Acer Extensa 900 Maintenance Manual

                                                                                                              General Description  1-1  
  1
General Description
1.1 Introduction
This manual contains field and factory level servicing information for the ExtensaTM 900 
Series Notebook Computers (Figure 1-1) marketed by Texas Instruments. This section 
provides a general overview of the Extensa 900 Series, describes the standard and 
optional features, and identifies the major assemblies and subassemblies....

         
1-2   General Description
¨Powerful PCI Bus architecture
¨16 MB  main memory (expandable to 80 MB using 8 MB, 8 MB, 16 MB, 32 MB  
or 64 MB EDO 64-bit type small outline dual inline memory module (soDIMM) 
upgrades)
¨256 KB Level-2 cache memory
¨Built-in 2.5-inch IDE high capacity (1.35 GB or greater) Hard Disk Drive
¨External Floppy Drive Module (attaches to the Parallel Port)
¨Advanced video features
- DSTN or TFT internal color display 
- Simultaneous display with external CR T
- 2.0 MB...

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Figure 1-2  900 Series Notebook External Features
1.2.1 Video Display Features
The Extensa 900 Series Notebooks contain large screen internal LCD displays and can 
simultaneously drive the internal LCD and an external CR T (SimulSCAN
TM mode). On 
all Extensa models, the LCD screen brightness, contrast, video mode of operation, etc. 
are adjustable from the keyboard as...

         
1-4   General Description
1.2.1.1 Internal LCD
The Extensa 900 Series Notebooks contain one of the following LCDs (model dependent):
¨12.1-inch DSTN display (900CD Only)
¨11.3-inch TFT
1.2.1.2 External CRTs
The Extensa 900 Series Notebooks are equipped with a 15-pin SVGA connector that 
can drive an external CR T (either alone or simultaneously with the internal LCD).
When the notebook is set to the SimulSCAN mode, a minimum resolution of 800 x 600 
x 256 colors is supported. When operating in...

                                                                                                            General Description  1-5  
1.2.2 Keyboard Features
The Extensa 900 Series Notebooks contain a built-in 86/87-key keyboard  (Figure 1-3) 
compatible with the IBM
® enhanced 101/102-key keyboard. The keyboard contains 12 
programmable function keys, an embedded numeric keypad (Figure 1-4) and dedicated 
control keys (hot keys).
Figure 1-3  Embedded Numeric Keypad
1.2.3 Software Features
As a standard...

         
1-6   General Description
1.2.4 Standard Peripheral Devices
As standard features, the Extensa notebooks include an internal IDE hard drive,  an 
external 3.5-inch floppy disk drive and built-in touchpad (mouse device).
1.2.5 900 Series Connectivity Features
As standard features, the Extensa 900 Series notebooks includes most standard 
desktop ports including a serial port, parallel port, PS/2 port, and external VGA port. 
The 900 Series also includes a fast infrared (FIR) port and an expansion...

                                                                                                            General Description  1-7  
Table 1-2  900 Series External Ports
1.2.6 Notebook Expansion Capabilities
In addition to the external ports, the Extensa 900 Series Notebooks are designed with 
a variety of expansion features that permit substantial functionality and performance 
upgrades over the life of the product. The expansion capabilities built into the notebook 
are summarized in Table 1-3 and...

         
1-8   General Description
1.2.7 Memory Expansion
The notebook comes standard with 16 MB of RAM expandable to a maximum of 80 MB 
using soDIMM modules (available in 8, 16, 32 or 64 MB sizes). Access to the expansion 
socket is accommodated via a removable panel on the bottom of the notebook as shown 
in Figure 1-5.
Figure 1-5  Memory Expansion Features
1.2.8 PCMCIA Card Options
The Notebook contains an onboard PCMCIA Controller and two 64-pin sockets that can 
accept up to two credit-card size...

                                                                                                            General Description  1-9  
 
Figure 1-6  Installing PCMCIA Card Options
1.2.9 Mobile Productivity Base Option
The Mobile Productivity Base (Figure 1-7) provides a port replicator function with 
separate External Keyboard and Mouse ports,  plus powerful desktop expansion 
features including a Modular Bay for CD-ROM or Floppy Disk Drive and provisions for 
an Advanced PCI Card option. These features...

         
1-10   General Description
Figure 1-7  Mobile Productivity Base (MPB) Features
1.2.9.1 Docking and Undocking
Docking and undocking of the Mobile Productivity Base is controlled by a latch and 
lever on the left side of the base as shown in Figure 1-8. The latch releases the lever; 
the lever is extended 90 degrees outward to release the notebook.
Advanced
PCI Option Slot
Secondary Battery
Media Bay
(Floppy or 
CD-ROM Drive)
Notebook 
Connector
Audio Jacks
Standard
Notebook
PortsTwo PS/2 Ports...