Hp Vectra XU 6 User Manual

User’s Guide

HP Vectra XU

6/xxx

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User’s Guide

Welcome to Your HP Vectra PC

Congratulations on the purchase of your new Hewlett-Packard Personal Computer. Your high-performance HP Vectra PC provides:

• a Pentium

easy processor upgrades

• processor-integrated level-two cache for improved performance

• 32 MB of ECC (error correcting code) memory, upgradeable

to 512 MB

• an Ultra VGA PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) video

controller with 2 MB of video memory (upgradeable to 8 MB)

• an integrated Enhanced IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics)

controller on the PCI bus supporting Fast IDE and Standard IDE

• an integrated Ultra SCSI controller on the PCI bus supporting

Fast-20 SCSI-2 (up to 20 MB-per-second data transfer rate) and SCSI Plug and Play (SCAM) compliant devices

Pro processor in a Zero Insertion Force (ZIF) socket for

• a 32-bit PCI 100VG/10BaseT Ethernet LAN controller or

a 32-bit PCI 100/10BaseT Ethernet LAN controller

• seven mass storage shelves:

❒ five front-access shelves ❒ two internal shelves

• six slots for accessory boards:

❒ three 32-bit PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) slots ❒ two 16-bit ISA (Industry Standard Architecture) slots ❒ one combination ISA or PCI slot

• a CD-ROM drive

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• an integrated SoundBlaster

• headphones jack, microphone jack, and volume control on

16 audio interface on the ISA bus

the front panel

• MIDI/joystick interface connector, audio Stereo In jack, and audio

Stereo Out jack on the rear panel

• one SCSI connector, one parallel port, and two serial ports on the

rear panel

• System BIOS and Video BIOS stored in Flash ROMs (for easy

upgradeability)

• BIOS support for ISA “Plug and Play” accessory board configuration

• Optimized for 32-bit operating systems.

NOTE The PentiumTM Pro processor installed in your HP Vectra PC provides

the best performance when used with 32-bit operating systems and applications.

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Important Safety Information

If you have any doubt that you can lift the PC or display safely, do not try to move it without help.

For your safety, always connect the equipment to a grounded wall outlet. Always use a power cord with a properly grounded plug, such as the one provided with this equipment, or one in compliance with your national regulations. This PC is disconnected from the power by removing the power cord from the power outlet. This means the PC must be located close to a power outlet that is easily accessible.

For your safety, never remove the PC’s cover without first removing the power cord from the power outlet, and any connection to a telecommunications network. Always replace the cover on the PC before switching it on again.

WARNING To avoid electric shock, do not open the power supply.

This HP PC is a class 1 laser product. Do not attempt to make any adjustment of the laser units.

Important Ergonomic Information

It is strongly recommended that you read the ergonomic information before using your PC. See “Working in Comfort” on page 16.

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Contents

1 Setting Up Your PC

Unpacking Your PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Connecting the Display, Mouse, and Keyboard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Connecting to a Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Connecting a Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Connecting Audio Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Connecting a SCSI Accessory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Connecting the Power Cords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Starting and Stopping Your PC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

2 Using Your PC

Working in Comfort. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Repetitive Strain Injury . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Installing Your Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

What is Displayed on the Screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Using a Document Holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Your HP Keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Your Desk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Your Chair. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Your Posture. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Your Workspace and Work Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Lighting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Further Suggestions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

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Summary Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Bibliography of Articles for More Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Configuring Password Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Setting a Password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Using Your CD-ROM Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Loading a CD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Ejecting a CD When the Open/Close Button is Disabled . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Tips for Using Your PC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

3 How to Install Accessories

Inside Your PC

Supported HP Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Removing and Replacing the Cover. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Replacing the Cover after Installing Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Moving the Power Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Replacing the Power Supply after Installing Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Installing Memory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Main Memory Modules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Installing More Memory on the MGA Video Adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Installing Accessory Boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Configuring Accessory Boards with Plug and Play . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Installing the Board. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

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Installing Disk Drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Installing a Hard Disk Drive. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Completing the Installation of a Hard Disk Drive. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

Installing a Drive in a Front-Access Shelf. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Installing a Processor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Completing the Installation of a Processor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

4 Troubleshooting Your PC and

Using the Setup Program

Solving Problems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

If You Cannot Solve the Problem. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

If Your PC Does Not Start. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

If Your Display is Blank and There Are No Error Messages . . . . . . . . . . 74

If an Error Message Appears . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

If Your PC Has a Hardware Problem. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

If Your Display Does Not Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

If Your Keyboard or Mouse Does Not Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

If Your Printer Does Not Work. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

If the Flexible Disk Drive Does Not Work. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

If the Hard Disk Does Not Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

If an Accessory Board Does Not Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

If Your PC Has a Software Problem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

If You Have Forgotten Your Password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

If You Can’t Start the Setup Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

If the Date and Time Are Incorrect. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

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If Your PC Has an Audio Problem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

If the CD-ROM Drive Has a Problem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

Using the HP Setup Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

Starting the Setup Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

Understanding the Setup Program. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

Using the SCSISelect Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

5 Technical Information

System Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108

Features and Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108

Audio Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110

Power Consumption Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112

The PC’s Memory Map. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113

IRQs, DMAs, and I/O Addresses Used by Your PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114

Available Video Resolutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116

The PC’s Rear Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117

System Connectors and Switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118

System Board Connectors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118

Video Adapter Switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119

System Board Switches. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120

Recycling Your PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122

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6 Hewlett Packard Support and Information Services

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124

Your HP Authorized Reseller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125

HP SupportPack. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125

HP Support Assistant CD-ROM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126

Hewlett-Packard Information Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127

HP Forum on CompuServe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127

HP Forum on America Online . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128

HP BBS Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129

HP World Wide Web Site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129

HP FAXback on Demand—HP FIRST. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130

HP Audio Tips (USA only) HP Automated Support Directory . . . . . . . 130

Ordering Drivers and BIOS on Diskette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131

HP Support Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132

Hewlett-Packard Telephone Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133

Lifeline Telephone Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134

HP Network Phone-in Support Service (NPS). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135

Summary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136

Hewlett-Packard Marketing Headquarters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137

Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139

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Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143

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Setting Up Your PC

This chapter leads you through the first time installation of your HP Vectra PC.

1 Setting Up Your PC

Unpacking Your PC

1 When you receive your PC, unpack all of the components:

• the computer and power cords

• the display and its video cable

• the keyboard, mouse, and headphones

• the manuals and driver kit.

This Manual

Computer

Power Cords

Driver Kit

Video Cable

Display

Headphones

Mouse

Keyboard

NOTE Device drivers, HP utilities, and an online Network Administrator Guide

are provided in a driver kit.

1 Setting Up Your PC

Unpacking Your PC

2 Place the PC on (or under) a sturdy desk with easily accessible

power outlets, and enough space for the keyboard, mouse, and any other accessories.

3 Position the PC so that its rear connectors are easily accessible.

4 Place the display next to the computer.

Installation Tools No tools are required to install your PC. However, if you plan to install a

disk drive or an accessory board inside your PC, you will need a flatblade screwdriver. See chapter 3, How to Install Accessories Inside Your PC, for more information on installing accessories.

WARNING If you are in any doubt that you can lift the PC and the display safely,

do not try to move them without help.

1 Setting Up Your PC

Connecting the Display, Mouse, and Keyboard

1 Connect the display, mouse, and keyboard to the back of the

computer. The connectors are shaped to go in one way only.

2 Tighten the display cable attachment screws.

Mouse Connector

Keyboard Connector

Display Connector

1 Setting Up Your PC

Connecting to a Network

You PC has either a 100Base-T LAN interface adapter or a 100VG LAN interface adapter. Both LAN adapters support 10Base-T.

The LAN Adapters support both 10 Mbit/s and 100 Mbit/s operation. They automatically detect which network type is being used.

1 Connect the RJ-45 plug on your network cable to the LAN connector

on the LAN Adapter. Push the plug into the connector until the plug clicks into place.

Base-T Interface

VG Interface (B model)

2 Attach the other end of the LAN cable to a hub (or into a wall jack

that is connected to a hub).

Let your Network Administrator know you are connecting your PC to the network. Refer to the online Network Administrator Guide (provided with the driver kit) for instructions on setting up your PC for a LAN connection.

1 Setting Up Your PC

Connecting a Printer

If you have a printer, connect its cable to the back of the computer and tighten the attachment screws. Use these connectors:

• Parallel (25-pin parallel connector) for a parallel device

• Serial A (9-pin serial connector) for a serial device

• Serial B (9-pin serial connector) for a second serial device.

Serial B

Serial A

Parallel

1 Setting Up Your PC

Connecting Audio Accessories

Your PC has a Headphones jack and a Microphone jack on the front panel. An audio Stereo In jack, an audio Stereo Out jack, and a MIDI interface connector are located on the rear panel.

MIDI connector

Stereo In jack Stereo Out jack

NOTE The internal speaker and the Stereo Out jack on the rear of your PC are deactivated when you use the Headphones jack. The internal speaker is deactivated when you use the Stereo Out jack. Note that external speakers should have built-in amplifiers.

The audio accessories shown here (headphones, microphone, speakers, and hifi system) are not supplied with your PC.

WARNING To avoid discomfort from unexpected noise, always turn the volume

down before connecting headphones or speakers. Listening to loud sounds for prolonged periods may permanently damage your hearing. Before putting on headphones, place them around your neck and turn the volume down. When you put on the headphones, slowly increase the volume until you find a comfortable listening level, and leave the volume control in that position.

1 Setting Up Your PC

Connecting a SCSI Accessory

Note that Ultra SCSI mode is disabled automatically when an external SCSI accessory is connected to your PC. To learn how to enable Ultra SCSI even when an external SCSI device is connected, see “Configuring the SCSI Interface” on page 96.

1 Refer to the manual provided with the SCSI accessory for

instructions on selecting a SCSI address. You should assign an unused SCSI address to the accessory. SCSI addresses range from 0 to 7, with SCSI address 0 used by the first SCSI hard disk drive and SCSI address 7 reserved for the integrated SCSI controller.

NOTE You don’t need to set a SCSI address for Plug and Play SCSI devices

(SCSI devices which support the SCAM protocol).

2 Connect the SCSI accessory to your PC’s external SCSI connector

with a shielded SCSI cable. (Note that Ultra SCSI is automatically disabled when an external SCSI accessory is connected.)

SCSI

1 Setting Up Your PC

Connecting a SCSI Accessory

3 Make sure the SCSI accessory is terminated correctly—either

internally or by a terminating resistor (refer to the manual provided with the SCSI accessory).

Make sure the SCSI accessory is terminated

4 Refer to the manual provided with the SCSI accessory to learn how

to install any software that may be necessary to use it.

NOTE The total length of the external SCSI cables should not exceed 3 meters

(approximately 10 feet). Contact your dealer to order shielded HP SCSI cables to connect external SCSI accessories.

1 Setting Up Your PC

Connecting the Power Cords

1 If fitted, remove the warning label covering the computer’s power

connector on the rear of the computer.

2 Check that the voltage selection switch has been correctly

configured for your country.

Voltage Selection Switch

If the voltage selection is incorrect for your country, select the correct voltage 115 V or 230 V

NOTE You should not have to change the voltage selection switch setting if the

computer was ordered from HP with the correct localization option for your country.

1 Setting Up Your PC

Connecting the Power Cords

3 Connect the power cords to the display and the computer. (The

connectors are shaped to go in one way only.)

Computer Power Connector

Display Power Connector

Grounded Outlet

4 Connect the display’s power cord and the computer’s power cord to

grounded outlets.

WARNING For your safety, always connect the equipment to a grounded wall

outlet. Always use a power cord with a properly grounded plug, such as the one provided with this equipment, or one in compliance with your national regulations. This PC is disconnected from the power by removing the power cord from the power outlet. This means the PC must be located close to a power outlet that is easily accessible.

1 Setting Up Your PC

Starting and Stopping Your PC

Starting Your PC 1 Press the power button on the display.

Then switch on the PC

Switch on the Display

2 Press the power button on the PC.

The PC performs a power-on self-test. If an error is detected, a message is displayed. Follow the instructions provided to correct the error.

NOTE If the space bar on your keyboard has a power-on icon, you can

start the PC by pressing the space bar. (This feature can be enabled or disabled with the Setup program — see chapter 4 for more information about the Setup program.) Note that you cannot stop your PC by pressing the space bar.

1 Setting Up Your PC

Starting and Stopping Your PC

3 If a Password has been set in the PC’s Setup program, the power-on

prompt appears when you switch on the PC. If the power-on prompt is displayed, type your Password and press to use the PC.

Correct password

Wrong password

Restart the PC, then enter your password again.

4 When your PC has started:

• Adjust the display screen’s brightness and contrast to your needs.

If the picture does not fill the screen or is not centered refer to the display’s manual for instructions.

• Set the keyboard to a comfortable position.

Adjust brightness

(your display may be different from the display shown here)

1 Setting Up Your PC

Starting and Stopping Your PC

Stopping Your PC 1 To stop your PC, make sure that you have exited all programs then

shutdown your operating system (refer to your operating system reference guide for details if you are not sure how to shutdown your operating system).

2 Press the power button to stop your PC.

Resetting Your PC The Reset button lets you restart the PC without switching the PC off

and then on again. Make sure that you have exited all programs then shutdown your operating system before you press the reset button.

You may need to push hard on the Reset button

Using Your PC

This chapter gives important ergonomic advice, explains how to set a password, and shows how to use your CD-ROM drive.

2 Using Your PC

Working in Comfort

Thank you for choosing Hewlett-Packard equipment. To maximize your comfort and productivity it is important that you set up and use your equipment properly. This section of the User’s Guide provides guidance and hints, based on the latest ergonomic findings, to help you work in a comfortable and ergonomically low-risk environment. Also, international regulations and guidelines are included from the European Community Display Screen Equipment directive and ISO 9241 to ensure that the information presented is applicable worldwide. Please be aware that the quoted dimensions are for an average person. They may need to be adjusted to your individual physical characteristics. For example: if you are an extra tall person, your work surface may need to be higher than the range listed. Prior to using any Hewlett-Packard equipment, study these instructions and suggestions and consult the bibliography at the end of this section. If, during use of this or any other equipment, you experience pain or discomfort, stop work and review this section of the User’s Guide. Should the discomfort return, discontinue use of the equipment and consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Repetitive Strain Injury

Because your safety and comfort is our primary concern, we strongly recommend that our equipment be used in accordance with ergonomic standards and recommendations. Recent literature suggests that there may be a relationship between injury to soft tissues, especially in the hands and arms, and the prolonged use of keyboards or other equipment requiring repeated motions of the hands and forearms. Literature also suggests that there are many other risk factors which may increase the chance of such soft-tissue injury, commonly called Repetitive Strain Injury.

16 English

2 Using Your PC

Working in Comfort

Questions and Answers

What is RSI? Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI - also known as cumulative trauma

disorder or repetitive motion injury) is a type of injury where soft tissue in the body, such as muscles, nerves, or tendons, become irritated or inflamed. In an extreme case, this irritation can lead to permanent tissue damage. RSI has been a reported problem for workers performing specific tasks such as assembly line work, meat packing, sewing, playing musical instruments, and VDT work. It may also result from other activities such as carpentry, knitting, housework, gardening, tennis, wind surfing, and lifting children.

Why is it important for me to exercise care in how I set up and use my equipment?

Some people who use VDTs experience physical discomfort during their use. Sometimes this discomfort leads to a repetitive strain injury. Setting up and using equipment properly can help to minimize this discomfort. Use your equipment in an appropriate way. Well-designed and adjusted equipment may not be sufficient to eliminate all potential problems. How you perform your VDT activities is also important.

What causes RSI? RSI is caused by any demanding activity that exceeds the ability of the

body to do work. Common factors that are associated with RSI include too many uninterrupted repetitions of an activity or motion, performing an activity in an awkward or unnatural posture, maintaining static posture for prolonged periods, failing to take frequent short breaks, and stress. Also, certain medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes may contribute to RSI.

What should I do if I start to experience RSI symptoms or discomfort?

By following the guidance on proper equipment and work environment set up and use, the risk of developing RSI can be minimized. However, if you are experiencing any discomfort, seek professional medical advice immediately. Typically, the earlier a problem is diagnosed and treated, the easier it may be to resolve.

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2 Using Your PC

Working in Comfort

Installing Your Display

Most HP displays come with a tilt and swivel feature that makes it easy to adjust the screen position. If your display does not have this feature, consider acquiring an accessory to provide this capability. The optimum distance between the eyes and the screen depends on the size of the displayed characters.

• Optimum readability is generally considered to be 21 minutes of arc.

This corresponds to a character size of 3.7 mm (0.15 in) at a viewing distance of 60 cm (24 in).

• If your eyes are closer to the screen than 50 cm (20 in) undue stress

may occur: Most people prefer a viewing distance of approximately 60 cm (24 in).

• The maximum viewing distance is usually limited by the character

size and the available space on the desk top.

The top of your display screen should be at or slightly below eye level. This will keep you from looking down more than 15 to 20 degrees to see the center of the screen. You should not have to look down more than 60 degrees for normal work tasks, such as typing or reading.

Ideally the screen should be positioned perpendicular to your line of sight. In case of undesirable reflections, tilting the screen forward slightly usually solves the problem. However, if this is not sufficient, it may be necessary to change the position of the display on the desk, or change the location of the desk.

If this still does not correct the problem, try a good quality anti-glare filter, or a screen hood.

Keep the contrast and brightness adjusted to the level that is most comfortable for you. High contrast and low brightness is usually the preferable combination. Since build up of screen dirt is gradual and therefore often overlooked, don't forget to clean the screen on a regular basis.

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