The information in this guide is subject to change without notice.

Transcription

1 Notice The information in this guide is subject to change without notice. COMPAQ COMPUTER CORPORATION SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR TECHNICAL OR EDITORIAL ERRORS OR OMISSIONS CONTAINED HEREIN; NOR FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM THE FURNISHING, PERFORMANCE, OR USE OF THIS MATERIAL. This guide contains information protected by copyright. No part of this guide may be photocopied or reproduced in any form without prior written consent from Compaq Computer Corporation Compaq Computer Corporation. All rights reserved. Published in the U.S.A., U.K, Singapore, and Taiwan. Compaq is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Microsoft, MS-DOS, and Windows are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Software described herein is furnished under a license agreement or nondisclosure agreement. The software may be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of the agreement. Product names mentioned herein may be trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Reference Guide Compaq Armada 100S Series First Edition June 2000 Part Number Compaq Computer Corporation

2 Chapter 1 Getting Started This chapter introduces the features and components of the notebook and tells you how to get the notebook up and running. Features Your notebook incorporates desktop computer capabilities into a compact notebook-sized package. Among the distinguished features are: Support for AMD K6-2+ microprocessor Provides an advanced central processor for excellent ability of code execution. Built-in audio system Supports audio capabilities with 3D audio and acoustic effects. PCMCIA slot with CardBus support Single slot supports one Type I, Type II, or Type III PC Card. This slot accepts CardBus Cards that provide high-speed data transmission and networking. Fast Infrared (IR) port support With the IR port, wireless communications are possible between your notebook and an IR device. Universal Serial Bus (USB) port support The USB standard gives you the benefits of having one single interface for multiple interfaces when low-to-medium speed peripherals are concerned. Power Management You can automatically and manually conserve power by setting up the Power Management capabilities of your notebook. Internal Modem (available on select models ) Supports fax and data communications functions that allow your notebook to be connected to a network environment through normal telephone cables. System BIOS (Basic Input/Output) that supports the years beyond Getting Started 1-1

3 Other basic components of the notebook system are: 3.5-inch, 1.44MB (Megabytes) diskette drive ATA3 IDE hard drive, Ultra DMA-33/66 supported 24X CD-ROM drive 32MB or 64MB of system memory, expanding up to 160MB or 192MB SDRAM with a 128-MB memory module upgrade (model dependent) Internal 128KB L2 cache memory Color TFT or HPA display (model dependent) Notebook keyboard TouchPad pointing device Built-in microphone and stereo speaker set Input/output connectors for external expansion AC adapter Standard NiMH or optional Li-ion rechargeable battery pack 1-2 Getting Started

4 Taking a Look at the Notebook Right-Side View Figure 1-1. Right-Side View 1. Hard Drive Inside is the hard drive of your notebook, often referred to as drive C. (See Hard Drive in Chapter 2 for more information.) 2. Infrared Port This infrared port complies with IrDA 1.1 and ASK standards. It allows you to connect your notebook to an IR device wirelessly. (See Connecting an Infrared Device in Chapter 4 for important notes.) 3. CD-ROM Drive This is the CD-ROM drive of your notebook, often configured as drive D. (See CD-ROM Drive in Chapter 2 for more information.) 4. Volume Control This controls the volume of the sound coming from the notebook. Getting Started 1-3

5 Left-Side View Figure 1-2. Left-Side View 1. Cable Lock Anchor This rectangular hole can be used as an anchor point for a security cable. Use a cable to lock your notebook to an appropriate location for security. 2. Power Button Pressing this button turns the notebook power ON or OFF. 3. RJ-11 Connector (available on select models) With the RJ-11 connector, the standard telephone line can be connected to your notebook. WARNING: 1. Never install telephone wiring during a lightning storm. 2. Never install telephone jacks in wet locations unless the jack is specifically designed for wet locations. 3. Never touch uninsulated telephone wires or terminals unless the telephone line has been disconnected at the network interface. 4. Use caution when installing or modifying telephone lines. 5. Avoid using the telephone function during an electrical storm. There may be a remote risk of electric shock from lightning. 6. Do not use the telephone function to report a gas leak in the vicinity of the leak. 4. PC Card Slot Open the display to access the PC Card slot. (See Installing a PC Card in Chapter 4 for more information.) 1-4 Getting Started

6 5. Battery Pack Inside is the battery pack, which supplies power to your notebook when external power is not connected. (See Chapter 3 for more information.) Rear View Figure 1-3. Rear View 1. Microphone Connector ( ) Connects to an external microphone for use in place of the notebook's built-in microphone. 2. Audio Output Connector ( ) Connects to a set of headphones, external speakers with amplifier or an audio recording device. 3. USB Port ( ) The 4-pin Universal Serial Bus port is for connecting an USB device. (See Connecting an USB Device in Chapter 4 for more information.) 4. Parallel Port ( ) This 25-pin port is for connecting a parallel device such as a parallel printer or pocket LAN. (See Connecting a Serial or Parallel Device in Chapter 4 for more information.) 5. Serial Port ( ) This 9-pin port is for connecting a serial device such as a serial mouse, modem, or printer. (See Connecting a Serial or Parallel Device in Chapter 4 for more information.) 6. VGA Port ( ) This 15-pin analog port is for connecting an external monitor. Getting Started 1-5

7 7. PS/2 Mouse/Keyboard Port ( ) This 6-pin mini-din port is for connecting a PS/2 keyboard or mouse. 8. Power Connector ( ) This is for connecting the AC adapter. 1-6 Getting Started

8 Front View Figure 1-4. Front View 1. Display Latch The display latch keeps the notebook firmly closed. To open the computer, press the display latch toward the right, then lift the display. 2. Diskette Drive This is the 3.5-inch diskette drive of your notebook, often referred as drive A. (See Diskette Drive in Chapter 2 for more information.) Getting Started 1-7

9 Top-Open View Display This is the display of your notebook. Figure 1-5. Top-Open View CAUTION: Do not place heavy objects on top of the notebook when it is closed as this can damage the display. 2. Indicators Panel These are the indicators that show the status of your notebook. AC Power Indicator Turns on when the notebook is using AC power. Blinks when the notebook, using AC power, is in Suspend-to-RAM mode. (See Introducing Power Management in Chapter 2 for information on Suspend-to-RAM mode.) Battery Power Indicator Turns on when the notebook is operating on battery power. Blinks when the notebook, using battery power, is in Suspend-to-RAM mode. (See Introducing Power Management in Chapter 2 for information on Suspend-to-RAM mode.) 1-8 Getting Started

10 Battery Charge Indicator Lights green when the battery is fully charged with the AC adapter connected. Lights orange when the battery is being charged. Blinks red when the battery is low. CD-ROM Drive In-use Indicator turns on when the notebook is accessing the CD-ROM drive. Hard Drive In-use Indicator turns on when the notebook is accessing the hard drive. Diskette Drive In-use Indicator turns on when the notebook is accessing the diskette drive. Num Lock Indicator turns on when the Num Lock function is activated. A Caps Lock Indicator turns on when the Caps Lock function is activated. Scroll Lock Indicator turns on when the Scroll Lock function is activated. 3. Microphone This is the built-in microphone of your notebook. 4. Keyboard This keyboard provides all the functions of a full-size 87/90-key keyboard. (See Keyboard in Chapter 2 for information.) 5. TouchPad This is the pointing device of your notebook. (See TouchPad in Chapter 2 for information.) 6. Stereo Speaker Set This is the built-in speaker set of your notebook. Getting Started 1-9

11 Getting the Notebook Running Connecting to AC Power 1. Plug the DC cord of the AC adapter into the power connector ➊ on the rear of the notebook. 2. Plug the AC cord ➋ into the AC adapter and into the an electrical outlet➌ Figure 1-6. Connecting the AC Adapter When the AC adapter is connected, the indicator on the AC adapter lights up, indicating that power is being supplied from the electrical outlet to the AC adapter and onto your notebook. When the Battery Charge Indicator ( ) on the notebook glows orange, the AC adapter is charging the battery. 3. To fully charge the battery, leave the notebook power off, and wait until the Battery Charge Indicator glows green. When the AC adapter is not connected, you can operate the notebook using battery power only Getting Started

12 Using Battery Power When the AC adapter is not connected, you can use battery power. To assure optimum battery life, fully charge and discharge the battery at least once and then fully charge the battery before you first use battery power. (For more information on using battery power, see Chapter 3.) Starting Up The notebook starts up with an operating system preinstalled on the hard drive, a CD-ROM, or a diskette. The notebook will automatically load the operating system after you turn it on. This process is called booting. Follow these steps to start the system. 1. Open the notebook by sliding the display latch toward the right and lifting up the display. 2. Turn on the notebook by pressing the power button (Figure 1-2 #2) on the left side of the notebook. 3. Tilt the display forward or backward to a comfortable viewing position. You can also adjust the brightness of the display to attain display clarity. To adjust brightness, press [Fn]+[F6] or [Fn]+[F7]. 4. Each time the notebook is turned on, it performs a Power-On Self Test (POST). This checks the status of major notebook devices including the system board, memory, video, keyboard, and disk drive. Some status messages from POST will appear on the screen. If the POST has detected a mismatch between the actual hardware configuration and the configuration information stored in CMOS RAM, you will see error message(s) prompting you to run the Setup Configuration Utility (SCU) program. (See Chapter 5 for instructions on running SCU.) NOTE: The SCU program allows you to enter the configuration information and store it in CMOS RAM. The configuration information is needed by the notebook to identify the installed devices. Under SCU, you can also activate certain features such as Power Saving and Security. 5. When POST successfully completes its check, the notebook first tries to boot from drive A, C, or CD-ROM depending on the Boot Sequence setting in the SCU program. Getting Started 1-11

13 NOTE: To avoid viruses brought in by diskettes, boot the system from the hard disk instead of a diskette. If you must boot up from drive A, make sure the booting diskette is clean. Booting with Windows 98 The notebook comes to you with the operating system preinstalled. During the software installation process, you will be prompted to provide additional information. To complete the installation process when booting up with Windows 98 for the first time, follow these steps: 1. When prompted, enter your region, keyboard preference, name, and modem country/dialing information. 2. If you want to register your copy of the operating system now, connect the modem cable (included with integrated modem models) to the RJ11 jack on the notebook and plug the other end of the cable into a standard telephone wall jack. Then, click Next. If you do not want to register the operating system at this time click Skip. 3. Review and accept the Microsoft License Agreement, then enter the Product Key from the Certificate of Authenticity label. The label is located on the operating system manual or on the bottom side of the notebook. You will not be able to use the Windows software without entering the Product Key. 4. When prompted, choose the appropriate time zone and set the time and date. Click Apply, then OK. 5. The system will adjust the final configuration. Click Cancel in response to device installation dialogs, then allow the system to reboot, if prompted. The computer is now ready to use. Your notebook comes with a CD-ROM that contains software drivers you need to install, thus enabling the special features of your notebook. (See Chapter 6 for information on the drivers.) 1-12 Getting Started

14 Turning Off the Notebook CAUTION: Never turn off the notebook when the hard drive In-use Indicator is on. You may lose your data by doing so. 1. If you are using a program, save your data and exit the program. 2. First make sure all hard drive in-use indicators are off, then remove any diskette or CD-ROM from the drive. 3. If you are using an operating system such as Microsoft Windows 98 that has the Shut Down command, simply select the command and the notebook will turn off automatically. Otherwise, turn off the notebook by pressing the Power Button. 4. Turn off the power to any connected external devices. 5. To close the notebook, tilt down the display until the display latch clicks into place. 6. To disconnect the AC adapter, unplug it from the electrical outlet first; then unplug it from the notebook. Getting Started 1-13

15 Chapter 2 Using the Notebook This chapter provides operating basics on the notebook s components such as the diskette drive, hard drive, CD-ROM drive, keyboard, and TouchPad. It also introduces power management and gives you tips in care and maintenance. Diskette Drive Your notebook comes with a diskette drive designated as drive A. A diskette drive allows you to load new programs into your notebook, or to store data on a removable diskette so you can transfer data from one notebook to another. 2 1 Figure inch Diskette The diskette drive is compatible with either double-density (2DD) 720KB diskettes or high-density (2HD) ➊ 1.44MB diskettes. Notice that both types of diskettes have an arrow imprinted on the front upper left corner, and a slidable write-protect tab ➋ on the bottom left corner, as illustrated above. When slid downward, the write-protect tab prevents data from being written to, or erased from, the diskette. Using the Notebook 2-1

16 Inserting and Ejecting Diskettes To insert a diskette, hold it with the arrow facing up and towards the drive. Slide the disk into the drive until it clicks into place. Figure 2-2. Inserting a Diskette To eject a diskette, make sure that the diskette drive in-use indicator is off, then press the eject button on the drive. When the diskette pops out of the drive, remove the diskette and store it properly. Formatting Diskettes A diskette must be formatted before it can store any data. For information on how to format a diskette, please consult your operating system manual. CAUTION: 1. Never turn off or reset the notebook while the diskette drive in-use indicator is on. 2. Always store your diskettes in a safe, clean container, protecting them from the dust and magnetic fields. 2-2 Using the Notebook

17 Hard Drive Your notebook comes with a hard drive designated as drive C. A hard drive, also called a fixed disk, is a storage device with non-removable, rotating, magnetic storage platters. Compared with a diskette, a hard drive can retrieve and record data much faster and has a much larger storage capacity.. CAUTION: 1. To avoid unexpected data loss caused by viruses or accidents, regularly backup your files from the hard drive to diskettes. 2. Never turn off or reset the notebook while the hard drive in-use indicator is on. In addition to possible data loss, the system and the hard drive s sensitive circuitry may be damaged. CD-ROM Drive Your notebook comes with a CD-ROM drive, which uses removable 5.25-inch compact disks that look like standard music CD-ROMs. The compact disk is an ideal medium for data storage or multimedia program because of its huge amount of data capacity. Inserting/Removing a CD-ROM CAUTION: 1. When inserting a CD-ROM, gently insert it into the CD-ROM drive. 2. Make sure the CD-ROM is correctly inserted into the tray, then close the tray. 3. Do not leave the CD-ROM tray open. Moreover, avoid touching the lens in the tray with your hand. If the lens becomes dirty, the CD-ROM may malfunction. 4. Do not wipe the lens with rough surfaced materials (such as paper towel). Instead, use a cotton swab to wipe the lens gently. FDA regulations require the following statement for all laser-based devices: Caution, Use of controls or adjustments or performance of procedures other than those specified herein may result in hazardous radiation exposure. Using the Notebook 2-3

18 Use the following procedure to insert or remove a CD-ROM. 1. Turn on the notebook. 2. Push the eject button ➊ and the CD-ROM tray will slide out. If the tray only slides out partially, gently pull it until fully extended. 3. To insert a CD-ROM, place the CD-ROM in the tray with its label facing up. To remove a CD-ROM, hold the disc by its outer edge and lift it up from the tray Figure 2-3. Inserting a CD-ROM 4. Slide the tray back into the drive bay. Manually Releasing a CD-ROM In the unlikely event that you are unable to release the CD-ROM tray by pressing the eject button, you can manually release the tray as follows: 1. Turn off the system. 2. Insert a small rod into the manual eject hole ➋ (see Figure 2-3) and push firmly to release the tray. 3. Pull the tray out until the tray is fully extended, then remove the CD-ROM Using the Notebook

19 Keyboard Your notebook keyboard has all the functions of a standard AT-enhanced keyboard plus some keys specific to your notebook. Function Keys and Hotkeys On the top row of the keyboard are the function keys: [F1] to [F12]. Function keys are multi-purpose keys which perform functions defined by individual programs. Hot key functions are assigned to [Fn]+[F5] through [Fn]+[F12] by your notebook. Hotkeys refer to a combination of keys that can be pressed at any time to activate special functions. Most hotkeys operate in a cyclic way. Each time a hot key is pressed, it shifts the corresponding function to the other or next choice. The function keys and hotkeys are described below. Hotkeys Fn+F5 Fn+F6 Fn+F7 Fn+F8 Fn+F9 Fn+F10 Fn+F11 Fn+F12 Tasks toggles between video display output to the notebook display screen, external monitor, and simultaneous (display on both). decrease display brightness. increase display brightness. decrease display contrast (for non-tft panel only). increase display contrast (for non-tft panel only). toggles between Battery Low Warning beep on and off. toggles the display panel on and off. activates the Suspend-to-RAM or Suspend-to-Disk mode according to the setting of SCU. Using the Notebook 2-5

20 Special Keys Several keys are added such as the [Ctrl], [Alt], [Esc], and lock keys for special purposes. When the lock keys are pressed, their corresponding indicators will light. [Num Lock] Pressing this key toggles the Num Lock on and off. When on, the Num Lock activates the numeric keys. [Scroll Lock] Pressing this key toggles Scroll Lock on and off. The Scroll Lock is defined by individual programs. [Caps Lock] Pressing this key toggles the Caps Lock on and off. When on, the Caps Lock keeps the letter keys in uppercase. Numeric Keypad A 15-key numeric keypad is embedded in the keyboard. Numeric keys facilitate entering of numbers and calculations. When Num Lock is on, the numeric keys are activated, meaning you can use these keys to enter numerals. NOTE: 1. When the numeric keypad is activated and you want to type the English letter, you can either turn Num Lock off or hold down [Fn] and press the key without turning Num Lock off. 2. If the Keyboard Numlock option in the Setup Configuration Utility (SCU) program is checked, you can not directly use the alpha keys on the notebook keyboard. To use the alpha keys, hold down the [Fn] key first or press the Num Lock key. 3. Some software may not be able to use the numeric keypad on the notebook. If so, use the numeric keypad on an external keyboard instead. Cursor-Control Keys At the lower right corner of the keyboard are four cursor-control keys: [ ], [ ], [ ], and [ ].These keys, also called arrow keys, control cursor movement. On the right side of the keyboard are [Home], [PgUp], [PgDn], and [End] keys, which control the screen or cursor movement. Left to the arrow keys are the [Ins] and [Del] keys used for editing purposes. 2-6 Using the Notebook

21 Windows 95 Keys On the Windows 95 keyboard, you can find one Windows Logo key ( ) and one Application Logo key ( ). The two keys are used with other keys to perform software-specific functions. (See your Microsoft operating system manual.) Fn Key The [Fn] key, at the lower left corner of the keyboard, is used with other keys to perform alternative functions. Using the Notebook 2-7

22 TouchPad Your notebook integrates a TouchPad pointing device, compatible with the Microsoft Mouse and PS/2-type mouse, which allows you to take advantage of software that requires or recognizes a pointing device. Using the TouchPad Placing and Moving the Finger Figure 2-4. The TouchPad To use the TouchPad, place your thumb or forefinger on the TouchPad. The rectangular pad acts like a miniature duplicate of your display. As you slide your fingertip across the pad, the pointer, or cursor, on the screen moves in the same direction across the screen as your fingertip moves across the pad. Point and Click When you have placed the cursor over the icon, menu item or command that you want to execute, you can press the left button once or twice to execute the command. This procedure is called Point and click or point and double-click. On the TouchPad, you can execute pointing and clicking even more rapidly. Instead of clicking by pressing the left button, gently tap anywhere on the rectangular pad of the TouchPad. To double-click, rapidly tap twice. Unlike a traditionally pointing device, the whole pad acts as if it were a left button and each tap on the pad is equivalent to pressing the left button. NOTE: If you swap the left and right buttons, tapping on the TouchPad as an alternative method of pressing the left button will no longer be valid. 2-8 Using the Notebook

23 Drag and Drop You can execute commands or move files by using drag and drop. In drag and drop, you activate a file by pointing to it and clicking. However, when you click the button, you do not release the button but instead hold it down. You can then drag the active file around the screen by moving your finger around the pad. When you have placed the file where you want it, for example in a new directory, release the left button. The file will drop into the new location. You can also do drag and drop operations using the TouchPad as a large left button. Position the cursor over the item that you want to drag. Gently tap twice on the pad. On the second tap, keep your finger in contact with the pad. You can then drag the selected object around the screen by moving your fingertip across the pad. When you lift your fingertip from the pad, the selected object will drop into place. Changing the Configuration You may want to customize the mouse. For example, if you are a left-handed user, you can swap the buttons over so that you can use the right button to generate events that are normally generated by the left button. You can also change the size of the on-screen pointer, the speed of the pointer and so on. To swap buttons or change the size of the pointer in Windows, double-click the Mouse icon in the Windows Control Panel. The Mouse Properties window allows you to change various configurations. Instead of Windows, you can also use the TouchPad software supplied with your notebook to change the configuration. Introducing Power Management The Power Management feature of your notebook helps conserve power. The followings briefly describe the features. To establish Power Management, run the Setup Configuration Utility (SCU) program. (See Power Menu in Chapter 5 for instructions.) Automatic Power Management Local Power Management Local Power Management controls notebook subsystems. When a subsystem is inactive for a period of time, called time-out, it is automatically shut down or slowed down to reduce power consumption. The subsystem will be active again when next accessed. The subsystems under power management are: Hard Drive Display Panel The above components will power down after the pre-set timing. Using the Notebook 2-9

24 Global Power Management Global Power Management automatically puts the notebook into suspend mode when the notebook is inactive for a period of time, called time-out. The notebook will wake up whenever an activity is detected (e.g. pressing a key). The time-out settings for suspend mode can be set up in the Setup Configuration Utility (SCU) program. The notebook suspends to RAM (memory) or disk (hard drive) depending on the Suspend Controls setting in the SCU program. Manual Power Management You can manually initiate Suspend mode at any time in one of these ways: By pressing the hotkey [Fn]+[F12]. By closing the notebook. Note that this works only if the Lid Switch Function item is set to Suspend/Resume in the SCU program. For information on Suspend-to-Disk mode, see the following section. Suspend-to-Disk CAUTION: 1. The suspend-to-disk partition is present on your hard drive when the computer is shipped. To verify that the suspend-to-disk feature is available, enable it in the SCU program and reboot the notebook. If it is not available, you will get an error message and the suspend-to-disk feature can not be used. 2. The HIBERNAT utility allows you to create the suspend-to-disk partition. (See HIBERNAT Utility in Chapter 6 for information.) When the notebook suspends to disk, the system preserves all the running application programs as a file in a suspend-to-disk partition on the hard disk. The notebook then automatically turns off. The next time you turn on the notebook, it reads the file from the suspend-to-disk partition back into memory, so that your notebook is returned to exactly the same state it was in when you suspended it. Suspend-to-Disk is a very useful feature. People frequently open many applications when they use notebooks. It takes some time to get all these applications open and running, and normally they all have to be closed before the system can be turned off. If you use the Suspend-to-Disk feature, you don t have to close the applications as the state of your notebook is saved to disk. When you turn on your notebook next time, your notebook with all the applications open will be recreated in just a few seconds Using the Notebook

25 Taking Care of Your Notebook Maintenance Avoid placing the notebook in a location subject to high humidity, extreme temperatures, mechanical vibration, direct sunlight, or heavy dust. Do not place heavy objects on top of the notebook when it is closed as this may damage the LCD. To assure smooth operation of the TouchPad, occasionally clean the pad by using adhesive tape to remove the dust and grease on its surface. Occasionally clean the notebook with a soft cloth moistened with water. Do not use soap or liquid cleaners on the display. Take care of the battery pack by following the instructions described in Important Notes on Using Battery Pack in Chapter 3. Traveling Before traveling with your notebook, it is recommended that you backup your hard disk data into diskettes. As a precautionary measure, bring along an extra copy of your hard disk data. Make sure the battery pack is fully charged. Make sure the notebook is turned off and the top cover is firmly closed. Disconnect the AC adapter from the notebook, and take it with you. Use the AC adapter as the power source and as a battery-recharger. Allow extra time for airport security. Many airports inspect electronic devices carefully. Hand-carry the notebook. Do not check it in as luggage. If you plan to travel abroad with your notebook, consult your dealer for the appropriate AC power cord fitting the electricity standard of your destination. Using the Notebook 2-11

26 Chapter 3 Battery Operations This chapter provides information on using the battery to get optimal performance when operating your notebook on battery power. AC Adapter CAUTION: 1. The AC adapter is designed for use with your notebook only. Connecting the AC adapter to another device can damage the adapter. 2. The AC power cord supplied with your notebook is for use in the country where you purchased your notebook. If you plan to go overseas with the notebook, consult your dealer for the appropriate power cord. The AC adapter serves as a converter from AC (Alternating Current) to DC (Direct Current) power because your notebook runs on DC power, but an electrical outlet usually provides AC power. It operates in the range of V AC. The battery pack automatically recharges while your notebook is connected to AC power. Battery Operations 3-1

27 Battery Pack The battery pack supplies power to your notebook when external power is not available. It is rechargeable using the AC adapter. Recharging the Battery Pack To recharge the battery pack, connect the AC adapter to the notebook and an electrical outlet. For NiMH batteries, it takes up to 2 hours to fully-charge a powerdepleted battery pack when the notebook power is off, and up to 3 hours when the notebook is turned on. For Li-ion batteries, it takes up to 2.5 hours to fully-charge the battery pack with the notebook turned off, and up to 4 hours when the notebook is turned on. During recharging, the Battery Charge Indicator ( ) on the notebook glows orange. You are advised to keep the notebook power off while the battery is being recharged. The battery is fully recharged when the green Battery Charge Indicator turns on. Replacing the Battery Pack WARNING: There is danger of explosion if the battery is incorrectly replaced. Replace the battery only with the notebook manufacturer s optional battery packs. Discard used batteries according to the dealer s instructions. If you often use the battery power for a long period of time while traveling, you may consider the purchase of an additional battery pack from your dealer, and keep it with you in a fully charged state as a backup. To replace the battery pack, follow these steps: 1. Make sure the notebook is not turned on or connected to AC power. 2. Turn the notebook bottom side up. 3-2 Battery Operations

28 3. First push away the small locking latch (Figure 3-1 ❶) on the battery pack, then slide the locking latch (Figure 3-1 ❷) on the side of the notebook to unlock and lift (Figure 3-1 ❸) the battery pack out of the compartment. Figure 3-1. Removing the Battery Pack 4. Install new battery pack into the compartment. Make sure the release latch is in the locked position. Battery Operations 3-3

29 Important Notes on Using a Battery Pack Recharging and Discharging Recharging will not start if the battery s temperature is below 0 C (32 F) or above 45 C (113 F) for NiMH batteries and 40 C (104 F) for Li-ion batteries. Also, during recharging, the recharging will stop if the battery s temperature gets above 60 C (140 F). To avoid problems caused by temperatures, make sure the battery is not too hot before you begin to recharge or discharge the battery. Follow these general guidelines: When the battery is being recharged, keep the notebook power off and wait until it is fully recharged to achieve the fastest charge times. When the battery is fully charged or discharge, allow a brief cooling interval to maintain the charge capacity and extend the useful life of the battery. During recharging, in order to maintain fuel gauge accuracy, do not disconnect the AC adapter before the battery has been fully charged. After the battery has been fully recharged, do not repeatedly disconnect and reconnect the AC adapter to charge the battery again. Doing so may damage the battery pack or reduce its charge capacity and useful life potential. Do not leave the battery completely discharged for too long as this may affect the battery s performance. A DOS utility named 4dischrg.com is included on your Utility CD-ROM. It is used to disable all system power saving functions and allow you to calibrate the battery fuel gauge. Before running this utility, it is important that you save all files and close all applications. Problem Solving If the difference between the actual operating time of a battery and the expected operating time is too large, you can fully discharge and recharge the battery several times to solve the problem. 3-4 Battery Operations

30 Operating and Handling Avoid removing the battery pack while it is in use. If you need to replace the battery pack, make sure you have saved your information and connected the notebook to AC power. Leave the battery pack in place unless you are replacing it. If you remove the battery pack, keep it away from conductors such as metals and water. Contact between the conductors and battery pins may cause a short-circuit and permanent damage to the battery pack. To prevent data loss that may be caused by low battery, develop the habit of frequently saving your data to the hard drive or a diskette. Do not attempt to disassemble the battery pack. Maintaining When you install a new battery, fully charge and discharge the battery at least once and then fully charge the battery before you begin to use the battery power for the first time. Protect your notebook from extremes in temperature. (See Environmental Specifications in Appendix A for temperature range.) Do not store fully-charged battery packs in a bulk or in a densely packed condition, which may cause reduced charge capacity and useful battery life. Battery Operations 3-5

31 Low Battery Signals and Actions Low Battery occurs when the battery has approximately 10% of its charge remaining. The notebook gives warning beeps and the battery charge indicator ( ) blinks red to alert you to take action. Immediately save your data upon the Low Battery warning. The remaining operating time depends on how you are using the notebook: if you are using the audio subsystem, PC Card, hard or diskette drives, the battery may quickly deplete its charge. Always respond to the Low Battery warning by suspending your notebook to disk, turning off the notebook, or connecting the notebook to AC adapter. If you do not take any action, after two minutes the notebook will automatically suspend to disk and turn off. CAUTION: 1. If the suspend-to-disk partition does not exist on your hard drive or the Suspend-to-Disk item is not set in the Setup Configuration Utility, the notebook will not be able to suspend to disk. The notebook will continue to beep until you take action or until the battery runs out of charge. 2. If you are using a flash PC card, do not access the card during low battery periods. This is because the access may take longer than the time it takes the battery to run out of charge, thus making your access unsuccessful. 3. If you fail to save your data when the battery completely runs out of charge, you will lose your data. 3-6 Battery Operations

32 Chapter 4 System Expansion This chapter introduces the optional devices for your notebook provide instructions on how to install some of the devices. External Connections Connectors on the rear and side panels of the notebook allow you to connect external devices. See Figure 1-1 and Figure 1-3 for connector locations and the descriptions that follow. This section provides notes on using some of the connectors. Connecting an External Monitor If you want the benefits of a larger color display screen, you can connect an external VGA-compatible monitor to your notebook. Follow these steps to connect a monitor to your notebook: 1. Make sure that your monitor is configured for analog operation and that the voltage setting corresponds to that of the electrical outlet. Consult the monitor s manual for instructions. 2. Make sure the notebook is not turned on. 3. On the rear of the notebook, plug the monitor s D-type signal connector to the notebook s VGA port, marked as (Figure 1-3 #6). 4. Ensure power is properly connected to the external monitor. 5. To use the monitor, turn on the monitor before turning on the notebook. 6. The monitor should respond by default. If not, you can switch the display to the monitor by pressing [Fn]+[F5]. Supplied with your notebook are several video utilities and drivers that offer extended video modes. See Chapter 6 for additional information. System Expansion 4-1

33 Connecting an External Keyboard If you want the benefits of a full-size keyboard, you can connect a PS/2-compatible keyboard to your notebook. When an external keyboard is connected, you can use both the external keyboard and notebook keyboard at the same time. To use an external keyboard, plug the keyboard cable into the PS/2 mouse/keyboard port, marked as (Figure 1-3 #7), on the rear of the notebook. Connecting a Mouse If you want the benefits of an external mouse, you can connect a PS/2-compatible mouse or serial mouse to your notebook. When an external mouse is connected, the internal TouchPad remains functional. To use a PS/2 mouse, plug the mouse cable into the PS/2 mouse/keyboard port, marked as (Figure 1-3 #7), on the rear of the notebook. To use a serial mouse, follow these steps: 1. Make sure the COM Ports item is set properly in the Setup Configuration Utility (SCU) program. (See Components Menu in Chapter 5 for information.) 2. Make sure the notebook is not turned on or connected to AC power. 3. Plug the mouse cable into the serial port, marked as (Figure 1-3 #5) on the rear of the notebook. 4. Restart (reboot) the notebook, then install the mouse drivers from the manufacturer or select a compatible driver from the Windows Control Panel by clicking Start Settings Control Panel Add/Remove. Also, it may be necessary to restart the notebook and/or select a mouse driver from the Mouse icon in the Control Panel. 4-2 System Expansion

34 Connecting a Serial or Parallel Device On the rear of the notebook, you can find a serial port (COM1), marked as, and a parallel port, marked as. You can connect a serial device such as a serial mouse or modem, or a parallel device such as parallel printer, respectively. In addition to following the instructions supplied with the device, take note of the following: To use a serial device, make sure the COM Ports item is set properly in the SCU program. (See Components Menu in Chapter 5 for information.) To use a bi-directional or ECP/EPP-compliant parallel device, make sure that the LPT Port item is set accordingly in the SCU program. (See Components Menu in Chapter 5 for information.) Portable modems, which are powered by serial or parallel ports, cannot be used with your notebook. Instead, use a modem which is powered by its own internal battery or external AC power. Connecting an Infrared (IR )Device The IR port (Figure 1-1 #2) on the right side of the notebook allows you to connect an IR device for wireless communications. In addition to following the instructions supplied with the device, take note of the following: The IR port of the device to be connected must face the IR port of the notebook within the effective range, i.e. within ±15-degrees angle and 1-meter distance. Make sure the COM Ports and Ir Mode items are set properly in the SCU program. (See Components Menu in Chapter 5 for information.) To take advantage of the IR communications, you will need third party software. Connecting an Universal Serial Bus (USB) Device The USB port, marked as (Figure 1-3 #3), on the rear of the notebook allows you to connect an USB device. The USB is specified to be an industry standard extension to the PC architecture. It features a wide range of applications such as multiple connections (i.e., support for concurrent operation of many devices) and compound devices (i.e., peripherals composed of many functions). Follow the instructions supplied with the device. System Expansion 4-3

35 Internal Installation Installing a PC Card PC Cards, available in the market, provide various functions. Examples are memory cards, fax/modem cards, and PCMCIA Type III 1.8-inch hard drive. Contact your Compaq authorized dealer or reseller for a list of third party PC Cards qualified for this notebook. The PC Cards that conform to the PCMCIA 2.1 standard can be used with your notebook. CardBus is also supported by the PC Card slot. CardBus provides compatibility with 16-bit PC cards and extends performance and functionality by adding 32-bit data transfers, and by employing PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) concepts. Typical PC Cards that utilize CardBus are graphic video, full-motion video, SCSI host bus, and high speed network cards. To insert a PC Card: 1. Install the PCMCIA software. (See Chapter 6.) 2. Locate the PC Card slot on the left side of the notebook. Open the display to access the slot. 3. Slide the PC Card with its label facing up into the slot until the eject button pops out. (To remove a PC Card, press the eject button.) Figure 4-1. Installing a PC Card 4-4 System Expansion

36 See the documentation supplied with your PC Card for further instructions. Notebook Upgrade You can upgrade your notebook by adding memory for a maximum of 160MB (for 32MB models) or for a maximum of 192MB (for 64-MB models). However, to avoid damage during the installation procedure, follow the instructions included with the notebook or consult your Compaq authorized dealer or reseller for help. System Expansion 4-5

37 Chapter 5 Setup Configuration Utility This chapter provide instructions on how to configure your system using the Setup Configuration Utility (SCU). Introduction The SCU program allows you to configure the system BIOS settings. Those settings are vital for your notebook to identify the types of installed devices as well as to utilize special features. Typical menu items include date and time, the types of disk drives, and IDE settings. Special features include power saving and password settings. The settings information is stored in the CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) RAM, which is powered by a RTC backup battery. You may need to run SCU when: You see an error message on the screen requesting you to run SCU. You want to restore the factory default settings. You want to modify some specific settings. Starting the SCU Program The SCU program is built into the system board. To run SCU, press [F10] during system startup. The main SCU screen appears as shown in Figure 5-1. NOTE: 1. The SCU screen shots shown in this chapter are for your reference only. The actual items on your notebook may differ. 2. The SCU program may have been updated after the publication of this manual. Setup Configuration Utility 5-1

38 Startup Memory Disks Components Power Exit Floppy Drive A = 1.44 Mb Floppy Drive B = None CPU Clock = 350 MHz Hard Drive C = 2067 MB Hard Drive D = 0 MB Hard Drive E = 0 MB Hard Drive F = 0 MB Serial Port 1 = COM1, 3F8, IRQ 4 Base = 640 KB Serial Port 2 = COM2, 2F8, IRQ 3 Extended = KB Parallel Port = LPT1, Addr 378, IRQ 7 Shadow = 64 KB Reserved = 320 KB Total RAM = KB Cache (Ext) = 1024 KB Figure 5-1. Main SCU Screen The SCU screen is divided into three areas: On the top line of the screen is the menu bar, which lists the titles of the available menus. Each menu title contains a pull-down menu, which displays items for settings. The middle section of the screen displays current settings of the system. If you open a pull-down menu and select an item that provides multiple options, a submenu will pop up and let you make further selections. The bottom window provides alternative information. Normally it gives the keyboard/mouse instructions for moving around and making selections. When a menu item is highlighted, the window will provide more detailed description of the item. Moving Around and Making Selections You must go through two or three levels to complete the setting for an item. In most cases, there are three levels: menu title, pull-down menu, and submenu. To move around and make selections, you can use both the TouchPad/mouse and keyboard. Using the TouchPad/Mouse Using the TouchPad or mouse is recommended. It is more straightforward than using the keyboard. 5-2 Setup Configuration Utility

39 For most items, simply move the pointer with the TouchPad/mouse and left-click on the intended item. To cancel your selection, click the right button. For some items, you will need to select with the arrow keys. Setup Configuration Utility 5-3

40 Using the Keyboard Keyboard information can be found at the bottom of the screen. You can also use the shortcut key, which is highlighted in a different color on the screen. Described below is the general procedure to complete a setting by use of the keyboard: 1. Select a menu title with the left/right arrow key and press [Enter] to pull down the menu. You can directly pull down a menu by pressing [Alt] and the shortcut key. 2. From the pull-down menu, select an item with the up/down arrow key and press [Enter] to access the submenu or change the setting. The submenu displays further options that you can select. 3. For most menu items, pressing the [Tab] key will jump from one item to another, thus allowing you to go through the items quickly. To confirm the changes you make, press [Enter] or select the OK button. To cancel the changes, press [Esc] or select the Cancel button. Startup Menu The Startup pull-down menu, as shown below, contains some basic configuration and password settings of the system. Startup Date and Time Fast Boot Boot Device Set Admin password Set User Password 5-4 Setup Configuration Utility

41 The following tables describe in sequence all the items of the Startup menu. Date and Time The Date and Time item sets the system date and time. When this item is selected, the submenu will display as shown below. Day 17 Hour 12 Month 11 Minute 20 Year 1999 Second 01 Fast Boot The Fast Boot item, when enabled, speeds up the booting procedure by bypassing the memory test. When this item is selected, no submenu will display. A check mark ( ) indicates Enabled; an underline (_) indicates Disabled. The default setting is Enabled. Boot Device The Boot Device item sets the sequence of booting device. When this item is selected, the submenu will display as shown below. ( ) Hard Disk C ( ) Hard Disk C ( ) Hard Disk C ( ) CD-ROM Drive ( ) CD-ROM Drive ( ) CD-ROM Drive ( ) Diskette A ( ) Diskette A ( ) Diskette A The default setting is Diskette A CD-ROM Drive Hard Disk C. NOTE: If you set all booting options to the same device (say, Hard Disk C), then the notebook will try to boot from that device only. Setup Configuration Utility 5-5

42 Set Admin Password This item lets you set up administrator-level password. When this item is selected, the submenu will display as shown below. Enter old ADMIN password:..... Enter new ADMIN password:..... Verify new ADMIN password:..... [X] Boot System [X] Enter SCU You can directly enter the new password if no password has previously existed. If a password has been previously set up, you have to enter the correct old password before setting up a new one. In either case, you have to enter the new password twice to complete the setting. NOTE: 1. If you want to clear a previous password, you can enter the old password and leave the following fields blank. 2. The administrator password is required for booting and entering SCU, so the Verify password when setting can not be changed. Set User Password This item lets you set up user-level password. When this item is selected, the submenu will display as shown below. Enter old User password:..... Enter new User password:..... Verify new User password:..... [X] Boot System [ ] Enter SCU [ ] Resume System 5-6 Setup Configuration Utility

43 The procedure to set up the user password is the same as Set Admin Password. NOTE: 1. You can not set up the user password unless the administrator password has been set up. 2. If both the administrator and user passwords are set up, only one password is required to boot the system. 3. To modify the SCU settings, you have to enter the administrator password. The user password only allows you to browse the settings. 4. If the Resume System item is checked, the password is required only when the system is restored from Suspend-to-disk status. 5. When setting the user password, if you do not specify any Verify password when condition (i.e. no item is checked), the password will not be set up. Memory Menu The Memory pull-down menu, as shown below, allows you to change the settings for memory usage. Memory Cache Systems Cache Systems This menu item lets you to enable or disable the usage of the L2 cache memory. When this item is selected, the submenu will display as shown below. ( ) Disabled ( ) Enabled The default setting is Enabled. Setup Configuration Utility 5-7

44 Disks Menu The Disks pull-down menu contains settings which configure the diskette drive and hard drive of your system, as well as a Virus Alert option. Disks Internal FDC Diskette Drives Internal HDC IDE Settings _ Virus Alert The followings describe in sequence all the items of the Disks menu. Internal FDC The Internal FDC item sets if an internal floppy drive is present. When this item is selected, no submenu will display. A check mark ( ) indicates Enabled; an underline (_) indicates Disabled. The default setting is Enabled. Diskette Drives This item sets the type of the diskette drive. When this item is selected, the submenu displays as shown below. ( ) None ( ) 1.44 Mb The default setting is 1.44 Mb. Internal HDC The Internal HDC item sets if an internal hard drive is present. When this item is selected, no submenu will display. A check mark ( ) indicates Enabled; an underline (_) indicates Disabled. The default setting is Enabled. 5-8 Setup Configuration Utility