Epson Equity LT Product Support Bulletin

Product Support Bulletin

Subject: Proper Method for Running Benchmark and Diagnostics Programs

EPSON

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

allowed by the hardware being tested.

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

PSB No: S-0158 Originator: MWT

Product Support Bulletin

Subject: Date:

Page:

The purpose of this bulletin is to provide the test results of the Product R&D’s AdaptaPAK Battery and usage instructions. (refer to PSB S- 0055) there are several usage variables that can have a significant effect on the working time.

In this test, the Equity LT was configured with the 20MB hard disk drive and the EL (electroluminescent) backlit LCD and set at 10 Mhz. This is the most popular configuration and also the one that consumes the most power. The first test was

with heavy access, constantly using the hard disk and floppy disk. The internal battery was previously discharged.

battery were charged for 18 hours.

and 15 minutes before it ceased operation. The second test was with minimum access and the hard drive turned off after

powering on. The internal battery was previously discharged. The Equity LT and

the AdaptaPAK battery were charged for 18 hours. After turning on the unit, a

program that didn’t require any keyboard input was executed. The battery charge lasted a total of 8 hours and 15 minutes before it ceased operation.

Equity LT Battery Life and the AdaptaPAK Battery Pack 9/7/89

1 of 2

Like the Equity LT’s internal battery,

The battery charge lasted a total of 5 hours

PSB No.:

Originator: BGB

The laptop and AdaptaPAK

S - 0096

(-7 ;i4

NOTE: The battery lives listed in this document are the results of our tests.

Your experience may vary as battery life is affected by configuration and usage.

We can also assume that if we were to follow the guidelines (PSB S-0055, P3) to extend the battery charge time, we would get even better results.

AdaptaPAK Battery

1) Ensure the battery is fully charged before using. approximately 10 hours.

2) The battery is a sealed lead - acid type.

3) The battery is contained in a black nylon carrying case with shoulder strap.

4) It plugs into a 120V AC outlet for charging. international 220V AC recharger is available.

For overseas usage an

Full charge takes

PSB No: S-0096 Page: 2 of 2

5) Weight 7 Ibs, size 3 X 6 X 11 inches.

The product is manufactured and available from: Product R&D Corporation

1194 Pacific St., Suite 201 San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 Phone: (805) 546 - 9713

The AdaptaPak product includes the ExtraPAK battery and AdaptaCORD. Both are required for use with the Equity LT.

Epson Accessories, Inc. is considering the possibility of offering the AdaptaPAK for resale.

PSB No.: S-0062I Page: 1 of 18

EISA SERIES DESKTOP

VER PART # DESC TYPE LOC REASON

0.10.20.01 DESKROM Phoenix 27C512 U26 INITIAL RELEASE

EISA SERIES TOWER

VER PART # DESC TYPE LOC REASON

TOWERROM U26 INITIAL RELEASE

EQUITY LT

VER PART # DESC TYPE LOC REASON

1.00

1.01

Y164802001 Y164803001

HLO-A1 HLO-B1 HLO-A2 HLO-B2

27C64 27C64 27C64 27C64

3F 5F 3F 5F

INITIAL RELEASE (FIRST 800 UNITS)

Fixes problems with the serial port and Microsoft Word.

EQUITY LT286e

VER PART # DESC TYPE LOC REASON

1.01

AMI AMI

27256 27256

U18 U19

INITIAL RELEASE

EQUITY LT386SX

VER PART # DESC TYPE LOC REASON

1.02

AMI AMI

27C256 27C256

U13 U14

INITIAL RELEASE

NB3s

VER PART # DESC TYPE LOC REASON

040990-KO INITIAL RELEASE

EPSON

EPSON AMERICA, INC.

SERVICE

PRODUCT SUPPORT BULLETIN

PSB NO.: S-0055

SUBJECT:

The purpose of this

information regarding There are several variables that can have a significant effect on the working time obtainable from a charge. These include:

Configuration

One of the more popular configurations of the Equity LT is the hard disk drive model with the EL (electroluminescent) backlit

LCD.

consume the most power and provide the on a charge. For example, here are some comparisons between various configurations:

EQUITY LT BATTERY LIFE

Configuration

I/O activity

Battery condition

Processor speed

Environment

Obviously, this is

DATE: 6/14/88

bulletin is to provide additional

battery charge life with the Equity LT.

also

the configuration

shortest working time

PAGE: 1 of 4

that will

CONFIGURATION LOW BATTERY

Dual FDD, Reflective LCD (NA) 6:00 Hours

Dual FDD, Reflective LCD (FA) 1:20 Hours Dual FDD, Backlit LCD (NA) 5:20 Hours Dual FDD, Backlit LCD (FA) HDD, Reflective LCD (NA) 4:00 Hours HDD, Reflective LCD (FA) 0:45 Hours HDD, Backlit LCD (NA) HDD, Backlit LCD (FA)

NA = No access: FA =

(These times are a representative sampling. Depending on

configuration and usage, your times may vary.)

It's apparent that drive and backlight usage has a dramatic

effect on working time.

Full access:

No activity including no keyboard input

"COPY A:*.* B:" or "COPY A:*.* C:"

0:55 Hours

3:45 Hours 0:25 Hours

TOTAL LIFE 7:00 Hours

1:50 Hours

6:lO Hours

1:20 Hours

4:40 Hours

1:05 Hours

4:20 Hours

0:40 Hours

EPSON AMERICA SERVICE, 23610 TEL0 AVENUE, TORRANCE, CALIF. 90505

NUMBER:

S-0055

PAGE:

2 of 4

Heavy use of the parallel,

also

concern

(with the exception of battery-powered printers and modems)

will require AC power,

Battery Condition

All NiCad batteries

Essentially,

without being fully discharged, it

times between charges.

discharge their electronic flash

away.

Processor Speed

The Equity LT employs the NEC V30 CPU,

CMOS 8086-compatible processor.

setting will cause it to draw somewhat more power.

on a dual FDD LT with the reflective LCD,

between

life.

reduce working

because devices that

if the battery is recharged a

4.77 and 10 MHz can be as much as

time. Functionally,

allowing access to the LT's AC adapter.

exhibit a phenomenon known as

This is why you will see photographers

serial or

interface

RGB monitor ports can

this is of less

via

"remembers"

units before putting them

which is a low-power

However,

these ports

"memory".

number of times

the shorter

the 10 MHz speed

In fact,

the difference

48 minutes total

Environment

Extremes in temperature and humidity battery charge life, but LCD performance as well. The standard rule of thumb applies here: If it's comfortable for you, your computer should function optimally.

can effect

not only

NUMBER:

How to get the most out of the Equity LT

S-0055

PAGE:

3 of 4

It is possible

the Equity LT by following a few simple guidelines:

1) Turn the hard disk drive power OFF. For most applications,

constant access to the hard disk drive is not required. Once the drive access LED to go out and turn the off. power switch back on, wait for the HDD to spin up and then save. with the HDD power off. longer, and a

l:cess your application from the FDD.

2) Set the backlight period to 0.5 minutes. accomplished from the SETUP program. If you pause to think about what you're doing, 30 seconds. 580mA.

low as is

brightness and full brightness can be as much as 445mA.

When you're ready to save

Another alternative is to boot the LT from floppy

this situation and

Also, set the brightness and contrast controls as

to extend the working

application is loaded into RAM,

The power-on

"1701-C" error will display.

should be

the backlight will turn off after

This drops comfortable.

power consumption by as much as

The difference

battery charge time of

wait for the

HDD power switch

your work,

self-test will take

ignored.

turn the HDD

This is normal

Then you can

This is

between 1/2

3) Run at 4.77 MHz. The difference between 4.77 MHz and 10 MHz is 70-80mA.

4) Completely discharge the battery. From time to time, let the battery drain all the way down. LED starts flashing,

and

supplied by the battery will drop below the threshold level and the system will power down. Then give it a full (12 hour) recharge. This will help to minimize the memory effect.

then leave the LT powered up. Eventually,

save your work in progress

in power

When the LOW BATTERY

consumption

(if any)

the power

NUMBER:

5) Traveling Software has recently introduced a battery monitoring Battery Watch. for a number of popular laptop systems, Equity LT. Battery Watch provides the capability to:

Monitor battery life (and optionally set an audible alarm) Customize the installation Perform a "deep discharge" of the NiCad battery

It's a small (10-20KB) memory-resident program. For more information, please contact:

S-0055

and

maintenance software

This package has been written specifically

Traveling Software, Inc.

19310 North Creek Parkway

Bothell, Wa. 98011

package called

PAGE:

including the

(206) 483-8088

4 of 4

By following the above guidelines,

working times well in

backlit Equity LT.

excess of two hours with a hard drive,

it is possible to achieve

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