Mitsubishi Electric apricot ls/vs550 Owner's Manual

LS/VS550

NATIONAL

ACCREDITATION

OF CERTIFICATION

BODIES

Owner’s Handbook

OWNER’S HANDBOOK

APRICOT LS/VS550

with Pentium-Pro processor

Intel, Pentium® and Pentium®Pro are registered trademarks of Intel
Corporation.

Microsoft, MS-DOS, Windows

®

and Windows®NT are registered trademarks of

Microsoft Corporation in the US and other countries.
Other trademarks mentioned within this document and not listed above are the

properties of their respective owners.
Information contained in this document is subject to change without notice and

does not represent a commitment on the part of Apricot Computers Limited.
Any software described in this manual is furnished under a license agreement.
The software may be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of this
agreement. It is against the law to copy any disk supplied for any purpose
other than the purchaser’s personal use.

No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any
means electronic or mechanical including photocopying and recording, for any
purpose, without the express written permission of the publishers.

Copyright © Apricot Computers Limited 1996. All rights reserved.

Published by:
Apricot Computers Limited
3500 Parkside
Birmingham Business Park
Birmingham, England
B37 7YS

http://www.apricot.co.uk

Printed in the United Kingdom

CONTENTS

Safety and regulatory notices

General i
Standards ii
Power connection information iii

Power - UK only iv

1 FIRST STEPS

System rear 1/1
Audio subsystem 1/2
Turning on and booting 1/2
Energy saving features 1/3
Turning the power off 1/4
Opening the system unit 1/5
The components inside 1/6

2 THE SYSTEM DRIVES

Using the floppy drive 2/1
Using a CD-ROM drive 2/2
Optional PD drive 2/4
Hard disk drives 2/6
Installation of a second HDD

3 SYSTEM EXPANSION

Configuring a card 3/1
Installing a card 3/5

LS/VS550 OWNER’S HANDBOOK 1

2/7

Contents

4 TROUBLESHOOTING

Problems when starting 4/1
Troubleshooting checklist 4/3
The system’s disk drives 4/4

5 SYSTEM MOTHERBOARD

Major board features 5/1
Jumpers and control connections 5/2
Replacing the CMOS battery 5/6
Upgrading the motherboard 5/7
Adding more memory 5/7
Upgrading the processor 5/9

6 SYSTEM BIOS AND SETUP

Entering Setup 6/1
Control keys 6/2
Main menu screen 6/3
Beep codes 6/11
Error messages 6/13

Note down your settings

6/14

Appendix section

Cleaning and Transporting 4 pages
Antistatic precautions 2 pages

2 LS/VS OWNER’S HANDBOOK

SAFETY AND REGULATORY NOTICES

General

Electrical

The computer uses a safety ground and must be earthed.
The system unit AC power cord is its ‘disconnect device’. Ensure that the

system unit is positioned close to the AC power outlet and that the plug is
easily accessible. The power cord packed with the computer complies with the
safety standards applicable in the country in which it is first sold. Use only
this power cord. Do not substitute a power cord from any other equipment.

To prevent fire and electric shock, do not expose any part of the computer
to rain or moisture and turn off the computer and unplug all power cords
before moving or cleaning the system unit, or removing the system top cover.

Battery

This product contains a lithium battery:
Do not use a metal or other conductive implement to remove the battery. If

a short-circuit is made between its positive and negative terminals the
battery may explode.

Replace a discharged configuration (CMOS) battery with one of the same
type. Dispose of the battery in accordance with the manufacturer's
recommended instructions and DO NOT attempt to recharge, disassemble
or incinerate the discharged battery. Keep away from children.

Laser products

Any CD-ROM drive fitted in this system is classified as a CLASS 1 LASER
PRODUCT according to IEC825 Radiation Safety of Laser Products
(Equipment Classification: Requirements and User's Guide). The CLASS 1
LASER PRODUCT label is located on the underside of the system unit.

Ergonomic

It will be in high visibility colours and bear the details shown above.
Use the CD-ROM drive only as described in this manual. Failure to do so

may result in exposure to hazardous radiation.

When positioning the system unit, monitor and keyboard, take into
account any local or national regulations relating to ergonomic
requirements.

I

Safety and regulatory notices

Standards

Safety

This product complies with the European safety standard EN60950. When
required, any applicable national deviations for the country in which it is sold
will be shown on an appropriate label affixed to the system underside.

Electro-magnetic Compatibility (EMC)

This product complies with the following European EMC standards:
Emissions EN55022 Class B
Immunity EN50082 Level 2
This product also complies with the following International EMC standards:
VCCI level 1 (Japan)

German Acoustic Noise Regulation

Sound power level is less than 70 dB(A) according to DIN 45635 Part 19
(ISO 7779).

Notes

All interconnecting cables (e.g. Microphone, headphone and speaker) and
communication cables should be less than 2 metres in length. If cable
extensions are used, ensure adequate earth connections are provided and
screened cables are used.

Legalities

II

This equipment complies with the relevant clauses of following European
Directives:

Low voltage Directive 73/23/EEC
EMC Directive 89/336/EEC
CE marking Directive 93/668/EEC

CautionCaution

This system has been tested to comply with CE marking and its strict legal
requirements. Use only Apricot tested and approved parts. Failure to do so may
result in invalidating both the compliance and your warranty. All expansion
cards or upgrade components must carry CE approvals.

Safety and regulatory notices

Power connection information

Typical AC plugs

250V

E

L N

250V

E

N L

BS1363A SHUCO NEMA 5-15P SRAF 1962/DB16/87 ASE 1011

U. K. Austria Belgium Taiwan Denmark Switzerland

Finland France Thailand

Italy Germany Japan

Sweden Norway USA

Holland Canada

125V

N

250V

L

E

L

N

E

250V

Procedure

NoteNote

Any ancillary equipment using an AC power supply cable should be earthed.

The power supplies in the computer and the monitor are correct for the
country in which the system is first sold. Do not alter any switch settings
on the rear of the system. If you wish to use the computer in another
country it may not be suitable, contact your supplier or an authorised
Apricot dealer.

♦

Before connecting up any parts of the system, ensure that the AC
supply is switched off or disconnected.

♦

First connect up the keyboard, mouse, monitor signal cable, and
audio cables as appropriate.

♦

Connect up

all

AC cables. (System to supply, system to monitor, all

related peripherals.) Then switch on or connect the AC supply.

♦

Switch on the monitor first, then the computer followed by the
peripherals, such as printer or speakers.

◊

If the monitor AC power cord is connected to the computer AC
outlet, when you come to switch off, the computer’s power
button will switch off the monitor at the same time.

III

Safety and regulatory notices

Power Cable Connections - UK ONLY

This equipment is supplied with an AC power lead that has a
moulded, non-removable, 3-pin AC plug.

Always replace the fuse with one of the same type and rating which
is BSI or ASTA approved to BS1362.

Always refit the fuse cover, never use the plug with the fuse cover
omitted.

Never substitute a power cord from any other appliance. If you
suspect a fault with the AC power lead, obtain a replacement from
your supplier or authorised maintainer.

IV

1 FIRST STEPS

You should read this chapter even if you do not read any other. It
provides important basic information to help you in using your
computer. It is the minimum you need to know in order to use
your computer safely and with ease.

System rear

16

15

1

2

3

4

5

6

1. Casing screws 7. PS/2 mouse port 13. Expansion

2. AC supply socket 8. Serial port (COM1) 14. Audio connections*

3. Supply selector switch 9. Serial port (COM2) 15. System security loop

4. AC outlet for monitor 10. Parallel/printer port 16. Optional case lock

5. USB port 11. Not used

6. Keyboard port 12. Side air vents

14

7

8

9

13

10101

1

2

12

1

10

11

*detailed on following page

Security

The optional Security case-lock (16), can help prevent casual and
unauthorised removal of the cover, while the security loop, (15)
above, can be used for either alarmed loop cable, anchoring cable, or
padlocking mechanisms. This will help prevent unauthorised cover
removal as well as system theft.

LS/VS550 OWNER’S HANDBOOK 1/1

First steps

Audio subsystem (option)

1

2 3

4 5

10101

1

1. Joystick/MIDI port 4. Line out

2. Microphone 5. Speakers

3. Line in

The motherboard sound system is a Creative Labs Vibra, full 16 bit.
Audio output from the CD-ROM drive is internally connected to
the Vibra sound system.

There is a built-in amplifier suitable for driving headphones and
passive speakers. Phantom power is provided for microphone types
that require this facility. (Electret type) 8 Ohm impedance
minimum on both microphone and speakers.

Turning on and booting the computer

Turning the power on

To turn on the computer, press the
lower, or white, P
green POWER
to show that the system unit is powered.
The monitor has its own power control
(see the monitor’s User’s Guide for details)
it may take a few moments to warm up.
Do not touch the purple button yet, that
will be dealt with on the next page.

1/2 LS/VS550 OWNER’S HANDBOOK

button. The

OWER

ON light should come on

First steps

If nothing happens when the P
the system unit and monitor power cords are securely connected
and that the AC power supply is switched on. See also the chapter
on ‘Troubleshooting’.

Power-on self-test

Whenever the computer is turned on, the ‘power-on self test’
(POST) routine checks the actual set-up of the computer against
that recorded in its internal configuration memory.

The boot sequence

Provided that POST succeeds without any serious errors, the
computer looks for its operating system to start it going, that is, it
attempts to boot. By default, the computer will first look for a
floppy system disk, then for a bootable hard disk partition or area.

System disk

A floppy disk bearing at least the rudiments of an operating system. If
the computer detects a disk in the floppy drive, it tries to boot from it.
If it is a non-system disk, the computer will ask you to replace it.

Bootable hard disk

Most computers with a hard disk containing pre-installed software
arrive set up with a suitable ‘boot partition’. The operating system is
usually already in place or pre-installed on this, the
drive is usually made ‘active’, i.e. the bootable hard disk.

button is pressed, check that

OWER

C:

drive. The C:

Energy Saving features

Energy saving is normally enabled in the Power Management
section of the system BIOS. If the system is left unattended for
more than a predetermined time, energy saving features come into
play. The screen will blank, components will slow down, software
will still run, but very slowly.

A light is provided on the
power’ mode is operative. The ‘power on’ light will still be visible.

purple button

LS/VS550 OWNER’S HANDBOOK 1/3

to warn you that ‘Low

First steps

WarningWarning

The energy saving features built into this computer are designed to be
used with the monitor supplied with the system. If you wish to use
another, or older monitor

damage may be caused

To restart the system, just move the mouse or press a keyboard key.
Everything will return to the exact state in which it was left.

Turning the power off

Remember these two simple points:

it may not

be compatible and

permanent

. Check with your Apricot dealer.

You may instead press the purple button,
just above the power switch to restore the
system. This button can also be pressed
while you are using the system, to override
the time-out and put the system into the
low power mode.

The power management section of the
system BIOS gives access to the control
settings of the ‘low power’ mode.

Close down any applications you are running and save any files

♦

you have altered or created. Data held only in the computer’s
memory

Always exit from, or ‘shut down’ Windows. This procedure

♦

will be lost

deletes the temporary operational files it creates and will close
down everything in an orderly manner.

You will usually be prompted to save any work you may have
forgotten in any ‘minimised’ applications, for example a spreadsheet
working in the background.

To turn off the computer, simply press the P
the monitor is powered from the system unit, it will be turned off at
the same time. Wait at least 10 to 20 seconds before turning on again.
The computer may not initialise itself properly if you turn it off and on
again in quick succession.

1/4 LS/VS550 OWNER’S HANDBOOK

when you turn off the computer.

button again. If

OWER

It may be advantageous on some occasions to use the ‘Energy Saving’
features of the computer. Press the purple button on the front panel and
put the system into ‘Low Power’. This will provide a quick start up next
time you use the system.

Opening the system unit

The only tool required is a medium cross head screwdriver.

WarningWarning

Turn off the computer, along with all peripherals, and unplug all power
cords before removing the top cover. Take suitable antistatic precautions
while the system cover is removed.

1. Turn off both the system unit and the monitor and unplug all
power cords from rear of the system unit.

2. Remove the two casing screws, and put them to one side.

First steps

10101

1

2

3. Release the caselock or remove any locking device from the
loop, if fitted.

4. Slide the top cover rearwards slightly, then lift it off.

Refitting the cover is simply a reversal of the procedure.

LS/VS550 OWNER’S HANDBOOK 1/5

First steps

The components inside*

8

7

6

5

4

1. Power supply 5. System cooling fan

2. Hard disk (below CD-ROM) 6. Motherboard

3. CD-ROM drive 7. Expansion riser board

4. Floppy drive 8. Rear audio board (option)

∗

Please note that, for clarity, all the power and signal cables are not
shown in the above illustration.

3

1

2

1/6 LS/VS550 OWNER’S HANDBOOK

2 THE SYSTEM DRIVES

Using the floppy disk drive

The floppy disk drive is usually configured in the system BIOS as
drive A:, with a capacity of

Floppy disks should be kept away from bright sunlight, dust,
moisture and any strong magnetic fields. Avoid opening the metal
window on the disk as this exposes the magnetic surface to
contamination which could render the disk useless.

Inserting a floppy disk

1. Insert the disk with the metal window first, with the label side
uppermost into the drive. This will push open the drive door.

1.44 Mbytes.

COMPACT

2. Push the disk gently home until it ‘clicks’ into place. The drive
button will also move outwards slightly. The drive door will
stay open, leaving the disk just visible

3. The system should now be able to access the disk and the
information it may contain. While the system is accessing the
disk, the ‘drive in use’ LED should be lit.

Pressing the button, when the drive is not in use, will eject the floppy
disk. It is best to use only the ‘High Density’ type of floppy disk
which has a formatted capacity of 1.44 Mbytes and is readily
identified by the HD logo next to the metal window.

LS/VS550 OWNER’S HANDBOOK 2/1

System Drives

Using a CD-ROM drive

The CD-ROM drive can retrieve multimedia data from CD-ROM
discs and multi-session Photo-CD discs. It can also play normal
audio CDs.

It is important that the computer is not moved while a CD is in the
drive, especially if the CD is being accessed at the time.

1

COMPACT

2

1. Disc drawer 4. Emergency eject hole

2. Headphone jack and volume 5. Eject button

3. Activity light

WarningWarning

The laser beam inside the CD-ROM drive is harmful to the eyes if
looked at directly. Do not attempt to remove the drive cover or otherwise
disassemble the CD-ROM drive. If a fault occurs, call an authorised
maintainer.

2/2 LS/VS550 OWNER’S HANDBOOK

3 4

5

Inserting a compact disc

COMPACT

System Drives

1. Press the

button on the front of drive.

EJECT

2. Place the CD centrally, printed side up, on the platter.

3. If the platter ejected fully, push the

button again, or

EJECT

gently push the front of the platter, and it will be drawn back
into the drive.

NoteNote

Wait a few seconds for the CD to spin up to full speed before attempting
either to play the audio tracks or to read data from it.

Care of CDs

To remove a compact disc, press the eject button and then lift out
the CD. It is best to close the drawer, to prevent dust getting in,
unless you intend to put in a new CD.

Keep CDs well away from dust and moisture, and avoid touching
the surface of the CD. Avoid extremes of temperature and exposure
to direct sunlight as these may cause the disk to warp.

Always store CDs in there original cases wherever possible.
Replacement cases are readily available in record stores. CD storage
racks are useful as you will find the majority of new software is now
supplied in CD format.

LS/VS550 OWNER’S HANDBOOK 2/3

System Drives

COMPACT

Emergency CD removal

To remove a CD manually (for example, during a power failure)
you must first ensure that the computer is turned off. Insert a thin
metal rod (such as an unwound paper clip) into the emergency eject
hole. Push carefully and firmly.

Optional PD drive

This dual purpose drive can be fitted as an option into any system
where both a CD-ROM drive and an efficient re-writable backup
device is needed.

There is an indicator LED to show the type of disk which has been
inserted, but the rest of the controls are very similar to a
conventional CD-ROM drive.

The drive can use any PD cartridges bearing the
cartridge is not formatted you will be prompted to format it. All the
standard types of CD can be used in this drive, data, music etc.,
including the mini-CD.

The Phase-change drive will occupy the same space as the
conventional CD-ROM drive, with minor differences as shown in
the illustration opposite.

2/4 LS/VS550 OWNER’S HANDBOOK

logo. If the

System Drives

PD/CD

BUSY

1

COMPACT

BUSY

PD/CD

7

6

5

4

3

2

1. Drive tray 5. Media indicator

2. Emergency eject 6. Drive active indicator

3. Headphone socket 7. Tray eject button

4. Headphone volume

The drive can handle the large and small types of CD-ROM (as well
as music CDs), or it will accept the PD recordable cartridge:

These cartridges have a capacity similar to a CD-ROM but with the
difference of being re-writable. They have a shelf life of 30 years or
more, unlike magnetic material which decays over a relatively short
period of time. Like floppy disks they have a write protect switch.

LS/VS550 OWNER’S HANDBOOK 2/5

System Drives

The drive control software provides two icons, each with its own
drive letter. These will be found in Windows Explorer, or the drives
section in the control panel. One is for use with data cartridges, the
other is for CD-ROM and is easily identified as such with a CD
symbol. Emergency removal of the media under conditions such as
a power failure is similar in method to that of the conventional CD­ROM drive as detailed earlier.

Hard disk drives (HDDs)

The primary hard drive

The majority of computers are supplied with one internal or
‘primary’ HDD. This will normally be designated as the
The operating system will normally be installed on this drive.

The HDD can have only one active partition i.e. the bootable disk,
but larger HDDs may be supplied with more than one partition.

CautionCaution

Apricot Computers Ltd tests many types of hard disks from a variety of
manufacturers and all of our upgrade parts are guaranteed. The quality
or compatibility of components obtained from any other source cannot
be guaranteed.

A second hard drive

Computers with an integrated drive electronics (IDE) interface can
have two HDDs connected to it. The primary drive being designated
as the Master and the new drive becoming the Slave. The Apricot

2/6 LS/VS550 OWNER’S HANDBOOK

C:

drive.