Acorn A4 Operating and safety instructions

Acorn A4
Welcome Guide

Acorn A4
Welcome Guide

ii

Welcome to the Acorn A4 computer!
If you are already part of the Acorn family, you will quickly see that this powerful and
innovative portable computer has all the quality and features you've come to
expect. If you are new to Acorn, you are joining a family now well over a million
strong, who recognise the benefits offered by our Acorn products. Either way, you
will be impressed by the A4's portability, which means you can use it almost anywhere
you like — at home, in the office, in the classroom, on the train — the possibilities are
endless.
If you have comments on any aspect of our product or service, please contact your
supplier, who has full support from Acorn itself. It is with the help of such feedback
that we have been able to develop your new Acorn A4 computer.
To help us provide you with the best service, please complete and return the enclosed
Owner Registration Form. This enables us to keep our valued and growing family of
users informed about new developments. You are not of course obliged to answer all
the questions, should you prefer to leave any of them blank.
This guide introduces the Acorn A4 computer to you, and tells you how to get
going. It doesn't matter if you haven't used a computer before — the system is easy
to use, and you need learn only a few simple techniques to start with. You can pick
up the details as you go along.
Once you have mastered the basic techniques described in this guide, the RISC OS 3
User Guide and the RISC OS 3 Applications Guide also supplied will help you to get
the best out of your computer and answer many other questions you may have
about how the computer works.
The Portable Handbook is a conveniently-sized reference guide that you can carry
more easily with your computer. It contains brief reminders of some of the
techniques you will learn in this guide, along with more detailed information to
which you may need to refer, when you want to add a printer, for example.
Managing Director
Acorn Computers Limited
III

Copyright © 1992 Acorn Computers Limited. All rights reserved.
Published by Acorn Computers Technical Publications Department.
No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted, in any form or by any means,
electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, or stored in any retrieval system of
any nature, without the written permission of the copyright holder and the publisher, application
for which shall be made to the publisher.
This product is not intended for use as a critical component in life support devices or any
system in which failure could be expected to result in personal injury.
The product described in this manual and products for use with it are subject to continuous
development and improvement. All information of a technical nature and particulars of the
product and its use (including the information and particulars in this manual) are given by Acorn
Computers Limited in good faith. However, Acorn Computers Limited cannot accept any liability
for any loss or damage arising from the use of any information or particulars in this manual, or
any incorrect use of the products. All maintenance and service on the product must be carried out
by Acorn Computers' authorised dealers or Approved Service Centres. Acorn Computers Limited
can accept no liability whatsoever for any loss or damage caused by service, maintenance or
repair by unauthorised personnel.
If you have any comments on this manual, please complete the form at the back of the manual,
and send it to the address given there.
Acorn supplies its products through an international distribution network. Your supplier is
available to help resolve any queries you may have.
Within this publication, the term 'BBC' is used as an abbreviation for 'British Broadcasting
Corporation'
ACORN and ECONET are trademarks of Acorn Computers Limited
Apple is a trademark of Apple Computer Inc.
Atari is a trademark of Atari Corporation
PostScript is a trademark of Adobe Systems Inc.
Centronics is a trademark of Centronics Data Computer Corporation
Citizen is a trademark of Citizen Watch Co. Ltd. Japan
Eizo is a trademark of Eizo Corporation
NEC is a trademark of NEC Limited
Panasonic is a trademark of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd
Philips is a trademark of Philips Electronics Ltd
Taxan is a trademark of Kaga Electronics Co. Ltd
All other trademarks are acknowledged.
Note: Various third party monitors and other peripheral equipment are depicted or described in
this Guide. The illustration or description of these or any other third party equipment does not
imply any recommendation or endorsement by Acorn Computers Limited, and users must satisfy
themselves as to the suitability of any peripheral equipment (including monitors) on advice from
the equipment supplier.
Published by Acorn Computers Limited
ISBN 1 85250 100 6
Part number 0490,050
Issue I, April 1992
iv

Guidelines for safe operation
The equipment described in this guide is designed and manufactured to comply with international safety
standards and is intended for use only as a portable computer. It must not be used for other purposes. It is
most important that unpacking and operation is carried out in accordance with the instructions given in this
guide. In the interests of continued safe and reliable operation, observe the following guidelines:
• Keep the machine at a room temperature of +5°C to +35°C (+41° to +95° Fahrenheit) and a relative
humidity of 10% to 80% (non-condensing). As a rough guide, if you feel much too hot, cold or humid,
the conditions are probably too extreme for the computer as well. When moving the computer between
environments of different temperature or humidity, allow the computer to adapt to the new conditions
before using it.
• Avoid sudden extremes in temperature, exposure to direct sunlight, heat sources (such as an electric
fan heater) or rain.
• Ensure that any wires and cables are routed sensibly so that they cannot be snagged or tripped over
Don't tug or twist any wires or cables, or use them to hang or lift the unit.
• Make sure you have read and understood any installation instructions supplied with upgrade kits
before attempting to fit them. If you have any doubts, contact your supplier
• Keep the plastic bags contained in the packaging away from children.
• Switch off and unplug the power supply unit and any accessories and remove the battery pack before
opening the unit Ito install an upgrade. for example).
• This equipment is designed only to be used with the power adaptor supplied with it.
• DON'T put your computer through X-ray security equipment or metal detectors at an airport — get it
checked by hand. Don't check it in as baggage
• DON'T attempt to open any display or monitor unit or the power adaptor unit, whether supplied
with the equipment or not.
• DON'T bend. twist or hit the display Wei Of slam it shut — it is one of the more delicate items in the
computer. If the display panel does break. don't ingest any material that leaks from it. Wash off any
leaked material that comes into contact with skin or clothes with soap and water
• DON'T spill liquids on the equipment. If liquid does spill, turn the equipment off immediately,
remove the battery pack and take it to your supplier for assessment.
• DON'T obstruct or poke objects through the ventilation openings in the computer casing or the power
supply, or cover them with anything.
• DON'T place any heavy objects on top of the computer.
If the mains plug supplied with the power supply unit is not suitable for the power supply in your country,
please consult your supplier.
UK information
As the colours of the cores in the AC power lead of this equipment may not correspond to the coloured
markings identifying the terminals in your plug, proceed as follows:
• The core which is coloured green and yellow must be connected to the terminal in the plug which is
coloured green and yellow, or is marked by the letter E or by the earth symbol .
• The core which is coloured blue must be connected to the terminal that is coloured black or marked
with the letter N.
• The core which is coloured brown must be connected to the terminal which is coloured red or marked
with the letter L.
The mains lead supplied with the power supply unit is already fitted with a moulded plug incorporating a 5A
fuse. If it does not fit your socket-outlet, the plug should be removed from the mains lead and safely disposed
of. The flexible cord insulation should then be stripped back as appropriate. A suitable alternative plug should
then be fitted. If the replacement plug is intended to take a fuse, then a 5A fuse must be used.
If you need to replace the fuse in the mains plug supplied, then you must use a 5A fuse ASTA-approved to
BS1362.
Never use mains plugs with the fuse carrier omitted. In the event of the loss of the fuse carrier, either replace
with a carrier of the same type and manufacturer or replace the moulded plug with another mains plug,
wired as detailed above.
V

Guarantee (valid in UK only)
This equipment is guaranteed by Acorn Computers Limited ("ACORN") against mechanical and
electrical defects subject to the conditions set out below.
Note
Items which by their nature or design only have a restricted life are not guaranteed beyond such life.
Period of validity
This guarantee shall be valid for a period of twelve (12) months from the date of purchase.
Other conditions
1 This guarantee is personal to the original purchaser, is not transferable and shall not be valid
unless the equipment was purchased from ACORN or from an approved ACORN supplier.
2 This guarantee will be invalidated if the equipment is misused or damaged or is modified in any way
without the written consent of ACORN or if any original component or accessory has been replaced by
any component or accessory of a type not recommended or approved by ACORN, or if operated other
than in accordance with the Welcome Guide, Portable Handbook and RISC OS 3 User Guide.
3 Any claims made under this guarantee must whenever possible be made through the supplier from
whom the equipment was originally purchased. If this is not possible a claim may be made to any other
approved ACORN supplier appointed by ACORN to service the equipment (a list of whom can be
supplied on application). This guarantee together with proof of the date of purchase must be produced
when any claim is made. Any costs of carriage to and from the supplier must be paid by the purchaser.
4 If ACORN agrees with the supplier that the equipment should be forwarded to ACORN for repair then
ACORN will arrange for collection and return of the equipment at no charge. In all other cases the
supplier will be responsible for effecting any necessary repairs in accordance with ACORN's service
policy. Any repairs under this guarantee will be carried out at no cost to the original purchaser.
5 If any equipment returned is found to comply with its original specification ACORN reserves the right
to charge a reasonable fee for testing the equipment and for return carriage.
6 The liability of ACORN under this guarantee shall be limited to the cost of repair or complete
replacement (at ACORN's discretion) of equipment which proves to be defective.
7 ACORN does not accept liability for any loss or damage during transit to or from the supplier or
ACORN, but every effort will be made to investigate claims of loss or damage if these arise.
THIS GUARANTEE DOES NOT AFFECT OR PREJUDICE THE PURCHASER'S STATUTORY RIGHTS
Guarantee procedure
To claim under this guarantee, proof of date of purchase is required. This is provided by your copy of the
invoice from the supplier from whom the equipment was originally purchased. Keep the invoice safe and
produce it to support any claim you may make under this guarantee.
You may find it useful to make a note in the box below of the serial number, date of purchase and
details of any upgrades you fit, and quote them in any correspondence.
vi

Documentation roadmap
This roadmap will help you decide which tools and manuals you will need, as you
start to use your Acorn A4 computer and develop your skills.
vii

Contents
Unpacking 1
Describes what you should find when you open the box containing your
computer.
Getting started 3
Explains how to connect everything together and switch on.
The RISC OS desktop 7
Introduces the features of the RISC OS desktop.
Using the mouse 9
Describes what the mouse does, and how to use it.
Windows 13
Explains the principles of working within windows.
Menus 21
Explains how menus work within the RISC OS desktop.
Discs and disc drives 25
Tells you about floppy disc drives and hard disc drives.
Using the keyboard 33
Introduces the keyboard and some of its features.
Using applications 41
Tells you how to start running applications.
Files and directories 45
Introduces the desktop filing system.
Printing 53
Gets you started using a printer.
Power considerations 59
Tells you about the computer's battery and the power adaptor.
On the move 67
Gives you some advice on travelling with your computer.
Switching off the computer 71
Tells you how to switch off your computer after you've finished using it.
If things go wrong 73
Offers solutions to some common problems you might encounter.
Glossary 77
Defines computer jargon used in this guide. Terms explained in the Glossary
are printed in italics the first time they appear in the text.
Index 85
VIII

Unpacking
Unpacking
Checklist
This chapter tells you about unpacking your computer.
Unpack your computer on a flat surface — either on the floor, or on a table where
there's plenty of room for the carton as well as for the computer. Take everything
out of the carton, making sure you don't break the packaging material, as you may
need this later.
Warning: the packaging contains plastic bags which can be dangerous to young
children. Please keep them out of their reach.
Check that you have received all the items shown below. If you don't have all of these
items, or if any of them appear damaged, notify your supplier immediately.
1

Checklist
If you have bought any peripheral equipment to attach to your computer, such as a
printer, check that your supplier has provided the correct cables (see Connecting
printers and modems in the Portable Handbook if you're not sure).
Complete the Owner Registration Form and post it back to Acorn (purchasers outside
the UK should send it to their local supplier or national distributor). This will enable
us to inform you of new products and upgrades to your computer as they become
available.
Put all the packing back into the carton and put it away somewhere safe. If you ever
have to take the computer back to your supplier, you must pack it back into the
original carton.
2

Getting started
This chapter tells you how to set up and use the computer for the first time.
Before you start, please make sure you've read the Guidelines for safe operation
in the front of this guide.
Important! The battery pack is normally shipped in an almost discharged state. It is
important that you follow the steps in this chapter when using the computer for the first
time
Connect the power supply
Although your computer is designed to be used without being connected to an external
power supply, the first time you use it you need to charge the battery pack fully. There'
s more information on the computer's rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries in Power
considerations on page 59.
For now, just follow these instructions:
1 Check computer's power switch is OFF
The power ON/OFF switch for the computer is
on the front edge.
Make sure the switch is in the OFF position.
2 Fit battery pack to computer
The battery pack slides into the empty
compartment on the lefthand side of the
computer.
Slide the battery pack in until you hear it click
into place, flush with the edge of the computer
case.
3

Connect mouse to computer
3 Connect power adaptor to computer
The power adaptor (known simply as the 'adaptor')
has two cables: one connects to the power outlet
on the wall, the other to the computer.
Note: This equipment is designed only to be
used with the power adaptor supplied.
Connect the two cables as shown in the picture on
the right.
Don't switch on the power supply yet.
Connect mouse to computer
Take the mouse out of its plastic bag. The mouse
has a straight cable with a plug on the end of it.
This goes into the mouse socket on the righthand
side of the computer.
If the plug has an arrow moulded into it, this
should be uppermost when you push it in. The
plug won't go in any other way, so don't try to
force it.
Using the mouse on page 9 tells you what a mouse
is, and how to use it.
Open the computer's lid
To open the lid, press the two snap locks (one on
each side of the computer) and raise the lid by
lifting its front edge.
Switch on the power
1 Switch on adaptor
Turn on the adaptor at the outlet on the wall.
The computer's PSU activity indicator should glow
green to indicate that AC power is on, and the
battery indicator will glow amber, showing that the
battery is charging. PSU (power supply unit) is
another name for the adaptor.
4

Getting started
2 Switch on computer
Press the computer's ON/OFF switch on the
side marked Ito switch the computer on.
The computer's O/I indicator should glow green
to indicate that the computer is on.
Check the screen display
The computer first performs some self-tests (you
might notice the floppy disc drive light flash
briefly). After a few seconds you'll see an
introductory message on the LCD screen.
After a few more seconds, you should have a
picture on your screen, looking like this:
If the display does not look similar to that shown
here, see If things go wrong on page 73. If you
want to know what all the things on the screen
are, see The RISC OS desktop on page 7.
If you're having trouble seeing the screen, try
adjusting the brightness or contrast controls.
Charge the batteries
The most important thing you need to do next is charge the computer's rechargeable
battery pack fully. This takes around eight hours, so you can leave it charging
overnight, if you wish.
You can, however, start using the computer while this is going on, if you want to. See
What next? on page 6.
When you've had enough, just switch the computer off at the ON/OFF switch and
close the lid (later on, when you've been using your computer a while, you'll find that
it's better to follow the instructions in Switching off the computer on page 71). Leave
the adaptor plugged into the computer and switched on and the battery pack will
carry on charging. Switch the adaptor off after 10 hours (although no harm will result
if you leave it on for longer than this).
5

What next?
What next?
Motorway route!
Now you're ready to begin using your computer. If you're familiar with computers and
you want to start doing something right away, start by trying out some of the computer'
s own applications. For example, play a tune with !Maestro (this will sound much better
if you listen through a pair of walkman-type headphones – see Headphones connector
on page 44 of the Portable Guide):
1If the computer is fitted with a hard disc,
click on the hard disc drive icon. Otherwise
put the Applications disc into the floppy
drive and click on the floppy drive icon.
2 Double-click on the App2 directory.
3 Double-click on Maestro's icon, then on
the Tunes directory.
4 Double-click on Fanfare (for example).
5 Click Menu over Fanfare's window, turn
up the Volume and click on Play (click on it
again to stop!).
Don't despair if the above description sounds like it's written in a foreign language
– just take the scenic route instead, and you'll pick up the jargon as you go.
Scenic route!
1Use the rest of this guide to get used to the RISC OS desktop, and to learn how to
drive the computer efficiently. You'll need to know the basics explained here,
whatever you use the computer for later, although you can probably do without this
guide after a couple of weeks.
2 Try using some more of the programs supplied with your computer – they're
described in the RISC OS 3 Applications Guide.
If you come unstuck or forget how to do something, refer to the Portable Guide. It'
s a handy quick-reference that you can carry around with you (it also contains
hardware information that you may need later on).
Check in the RISC OS 3 User Guide if you need more detailed information on a
particular topic or technique.
3 Ask your supplier what other applications are available to suit your particular
purpose.
6

The RISC OS desktop
An introduction to the desktop environment of RISC OS.
The RISC OS desktop
RISC OS is the name of the operating system of your computer, which controls the
way the computer appears to you, and how it does other things. There's more on this
subject in the RISC OS User Guide, if you're interested.
By now, you should have successfully powered up your computer, and be able to see
the RISC OS desktop on your screen.
The desktop is your working area. At first it is clear, except for the bar across the
bottom of the screen. As you perform tasks and use applications, things will be
added to the desktop. You can move them around, change their size, hide and
remove them to make room for others.
Icons
The pictures in the lower margin of the screen represent the tools and storage devices
available. They are called icons. The area they occupy is called the icon bar.
(Your icon bar may have more icons on the lefthand side — see overleaf).
7

Device icons
Device icons
The icons on the left of the icon bar represent the devices which are available – that is,
the discs and other places where you can load information from, and save it to. At least
one will appear on the icon bar:
Floppy disc drive. The computer uses 3.5 inch floppy discs, which you put into the
slot in the righthand side of the computer. Floppy discs are described in Discs and
disc drives on page 25.
Hard disc drive (if fitted). There is more about hard discs in Discs and disc drives
on page 25.
Net (if fitted). If your computer is fitted with an Econet local area network interface,
there will also be an Econet icon.
Apps. Gives you access to some useful applications which are permanently stored in
the computer's read-only memory (ROM).
Applications icons
The pointer
On the righthand side are the applications icons. These represent things you can do,
such as word-processing and drawing programs. Initially there are only three:
Palette. The palette enables you to change the grey scales on the screen, or colours if
you are using a monitor, and to set the screen mode (see MonitorType and screen
modes on page 32 of the Portable Handbook for more information).
Task manager. The Task manager enables you to look at and control the allocation of
your computer's memory, amongst other things. More information on this is given in
the RISC OS User Guide in the chapter entitled Fine tuning the configuration.
BatMgr. This is described in Power considerations on page 59.
Any other applications which you load will normally be represented by icons on the
righthand side of the icon bar.
The arrow on the screen is the pointer. Use it to point at things you want to use or
move.
You move the pointer across the screen by moving the mouse, or using the FN and
cursor keys (see Hotkeys on page 35).
There are other types of pointer, which you will come across as you become more
familiar with your computer.
8

Using the mouse
Thischaptertellsyouhowtousethemousetoselectandmovethingsdisplayed1onthe
screen. It also describes an alternative to using the mouse, if you've not got room.
What's a mouse?
The mouse is one way of interacting with the computer. As you move the mouse on a
flat surface, so the pointer moves around on the screen. Using the mouse and its three
buttons you can control what the computer does.
If you haven't got the space to use the mouse, see An alternative to the mouse on
page 12.
Holding the mouse
Hold the mouse with the cable away from you so that your fingers rest easily on the
three buttons. If you are right-handed, you should hold it like this:
Move the mouse around and watch the pointer move around the screen. If you run out of
space to move the mouse, lift it up and put it down again in a more convenient position.
While the mouse is lifted, the pointer will not move, and when you put it down again
you can carry on where you left off.
Use the mouse on a smooth but non-slippery surface.
The mouse will not work well on painted metal or highly varnished surfaces.
9

The mouse buttons
The mouse buttons
The mouse has three buttons, known as Select, Menu and Adjust:
The Select button is used most of the time to select icons displayed on the screen, or to
choose from menus.
The Menu button makes a menu appear. Menus are described in Menus on page 21.
The Adjust button does a variety of things, mostly useful variants of what the Select
button does. Keeping a menu on the screen on page 23 includes one instance, and the
RISC OS 3 User Guide describes many more.
Mouse techniques
The following mouse techniques are all you need to start using your computer:
clicking – pressing the mouse button just once and then releasing it immediately.
double-clicking – pressing and releasing twice in quick succession. This is used to
initiate an action, or to load an application, for example.
dragging – moving an object from one place to another whilst holding down the
Select (or Adjust) button.
Clicking and dragging techniques are summarised on the following pages.
10