Acorn Computers Limited A300 Series User manual

Installing the network card – A5000
(also A300-series, A440 & A400/1-series)
The minimum system requirements are 2MB of RAM and the RISC OS 3 (Version 3.10 or later) operating system. Note that 300-
series and 440 (not 440/1) Archimedes must be upgraded with MEMC1A to work with the network interface card.
To fit the network interface card you will have to remove the cover of the computer and one of the blanking plates at the rear of
the machine. Acorn Computers Limited cannot accept any liability for damage done to the product during the installation of
internal upgrades, whether or not carried out in accordance with these instructions. If you don't feel confident about carrying out
any of these instructions, ask your supplier to fit the upgrade for you (a charge may be levied by the supplier for installing any
upgrades; such a charge shall be entirely at the discretion of the supplier concerned).
On 300-series (305, 310), 440s and 400/1-series
Archimedes computers, the top cover is held in place
by three screws at the top rear, and one screw on
either side of the cover, towards the front. These must
be removed before the cover can be slid off. (On some
early Archimedes you will need to adjust the position
of the backplate on the card to ensure that when the
card is installed and bolted in place, the connector is
seated correctly and the backplane vertical.)
Turn the computer back onto its base again. Slide the
top cover back towards the rear of the computer, then
remove it completely.
Some models of A5000 have a metal EMC case shield
which fits over the inner case. To remove this, unscrew
the five fixing screws on the righthand side of the
computer, as seen from the rear. The shield has
interleaved tabs which fit around the edges of the
case. Slide the shield off the computer carefully; there
is a hole on the top to help you slide the shield off by
inserting a screwdriver.
Before you start
You'll need a small Pozidriv screwdriver, and a firm, flat,
surface to work on. The surface should be free from static
electricity. A towel spread on a worktop would be ideal.
Removing the top cover
Before removing the top cover of the computer
1 switch off the computer
2 remove the power lead from the wall
socket.
Do not reconnect the power lead to the wall
socket until you have replaced the cover of the
computer.
Do not make any adjustments inside the
computer while the power lead is connected to
the wall socket.
Preparation
Make sure that the hard disc drive heads are parked before
moving the computer. To park them, just choose Shutdown
from the Task manager menu.
Removal procedure
Switch off and disconnect the computer from the
mains supply, then switch off and disconnect all
peripherals (including the keyboard).
Place the computer on the work surface and turn it
over so that it rests on its top cover.
Remove all six screws holding the metal cover in
place; store them somewhere safe:
Published by Acorn Technical Publications Department. Copyright © 1993, 1994 Acorn Computers Limited
Part number 0484,461. Issue 2, January 1994

Fitting the network interface card
IMPORTANT: STATIC ELECTRICITY WARNING
Most electronic devices can be damaged by static electricity. To
reduce the possible adverse effects of static electricity, note the
following points when installing any component(s) or upgrade:
• avoid working in areas where there are man-made fibres, such
as nylon carpets and nylon clothing
• after the computer is disconnected from the mains, touch the
metalwork of the case while performing the upgrade to ensure
that you and the computer are at an equal potential
• avoid touching the pins on the card during fitting.
The card plugs into a vertical backplane, which has two upper
and two lower slots. These correspond to the two full-width
blanking plates fitted to the back of the A5000. Each
blanking plate is held in place by two screws, one at each
end.
Choose the expansion card slot you are going to use,
and remove the corresponding blanking plate by
unscrewing the two screws holding the plate in position.
As the plate on the rear of the network interface card
does not extend the full width of the machine, you are
supplied with a blanking plate along with a T-piece
and two screws. Use these to make the card up to the
full width of the machine (unless of course there is
already another expansion card in the computer
alongside filling the gap).
Once you have made the card backplate up to the
correct width, you can install it in the computer.
To fit the network interface card, support the
backplane firmly with one hand and push the
connector on the card into one of the sockets on the
backplane.
The connector should be securely seated, i.e. the rear
plate of the expansion card should be flush with the
rear of the computer case. It is important that you
offer the expansion card up to the backplane at right
angles to it and that you align the connectors; otherwise,
you may bend the pins or break or disconnect the
backplane itself. It does not require great force to
install the expansion card correctly. If the expansion
card will not seat easily, remove the expansion card and
try again.
Reassembly
Once the expansion card has been correctly installed,
replace the top cover of the computer, following the
disassembly instructions in the reverse order.
Once the computer has been reassembled, and set up in
accordance with the Welcome Guide, switch it on. Press F12 to
get to the command line, then type *Podules and press Return.
The computer should indicate the presence of the interface card
in one of the Podule (card) slots, and give its Ethernet address.
If it does not, check your installation; if it still does not,
consult your supplier.
It is strongly recommended that any Acorn
Access network consisting of more than six
computers or extending to more than one room
is separately earthed at one point.
Make sure that network cable is always kept
away from mains wiring.
For the correct method of earthing, consult
your dealer.