Acer Extensa 900 Maintenance Manual

							                                                                                                                         Installation  2-3  
Figure 2-1  Memory Expansion Removal/Replacement
Note: After installing expansion memory in your notebook, you must run the 
PHDISK utility in order for the Save-To-Disk or 0V Suspend functions to operate 
correctly.
2.3.2 Setting up the Software
Note: If you are using an operating system other than Windows 95, Windows for 
Workgroups, or DOS, you may need to re-partition your hard disk drive to allow 
for the additional memory. Check with your system administrator.
Expansion
Memory
Access
Cover
Inserting
soDIMM
Memory
Module 
						

							2-4   Installation
In Windows 95
Follow these steps if your computer is running Windows 95.
1.From the Taskbar, select Start then Shut Down.
2.Select the Restart the Computer in MS-DOS mode.
3.Click on Ye s.
4.Type PHDISK /C /F at the DOS prompt and press Enter.
5.The DOS screen appears and shows the save file name and size. Press any 
key to reset the system. The computer will reboot.
In Windows for Workgroups
Follow these steps if your computer is running MS-DOS® and Windows for Workgroups.
1.Close all applications and exit Windows for Workgroups to MS-DOS.
2.At the command prompt (typically C:\) type PHDISK /C /F and press Enter. 
This will create a file which can be used to save the contents of your memory 
system when you perform a 0V Suspend operation.
2.3.3 Installing PCMCIA Options
The Notebook has two connector slots for PCMCIA option cards. These two slots can be 
used to install one Type III or two Type I/II credit card size PCMCIA option cards. You 
can install a PCMCIA (PC card) without turning the computer off.
Use the following procedure to install a PCMCIA option:
1.Review the installation instructions supplied with the PCMCIA option card(s).
2.   Hold the card at the end opposite the connector pins with the label side up. 
Insert the card into an unused slot on the left side of the Notebook.
3.    If the option requires external cabling (e.g., modem option), connect external 
cabling at this time.
Note: After installation of a PCMCIA option card, Windows 95 displays the New 
Hardware Found dialog box to help you configure the new device. To remove a 
card, click on the PCMCIA icon; then, press the appropriate PC Card Release 
lever  (or press both levers for a Type III device) and remove the option. 
						

							                                                                                                                         Installation  2-5  
 
Figure 2-2  Installing PCMCIA Option Cards
Note: When installing a Zoomed Video option card, the card must be installed in 
the lower card slot (slot 0 or A). Other option cards can be installed in either card 
slot.
2.4  Installing External Notebook Options
2.4.1 Installing the Mobile Productivity Base (Option)
If using the Mobile Productivity Base option, install this accessory now.  If not using 
the MPB at this time, proceed directly to Paragraph 2.4.2.
2.4.1.1 Docking the Notebook to the MPB
To dock the Notebook Computer into the MPB, use the following procedure:
1.Turn the notebook over and open the expansion door (slide the door toward 
the center of the notebook) to expose the docking connector.
2.   Slide the lever release latch to the front of the MPB to release the docking 
lever (refer to Figure 2-3). 
						

							2-6   Installation
3.Swing the Docking Lever outward a full 90 degrees from the side of the MPB.
4.Slide the notebook into the MPB, right side first, as shown in Figure 2-3. 
Ensure that the docking guides on both the notebook and the MPB are 
securely hooked.
5.Rest the notebook on the MPB. Then press and hold the notebook against 
the MPB and swing the Docking Latch inward until the Lever Release Latch 
locks.
Figure 2-3  Docking the Notebook into the MPB
2.4.1.2 Cabling to the MPB
Refer to Figure 2-4 (MPB Port Assignments) and then connect all desktop devices to the 
MPB instead of directly to the notebook as described in Paragraphs 2.4.2 through 2.4.5.
12
34
Open the expansion door
on bottom of notebookSlide release latch on MPB
forward; swing the docking 
level outward 90 degrees
Slide notebook into MPB,
right side first; ensure
docking guides are hookedPress and hold down 
notebook and swing the dock
lever in until the release latch 
locks 
						

							                                                                                                                         Installation  2-7  
Figure 2-4  MPB Port Assignments
PS/2 
Keyboard
Port
PS/2
Mouse
PortParallel
PortSerial
PortVGA
PortAdvanced
PCILine
OutLine
In Mic
In 
						

							2-8   Installation
Figure 2-5  MPB Battery Pack Removal/Installation Installation
2.4.2 Installing Ext. Keyboard/Mouse/Numeric Keypad
A PS/2 compatible Keyboard, mouse or an optional PS/2-compatible numeric keypad 
may be installed on the notebook via the mouse connector on the left rear port as shown 
in Figure 2-6.
Note: Refer to Figure 2-4 for port assignments if using the MPB option.
Battery Pack 
						

							                                                                                                                         Installation  2-9  
Figure 2-6  PS/2 Port Connections
2.4.3 Installing an External Parallel Printer
The Notebook is equipped with an external, bidirectional, ECC/EPP compatible, 25-pin 
parallel printer port. The connector pinouts and connector location are shown in 
Figure 2-7.
Note: Refer to Figure 2-4 for port assignments if using the MPB option. 
						

							2-10   Installation
  
Figure 2-7  Parallel Port Pinouts
2.4.4 Installing an External Serial Port Device
The notebook contains an external RS-232 serial port with a 9-pin, male DB-9 connector 
as shown in Figure 2-10 (25-pin cables require the use of an adapter for use with the 
9-pin port). The serial ports are used to interconnect such devices as:
¨External Modem
¨Serial Mouse
¨Serial Printer
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25SIGNAL
SPP M ode
STB*
PD0
PD1
PD2
PD3
PD4
PD5
PD6
PD7
AC K*
BUSY
PE
SLCT
AFD*
ERR*
Ground
INIT*
SLIN*
Note: * Denotes
Active Low
Strobe*
Data Bit 0
Data Bit 1
Data Bit 2
Data Bit 3
Data Bit 4
Data Bit 5
Data Bit 6
Data Bit 7
Acknowledge*
Pa pe r Out Busy
Auto Line Feed*
 Se l e ct
Error*
Initialize Printer*
Select In*
LPT 18
LPT18VCCVCC
PLP120
PLP121PLP122
26
Ground
PLP121
PLP122 PLP120
FD D 5V
FDD 5VFD D 5V
FD D 5V
LP125
LP125
PARALLEL PORT PINOUTS 
						

							                                                                                                                         Installation  2-11  
¨Any device that uses an RS-232 interface
Note: Refer to Figure 2-4 for port assignments if using the MPB option.
Caution:  Never connect a parallel device to a serial port or a serial device 
to a parallel port or video port; this may cause damage to the notebook 
and/or external device. If you are uncertain of what type connector the 
external device has, refer to the technical manual for the external device.  
Figure 2-8  Serial Port Pinouts
2.4.5 Installing an External VGA Monitor
The notebook  (and optional MPB) contain  an external CR T port that can drive one of  
a variety of monitor resolutions and colors as summarized in Section 1. The associated 
connector location and pinouts  for the notebook are shown in Figure 2-9.
Note: Refer to Figure 2-4 for port assignments if using the MPB option. 
						

							2-12   Installation
Figure 2-9  External VGA Pinouts
Use the following procedure to install an external monitor:
1.Turn off power to both the notebook and monitor.
2.Connect the 15-pin external VGA cable from the monitor to the VGA connector 
on the notebook computer (Figure 2-9) or MPB (Figure 2-4).
3.Power up the notebook computer first; then, turn on power to the monitor.
4.Setup the notebook display mode for LCD only, simultaneous LCD and CRT 
or CRT only (under Windows 95, select the Change Display Utility; under