Altos 580 Manual

COMPUTER SYSTEMS
ALTOS 580
Computer System
Operators Guide
Part Number: 690-13890-003 January 1984

ALTOS 588 COMPUTER SYSTEM
OPERATOR'S GUIDE
Altos Computer Systems
2641 Orchard Parkway
San Jose, CA 95134
THE INFORMATION IN THIS DOCUMENT IS SUBJECT TO
CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. NEW EDITIONS OF THIS
DOCUMENT WILL INCORPORATE CHANGES AS THEY ARE
PUBLISHED.
Copyright ©1984. All rights reserved. Altos Computer Systems.
ALTOS Manual Number: 698-13898-883 January 1984

ACKR01fLEDGBIlBRTS
ALTOS is a registered trademark of Altos Computer
Systems.
CP/M is a registered trademark, and MP/M II is a
trademark of Digital Research, Inc.
OASIS is a trademark of Phase One Systems, Inc.
Z80 is a trademark of Zilog, Inc.

FEDERAL OOIIIlURICATIOliS COIUlISSIOli lIO'.rICB
WARlIIlIG
This equipaent generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency
energy and, if not insta11ed and used in accordance with the
instructions aanua1, aay cause interference to radio co •• unica-
tions. It has been tested and found to coap1y with the 1iaits
for a C1ass A co.puting device pursuant to Subpart J of Part 15
of FCC Ru1es, which are designed to provide reasonab1e protection
against such interference when operated in a co •• ercia1 environ-
aent. Operation of this equipaent in a residentia1 area is 1ike1y
to cause interference in which case the user, at his own expense,
wi11 be required to take whatever aeasures aay be required to
correct the interference.
VIDEO 1I01IIma IB'.tBRFERBRCB lIOTICB
If you are not using an A1tos teraina1 with your 5-1/4 inch A1tos
Co.puter Syste., disk errors can occur when the teraina1 is
p1aced within 12 inches of the disk drive unit. Signa1s gene-
rated by so.e 10w cost ter.ina1s so.etiaes cause these errors.
This is an industry-wide prob1ea and is not unique to A1tos'
co.pater syste.s.
Tbe prob1e. is easi1y s01ved, however, siap1y aove your ter.ina1
at 1east 12 inches away froa the disk drive unit. Data fi1es can
be restored by f0110wing your operating syste.·s backup and
restore procedure.

PREFACE:
INTRODUCTION:
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABOUT THIS MANUAL
USING THIS MANUAL v
DOCUMENTATION CONVENTIONS viii
CHANGING INVALID DATA ix
OTHER INFORMATION AVAILABLE x
Altos Family of Related Manuals x
Other Vendor Manuals x
1. ABOUT YOUR ALTOS COMPUTER
INTRODUCTION 1-1
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE ALTOS 580 1-2
What the Altos 580 Does 1-2
How the Altos 580 Works 1-2
BASIC HARDWARE 1-3
What Is a CPU? 1-3
What Is a Terminal? 1-4
What Is a Printer? 1-5
Putting It All Together 1-6
UNDERSTANDING COMPUTERS 1-7
2. ABOUT SOFTWARE
SOFTWARE CATEGORIES 2-1
SYSTEM VERIFICATION (DIAGNOSTICS) 2-2
OPERATING SYSTEMS 2-3
TWO CATEGORIES OF OPERATING SYSTEMS 2-4
SINGLE-USER ONLY OPERATING SYSTEMS 2-4
Control Program Monitor (CP/M) 2-4
MULTI-USER OPERATING SYSTEMS 2-4
Multi-Program Monitor (MP/M II) 2-5
OASIS 2-6
UTILITIES 2-7
LANGUAGES 2-8
COMl-1UNICATIONS 2-8
APPLICATION PROGRAMS 2-8
3 • ABOUT OPTIONS
DESCRIPTION OF THE OPTIONAL UPGRADE
KIT (UK-10) HARD DISK UPGRADE 3-2
KIT (UK-40) HARD DISK UPGRADE 3-2
KIT (MTU-6) NAGNETIC TAPE UNIT 3-2
4. CUSTOMER-SUPPLIED ITEMS
i

SEftIRG UP:
OPERATIRG
IRSmUc.rIORS:
TABLE OF CORTElftS
5. SEftIRG UP
SELECTING A COMPUTER SITE 5-2
A COMPLETE ALTOS 580 SYSTEM 5-4
Items Purchased from Altos 5-4
The User Supplies 5-4
6. COBRBc.rIRG mE TBRllIIIAL
Connecting the Cable
Connecting to Power
Selecting Switch Settings
7. CONNBCTIRG mE PRIRTER
Connecting the Serial Printer
6-1
6-1
6-3
Cable 7-1
Connecting the Parallel Printer
Cable 7-2
Connecting to Power 7-2
Selecting Switch Settings on
Serial Printers 7-2
8. mRRIRG OR YOUR SYSftll
PREPARING THE SYSTEM 8-1
TURNING ON POWER TO THE ALTOS 580 8-2
9. BARDLIRG FLOPPY DISKBftBS
Diskette Insertion
Diskette Write-Protection
Saving Original Diskettes
Labelling Diskettes
Storing Diskettes
Further Reading
11. ftSTIRG THB SYSTEII
9-1
9-2
9-2
9-2
9-2
9-3
SYSTEM TESTS 10-1
AUTOMATIC SYSTEM TESTING 10-2
OPERATOR TESTING 10-3
AN OVERVIEW OF THE DIAGNOSTIC PROGRAM 10-4
Summary of Diagnostics and
Utilities 10-5
11. mOIRG OFF YOUR SYSTBII
ii

MAIN'.rENANCE :
APPENDIXES:
12. PREVEH'.rIVE MAIlITBNAIICB
13. TROUBLESBOO"l'IRG PROCEDURES
USER TROUBLE-SHOOTING PROCEDURES 13-1
TERMINAL 13-1
No Screen Display 13-1
No Cursor Display 13-2
No Response to Keyboard Input 13-2
POWER UP 13-3
No Fan 13-3
No Floppy Diskette Drive Light 13-3
PRINTER 13-4
No Response 13-4
Interruptions 13-4
DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES ERROR 13-5
OPERATING SYSTEM ERRORS 13-5
CLOSE-DOWN ERRORS 13-5
PROGRAM ERRORS 13-5
14. MONITOR ERROR MESSAGES
A. SYS'.rEM SPECIFICATIONS
SYSTEM CONFIGURATIONS A-I
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE ALTOS 580 A-2
FEATURES AND CAPABILITIES A-3
POWER SUPPLY IDENTIFICATION
CONVENTIONS A-4
B. WARRANTY INFORMATION
WARRANTY B-1
SHIPPING DAMAGE INSPECTION B-3
REPAIR AND SERVICE PROCEDURES B-4
ALTOS FACTORY REPAIR PROCEDURES B-5
C. CABLES, TERKIBALS, ABD PRDI'.rER
INTERFACE CONFIGURATIONS
INTERFACE CONFIGURATIONS C-1
TERMINALS C-2
RS-232C Terminal Cabling C-2
Standard Terminal Connection C-4
SERIAL PRINTERS C-6
PARALLEL PRINTERS C-7
iii

TABLE OF CONTENTS
GLOSSARY
IRDEX
FIGURES
1-1 Typical Altos 580 'with
Terminal(s), Printer vi
5-1 Diagram of Computer Site 5-3
6-1 Altos 580 Front and Rear Panels 6-2
9-1 Diskette Handling 9-4
C-l Male Connector, RS-232C Cable C-3
TABLES
C-l
C-2
C-3
C-4
RS-232C Pinning Instructions
Altos to Anadex (Serial)
Altos to Epson MX80 FIT (Serial)
Parallel (Centronics) Interface
Connector
iv
C-4
C-6
C-6
C-7

Preface:
About This Manual
USING THIS MANUAL
This manual introduces you to the Al tos 580 computer
system. It guides you through the steps for setting
up and installing your computer system. Other manuals
in this set will give you complete details of the
operating system and applications software, such as
the word processing package, business packages, and
communications.
To use this manual most effectively, follow these
steps:
1. Read this Preface to learn how to enter data and
make corrections from your terminal keyboard, and
for referral to additional sources of information.
2. Follow the instructions for setting up in Chapter
5.
3. Connect your terminal(s) in accordance with direc-
tions in Chapter 6.
v

INTELLIGENT OR DUMB TERMINAL
ALTOS 580
ASCII-TYPE KEYBOARD
DOT MATRIX TYPE ____ ...... ~
PRINTER (SERIAL CONNECTOR)
Figure 1-1: Typical Altos 58. with TerlBina1(s),
Printer
vi

4. Follow instructions in Chapter 7 for connecting
printers. For specific details on printer func-
tions, see the appropriate Operating System
Manual.
5. Read Chapter 8 for instructions about turning on
the system.
6. Read Chapter l~ for information on the automatic
test procedure which runs when the system is
turned on. When the tests described in this sec-
tion have been completed, you are then ready to
install the operating system. Refer to the Opera-
ting System Manual for the next steps.
One of three operating systems (MP/M II, CP/M or
OASIS) can be installed. Each of these systems
has its own loading procedures and operating
characteristics. Some operating systems also have
their own set of diagnostic programs. Instructions
for the version you have purchased wi th your
system, such as Introduction to CP/M, follow this
Operator's Guide.
7. After you have tested the system, refer to Chapter
11 for instructions on turning it off.
8. The final section of this manual addresses the
issues of maintenance and troubleshooting.
vii

DOCUMENTATION CONVENTIONS
This manual follows certain conventions to indicate
how data should be entered from your terminal key-
board. These conventions also correspond to the way
information or queries may be displayed on the termi-
nal screen.
Some entries require only one keystroke before the
command or response is executed, i.e., as soon as you
press one key, the computer begins a response. Other
commands--especially those which require a string of
characters or numbers--must be followed by a carriage
return. PreSSing the carriage return enters the data
from the screen to the computer where it is acted
upon.
A carriage return may be indicated either as "Carriage
Ret urn," "Retur n," or "<CR>."
Some
operations require the use of a Control key.
That is, you must press the Control key and hold it
down while preSSing another specified key. On the
keyboard, the key may appear as CONTROL, CONTRL, or
CTRL. In documentation, a control sequence may be
indicated as Control-X, Cntrl-X, or <X>.
In this manual, data that you will enter is shown in
bold face. For example, Y. Note that often the entry
is abbreviated to the first letter. An alternate way
is to name the key, such as "Press the Escape key."
When a control key is specified, the key name is
capitalized. Some examples are as follows:
Press the Return key.
Reply Y<CR> or R<CR>.
Select l<CR> for continuous display.
140st applica tions accept upper- and lower-case da ta
entries interchangeably. For example, in the DIAGNOS-
TIC PROGRAM either memtest<CR> or MEMTEST<CR> is
acceptable. However, some commands and entr ies,
especially for operating systems, are specific as to
the form and format of the data. Check the instruc-
tions in your software manuals.
viii

CHANGING INVALID DATA
If you type incorrect information on the screen, but
have not "entered" the data (i.e., have not pressed
the Return key), you may correct or cancel the data.
The following conventions are generally valid across
operating systems. The representative examples that
follow are taken from the DIAGNOSTIC PROGRAM.
(1) To erase the last character typed: Depending on
your keyboard, use the Backspace key or Cntrl-H,
which are identical. With the Delete (or Rubout)
key the erased character may be "echoed." That
is, when a letter is deleted, the screen displays
it back to you. To see the true entry if the
erasure is echoed, use Cntrl-R.
(2) To erase the whole entry, use Cntrl-X.
ix

OTHER INFORMATION AVAILABLE
The Altos 58. Operator's Guide and the user's guide
for the selected operating system are included with
the system purchased from Altos. There are additional
manuals and references which will assist you in under-
standing and operating your Al tos S8f1J. Some of these
manuals are provided by Altos since they may refer to
related items which Altos may manufacture or provide.
Other manuals and documents are passed along from
outside vendors to the purchaser if they directly
pertain to parts or systems adapted for Altos' use.
Altos Family of Related Manuals
Syste. Reference lIanual: This manual gives the func-
tional details of the Altos S8f1J, including both
hardware and software. Detailed specifications are
given for the CPU, system memory, input and output,
and controllers. The System Reference Manual is for
advanced technicians and programmers and can be
ordered from Altos.
Field Service lIanual: This manual gives the princi-
ples of opera tion of the Al tos S 8fIJ along wi th test and
troubleshooting procedures. The manual specifies the
diagnostic operations and software and includes a
parts list. It includes the cabling diagrams, disas-
sembly, reassembly and repair. The Field Service
Manual is for use by service technicians who perform
field repairs.
Syste. llaintenance lIanual: This manual is provided to
qualified dealer and distributor technicians with
sufficient information to permit them to repair or
replace system hardware components, and to conduct
tests to verify efficient system operation.
Operating Syste. lIanual: This manual describes the
operating system under which your system will operate.
It gives step-by-step installation procedures, and
also introduces you to the supporting manuals and
other publications related to that operating system.
. Other Vendor Manuals
MP/M II: This operating system (developed by Digital
Research, Inc.) is the multi-user version of CP/M and
is compatible with programs developed under CP/M. It
is supplied with a series of manuals which consists of
the User Guide, the Progra •• er Guide, and the Syste.
Guide. Altos supplies these manuals to every pur-
chaser of the MP/M II operating system to be used in
conjunction with the Altos Introduction to liP/II
llanual.

CP/M: This operating system (developed by Digital
Research, Inc.) is supplied with a series of manuals
which consists of the User Guide, the Progra •• er
Guide, and the System Guide. Altos supplies these
manuals to the purchaser of every CP/M operating sys-
tem1 they accompany the Altos CP/M Operating System
Manual.
OASIS: This operating system (developed by Phase One
Systems, Inc.) is supplied with a System Reference
Manual provided by Altos, along with the Altos OASIS
Operating System Manual.

INTRODUCTION
About Your Altos Computer 1
This section presents a general description of the
Altos 580 and introduces you to some of the computer
basics--hardware, software, and computer concepts. It
also describes the optional upgrade kit (UK) and items
that you need to supply in order to run your Altos
580.
1-1

GEIBBAL DBSCRIPTIQR or TUB ALTOS 58.
What the Altos 581 Does
The Altos 58~ is a desk-top microcomputer system
which handles up to three individual users simulta-
neously. It is compact, very powerful, and fast.
Four models of the Altos 58~ are available:
MODEL NO.
DE5CBIEXION
58~-2 Dual 5-1/4 inch
floppy drives
58~-1~ l~ MB hard disk; 1 floppy
drive (special order)
58~-2~
15 MB
hard
drive
58~-4~
35 MB
hard
drive
The Altos 58~ runs a number of
has wide business applications,
communications facilities.
Bow the Altos 581 Works
disk;
1 floppy
disk; 1 floppy
operating systems,
and has optional
The 58~ computer system is a Z8~A-based multi-user
system designed to fit many commercial, technical,
industrial, scientific, and educational applications.
It can run under either CP/M, MP/M II, or OASIS oper-
ating systems. The basic computer system includes the
CPU, four RS-232C ports, one parallel port, 192
kilobytes of RAM, one (or two) 5-1/14 inch floppy disk
drives with a controller, and, if you do not have a
dual floppy dr ive, ei ther a l~- or I5-megabyte 5-1/4
inch hard disk drive, and hard disk controller. The
basic configuration of the 58~ computer system is
contained in a single chassis. An additional chassis
(Upgrade Kit) may be added to the basic chassis to
increase system capabili ties. You have to add a
keyboard terminal and provide your own floppy
diskettes and cabling. You may also want to add a
printer.
The 58~ also supports a variety of peripherals such as
CRT terminals, printers, and communications (net-
working) facilities.
1-2

BASIC HARDWARE
What Is a CPO?
The CPU, terminal, and printer make up your basic
Altos computer system. If you are a new computer
"user" (anyone who uses a computer is known as a
"user"), take some time to become acquainted with the
instructions in this manual. With basic precautions
it is unlikely that you will do any damage to the
system. Most new users err by being too timid. What
is more vulnerable than the hardware discussed above
is the software. You will more than likely lose some
data; this is a fact of computer life. There are
means by which to protect yourself in case the
computer goes "down," or is temporarily unavailable.
Refer to the Handling Floppy Diskettes chapter of this
manual and to the section on formatting diskettes and
saving files in the Operating System manual.
The Central Processing Unit, or CPU, might be likened
to the "brain" or "heart" of the computer system. The
CPU is central to your system; every other part of
your system is referred to as "peripheral."
Technically, the CPU in your Altos 580 is a printed
circuit board. By generalization, the term CPU also
means the "box" that receives and stores information,
or data, as directed. The CPU acts upon data as
requested, and displays the results on your terminal
or prints the results on your printer.
Your Altos 580 CPU looks like the drawing below. It
may have one or two floppy drives and mayor may not
have a built-in hard disk.
1-3