Acer Extensa 450 Maintenance Manual

							2.5.4  Installing External VGA Monitor
The notebook is capable of driving both its internal LCD display and an external
VGA monitor (LCD only, simultaneous, or VGA only). The external monitor
connector pinouts and connector locations are shown in Figure 2-9. To install an
external monitor with the notebook, use the following steps:
1. Ensure that both the notebook and the external monitor are turned off.
2.Locate the 15-pin female VGA port on the Port Adapter.
3.Attach the appropriate end of the monitor cable to the VGA port on your
notebook. If the monitor cable connectors have retaining screws, tighten
them down.
4.If necessary, connect the monitor power cable to the monitor, and plug the
monitor power cable into an electrical outlet.
5.Power on the monitor, as well as any other peripheral devices connected to the
notebook; then power up the notebook
2.5.5  Installing SIR Devices
The Serial Infrared (IR) port offers wireless communication with a variety of
IRDA-compliant devices made by other manufacturers. Ensure that the third-party
manufacturer supplies you with the appropriate IR drivers before attempting
connection.
     
2-10 Installation 
						

							2.6  Installing the AC Power Adapter  
Use the following procedures to connect the AC Adapter to the system:
cCaution: Use only the AC Adapter supplied with the computer; other
adapters can damage the unit.
1.
  Remove the AC adapter from the packaging. Connect the round coaxial connector
supplied with the notebook to the power receptacle on the rear of the
notebook as shown in Figure 2-10.
2. Connect the female side of the AC Power cord to the AC Adapter and connect the
male end to a grounded AC outlet.
Figure 2-9   External Monitor Port Pinouts
       
Installation 
2-11 
						

							2.7   Initial System Checkout 
After you’ve installed all internal options and external cabling, you’re ready for
system checkout and software configuration. 
To check out the system, set the power switch on the notebook to the On (I
) position
which initiates the notebook self test. During self test execution, the computer
checks the operation of all key hardware including memory and CPU (and displays
copyright and version number data during test execution).
Upon successful conclusion of self test, the computer automatically loads its
operating system and Windows environment. If self test fails to complete and an
error message is displayed, try powering down the computer for a couple of minutes
and turning power back on to repeat self test. If the error message persists, see
Section 6 for troubleshooting information. 
2.8   Configuring the System
The first time you power up the notebook, it automatically runs the Setup Program
which prompts you for country name and printer type. You exit Windows and the
notebook begins unzipping files and preparing the software for use. Then it gives
you the option of keeping or removing the video. 
Figure 2-10   AC Adapter Installation
     
2-12 Installation 
						

							2.9   Making Backups of System
Software
The Notebook is preloaded with Windows 95 operating system software. Prior to
extended use of the notebook, create a backup set of system software using the
Backup Utility under Windows 95. In the event of a disk problem, you can restore
your system using the Restore Utility and the set of backup diskettes you’ve just
created. 
2.10  Loading Application Software
For assistance in loading Application Software, refer to Chapter 5 in the Extensa
Series Notebook Computer User’s Reference Manual.
       
Installation 
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							3
Operating Instructions  
3.1 Introduction
The first two subsections describe the Extensa 450 Series Notebook operating
controls and indicators. The remainder of this section contains a summary of
computer operations related to notebook maintenance including how to restore
system software. 
nNote:  For additional operating instructions, see Extensa 450 Series Notebook Com-
puter Users Guide, TI Part No.9803942-0001. 
3.2  Notebook Controls and Indicators
The Extensa Series Notebooks are equipped with the  following controls and
indicators:
·Group of five LEDs just above the keyboard (Sleep Mode, Hard Drive Activity,
Num Lock, Caps Lock and Scroll Lock)
·Power, Setup, and Standby/Suspend buttons adjacent to the status LEDs
·Single Power LED on the leftrear corner of the notebook  
· Touch Pad and two select buttons at base of keyboard
· Contrast Switch on Display Assembly (Dual Scan models only)
These controls and indicators are shown in Figure 3-1 and described in greater
detail in the following paragraphs. 
          
Operating Instructions 
3-1 
						

							3.2.1  LCD Contrast Control
The TFT version of the notebook contains no operating controls or indicators. The
Dual Scan version of the display contains a contrast switch on the lower right side
as shown in Figure 3-1.
3.2.2 Button Switches
The notebook contains two button switches above the keyboard including:
·Power On/Off 
Switch- Alternate action, button type switch that controls power
to the unit.Pressing the Power button causes power to be applied to the
notebook and power up self test to be run. The PWR
 LED (left rear corner of
notebook) glows green and the computer then loads Windows 95. When the
Power button is pressed again, the Notebook powers down and all data in RAM
memory is lost.
·Standby/Suspend 
Button Switch- an alternate action touch switch that
invokes the save to disk feature and places the unit in Standby Mode (if
previously On) or On if previously in Standby Mode.  
Figure 3-1  Extensa Series Controls and Indicators
      
3-2 Operating Instructions 
						

							3.2.3  Cover Release Latch
The Notebook contains one Cover Release latch . To open the notebook, slide the
Release Mechanism to the right and lift up on the front edge of the notebook cover. 
3.2.4 Touch Pad Controls
The Extensa 450 Series Notebook Computers are equipped with a built-in mouse
device called “the Touchpad” physically located at the bottom of the keyboard (see
Figure 3-1). 
The cursor is positioned by touching and draging your finger in the direction you
want the cursor to go. The select functions are performed either by tapping the
touch pad or by pressing the two buttons (switches) at the bottom of the keyboard. 
You can change the operation of the pad by changing values in the mouse section of
the Windows 95 Control Panel. Once your cursor is in the proper place and you
want to select, use the left button to click or double click just as you would a mouse.
3.2.5  Keyboard Mode LEDs
The Notebook contains three “keyboard mode” indicators just above the keyboard
on the left side (notebook cover open). These LEDs include: 
·CAP (Caps Lock)
 Indicator- this LED indicates that the keyboard is locked in
the Uppercase mode. To switch to the Lowercase mode, press the Caps Lock
key on the keyboard.
·NUM (Num Lock) 
Indicator- This LED lights when you press the Fn-F7
(NumLk) keys to toggle on the numeric keypad lock function. When the LED is
On, the embedded numeric keyboard keys generate AT-keypad characters and
functions when pressed in conjunction with the Fn key.
When the NUM indicator is Off, pressing the Fn key with the appropriate keys
provides cursor movement, paging and other functions in the normal mode. 
When the NUM indicator is On, the embedded numeric keypad becomes a
temporary numeric keypad that does not require you to press any other key.
·SCRL (Scroll Lock) 
Indicator- This LED lights to indicate that the keyboard is
locked in the scroll mode.
3.3  Operating Procedures  
Some of the operating features useful for notebook maintenance are provided in the
following paragraphs. For additional operating instructions, refer to the Extensa
450 Series Notebook Computer User’s Manual, 
Texas Instruments Part No.
9803942-0001.
 
3.3.1 Floppy Drive Operating Procedures
To avoid damaging the floppy drive drive, and to protect data, take the following
precautions:
          
Operating Instructions 
3-3 
						

							·Never turn off or reset the notebook while the floppy activity indicator is lit.
·Keep the AC adapter at least 6 inches away from your drive.
·Insert the floppy into the floppy drive slot with the label side up and the
metal-shutter end first. Gently push the floppy into the floppy drive slot until
the floppy clicks into place.
·To remove a floppy, press the eject button until the floppy pops out.
·Never force open the access shutter on a floppy.
·Always remove a floppy from the floppy drive before turning off the computer.
·Never transport the commuter with a floppy in the floppy drive. Doing so can
damage the drive head.
·If a floppy appears to be damaged, try to make a copy of it, and immediately
discard it.
·Keep all floppies when not in use in a disk storage box to protect them from
damage or loss.
3.3.2 Installing/Removing PCMCIA Options
PCMCIA cards are inserted and ejected in much the same way as diskettes:
·Type I or Type II PCMCIA options may be installed in the compartment on the
left side of the notebook. Type III Options may be installed on the right side of
the notebook with the Floppy Drive removed and the PCMCIA Option installed.
· To insert a PCMCIA card, align the card with the socket and slide the card into
the socket until it locks into place. To install a Type III option, you must
remove the Floppy Drive.
· To eject a PCMCIA card, go to the Windows 95 Control Panel, select PC Card
and select the card to stop; then press the release button and remove the
PCMCIA option.
3.3.3  Computer Hot Keys
The Extensa Series recognizes the following  hot key sequences: 
·CTRL-ALT-DEL
 (warm boot)
·CTRL-ALT-ESC 
(Enter setup screen); to use, power up notebook and press F8
at Starting Windows 95 message. Select Command Prompt Only; then press
CTRL-ALT-ESC. 
      
3-4 Operating Instructions 
						

							3.3.4   Responding to Low Battery Conditions
The computer generally will notify you when you are reaching a low battery
condition by the following: 
·Four short beeps per minute (unless battery warning is disabled)
The battery low warning is automatically disabled when the AC Adapter is installed
on the notebook regardless of the charge condition of the battery pack.
 If the AC adapter is not plugged in within threeminutes of a detected battery low
condition, the notebook enters Suspend mode. When the notebook enters Suspend
Mode, it issues one beep,saves contents of RAM to disk and powers down the unit.
The Notebook returns to the normal operating mode when the power switch is
activated. Unit then recovers RAM information from the hard drive and restores
unit to previous On condition.
3.3.5  Minimizing Power Usage
The following actions can minimize power usage and protect your work during the
critical minutes before you shut the system down or replace on the battery packs
with a fully charged pack: 
·Press CTRL-STANDBY
 to shut off the alarm (if its enabled)
·Save RAM Disk  (if using RAM Disk feature)
·Press Standby/ Suspend 
button to put the computer in Standby/suspend
mode whenever you are not actively using the computer. This will save all your
work and remember the application and file you were previously using when
you return to the On condition.
·Power down the system if you do not need the computer
3.3.6  Recharging the Battery Packs
A standalone battery charger option is available to charge notebook battery packs.
The battery packs may also be charged in the notebook as follows: 
1. Install the battery pack in your computer (if not already installed).
2. Connect the AC Adapter as described in Section 2.
3. To fully charge the battery pack, leave it charging in the Notebook for at least
another 90 minutes. 
3.3.7   Restoring Missing System Files
When you power up the Notebook, it automatically checks for certain key files that
must be present for normal system operation. If any of these files are accidently
erased as indicated by error message, insert the Windows 95 Startup Diskette and
reboot the system. This will allow you to boot up and troubleshoot your system.
          
Operating Instructions 
3-5 
						

							3.3.8   Rebuilding the System Software
In the event of a hard drive replacement or system board replacement which
resulted in loss of system software, you may need to rebuilt the entire system
software structure.  
 The following items are required to rebuild the system software:
·Set of backup diskettes of the system software 
·Operational Notebook  
Insert the Windows 95 Startup Diskette in the Notebook’s floppy drive and power up
the system.
nNote:For additional operating procedures, refer to  to the Extensa 450 Series Note-
book Computer User’s Manual, 
Texas Instruments Part No. 9803942-0001.
.
      
3-6 Operating Instructions