OWNER’S HANDBOOK Apricot 340 apricot MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC
APRICOT 340 & XEN PC OWNER’S HANDBOOK APRICOT APRICOT APRICOT APRICOT VS340 MS340 LS340 XEN PC
Intel and Pentium are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation. Microsoft, MS-DOS, Windows, and Windows 95 are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. SIMM is a registered trademark of Wang Laboratories. LOC Technology and KeyLOC are trademarks of Apricot Computers Limited. Other trademarks are the properties of their respective owners. Information contained in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of Apricot Computers Limited.
Safety & Regulatory Notices Safety and Regulatory Notices Read the separate Power Connection Guide and Health and Comfort Guide before using the computer for the first time. Electrical The computer uses a safety ground and must be earthed. The system unit AC power cord is its “disconnect device”. Ensure that the system unit is positioned close to the AC power outlet, and that the plug is easily accessible.
Safety & Regulatory Notices Do not recharge, disassemble or incinerate the discharged battery. Keep away from children. Laser products Any CD-ROM drive fitted in this system is classified as a CLASS 1 LASER PRODUCT according to IEC825 Radiation Safety of Laser Products (Equipment Classification: Requirements & User’s Guide). The CLASS 1 LASER PRODUCT label is located on the underside of the system unit or on the door to the removable-media drive bay.
Safety & Regulatory Notices Safety This equipment complies with the following European safety standards: EN60950 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) This product complies with the following European EMC standards: Emissions EN55022 Class B Immunity EN50082-2 Harmonics EN60555 Parts 2 and 3 To ensure continued compliance: ♦ All ancillary equipment using an AC power cord must be earthed. ♦ All interconnecting cables (e.g.
Safety & Regulatory Notices Thermalcote bonding compound The thermal bonding compound used between the system processor and its heat sink can cause skin irritation and stain clothing. Avoid prolonged or repeated contact with skin. Wash thoroughly with soap and water after handling. Avoid contact with eyes and inhalation of fumes. Do not ingest.
Contents CONTENTS 1 2 Introducing... Unpacking 1/1 Pictorial guide to the system unit 1/2 Summary of features 1/6 Getting Started General advice 2/2 Connecting the components 2/3 Turning on and booting the computer 2/5 Backing-up the pre-installed software 2/8 Using the 3.
Contents 4 5 6 7 2 ISA Legacy Resources 3/13 Power Management 3/14 Using Floppy Disk, CD-ROM and Tape Drives Using a 5.
Contents 8 A Troubleshooting Problems when starting 8/1 Troubleshooting checklist 8/5 Inside the System Unit Anti-static precautions A/1 Opening the system unit A/3 Motherboard layout A/4 System connectors A/6 Changing jumper settings A/7 Replacing the configuration battery B A/10 Technical Information Specifications B/1 Physical characteristics B/6 Electrical characteristics B/6 Port characteristics B/8 APRICOT 340 OWNER’S HANDBOOK 3
Introducing 1 INTRODUCING . . . This chapter gives you a quick tour of your new Apricot computer. As soon as you’ve unpacked the components and familiarised yourself with them, you should progress to the next chapter, “Getting Started”. Warning Read the separate Power Connection Guide before using the computer for the first time. Unpacking On unpacking the computer, you should find: ♦ Apricot PC system unit. ♦ Apricot/Mitsubishi monitor and accompanying User’s Guide.
Introducing 3 4 2 1 5 4 6 7 Pictorial guide to the system unit 1/2 APRICOT 340 OWNER’S HANDBOOK
Introducing 1 POWER button: press to turn the system on or off. The green indicator on the button lights when the system unit is powered. 2 activity indicators, from left to right: lights when a diskette, floppy disk or FTD Travan tape drive is in use (depending on the operating system). lights when a hard disk drive or SCSI tape drive is in use (depending on the operating system). 3 infrared sensor: fitted only on Apricot LS340 models with a built-in LOC Technology system.
1 2 10 3 4 5 6 7 11 12 13 14 15 16 8 17 9 10 18 Introducing 1/4 APRICOT 340 OWNER’S HANDBOOK
Introducing 1 AC power outlet: where the monitor power cord can plug in. 2 voltage selection switch: the system unit can be set to operate with a 100-120 V or 220-240 V AC power supply. 3 AC power inlet: where the system unit power cord plugs in. 4 keyboard port: connect the keyboard to this port. 5 mouse port: connect the mouse to this port. 6 serial port 1: (110 baud to 9600 baud): typically used for connecting an external modem or a serial printer signal cable.
Introducing Summary of features This section is intended mostly for people who already know a bit about computers and want to get an idea of what this one can do. Don’t worry if you’re unfamiliar with some of the computer terminology used here. It’s provided as a useful “shorthand” for more experienced readers. Be assured, you don’t need to understand any jargon to use the computer safely and efficiently.
Introducing ♦ 1.44 Mbyte 3.5" diskette drive; 3.5" hard disk drive bay with room for two one-inch drives (various capacities); one 5.25" removable-media drive bay. ♦ Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) and Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) expansion card slots: one fulllength PCI/ISA slot, one full-length ISA slot, and (in cacheless models) one half-length ISA slot.
Getting Started 2 GETTING STARTED You should read this chapter even if you do not read any other. It provides important information to help you site, connect, power and configure the computer. This chapter will tell you all you need to know in order to start work. The chapters after this one deal with the BIOS Setup utility and various removable-media drives. Warning Read the separate Power Connection Guide before using the computer for the first time.
Getting Started General advice This computer is designed to be used in a normal home or office environment. Here are a few hints for choosing a suitable site: ♦ Place the system unit flat on a sturdy, level surface. Unlike some other computers, the system unit is not designed to be stood on its side. ♦ Site the computer away from moisture, direct sunlight, and extremes of heat and cold. Avoid situations in which the surrounding temperature or humidity may change rapidly.
Getting Started Connecting the components See Chapter 1, “Introducing...”, if you need help identifying the various ports on the system unit. Checking the AC power supply When the computer is delivered, it is ready for the commercial AC power supply generally available in the country in which it is first sold. It has been set for the correct voltage range, and is supplied with an AC power cord and plug which comply with the relevant safety standards.
Getting Started Connecting the components Having assured yourself that the voltage settings, and the AC power cords of the computer, the monitor and any other peripherals, are correct, use the procedure below to connect these components together. It is important that you take each step in the order indicated. 1. If your AC power outlets have switches, set them to their Off positions. 2. Ensure that the system unit, the monitor, and any peripherals are turned off. 3.
Getting Started Turning on and booting the computer Turning the power on To turn on the computer, simply press the POWER button. The green indicator on the POWER button lights to show that the system unit is powered. Remember that the monitor has its own power button or switch; see the monitor’s User’s Guide for details. Always make sure that the system unit is turned on before turning on any attached peripherals.
Getting Started Hard disk Apricot computers fitted with a hard disk normally arrive with either Microsoft Windows 95 or the MS-DOS/Windows operating system already in place or pre-installed, so that it’s there ready for you when you turn on the computer for the first time. Note A hard disk may contain more than one operating system, in different partitions, but only one partition can be active at any one time. The computer loads its operating system from the currently active partition.
Getting Started Turning the power off Before turning off the computer, run through the following checklist: ♦ Quit or exit from the applications you are running; be sure to save any files you have altered. Any unsaved information still held in the computer’s memory will be lost when you turn off the computer. ♦ If you are logged-in to a network, logout before turning off the computer. This gives the network operating system a chance to free up the network resources you’ve been using.
Getting Started Backing-up the pre-installed software Apricot computers with a hard disk normally arrive with an operating system pre-installed. The hard disk also contains a complete set of Cirrus Logic video display drivers, although initially the computer is configured to use the standard VGA Windows driver. Additional software may be pre-installed by your supplier. We recommend that you copy or back up any pre-installed software soon after setting up the system.
Getting Started Using the 3.5-inch diskette drive The 3.5-inch diskette drive can read and write double-sided diskettes with a formatted capacity of either 1.44 Mbytes (if marked “HD” or “high density”) or 720 Kbytes (if unmarked, or marked “DD” or “double density”). Each diskette has a rigid plastic cover with a metal shutter that guards the disk surface. The drive automatically moves the shutter aside to read the diskette.
Getting Started Removing a diskette Before attempting to remove a diskette, make sure that the drive is not currently in use (the diskette activity indicator on the computer’s front bezel must be unlit). Press the EJECT button on the drive. The drive mechanism disengages and the diskette is ejected half-way out of the drive. If a diskette becomes stuck in the drive, perhaps because its label has peeled back, do not attempt to remove it with tweezers or any similar implement; you risk damaging the drive.
Getting Started Using Help Along with the software pre-installed on your computer’s hard disk, you will often find one or more Apricot Help files. These will explain any special features of the system, and tell you how to install the software needed to exploit those features. Apricot Help may be supplied in various forms, depending on the intended operating system; for the Microsoft Windows 95 and MSDOS/Windows operating systems, they are usually Windows Help files or README text files.
Using the BIOS Setup Utility 3 USING THE BIOS SETUP UTILITY BIOS (pronounced “bye-oss”) stands for basic input/output system. The BIOS operates at the boundary between the computer’s hardware (the processor, memory, and so on) and its software (the operating system and your programs), and effectively mediates between the two. The BIOS is permanently encoded in an area of read-only memory (ROM), although it can be modified if necessary by an authorized maintainer.
Using the BIOS Setup Utility Starting BIOS Setup Not long after turning on your computer, this symbol appears in the top right corner of the screen: ~~~~ ~~ ~~~~ ~~ ~~~~ ~~ While this symbol is displayed, you can press the F1 key to start the BIOS Setup utility. If BIOS Setup starts on its own This can happen for three reasons: 3/2 ♦ POST detects a configuration error or fault. This may be signalled by one or more of the POST error messages listed in the “Troubleshooting” chapter.
Using the BIOS Setup Utility Control keys A number of keys are used to move around the BIOS Setup utility, select items on the screen and change the current configuration. The two lines at the bottom of the screen indicate what you can do at any given time. To select a line, press the UP ARROW and DOWN ARROW keys until the line you want is highlighted. If there are more lines than fit on one screen, the screen will scroll. The PAGE UP and PAGE DOWN keys also work. To choose a selected action, press ENTER.
Using the BIOS Setup Utility 3/4 Press To UP ARROW DOWN ARROW Move the highlight bar around the screen from one line or one field to another. LEFT ARROW RIGHT ARROW Scroll through the possible selections for the currently-highlighted item. ENTER Choose the currently-highlighted item. PAGE UP PAGE DOWN Move between the pages of the current screen. F1 View a pop-up help dialog on the currentlyhighlighted item. Press F1 again to get general help on Setup. Press ESC to close the help dialog.
Using the BIOS Setup Utility Main menu screen When you start BIOS Setup a main menu screen appears with the following options: • • • • • • • • System Summary Devices and I/O Ports Date and Time Security Start Options Advanced Setup ISA Legacy Resources Power Management Save Settings Restore Settings Load Default Settings Exit Setup Lines with a bullet in front of them have further menus or dialog boxes associated with them, and are described later in this chapter.
Using the BIOS Setup Utility System Summary This page cannot be edited, but gives a summary of the main system settings. Changes made in other pages will be reflected here. Make a note of the information on this page before you make any changes. Devices and I/O Ports Serial Ports A & B (COM1 & COM2) This allows you to select the I/O ports and interrupts used by the two serial ports. It is best to leave these at the default settings.
Using the BIOS Setup Utility Mouse This option enables the use of a mouse. The actual presence of a mouse can then be detected by POST. You should not normally disable this option. IDE Drives Setup The motherboard’s two IDE/ATA (Integrated Drive Electronics ATAttachment) interfaces support a total of four drives (that is, two drives per interface). However, the computer itself can accommodate at most two hard disk drives plus one removable-media drive, typically a CD-ROM drive.
Using the BIOS Setup Utility CD-ROM drives The BIOS will detect the presence of a CD-ROM drive when the computer is turned on. It will be shown as CD-ROM Drive 2 (allowing for Hard Disk Drives 0 and 1). You can manually configure the IDE Performance parameter of the CD-ROM drive in the same way as a hard disk drive. Date and Time Use this to adjust the motherboard’s Real Time Clock (RTC). This clock is maintained by a battery while the computer is turned off. Time The time is in 24-hour format.
Using the BIOS Setup Utility Secure Hard Disk Drives and Diskette Drives Use these options to disable or enable access to the hard disk drives (including CD-ROMs) and diskette drives (including FTD tape drives). Caution Do not disable both hard disk drives and diskette drives, or the computer will be unable to find and load an operating system. Be careful not to disable the startup device(s) specified under the Start Options menu (see below).
Using the BIOS Setup Utility Now, when the computer is next turned on or rebooted, the user is required to enter the password. If the Password Prompt option is set “On”, the following prompt is displayed: Type your password, then press Enter. If the Password Prompt option is set “Off”, the user is not prompted at all. The computer will boot (or if F1 is pressed during start-up the BIOS Setup utility will start) and then wait for the user to type the password and press ENTER.
Using the BIOS Setup Utility Start Options Certain features can be set or enabled automatically when the computer boots. Keyboard Numlock State If set to “On”, the keys on the numeric keypad (on the right-hand side of the keyboard) will produce numbers when pressed. If “Off”, these keys provide cursor control functions instead. Keyboard Speed This sets the speed (frequency) at which a pressed key will repeat; either “Fast” (the default) or “Normal”.
Using the BIOS Setup Utility Note that if the First Startup Device is set to “Disabled”, the computer will be unable to boot. The possible settings depend on the number and type of devices that are installed in your computer. For example, “Diskette Drive 1” is not a possible setting if your computer does not include a second floppy disk drive. By default, the First Startup Device is “Diskette Drive 0” and the Second Startup Device is “Hard Disk 0”. This should not normally need to be changed.
Using the BIOS Setup Utility ROM Shadowing To shadow ROM means to copy its contents into the computer’s system or random-access memory (RAM). This is beneficial for two reasons: ROM has (relatively) long access times and the processor can access RAM faster than ROM; second, the contents of RAM can be cached for even greater performance. All of the computer’s system BIOS ROM is shadowed.
Using the BIOS Setup Utility Expansion Cards” for more information about the resources used by expansion cards. Each item shown as “Available” is assumed not to be in use by any ISA card or device and will therefore be made available for the PCI auto-configuring process. Some items are shown as “Allocated by the system”, meaning that they are reserved for use by motherboard devices.
Using the BIOS Setup Utility Power Manager screen saver supplied with Windows for Workgroups. See your Windows Help files for more information. Caution The monitor supplied with your computer is designed to work with these energy-saving features. If you want to use another monitor, make sure that it supports DPMS; if it doesn’t, it may be permanently damaged.
Using Floppy Disk, CD-ROM & Tape Drives 4 USING FLOPPY DISK, CD-ROM AND TAPE DRIVES This chapter contains information about the various optional removable-media drives that are available. These include: ♦ 5.25-inch floppy disk drive ♦ CD-ROM drive ♦ FTD Travan tape drive ♦ SCSI QIC quarter-inch cartridge tape drive ♦ SCSI DDS-2 (Digital Data Storage) tape drive Using a 5.25" floppy disk drive This drive can read and write double-sided disks with a formatted capacity of either 1.
Using Floppy Disk, CD-ROM & Tape Drives Removing a floppy disk 1. Before attempting to remove a disk, ensure that the drive is not currently in use (the drive’s LED must be unlit). 2. Turn the locking lever one-quarter turn counter-clockwise to disengage the drive mechanism. The diskette is ejected halfway out of the drive. 3. Pull the disk completely out of the drive.
Using Floppy Disk, CD-ROM & Tape Drives Using a CD-ROM drive With the appropriate software support, a CD-ROM drive can retrieve multimedia data from CD-ROM discs and multisession Photo-CD discs. It can also play commercial audio CDs.
Using Floppy Disk, CD-ROM & Tape Drives Inserting a compact disc 1. Press the EJECT button on the front of the drive. 2. If the platter only ejects halfway out of the drive, pull it out to its fullest extent. 3. Place the CD face up on the platter. 4. If the platter ejected fully, push the EJECT button again, or gently push the front of the platter, and it will be drawn back into the drive. If the platter only ejected halfway, push the platter in until it engages with the drive mechanism. 5.
Using Floppy Disk, CD-ROM & Tape Drives Using an FTD Travan tape drive The FTD Travan tape drive uses the on-board diskette/floppy disk interface and so does not require an additional drive controller card like most other tape drives. 1 2 1 drive activity indicator (green) 2 flip-up door The drive is designed for TR-1 or equivalent minicartridges (750 ft, 400 Mbytes). This nominal capacity can typically be doubled to 800 Mbytes by software data compression.
Using Floppy Disk, CD-ROM & Tape Drives 3. Carefully push the cartridge in a bit further until it engages with the drive mechanism. Once the cartridge is correctly loaded, it protrudes about 12 mm from the drive. Removing a cartridge 1. Check that the cartridge is not being accessed by the computer (the drive’s activity indicator must be unlit). 2. Pull the cartridge carefully out of the drive slot, holding it between thumb and forefinger. 3. Return the cartridge to its plastic holder.
Using Floppy Disk, CD-ROM & Tape Drives Keep tape cartridges well away from magnetic objects, and equipment that generates magnetic fields (for example, your computer’s monitor). Avoid extremes of temperature and exposure to direct sunlight; otherwise, the data recorded on the tape may become corrupted. Cleaning the drive You should clean the read/write head and the capstan of the drive frequently to prevent the accumulation of dust and metallic particles.
Using Floppy Disk, CD-ROM & Tape Drives Using a SCSI QIC tape drive The SCSI QIC tape drive uses QIC-3080 minicartridges (400 ft, 1.6 Gbytes). This nominal capacity can typically be doubled to 3.2 Gbytes by software data compression. The software required to control the tape drive depends on your operating environment; ask your supplier for details. Inserting a cartridge 1. Remove the cartridge from its plastic holder. 2. Hold the cartridge so that the metal plate faces downwards.
Using Floppy Disk, CD-ROM & Tape Drives Using a SCSI DDS-2 tape drive The computer may be configured with a SCSI DDS-2 (Digital Data Storage v2.0) tape drive. The software needed to control the drive depends on your operating environment; ask your supplier for details. 1 2 1 2 3 4 3 4 cassette insertion slot cassette-in-place indicator (green) drive busy indicator (amber) EJECT button.
Using Floppy Disk, CD-ROM & Tape Drives Appendix B contains more information about the drive’s nominal capacities with compressed and uncompressed data However, the actual compression ratio (and consequent transfer rate) achievable in any particular case depend on the characteristics of the data being compressed, and may be higher or lower than these nominal figures. Caution Use only cassettes bearing the DDS-2 or DDS symbols.
Using Floppy Disk, CD-ROM & Tape Drives Drive could not write to tape If the Cassette-in-Place (green) LED flashes rapidly, this means that the drive could not write to the tape correctly, and indicates that the tape has become unreliable. Remove the cassette and use another. Hardware error or high humidity If the Drive Busy (amber) LED flashes rapidly, this indicates either a hardware error or dew (high humidity).
Using Floppy Disk, CD-ROM & Tape Drives The drive will automatically format a blank tape when data is first written to it. Remember to allow time for the formatting process when you use a new tape. Removing a cassette Before attempting to remove a cassette, ensure that the drive is not currently in use (the amber Drive Busy indicator must be unlit). Press the EJECT button on the front of the drive (depending on your operating system, the EJECT button may be disabled while the drive is in use).
Using Floppy Disk, CD-ROM & Tape Drives Keep your cassettes well away from magnetic objects, and equipment that generates magnetic fields. Avoid extremes of temperature and exposure to direct sunlight; otherwise, the data recorded on the tape may become corrupted. Cleaning the drive The read/write heads in the DDS-2 tape drive are protected during normal operation by a built-in cleaning roller. In addition, a special cleaning cassette is available from your supplier.
Maintaining & Transporting 5 MAINTAINING AND TRANSPORTING This chapter provides information on how to care for the computer (excluding the removable-media drives). You’ll find that it requires little physical maintenance other than occasional cleaning. But you must take care when transporting it to avoid damage to its delicate components, particularly the hard disks. Warning Turn off the system unit and unplug all power cords before cleaning or moving the computer.
Maintaining & Transporting The keyboard When necessary, clean the keycaps with a slightly damp cloth and a minimum amount of a non-abrasive cleaning agent. Take care not to spill any liquid onto the keyboard. Follow these steps if you spill something on the keyboard and it stops working: ♦ If the liquid is viscous, unplug the keyboard and call your supplier or an authorized maintainer.
Maintaining & Transporting 6. Use clear water, or water with a mild detergent, to clean the ball. Then dry it with a clean, lint-free cloth. 7. Put the ball back in its socket and replace the plastic cover. It should click into place. Transporting the computer Use common sense when handling the computer; hard disks in particular can be damaged if the computer is dropped or handled roughly. As a precaution, back up (copy) the contents of the hard disks to tape or diskettes before moving the computer.
Maintaining & Transporting AC power supply Check the power rating labels on the rear of the computer’s system unit and its monitor to ensure that they are compatible with the AC power supply. Warning It is imperative that the computer is set to the correct voltage range before use. If not, the machine may be irreparably damaged.
Adding Expansion Cards 6 ADDING EXPANSION CARDS Expansion cards (also known as expansion boards or adapter cards) are small self-contained circuit boards which extend the capabilities of the computer. For example, a graphics card could provide more specialized video functions than those offered by the on-board video system, or a modem card could provide a connection to the Internet via a telephone line.
Adding Expansion Cards Slot Type Description Slot 3 (upper) PCI/ISA This slot can accommodate a full-length PCI or ISA card (a full-length card is one that runs the full length of the computer from front to back). If you are installing a drive controller card that you want to connect to a drive in the removable-media drive bay, it is easiest to install the card in the top slot. Slot 2 (middle) ISA This slot can accommodate a full-length ISA card.
Adding Expansion Cards Configuring the card Part of the installation procedure for ISA expansion cards, and some PCI cards, involves setting up or configuring the card so it works correctly in the computer. To configure, you assign values to various settings, which enable the card to communicate with the computer. Most PCI cards employ a feature called Plug and Play or PnP. This allows Windows 95 (and other PnP-aware operating systems) to configure the card automatically when you turn on the computer.
Adding Expansion Cards Interrupt request level (IRQ) The interrupt request level or IRQ (the two terms are used interchangeably) is the line over which the expansion card sends a signal to get the attention of, or interrupt, the processor. Your computer has interrupt levels numbered IRQ0 to IRQ15. Most of these are reserved for components on the computer’s motherboard. Some of these interrupts are fixed; others can be reassigned, or freed by disabling the component with BIOS Setup.
Adding Expansion Cards Direct memory access (DMA) channel Some hardware devices can use a DMA channel to access system memory without directly burdening the processor. Your computer has DMA channels numbered DMA0 to DMA7. The following table lists the DMA channels used by the computer. Channels which have no default assignment can be used by expansion cards. Note that DMA3 is free if the parallel port is not configured to ECP mode.
Adding Expansion Cards 6/6 I/O ports Default assignment 1F0h-1F7h Hard disk drive controller 200h-207h Game I/O 220h-22Fh, 230h-23Fh Audio: SoundBlaster-compatibility (default) 240h-24Fh, 250h-25Fh Audio: SoundBlaster-compatibility (alternative) 278h-27Fh Parallel port 2 2B0h-2DFh Alternate VGA 2F8h-2FFh Serial port B 300h-301h Audio: MIDI 330h-331h Audio: MIDI (alternative) 378h-37Fh Parallel port 1 388h-38Fh Audio: FM synthesiser 3B0h-3BFh Monochrome display and printer adapter
Adding Expansion Cards Base memory address The first megabyte (1024 kilobytes) of the computer’s memory is divided into 640 Kbytes of conventional memory and 384 Kbytes of upper memory. Some expansion cards are fitted with memory of their own, usually read-only memory (ROM) containing functional extensions to the computer’s BIOS (basic input/output system) ROM. Some cards also have random-access memory (RAM).
Adding Expansion Cards Installing the card The only tool required is a small cross-head screwdriver. 1. Turn off the computer and unplug all power cords. 2. Take suitable anti-static precautions and remove the system unit cover. If you are unfamiliar with the recommended anti-static precautions and/or the process of removing the system unit cover, refer to Appendix A, “Inside the System Unit”. 3. Use the following illustration to locate the expansion card slots.
Adding Expansion Cards 7. Before installing a video controller card you may have to disable the on-board video controller by moving a jumper on the motherboard (check the documentation that came with the card to make sure). If you do not move this jumper, it is possible that neither the card or the motherboard video controller will work correctly.
Adding Expansion Cards 12. If the card you have just installed is intended to control a removable-media drive, turn to the next chapter for instructions on installing the drive itself. Otherwise, replace the system unit cover. Declaring ISA legacy resources If you have just installed an ISA card, your first task after turning on the computer is to run the BIOS Setup utility and declare the legacy resources (that is, the interrupt, DMA channel, and so on) used by the card.
Upgrading 7 UPGRADING This chapter contains instructions on installing upgrades or add-ons in the computer (with the exception of expansion cards which are dealt with in the preceding chapter). Read this chapter before purchasing an upgrade. If, having read the relevant instructions, you are not confident about installing the upgrade, you may wish to have your supplier or service organization install it for you.
Upgrading Inside the system unit 11 1 10 2 9 8 3 4 7 5 6 7/2 APRICOT 340 OWNER’S HANDBOOK
Upgrading The illustration opposite identifies the major components inside system unit that are affected by the installation instructions in this chapter. 1 video memory upgrade sockets: systems with 1 Mbyte of video memory can be upgraded to have 2 Mbytes, providing more colours and/or higher resolutions. 2 processor speed selection jumpers: these will need changing if you upgrade to a faster Pentium processor. (See Appendix A for more information.
Upgrading Adding more system memory The computer’s motherboard is fitted with sockets for up to four SIMMs (single in-line memory modules). You may need to add more memory if you want to run complex operating systems or large application programs. The SIMM sockets are located at the front of the motherboard. SIMMs with capacities of 2, 4, 8, 16 or 32 Mbytes are supported, giving a maximum capacity of 128 Mbytes.
Upgrading 4. Remove the two screws that secure the removable-media drive tray, then slide the tray backwards slightly and lift it out of the system unit. Put it down on a flat, anti-static surface. 5. Use the illustration at the beginning of this chapter to identify the SIMM sockets. Depending on how much memory is already fitted, some of the sockets may be occupied.
Upgrading 6. Compare the current configuration of SIMMs with the configuration for the memory upgrade you intend to install. If necessary, remove one or more of the existing SIMMs, before going on to install the new SIMMs. To remove a SIMM: 1. Disengage the metal holding clips on each side of the socket using your thumbs. Place your forefingers on the top edge of o the SIMM and tilt the SIMM forward to about 15 to the vertical. 2. Lift the SIMM out of its socket.
Upgrading o 2. Place the SIMM in the socket at a 15 angle to the vertical, with the notched edge pointing towards the front of the machine. 3. Pushing gently on its top corners, lean the SIMM upright in the socket until the pegs of the socket engage the holes on the SIMM and the metal clips hold both ends the SIMM in position. Do not use excessive force. If the SIMM will not fit easily, remove it and start again. 4. Repeat these steps for each SIMM you want to install.
Upgrading Adding cache memory An external or second-level cache is an area of dedicated memory with significantly faster access times than the computer’s randomaccess memory (RAM). A cache controller ensures that the cache always contains a copy of the most recently accessed areas of RAM, so that the processor is able to read it much more quickly. An external cache is sometimes called a second-level or L2 cache, to distinguish it from the first-level cache contained within the processor itself.
Upgrading 6. If necessary, replace any expansion cards you removed earlier. 7. Replace the system unit cover. The first time you turn on the computer after adding a cache, the power-on self-test (POST) detects the change in configuration. All you have to do is confirm the new configuration in the BIOS Setup utility (see the chapter on “Using the BIOS Setup Utility” for more information).
Upgrading Adding more video memory Video memory is memory reserved for use by the on-board controller. More video memory provides more colours or higher resolutions (provided that your monitor can cope). If your computer has 1 Mbyte of video memory, you can upgrade it to the maximum of 2 Mbytes. To add video memory: 1. Turn off the computer and unplug all power cords. 2. Take suitable anti-static precautions and remove the system unit cover.
Upgrading 7. If necessary, replace the expansion cards you removed earlier. 8. Replace the system unit cover. You can now reconfigure your operating system to use the expanded capabilities of the video controller. See your operating system documentation for details.
Upgrading Upgrading the processor The ZIF (zero insertion force) processor socket on the motherboard is designed to accept a variety of Intel Pentium processors with processor speeds from 75 to 166 megahertz (MHz). You can upgrade your processor by replacing it with one of higher performance. Removing the old processor To remove the existing processor: 1. Turn off the computer and unplug all power cords. 2. Take suitable anti-static precautions and remove the system unit cover.
Upgrading 6. Carefully remove the clip from the heat sink. A lever attached to the socket secures the processor in place. 7. Lift the lever from the locked position until it is upright (at right-angles to the motherboard). There may be a little stiffness at the beginning and end of the lever’s movement; be careful not to use excessive force. 8. Lift the processor and its attached heat sink out of the socket and place it on an anti-static surface outside the system unit.
Upgrading Instead, separate the heat sink from the processor by twisting the heat sink back and forth to loosen the grip of the thermal bonding compound, then slide the heat sink off to one side of the processor. Warning There will be a residual deposit of thermal bonding compound on the bottom of the heat sink and the top of the processor. This compound can cause skin irritation and stain clothing. Avoid prolonged or repeated contact with skin.
Upgrading 5. If necessary, place the heat sink into position on top of the new processor. The vanes of the heat sink must be aligned with the airflow from the fan in front of the processor. Refit the clip that secures the heat sink to the processor. 1 2 1 positioning guide 2 keyed corner 6. You will need to adjust the processor speed selection jumpers on the motherboard. See Appendix A, “Inside the System Unit”, for more information about locating and adjusting motherboard jumper settings. 7.
Upgrading Adding a removable-media drive The 5.25" drive bay can contain any half height 5.25" device. A range of removable-media drives are available for this bay. Configuring the drive Drives purchased from an authorized supplier should arrive preconfigured and ready for installation. The following table provides some general advice. See the documentation provided with the upgrade kit for more information. Drive type Configuration instructions 5.
Upgrading 3. Remove the two screws that secure the removable-media drive tray. Slide the tray backwards slightly and lift it out of the system unit. 4. Open the drive bay door. The drive bay aperture is initially obscured by a blanking plate attached to the top of the metalwork. The blanking plate must be broken out in order to install a drive in the bay. 5. Break out the blanking plate by bending it backwards and forwards several times. 6.
Upgrading With the drive there should at least be four screws and a ribbon signal cable. Some drives may be supplied with additional screws or cables (some of which may not be required). 7. Place the drive, upside down, on a suitable anti-static surface, then place the drive tray over the drive. Make sure that the tray and the drive are the same way round. Align the holes in the underside of the drive with those in the base of the drive tray. COMPACT 7/18 8.
Upgrading 10. Connect the spare power cable in the loom behind the drive to the drive’s power connector. 11. Connect the drive’s signal cable(s). Use the table on the next page as a guide. See the documentation provided with the upgrade kit for more information. Before connecting any signal cable to the motherboard, check the label on the inside of the system unit cover to make sure that you are using the correct connector. Failure to do so may damage the drive or the motherboard or both. 12.
Upgrading Drive type Cabling instructions 5.25" floppy disk or FTD Travan tape drive These drives use a ribbon signal cable with three connectors. This signal cable must be connected between the signal connector on the rear of the floppy or tape drive, the 3.5" diskette drive, and the diskette/floppy disk interface connector on the motherboard (usually marked FLOPPY).
Upgrading Adding a hard disk drive The computer’s 3.5" hard disk drive bay can accommodate one 1.6" high, or two 1" high, hard disk drives. Hard disk drives should always be connected to the primary ATA/IDE interface. Configuring the drive The ATA/IDE interface supports a maximum of two drives. These drives are known as master and slave. A single drive, or the boot device in a dual drive system, must be configured as master.
Upgrading Unplug the power and signal cables from the rear of the diskette drive. 7. If one hard disk is already fitted, unplug its power and signal cables from the rear of the drive. 8. The hard disk drive bay is secured by two screws and held by two lugs in the base of the system unit. Identify the screws and lugs from the following illustration. 9. Remove the screws. Slide the drive bay backwards and lift it out of the system unit.
Upgrading 11. Slide the hard disk drive into the bay from the front, with the drive’s circuit board facing upwards and its power and signal connectors away from you. 12. Line up the mounting holes on the drive with those in the bay, insert the securing screws and tighten them until they are finger tight. Fit pair A first, then pair B. A B If you are installing a hard disk drive in a system that previously had only a diskette drive there will be two sets of mounting holes available in the bay.
Upgrading The bay is correctly positioned when the diskette drive EJECT button protrudes through the front bezel and the two screw holes in the bay line up with those in the base of the system unit. 14. Replace the hard disk drive bay’s two securing screws. 15. Connect the hard disk(s) to their power cables and attach the signal cable. The ribbon signal cable has three connectors. One plugs into the (primary) ATA/IDE interface on the motherboard.
Upgrading at the MS-DOS command prompt to find out more. After using Fdisk, you are prompted to restart the computer. Once back in Windows 95, you can format the partitions by opening the My Computer folder, selecting the new Drive icon and choosing Format from the File menu. With MS-DOS/Windows, you use the MS-DOS Fdisk program to partition the disk followed by the MS-DOS Format command to format the partitions. Use the MS-DOS Help command to find out more about Fdisk and Format.
Troubleshooting 8 TROUBLESHOOTING This chapter offers advice if you suspect a fault with your computer. If in doubt, turn off the computer and unplug all power cords before consulting your supplier or an authorized maintainer. This chapter is concerned only with problems caused by the computer itself; remember that problems can also arise from other sources such as your network cabling, operating system or application software.
Troubleshooting Power-on self-test Whenever the computer is turned on, the power-on self-test (POST) routine test various hardware components, including memory, and compares the actual configuration of the computer with that recorded in configuration (CMOS) memory. During this time, BIOS sign-on and POST messages are displayed. A configuration discrepancy could arise if you have just installed or removed a hardware option (for example, if you have added or replaced a SIMM).
Troubleshooting Code Cause Code Cause 101 Timer tick interrupt failure 301 Keyboard clock line failure 102 Timer 2 test failure 301 Keyboard data line failure 106 Diskette controller failure 301 Keyboard stuck key failure 110 System board memory parity interrupt 604 Diskette drive 0 failure 114 Option ROM checksum failure 604 Diskette drive 1 failure 151 Real time clock failure 605 Diskette unlocked problem 161 Real time clock battery failure 662 Diskette drive configuration
Troubleshooting Beep codes The computer uses special audio beep codes to signal certain hardware faults. If you hear a beep code which is not accompanied by a POST error message, call your supplier or authorized maintainer. Failure to boot On completion of POST, the computer attempts to boot from a system diskette or bootable hard disk partition. The table below lists some of the messages that might appear during the boot sequence.
Troubleshooting Troubleshooting checklist If you encounter a problem with the computer the following sections suggest checks to make before you alert your dealer, authorized maintainer or support organisation. The checks listed cover the causes of common problems. Connections Check that all power and signal cables are securely connected to the correct port on the computer. The keyboard and mouse are particularly easy to connect into the wrong port.
Troubleshooting card) are properly declared in the BIOS Setup utility. Check also that the software which drives or uses the card is correctly configured. Diskette and floppy disk drives If you have problems accessing a diskette or floppy disk, check that it is inserted correctly, that it has been correctly formatted, that it is not write-protected, and that the permissions assigned by the operating system allow the intended access.
Inside the System Unit A INSIDE THE SYSTEM UNIT This appendix provides step-by-step instructions on obtaining access to the inside of the system unit for the purposes of maintaining or upgrading the system. Details of all relevant motherboard jumper settings are included. Warning Turn off the computer and unplug all power cords before removing the top cover. Anti-static precautions Static electricity can cause permanent damage to electronic components.
Inside the System Unit When installing any upgrade, be sure you understand what the installation procedure involves before you start. This will enable you to plan your work, and so minimize the amount of time that sensitive components are exposed. Do not remove the system unit cover, nor the anti-static bag or wrapping of any upgrade, until you need to. Handle static-sensitive items with extreme care. Hold expansion cards and add-on components only by their edges, avoiding their electrical contacts.
Inside the System Unit Opening the system unit To remove the system unit cover: 1. Turn off both the system unit and the monitor. 2. If your AC power outlets have switches, set them to their Off positions. XDA-1 3. Unplug all power cords from rear of the system unit. 4. If the system unit has a caselock (on the right-hand side), turn the caselock key to the unlocked position. 5. Unfasten the two casing screws. 6. Slide the top cover rearwards slightly, then lift it off.
Inside the System Unit Motherboard layout 14 Video Parallel Com 2 13 12 Com 1 Mouse Key/Bd 11 10 9 15 8 7 6 16 5 4 17 18 19 19 20 A/4 APRICOT 340 OWNER’S HANDBOOK 21 1 2 3
Inside the System Unit 1 Front panel audio connector 12 Power connector 2 SIMM sockets 3&4 (Bank 2) 13 ISA/PCI backplane socket 3 SIMM sockets 1&2 (Bank 1) 14 External ports 4 FDD ribbon cable connector 15 Video (VESA) feature connector 5 CD ribbon cable connector 16 Video memory upgrade sockets 6 HDD ribbon cable connector 17 CMOS lithium battery 7 Wavetable connector 18 Cache memory socket 8 Voice modem audio connector 19 System connectors (see overleaf) 9 TV audio connec
Inside the System Unit System connectors There are three system connectors used to connect various features to the motherboard. You should not normally need to disturb these connections but if they become loose you may need to re-attach them. The following table shows how these connectors are used in an Apricot 340 computer.
Inside the System Unit Changing jumper settings PL22 PL21 IC12 SW1 PL6 PL5 Caution Do not alter any jumpers or switch settings other than those identified here, unless told to by your supplier or an authorized maintainer. Otherwise, you may damage the system processor, the motherboard, or both. There are only a few jumpers on the motherboard that you may need to alter. All others are set at the factory and should not be changed.
Inside the System Unit Processor speed selection These settings need to be changed after a Pentium processor upgrade. They must not be changed otherwise.
Inside the System Unit SoundBlaster I/O port address The on-board SoundBlaster-compatible audio system can be configured to use I/O base address 220h or 240h. SoundBlaster I/O base address IC12 220h (default) Closed 240h Open BIOS upgrade and recovery These jumpers should not normally be changed except by a service engineer or at the direction of a service engineer. However, you may need to enable BIOS reprogramming to use the optional LOC Technology system in an Apricot LS340 system.
Inside the System Unit Replacing the configuration battery The computer keeps a record of its current hardware configuration in a CMOS memory chip which is sustained by a small battery. This battery has a life of up to 5 years. When the battery is discharged the contents of the configuration memory will not be maintained while the computer is turned off. If you find that you XDA-4 have to reconfigure the computer every time you turn it on, the battery is probably failing and needs to be replaced.
Inside the System Unit Warning You must not use a metal or other conductive implement to remove the battery. If a short-circuit is accidentally made between the battery’s positive and negative terminals, the battery may explode. 5. Check that the replacement battery is identical to the battery you have removed. 6. Taking care not to touch the top or bottom surface of the battery, pick up the replacement with the positive (+) terminal upwards. 7. Slide the battery into the holder. 8.
Tecnhical Information B TECHNICAL INFORMATION This appendix provides some technical information about your computer. More detailed information is available from your supplier. Specifications General Processor BIOS Types Intel Pentium Bus speeds 50, 60 or 66 MHz Socket ZIF Socket 5 or Socket 7 SurePath v1.
Technical Information I/O ports Serial Two 9-way male D-type RS-232 Parallel 25-way female D-type IEEE 1284: EPP/ECP-compatible Keyboard 102 key AT-compatible Mouse PS/2-compatible two-button Diskette Capacity 1.44 Mbytes Access time 94 ms (average) HDD/CD-ROM interfaces HDD drive bay Removable-media drive bay B/2 Dual AT-Attachment/Enhanced IDE PCI local bus Capacity One 1.6" drive or Two 1" drives Form factor 3.5" Form factor Half-height 5.
Tecnhical Information ATA-PI CD-ROM drive Manufacturer Sony CDU77E-10 Discs Acceptable discs CD-ROM mode 1 data discs CD-ROM mode 2 data discs CD audio discs Audio-combined CD-ROM Multisession Photo-CD Disc diameter 120 mm Sustained 600 Kbyte/s (Mode 1) 682 Kbytes (Mode 2) Burst 5.22 Mbyte/s (maximum) Full stroke 400 ms (typical) Average (random) 190 ms (typical) CD audio 0.75 ± 0.15 Vrms @ 47 kOhm Headphones 0.55 +0.1/-0.
Technical Information DDS-2 tape drive Performance specifications apply when using data compression. Power specifications are measured at the tape drive power connector and are nominal values. Manufacturer Connor CTD8000R-S Nominal capacity 60-metre cassette (DDS) 1.3 Gbyte (1:1 base) 2.6 Gbyte (2:1 typical) 1 5.2 Gbyte (4:1 max ) 90-metre cassette (DDS) 2.0 Gbyte (1:1 base) 4.0 Gbyte (2:1 typical) 1 8.0 Gbyte (4:1 max ) 120-metre cassette (DDS-2) 4.0 Gbyte (1:1 base) 8.0 Gbyte (2:1 typical) 1 16.
Tecnhical Information FTD Travan tape drive Manufacturer Connor CTT800R-F Tape formats QIC-80 Wide QIC-80 and AccuTrak-80 QIC-40 and AccuTrak-40 (read only) Host interface TriState floppy Data transfer rate 500 kilobits/s (kbps) 1 megabit/s (Mbps) Tape capacity Power specification Travan TR-1 (750 ft) 430.6 Mbytes (without ECC) 390.2 Mbytes (with ECC) QIC-80 Wide (400 ft) 230 Mbytes (without ECC) 208.5 Mbytes (with ECC) QIC-80 long-length (307.5 ft) 137.7 Mbytes (without ECC) 124.
Technical Information Physical characteristics Weight and dimensions Component Height Depth Width Mass System unit 94 mm 40 mm 428 mm 9.5-12 kg Keyboard 45 mm 107 mm 465 mm 1.4 kg 1 1 Depending on configuration Temperature and humidity ranges The computer is designed to operate in a normal office environment, but during storage and transportation the system is more tolerant of environmental factors.
Tecnhical Information Power cords The power cord supplied with the computer complies with the safety standards applicable in the country in which it is first sold. If you wish to use the computer in another country, you must ensure that you use a power cord which complies with the safety standards of that country. PSU current ratings PSU AC power inlet 4.5 A at 100-120 V 3.0 A at 220-240 V PSU AC power outlet 1.5 A at 100-120 V 1.
Technical Information Port characteristics Serial ports 9-way male D-type (COM1/COM2) 10101 1 6 B/8 5 9 Pin I/O Function 1 I Data carrier detect 2 I Receive data 3 O Transmit data 4 O Data terminal ready 5 - Signal ground 6 I Data set ready 7 O Request to send 8 I Clear to send 9 I Ring indicate APRICOT 340 OWNER’S HANDBOOK
Tecnhical Information Parallel port 25-way female D-type 13 1 25 14 Pin I/O Function Pin I/O Function 1 I/O -STROBE 14 O -AUTO FEED 2 I/O Data bit 0 15 I -ERROR 3 I/O Data bit 1 16 O -INIT 4 I/O Data bit 2 17 O -SLCT IN 5 I/O Data bit 3 18 - Ground 6 I/O Data bit 4 19 - Ground 7 I/O Data bit 5 20 - Ground 8 I/O Data bit 6 21 - Ground 9 I/O Data bit 7 22 - Ground 10 I -ACK 23 - Ground 11 I BUSY 24 - Ground 12 I PE 25 - Ground
Technical Information Monitor port 15-way female D-type (VGA) 5 1 6 10 15 11 Pin I/O Output Monochrome Colour 1 O Red No pin Red 2 O Green Mono Green 3 O Blue No pin Blue 4 - Reserved No pin No pin 5 - Digital G Self test Self test 6 - Red Rtn Key pin Red Rtn 7 - Green Rtn Mono Rtn Green Rtn 8 - Blue Rtn No pin Blue Rtn 9 - Plug No pin No pin 10 - Digital G Digital G Digital G 11 - Reserved No pin Digital G 12 - Reserved Digital G No pi
Tecnhical Information Keyboard and mouse ports Both the keyboard and mouse ports accept 6-pin miniature DIN connectors. The voltages and signals are the same for both connectors. 5 3 1 6 6 4 4 2 Pin I/O Function 1 I/O Data 2 - Reserved 3 - Ground 4 - +5 Vdc 5 I/O Clock 6 - Reserved 5 3 2 1 Although the keyboard and mouse ports are physically and electrically compatible, neither the keyboard nor the mouse will operate if plugged into the other’s socket.
Technical Information Joystick/MIDI port 15-way female D-type This port is available only with Apricot MS340 and LS340 models.
Tecnhical Information Video feature connector The motherboard video adapter provides a video feature connector. The connector on the motherboard uses a standard pinout and a standard cable may be used to connect the feature connector to an expansion card. In case you have difficulty obtaining a cable the pinout of the motherboard connector is given in the following table.
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