Intel and Pentium are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation.
Microsoft
U.S. and other countries.
Soundblaster is a registered trademark of Creative Labs Inc.
Any other trademarks referred to within this document but not listed above
are hereby recognised and acknowledged.
Apricot Computers Ltd. have a policy of continuous research and development
and therefore reserve the right to amend or modify this handbook, or parts
thereof that are subject to specification change, without notice.
Any software described in this manual that has been furnished with the
computer is supplied subject to a license agreement. The software may be used
or copied only in accordance with the terms of this agreement. It may be an
offence punishable by law to copy any disk or part of a disk supplied for any
purpose other than the purchaser’s personal use unless specifically authorised
within the licence agreement.
All rights reserved. No use or disclosure or reproduction in any form of this
manual in part or whole is permitted without prior written consent from the
publishers.
®
and Windows
® 95 are registered trademarks of Microsoft in the
Published by
Apricot Computers Limited
3500 Parkside
Birmingham Business Park
Birmingham B37 7YS
MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC
Printed in the United Kingdom
OWNER’S MANUAL CONTENTS
1THE BEGINNING
Connections1/1
Turning on and booting up1/2
Energy saving features1/3
Installing other software1/4
Turning the power off1/5
Cleaning and transporting1/6
2THE SYSTEM DRIVES
Using the floppy drive2/1
Using a CD-ROM drive2/3
The Hard disk drive2/5
Software backup2/7
3EXPANSION
Configuring a card3/2
Installing a card3/6
CONTENTS
4 MEMORY UPGRADES
Adding system memory4/1
Adding cache memory4/5
Adding video memory4/7
5MULTIMEDIA FEATURES
The device drivers5/1
The CD-ROM drive 5/1
The sound connections5/2
The Remote control5/4
Television card (if fitted)5/6
Radio card (if fitted)5/7
CONTENTS/1
CONTENTS
6TROUBLESHOOTING
Problems when starting6/1
Restoring the Software6/3
Checklist6/3
System disk drives6/5
Television card6/6
Software security6/6
ATHE SYSTEM UNIT
Anti-static precautionsA/1
Opening the system unitA/2
The components insideA/3
Drive specificationA/4
Physical characteristicsA/5
Entering set-upC/1
Control keysC/1
Set-up runs on its ownC/2
Opening screenC/3
Sub-menu pagesC/4
Error messagesC/11
CONTENTS/2
1THE BEGINNING. . .
1
10101
2
2
10
1
5
6
7
8
9
3
4
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 start
work straight away. Computers are very easy to use providing you
establish a routine with a few basic disciplines.
Note particularly the information given in the section
‘Energy Saving Features’.
Connections
Individual details of the rear port connections are shown in the
appendix B ‘System Motherboard’, but an overall view is given here.
THE BEGINNING
1Mains in socket 2Power out to monitor 3System security loop
4Rear audio panel *a 5Keyboard port 6PS/2 mouse port
7Serial port (COM1) 8Serial port (COM2) *c 9Parallel/printer port
10Monitor connection *b
*a See chapter ‘Multimedia’ for details on connections.
*b Looped to TV card when that is fitted.
*c Not available when system supplied with remote control.
The Security loop (3) above can be used for an alarmed loop cable or a padlocking
mechanism, to help deter either unauthorised removal of the system, or its cover.
1/1
THE BEGINNING
Turning on and booting the computer
Turning the power on
If you have a TV card fitted, check the chapter ‘Multimedia’ for
important information. To turn on the computer, press the lower
OWER
P
show that the system unit is powered. Remember that the monitor
has its own power control (see the monitor’s User’s Guide for details)
and that it may take a few moments to warm up.
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. During this time,
various messages are displayed. Further information on the
computer’s Basic In/Out System (BIOS) and its setting up can be
found in Appendix C, ‘System BIOS and set-up’.
The boot sequence
Provided that POST succeeds without any serious errors, the
computer attempts to find its operating system to start it going, that
is, it attempts to boot. By default, the computer will first look for a
system diskette, then for a bootable hard disk partition or area.
button. The green POWER ON light should come on to
OWER
button is pressed, check that
1/2
System diskette
A system diskette is a diskette bearing at least the rudiments of an
operating system. If the computer finds such a diskette in the
diskette drive, it boots from it. If it finds a non-system diskette, the
computer will ask you to replace it.
Bootable Hard disk
Most computers with a hard disk containing pre-installed software
normally arrive set up with a single ‘partition’. The operating system
already in place or pre-installed on this, the C: drive, and it is usually
made ‘active’, i.e. the bootable hard disk.
THE BEGINNING
Caution
Changing or splitting the partition on a hard disk totally erases all the
programs and data recorded on that disk. Always make a backup copy of the
contents of the hard disk before you start to make any serious alterations to the
hard disk set-up. It cannot be undone afterwards !.
Inexperienced or new users should take a few moments to run one or more
of the many tutorials in the HELP menu. This is accessible in Windows 95
by clicking on the START button in the bottom left of the screen.
Comprehensive help and tutorials are available in Windows 95 and in most
of the currently available Windows applications.
Energy Saving features
All models in this range are designed to exceed the requirements of
the latest US Environmental Protection Agency’s ‘Energy Star’
programme for energy-efficient computers.
If the system is left unattended for more than a predetermined length
of time, it will go into ‘Low power mode’. The screen will go blank,
some components will slow down, software is running very slowly,
etc. This is meant to happen.
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.
Do not press the violet ‘standby’ button at this point. It does
not restore from ‘low power’. Its function is to put the system into,
or out of, the ‘standby’ state only.
Warning
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 it may not be compatible and permanent damage may be caused.
Check with your Apricot dealer.
Leaving the system unattended for longer periods will cause a
further stage of ‘standby’ to come into operation. The processor will
pause its operation (software will go ‘on hold’), the cooling fans will
1/3
THE BEGINNING
stop and then the hard drive will spin down, etc. In this mode the
computer system consumes very little power at all, typically below
20W.
To restart the system, press the violet ‘Standby’ button on the facia.
As the monitor is in a controlled ‘off’ state, it may take a moment or
two to fully return to normal.
‘Standby’ can also be initiated or restored by means of the standby
button on the Remote control. (Details of the remote control are
given in a comprehensive help file in Windows). From the main unit
the standby state can also be entered manually by pressing the violet
standby button on the front bezel at any time.
If you have a modem or network card fitted, there is no cause for
concern, as an incoming call or an E-Mail message will trigger the
correct parts of the system to full operation by their arrival, even if
the system is unattended, the monitor may even stay blank. The
system could then return to ‘Standby’.
There is a ‘message’ light on the front of the system that will be
flashing if a message has arrived while you were away.
All the Energy Saving features and activities can be enabled or
disabled as needed. Greater detail is to be found in the ‘Apricot
Power Management’, application and its HELP, in Windows 95.
(This also gives more details of the requirements of the Energy Star
Program).
Caution
Energy Saving uses features in the Apricot software built into Windows 95,
supplied with the system. It will not be fully compliant if another operating
system (e.g. UNIX) is subsequently installed, although there are some default
EPA compliant settings available in the BIOS.
Installing other software
With a CD-ROM drive in your system it may be a good idea to
purchase all software in that format if possible. It can often be
cheaper and of course CDs are easier to store, being far less bulky.
1/4
THE BEGINNING
Some manufacturers still only supply their software on 3.5 inch
floppy disks and these would of course have to use the floppy disk
drive.
Guidance on using either the CD drive, or the floppy drive, is given
in chapter 2 ‘The system drives’. The only thing you need to know is
the name of the program on the disk that does the work. The
software’s accompanying literature should tell you, but it is usually
either ‘SETUP’ or ‘INSTALL’.
From the ‘start’ button in Windows select ‘run’ and then enter details
in the box, first the drive letter, either D: or A: followed by the
programme name.
EXAMPLES Software from CD and the name is ‘setup’ = d:setup
or, from floppy, and the name is ‘install’ = A:install
Note
A ‘drive letter’ is always followed with a colon to tell the computer that it is a
reference to a disk drive. Capitals do not always need be used.
Typical software you might install could be anything from Word
Processing, Accounting, Publishing, Education plus of course,
games.
Turning the power off
Before turning off the computer, run through the following simple
checklist ;
• Quit or exit from all the applications you are running, making
sure to save any files you have altered or created. Unless you save
it, information held in the computer’s memory will be lost
when you turn off the computer.
• Select ‘Shut Down’ from the Start menu in Windows. Windows
will then tell you when it is safe to switch off. This procedure
1/5
THE BEGINNING
will close down all your applications in an orderly manner and
will prompt you to save any unsaved work in the process.
• You should always turn off any attached peripherals first.
However, there is no need to turn off the monitor (if it is
powered from the system unit).
• To turn off the computer, simply press the P
The power indicator on the system goes out. If the monitor is
powered from the system unit, it will be turned off at the same
time.
• After you turn the computer off, wait at least 5 seconds before
turning it on again. The computer may not initialise itself
properly if you turn it off then on again in quick succession.
Note
With the system’s Energy saving features available and in operation, it is
possible and may be more practical especially with a modem in your system, to
press ‘Standby’ rather than go through Shutdown and turn the power off.
Cleaning and Transporting
Your Apricot computer requires little physical maintenance other
than occasional cleaning, but you must take care when transporting
it to avoid damage to some of its more delicate components,
particularly the hard disk.
Warning
Turn off the system unit and unplug all power cords before cleaning or moving
the computer.
OWER
button again.
Cleaning the computer
Do not use solvents or abrasives, they might damage the system
unit surfaces.
1/6
THE BEGINNING
Do not use aerosols or sprays near any part of the system, in
particular, air vents or grills, ports, or removable-media drives, as
microscopic droplets can remain in the air for some time and then
penetrate and cause irreparable damage.
The system unit
• Occasionally wipe the system unit with a soft, slightly damp,
lint-free cloth.
• Occasionally wipe the air vents on the rear and sides of the
system unit. Dust and fluff can block the vents and limit the
airflow. A small, clean, soft brush may be useful.
• Occasionally clean the removable media drives using a special
disk cleaning kit. These are available from many sources.
The monitor
Occasionally wipe the monitor with a soft, slightly damp, lint-free
cloth. It is best to use anti-static glass cleaner on the monitor screen.
Do not spray glass cleaner directly onto the screen, it could run
down inside the case and damage the circuitry.
The keyboard
When necessary, clean the keycaps with a slightly damp cloth and a
minimum amount of a non-abrasive cleaning agent.
Regularly check the keyboard cable for wear and tear, particularly
near table or shelf edges.
Take care not to spill any liquid or drop small objects, e.g. paper
clips or staples, onto the keyboard. Follow these steps if this should
happen to the keyboard and it stops working ;
1. Switch off and unplug the keyboard.
2. If the liquid is sticky or viscous, unplug the keyboard and call
your supplier or an authorised maintainer.
1/7
THE BEGINNING
3. If the liquid is thin and clear, try unplugging the keyboard,
turning it upside down to let the liquid drain out, and drying it
for at least 24 hours at room temperature. If the keyboard does
not work, call your supplier or an authorised maintainer.
4. If a solid object drops between the keys, turn the keyboard
upside down and shake it gently. Do not probe between the
keys as this may cause serious damage.
The mouse
The mouse is the most heavily used component of many systems,
particularly within Windows and is susceptible to damage, but a
little care should minimise this.
Dust and fluff often accumulates in the ball tracking mechanism of
the mouse and should be checked for regularly. To clean the mouse:
1. Unplug the mouse, turn it upside down and locate the plastic
cover that holds the ball in place. Depending on the model, the
plastic cover can be removed either by rotating it counterclockwise or by sliding it forward slightly.
1/8
2. Remove the cover and set it aside.
3. Cupping one hand over the underside, turn the mouse back the
right way up. The ball should drop into your hand.
4. Blow gently into the mouse to remove any dust that has
collected there.
5. Inside the mouse there are three small rollers. Using a cotton
swab moistened with a solvent cleaner, gently wipe off any oil or
dust that has collected on the rollers, rotating them to reach all
of their surfaces.
6. Use clear water, or water with a mild detergent, to clean the ball.
Then dry it with a clean, lint-free cloth.
7. Put the ball back in its socket and replace the plastic cover. It
should click into place.
The mouse cable should also be regularly checked for wear and tear,
especially near table or shelf edges.
Transporting the computer
Use common sense when handling the computer. Hard disks in
particular can be damaged if the computer is dropped or handled
roughly. As a precaution, back up your data from the hard disks to
tape or floppy disks before moving the computer. (See the Hard disk
section of the chapter ‘System drives’).
Do not try to move the computer while it is plugged into the AC
power supply or with any other cables, network, printer etc., still
attached.
When lifting and carrying the computer, grip the metal underside of
the system unit. Do not lift the unit by the plastic side trims or the
front bezel. Never attempt to use the door as a carrying handle.
Never attempt to lift the system unit with a monitor on top.
Do not leave floppy disks or CDs in the drives while moving the
system as irreparable damage could occur to either drives or disks.
If you need to transport the computer any great distance, use the
original packing materials.
THE BEGINNING
Warning
If you intend to use the computer in another country, read the information in
the Power Connection Guide before doing anything else.
1/9
2THE SYSTEM DRIVES
This chapter contains useful information about the drives that are
currently fitted in your computer, either behind the front drop-down
panel or, in the case of the Hard drive, inside the system.
Using the floppy disk drive
The floppy disk drive is usually configured in the system BIOS as
drive A:, with a capacity of 1.44 Mbytes.
Virtually all software still supplied on floppy disk is now sent out in
HD (or 1.44 MB) format from the manufacturer. This is the type of
drive fitted to your Apricot computer. This drive will however read
the common older type of DS-DD (or 720KB). the immediately
obvious physical differences are shown below.
THE SYSTEM DRIVES
The true high density floppy has the ‘HD’ logo near the window
and an extra hole beside the label, to enable the drive to identify it.
The other hole, that exists on both disks, is for a write protect tab
(on the underside) which, if closed, will prevent the system from
writing any data onto the disk.
Do not try to force the format of a DS-DD disk to the higher
format of 1.44 Mbytes as this will lead to many formatting errors,
with a very high risk of losing all data placed on that disk. This is
due to the ‘HD’ disk having a very different magnetic surface.
2/1
THE SYSTEM DRIVES
COMPACT
Disks should always be kept away from bright sunlight, dust,
moisture and any strong magnetic fields, e.g. do not place them on
the monitor, printer, or near a telephone. It is common to store them
in a lockable “disk-box”, away from the computer itself. Avoid
opening the metal window on the disk as this exposes the magnetic
surface to contamination which could damage the data or cause the
disk to become useless.
Hint
It is always a good idea to keep a few spare ready formatted disks handy for
saving work or backing up your software. Information on formatting disks
and software backup can be found in the Windows 95 help pages.
.
Inserting a floppy disk
1. Pull down the drive bezel and identify the floppy drive. Test the
button to ensure there are no disks in the drive.
2. Insert the disk with the metal window first, with the label side
uppermost into the drive. This will push open the drive door,
which will stay open, leaving the disk just visible.
3. Push the disk gently home until it “clicks” into place. The drive
button will also move outwards slightly.
2/2
4. The system should now be able to access the disk and the
EMERGENCY
EJECT HOLE
BUSY
INDICATOR
EJECT
BUTTON
COMPACT
DISC DRAWER
HEADPHONE JACK
AND HEADPHONE LEVEL
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.
Using a CD-ROM drive
Unless either a second hard drive has been installed, or the existing
hard drive has been given more than one partition then the CDROM drive is usually drive D:.
There has recently been a vast increase in the amount of multimedia
software supplied on CD format due to its large capacity, typically
600 Mbytes plus.
With the appropriate software, a CD-ROM drive can retrieve
multimedia data from CD-ROM discs, pictures from Multisession
Photo-CD discs and also play commercial audio CDs.
THE SYSTEM DRIVES
Although the drive has its own headphone jack, with associated
volume level control, for use in playing audio CD’s, you can plug in
the power speakers at the rear socket, or use the system’s front audio
output socket for headphones. It is also possible if you want, to link
the main headphone socket via a cable, to your Hi-fi system, and
play sounds files, CDs, etc., at higher power.
2/3
THE SYSTEM DRIVES
COMPACT
Warning
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.
Keep CDs well away from dust, moisture and temperature extremes
and avoid touching the surface of the CD. Store them in solid
containers wherever possible. Replacement plastic CD containers are
available from most large record stores.
Inserting a compact disc
1. Pull down the front drives bezel and identify the CD drive.
2. Press the
EJECT
button on the front of drive.
3. Place the CD centrally face up on the platter.
EJECT
4. If the platter ejected fully, push the
push the front of the platter, and it will be drawn back into the
button again, or gently
drive.
Note
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.
2/4
THE SYSTEM DRIVES
COMPACT
To remove a compact disc, press the eject button and then lift out
the CD. It is best to close the draw, to prevent dust getting in, unless
you intend to put in a new CD.
Do not attempt to move the computer while a CD is in the drive, as
serious damage may be caused to both the CD and the drive,
especially if the drive is active at the time.
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 (see below).
The hard disk drive
All modern computers are fitted with a ‘hard’ disk drive (HDD).
These can have very large capacities. They have delicate, sealed and
air-tight, mechanisms. They operate within microscopic tolerances
and spin at high speed.
Caution
Try not to jar or move the computer while the system is powered up as this
could cause irreparable damage to the delicate drive surface.
2/5
THE SYSTEM DRIVES
The primary hard drive
Your Apricot computer is supplied with one internal or ‘primary’
hard drive (HDD) designated as the C: drive. Windows 95 will
normally be installed on this drive.
Data is stored on the HDD in Directories and Subdirectories, now
referred to in Windows 95 as ‘folders’. More details on directories
and folders will be found in the Windows 95 guide, as will
information on software utilities, such as one to compress the
software into a smaller space (referred to later in this chapter), or one
to defragment your files and make them quicker to access.
The HDD will have only one partition and this will have been made
‘active’ i.e. the bootable disk. Partitions are like dividing panels or
false walls in a large office, they cut the area into smaller sections,
each one then becomes almost independent.
A secondary hard drive
Computers can have two hard disk drives, designated as Master and
Slave, and the Apricot system BIOS is capable of handling this.
2/6
Any slave drive will be supplied completely blank, but should be
supplied with full instructions. Fitting and setting up a second hard
drive is not difficult, but there can be many issues to be resolved,
only one of which is drive type. There are these facts to consider ;
If you do not feel confident about installing a second hard drive you
may wish to have your supplier or an authorised engineer complete
this task for you.
THE SYSTEM DRIVES
DriveSpace
It is possible, as an alternative to the expense of fitting a second
HDD, to use disk utility software such as DriveSpace within
Windows 95, which increases the usable capacity of your HDD. It
can more than double the usable size of the drive using software
compression technology. See the Windows 95 HELP for details on
using this utility. Remember it is advisable to backup your software
first.
Software backup
Within Windows 95 there is considerable Help on numerous topics
including backing up, or making a security copy of, your software. It
is vital to maintain a discipline of regular backup of your data.
Power cuts or hard disk failure are just two reasons.
Your operating system or applications e.g. word processing software,
can be simply reinstalled from your master disks or CD’s. The
letters or files you have created would be lost permanently. Your files
may not be very large, but they will be impossible to replace once
lost.
Copy your data files to floppy disks, or use proprietary utilities
designed to do software backups, such as the one in Windows 95.
Do this regularly and then keep the back-up in a safe place. It is
good practice to perform a back-up regularly using two or more sets
of disks, rotated for safety.
Quite a few companies manufacture backup units, accompanied by
dedicated software, some of which can backup your complete hard
disk two or three times over on to one small tape cassette and in a
comparatively short time. These are mostly used in networked office
environments, but there are much simpler and more economic
versions designed for personal or home use.
2/7
3SYSTEM EXPANSION
Your computer can accept various Expansion cards or boards. Most
are simple to install with the benefit of the ‘Plug and Play’ features,
explained in the guide to Windows 95. (Look out for the ‘Plug and
Play’ symbol on the packaging of these add-in boards). You can
extend the capabilities of the computer, for example,-
• A graphics/movie card can provide more specialised video
functions than those offered by the on-board EVGA system.
• A modem card can provide a connection to the Internet or a
bulletin board via a telephone line.
• A network card can provide a connection to an office or business
network fileserver and possibly mainframe.
• A television card can enable you to watch TV on your monitor
and capture individual frames.
This computer system has room for five expansion boards ;
one,full length Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) card.
two, half length ISA cards.
one, half length Peripheral Component Interface (PCI) card.
one, either full length ISA or full length PCI card.
SYSTEM EXPANSION
These can be arranged into the internal Riser card generally as
shown in this rear view (the blanking plates have been removed for
simplicity of showing the layout).
2
FULL PCI
FULL ISA
FULL ISA
1/2 ISA
1/2 ISA
1/2 PCI
AUDIO REAR CONNECTIONS
(IF FITTED)
10101
1
3/1
SYSTEM EXPANSION
Configuring the card
Part of the installation procedure for many expansion cards involves
setting up or configuring the card so it works correctly in the
system. To configure, you assign values to various settings on the
card, which enable the card to communicate with the computer. The
chosen settings MUST be registered in the BIOS see appendix C
‘System BIOS and set-up’ and the section ‘ISA Legacy resources’.
Many cards require that you specify at least two of the following ;
• Interrupt request level (IRQ)
• Direct memory access (DMA) channel
• Base input/output (I/O) port address
• Base memory address
The important thing to understand is that the settings used by the
card must be different to existing hardware in the computer. That is
the settings must not conflict with other cards or a component on
the motherboard.
3/2
Some settings are done by jumpers and/or switches on the card and
are best done before installation, others are configured by running
installation software after the card has been fitted inside the
computer. Some cards use a mixture of both methods.
The documentation accompanying the card should tell you what is
required. Remember to check any diskettes supplied with the card
for README or other help files, before you start. If you are in any
doubt consult the supplier or manufacturer.
Cards often come with pre-configured or default settings. It is best
to rely on these settings as much as possible, and change them only
if they conflict with other devices.
ISA Interrupt request level (IRQ)
The interrupt request level or IRQ (the two terms are used
interchangeably) is the line over which the expansion card sends a
signal to get the attention of, or interrupt, the processor. Many of
these are reserved for components on the computer’s motherboard.
Some interrupts are fixed, others can be re-assigned. The following
table lists the interrupts used by the computer and shows which may
be available for use by expansion cards.
IRQDefault assignmentAvailable?
IRQ0System timerNo
IRQ1Keyboard controllerNo
IRQ2SystemNo
IRQ3Serial port 2/Remote controllerNo
IRQ4Serial port 1Optionally
IRQ5Audio (if fitted)Yes
IRQ6Diskette controllerNo
SYSTEM EXPANSION
IRQ7Parallel portOptionally
IRQ8Real time clockNo
IRQ9Yes
IRQ10Yes
IRQ11Yes
IRQ12MouseNo
IRQ13CoprocessorNo
IRQ14Primary ATA/IDE interfaceNo
IRQ15Secondary ATA/IDE interfaceNo
With the BIOS Set-up utility IRQ4 is available if you disable serial
port1. Similarly, if you have no intention of using the parallel port,
you can disable it with the BIOS Set-up utility, completely freeing
IRQ7 for use by an expansion card. Do not disable ports unless you
have no intention of using them.
3/3
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