User’s Guide Printed on recycled paper with at least 10% post-consumer content
IMPORTANT NOTICE DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY Epson America makes no representations or warranties, either express or implied, by or with respect to anything in this manual, and shall not be liable for any implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose or for any indirect, special, or consequential damages. Some states do not allow the exclusion of incidental or consequential damages, so this exclusion may not apply to you. COPYRIGHT NOTICE All rights reserved.
Important Safety Instructions Read all of these instructions and save them for later reference. Follow all warnings and instructions marked on the computer. ● Turn off the computer before cleaning. Clean with a damp cloth only. Do not spill liquid on the computer. ● Use only the type of power source indicated on the computer’s label. ● Connect all equipment to properly grounded power outlets.
Importances Instructions de Sécurité Lire attentivement les instructions suivantes et les conserver pour les consulter en cas de besoin. Observer soigneusement tous les avertissements et directives marques surl’ordinateur. ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Débrancher l’ordinateur avant de le nettoyer. N'utiliser qu‘un chiffon humide. Veiller à ne pas renverser de liquides sur l’appareil. Utiliser seulement le type de source d‘alimentation électrique indiqué sur l’étiquette.
FCC COMPLIANCE STATEMENT FOR AMERICAN USERS This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio and television reception.
Contents Introduction Computer Features .. . . . . . Power-saving Features . . . . . . . . . . . What This Manual Covers . . . . . . . . . Conventions Used in This Manual. Where to Get Help . . . . . . . . . . CompuServe On-line Support. . .. Chapter 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . . ...3 . . . . ...3 . . . 4 . .. . . 5 . . . 6 Setting Up the Computer Opening the Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...
Using the Trackball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...2-6 Cleaning the Trackball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...2-8 Resetting the Computer . . . . . . . . ... . 2-9 Changing the CPU Speed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9 Using Password Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...2-10 Entering a Boot Password. . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11 Entering an SCU Password. . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11 Using Diskettes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...
Chapter 5 Troubleshooting Identifying Your System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Error Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Computer Won’t Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Battery Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . AC Adapter Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The LCD Screen Is Blank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The External Monitor Screen Is Blank. . . . . . . . . .
Introduction The EPSON ® ActionNote TM 600 Series notebook computers give you exceptional speed, display quality, and expaddability—all packaged in the latest in notebook computer technology. The ActionNote computer has 4MB of standard memory on the system board. Some systems have an additional 4MB memory module installed (check your system startup screen).
❑ LCD screen supporting VGA resolutions of 640 x 480 in 256 colors or 64 gray shades ❑ High-speed, 32-bit local bus video technology supports resolutions up to 1024 x 768 in 16 colors or 800 x 600 in 256 colors on an external monitor ❑ High-capacity hard disk drive ❑ Built-in 16 mm trackball with two buttons ❑ Two stacked PCMCIA Type II slots, supporting two Type I or Type II cards or one Type III card ❑ Long-lasting, rechargeable NiMH battery ❑ Compact AC adapter ❑ Pre-installed software on
Power-saving Features The ActionNote complies with the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star Program, which prom otes the manufacture of energy-efficient printers, computers, and monitors. Your computer’s power management features place the system in low-power standby and suspend modes when it has been inactive for specified periods of time.
Chapter 5 provides troubleshooting tips. Appendix A lists the computer’s specifications. At the end of them anual, you’ll find an Index and a list of EPSON U.S. and international marketing locations.
Where to Get Help If you purchased your computer in the United States or Canada, EPSON provides customer support and service through a network of Authorized EPSON Customer Care Centers. EPSON also provides support services through the EPSON Connection. SM In the United States or Canada, dial (800) 922-8911.
If you purchased your computer outside the United States or Canada, contact your EPSON dealer or the marketing location nearest you for customer support and service. International marketing locations are listed at the end of this manual. If you need help with any software application program you are using, see the documentation that came with that program for technical support information.
Chapter 1 Setting Up the Computer This chapter describes how to setup your computer. It covers: ❑ Opening the screen ❑ Identifying the system components ❑ Connecting the AC adapter ❑ Turning the computer on and off ❑ Reading the System Window icons ❑ Backing up files ❑ Running the System Configuration utility (SCU). Opening the Screen To open the LCD screen, slide the latch on the computer’s lid to the right and lift the lid upward.
ldentifying the System Components Use the illustrations below to help you identify your system components.
Connecting the AC Adapter The AC adapter included with your computer can be used in most countries because it operates in the input ranges 100-250 VAC with frequencies of 47-63 Hz. If you are using the adapter in a country other than the one where you purchased your computer, make sure you have the correct power cord before you connect the AC adapter to an electrical outlet. Caution Use only the adapter designed for the ActionNote 600 Series computer (model number TSA3), or you could damage the computer.
Position the connector on the AC adapter cable so the side with the arrow faces up. Then connect the cable to the AC adapter port on the right side of the computer. Plug the adapter’s power cord into an electrical outlet. The green power light on the adapter comes on and the AC Power icon (the plug) appears in the computer’s System Window. (See page 1-7 for a description of the System Window icons.) For more information about powering the computer with the AC adapter, see Chapter 3.
Turning the Computer On and Off The first time you use your computer, the battery may not be charged (NiMH batteries lose up to 20% of their charge each week they aren’t recharged), so make sure the AC adapter is connected. Then press the power button on the back panel to turn on the computer. The computer beeps and then begins a series of power-on diagnostics that check the circuit boards, memory, ports, keyboard, and disk drives.
Note If you want to adjust the brightness, contrast, or other aspects of the display, see “Using the Fn Key” in Chapter 2 for keyboard commands you can use. If you plan to use another operating system, such as OS/ 2,® U N I X® , or Windows NT, perform the necessary steps to install the program now. See the documentation that came with it for installation instructions. Before you turn off the computer, save your data and exit the program you are currently using.
Reading the System Window lcons These icons appear in the System Window above the keyboard to indicate the status of certain computer operations.
Making Backup Copies of Your Files Before you start using your computer, it’s a good idea to make a backup copy of your hard disk drive. Use the MWBACKUP utility in the Windows Applications group or the MS-DOS BACKUP command to back up the contents of the drive. Refer to your on-line Windows manual or Windows Help utility for instructions on using MWBACKUP; use the MS-DOS help utility for instructions on using BACKUP.
Note If you remove the computer’s battery and leave your system without a power source for more than 10 days, the internal battery runs out of power and does not retain your configuration information. If this happens, you must run the SCU again and re-enter any changes you made to the default settings. When to Run the System Configuration Utility Because your computer was set up and configured for you, the configuration information may already be correct for your needs.
If you do not press Ctrl Alt S within 1 second, the computer loads Windows. If this happens, exit Windows and press Ctrl Alt S at the MS-DOS prompt to start the SCU. Changing the Settings When the computer starts the SCU, you see the System Configuration screen which lists the current configuration option settings. To select the options you want to change, use the pull-down menus that you open from the menu bar at the top of the screen.
The SCU screen displays the detected size of your system memory areas, including base, extended, and shadow memory. It also lets you change or verify the settings listed in the following table. An asterisk (*) next to an option indicates the default setting.
SCU options [continued) Option Description Settings Typematic Rate Sets the speed at which characters repeat when you hold down a key; in characters per second (Cps) 2 CPS 6 CPS 10 CPS* 15 CPS 20 CPS 30 CPS Typematic Delay Sets the amount of time it takes before a key repeats input when you hold it down; in milliseconds (ins) 250 ms 500 ms * 750 ms 1000 ms Boot Password See "Setting, Deleting, and Changing a Password" below No = Enabled = Disabled * See "Setting, Deleting, and Changing a Passwo
SCU options [continued) Option Description Settings Controls the processor’s internal cache operation No Memory menu Cache Enable = Enabled* = Disabled PowerMgmt menu See "Setting the Power Management Options," below Defaults Sets all options to their default values Exit See “Exiting the SCU, ” below * Default setting (1) The parallel port is always LPT1. Some hardware diagnostic programs may only be able to read the parallel port in Normal mode.
Setting a password Follow these steps to set a password: 1. Highlight the Boot Password or SCU Password option. 2. Press Enter. You see the password entry screen. (Press ESC to exit this screen, if necessary.) 3. Type a password from 4 to 8 characters long. As you type, you see only asterisks (*) displayed on the screen. 4. Press Enter. You see another password entry screen asking you to verify the password by entering it again. 5. Type the password again and press Enter.
6. Type the password again and press Enter. (If you enter an incorrect password, you see an error message; start over again at step 1.) 7. You see a message verifying that a password is set. Press any key to continue. The selected password option setting is changed to (Enabled). Setting the Power Management Options When you select the PowerMgmt option from the SCU menu bar, the screen changes to the Power Management screen.
The table below lists the power management options. For a complete description of how these options work, see Chapter 3. Caution If you use your ActionNote on a network, you should disable the computer’s power management features because they can interfere with your network software and prevent proper connection to the network.
Power management options [continued] Option Description Settings Auto Suspend (2) Sets the inactivity time period after which the system automatically enters suspend mode (in minutes) or you can disable automatic suspend mode; the type of suspend mode entered depends on the setting of the Disk Suspend option, described below 1 Min 5 Min 10 Min* 20 Min 30 Min 40 Min 60 Min Disable Disk Suspend Selects the type of suspend mode the system uses when it enters suspend mode: Suspend to Memory (Disabled)
Power management options [continued) Settings Option Description Defaults menu Sets all the power management options to their default values Exit menu Allows you to save your settings and exit the Power Management Screen (if you changed settings) or exit without saving your settings; returns to SCU, MS-DOS prompt, or Windows, depending on how you brought up the Power Management screen * Default setting (1) To enable an Alarm Resume time, press Enter and then press or until you see Enabled.
Chapter 2 Using Your Computer This chapter describes basic computer operations, including: Caring for the computer Using energy wisely Using the keyboard Using the trackball Resetting the computer Changing the CPU speed Using password security Using diskettes Using video drivers and utilities Configuring PC cards. Caring for the Computer Follow these guidelines to keep your computer working well: Keep the computer and AC adapter dry, and do not subject them to extreme heat or cold.
❑ When you are not using the serial, parallel, or VGA ports, keep the port cover closed to prevent damage to the pins. ❑ Occasionally clean the computer’s exterior with a soft, damp cloth. ❑ Occasionally clean the LCD screen using glass cleaner on a soft cloth; do not spray the cleaner directly onto the screen. ❑ If your trackball is not working correctly, you may need to clean it. Follow the instructions on page 2-8.
Using Energy Wisely By purchasing this Energy Star compliant computer, you join a growing number of users concerned about conserving energy. Here are a few additional energy-saving tips: ❑ If your printer and external monitor aren ‘t Energy Star compliant, turn them off when you ‘re not using them. ❑ Use the print preview option in your software before you print something. You’11 be able to catch formatting errors before you commit them to paper. ❑ Remove PC cards when you are not using them.
Note The keyboard on the ActionNote is available with different layouts for different languages. Additionally, you can use MS-DOS or Windows to reassign the layout of your keyboard to duplicate that of another country. See your on-line Windows manual or the MS-DOS help utility for more information. Using the Fn Key When pressed with other keys, the Fn key lets you control certain operations, as described in the following table. To use these commands, hold down the Fn key and then press the second key.
Key command Fn F11 or Ctrl Alt F11 Function Increases or decreases the size of the vertical screen space used by the images displayed (use with MS-DOS only) Fn F12 or Ctrl A1t F12 For the active matrix and monochrome LCDS, toggles the display three ways—from the LCD to the external monitor, then to both simultaneously, then back to the LCD. For the dual scan LCD, toggles the display between the LCD and the external monitor.
First lock the keypad by pressing Fn Num Lock. You see the Embedded Keypad Locked icon in the System Window. (To unlock it, press Fn Num Lock again; the icon disappears.) Depending on whether the keypad is locked or not, the embedded keypad works as described in the table below.
To use the trackball, roll it to move the cursor in the direction of the ball: up, down, left, right, or diagonally. Like the mouse, you can click or double-click the left button (press it once or twice quickly) to make menu selections or block text. Press the left button and hold it down while you move the trackball to drag objects around the screen. Note The right button is sometimes used with programs written for a two-button mouse, but you can use it as your primary button.
Cleaning the Trackball If your trackball is not working properly, you may need to clean it. Follow these steps: 1. Insert the trackball removal tool that came with your computer into the two holes on the dial surrounding the trackball. Then turn the dial counterclockwise until it stops. 2. Use the tool, if necessary, to lift out the dial and the trackball. 3. Blow any dust out of the trackball base. If the metal rollers inside the base seem dirty, clean them gently with a cotton swab. 4.
Resetting the Computer If necessary, you can reset the computer without turning it off by pressing a combination of keys. This reloads the operating system. To reset the computer, press Ctrl Alt Del. (If you are in Windows, you first see a warning screen reminding you to save your data and exit any open applications. Press Ctrl Alt Del again to reset.) The screen goes blank for a moment and then the computer resets itself.
Your computer is setup to start at high speed. If you want to change the speed (through MS-DOS only), use the following key sequences: Command Function Ctrl Alt Sets CPU speed to low (12 MHz) Ctrl Alt Sets CPU speed to high Using Password Security Your ActionNote offers two types of passwords: a Boot password and an SCU password. If you set a Boot password, you must enter the password every time you turn on or reset your computer.
Entering a Boot Password When the computer requires you to enter a Boot password, you see a screen containing this prompt after you turn on or reset the computer: Enter your BOOT PASSWORD: Type the correct password and press Enter. To protect your password, the screen does not display the characters you type; you only see a box indicating each character as you type it. If you do not type the correct password, the computer repeats the password prompt.
Using Diskettes You can use either of the following types of diskettes in your 3.5-inch, 1.44MB diskette drive: 720KB, double-sided, double-density (usually labeled 2DD) 1.44MB, double-sided, high-density (usually labeled 2HD). To insert a diskette, hold it with the label facing up and the shutter leading into the drive. Slide it into the drive until it clicks into place. To remove the diskette, make sure the Diskette Drive Activity icon does not appear in the System Window; then press the release button.
Caution Never remove a diskette or reset or turn off the computer while the diskette drive is being accessed; you could lose data. Also, be sure to remove the diskette before you turn off the computer. Using Video Drivers and Utilities Your system comes with high-resolution video display drivers for Windows installed on your hard disk drive.
To check on the availability of drivers for non-Windows applications, call the EPSON Connection or access the Epson America Forum on CompuServe. Configuring PC Cards Whenever you turn on or reset your computer, you have a number of options for configuring your PC card. The default setting loads all PCMCIA drivers. You must load PCMCIA drivers if you are going to use a PC card.
Installing Additional PC Card Drivers and Utilities While the ActionNote is fully compatible with PCMCIA version 2.1 and JEIDA 4.1, some PC cards (such as LAN cards) require that you install special drivers or software before they can work correctly. For example, a LAN card may require that you install a socket services enabler either as a device driver or command that is executed when you load the network operating system.
2-16 Using Your Computer
Chapter 3 Powering the Computer You can power your ActionNote with its compact AC adapter, removable NiMH battery, or optional automobile cigarette lighter adapter. This chapter describes how to use the AC adapter and battery and how to conserve energy by using the computer’s power management features.
The compact AC adapter included with your computer is designed to operate in 100-250 VAC ranges with a frequency of 47-63 Hz. If you use the AC adapter in a foreign country, be sure to use the correct plug adapter to fit the electrical outlet. To connect the AC adapter, see the instructions in Chapter 1. The adapter’s power light comes on and the computer’s AC Power icon appears in the System Window. The Battery Charging and Battery Status icons also appear to show you the charging status of the battery.
Note You can save power when you are not using the serial port by setting the COM Port option to Disable in the SCU. Just be sure to run the SCU to enable the port again before you connect a device to it. The ActionNote includes special power management features that protect your data even when there is very little power left in the battery. If the Battery Low option in the SCU is enabled (default setting), the computer automatically enters suspend mode when the battery power reaches a critically low level.
Monitoring Battery Power There are two ways to monitor the battery power in your computer: Select the Windows Power icon in the Control Panel window Watch the computer’s Battery Charging and Battery Status icons. If you are using Windows, you can select the Power icon in the Control Panel window to see a status screen that gives information about your battery. Note For a description of the power management modes available from the Power dialog box, see “Using the APM Interface” on page 3-15.
If you have the AC adapter connected, you see the AC Power icon in the System Window.
If you are using only battery power to run your computer, you do not see the AC Power or Battery Charging icons.
Replacing the Battery Follow these steps to replace the battery: 1. Complete your current activity and save your data 2. Slide the battery release grip on the battery cover toward the front of the computer until the cover disengages from the computer case. Then pull the battery straight out of its compartment. Note Avoid touching the battery contacts with any metal objects, such as keys or coins because they may short out the battery’s circuits.
3. Insert the new battery into its compartment and push it in almost all the way. 4. Slide the battery cover toward the back of the computer while pushing the battery the rest of the way into its compartment. Make sure the locking tabs click into place and that you see the Battery Status icon in the System Window when you open the LCD screen. Recharging the Battery The battery that comes with your system is rechargeable.
To charge the battery, leave it in the computer and connect the AC adapter. The computer automatically charges the battery whenever the AC adapter is attached. Note You can purchase an optional external battery charger so you can charge an extra battery while using another in your computer. To monitor the progress of battery charging, watch the Battery Charging and Battery Status icons, as described on page 3-5. It takes approximately 1.
Using the Power Management Features Your ActionNote offers a variety of automatic and manual power management features to help you conserve battery and electrical power. These features slow down or stop the operation of various system component—such as the CPU, the hard disk, and the LCD screen—when you are not using your computer but are leaving the power on. There are four levels of power-savings that your computer can enter: two standby modes and two suspend modes.
The power-saving operations performed by the computer in each of these modes are summarized in the table below.
Automatic Features Using the Power Management screen, you can select individual system inactivity time periods, at the end of which your computer can automatically enter any or all of the power-saving modes. You can access the Power Management screen in two ways: Run the SCU (from the DOS prompt only) and select the PowerMgmt menu bar option. When you save and exit, the computer restarts. Press Ctrl Alt P (from the DOS prompt or Windows), or Fn E SC (from Windows only).
(See Chapter 1 for information on setting the Power Management screen options.) When your computer has been inactive for one of the timeout periods you set, it performs the power savings operations listed in the table on page 3-11, depending on which mode it is entering. When your system enters one of the standby modes, you probably will not notice any difference. However, when you resume activity from CPU Standby mode, the system responds immediately.
Note If you selected Suspend to Disk mode, the computer may not suspend immediately after you press the Suspend/ Resume button. This is because your computer may be performing a background task (which is not apparent to you) that prevents it from entering Suspend to Disk mode. If your computer does not suspend after a few seconds, press the Suspend/ Resume button again. You can reduce power consumption without affecting performance by closing the ActionNote’s cover and turning off the LCD backlight.
When your computer comes back on, you see this message: Previous System State is being Restored; Please Wait . . . After a few moments, the data is restored to your computer’s memory and the screen returns to the state in which operations were suspended. Note When you resume from Suspend to Disk mode, any PCMCIA card and socket services that you loaded and initialized before you suspended to disk are not reloaded or reinitialized after you resume.
Windows provides a Power icon in the Control Panel that allows you to select Standard, Advanced, or no APM power management mode and includes a battery status gauge. Use the Windows on-line help utility and see the on-line Windows manual for instructions on using these features.
Note If you select Suspend to Disk as your suspend mode but do not create the Suspend to Disk data file, the computer uses Suspend to Memory mode until you create the file. The hard disk drive includes a Suspend to Disk data file allocation utility called 0VMAKFIL.EXE that you can use to create, remove, and recreate the Suspend to Disk data file. Follow the instructions below to create the file on your hard disk drive.
5. The 0VMAKFIL utility creates the Suspend to Disk data file. After several minutes, the utility displays a confirmation message and a prompt to reboot your system. Press Ctrl Alt Del. If the utility cannot create the file successfully, you may see one of the following error messages: No Suspend To Disk File Allocated Failed to open taporary file Disk too fragmented; targets contiguous area: nnn sectors If you see the last message, check the hard disk drive for any files you don’t need, then delete them.
If you see an error message instead, one of the following problems has occurred: Suspend to Disk data file does not exist Suspend to Disk data file is not a hidden file Suspend to Disk data file is not large enough to contain your system memory plus your video memory Your computer cannot determine the location of the first sector in the Suspend to Disk data file or the first sector does not contain the correct signature.
Caution If you have used a disk doubling software program, such as MS-DOS DRVSPACE, you must make sure the Suspend to Disk data file resides in the boot partition of the drive and not in the doubled partition. If you use DRVSPACE later, be sure to remove the Suspend to Disk data file from the hard disk, run DRVSPACE and DEFRAG, then create the new file in the boot partition using 0VMAKFIL.EXE (as described below). Follow these steps: 1. If necessary, exit Windows to the MS-DOS prompt. 2.
Chapter 4 Installing Optional Devices This chapter explains how to connect or install these devices: External monitor Parallel device Serial device External keyboard, keypad, mouse, or other PS/ 2 device PC card Expansion memory module Hard disk drive. Connecting an External Monitor The VGA port on the back of your computer allows you to connect an external color or monochrome VGA monitor. Follow these steps: 1. Make sure both the computer and monitor are turned off 2.
4. Connect the monitor cable to the VGA port. 5. If the connector has retaining screws, tighten them. 6. Connect the monitor power cable to a grounded electrical outlet. 7. Turn on the monitor first, then the computer. The display mode your computer uses depends on the setting you selected for the Display Mode option in the System Configuration utility. If you selected CRT , you see a display only on the external monitor.
Your computer also includes a Windows utility that allows you to enhance the display characteristics of your LCD and external monitor and select your display mode. For details, see “Using Video Drivers and Utilities” in Chapter 2. Connecting a Parallel Device You can use the parallel port to connect a parallel device, such as a printer or scanner. Before you connect the device, check its manual to see if you need to change any of its settings.
4. If the connector has retaining screws, tighten them 5. Connect the other end of the cable to the parallel device. If the device port has retaining clips, squeeze them gently until they snap into place. 6. Connect the device’s power cable to a grounded electrical outlet. Connecting a Serial Device You can use the RS-232C serial port to connect a serial device, such as a serial printer, plotter, or mouse. Follow these steps: 1. Make sure both the computer and the serial device are turned off. 2.
5. If the connector has retaining screws, tighten them. 6. If the serial device has a power cable, connect it to a grounded electrical outlet. See the next section and the documentation that came with your serial device to see if any other steps are necessary. Checking the Serial Port Settings The serial port can send and receive data at a variety of speeds and with many different protocols. This means you need to configure the port to match the signals of the serial device you connect.
To connect a device, turn off your computer. Then align the device’s connector with the external keyboard/ mouse port on the back of the computer and push in the connector. If you connected an external keyboard, you can use it immediately after connecting it. If you connected an external pointing device, you must disable the computer’s built-in trackball using the SCU before you can use the device. See Chapter 1 for instructions.
Installing a PC Card A PC card is a credit card-sized device that meets the PCMCIA universal standard for adding memory, storage, and interface cap abilities to portable systems. (See the EPSON Card and Socket Services User's Guide for more in formation.) Your computer supports up to two Type I and Type H PC cards, or one Type III PC card.
3. Align the card in the card guides of the appropriate slot. Then push the card gently but firmly into the slot as far as it will go. When you feel resistance, stop pushing; do not force it into the slot. When you have fully inserted the card, the release button on the side of the slot pops out. When you want to remove the PC card, check the PC Card Activity icon in the System Window to verify that the computer is not accessing the card; then press the release button to eject it.
Caution The memory module can be easily damaged and is expensive to replace; so if you don’t feel confident about installing it yourself, ask your Authorized EPSON Servicer for assistance. To install a memory module, you must first remove the memory module cover and the CPU heat spreader. Follow these steps: 1. Turn off the computer and any peripheral devices. 2. Disconnect any external device cables connected to the computer. 3. Close the LCD screen, if necessary. 4.
5. Use a cross-head screwdriver to remove the two screws securing the vented memory module cover on the bottom of the computer, as shown below. (These screws are created exclusively for the memory module cover, so keep them with the cover until you replace it.) 6. Lift off the cover and set it aside. 7. Beneath the cover is a black metal CPU heat spreader with holes in it. To remove it, first open the door covering the ports on the back of your computer.
8. Remove the screw directly above the VGA port that secures the CPU heat spreader to the computer. Then lift out the heat spreader and set it aside. (This screw is created exclusively for the CPU heat spreader, so keep it with the heat spreader until you replace it.) Note There is a plastic pad that adheres to the CPU or to the heat spreader. Do not remove this pad. If it adheres to the heat spreader, make sure it aligns with the CPU when you replace the heat spreader in the steps below.
9. Locate the two connectors on the base of the memory module so you can align them with the two small sockets on the system board. 10. Align the module connectors with the computer’s sockets, as shown below, and lower the module into position. 11 Carefully press the module connectors into the sockets, making sure you align the connector pins and the socket holes. Do not force the connectors into the sockets; if you have trouble, remove the module and try again.
14. Turn the computer over and open the LCD screen. 15. Run the System Configuration utility, as described in Chapter 1, to make sure your computer recognizes the new memory configuration. (As soon as you turn on the computer, it will prompt you to run the SCU because of the memory size mismatch.) If you later remove or change the memory module, be sure to run the SCU again. 16.
6. Now remove the two screws securing the hard disk drive cover to the bottom of the computer. (These screws are created exclusively for the hard disk drive cover, so keep them with the cover until you replace it.) 7. Lift off the cover and set it aside.
8. To disconnect the cable from the drive, grasp the clear plastic pull strap and carefully pull it straight out from the drive connector. (You may need to lift up the drive slightly to pull out the cable connector.) Be sure to pull evenly along the width of the strap so you do not bend any of the pins in the drive connector. 9. Then lift the drive out of the computer. Note The hard disk drive compartment on your computer can accommodate drives up to 19 mm high.
10. To reinstall the drive (or install a new one), position it shown below; then place the rear of the drive beneath lip of the computer’s side panel. Leave the side of the containing the drive connector slightly above the compartment so you can connect the cable in the next as the drive step. 11. Align the holes in the cable connector with the group of 44 pins on the right side of the drive connector. Make sure the connector does not cover the group of four pins on the left side of the connector. 12.
13. Lower the drive into its compartment. 14. To replace the hard disk drive cover, hold it in the position shown in step 6 on page 4-14 and insert the three tabs along its edge into the three slots in the computer case. Then secure it with its two retaining screws. 15. Replace the CPU heat spreader and memory module cover by reversing steps 5 through 8 on pages 4-10 and 4-11. 16. Run the System Configuration utility as described in Chapter 1 to automatically configure (or reconfigure) your drive.
4-18 Installing Optional Devices
Chapter 5 Troubleshooting You probably won‘t encounter any difficulties as you setup and use your ActionNote. If anything out of the ordinary happens, however, refer to this chapter for help. If the suggestions here do not solve the problem, use the guidelines below to identify your system and make a note of any error messages your computer displays. Then contact your Authorized EPSON Servicer or call the EPSON Connection at (800) 922-8911.
Windows version When your computer has loaded Windows, select Help from the menu bar. Then select About program Manager to see the version number. 5-2 Software versions In Windows applications, select About from the Help menu, or read the version number from the banner screen displayed when the program starts, or check your software manual. MS-DOS version In Windows, select the MS-DOS Prompt icon. When the MS-DOS prompt appears, type VER and press Enter to display the MS-DOS version number. CONFIG.
Error Messages Your computer’s built-in memory (ROM) contains a series of diagnostic programs, called power-on diagnostics, which your computer runs automatically every time you turn it on. These programs check internal devices such as ROM, RAM, the timer, the keyboard controller, and the hard disk drive. When the diagnostics test RAM, you can see the total amount of memory currently installed in your system. If the computer finds an error, it displays an error message on the screen.
3. If the computer still does not start, the problem is probably caused by the power source; see “Battery Problems” or “AC Adapter Problems,” below. Battery Problems If you have trouble running the computer from a battery, follow the steps in this section to find the problem. (Be sure to read Chapter 3 for information on powering your system.) 1. Check the Battery Status and Suspend icons in the System Window.
6. If the computer does not work with the AC adapter, see “AC Adapter Problems.” If the computer works using the AC adapter, the problem may be that you have not used the battery in a long time (three months or more), and you may need to recharge it. If the Battery Charging icon appears, the battery is charging. See Chapter 3 for more information about charging the battery. 7. If you find that over time the battery is losing its charge in less and less time, it may be reaching the end of its life.
The LCD Screen is Blank If the computer starts up (power icons appear in the status panel) but no image appears on the LCD screen, follow these steps to solve the problem: 1. The computer may be in suspend mode; press any key or the Suspend/ Resume button to resume. If you are using Suspend to Disk as your Suspend mode, press the computer’s power button to resume. 2. You may have set a timeout period for the LCD screen on the Power Management screen or with the Windows ChipsCPL utility.
The Internal Monitor Screen is Blank If you are using an external monitor and no image appears on its screen, follow these steps to solve the problem: 1. Make sure the monitor and then the computer are turned on. 2. Adjust the brightness and contrast of the monitor screen using the controls on the monitor. (The contrast adjustment has no effect on active matrix screens.) 3. Check that the monitor’s power cable is securely connected to the monitor and to an electrical outlet.
The Computer Locks Up If the computer locks up, try the following: 1. Some operations take longer than others to perform. For example, a spreadsheet program takes a long time to recalculate a spreadsheet and many program calculations can take several minutes to complete. Wait a few minutes to see if the computer returns to normal operations. 2. The computer may be in suspend mode.
Password Problems If you set a password and you have trouble using it, try the following: 1. If you type the password and then see the password prompt again, type the password again and press Enter. If you type it incorrectly three times, the computer reboots and prompts you again. 2. If you know the current password but you want to change or delete it, see Chapter 1 for instructions. 3. If you have forgotten your password, call the EPSON Connection for assistance.
3. If you still have trouble with the trackball, contact your Authorized EPSON Servicer or the EPSON Connection for assistance. External Pointing Device Problems If your trackball, mouse, or other PS/ 2 compatible pointing device does not work properly, try these solutions: 1. Did you install any necessary drivers and load them into your computer’s memory? See the documentation that came with your device for instructions.
5. If you still have trouble with an external device, check the manual that came with it or contact the manufacturer. Diskette Problems If you have trouble accessing data on a diskette, follow these steps to identify the problem: 1. Is the diskette properly inserted in the drive? Remove the diskette and make sure it is inserted with the label facing up. 2. Are you using the right type of diskette for your drive? The 3.5-inch drive in your computer can read either 720KB or l.44MBdiskettes. 3.
6. Try formatting a blank diskette to determine if the diskette drive is operating properly. If you cannot format a diskette, see the next section. Diskette Drive Problems If you are having problems with the diskette drive, check the following: 1. If the drive does not seem to be working, try performing a similar operation with a diskette in another computer’s drive, if you have access to one. 2. Make sure the diskette drive is set to the correct type in the System Configuration utility.
3. Make sure the Hard Disk option is set correctly in the SCU. See Chapter 1 for instructions. 4. Make sure the hard disk drive cable is securely connected, as described in the “Removing and Replacing the Hard Disk Drive” section of Chapter 4. Sotfware Problems If you are having trouble with an application program, try the following solutions: 1. If the application program does not start, check that you are following the correct procedure for starting the program, and that it is installed correctly. 2.
Printer Problems You can solve most printer problems by following the instructions in your printer manual. If you have just connected the printer, check that it has power and is properly connected to the computer. See Chapter 4 for instructions on connecting a printer. (The printer manual also gives instructions on cable connections.) If you have a serial printer or if the printer has problems feeding paper, check the printer manual for the correct DIP switch settings and for serial operation settings.
PC Card Problems If you are having trouble with a PC card inserted in your PC card slot, check the following: 1. Did you insert the card properly? Press the release button to remove the card; then try inserting it again. See Chapter 4 for installation instructions. 2. Did you load any PCMCIA drivers when you booted the computer? Reboot your computer and select the appropriate option at the PCMCIA driver prompt. Then try your PC card operation again.
5. If you inserted a RAM or hard disk card, did you format it? Like a diskette, a new RAM or hard disk PC card may need to be formatted (initialized) before you can use it. See the documentation that came with the card for instructions. 6. Are you using a LAN PC card with the power management features enabled or running only on battery power? You should disable the power management features when you are using the computer on a network because these features can interfere with your network software.
Appendix A Specifications CPU and Memory CPU Cyrix SL-enhanced CX486DX2 microprocessor; includes built-in math coprocessor, 8KB of internal cache, and power management features; cache can be enabled or disabled using the SCU System speed Maximum speed and low speed (12 MHz) available; speed selection through keyboard commands Memory 4MB or 8MB RAM standard on the system board; expandable to 8MB, 12MB, or 20MB using a 4MB, 8MB, or 16MBmemory module ROM 128KB Flash ROM device containing the system an
Controllers Video Chips and Technology ® 32-bit local bus interface to the microprocessor; supports enhanced video modes on an external monitor; supports resolutions up to 640 x 480 in 256 colors on the color LCD and up to 1024 x 768 in 16 or 800 x 600 in 256 colors on an external monitor; display mode selectable using the SCU, the Fn F12 command, or Windows ChipsCPL utility Diskette drive Built-in super I/O controller for one internal 3.5-inch diskette drive; supports 720KB and 1.
Interfaces External VGA 15-pin, D-sub, female connector for analog monitor Parallel Centronics ® compatible; 25-pin, D-sub, fern ale connector; supports norm al (8-bit AT compatible, unidirectional) and bidirectional (16-bit PS/ 2 compatible) modes Serial RS-232C, programm able, asynchronous, 9-pin, D-sub male connector External keyboard/ mouse Auto-sensing, 6-pin, mini-DIN connector for a PSI 2-type external keyboard, keypad, mouse, or other pointing device Keyboard 85/ 86 keys; 101/ 102-key keybo
LCD Screen Active matrix color: 9.5-inch diagonal 640 x 480 x 256 colors, Dual-scan twisted nematic (DSTN) color: 10.3-inch diagonal, 640 x 480 x 256 colors, backlit Monochrome: 9.4-inch diagonal, 64 gray shades, 640 x 480, backlit System Configuration Utility Stored in ROM; accessible by pressing Ctrl Alt S at system startup or at MS-DOS prompt; includes power management features Power Sources AC adapter Size 5.3 inches (L) x 2.8 inches (W) x 1.
Caution Use only the adapters and replacement batteries designed for use with the ActionNote 600 series (AC adapter model number TSA3 and battery model number 10 HR-4/ 3AU).
Optional Equipment ❑ 4MB, 8MB, and 16MB memory expansion modules ❑ External keyboard ❑ External numeric keypad ❑ Additional NiMH batteries ❑ External battery charger ❑ Automobile cigarette lighter adapter ❑ Additional AC adapter ❑ PCMCIA cards including Flash RAM, SRAM, Hard disk, modem, fax/ modem, LAN cards, etc.
Index A AC adapter automobile, 3-1 connecting, 1-34 model number, 1-3, A-5 power icon, 1-4, 1-7, 3 -2, 3-5—6 power light, 1-4, 3-2 precautions, 2-1 problems, 5-5 specifications, 1-3, 3-2, A-4 using, 3-l–2 Airplane travel precautions, 2-2 Alarm Resume option, 1-16 Altitude, A-5 APM interface, 3-4 3-11, 3-1 5–16 Auto Suspend option, 1-17 AUTOEXEC.
Diskette drive activity icon, 1-7, 2-12 configuring, 1-11 controller, A-2 problems, 5-12 specifications, A-3 Diskettes backing up, 1-8 problems, 5-11—12 using, 2-12–13 Display Mode option, 1-12, 2-13, 4-2, 5-6—7 DRVSPACE utility, 3-17, 3-20 E Embedded keypad, 1-7,2 -5-6,5-9 EMM386.
L N LCD screen adjusting display, 1-6, 2-34, 2-13, 4-2-3 cleaning, 2-2 closing, 3-14 configuration option, 1-12 opening, 1-1 precautions, 2-1 problems, 5-6 specifications, A-4 NiMH, see Battery Num Lock configuring default mode, 1-11 icon, 1-7 key functions, 2-3 ,2-5-6 M Marketing locations, EPSON, Intro-6 Mass storage, A-3 Math coprocessor, A-1 MEMMAKER, 2-14, 5-16 Memory cache, 1-13, A-1 CMOS RAM, 1-8, A-1 configuring, 1-11,4-13 manager program, 2-14 module, 4-8–13, 5-14, A-1 RAM, 5-3 ROM, 1-8,5-3, A-
Pointing device connecting, 4-5—6 port specifications, A-3 problems, 5-10—11 Power button, 1-5—6, 5-3 icon, 1-4, 1-7, 3-2, 3-4—6 problems, 5-3—4 sources, 3-1, 5-4, A-4–5 Power management APM interface, 3-4,3-11, 3-15–16 automatic, 3-10, 3-12–13 defaults setting, 1-18 exiting, 1-18 features, Intro-3, 3-3,3-10-20 manual, 3-10, 3-13–14 options, 1-15—18, 3-12 resuming activity, 3-13–15 screen, 1-10, 1-13, 1-15, 2-5, 3-12–13 specifications, A-1 standby modes, see Standby modes suspend modes, see Suspend modes Po
System Configuration utility boot drive, 1-12 boot password, 1-12-15 cache, 1-13 changing settings, 1-10–13 COM port, 1-11,3-3 date, 1-11 defaults, l-9–l0, 1-13 dialog boxes, 1-10 diskette drive, 1-11 display mode, 1-12,2 -13,4-2,5-6-7 exiting, 1-10, 1-13, 1-18 hard disk, 1-11,4 -17, A-3 LCD, 1-12> 2-13 memory display, 1-11, 4-13, 5-14 menus, 1-10 num lock, 1-11 parallel mode, 1-11 power management, see Power management prompt, 1-5, 1-9 quick boot, 1-11 running, 1-8–l5 SCU password, 1-12–15 starting, 1-8-9,
Epson America (USA) EPSON Connection Tel: (800) 922-8911 (U. S. and Canada) EPSON Accessories Tel: (800) 873-7766 Fax: (310) 782-4401 (U. S. sales) (800) 922-8911 (Canada) EPSON DirectSM P.O. BOX 2858 20770 Madrona Avenue Torrance, CA 90509-1111 Computer system sales: Tel: (800) 374-7300 (310) 782-5478 Fax: (310)782-4455 Epson America, Inc.
