Acer AcerPower 2100 User manual

Chapter 1 - Getting Started 1-1
Chapter 1 Getting Started
1.1 Preinstallation
The preinstallation process involves the following activities:
•Selecting a site
•Unpacking components
1.1.1 Selecting a Site
Consider the following when selecting a site for your computer:
•Determine the best site for your system. Cable paths should not run near
equipment that might cause electromagnetic or radio frequency interference
such as radio transmitters, television sets, copy machines, or heating and air
conditioning equipment.
•Route cables away from personnel and equipment traffic.
•Avoid dusty areas and extremes of temperature and humidity.
1.1.2 Unpacking Components
Unpack the contents of each box carefully. Save all packing materials in case you
need to move or ship the system in the future.
Check that all items are present and in good condition. Contact your dealer
immediately if anything is missing or damaged.

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1.2 Features
The basic configuration consists of a system unit, a monitor, a keyboard, a CD-
ROM drive, a diskette drive, a fixed disk drive and a mouse.
1.2.1 Front Panel
Figure 1-1 shows the system unit front panel.
1. 3.5-inch floppy disk drive 6. Stop/Eject Button
2. 3.5-inch diskette drive eject
button 7. Skip/Forward Button 8. Power button
3. Volume control 9. Power/suspend indicator
4. Headphone/Earphone Port 10. Network active indicator
5. CD-ROM drive 11 Hard disk/message indicator
6. Stop/Eject Button
Figure 1-1 Front Panel
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1.2.2 Rear Panel
Figure 1-2 shows the system unit rear panel.
1. Game/MIDI port 9. USB Ports
2. Microphone-in port 10. Parallel port
3. Line-in port 11. Monitor/VGA Port
4. Line-out port 12. Add-on card brackets
5. Network port 13. Fan
6. PS/2 keyboard port 14. System power socket
7. PS/2 mouse Port 15. Power Switch
8. Serial port
Figure 1-2 Rear Panel
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1.3 Connecting System Components
Do not turn on the power until you finish connecting the system components.
The following sections show how to connect each component to the system.
1.3.1 Connecting the Keyboard
Plug the keyboard cable into the keyboard socket on the rear panel. See Figure 1-
3.
Figure 1-3 Connecting the Keyboard

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1.3.2 Connecting the Monitor
Plug the monitor signal cable into the VGA connector on the rear panel.
Figure 1-4 Connecting the Monitor

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1.3.3 Connecting the Mouse
Plug the mouse cable into the mouse connector on the rear panel.
Figure 1-5 Connecting the Mouse

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1.3.4 Connecting the Printer (Optional)
If you have a parallel printer, connect it to the parallel port on the rear panel. See
Figure 1-6.
Figure 1-6 Connecting the Parallel Printer
If you have a serial printer or other serial
peripheral, connect it to the serial port
(COM1).

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1.3.5 Complete System Connections
After connecting all the components, plug one end of the power supply cable into
the system power socket. Plug the other end of the power supply cable into a
wall outlet. Figure 1-7 shows the complete system connections.
Figure 1-7 Complete System Connections

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1.3.6 Connecting Multimedia Components (Optional)
Your system also supports optional multimedia features. Connect multimedia
components as shown in Figure 1-8.
Figure 1-8 Connecting Multimedia Components

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1.3.7 Connecting to the Network
You can connect your system to the network via the onboard RJ45 port.
Figure 1-9 Connecting to the Network

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1.3.8 Connecting the Fax/Modem (Optional)
Your system also supports the optional fax/modem feature. Connect the
telephone line and handset as shown in Figure 1-10.
Figure 1-10 Connecting the Telephone Line and Handset to the Fax/Modem

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1.3.9 Connecting USB Devices (Optional)
The USB ports on the rear panel enable the system to support additional serial
devices without using up your system resources.
To connect a USB device, simply plug the device cable into a USB port marked
on the rear panel. See the following figure:
Figure 1-11 Connecting USB Devices
Most USB devices have a built-in USB port which allows you to daisy-chain other
devices.

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1.4 Turning On Your Computer
After you have connected all peripherals and cables, follow these steps to turn on
your computer:
1. Turn on all peripherals connected to the system such as the monitor, printer,
fax, speakers, etc.
2. Press the power button located on the front of the system unit.
When the system finishes booting, the computer is ready for use.
1.5 Turning Off Your Computer
1. Turn off all peripherals connected to the system such as the monitor, printer,
fax, speakers, etc.
2. Press the power button located on the front of the system unit for at least four
seconds. Quickly pressing the button puts the system in Suspend mode only.
3. Unplug the system if you are going to do any of the following:
•not use the system for a long period of time
•open the system
•install system component(s)
Opening and installing components without
unplugging the system may result in serious
damage both to the system and the component.
Unplugging the system ensures that there is no
standby current on the system board. Not doing
so may damage your system.

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1.6 Troubleshooting
If you encounter a hardware problem, review the following suggestions before
calling for service.
General Failure
•Are all cables securely plugged in?
•Are all system components and peripherals turned on?
•Is the system main power switch on?
•Is the power outlet burned out? You may check this by plugging in and
turning on some other piece of equipment.
•Are any cables damaged? Are they properly routed and coiled? Entwined
cables may cause signal interference.
Front Panel Light Doesn't Work
•Check inside the system unit and make sure that the front panel LED
connector is correctly plugged in (refer to section 2.3 Jumpers and
Connectors).
"Garbage" or Nothing Appears on the Screen
•Is the monitor turned on? Is the screen brightness adjusted properly?
Never open the monitor case. The CRT monitor
retains very high voltage levels, even after the
power is turned off. Refer all monitor service to
qualified service technicians.

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Keyboard is Dead
•Is the keyboard cable plugged in? Turn off the system unit and plug in the
keyboard.
Do not plug or unplug the keyboard while the
power is on.
Printer Doesn't Work
•Is the printer power turned on?
•Is the printer cable connected to the correct port (serial or parallel)? Is the pin
signal interface correct?
•Are your application and the printer configured for the same operating
values? Be sure there is no conflict with any port and add-on card.
•Is the printer out of paper or jammed? Check the printer’s status indicator
lights.
•Are the printer cables tangled? To prevent signal interference, neatly fold or
coil excess cable length.
Add-on Card Fails Intermittently
•Do two add-on cards have conflicting addresses?
If You Receive an Error Message
•Read the corrective actions in Table 1-1 in section 1.7.

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1.7 Error Messages
In the event that you receive an error message, do not continue using the
computer. Note the message and take corrective action immediately. This
section describes the different types of error messages and suggests corrective
measures.
There are two general types of error messages:
•Software
•System
1.7.1 Software Error Messages
Software error messages are returned by your operating system or application.
These messages typically appear after you boot the operating system or when you
run your applications. If you receive this type of message, consult your
application or operating system manual for help.
1.7.2 System Error Messages
A system error message indicates a problem with the computer itself. These
messages normally appear during the power-on self-test, before the operating
system prompt appears. Table 1-1 lists the system error messages.

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Table 1-1 System Error Messages
Error Message Corrective Action
Bad CMOS Battery Replace battery. Contact your dealer.
CMOS Checksum
Error Run Setup. See Chapter 3.
Floppy Drive
Controller Error Check and connect the cable to the floppy drive or controller.
Floppy Drive Error Floppy may be bad. If not, check the
floppy drive and replace if necessary.
DRAM Configuration
Error Check and modify DRAM configuration to agree with Table 4-1.
Equipment
Configuration Error Run Setup. See Chapter 3.
Hard Disk Controller
Error Check and connect the cable to the hard disk drive or controller.
Hard Disk 0 (1, 2, 3)
Auto Detection
Failed
Replace the hard disk drive controller.
Check the HDD cable connections and
CMOS setup configuration.
I/O Parity Error Contact your dealer.
PS/2 Keyboard
Error or No
Keyboard
Connected
Check and connect the keyboard to the
system unit.
PS/2 Keyboard
Interface Error Contact your dealer.
Memory Error Check DIMMs on the system board.
Contact your dealer.
Memory Size
Mismatch Run Setup. See Chapter 3.

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Table 1-1 System Error Messages (continued)
Error Message Corrective Action
Onboard Serial 1 Conflict Run Setup and disable Onboard Serial
1. See Chapter 3.
Onboard Serial 2 Conflict Run Setup and disable Onboard Serial
2. See Chapter 3.
Onboard Parallel Port
Conflict Run Setup and disable Onboard Parallel Port. See Chapter 3.
PS/2 Pointing Device
Error Check or connect the pointing device. Contact your dealer.
PS/2 Pointing Device
Interface Error Contact your dealer.
Press F1 key to continue
or Ctrl-Alt-Esc for Setup Press or .
Press Esc to turn off
NMI, any key to reboot Press to disregard NMI error.
Press any key to reboot the system.
Protected Mode Test Fail Contact your dealer.
RAM BIOS Error Contact your dealer.
Real Time Clock Error Run Setup. See Chapter 3.
Shadow RAM Fail Contact your dealer.
System Memory Address
Error Check DIMMs on system board or contact your dealer.

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1.7.3 Correcting Error Conditions
As a general rule, the "Press F1 to continue" error message is caused by a
configuration problem which can be easily corrected. An equipment malfunction
is more likely to cause a fatal error, i.e., an error that causes complete system
failure.
Here are some corrective measures for error conditions:
1. Run Setup. You must know the correct configuration values for your system
before you enter Setup, which is why you should write these values down
when the system is correctly configured. An incorrect Setup configuration is
a major cause of power-on error messages, especially for a new system.
2. Remove the system cover according to the directions in the system housing
installation guide. Check that the system board and any expansion boards
are set correctly.
3. Check that all connectors and boards are secure. Consult the system housing
installation guide for assistance.
If you have purchased a new hard disk drive
and cannot access it, it may be because
your disk is not physically formatted.
Physically format the disk using the FDISK
and FORMAT commands.
If you follow the corrective steps above and still receive an error message, the
cause may be an equipment malfunction.
If you are sure that your configuration values are correct and your battery is in
good condition, the problem may lie in a damaged or defective chip. Contact an
authorized service center for assistance.