Epson LT-286 User Manual

EPSON

EQUITY™ LT™-286

User’s Guide

Y17499100100

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. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this publication, Epson America assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. 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

AT and XT are trademarks and IBM is a registered trademark of International

Business Machines Corporation.

Centronics is a registered trademark of Centronics Data Corporation.

Epson is a registered trademark of Seiko Epson Corporation. Equity and LT are trademarks of Epson America, Inc.

GW-BASIC, Microsoft, Microsoft Word, and MS-DOS are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

Hayes is a registered trademark of Hayes Microcomputer Products, Inc. Lotus and 1-2-3 are registered trademarks of Lotus Development Corporation. XTREE is a registered trademark of Executive Systems, Inc.

Q50188028

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 rules, which are designed to provide 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 and television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, you are 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 the computer and

receiver are on different branch circuits.

If necessary, consult your dealer or an experienced radio/television technician for additional suggestions. You 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

Note: If the interference stops, it was probably caused by the

computer or its peripheral 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 non-Epson peripheral devices contact the manufacturer or dealer for assistance.

WARNING:

This equipment has been certified to comply with the limits for a Class B

computer 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 non-shielded equipment interface cable to this

equipment will invalidate the FCC Certification of this device and may cause

interference levels that exceed the limits established by the FCC for this

equipment.

Introduction

How To Use This Manual Where To Get Help

Setting Up Your System

1 Unpacking

2 Connecting the AC Adapter 3 Charging the Battery 4 Connecting a Printer

Setting the DIP Switches

Inserting the Startup/Operating 1 Diskette

7 Starting the System

8 Copying System Diskettes

Running the Setup Program

Starting the Setup Program

Memory

Display

Coprocessor

Mass Storage

Backlight Period Gray Scale Leaving the Setup Program

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Connecting to the Parallel Interface Connecting to the Serial Interface

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Keyboard DIP Switches

Back Panel DIP Switches

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Turning On the Computer

Adjusting Screen Contrast and Brightness ......

Initial Screen Display

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1-1

1-2 1-3 1-4 1-4 1-7 1-8 1-9 1-12

1-14 1-15 1-16

1-17 1-18 1-19

2-1 2-2 2-3 2-4 2-6 2-7

2-9 2-10 2-13

Preparing the Hard Disk for Use

Creating a Primary Partition

Creating an Extended Partition Formatting the Primary Partition

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3-1

3-3 3-5 3-7

Formatting the Extended Partition

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Copying the MS-DOS Files to the Hard Disk Modifying the AUTOEXEC.BAT File Booting From the Hard Disk

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3-9 3-10 3-11

3-12

Using the Equity LT-286

Using the AC Adapter Using the Battery LED Indicators

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Opening and Closing the Screen Using the Handle

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Selecting Execution Speed

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Special Keys on the Equity LT-286 Keyboard Using the Function Key Template Using Diskettes

How Diskettes Work

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Choosing Diskettes for the Equity LT-286 Caring for Diskettes

Inserting and Removing Diskettes Making Backup Copies

Write-Protecting Diskettes

Using the Hard Disk Drive

Caring for the Hard Disk

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Protecting the Data on Your Hard Disk.. Improving Hard Disk Performance

Turning Off the Hard Disk

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Turning Off the Hard Disk

Before Starting the Computer

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Turning Off the Hard Disk

After Starting the Computer Resetting the Computer Turning Off the Computer

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4-1

4-1 4-2 4-3 4-4 4-6 4-7 4-8 4-10 4-11 4-11

4-11 4-13 4-14 4-15 4-15 4-16 4-16 4-17 4-17

4-17

4-19

4-19 4-20 4-21

Using MS-DOS With Your Equity LT-286

Starting MS-DOS Exiting MS-DOS Changing the Current Drive

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The MS-DOS Command Format Entering MS-DOS Commands

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5-1 5-2 5-2

5-2 5-3

5-4

Storing Data

Using Directories

The Current Directory Listing the Contents of a Directory Using Pathnames Creating Directories Changing Directories Copying From one Directory to Another

Deleting a Directory

Formatting Diskettes

Formatting a 1.44MB Diskette Formatting a 720KB Diskette

Copying Data

Using the DISKCOPY Command Using the COPY Command

Using the BACKUP Command Deleting Data Using the Epson HELP Utility Using the Epson MENU Utility

MENU Utility Options

Using the XTREE Utility

Running XTREE

Cautions Using an AUTOEXEC.BAT File

Creating an AUTOEXEC.BAT File

Starting an Application Program Using the LIGHTON Utility

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5-5 5-6 5-7 5-8 5-9 5-11 5-11 5-12 5-13 5-13 5-14 5-15 5-16 5-16 5-18 5-20 5-21 5-22 5-24 5-24

5-25 5-26 5-27 5-28 5-29 5-30 5-30

Appendixes

A Connecting an External Color Monitor B Troubleshooting

The Computer Won’t Start The LCD Screen Is Blank The Monitor Screen Is Blank The Computer Locks Up Low Battery Problems

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A-1 B-1

B-1 B-2

B-3 B-4 B-4

vii

Diskette Problems Hard Disk Problems

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B-5 B-6

Power-On Diagnostics

System Device Check Clock and CMOS RAM Check RAM Check

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Keyboard Controller and Keyboard Check Video and Video Controller Check Diskette Drive Seek Check

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Hard Disk Controller and Hard Disk Check

Performing System Diagnostics

Starting System Diagnostics Modifying the DEVICE LIST Selecting a Test

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Resuming From an Error System Board Check

Memory Check

Keyboard Check

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Monochrome Display Adapter and CRT Check

Monochrome Adapter Check Attribute Check Character Set Check Video Check Sync Check

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Run All Above Checks

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Color Graphics Adapter and CRT

Color Graphics Adapter Check Attribute Check Character Set Check

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40-Column Character Set Check 320x200 Graphics Mode Check 640x200 Graphics Mode Check Screen Paging Pheck Color Video Check Sync Check

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Run All Above Checks

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C-1 C-1 C-2 C-2

C-3 C-4

D-1

D-1 D-2 D-4 D-5 D-6 D-6 D-7

D-9

D-9 D-9 D-10 D-10 D-10 D-11 D-11

D-12 D-12 D-13 D-13 D-14 D-15 D-16

D-16 D-17

Floppy Disk Drive and Controller Check

Sequential Seek Check Random Seek Check Write, Read Check

Speed Check

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Disk Change Check Run All Above Checks

Math Coprocessor (80287) Check

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Parallel Port (Printer Interface) Check Serial Port (RS-232C Port) Check Alternate Serial Port Check

Dot-Matrix Printer Check

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Hard Disk Drive and Controller Check

Seek Check Write, Read Check Read, Verify Check

Run All Above Tests

Alternate Parallel Port Check

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Parallel Port (on Video Adapter) Check Exiting System Diagnostics Error Codes and Messages

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D-18 D-18

D-19 D-19

D-20 D-20 D-21

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D-21 D-22 D-23 D-24

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D-25

D-26 D-26

D-27 D-27

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D-28 D-29

E Specifications

Main Unit Interfaces Keyboard Mass Storage Display Power Supply

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Power Requirements Physical Dimensions Environmental Requirements Options

Glossary Index

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Glossary 1

Index 1

E-1

E-1 E-1 E-1 E-2 E-2 E-2 E-3 E-3 E-3 E-4

Introduction

Your Epson® Equity™ LT™-286 portable computer is a compact, high-performance system you can use just about anywhere: at the office, at home, or on the road. Its rechargeable battery lets you use

it in remote locations when you don’t have access to an electrical

outlet. With the AC adapter connected, you can use the computer

as long as you like and recharge the battery in the process.

The Equity LT-286 comes with the following:

l An 80286 microprocessor l 640KB (kilobytes) of internal memory

One 20 or 40MB (megabyte) hard disk

One 1.44MB 3 1/2-inch diskette drive

A high-contrast paper-white backlit LCD (liquid crystal display) screen

Built-in serial, parallel, and video interfaces.

The 80286 microprocessor inside your Equity LT-286 can run at an execution speed of either 12 MHz or 8 MHz. Ordinarily you’ll want to use the 12 MHz speed to get faster performance from your computer. A few application programs may require the 8 MHz speed; a switch above the keyboard allows you to change speeds without resetting the computer. The Equity LT-286 also has a built-in socket for an 80287 math coprocessor, which can be

installed by an authorized Epson dealer or Customer Care Center.

The built-in serial and parallel interfaces allow you to attach almost

any peripheral device, such as a printer or external modem, to your Equity LT-286.

If you have a CGA-compatible color monitor, you can connect it to the computer to take advantage of the color and the larger display. If you have an external 5 1/4-inch diskette drive, you can also connect that to the computer so that you can easily exchange data with computers that use 5 1/4-inch diskette drives.

Introduction 1

The following optional equipment should be available from your Epson dealer:

l 300/1200-baud H l 1200/2400-baud Hayes-compatible auto-dial internal modem

2MB memory expansion modules-one or two can be installed

ayes@-compatible auto-dial internal modem

by an authorized Epson dealer or Customer Care Center

l Expansion chassis l Soft carrying case.

Either of the internal modem options allows you to communicate

with other computers over telephone lines. The expansion chassis

contains two expansion slots, which can accommodate standard 8-bit and 16-bit option cards.

Your Equity LT-286 comes with MS-DOS? version 3.3, by Microsoft@’ and the GW-BASIC® programming language. You’ll find reference manuals for both MS-DOS and GW-BASIC packed in the box with the computer. You can use virtually any application program designed for the IBM@ Personal Computer, PC XT,” or PC AT” on your Equity LT-286.

In addition to MS-DOS and GW-BASIC, Epson has included three time-saving utilities that make MS-DOS easier to use: HELP, MENU, and XTREE® The HELP program lets you display information on the screen about any MS-DOS command. MENU provides an easier way to run the most common MS-DOS commands. XTREE is a disk management utility that simplifies all file and directory operations.

Introduction

How To Use This Manual

This user’s manual explains how to set up and care for your Equity

LT-286. It also describes how to use your computer and run diagnostic checks.

The eight steps in Chapter 1 explain how to set up your computer

and prepare it for use. On the inside back cover is a foldout illustration of the computer parts; you may want to refer to this while you set up the computer.

Chapter 2 tells you how to run the setup program. The setup program gives the computer information about what kind of equipment you have installed and how that equipment is configured. You need to run setup once, when you first begin working with your computer. Afterward, you need to run setup only if you change the configuration.

Chapter 3 explains the procedures for preparing your hard disk. Unless your dealer has already set up the disk for you, you must follow the steps described in this chapter before using your hard disk.

Chapter 4 describes general operating procedures and explains how

to use and care for your disks and disk drives.

Chapter 5 provides basic instructions for using MS-DOS with your

computer. You can find more detailed information about MS-DOS in the MS-DOS Reference Manual.

Appendix A explains how to attach an external color monitor to your Equity LT-286. To install other options, see the instructions that come with the option. For dealer-installed options, contact an authorized Epson dealer or Customer Care Center. (See the next section, “Where To Get Help,” for details.)

If you encounter any problems while using your Equity LT-286, check the troubleshooting guidelines in Appendix B.

Appendix C provides information on the power-on diagnostics, which you need if your computer has trouble starting up.

Introduction 3

Appendix D outlines the system diagnostic checks you can perform on your computer. If you are having trouble with any part of the hardware, you may want to run some or all of these diagnostic checks.

Appendix E lists the Equity LT-286 hardware specifications. At the back of the manual is a glossary of computer terms used in

this manual.

Where To Get Help

Customer support and service for Epson products is provided by a network of authorized Epson dealers and Customer Care Centers throughout the United States. Epson America provides training, replacement parts, product information, and toll-free support to our dealers and Customer Care Centers.

Therefore, we ask that you contact the business where you purchased your Epson product to request assistance. If the people there do not have the answer to your question, they can obtain it through our toll-free dealer/Customer Care Center hotline.

We are confident that this policy will provide you with the assistance you need. If you need to find an authorized Epson dealer or Customer Care Center in your area, please call our Consumer

Information number at 1-800-922-8911.

4 Introduction

Chapter 1

Setting Up Your System

Setting up your Epson Equity LT-286 portable computer is easy. Just follow the steps in this chapter. They describe how to attach

the AC adapter, start MS-DOS, and copy the system diskettes that come with your Equity LT-286.

After you have followed these steps, turn to Chapter 2 for information about the setup program. You must run this program to give your computer the information it needs to get started. Then follow the instructions in Chapter 3 to prepare your hard disk.

Do not turn on the computer, printer, or any peripherals until the

instructions tell you to. Otherwise, you may damage some part of

your equipment.

Unpacking

As you unpack the components, be sure to inspect each

item. If anything is missing or damaged, consult your Epson dealer.

Setting Up Your System

1-1

In addition to this manual, you should have the following items:

l The main unit

The AC adapter and power cord

Three diskettes: Startup/Operating 1, Operating 2, and

Reference

An MS-DOS manual and a GW-BASIC manual

Two function key templates

You’ll also find a registration card with the main unit. Fill out this card 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 ship it later.

Connecting the AC Adapter

Follow these steps to connect the AC adapter:

Make sure the computer’s power switch (located on the back

panel of the computer) is turned off.

Insert the round end of the adapter cable into the connector marked AC ADAPTER on the back panel of the computer.

1-2

Setting Up Your System

Connect the computer’s power cord to the adapter’s input socket.

4. Plug the other end of the power cord into a grounded, 120-volt, AC wall outlet.

Be sure to read “Using the AC Adapter” in Chapter 4 for information on powering the computer with the AC adapter.

Note

The AC adapter cable has been

being accidentally the AC adapter, grasp the cable with your thumb on the flat part of the connector, Then pull it away from the computer, Do not

try to unplug the adapter by pulling on the cord.

disconnected from the computer. To

designed to prevent it from

unplug

Charging the Battery

The Equity LT-286 (NiCad) battery pack that powers the computer when you are not using the AC adapter. Before you use the computer the first time, you must charge the battery.

When you plugged in the AC adapter in step 2, it started charging the battery. This happens whenever the adapter is connected to the computer and plugged into an electrical outlet. Let the battery

contains a rechargeable nickel cadmium

Setting Up Your System

1-3

charge for at least five minutes before you start using the computer

the first time, and leave the AC adapter connected while you use the computer.

Be sure to read “Using the Battery” in Chapter 4 for information on using the computer with the battery. It explains how to charge the battery fully; you should do this as soon as possible with your new

computer.

Connecting a Printer

The Equity LT-286 has both parallel and serial interfaces

(ports). You can easily connect a printer or plotter that has either type of interface. Just follow the instructions below. Of course, Epson offers a full range of printer products; consult your dealer for more information.

Connecting to the Parallel Interface

The computer’s Centronics®-compatible parallel interface uses a 25-pin, D-shaped female connector. Most Epson printers have parallel interfaces.

To connect a printer to the computer, you need an IBMcompatible printer cable. If you’re 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 computer:

Place the printer next to your computer.

Before you connect the printer, make sure the power switches on the computer and printer are off. (The power switch for your computer is located on the back of the machine, on the left side

as you face the keyboard.)

1-4

Setting Up Your

System

3. Open the computer’s interface cover, as shown below.

4. One end of the printer cable has a 25-pin, D-shaped male connector. (See your printer manual if you’re not sure which end this is.) Connect this end to the parallel connector on the back panel of the computer, as shown below. If the plug has retaining screws, tighten them by hand or with a screwdriver.

Setting

Up Your System

1-5

Connect the other end of the cable to the printer as shown in the following illustration. To secure the cable, squeeze the clips at each side of the printer connector and push them into place.

Plug the printer’s power cable into an electrical outlet.

Before starting your computer, be sure to set DIP switch 1 on

the back panel to the off position, as described on page 1-8 in “Setting the DIP Switches.” This tells your computer that a printer is connected to the parallel interface.

Note

If you plan to use an external 5 1/4-inch diskette drive with your Equity LT-286, you must connect the external drive to the parallel interface, Therefore, you cannot have both a parallel printer and the diskette drive connected at the same time. If you’re using an external 5 1/4-inch diskette drive, you need to set DIP switch 1 on the back panel to the on position. See “Setting the DIP Switches,” on page 1-8,

1-6

Setting Up Your System

Connecting to the Serial Interface

If you have a printer or other peripheral device that uses a serial interface, connect it to the serial (RS-232C) interface on the back of the computer.

The Equity LT-286 uses a 9-pin, D-shaped male connector, so be

sure you have a compatible cable or an adapting cable that converts the 9-pin output to the standard 25-pin output. To connect a serial

device, follow the steps above for connecting a parallel device.

You need to make sure 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 from the parallel port to the serial port. Use the MS-DOS MODE command (or the Epson MENU program) to make these changes. See your MS-DOS manual for instructions.

Setting

Up Your System

1-7

Note If you plan to connect a color monitor or an external 5 1/4-inch

diskette drive to your computer, do so at this point. For

instructions on connecting the monitor, see Appendix A. For instructions on connecting an external diskette drive, see the instructions that came with the drive you purchased.

If you connect either of these devices to your Equity LT-286, be

sure to set the computer’s DIP switches correctly before using the computer. See “Setting the DIP Switches,‘+ below.

Setting the DIP Switches

The Equity LT-286 has two sets of DIP switches. These are

small, on/off switches that provide your computer with information about itself each time you turn the computer

either on (up) or off (down). To change a setting, use a hard, thin object, such as a small screwdriver.

One set of DIP switches is located just above the keyboard; the other is on the back panel of the computer. The set above the keyboard has four switches that control the LCD screen. The set on the back panel has six switches that control the diskette drive, the

parallel and serial interface configuration, the character set, and the

presence or absence of an external video controller card.

on. A DIP switch is

Read this section to make sure the current DIP switch settings match your system setup.

NoteNote

The DIP switches on the back panel should be changed onlyThe DIP switches on the back panel should be changed only

while the computer is turned off. Otherwise, the new settings dowhile the computer is turned off. Otherwise, the new settings do

not take effect until the computer is turned off and then onnot take effect until the computer is turned off and then on

again. (There is one exception: switch 4 on the back panel mayagain. (There is one exception: switch 4 on the back panel may

be changed while the computer is running.)be changed while the computer is running.)

The DIP switches above the keyboard may be changed while the

computer is running. However, do not change these switchescomputer is running. However, do not change these switches

while running the setup program.while running the setup program.

1-8

Setting Up

Your

System

Keyboard DIP Switches

The DIP switches above the keyboard are numbered 1 through 4. To access these switches, lift the panel above the keyboard by pressing inward on both sides of the cover as you lift it up:

The system functions controlled by the keyboard DIP switches,

shown below, are listed in Table l-l.

Setting Up Your System

1-9

Table 1-1. Keyboard DIP switch functions

1 LCD reverse LCD normal*

Gray-scale mode 0 (black/white)* Gray-scale mode 1 Gray-scale mode 2 Gray-scale mode 3 (user-defined)

Select LCD* Select external monitor

*Default settings

Switch 1, LCD reverse or normal-This switch tells your computer whether to display text on the screen in normal or reverse mode. In normal mode, black characters are displayed on a white background. In reverse mode, white characters are displayed on a black background.

Switches 2 and 3, gray-scale mode-These two switches select one of four available gray-scale modes. The gray-scale mode governs the way color information is displayed on your LCD screen. In mode 0, everything is displayed in black and white. For most of your work with the Equity LT-286, you probably want to use mode 0. In modes 1 and 2, information that appears in color on a color monitor appears in various shades of gray on your LCD screen.

Modes 1 and 2 differ from each other only in the specific assignment of colors to gray tones. The gray tone assignments

are shown in Table 1-2.

ON OFF

OFF OFF ON ON

OFF ON OFF ON

-1

OFF

1-10

Setting Up Your System

Table 1-2: Gray-scale

mocks

and 2

Color Black

Blue Green Cyan

Red

Magenta

Brown White Gray

Light blue

Light green

Light cyan

Light red

Light magenta Yellow

Bright white

Note: 0 is the darkest gray tone; 7 is the lightest

Mode 1 gray tone Mode 2 gray tone

0 0

1 1 4 2 5 3 2 4 3 5 6 7 7 0 0

1 1 4 5 2 3 6 6 7 7

2 3 4 5

Mode 3 is user-defined. If you select mode 3, you may assign colors to gray tones in whatever way best suits your needs. To specify a mode-3 gray scale, use the setup program, as described in Chapter 2.

Switch 4, LCD or monitor selection-This switch tells the computer whether to display text and graphics on the LCD screen or on a color monitor that you have connected to the computer. If you have connected a color monitor, set this switch to off. Otherwise, leave it on.

Setting Up Your System

1-11

Back Panel DIP Switches

The second set of DIP switches is located near the middle of the

back panel. These switches are numbered 1 through 6. To access these switches, open the back panel of the computer as shown below.

The system functions controlled by these switches are listed in Table 1-3 and described below.

Table

1-3.

Buck panel DIP switch functions

*Default settings

1-12

Setting Up Your

System

Switch 1, use of parallel port-This switch tells your computer whether a diskette drive or a parallel printer is connected to the parallel port. If you have connected a parallel printer to this port,

set switch 1 off. If you have connected an external 5 1/4-inch

diskette drive to the port, set switch 1 on.

WARNING Failure to set switch 1 correctly may result in damage to your

system.

Switch 2, external drive assignment-If you have connected an

external diskette drive to the computer, switch 2 determines

whether MS-DOS and your application programs access the drive

as drive A or drive B. If this switch is on, the built-in 3 1/2-inch

diskette drive is drive A and the external 5 1/4-inch diskette drive

is drive B. If this switch is off, the internal drive is B and the

external drive is A.

Certain copy-protected application programs require that an

original program diskette be in drive A when the program is started.

If you are running such a program and the original diskette is 5 1/4inch, be sure to set switch 2 off. Under all other circumstances, it is best to leave it on.

Switch 3, primary or secondary serial port-This switch tells the computer whether the serial connector on the back of the computer is configured as a primary port (COM1) or a secondary port (COM2). If this switch is off, MS-DOS recognizes this connector as COM1; if it is on, MS-DOS recognizes it as COM2.

If you have not installed an internal modem in your Equity LT-286, you probably want to leave switch 3 off. If you have installed an

internal modem, and you want the modem’s own serial port to be

COM1, set this switch on. Switch 4, double-dot/single-dot select-This switch controls the

intensity with which characters are displayed on the screen. Set

this switch on for bold (double-dot) characters or off for light

(single-dot) characters.

Setting Up Your System

1-13

Switch 5, enable or disable internal display controller-If you

have attached an optional expansion chassis and you are using an external video controller card (such as an Enhanced Graphics Adapter) in the expansion chassis, set this switch off. Otherwise, set it on.

Switch 6, external monitor type-Switch 6 is important only if

you are using an external monitor attached to a video controller

card in an expansion chassis and you have set switch 5 off. If your external monitor displays color, set this switch on. If your external monitor is monochrome, set this switch off.

Note If switch 5 is on, the computer ignores the setting of switch 6.

Inserting the Startup/Operating 1 Diskette

Follow these steps to insert the Startup/Operating 1 diskette:

Hold the diskette with the printed label facing up and the arrow pointing into the diskette drive, as shown in the following illustration.

1-14

Setting

Up Your System

Insert the diskette in the drive so that it clicks into place. When the diskette is all the way in, the release button pops out. For more information on inserting, removing, and caring for diskettes, see Chapter 4.

Starting the System

After you have completed steps 1 through 6, you’re ready to

turn on the power and start using your Equity LT-286 computer. But before you turn it on, read the following safety rules to avoid accidentally damaging your computer or injuring yourself:

Do not attempt to dismantle any part of the computer. If there

is a hardware problem you cannot solve after reading Appendix B on troubleshooting or after performing the system diagnostics

described in Appendix D, consult your Epson dealer. Never turn off or reset your computer while a disk drive LED

(light-emitting diode) is illuminated. Doing so can destroy data stored on the disk or make the whole disk unusable. The disk drive LEDs are located above the keyboard on the right side. The LED marked HDD indicates that the hard disk drive is in

use. The LED marked FDD indicates that the built-in diskette

drive is in use.

Always wait at least five seconds after you switch off the power

before switching it back on. 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.

Setting Up Your System

1-15

Turning On the Computer

After you have charged the battery (by connecting the AC adapter to the computer) for at least five minutes, you can turn on your computer. Be sure to leave the AC adapter connected while you use the computer for the first time.

To turn on your computer, follow these steps:

Turn on any peripheral devices, such as a printer, an external diskette drive, or a color monitor.

Make sure your computer’s hard disk switch, located on the back panel, is turned on. It is best to leave this switch on at all times.

3. If you have not done so already, insert the Startup/Operating 1 diskette.

4. Turn on the computer by pressing the power switch on the

back panel.

1-16

Setting Up Your

Power

Switch

System

The Power/Speed indicator above the keyboard lights up, and after a few seconds the computer begins to perform an internal self test. This is a diagnostic program the computer runs whenever you turn it on. The power-on self test checks the RAM (random access memory), keyboard, system board, and peripherals before the computer begins normal operation.

For a complete description of the power-on diagnostics, see Appendix C.

Adjusting Screen Contrast and Brightness

If you cannot see text on the screen clearly, use the switches on the right side of the screen to adjust the screen’s contrast and brightness. The switches are shown below:

The contrast switch determines how bright the characters appear against the background. To increase the contrast, move the switch up. To decrease it, move the switch down.

To make the backlighting brighter, move the brightness switch up. To decrease the backlighting, move the switch down. To conserve the battery’s charge when you’re running the computer on the battery, do not make the screen brighter than necessary to read the text clearly.

Setting Up Your

System

1-17

+ 158 hidden pages

Epson LT-286 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Contents

Introduction

How To Use This Manual

Where To Get Help

Unpacking

Connecting the AC Adapter

Charging the Battery

Connecting a Printer

Connecting to the Parallel Interface

Connecting to the Serial Interface

Setting the DIP Switches

Keyboard DIP Switches

Back Panel DIP Switches

Inserting the Startup/Operating 1 Diskette

Starting the System

Turning On the Computer

Adjusting Screen Contrast and Brightness