NEC PowerMate SPB-Boston User Guide

PROPRIETARY NOTICE AND LIABILITY DISCLAIMER

The information disclosed in this document, including all designs and related materials, is the valuable proper ty of NEC Computer Systems Division, Packard Bell NEC, Inc. (hereinafter “NECCSD”) and/or its licensors. NECCSD and/or its licensors, as appropriate, reser ve all patent, copyright and other proprietar y rights to this document, including all design, manufacturing, 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 ar e warranted in accordan ce with the terms of the War ranty Statement accompanyin g each product. However, actual performance of each such product is dependent upon factor s 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.

FaxFlash is a service mark of NEC CSD, Packard Bell NEC, Inc. Direction is a trademark of Packard Bell NEC, Inc. NEC and MultiSync are registered trademarks of NEC Corporation, used under license. All other product, brand, or trade names used in this publication are the trademarks or registered

trademarks of their respective trademark owners.

First Printing — October 1998

NEC Computer Systems Division

Packard Bell NEC, Inc.

1 Packard Bell Way

Sacramento, CA 95828-0903

Using This Guide

Text Conventions...................................................... xiii

Related Documents ................................................... xiv

Introducing Your Computer

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

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

Diskette Drive A.................................................. 1-4

CD-ROM Reader/DVD Drive.............................. 1-5

Back Features........................................................... 1-7

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

Power Supply Features ............................................. 1-12

Zip Drive.................................................................. 1-12

Speakers................................................................... 1-14

Mouse ...................................................................... 1-14

Using Your Computer

System Operation ..................................................... 2-1

Starting Up.......................................................... 2-2

Shutting Down..................................................... 2-3

Setting the Date and Time.................................... 2-4

Using Diskettes.................................................... 2-4

Using CDs........................................................... 2-5

Handling Compact Discs................................. 2-6

Loading a CD................................................. 2-7

Removing a CD .............................................. 2-8

Using Your System’s Audio Functions ................. 2-8

Setting Power Management.................................. 2-8

Protecting Your System ....................................... 2-9

Setting a Password.......................................... 2-9

Using a Password ........................................... 2-10

Productivity.............................................................. 2-11

Contents iii

Saving Your Work............................................... 2-11

Backing Up Your Work ....................................... 2-12

Printing a Document ............................................ 2-12

Display Properties .................................................... 2-13

System Care ............................................................. 2-15

Protecting Your System from Damage.................. 2-15

Keeping Your System in Good Condition ............. 2-16

Moving or Shipping Your System ........................ 2-17

Online Documentation............................................... 2-18

Where to Go from Here............................................. 2-18

Understanding System Features

Standard Features ..................................................... 3-1

System Chassis......................................................... 3-2

System Board Components ....................................... 3-2

Processor............................................................. 3-2

Drive Interfaces ................................................... 3-2

Ports.................................................................... 3-3

System Memory................................................... 3-3

Intel Xcelerator Multifunction Controller.............. 3-3

Flash ROM.......................................................... 3-3

Plug and Play ...................................................... 3-4

Graphics and Multimedia Features....................... 3-4

Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) Interface .... 3-4

Video Support ................................................ 3-5

Audio ............................................................. 3-5

Super I/O Controller ............................................ 3-5

USB Ports ........................................................... 3-6

Dual IDE Channels.............................................. 3-6

Power-Saving Feature.......................................... 3-6

Options and Upgrades............................................... 3-7

Network Interface Card........................................ 3-7

Modem................................................................ 3-7

Removable Storage.............................................. 3-7

Keyboard............................................................. 3-8

Video................................................................... 3-8

Audio .................................................................. 3-8

iv Contents

System BIOS and Utilities

System BIOS and the Setup Utility............................ 4-1

The Setup Utility ................................................. 4-2

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

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

How to Use Setup........................................... 4-3

Maintenance Menu .............................................. 4-4

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

Advanced Menu................................................... 4-7

Peripheral Configuration Submenu.................. 4-8

IDE Configuration Submenu........................... 4-10

Floppy Options Submenu................................ 4-13

DMI Event Logging Submenu......................... 4-14

Video Configuration Submenu ........................ 4-15

Resource Configuration Submenu ................... 4-15

Security Menu ..................................................... 4-17

How to Set a Password ................................... 4-18

How to Disable Password Protection............... 4-19

Power Menu ........................................................ 4-20

Boot Menu........................................................... 4-22

Hard Drive Submenu ...................................... 4-24

Removable Devices Submenu.......................... 4-24

Removable Format Submenu .......................... 4-24

Exit Menu ........................................................... 4-24

BIOS Flash Utility.................................................... 4-26

Video Drivers ........................................................... 4-27

Installing Options

Option Installation .................................................... 5-1

Safety Precautions ............................................... 5-2

Cover Removal and Replacement .............................. 5-3

Removing the Access Cover................................. 5-4

Replacing the Access Cover ................................. 5-6

Expansion Boards..................................................... 5-7

Installing an Expansion Board.............................. 5-9

Removing an Expansion Board ............................ 5-12

Contents v

Memory Upgrade...................................................... 5-13

Removing a DIMM.............................................. 5-16

Installing a DIMM............................................... 5-17

Video Upgrade.......................................................... 5-18

Data Storage Devices................................................ 5-19

Locating Device Slots .......................................... 5-19

Preparing the Device............................................ 5-20

Identifying Device Cables .................................... 5-21

Diskette Drive Signal Cable ............................ 5-22

IDE Signal Cables .......................................... 5-23

System Power Cables...................................... 5-24

Cabling Storage Devices ...................................... 5-24

Cabling an IDE Device ................................... 5-25

Cabling an Accessible 5 1/4-Inch Device......... 5-26

Installing Storage Devices.................................... 5-27

Removing the Front Panel ............................... 5-28

Installing a 3 1/2-Inch Device.......................... 5-29

Installing the 5 1/4-Inch Device....................... 5-34

Accessing the CD-ROM Reader/DVD Drive... 5-36

Replacing the Front Panel ............................... 5-36

External Options....................................................... 5-37

Connecting a Parallel Printer................................ 5-37

Connecting a Serial Device .................................. 5-38

Setting System Board Jumpers

Locating the Jumper.................................................. 6-1

Clearing Your Password ........................................... 6-2

Recovering the BIOS ................................................ 6-4

24-Hour Information Services

NECCSD Web Site .................................................. 7-2

NECCSD FTP Site................................................... 7-3

NECCSD FaxFlash Service ...................................... 7-3

NECCSD Bulletin Board Service.............................. 7-5

E-Mail/Fax Technical Support Service...................... 7-7

NECCSD Technical Support Services....................... 7-8

vi Contents

8 If You Have a Problem

Problem Checklist..................................................... 8-2

Solutions to Common Problems................................. 8-3

System Problems ................................................. 8-3

Diskette Drive Problems ...................................... 8-5

Monitor Problems................................................ 8-6

Keyboard/Mouse Problems .................................. 8-7

CD-ROM Reader/DVD Drive Problems............... 8-7

Speaker Problems ................................................ 8-8

Microphone Problems .......................................... 8-8

Getting Help ............................................................. 8-8

Getting Help from Your Company........................ 8-9

Getting Help from Your NECCSD Dealer............ 8-9

Getting Help from NECCSD Technical Support... 8-9 NECCSD Warranty/Non-Warranty

Repair Service.................................................. 8-10

Battery Replacement................................................. 8-10

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

Preexisting 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

System Specifications

Standard Features ..................................................... B-1

Processor............................................................. B-1

Contents vii

Second Level Cache............................................. B-2

Memory............................................................... B-2

Chipset................................................................ B-5

Intel 82443BX PCI/AGP Controller (PAC)..... B-5

Intel 82371EB PCI ISa IDE

Xccelerator (PIIX4E).................................... B-6

Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP).................... B-8

Universal Serial Bus (USB) Support .................... B-8

IDE Support ........................................................ B-9

Super I/O Controller ............................................ B-9

Serial Ports.......................................................... B-9

Parallel Port......................................................... B-10

Diskette Drive Controller ..................................... B-10

Keyboard and Mouse........................................... B-10

Interrupt Requests (IRQs).................................... B-11

Audio Support ..................................................... B-12

Crystal Audio Subsystem................................ B-12

Wavetable Synthesizer.................................... B-12

Audio Connectors ........................................... B-12

CD-ROM Audio Connector ............................ B-12

Expansion Slots................................................... B-13

BIOS................................................................... B-13

Video Support and Monitor.................................. B-13

Power Supply ...................................................... B-13

Power Consumption........................................ B-14

DC Voltage .................................................... B-15

Environmental Specifications .................................... B-15

Ambient Temperature .......................................... B-15

Humidity ............................................................. B-15

System Board, Connectors, and Error Messages

System Board ........................................................... C-1

Connectors ............................................................... C-2

Rear Panel Connectors......................................... C-3

Internal Connectors.............................................. C-4

Error Messages......................................................... C-6

Beep Codes............................................................... C-10

viii Contents

List of Tables

Quick Reference to Information About

Your Computer....................................................... 2-19

Sample Memory Configurations................................ 5-15

System Board Jumper Settings .................................. 6-2

Acceptable DIMM Options....................................... B-3

Sample Memory Configurations................................ B-4

Interrupt Assignments............................................... B-11

Input Requirements................................................... B-13

Output DC Load Requirements................................. B-14

System Board External Connectors ........................... C-3

System Board Internal Connectors............................. C-4

Beep Codes............................................................... C-11

Contents ix

Using This Guide

The NEC Direction SP B-Series User’s Guide provides a quick reference to information about your computer.

This 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, Using Your Computer, explains how to start



up and shut down your system, use your system components, and care for your system.

Chapter 3, Understanding System Features, provides a



quick overview of the various features of your system.



Chapter 4, System BIOS and Utilities, describes the system BIOS Setup utility program and other utilities you can use to configure your system. This chapter provides detailed information about BIOS settings, including security and power management parameters.

Chapter 5, Installing Options, provides installation



instructions and in some cases, removal procedures for the options.



Chapter 6, Setting System Board Jumpers, provides information on changing jumper settings when reconfiguring your system.



Chapter 7, 24-Hour Information Services, lists the services available to you for information and help, and describes how to access the services.

Using This Guide xi

Chapter 8, 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.

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.

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



xii Using This Guide

Appendix B, System Specifications, provides a technical description of your computer and its components.

Appendix C, System Board, Connectors, and Error Messages provides a technical description of the system board and connectors. This appendix also describes system error messages.

TEXT CONVENTIONS

This guide uses the following text conventions.

Warnings, cautions, and notes have the following



meanings:

W arnings alert you t o situations that coul d result in serious personal injury or loss of life.

Cautions indicate situations that can damage the hardware or software.

WARNING

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, press Filenames are printed in uppercase letters.



Ctrl, Alt

Enter

, or

Using This Guide xiii

RELATED DOCUMENTS

In addition to this guide, the following printed documentation ships with your NEC Direction SP B-Series system:

NEC Direction SP B-Series Quick Setup



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

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.

Your system ships with additional documentation depending on your configuration and any options you selected. See the documentation specific to devices such as your monitor, speakers, and video graphics board for detailed information about them.

In addition to the documentation that ships with the system, the following documentation is available from NECCSD:



xiv Using This Guide

NEC Direction SP B-Series Service and Reference Manual

This manual provides information for maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing NEC Direction SP B-Series systems. This guide also includes hardware and interface information for programmers, engineers, and others who need to know how the systems are designed.

NECCSD FaxFlashSM Service



NECCSD FaxFlash is an automated service that sends the latest information about NECCSD and its products directly to a fax machine. The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

With FaxFlash, you can obtain product literature and technical information bulletins. By using FaxFlash, you can be kept up-to-date on the latest technical information for your system.

See Chapter 7 for information about using FaxFlash.

Using This Guide xv

Introducing Your

Computer

Your NEC Direction SP B-Series multimedia computer comes with state-of-the-art, high-performance components

for delivering years of service. Based on an Intel Pentium II® processor with MMX™ technology, your

system has the power and speed to tackle all today’s computing needs and most of tomorrow’s.

After setting up your system, take the time to familiarize yourself with your computer. This chapter provides a brief look at the features of your system.

WARNING

NOTE

This guide covers both desktop and minitower models of the NEC Direction SP B-Series system . Features are identical for desktop and minitower systems; only their orientation differs.

Introducing Your Computer 1-1

FRONT FEATURES

Daily contact with your system is through the controls on the front panel. The following figures show the control features on the front of the system.

1-2 Introducing Your Computer

Front features — desktop models

Front panel features — minitower models

System Controls and Lamps

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



Power button Turns the system on and off.



Reset button Lets you restart your system manually when it does not respond to keyboard commands.

Introducing Your Computer 1-3

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 fail.

System power lamp



Lights when the system is turned on.



Disk lamp Lights when the hard disk drive is active, reading or writing data.

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

CAUTION

Diskette Drive A

Your diskette drive has the following features:

Diskette drive busy lamp



Lights when the diskette drive is active, reading or writing data on a diskette.

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.

1-4 Introducing Your Computer

CAUTION

Diskette drive eject button



Lets you remove a diskette from the diskette drive.

CD-ROM Reader/DVD Drive

Your computer comes with a high-speed ATAPI CD-ROM reader or a DVD drive. The CD-ROM reader/DVD drive operates at different speeds depending on whether the CD you are using contains data or music. High-speed operation lets you get your data faster and see smoother animation and video.

Diskette drive features

NOTE

The CD-ROM reader/DVD drive in your system might look di fferent from the one shown in the fol lowing figure. T he features depend upon t he model you purchased.

Introducing Your Computer 1-5

CD-ROM reader/DVD drive features

Headphone jack



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



Volume control knob Controls the volume of the optional headphones.



Open/close button Opens and closes the CD tray. Press this button when the computer power is on to insert or remove a CD.

CD tray



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



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



Emergency eject hole Allows you to remove a CD manually if normal methods fail with the open/close button or through sound software.

1-6 Introducing Your Computer

BACK FEATURES

Setting up your system is mainly done through external connectors on the back of the computer. The following figures show these connectors.

Note that the minitower and desktop models differ only in orientation.

Rear features — desktop models

Introducing Your Computer 1-7

Audio connectors — desktop models

1-8 Introducing Your Computer

Rear features — minitower models

External Connectors

Your peripheral components attach to connectors on the back of your computer. This is where you connect the monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers, and printer.

NOTE

shown in the previous figures. Boards and board locati ons vary dependi ng on the model and opt ions you purchased.

Audio connectors — minitower models

Your system might have additional boards not

Keyboard port



Connect the keyboard that comes with your computer to this port. The keyboard port supports a personal system

(PS)/2

-compatible, 104-key keyboard with a 6-pin

mini DIN connector.



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

Introducing Your Computer 1-9

Parallel port



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



Universal serial bus (USB) ports Use these ports to connect a wide range of new USB devices, such as printers, mice, joysticks, keyboards, and telecommunication devices. The speed varies between 12 megabits per second (Mbps) for printers and

1.5 Mbps for mice and keyboards. You can daisy chain up to 127 devices using USB ports.

Audio connectors



The audio connectors include line out, line in, and microphone in jacks, and a MIDI/game port.

 The line out jack connects powered speakers and

other powered output devices.

 The line in jack connects stereo audio devices, such

as an amplifier or a cassette or minidisc player for playback or recording.

 The microphone in jack connects a microphone or

telephone headset. Connect the microphone that comes with your system to this jack.

 The MIDI/game port lets you attach a digital

musical instrument for creating your own musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) files or a joystick or gamepad for playing games.

1-10 Introducing Your Computer

Video connector



Attach the signal cable from your monitor to this connector. This connection supports an NEC C or CS series monitor or other video graphics array (VGA)compatible monitor with a 15-pin connector.

The video board in your system depends on your system configuration. See the documentation that comes with your computer for detailed information about the board.

NOTE

Your system comes with an Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) video board. AGP is a new high-performance interface for graphics-intensive applications, such as 3D applications.



SCSI port (SCSI models only) This port is on the SCSI adapter board that comes installed in an expansion slot on SCSI models. The Wide SCSI interface allows connection of up to 15 SCSI devices. See the documentation that comes with your computer for information about your SCSI adapter board.



Fax/modem ports (some models) Some models come with a fax/data/voice modem board. The fax/modem allows the connection of a phone line to the computer for fax, data communications, and speakerphone functions. This is your connection to information services worldwide.

See the fax/modem documentation that comes with your system to connect and use your fax/modem.

Introducing Your Computer 1-11

POWER SUPPLY FEATURES

The system power supply has the following features.

Power supply fan



Keep this area clear for proper ventilation. The power supply fan cools system components and prevents them from overheating.

Voltage selector switch



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

Set the switch correctl y f or the v olt age in your area. Most wall outlets in the United States and Canada are 115 volts.

ZIP DRIVE

CAUTION

Some models come with an Iomega® Zip™ drive. The Zip drive lets you expand the storage capacity of your hard disk quickly and easily, 100 megabytes (MB) at a time.

Use the Zip drive to back up work, archive old files and email, organize your work, transport your work, and more. With 100-MB Zip disks, you get an unlimited storage capacity. The Zip drive features include a release button/data lamp. Press this button to release a Zip disk from the drive. The data lamp lights to indicate drive activity or status.

1-12 Introducing Your Computer

To prev ent damage to your Z ip drive and data, do not turn of f the system or rem ove a Zi p disk while the data lamp is lit.

CAUTION

Zip drive features (on Zip models only)

Introducing Your Computer 1-13

SPEAKERS

MOUSE

Your system’s integrated audio components include support for optional high-quality stereo speakers. If you ordered speakers, see the documentation that comes with your speakers to set them up and to adjust sound. See “Back Features” earlier in this chapter to locate audio connectors and for a description of the connectors.

In addition to the right and left mouse buttons, your mouse features a cursor movement wheel. The cursor movement wheel lets you scroll vertically and horizontally and zoom in to view data on the screen.

1-14 Introducing Your Computer

Mouse features

Using Your Computer

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

System operation



Productivity Video display properties



System care



Moving or shipping your system



Online documentation.

NOTE

Check the additional documentation that comes with your computer for information about using your monitor, speakers, graphics board, and any other devices that you purchased (such as a fax/data/voice modem).

Read Windows Help files for information about using your mouse and customizing the settings.

SYSTEM OPERATION

In this section, you can find the following information:



starting up and shutting down your system



setting the date and time

Using Your Computer 2-1

Starting Up

using system features such as the CD-ROM



reader/DVD drive using power management and security features.



Press the power button to start up your system. The power lamp lights green to indicate that the system is on.

Several configuration messages appear on the screen at startup. These messages are part of your system’s Power-On Self-Test (POST). Your computer is checking your hardware for any changes since the last startup. One beep indicates that the system has successfully completed the power-on test.

NOTE

You can bypass the POST memory test by

pressing the space bar.

If a problem occurs, a series of beeps may sound. If this happens repeatedly after powering on, power off the system and turn to Chapter 8. This chapter provides some helpful hints on obvious system problems.

NOTE

that system sett ings have changed, run Setup (see Chapter 4).

On models loaded with the Windows NT® operating system, press so. The log-on box appears for entering a password.

2-2 Using Your Computer

If the system displays a message indicating

Ctrl-Alt-Del

when prompted on-screen to do

Shutting Down

Follow these steps to shut down (power off) your computer.

Save your work. See the documentation that comes with your application.

Exit the application program. Close any open applications. If you have programs in

the taskbar, click on them and close them. Make sure that the hard drive and diskette drives are off.

If the hard drive light or diskette drive light is lit, it indicates that the drive is in use.

To protect the i ntegrity of your data, shut down all applications before turning off the power. Unless absolutely necessary, never power off the system:

• without exiting properly

CAUTION

• when the hard drive light or diskette drive

light is lit.

Click the Start button on the Windows® taskbar, then highlight and click “Shut Down.” Selecting Shut Down gives you several choices in the pop-up submenu. Click

Yes

“Shut down the computer,” then click the

Enter

press

Windows displays the message “It’s now safe to turn off

to shut down the computer.

button or

your computer.”

Turn off power to your monitor.

Using Your Computer 2-3

+ 162 hidden pages