. See your MS-DOS manual to find out
how to make a backup copy.
If your system has a hard disk, you need to prepare it before you can run
an operating system on it. Refer to “Using a Hard Disk Drive” in Chapter 3
(
and to your MS-DOS
how to prepare a hard disk for use.
If your hard disk has been properly prepared and set
boot MS-DOS, the message above does not appear. Instead, the operating
system loads when you turn on the computer. The date and time prompts
display and then the system prompt:
C>
This indicates the hard disk has been assigned as drive C.
or other operating system) manual for instructions on
up
to automatically
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