Nec POWERMATE P ETC user Manual

NEC Computer Systems Division,

A Division of Packard Bell NEC, Inc.

DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY

We, the Responsible Party

NEC Computer Systems Division

Packard Bell NEC, Inc.

1414 Massachusetts Ave.

Boxborough, MA 01719

(508) 264-8000

declare that the product

NEC

PowerMate MT V/P Series

is in conformity with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation of this product is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

PROPRIETARY NOTICE AND LIABILITY DISCLAIMER

The information disclosed in this document, including all designs and related materials, is the valuable property of NEC Computer Systems Division, Packard Bell NEC (NECCSD, PBNEC) and/or its licensors. NECCSD and/or its licensors, as appropriate, reserve all patent, copyright and other proprietary rights to this document, including all design, manufacturin g, reproduction, use, and sales rights thereto, except to the extent said rights are expressly granted to others.

The NECCSD product(s) discussed in this document are warranted in accordance with the terms of the Warr anty Statement accompanying each product. However, actual performance of each such product is dependent upon factors such as system configuration, customer data, and operator control. Since implementation by customers of each product may vary, the suitability of specific product configurations and applications must be determined by the customer and is not warranted by NECCSD.

To allow for design and specification improvements, the information in this document is subject to change at any time, without notice. Reproduction of this document or portions thereof without prior written approval of NECCSD is prohibited.

NEC is a registered trademark of NEC Corporation and NEC PowerMate and MultiSync are registered

trademarks of NEC Technologies, Inc. These registered trademarks are used under license by Packard

Bell NEC, Inc. MS-DOS and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. All other product, brand, or trade names used in this publication are the trademarks or registered

trademarks of their respective trademark owners.

First Printing — April 1997

NEC Computer Systems Division

Packard Bell NEC, Inc.

1414 Massachusetts Avenue

Boxborough, MA 01719

Using This Guide

The PowerMate P ETC Series User’s Guide provides a quick reference to information about your computer.

The guide contains the following information:

Chapter 1, Introducing Your Computer, provides a look



at system components. See this chapter to familiarize yourself with your system.

Chapter 2, Getting Started, gives you information about



using a mouse, using online documentation, and what you should do after your system is up and running.

The chapter includes a quick-reference chart for finding information about a variety of topics.



Chapter 3, Installing Options, provides installation procedures for internal and external options.



Chapter 4, Setting System Parameters, describes the Setup utility and explains how to use it to configure your system.



Chapter 5, Setting System Board Jumpers, provides information on changing jumper settings when reconfiguring your system.

Chapter 6, Using Voyetra Sound Software, explains how



to use Voyetra music CDs, record, play and edit .WAV files, and play MIDI files.



Chapter 7, If You Have a Problem, contains troubleshooting tips for solving simple problems and provides information on where you can find help when you cannot solve a problem yourself.

’s Multimedia Sound Software to play

Using This Guide xi

Appendix A, Setting Up a Healthy Work Environment,



contains guidelines to help you use your computer productively and safely. This appendix also instructs you on how to set up and use your computer to reduce your risk of developing nerve, muscle, or tendon disorders.

Appendix B, Reviewing System Interrupts, provides a



list of interrupt settings.



Appendix C, Limited Warranty, includes warranty

information about your PowerMate Desktop Computer.

Prolonged or improper use of a computer workstation may pose a risk of serious injury. To reduce your risk of injury, set up and use your computer in the manner described in Appendix A, Setting Up a Healthy Work Environment.

WARNING

P ETC Series

TEXT CONVENTIONS

This guide uses the following text conventions.

Warnings, cautions, and notes have the following



meanings:

Warnings alert you to situations that could result i n serious personal injury or loss of life.

xii Using This Guide

WARNING

Cautions indicate situations that can damage the hardware or software.

CAUTION

NOTE

Notes give important information about the

material being described.

Names of keyboard keys are printed as they appear on



the keyboard, for example,



Text or keystrokes that you enter appear in boldface type. For example, type



File names are printed in uppercase letters.

Ctrl, Alt

return

and press

, or

Enter

RELATED DOCUMENTS

In addition to this guide, the following printed documentation ships with your PowerMate P ETC Series system.



NEC PowerMate P ETC Series Quick Setup/ Quick-Reference Roadmap

Quick Setup contains information for quickly getting your system up and running. Read this information to set up the system for the first time.

The Quick-Reference Roadmap gives you a look at the documentation, NEC tools, software applications, and services available to you.

Using This Guide xiii

How Does Your Workplace Measure Up?



This brochure provides information for setting up and using your computer productively and safely. Information includes guidelines to reduce the risk of injury associated with using a computer.

Windows 95 User’s Guide



This guide is a quick reference to information about using Windows

95.

Your system comes with the following online documentation on the hard disk:

PowerMate P ETC Series System Documentation



This online documentation is your comprehensive source of information about your system. It contains a System Tour, User’s Guide, Product Information Center, Option Installation Center, and Support Center.



Healthy Environment

This is an online help file that complements the “How Does Your Workplace Measure Up?” brochure.



Most of your application programs provide extensive online help. Some programs provide separate online user’s guides for specific applications.

Windows 95 provides extensive online help and “wizards” to guide you through procedures.

xiv Using This Guide

Using Windows 95

Comes with Windows 95 systems. Contains information for using Windows 95.

Using This Guide

Text Conventions...................................................... xii

Related Documents ................................................... xiii

1 Introducing Your Computer

Front Features .......................................................... 1-2

System Controls and Lamps................................. 1-3

IR Window.......................................................... 1-5

Diskette Drive A.................................................. 1-5

CD-ROM Reader................................................. 1-6

Back Features........................................................... 1-8

External Connectors............................................. 1-9

Power Supply Features ........................................ 1-11

Speakers................................................................... 1-12

Microphone .............................................................. 1-14

2 Getting Started

Using a Mouse.......................................................... 2-1

Using Online Documentation..................................... 2-2

Where to Go From Here............................................ 2-4

3 Installing Options

Option Installation Procedures .................................. 3-2

General Rules ...................................................... 3-2

Safety Precautions ............................................... 3-3

Removing the System Unit Cover......................... 3-4

Replacing the System Unit Cover......................... 3-7

Expansion Boards..................................................... 3-8

Locating Expansion Slots..................................... 3-9

Installing an Expansion Board.............................. 3-10

Removing an Expansion Board ............................ 3-12

Contents iii

System Board Options .............................................. 3-13

SIMM Upgrade ........................................................ 3-13

Checking System Memory.................................... 3-14

Removing a SIMM .............................................. 3-16

Installing a SIMM ............................................... 3-17

Video Upgrade.......................................................... 3-19

Processor Upgrade.................................................... 3-21

Removing the Processor....................................... 3-21

Installing the Processor ........................................ 3-23

Data Storage Devices................................................ 3-24

Locating Device Slots .......................................... 3-25

Preparing the Device............................................ 3-26

Device Cables...................................................... 3-26

Diskette Drive Signal Cable ............................ 3-27

IDE Signal Cables .......................................... 3-28

System Power Cables...................................... 3-30

Cabling Storage Devices ...................................... 3-30

IDE Device Cabling........................................ 3-31

Diskette Drive Cabling.................................... 3-32

Installing Storage Devices.................................... 3-33

Installing the 3 1/2-Inch Hard Disk Drive........ 3-33

Removing the Side Panel................................. 3-37

Removing the Front Panel ............................... 3-38

Installing the 5 1/4-Inch Device....................... 3-39

Replacing the Side and Front Panels................ 3-41

Adding External Options........................................... 3-43

Connecting a Parallel Printer................................ 3-43

Connecting an RS-232C Device ........................... 3-44

iv Contents

4 Setting System Parameters

The Setup Utility ...................................................... 4-1

When to Use Setup .............................................. 4-2

How to Start Setup .............................................. 4-3

How to Use Setup................................................ 4-4

Main Menu............................................................... 4-5

System Date/Time ............................................... 4-6

Diskette Drive...................................................... 4-6

IDE Devices ........................................................ 4-6

IDE Device Configuration Submenu................ 4-7

IDE Device Configuration............................... 4-7

IDE Translation Mode .................................... 4-8

Language............................................................. 4-10

Boot Options ....................................................... 4-10

Boot Options Submenu ................................... 4-10

Boot Sequence ................................................ 4-10

System Cache ................................................. 4-11

Boot Speed ..................................................... 4-11

Num Lock ...................................................... 4-11

Setup Prompt.................................................. 4-11

Hard Disk Pre-Delay....................................... 4-12

Typematic Rate Programming......................... 4-12

Scan User Flash Area ..................................... 4-13

Boot Virus Detection ...................................... 4-13

Video Mode......................................................... 4-13

Mouse ................................................................. 4-14

Base Memory ...................................................... 4-14

Extended Memory................................................ 4-14

BIOS Version ...................................................... 4-14

Advanced Menu........................................................ 4-14

Processor Type.................................................... 4-15

Processor Speed................................................... 4-15

Cache Size........................................................... 4-15

Contents v

Peripheral Configuration...................................... 4-15

Peripheral Submenu........................................ 4-15

IDE Interface (Primary and Secondary)........... 4-16

Floppy Interface.............................................. 4-16

Serial Port (1 and 2) Address .......................... 4-16

Serial Port 2 IR Mode..................................... 4-16

Parallel Port Interface..................................... 4-17

Parallel Port Type........................................... 4-17

Audio Interface............................................... 4-17

Hardware Monitor Interface............................ 4-17

PCI LAN Interface ......................................... 4-18

Advanced Chipset Configuration.......................... 4-18

Advanced Chipset Submenu............................ 4-18

Base Memory Size.......................................... 4-19

ISA LFB Size................................................. 4-19

ISA LFB Base Address................................... 4-19

Video Palette Snoop........................................ 4-20

Latency Timer (PCI Clock)............................. 4-20

Banks 0, 1 and 2 SIMM Detected.................... 4-20

Power Management Configuration ....................... 4-20

Power Management Submenu ......................... 4-21

IDE Drive Power Down.................................. 4-21

Inactivity Timer (Minutes) .............................. 4-22

Hot Key.......................................................... 4-22

Plug and Play Configuration ................................ 4-23

Plug and Play Submenu .................................. 4-23

Boot with PnP OS........................................... 4-24

ISA Shared Memory Size................................ 4-24

ISA Shared Memory Base Address.................. 4-25

Event Logging Configuration ............................... 4-26

Security Menu .......................................................... 4-26

Set User Password and Administrative Password.. 4-28

Unattended Start.................................................. 4-29

Security Hot Key (CTRL-ALT-).......................... 4-29

vi Contents

Exit Menu ................................................................ 4-29

Exit Saving Changes............................................ 4-30

Exit Discarding Changes...................................... 4-30

Load Setup Defaults ............................................ 4-31

Discard Changes.................................................. 4-31

Flash Utility.............................................................. 4-32

Product Recovery CD ............................................... 4-33

System Restore Options ....................................... 4-33

Restore Individual Files........................................ 4-34

Selecting Files................................................. 4-35

Checking Selected Files................................... 4-36

Restoring the Files ............................................... 4-36

System Recovery ................................................. 4-37

5 Setting System Board Jumpers

Changing Processor Jumper Settings ......................... 5-2

BIOS Recovery......................................................... 5-5

Clearing CMOS........................................................ 5-7

Denying Access To Setup ......................................... 5-9

Clearing Your Password ........................................... 5-10

PCI Expansion Slots................................................. 5-12

6 Using Voyetra Sound Software

Power Bar ................................................................ 6-2

Audio Mixer............................................................. 6-3

Adjusting the Sound Using Software .................... 6-3

Adjusting the Sound Using the Speakers............... 6-4

CD Player................................................................. 6-4

WAV Player............................................................. 6-4

Recording Digital Audio Files .............................. 6-5

Playing Digital Audio Files .................................. 6-5

Editing Digital Audio Files................................... 6-6

MIDI Player ............................................................. 6-6

Contents vii

7 Solving System Problems

Problem Checklist..................................................... 7-2

Solutions To Common Problems ............................... 7-3

System Problems ................................................. 7-3

Diskette Drive Problems ...................................... 7-5

Monitor Problems................................................ 7-6

Keyboard/Mouse Problems .................................. 7-7

CD-ROM Problems............................................. 7-8

Speaker Problems ................................................ 7-9

Microphone Problems .......................................... 7-9

Replacing the CMOS Battery.................................... 7-10

Diagnostic Diskette................................................... 7-13

Getting Technical Help ............................................. 7-13

A Setting Up a Healthy Work Environment

Making Your Computer Work For You..................... A-1

Arrange Your Equipment .......................................... A-3

Adjust Your Chair .................................................... A-4

Adjust Your Input Devices........................................ A-6

Adjust Your Monitor ................................................ A-8

Vary Your Workday ................................................. A-10

Pre-Existing Conditions and Psychosocial Factors..... A-11

Checking Your Comfort: How Do You Measure Up? A-12

Checking Your Chair ........................................... A-12

Checking Your Keyboard..................................... A-12

Checking Your Mouse ......................................... A-12

Checking Your Monitor ....................................... A-12

Checking You...................................................... A-13

B Reviewing System Interrupts

Interrupt Controller................................................... B-1

viii Contents

C Limited Warranty

How Long Is the Warranty?...................................... C-1

Who Is Protected?..................................................... C-1

What Is Covered and What is Not Covered?.............. C-1

What We Will Pay For and What We Will Not

Pay For ................................................................ C-3

How You Can Get Warranty Service......................... C-3

Limitation Of Damages and Implied Warranties ........ C-4

How State Law Relates to the Warranty.................... C-4

For Warranty Information......................................... C-5

List of Tables

Quick Reference to Information About Your Computer 2-5

Recommended Memory Upgrade Path....................... 3-15

Navigation Keys ....................................................... 4-4

Hot Key Parameters.................................................. 4-23

Security Passwords................................................... 4-27

Interrupt Level Assignments...................................... B-1

Contents ix

Introducing Your

Computer

Once you set up your PowerMate® P ETC series system, the next thing is to become familiar with the system. The following information provides a brief overview of the front and back features of your system.

For a comprehensive source of information about your computer, see the online NEC PowerMate P ETC Series System Documentation. The online documentation can be accessed through NEC’s PowerMate Online Documents group on the Windows

WARNING

95 desktop.

Introducing Your Computer 1-1

FRONT FEATURES

The following figures show the features on the front of the system. A brief description follows the figures.

Front features

The following figure shows in detail the system controls and lamps called out in the previous figure.

1-2 Introducing Your Computer

System Controls and Lamps

System controls let you select specific system operations. Lamps let you know the status of system operation. Your computer has the following controls and lamps:

System controls and lamps



Power button Press this button to turn on system power. Press it again to turn off the power.



Suspend button Lets you initiate a power-saving mode of operating your computer. Press this button to suspend system operation when you plan to be away from your computer for a short time. Press any key or move your mouse to resume system operation to where you stopped it.

A blinking system unit power lamp lets you know that the system is in a power-saving mode.

If you have a DDC-2 compliant monitor, your monitor also will go into power-saving mode.

Introducing Your Computer 1-3

Reset button



The reset button lets you manually restart your system

when it does not respond to keyboard commands.

Resetti ng your system can resul t i n t he loss of dat a. Press the reset button only when all other methods of restarting your computer fails.



Power lamp

The power lamp indicates whether system power is on or

off. It also lets you know if the system is operating in a

power-saving mode.

A steady green lamp indicates that the power is on to all

system components. A blinking green lamp indicates that

the system is in Suspend mode with full power

reduction.

CAUTION



Disk lamp

Indicates whether or not your hard disk is active. A

green lamp tells you that the hard disk is reading or

writing data.

Do not turn off the system, unless absolutely necessary, while the di sk l amp is lit. To do so can damage your hard disk or data.

1-4 Introducing Your Computer

CAUTION

IR Window

The IR (infrared) window is the system’s IR port. The IR port supports two-way wireless communications. The interface uses infrared as the transmission medium instead of a traditional cable.

The IR port lets you transfer files to or from portable devices such as laptops and personal digital assistance (PDA) products using application software supporting IrDA data transfer. Your system comes with LapLink software for wireless data transfer.

With IrDA software, you can transfer data at speeds of up to 115 kilobytes per second and at distances up to 3 feet from the IR window.

Diskette Drive A

Diskette drive A loads and starts programs from a diskette. Diskette drive A is your primary “bootable” drive.

Diskette drive A features

Introducing Your Computer 1-5

Your diskette drive has the following features:



To prev ent damage to y our di skette dr iv e and data, do not turn off the system or remove a diskette while the diskette drive busy lamp is lit.



CD-ROM Reader

An eight-speed CD-ROM reader is a standard feature in multimedia models. The CD-ROM reader is assigned as drive F.

Diskette drive busy lamp

Lights when your diskette drive is reading to or writing

from a diskette.

CAUTION

Diskette release button

Press this button to release a diskette from the diskette

drive.

Use the CD-ROM reader to load and start programs from a compact disc (CD). You can also use the CD-ROM reader to play your audio CDs.

NOTE

You can boot your system f rom the CD- ROM with a bootable CD. To enable the system to boot from the CD-ROM, see “Boot Options” in Chapter 4.

The CD-ROM reader operates at different speeds depending on whether the CD you are using contains data or music. This allows you to get your data faster and to see smoother animation and video.

1-6 Introducing Your Computer

NOTE

The CD-ROM reader in your system might

look different from the one shown here.

CD-ROM reader features

The CD-ROM reader has the following features:



Headphone jack Allows the connection of an optional set of headphones with a stereo mini-jack plug.



Volume control knob Lets you adjust the volume of an optional set of headphones.



Open/close button Opens or closes the reader’s loading tray. Press this button when the computer power is on to insert or remove a CD into or out of the reader.



Emergency eject hole Allows the manual ejection of a CD if the eject function is disabled by software or if a power failure occurs.

Introducing Your Computer 1-7

CD busy lamp



Lights when the reader is retrieving data, music, or graphics/audio from a CD. Do not eject the CD or turn off the system unit when the lamp is on.

CD tray



Provides a surface for loading a CD into the reader. Press the open/close button to open or close the CD tray.

BACK FEATURES

On the back of your computer, you’ll find external connectors, power supply features, and expansion board slots.

The following figure shows the connectors on the rear of the computer. (The slot location of the network interface board in your system might vary from the slot location shown on the figure.)

1-8 Introducing Your Computer

Rear features

The following figure shows the audio connectors and network interface board connectors that were called out previously. (The slot location of the network interface board in your system might vary from the slot location shown.)

RJ-45 Connector

AUI Connector

BNC Connector

External Connectors

External connectors let you attach peripheral devices, such as a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and printer to your system. Your system has the following external connectors:



VGA monitor connector Attach the signal cable from your monitor to this

connector. Supports an NEC MultiSync other video graphics array (VGA)-compatible monitor with a 15-pin connector.

Audio and network board connectors

monitor or

Introducing Your Computer 1-9

Network interface board connectors



These connectors allow connection to an Ethernet network and communications with other computers. The board has three connectors for coaxial and twisted-pair network cabling.

 The BNC connector supports thin coaxial cables.  The AUI connector supports thick coaxial cables.  The RJ-45 connector supports twisted-pair

10BASE-T cables.



Universal Serial Ports (USB) Use these ports to connect up to 126 daisy-chained devices (monitors, communication devices, mass storage, and more) directly to your system.



Printer Port Use this port to connect a parallel printer with a 25-pin connector to the system.



Mouse port Attach the mouse that comes with your computer to this port. The mouse port supports a PS/2-compatible mouse.



Keyboard port Attach the keyboard that comes with your computer to this connector.

The keyboard port supports a personal system (PS)/2®compatible, 101-key or 104-key keyboard (in the U.S. and Canada) or a 102-key keyboard (in the United Kingdom and Germany) with a 6-pin mini DIN connector.

1-10 Introducing Your Computer

Audio connectors



These connectors come integrated on multimedia models. The connectors include microphone in and line out jacks.

 The microphone in jack lets you connect a

microphone for recording audio information in your data system files.

 The line out jack allows you to connect an amplified

output device such as powered speakers, stereo tape recorder, or an external amplifier for audio output. Use this jack to connect the stereo speakers that come with your system.

Serial Ports



Attach a serial device with a 9-pin connector to each serial port. Serial devices include a pointing device, serial printer, or modem.

Power Supply Features

Your system has the following power supply features:

Power supply fan



Keep this area clear for proper ventilation. The power supply fan cools system components.



Voltage selector switch Sets the voltage for your system to 115 volts or 230 volts.

Introducing Your Computer 1-11

SPEAKERS

Set the switch correctl y f or the v olt age in your ar ea. Most wall outlets in the United States and Canada are 115 vol t s. Out let s in Eur ope, Austr ali a, and Asi a (except Taiwan) are 230 volts. T aiwan uses 115-volt outlets.



Power socket

CAUTION

Connect your power cable to this socket.

Multimedia models come with a pair of high-quality, 20-watt stereo speakers that you can arrange to suit your work environment.

Power Lamp

Power Button

Treble Bass

Volume Control

Headphone Jack

1-12 Introducing Your Computer

Speaker

An AC adapter comes with the system. Set up the speakers with the AC adapter. The speakers connect to the line out jack on the back of the system unit.

The 20-watt speaker set features a power button, power lamp, volume, treble and bass control knobs, and headphone jack.

Adjust the speaker volume by using the volume control on the front of the right speaker or by using the preinstalled sound system software. Use the sound software to balance the speakers.

The sound software is Voyetra Multimedia Sound Software. See Chapter 6 for information on using the Voyetra sound software.

Introducing Your Computer 1-13

MICROPHONE

The microphone allows you to record voice and sound into your computer data files. See Chapter 6 for information on recording sound using the Voyetra sound software.

Microphone

1-14 Introducing Your Computer

USING A MOUSE

Getting Started

This chapter provides the information you need to start using your system. Information includes:

Using a Mouse



If you are already familiar with using a mouse, skip this section.

Using Online Documentation



Read this section to use the comprehensive online system documentation about your system.

Where to Go from Here



Look at this section for a quick reference to what you can do and where you can go for information.

Use the mouse to quickly move around on the screen, to select menu items, and to choose functions specific to your software.

Here are the basic ways to use the mouse:



Click Clicking selects an object on your screen. To “click,” point to the object and press and release the left mouse button.

Clicking the right mouse button on the Windows 95 desktop provides shortcuts to such features as the Properties menu. See Using Windows 95 online guide for more information on the uses for the right mouse button.

Getting Started 2-1

Double click



Some actions require a double click to execute them. To “double click” an object, point to the object and press and release the left mouse button twice.

Press



Pressing the mouse button holds an action until you release the mouse button.



Drag Dragging your mouse attaches your pointer to an object on the screen and allows you to highlight text or move an object. To drag an object, point to the object, press the left mouse button, and move the mouse to the new location.

Typical screen objects that you click or double click are icons, buttons, and menu options.

NOTE

If your mouse pointer disappears, m ove your mouse in wide circles to bring it back into the screen.

For more information about your mouse, see your online User’s Guide and your application documentation. Also included in the online documentation is information on cleaning your mouse.

USING ONLINE DOCUMENTATION

Your system comes with documentation conveniently available at your fingertips. No more looking for printed documents. Information about your system is available right from the Windows 95 desktop.

2-2 Getting Started

To access the online system documentation, locate NEC’s PowerMate Online Documents group on the Windows 95 desktop. Double click NEC’s PowerMate Online Documents icon. A welcome screen appears with the information you need to use the online documentation.

The NEC PowerMate Series System Documentation is a comprehensive source of information about your system. To help you find the information you need, the documentation is organized by topic and the following modules:

System Tour

 

User’s Guide



Product Information Center Option Installation Center



Support Center.



NOTE

Run the online NEC PowerMate P ETC Series System Documentation at the shipping default video resolution — 800 by 600 with 256 colors with small fonts.