Compaq Armada 1500C series Operating and installation instructions

Computer Product Description 1-1
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COMPUTER PRODUCT
DESCRIPTION
1.1 Computer Features and Models
The Compaq Armada 1500c Series is a line of multimedia notebook computers with
advanced modularity, processors, and video graphics. This full-function, Celeron-based
series of notebook computers allows full desktop functionality and connectivity
through the use of an optional Convenience Base II.
Figure 1-1. Compaq Armada 1500c Personal Computer

1-2 Computer Product Description
1.2 Standard Features
The Compaq Armada 1500c Series models have the following standard features:
■ 266- or 300-MHz Celeron processors with 128-Kbyte embedded cache memory
■ 32MB of synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), expandable to
160 MB
■ 4.0-, 5.0-, or 6.0-GB, 2.5-inch (12.7mm) internal hard drive
■ 12.1-inch Color Thin Film Transistor (CTFT) SVGA or 12.1-inch Dual Supertwist
Nematic (DSTN) SVGA display
■ Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) modular battery pack
■ SoundBlaster−compatible audio controller with internal stereo speakers and internal
microphone
■ Full-size 101 key compatible keyboard including 12 function keys, 8 cursor control
keys, inverted-T cursor control keys, and embedded numeric keypad
■ Four user-programmable keys
■ Touchpad pointing device
■ Power Sources include the following:
❏ Internal Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) modular battery pack
❏ External AC adapter
■ Power management and security features
■ Two standard device slots that will accommodate two type I or II PC Cards, or one
type III PC Card, PCMCIA, and CardBus cards
■ 176 pin expansion connector provides the interface to the convenience base options
■ Rear-panel ports provide connections for USB, parallel and serial, external monitor,
and keyboard/mouse
■ Integrated 56Kbps modem (North America only)
■ CD-ROM Drive or DVD-ROM Drive
■ Quick Restore CD
1.2.1 Software Fulfillment
Replacement software can be ordered directly from Compaq Computer Corporation.
Both the model and the serial numbers of the computer are needed to identify the
specific software available.

Computer Product Description 1-3
1.3 Options
The computer supports the following options:
■Convenience Base II pass through model
■Convenience Base II with Ethernet
■Memory expansion boards
■Li-Ion battery pack
■Aircraft/Automobile adapter
■External battery charger
■PCMCIA modem
■AC power cords
■Hard drive upgrade
■Internal DVD-ROM drive
1.3.1 Convenience Base II
The computer supports the following convenience base models:
■Convenience Base II pass through
■Convenience Base II with Ethernet
1.3.2 System Memory Options
The computer supports optional 16-, 32-, 64-, and 128-MB memory boards. The
memory boards are 66-MHz SDRAM without parity. System memory can be expanded
to 160 MB of DRAM.
Table 1-1 describes the possible memory configurations for the computer.
Table 1-1
Memory Configuration
SODIMM Module Present Total System Memory
No SODIMM present 32 MB
16 MB 48 MB
32 MB 64 MB
64 MB 96 MB
128 MB 160 MB
Any EDO in Celeron 32 MB (EDO not usable)
If an EDO memory module is placed into a Celeron system, a POST error message may
be printed to the screen. The new message will read “This expansion memory type
(EDO) is not supported.”

1-4 Computer Product Description
1.3.3 External Battery Charger
The External Battery charger has the following features:
■Two battery charge slots
■Accepts both NiMH and Li-ion modular batteries
■Charges one battery in 3 hours or less
1.3.4 External Keyboards and Pointing Devices
Supports Compaq or Compaq-compatible PS/2 keyboards and pointing devices
1.3.5 External Monitors
The computer supports VGA Monitors up to 1280 x 1024.
1.4 Design Overview
This section presents a design overview of the computer. The overview is limited to
field replaceable parts. All replacement parts are listed in Chapter 3.
1.4.1 System Unit
The computer is a traditional clamshell design with a display unit attached to a system
unit. The computer opens to reveal a backlit LCD display and a full-sized keyboard.
The display is designed for a continuously adjustable tilt angle.
1.4.2 Internal Boards
The system electronics are integrated on seven printed circuit assemblies: the LED
status board, I/O fixture connector, audio board, system board, modem board, and the
DC-DC converter board. An optional memory board is available that expands the
system memory up to 160 MB.
■The LED status board connects the system board to the display cables and supports
the status LEDs.
■The DC-DC converter board creates the system voltages (3.3v and 5.0v) from the
battery or from the 14 VDC external power supply output.
■The system board integrates the processor, memory, local bus video adapter,
PCMCIA/CardBus adapter, and audio controller.
Processor
The processor located on the system board is a 266- or 300-MHz Intel Celeron
processor with 128-Kbyte embedded cache.
Memory
Base memory is 32 MB with, 16, 32, 64, or 128 MB of optional expansion memory.
Base memory is onboard memory built into the system board. Expansion memory
consists of one memory expansion board available as a user-installable option.

Computer Product Description 1-5
Cache
128-Kbyte cache is integrated with the Celeron processor. It is not user upgradable.
Audio Controller
The audio controller is located on the system board. The audio amplifiers and
connectors are on the audio board printed circuit assembly.
PCMCIA/CardBus and Video Adapter Controller
The PCMCIA/CardBus adapter is based on the Texas Instrument PCI1225 PC to
CardBus controller unit. The local bus video adapter is the Chips and Technologies
69000 controller.
■The serial-parallel port board expands the serial and parallel signals from the system
board to the serial and parallel expansion connectors.
■The audio board supports the microphone and headphone jacks, the volume control
switches, and the amplifier and equalization circuitry.
1.4.3 Video System
The standard video subsystem consists of:
■12.1 inch STN SVGA display
■12.1 inch CTFT SVGA display
■An inverter to supply AC power to the LCD back-light system
■A standard external VGA connector for use with CRTs and other VGA-compatible
displays

1-6 Computer Product Description
1.5 External Computer Components
The external computer components are illustrated and described in this section.
1.5.1 Front and Left Side Components
The front and left side external components are shown in the following figure and
identified in this section:
1 Display latches
2 Power connector
3 RJ-11 connector (on some models)
4 PC Card eject levers
5 PC Card slots
6 DualBay compartment
7 Power/Suspend light
8 Battery charge light
Figure 1-2. Front and Left Side Components

Computer Product Description 1-7
1.5.2 Right Side Components
The right side external components are shown in the following figure and identified in
this section:
1 Battery bay
2 Stereo/speaker headphone jack
3 Microphone jack
4 Volume control buttons
5 CD-ROM drive or DVD-ROM drive
6 Cable lock provision
Figure 1-3. Right Side Components

1-8 Computer Product Description
1.5.3 Rear Components
The rear components are shown in the following figure and identified in this section:
1 Serial connector
2 Serial number
3 Parallel connector
4 External monitor connector
5 Docking connector
6 Airflow vents
7 USB connector
8 Keyboard/Mouse connector
Figure 1-4. Rear Components

Computer Product Description 1-9
1.5.4 Bottom Components
The bottom external components are shown in the following figure and are identified in
this section:
1 Docking latch receptacles
2 Docking alignment guide
3 Modem compartment
4 Diskette drive
5 Diskette drive release latch
6 Battery with traction grip
7 Docking restraint latch recess
Figure 1-5. Bottom Components

1-10 Computer Product Description
1.5.5 Status Panel Lights
The status panel lights are shown in the following figure and are identified in this
section:
1 Hard drive light
2 Diskette drive light
3 NumLk light
4 Caps Lock light
5 Scroll Lock light
Figure 1-6. Status Panel Lights