Apricot XEN Series Installation and operating instructions

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Addendum
In accordance with Apricot’s policy of continuous
improvement, a number of enhancements and
modifications have been made to the XEN range since
the documentation was published. These changes are
described below.
Part No. 15193931

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SETUP
Monitor types
The three option buttons in this SETUP group have
changed from VGA, HiVision 14" and Multi-sync [14/17] to
SVGA, VGA/EVGA and EVGA (high refresh). The
following text explains which selection you should make
for your monitor.
SVGA
This option should be chosen for SVGA monitors. These
are monitors that support 800x600 non-interlaced and
1024x768 interlaced video modes in addition to standard
VGA modes.
VGA/EVGA
This option should be chosen for VGA monitors, and for
EVGA monitors to run at normal refresh rates, typically
60Hz. EVGA monitors support 800x600 and 1024x768
non-interlaced video modes in addition to standard VGA
modes.
VGA monitors will not display resolutions greater than
640x480 correctly.
EVGA (high refresh)
This option can be used if your EVGA monitor supports
high refresh rates. If this option is chosen: 640x480,
800x600 and 1024x768 display modes use high refresh
rates, typically 72Hz.
The video timings in these high refresh rate modes are
VESA compatible. Some monitors which are capable of
displaying these modes need the CVSHELL utility
supplied on the Apricot Drivers disks to adjust the position
of the display on the screen.
VGA and SVGA monitors will not work if this option is
selected.

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Expansion cards
Power consumption
The ISA slots in XEN can supply three expansion cards
with a total power consumption of 45W.
Video adapter
Video disable jumper
The motherboard in your computer is fitted with a jumper
which allows the motherboard video adapter to be
disabled. If you install a video expansion card that is
CGA, EGA or VGA compatible you must remove this
jumper, otherwise neither the motherboard video adapter
or the video expansion card will function correctly.
Note
Appendix A of your Using SETUP and installing add-ons
guide describes the motherboard video BIOS being
automatically disabled when an expansion card with video
BIOS is installed. This does not apply to your computer, to
disable the motherboard video BIOS the video disable
jumper must be moved as described below.
Disabling motherboard video
1. Power the system down.
2. Take suitable anti-static precautions and remove
the system unit cover.
If you are unfamiliar with Apricot’s recommended
anti-static precautions and/or the process of
removing the system unit cover refer to your
Owner’s Handbook .

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3. Identify the motherboard video disable jumper.
Viewing from the front of the system unit the jumper
is to the right of the expansion card backplane by
the rear of backplane connector.
MOTHERBOARD
VIDEO ENABLED MOTHERBOARD
VIDEO DISABLED
VIDEO
DISABLE
JUMPER
4. Remove the jumper clip from the two pin connector
and replace it on only one of the connector posts
as shown above.
Note
If you remove the video card you will have to return
the jumper clip to its original position to enable the
motherboard video adapter.
5. Replace the system unit cover.

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VESA video feature connector
The VESA video feature connector on the motherboard of
your computer has a standard pinout. A standard cable
may be used to connect the feature connector to an
expansion card. The non-standard pinout given in
Appendix B of your
Using SETUP and installing add-ons
does not apply to your computer.
Using the SCSI DDS or DDS-DC tape
drive
Your Apricot XEN may be configured with a SCSI DDS
(Digital Data Storage) or SCSI DDS-DC (Digital Data
Storage with Data Compression) tape drive. The software
needed to control the drive depends on your operating
environment; ask your Apricot supplier for details.
The DDS-DC drive differs from the DDS drive in that it
uses a built-in compression algorithm which can typically
double, and in some cases quadruple, tape capacity. Data
compression and decompression is transparent to the host
software.
The DDS-DC drive is illustrated below; the DDS drive is
similar except that the LED indicators and EJECT button are
in different positions. The way you use the drive and the
meaning of the indicators is the same for both types.

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CASSETTE IN PLACE (GREEN)
DRIVE BUSY (AMBER) EJECT BUTTON
CASSETTE INSERTION SLOT
The DDS-DC and DDS drives use standard 60-metre or
90-metre digital cassettes bearing the DDS symbol. The
DDS-DC drive writes compressed data by default, unless
it finds uncompressed data already on the cassette. The
drive can also write uncompressed data under software
control. When reading a cassette, the DDS-DC drive
automatically distinguishes compressed and
uncompressed data and either decompresses it or passes
it through unaltered as appropriate.
Use only cassettes bearing the DDS symbol; you
cannot play audio DAT cassettes with these drives,
even on systems equipped with Apricot Professional
Audio.
The DDS drive has a nominal capacity of 1.3 Gbytes on a
60-metre cassette, with a sustained transfer rate of 183
Kbytes/second.
The DDS-DC drive writing uncompressed data has a
nominal capacity of 1.3 Gbytes on a 60-metre cassette or
2.0 Gbytes on a 90-metre cassette, with a sustained
transfer rate of 366 Kbytes/second. At a data
compression ratio of 4:1 the DDS-DC drive has a nominal
maximum capacity of 5.2 Gbytes on a 60-metre cassette
or 8.0 Gbytes on a 90-metre cassette; the sustained
transfer rate is increased by the same ratio. However, the
actual compression ratio and transfer rate achievable in

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any particular case depend on the characteristics of the
data being compressed, and may be higher or lower than
these nominal figures.
Using the SCSI CD-ROM drive
Your Apricot XEN may be configured with a SCSI CD-
ROM (Compact Disc ROM) drive. The software required to
control the CD-ROM drive depends on the your operating
environment; ask your Apricot supplier for details.
With the appropriate software support, the drive can
retrieve multimedia data from CD-ROM and Photo-CD
(single and multisession) discs. It can also play
commercial audio CDs. By default, the drive spins at
double normal speed except when reading audio CDs.
The drive has its own headphone jack with associated
volume level control. Alternatively, on XEN systems
equipped with Apricot Professional Audio, sound can be
played through the computer’s internal stereo speakers or
the audio output socket. See Chapter 4, “Professional
Audio and the Apricot XEN”.
DISC CADDY SLOT
EMERGENCY
EJECT HOLE
BUSY
INDICATOR EJECT
BUTTON
COMPACT
CD Caddy
HEADPHONE JACK
AND HEADPHONE LEVEL

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Do not attempt to move the computer while a CD is in the
drive, especially if the CD is being played at the time.
The laser beam inside the SCSI CD-ROM drive is
harmful to the eyes. Do not attempt to disassemble the
CD-ROM drive. If a fault occurs, call an authorized
Apricot maintainer.
Inserting a compact disc
The SCSI CD-ROM drive uses a special removable disc
caddy to hold a CD within the drive mechanism. The
caddy has a metal shutter that guards the disc’s surface;
the drive automatically moves the shutter aside to read the
disc. One disc caddy is provided free with the drive; more
can be obtained from your Apricot supplier. Use only disc
caddies supplied by Apricot.
Do not confuse a CD’s storage case with a proper disc
caddy; if you attempt to insert a disc storage case you
will damage the drive.
1. Ensure that the computer is turned on and that the
drive is empty (the legend “CD Caddy” should
appear on the flap covering of the drive slot).
2. If there is a protective film on the centre of the
caddy lid, remove it before using the caddy.
3. To open the caddy, press the tabs on both edges
at the end opposite the shutter.

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4. Set the disc, with its label upward, in the caddy.
Handle the disc only by its edge.
5. Close the lid of the caddy firmly.
6. Insert the caddy into the slot of the drive with the
disc’s label facing up and the arrow on the caddy
pointing towards the drive (that is, shutter end
foremost). Push the caddy in until it is completely
swallowed up by the drive.
The drive begins reading the disc’s table of contents. The
drive’s activity indicator lights while the table of contents is
being read. When the activity indicator goes out, the drive
is ready for use.
If the activity indicator remains on, this may indicate that
the disc is not properly positioned within the caddy. In this
case, press the EJECT button to remove the caddy and try
again. If the problem persists, consult your Apricot supplier
or an authorized Apricot maintainer.
Note too that the software controlling the CD-ROM drive
may be able to prevent the insertion of a disc.
Removing a compact disc
1. Ensure that the computer is turned on (otherwise
the EJECT button will not work) and that the drive is

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not currently in use (the drive’s activity indicator
must be unlit).
2. Press the EJECT button. The drive mechanism
disengages and the caddy is partially ejected from
the drive.
The EJECT button can be disabled by the software
controlling the CD-ROM drive. In this case pressing
the EJECT button will have no effect.
To eject the drawer manually (for example, after a power
failure) you must first ensure that the computer is turned
off. Then insert a thin metal rod (such as an unwound
paper clip) into the emergency eject hole and push hard
(see below). The rod must be at least 35 mm long.
COMPACT
CADDY LOADED
Caring for compact discs
Keep CDs and caddies well away from dust and moisture.
Avoid touching the surface of the disc; for example, when
the disc is inside a caddy, do not open the shutter
manually and touch the disc. Also, avoid extremes of
temperature and exposure to direct sunlight.