NEC POWERMATE VE - 07-1996 User Manual

PROPRIETARY NOTICE AND LIABILITY DISCLAIMER

The information disclosed in this document, including all designs and related materials, is the valuable property of NEC Corporation (NEC) an d/or its licensor s. NEC and/or its licensors, as appropriate, reser ve all patent, copyright and other proprietary 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 NEC product(s) discussed in this document ar e warranted in accor dance with the terms of the Warranty Statement accompanyin g 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 NEC.

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 NEC is prohibited.

MultiSync and PowerMate are registered trademarks of NEC Technologies, Inc. FastFacts is a trademark of NEC Technologies, Inc. All other product, brand, or trade names used in this publication are the trademarks or

registered trademarks of their respective trademark owners.

NEC Technologies, Inc. NEC Corporation

1414 Massachusetts Avenue 7-1 Shiba 5-Chome, Minato-Ku

Boxborough, MA 01719 Tokyo 108-01, Japan

First Printing — July 1996

Contents

Using This Guide

Text Conventions...................................................... x

Related Documents ................................................... xi

1 Introducing Your Computer

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

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

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

The Microphone ....................................................... 1-13

2 Getting Started

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

About Your Online Documentation ........................... 2-2

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

3 Installing Options

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

Safety Precautions ............................................... 3-4

Removing the System Unit Cover......................... 3-5

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

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

Locating Expansion Slots..................................... 3-8

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

Installing an Expansion Board in the

Inside Slot ......................................................... 3-12

Removing an Expansion Board ............................ 3-14

Contents iii

Removing an Expansion Board

from the Inside Slot............................................ 3-15

SIMM Upgrade ........................................................ 3-17

Checking System Memory.................................... 3-18

Removing a SIMM .............................................. 3-20

Installing a SIMM ............................................... 3-21

Video Upgrade.......................................................... 3-22

Processor Upgrade.................................................... 3-24

Removing the Processor....................................... 3-24

Installing the Processor ........................................ 3-25

Secondary Cache Upgrade ........................................ 3-26

Data Storage Devices................................................ 3-28

Locating Device Slots .......................................... 3-28

Preparing the Device............................................ 3-29

Device Cables...................................................... 3-30

Diskette Drive Signal Cable ............................ 3-31

IDE Signal Cables .......................................... 3-32

System Power Cables...................................... 3-33

Cabling Storage Devices ...................................... 3-33

Cabling an IDE Device ................................... 3-34

Cabling a Diskette Drive................................. 3-35

Installing Storage Devices.................................... 3-36

Removing the 3 1/2-Inch Drive

Bracket......................................................... 3-36

Installing the 3 1/2-Inch Drive......................... 3-38

Removing the Front Panel ............................... 3-39

Installing the 5 1/4-Inch Device....................... 3-40

Replacing the Front Panel ............................... 3-43

Replacing the 3 1/2-Inch Drive

Bracket......................................................... 3-44

Adding External Options........................................... 3-45

Connecting a Parallel Printer................................ 3-45

Connecting an RS232C Device ............................ 3-46

iv Contents

4 Setting System Parameters

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

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

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

The Menu Bar ..................................................... 4-5

The Legend Bar ................................................... 4-6

Selecting a Menu Item..................................... 4-7

Displaying a Submenu .................................... 4-7

Getting Help ................................................... 4-7

Main Menu Options.................................................. 4-7

IDE Adapters....................................................... 4-9

Memory Cache .................................................... 4-11

Memory Shadow.................................................. 4-12

Boot Options ....................................................... 4-12

NumLock ............................................................ 4-13

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

Integrated Peripherals Menu................................. 4-15

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

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

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

The Exit Menu.......................................................... 4-22

Save Changes & Exit........................................... 4-22

Discard Changes & Exit ...................................... 4-23

Get Default Values .............................................. 4-23

Load Previous Values .......................................... 4-24

Save Changes ...................................................... 4-24

Operating System Backup Utility .............................. 4-24

Microsoft Create System Disks............................ 4-24

Distribution Diskette Creator ............................... 4-27

5 Setting System Board Jumpers

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

Setting the Cache Jumper.......................................... 5-4

Clearing Your Password ........................................... 5-7

Contents v

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

7 24-Hour Information Services

NEC's FastFacts Service........................................... 7-2

NEC Bulletin Board Service...................................... 7-4

America Online Service............................................. 7-7

CompuServe Online Service...................................... 7-8

E-Mail/Fax Technical Support Service...................... 7-9

Internet..................................................................... 7-10

NEC Technical Support Services .............................. 7-11

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 Problems ............................................. 8-7

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

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

Replacing the CMOS Battery.................................... 8-9

Diagnostic Diskette................................................... 8-12

vi Contents

Getting Help ............................................................. 8-13

Getting Help from Your Company........................ 8-13

Getting Help from Your NEC Dealer ................... 8-13

Getting Help from NEC's Technical Support

Center................................................................ 8-14

NEC Warranty/Non-Warranty Repair Service...... 8-14

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

Index

Contents vii

List of Tables

Quick Reference to Information About Your

Computer ............................................................... 2-5

Setup Key Functions................................................. 4-6

Main Menu Parameters............................................. 4-8

IDE Hard Disk Parameters........................................ 4-11

Memory Cache Parameters ....................................... 4-12

Boot Option Parameters............................................ 4-13

Keyboard Features Parameters.................................. 4-14

Advanced Menu Parameters...................................... 4-15

Integrated Peripherals Parameters ............................. 4-16

System Security Options........................................... 4-19

Power Management Parameters................................. 4-21

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

viii Contents

Using This Guide

The PowerMate Ve 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 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’s Multimedia Sound Software to play music CDs, record, play and edit audio files, and play and edit MIDI files.



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 ix

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.

Appendix B, Reviewing System Interrupts, provides the



interrupt settings used by the system.

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

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.

x Using This Guide

WARNING

Cautions indicate situations that can damage the hardware or software.

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.

RELATED DOCUMENTS

In addition to this guide, the following printed documentation ships with your PowerMate

system. See the NEC PowerMate Customers Catalog included with your system for other related documentation.

CAUTION

Ctrl, Alt

return

, or

and press

Enter

Ve Series

NEC PowerMate Ve 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 xi

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 Ve 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 version of 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.

xii Using This Guide

Using Windows 95

Comes with Windows 95 systems. Contains information

for using Windows 95.

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

PowerMate Ve Series Service and Reference



Manual (part number 819-181528-000) which provides information for maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing the PowerMate Ve Series system. This guide also includes hardware and interface information for programmers, engineers, and others who need to know how the system is designed.

To purchase the service and reference manual, call NEC at 1-800-233-6321 (in the U.S.) or contact your local NEC sales provider (outside U.S.).

NEC FastFacts



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

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

See “NEC’s FastFacts Service” in Chapter 7 for information about using FastFacts.

Using This Guide xiii

Introducing Your

Computer

Prolonged or improper use of a computer workstation may pose a risk or 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.

After setting up your computer, familiarize yourself with your system. The following sections provide a brief look at the front and back features of your system.

For a comprehensive source of information about your computer, see the online NEC PowerMate Ve Series System

Documentation in the Windows

WARNING

NEC Information group.

Introducing Your Computer 1-1

FRONT FEATURES

The following figure shows the features on the front of the system. A brief description of the features follows the figure.

System Controls and Lamps

*Multimedia systems on ly.

CD-ROM Reader*Diskette Drive A

Power Button

Front features

1-2 Introducing Your Computer

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

Power Lamp

Disk La mp Reset Button Suspend Button

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. See “The Power Menu” in Chapter 4 for more information on the Suspend operation.

Introducing Your Computer 1-3

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

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 if your hard disk is doing anything. 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

Diskette Drive A

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

Busy Lamp

Diskette Release ButtonDiskette Drive

Diskette drive A features

Your diskette drive has the following features:



Diskette drive busy lamp Lights when your diskette drive is reading to or writing from 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.



Diskette release button

CAUTION

Press this button to release a diskette from the diskette drive.

Introducing Your Computer 1-5

CD-ROM Reader

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

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.

with a bootable CD. To enable the system to boot from the CD-ROM, see “Boot Menu” 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.

NOTE

You can boot your system f rom the CD- ROM

NOTE

The CD-ROM reader in your system might

look different from the one shown here.

1-6 Introducing Your Computer

CD Tray

Headphone Jack

CD Busy Lamp

Volume Control Knob

Emergency Eject Hol e

Open/Close Button

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 figures show these features.

Voltage Selector Switch

Fan

Power Socket

Multimedia systems o nly.

Seria l Port 1

Seria l Port 2

VGA Monitor Connector

Printer Port

Key board Port

Audio Connectors*

Mouse Port

Rear features

1-8 Introducing Your Computer

The following figure (multimedia systems only) identifies the audio connectors called out in the previous figure.

Line In Jack

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:

Line Out Jack

Microphone In Jack

Audio connectors



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

connector. Supports an NEC MultiSync

monitor or other video graphics array (VGA)-compatible monitor with a 15-pin connector.

Introducing Your Computer 1-9

Audio connectors



These connectors come integrated on multimedia models. The connectors include microphone in, line 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 in jack lets you connect a stereo audio

device such as a stereo amplifier or a cassette or minidisc player for playback or recording.

 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.

Printer Port



Use this port to connect a parallel printer with a 25-pin connector to the system.The enhanced printer port supports Enhanced Capabilities Port (ECP) and Enhanced Parallel Port (EPP) modes.



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. The buffered high-speed serial port supports transfer rates of up to 19.2 KB per second.



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

The keyboard port supports a personal system (PS)/2®compatible keyboard with a 6-pin mini DIN connector.

1-10 Introducing Your Computer

Mouse port



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

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 and prevents them from overheating.

Voltage selector switch



Sets the voltage for your system to 115 volts or 240 volts.

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 240 volts. Taiwan uses 115-volt outlets.

CAUTION

Power socket



Connect your power cable to this socket.

Introducing Your Computer 1-11

SPEAKERS

Multimedia models come with a pair of high-quality, 8-watt stereo speakers that you can arrange to suit your work environment.

An AC adapter comes with the system. To take full advantage of your stereo speakers and system’s sound capabilities, set up the speakers with the AC adapter. The speakers connect to the line out jack on the back of the system unit.

Power Lamp

Power Button

Treble Bass

Volume Control

Headphone Jack

The right speaker features a power button, power lamp, volume knob, treble and bass controls, and headphone jack.

Adjust the speaker volume by using the volume control or by using the preinstalled sound system software. See “Integrated Peripherals” in Chapter 4 for more information. Use the sound software to balance the speakers.

1-12 Introducing Your Computer

8-watt speaker

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

THE 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 Multimedia Sound Software.

Microphone

Introducing Your Computer 1-13

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.

About Your Online Documentation



Read this section for an explanation of the online document format and where to access it on your computer.



Where to Go from Here Look at this section for a quick reference to what you can do and where you can get information.

USING A MOUSE

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

Use the mouse to



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



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.

Getting Started 2-1

Press



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



Drag Dragging the mouse attaches the 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.

ABOUT YOUR ONLINE DOCUMENTATION

Besides this printed user’s guide, your system comes with online documentation conveniently available right from Windows.

To access the online system documentation, locate the NEC Information group in Windows. Click the NEC PowerMate Online Documentation icon. A welcome screen appears with the information you need to use the online documentation.

2-2 Getting Started

The NEC PowerMate Ve 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 Ve Series System Documentation at the shipping defaul t video resolution — 800 by 600 with 256 colors with smal l fonts.

NEC POWERMATE VE - 07-1996 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual