Asus X50rl Hardware User Manual

							
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Using the Notebook PC    4

“Stand	by”  is  the  same  as  Suspend-to-RAM  (STR).  This 
function  stores  your  current  data  and  status  in  RAM  while 
many components are turned OFF. Because RAM is volatile, 
it requires power to keep (refresh) the data. To operate: select 
“Start” | “Shut down”, and “Stand by”.
“Hibernate” 	is  the  same  as    Suspend-to-Disk  (STD)  and 
stores your current data and status on the hard disk drive. By 
doing this, RAM does not have to be periodically refreshed 
and power consumption is greatly reduced but not completely 
eliminated  because  certain  wake-up  components  like  LAN 
needs  to  remain  powered.  “Hibernate”  saves  more  power 
compared  to  “Stand  by”.  To  operate:  Enable  hibernation 
in  “Power  Options”  and  select  “Start”  |  “Shut  down”,  and 
“Hibernate”.
Stand by and Hibernate
Power management settings can be found in the Windows control panel. The following shows the power 
options properties in Windows. You can define “Stand By” or “Shut down” for closing the display panel, 
pressing  the  power  button,  or  activating  sleep  mode.  “Stand  by”  and  “Hibernate”  saves  power  when 
your Notebook PC is not in use by turning OFF certain components. When you resume your work, your 
last status (such as a document scrolled down half way or email typed half way) will reappear as if you 
never left. “Shut down” will close all applications and ask if you want to save your work if any are not 
saved. 
						

							
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4    Using the Notebook PC 
						

							
53
Appendix
Optional Accessories
Optional Connections
Glossary
Declarations and Safety Statements
Notebook PC Information 
						

							
54
A    Appendix

Optional Accessories
These items, if desired, come as optional items to complement your Noteb\
ook PC.
USB Flash Memory Disk
A  USB  flash  memory  disk  is  an  optional  item  that  can 
replace  the  1.44MB  floppy  disk  and  provide  storage  up 
to several hundred megabytes, higher transfer speeds, and 
greater durability. When used in current operating systems, 
no drivers are necessary. 
USB Hub (Optional)
Attaching an optional USB hub will increase your USB ports and allow 
you  to  quickly  connect  or  disconnect  many  USB  peripherals  through  a 
single cable.
WARNING!  To  prevent  system  failures,  use   (Safely  Remove 
Hardware) on the taskbar before disconnecting the USB floppy 
disk drive. Eject the floppy disk before transporting the Notebook 
PC to prevent damage from shock.
USB Floppy Disk Drive
An optional USB-interface floppy disk drive can accept a standard 1.44MB (or 
720KB) 3.5-inch floppy diskette. 
USB Keyboard and Mouse
Attaching an external USB keyboard will allow data entry to be 
more  comfortable. Attaching  an  external  USB  mouse  will  allow 
Windows  navigation  to  be  more  comfortable.  Both  the  external 
USB  keyboard  and  mouse  will  work  simultaneously  with  the 
Notebook PC’s built-in keyboard and touchpad. 
						

							
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Appendix    A

Optional Connections
These items, if desired, may be purchased from third-parties.
Printer Connection
One or more USB printers can be simultaneously used on any USB port 
or USB hub. 
						

							
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A    Appendix

Glossary
ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Management Interface)
Modern standard for reducing power usage in computers.
APM (Advanced Power Management)
Modern standard for reducing power usage in computers.
AWG (American Wire Gauge)
NOTE: This table is for general reference only and should not be used as a source of 
the American Wire Gauge standard as this table may not be current or complete.
Gauge Diam  Area R I@3A/mm2
AWG (mm)  (mm2) (ohm/km) (mA) 
33  0�18  0�026 676 75 
  0�19  0�028 605 85 
32 0�20  0�031 547 93 
30 0�25  0�049 351 147 
29 0�30  0�071 243 212 
27 0�35  0�096 178 288 
26 0�40  0�13 137 378
25 0�45  0�16 108 477 
Gauge Diam  Area R I@3A/mm2
AWG (mm)  (mm2) (ohm/km) (mA)
24  0�50  0�20 87�5 588
  0�55  0�24 72�3 715
  0�60  0�28 60�7 850
22 0�65  0�33 51�7 1�0 A
  0�70  0�39 44�6 1�16 A
  0�75  0�44 38�9 1�32 A
20 0�80  0�50 34�1 1�51 A
  0�85  0�57 30�2 1�70 A
BIOS (Basic Input/Output System)
BIOS is a set of routines that affect how the computer transfers data between computer components, such 
as memory, disks, and the display adapter. The BIOS instructions are built into the computer’s read-only 
memory. BIOS parameters can be configured by the user through the BIOS Setup program. The BIOS 
can be updated using the provided utility to copy a new BIOS file into the EEPROM.
Bit (Binary Digit)
Represents the smallest unit of data used by the computer. A bit can have one of two values: 0 or 1.
Boot
Boot means to start the computer operating system by loading it into system memory. When the manual 
instructs you to “boot” your system (or computer), it means to turn ON your computer. “Reboot” means 
to restart your computer. When using Windows 95 or later, selecting “Restart” from “Start | Shut Down...” 
will reboot your computer.
Byte (Binary Term)
One byte is a group of eight contiguous bits. A byte is used to represent a single alphanumeric character, 
punctuation mark, or other symbol.
Clock Throttling
Chipset function which allows the processor’s clock to be stopped and started at a known duty cycle. 
Clock throttling is used for power savings, thermal management, and redu\
cing processing speed. 
						

							
5
Appendix    A

CPU (Central Processing Unit)
The CPU, sometimes called “Processor,” actually functions as the “brain” of the computer. It interprets 
and executes program commands and processes data stored in memory. 
Device Driver
A device driver is a special set of instructions that allows the computer’s operating system to communicate 
with devices such as VGA, audio, Ethernet, printer, or modem.
DVD
DVD  is  essentially  a  bigger,  faster  CD  that  can  hold  video  as  well  as  audio  and  computer  data. With 
these capacities and access rates, DVD  discs can provide you with dramatically-enhanced high-color, 
full-motion videos, better graphics, sharper pictures, and digital audio for a theater-like experience. DVD 
aims to encompass home entertainment, computers, and business information with a single digital format, 
eventually replacing audio CD, videotape, laserdisc, CD-ROM, and video game cartridges.
ExpressCard
ExpressCard slot is 26 pins and support one ExpressCard/34mm or one ExpressCard/54mm expansion 
card. This new interface is faster by using a serial bus supporting USB 2.0 and PCI Express instead of 
the slower parallel bus used in the PC card slot. (Not compatible with \
previous PCMCIA cards.)
Hardware
Hardware is a general term referring to the physical components of a computer system, including pe-
ripherals such as printers, modems, and pointing devices.
IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics)
IDE devices integrate the drive control circuitry directly on the drive itself, eliminating the need for a 
separate adapter card (in the case for SCSI devices). UltraDMA/66 or 100 IDE devices can achieve up 
to 33MB/Sec transfer.
Kensington® Locks
Kensington® locks (or compatible) allow the Notebook PC to be secured usually using a metal cable and 
lock that prevent the Notebook PC to be removed from a fixed object. Some security products may also 
include a motion detector to sound an alarm when moved.
Laser Classifications
As lasers became more numerous and more widely used, the need to warn users of laser hazards became 
apparent. To meet this need, laser classifications were established. Current classification levels vary from 
optically safe, requiring no controls (Class 1) to very hazardous, requiring strict controls (Class 4).
CLASS	1: A Class 1 laser or laser system emits levels of optical energy that are eye-safe and consequently 
require no controls. An example of this class of laser system is the checkout scanning device found 
in most grocery stores or lasers used in optical drives. 
						

							
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A    Appendix

CLASS	2	&	 CLASS	 3A: Class 2 and Class 3A lasers emit visible, continuous-wave (CW) optical ra-
diation levels slightly above the maximum permissible exposure (MPE) level. Although these lasers 
can  cause  eye  damage,  their  brightness  usually  causes  observers  to  look  away  or  blink  before  eye 
damage occurs. These lasers have strict administrative controls requiring placement of signs warning 
personnel not to stare directly into the beam. Class 3A lasers must not be viewed with optically-aided 
devices.
CLASS	 3B:  Class  3B  lasers,  and  Class  3A  lasers  with  outputs  of  2.5mW,  are  hazardous  to  personnel 
who are within the beam path and look at the beam source directly or by specular reflection. These 
lasers cannot produce hazardous diffuse reflections. Personnel working with these lasers should wear 
appropriate protective eyewear during any operation of the laser. Class 3B lasers have both administra-
tive and physical controls to protect personnel. Physical controls include limited access work areas. 
Administrative controls include special warning signs posted outside the entrances to the laser work 
spaces and lights outside the entrances that warn personnel when the las\
ers are in use.
CLASS	 4:  Class  4  lasers  are  high-power  lasers  that  will  cause  damage  to  unprotected  eyes  and  skin 
through intra-beam viewing and specular or diffuse reflections. Consequently, no personnel should 
be in a room where a Class 4 laser is operating without proper eye protection.
PCI Bus (Peripheral Component Interconnect Local Bus)
PCI bus is a specification that defines a 32-bit data bus interface. PCI is a standard widely used by ex-
pansion card manufacturers.
POST (Power On Self Test)
When you turn on the computer, it will first run through the POST, a series of software-controlled diag-
nostic tests. The POST checks system memory, the motherboard circuitry, the display, the keyboard, the 
diskette drive, and other I/O devices.
RAM (Random Access Memory)
RAM  (usually  just  called  memory)  is  the  place  in  a  computer  where  the  operating  system,  applica-
tion programs, and data in current use are temporarily kept so that they can be quickly reached by the 
computer’s processor instead of having to read from and write to slower storage such as the hard disk 
or optical disc.
Suspend Mode
In Save-to-RAM (STR) and Save-to-Disk (STD), the CPU clock is stopped and most of the Notebook PC 
devices are put in their lowest active state. The Notebook PC enters Suspend when the system remains 
idle  for  a  specified  amount  of  time  or  manually  using  the  function  keys. The  time-out  setting  of  both 
Hard Disk and Video can be set by the BIOS Setup. The Power LED blinks when the Notebook PC is 
in STR mode. In STD mode, the Notebook PC will appear to be powered OFF .
System Disk
A system disk contains the core file of an operating system and is used to boot up the operating system.   
						

							
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Appendix    A

TPM (Trusted Platform Module) (on selected models)
The TPM is a security hardware device on the system board that will hold computer-generated keys for 
encryption.  It  is  a  hardware-based  solution  that  can  help  avoid  attacks  by  hackers  looking  to  capture 
passwords and encryption keys to sensitive data. The TPM provides the ability to the PC or Notebook 
PC to run applications more secure and to make transactions and communic\
ation more trustworthy.
Twisted-Pair Cable
The cable used to connect the Ethernet card to a host (generally a Hub or Switch) is called a straight-
through Twisted  Pair  Ethernet  (TPE). The  end  connectors  are  called  RJ-45  connectors,  which  are  not 
compatible  with  RJ-11  telephone  connectors.  If  connecting  two  computers  together  without  a  hub  in 
between, a crossover twisted-pair is required. 
UltraDMA/66 or 100
UltraDMA/66 or 100 are new specifications to improve IDE transfer rates. Unlike traditional PIO mode, 
which only uses the rising edge of IDE command signal to transfer data, UltraDMA/66 or 100 uses both 
rising edge and falling edge.
USB (Universal Serial Bus)
A  new  4-pin  serial  peripheral  bus  that  allows  plug  and  play  computer  peripherals  such  as  keyboard, 
mouse,  joystick,  scanner,  printer  and  modem/ISDN  to  be  automatically  configured  when  they  are  at-
tached physically without having to install drivers or reboot. With USB, the traditional complex cables 
from back panel of your PC can be eliminated. 
						

							
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A    Appendix

Declarations and Safety Statements
DVD-ROM Drive Information
The Notebook PC comes with an optional DVD-ROM drive or a CD-ROM drive. In order to view DVD 
titles, you must install your own DVD viewer software. Optional DVD viewer software may be purchased 
with this Notebook PC. The DVD-ROM drive allows the use of both CD and DVD discs.
Regional Playback Information
Playback of DVD movie titles involves decoding MPEG2 video, digital AC3 audio and decryption of CSS 
protected content. CSS (sometimes called copy guard) is the name given to the content protection scheme 
adopted by the motion picture industry to satisfy a need to protect against unlawful content duplication. 
Although the design rules imposed on CSS licensors are many, one rule that is most relevant is playback re-
strictions on regionalized content. In order to facilitate geographically staggered movie releases, DVD video 
titles are released for specific geographic regions as defined in “Region Definitions” below. Copyright laws 
require that all DVD movies be limited to a particular region (usually coded to the region at which it is sold). 
While DVD movie content may be released for multiple regions, CSS design rules require that any system 
capable of playing CSS encrypted content must only be capable of playing one region.
Region Definitions
Region	1
Canada, US, US Territories
Region	2
Czech, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Gulf States, Hungary, Iceland, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Japan, 
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzer-
land, Syria, Turkey, UK, Greece, Former Yugoslav Republics, Slovakia
Region	3
Burma, Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam
Region	4
Australia,  Caribbean  (Except  US  Territories),  Central America,  New  Zealand,  Pacific  Islands,  South 
America
Region	5
CIS, India, Pakistan, Rest of Africa, Russia, North Korea
Region	6
China
NOTE: The region setting may be changed up to five times using the viewer software, 
then it can only play DVD movies for the last region setting. Changing the region code 
after that will require factory resetting which is not covered by warranty. If resetting is 
desired, shipping and resetting costs will be at the expense of the user\
.