AJ-e.book Page 62 Friday, April 11, 2003 5:18 PM This chapter gives you tips and hints on things to consider when moving around or traveling with your computer.
AJ-e.book Page 63 Friday, April 11, 2003 5:18 PM 63 Disconnecting from the desktop Follow these steps to disconnect your computer from external accessories: 1. Save your work in progress. 2. Shut down the operating system. 3. Turn off the computer. 4. Disconnect the cord from the AC adapter. 5. Disconnect the keyboard, pointing device, printer, external monitor, and other external devices. 6. Disconnect the Kensington lock if you are using one to secure the computer.
AJ-e.book Page 64 Friday, April 11, 2003 5:18 PM 64 4 Moving with your computer Preparing the computer After disconnecting the computer from your desktop, follow these steps to prepare the computer for the trip home: 1. Remove all media from the drives. Failure to remove the media can damage the drive head. 2. Pack the computer in a protective case that can prevent the computer from sliding around and cushion it if it should fall. Caution: Avoid packing items next to the top cover of the computer.
AJ-e.book Page 65 Friday, April 11, 2003 5:18 PM 65 If you use your computer at home for significant periods of time, you might also want to add an external keyboard, monitor, or mouse. Traveling with the computer when you are moving within a larger distance, for instance, from your office building to a client’s office building or traveling locally Preparing the computer Prepare the computer as if you were taking it home. Be sure the battery in the computer is charged.
AJ-e.book Page 66 Friday, April 11, 2003 5:18 PM 66 4 Moving with your computer What to bring with you Bring the following items with you. • AC adapter • Power cords that are appropriate to the country to which you are traveling • Spare, fully charged battery packs • Additional printer driver files if you plan to use another printer Special considerations Follow the same special considerations as when traveling with the computer. In addition, these tips are useful when traveling internationally.
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AJ-e.book Page 68 Friday, April 11, 2003 5:18 PM This chapter discusses the important system utilities bundled with your computer.
AJ-e.book Page 69 Friday, April 11, 2003 5:18 PM 69 System software The computer comes preloaded with the following software: • Windows operating system • DMI (Desktop Management Interface)-compliant hardware BIOS utility • System utilities, drivers and application software Note: To access Windows software applications, click on the Start button and select the application folder. Then click on the application icon to run the selected application.
AJ-e.book Page 70 Friday, April 11, 2003 5:18 PM 70 5 Software Launch Manager Launch Manager allows you to set the four launch keys and the wireless button located above the keyboard. See “Launch keys” on page 23 for the location of these keys. You can access the Launch Manager by clicking on Start, Programs, and then Launch Manager to start the application.
AJ-e.book Page 71 Friday, April 11, 2003 5:18 PM 71 BIOS Utility The BIOS Utility is a hardware configuration program built into your computer’s BIOS (basic input/output system). Your computer is already properly configured and optimized, and you do not need to run this utility. However, if you encounter configuration problems, you may need to run it. Please also refer to Chapter 6, Troubleshooting when a problem arises. To activate the BIOS Utility, press F2 during POST.
AJ-e.book Page 72 Friday, April 11, 2003 5:18 PM 72 5 Software Information The Information screen displays a summary of your computer hardware information. Note: The screen above is for reference only. Actual values may differ. The table below describes the parameters in this screen. Parameter Description CPU Type Describes the type of CPU installed in the system. CPU Speed Shows the speed of the CPU Hard Disk (MB) Shows the hard disk size.
AJ-e.book Page 73 Friday, April 11, 2003 5:18 PM 73 Parameter Description Serial Number Shows the system serial number. Asset Tag Number Shows the asset tag number. Product Name Shows the official name of the product. Manufacturer Name Shows the name of the manufacturer. UUID Shows the universally unique identifier number. Main The Main menu screen allows you to set basic settings about your computer such as date and time and boot settings.
AJ-e.book Page 74 Friday, April 11, 2003 5:18 PM 74 5 Software Parameter Description Screen Expansion When enabled, the screen will automatically adjust the display to fit the screen when the resolution is set to 640x480. Options: Enabled or Disabled QuickBoot Mode Quick Boot allows your computer to skip certain tests at start-up to speed-up the boot process. Options: Enabled or Disabled Boot-time Diagnostic Screen Shows the logo during boot up.
AJ-e.book Page 75 Friday, April 11, 2003 5:18 PM 75 Advanced The Advanced screen contains parameters values that define how your computer behaves on startup. The table below describes the parameters in this screen. Settings in boldface are the default and suggested parameter settings. Parameter Description AC Powered Allows you to set the speed of the CPU when the computer is powered by the AC adapter.
AJ-e.book Page 76 Friday, April 11, 2003 5:18 PM 76 5 Software Parameter Description USB Host Controller Enables or Disables the USB Host Controller. USB BIOS Legacy Support Enables or disables the USB BIOS Legacy Support. Options: Enabled or Disabled Options: Enabled or Disabled IDE Primary Master The IDE Primary Master sub-menu contains parameters related to the primary hard disk. Caution: The parameters in this screen are for advanced uses only.
AJ-e.book Page 77 Friday, April 11, 2003 5:18 PM 77 IDE Primary Slave The IDE Primary Slave sub-menu contains parameters related to the optical drive installed in your computer. Caution: The parameters in this screen are for advanced uses only. Typically, you do not need to change the values in this screen. The default setting of Auto optimizes all the settings in your optical drive.
AJ-e.book Page 78 Friday, April 11, 2003 5:18 PM 78 5 Software . Parameter Serial Port B Description Enables or disables the infrared port. Options: Enabled or Disabled Base I/O Address Sets the I/O address of the infrared port. Options: 3F8h, 2F8h, 3E8h or 2E8h Interrupt DMA channel Sets the IRQ request of the infrared port. Options: IRQ 4, IRQ 3 Sets the direct memory access of the infrared port. Options: DMA 1 or DMA 3 Parallel Port Enables or disables the parallel port.
AJ-e.book Page 79 Friday, April 11, 2003 5:18 PM 79 PCI IRQ Routing The PCI IRQ Routing sub-menu allows you to set the IRQs for PCI devices. Caution: The parameters in this screen are for advanced uses only. Typically, you do not need to change the values in this screen because these values are already optimized. Security The System Security screen contains parameters that help safeguard and protect your computer from unauthorized use.
AJ-e.book Page 80 Friday, April 11, 2003 5:18 PM 80 5 Software The table below describes the parameters in this screen. Settings in boldface are the default and suggested parameter settings. Parameter Description Setup Supervisor Password When set, this password protects the BIOS Utility from unauthorized entry. Press Enter to set this password. Set User Password When set, this password protects the computer from unauthorized entry during boot-up or resume from Hibernation mode.
AJ-e.book Page 81 Friday, April 11, 2003 5:18 PM 81 3. Press Enter. The retype password box appears. 4. Retype the password to verify your first entry and press Enter. After setting the password, the computer automatically sets the chosen password parameter to Present. 5. Press Esc to return to the main menu. 6. Press Esc. The following dialog box appears. 7. Select Yes and press Enter to save the password and exit the BIOS Utility.
AJ-e.book Page 82 Friday, April 11, 2003 5:18 PM 82 5 Software Setting the Boot drive sequence Use the cursor up/down keys to select a boot device, then press F5 or F6 to change its order. Items with a “+” sign can be further expanded. Exit This menu contains the exit options. . Parameter Description Exit Saving Changes Saves your changes and exits the BIOS Utility. Exit Discarding Changes Discards your changes and exits the BIOS Utility.
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AJ-e.book Page 84 Friday, April 11, 2003 5:18 PM This chapter instructs you on how to deal with common system problems. Read it before calling a technician if a problem occurs. Solutions to more serious problems require opening up the computer. Do not attempt to open and service the computer by yourself. Contact your dealer or an authorized service center for assistance.
AJ-e.book Page 85 Friday, April 11, 2003 5:18 PM 85 Frequently-asked questions This is a list of possible situations that may arise during the use of your computer, and it gives easy answers and solutions to these questions. I press the power switch, but the computer does not start or boot-up. Look at the Power indicator: • • If it is not lit, no power is being applied to the computer. Check the following: • If you are running on battery power, it may be low and unable to power the computer.
AJ-e.book Page 86 Friday, April 11, 2003 5:18 PM 86 6 Troubleshooting No audio from the computer. Check the following: • The volume may be muted. In Windows, look at the volume control icon on the taskbar. If it is crossed-out, click on the icon and deselect the Mute option. • The speakers may be turned off. Press Fn-F5 to turn the speakers on (this hotkey also turns the speakers off). • The volume level may be too low. In Windows, look at the volume control icon on the taskbar.
AJ-e.book Page 87 Friday, April 11, 2003 5:18 PM 87 charged? To preserve the life of the battery, the system only lets you charge the battery when its capacity falls below 95%. However, it is recommended that you bring an extra battery and let the battery in the system use up its power before charging it. Error messages If you receive an error message, note the message and take the corrective action.
AJ-e.book Page 88 Friday, April 11, 2003 5:18 PM 88 6 Troubleshooting Error Messages Corrective Action Pointing Device Error Contact your dealer or an authorized service center. Pointing Device Interface Error Contact your dealer or an authorized service center. Protected Mode Test Fail Contact your dealer or an authorized service center. RAM BIOS Bad Contact your dealer or an authorized service center. RAM Parity Error Contact your dealer or an authorized service center.
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AJ-e.book Page 90 Friday, April 11, 2003 5:18 PM This appendix lists the general specifications of your computer.
