Compaq Armada E500 Series Operating and installation instructions

Product Description 1-1
chapter
1
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
1.1 Computer Features and Models
The Compaq Armada E500 and Armada V300 Series of Personal
Computers offer advanced modularity, Intel Pentium II, III, and Intel
Celeron processors with 64-bit architecture, industry-leading Accelerated
Graphics Port (AGP) implementation, and extensive multimedia support.
The computers provide desktop functionality and connectivity through
the optional expansion base, convenience base, or port replicator.
Figure 1-1.Compaq Armada E500 and Armada V300 Personal
Computers

1-2Product Description
Models
The Armada E500 models are shown in Table 1-1. The computer model
designation is composed of a group of characters that define each
model’s features.
Table 1-1
Compaq Armada E500
Models and Model Naming Convention
Key
A E 5 P3 450 T 4 X 12 D M 64 95 N S F
1 2 3 4 5-6 7-9 1011 1213-14 151617-19 20-21 222324
KEY DESCRIPTION OPTIONS
1Brand designatorA = Armada
2Segment
designator E = Expansion
3Series 5 = 500
4Blank
5-6Processor type P3 = Intel
Pentium III P2 = Intel Pentium II
7-9Processor speed450 = 450 MHz 400 = 400 Mhz 366 = 366 MHz
10 Panel type T = TFT
11 Panel size 4 = 14.x” 3 = 13.x” 2 = 12.x”
12 Panel resolution X = XGA
13-14 Hard drive size
(in GB, 1-2
digits)
12 = 12.0 GB 6 = 6.0 GB 4 = 4.3 GB
15 Optical drive D = 24X Max CD-ROM drive
16 Integrated
communicatio
n
M = Mini PCI V.90
modem C = NIC/modem combo 0 = none
17-19 RAM (in MB,
2-3digits) 64 = 64 MB
20-21 Operating
system 98 = Windows 98
58 = Windows
95/
98 dual
install
N4 = Windows
NT 4.0
22 NAFTA N = NAFTA
23 Pointing device S = Pointing stick P = TouchPad
24 Security

Product Description 1-3
12345-6 7-910 11 12 13-14 15 16 17-19 20-21 22 23 24 SKU#
A E 5 P3 450 T 3 X6D 0 64 58 161604-XX1
A E 5 P3 450 T 3 X6D 0 64 98 161604-XX4
A E 5 P3 450 T 3 X6D 0 64 N4 161604-XX6
A E 5 P3 450 T 3 X6D M 64 58 161605-XX1
A E 5 P3 450 T 3 X6D M 64 58 161605-XX3
A E 5 P3 450 T 3 X6D M 64 N4 161605-XX6
A E 5 P3 450 T 3 X6D M 64 N4 161605-XX7
A E 5 P3 450 T 3 X6D C 64 58 164749-XX1
A E 5 P3 450 T 3 X6D C 64 N4 164749-XX6
A E 5 P3 450 T 4 X12 D 0 64 58 127669-XX1
A E 5 P3 450 T 4 X12 D 0 64 98 127669-XX4
A E 5 P3 450 T 4 X12 D 0 64 N4 127669-XX6
A E 5 P3 450 T 4 X12 D M 64 58 127670-XX1
A E 5 P3 450 T 4 X12 D M 64 58 127670-XX3
A E 5 P3 450 T 4 X12 D M 64 N4 127670-XX6
A E 5 P3 450 T 4 X12 D M 64 N4 127670-XX7
A E 5 P3 450 T 4 X12 D C 64 58 164751-XX1
A E 5 P3 450 T 4 X12 D C 64 N4 164751-XX6
A E 5 P2 400 T 4 X6D 0 64 58 152675-XX1
A E 5 P2 400 T 4 X6D 0 64 98 152675-XX4
A E 5 P2 400 T 4 X6D 0 64 N4 152675-XX6
A E 5 P2 400 T 4 X6D M 64 58 152676-XX1
A E 5 P2 400 T 4 X6D M 64 58 152676-XX3
A E 5 P2 400 T 4 X6D M 64 N4 152676-XX6
A E 5 P2 400 T 4 X6D M 64 N4 152676-XX7
A E 5 P2 400 T 4 X6D C 64 58 164748-XX1
A E 5 P2 400 T 4 X6D C 64 N4 164748-XX6
A E 5 P2 366 T 2 S 4D 0 64 58 155058-XX1
A E 5 P2 366 T 2 S 4D 0 64 98 155058-XX4
A E 5 P2 366 T 2 S 4D 0 64 N4 155058-XX6
A E 5 P2 366 T 2 S 4D M 64 58 155059-XX1
A E 5 P2 366 T 2 S 4D M 64 58 155059-XX3
A E 5 P2 366 T 2 S 4D M 64 N4 155059-XX6
A E 5 P2 366 T 2 S 4D M 64 N4 155059-XX7

1-4Product Description
The Armada V300 models are shown in Table 1-2. The computer model
designation is composed of a group of characters that define each
model’s features.
Table 1-2
Compaq Armada V300
Models and Model Naming Convention
Key
A V 3 C2 466 T 4 X 4D M 64 95 N S F
1 2 3 4 5-6 7-9 1011 1213-14 151617-19 20-21 222324
KEY DESCRIPTION OPTIONS
1Brand designatorA = Armada
2Segment
designator V = Versatility
3Series 3 = 300
4Blank
5-6Processor type C2 = Intel
Celeron 2
7-9Processor speed466 = 466 MHz 400 = 400 MHz
10 Panel type T = TFT S = STN
11 Panel size 4 = 14.x” 2 = 12.x”
12 Panel resolution X = XGA S= SVGA
13-14 Hard drive size
(in GB, 1-2
digits)
4 = 4.3 GB
15 Optical drive D = 24X Max CD-ROM drive
16 Integrated
communicatio
n
M = Mini PCI V.90
modem C = NIC/modem combo 0 = none
17-19 RAM (in MB,
2-3digits) 64 = 64 MB 32 = 32 MB
20-21 Operating
system 98 = Windows 98
58 = Windows
95/98 dual
install
N4 = Windows
NT 4.0
22 NAFTA N = NAFTA
23 Pointing device P = TouchPad
24 Security

Product Description 1-5
12345-6 7-910 11 12 13-14 15 16 17-19 20-21 22 23 24 SKU#
A V 3 C2 466 T 4 X4D C 58 64 158984-XX21
A V 3 C2 466 T 4 X4D C N4 64 158984-XX61
A V 3 C2 466 T 4 X4D 0 58 64 117734-XX21
A V 3 C2 466 T 4 X4D 0 98 64 117734-XX41
A V 3 C2 466 T 4 X4D 0 N4 64 117734-XX61
A V 3 C2 466 T 4 X4D M 58 64 117735-XX21
A V 3 C2 466 T 4 X4D M 58 64 117735-XX31
A V 3 C2 466 T 4 X4D M N4 64 117735-XX61
A
A
V
V
3
3
C2
C2
466
400
T
T
4
2
X
S
4
4D D
M
C
N4
58 64 64
117735-XX71
158983-XX22
A V 3 C2 400 T 2 S 4D C N4 64 158983-XX62
A V 3 C2 400 T 2 S 4D 0 58 64 117732-XX22
A V 3 C2 400 T 2 S 4D 0 98 64 117732-XX42
A V 3 C2 400 T 2 S 4D 0 N4 64 117732-XX62
A V 3 C2 400 T 2 S 4D M 58 64 117733-XX22
A V 3 C2 400 T 2 S 4D M 58 64 117733-XX32
A V 3 C2 400 T 2 S 4D M N4 64 117733-XX62
A V 3 C2 400 T 2 S 4D M N4 64 117733-XX72
A V 3 C2 400 S 2 S 4D 0 58 32 117730-XX22
A V 3 C2 400 S 2 S 4D 0 98 32 117730-XX42
A V 3 C2 400 S 2 S 4D 0 N4 32 117730-XX62
A V 3 C2 400 S 2 S 4D M 58 32 117731-XX22
A V 3 C2 400 S 2 S 4D M 58 32 117731-XX32
A V 3 C2 400 S 2 S 4D M N4 32 117731-XX62
A V 3 C2 400 S 2 S 4D M N4 32 117731-XX72
19-cell Lithium Ion main battery pack
26-cell Lithium ion main battery pack

1-6Product Description
Features
The computer has the following features:
nThe following processors are available, varying by computer model:
nThe Armada E500 features an Intel Pentium III 450-MHz
processor or Intel Pentium II 400-or 366-MHz processor, with
256-KB integrated cache.
nThe Armada V300 features an Intel Celeron 466-or 400-MHz
processor, both with 128-KB integrated L2 cache.
nATI RAGE LT Pro, 4-MB SGRAM (synchronous graphics)
nThe following standard memory is available, varying by computer
model:
nThe Armada E500 is equipped with 64-MB high-performance
Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), expandable to 512 MB.
nThe Armada V300 is equipped with 64-or 32-MB
high-performance SDRAM, expandable to 512 MB.
nMicrosoft Windows 95, Windows 98 or Windows NT
Workstation 4.0 preinstalled
nThe following displays are available, varying by computer model:
nThe Armada E500 features a 14.1-inch, XGA, TFT (1024 ×768),
13.3-inch, XGX, TFT (1024 × 768) or 12.1-inch, SVGA, TFT (800 x
600) display, all with over 16.8 million colors.
nThe Armada V300 features a 14.1-inch XGA TFT (1024 ×768),
12.1-inch SVGA TFT (800 x 600), or 12.1-inch SVGA STN (800 x
600) display, all with over 16.8 million colors.
nThe following keyboards are available, varying by computer model:
nThe Armada E500 supports a TouchPad or pointing stick
keyboards.
nThe Armada V300 is equipped with a TouchPad keyboard.

Product Description 1-7
nMini PCI 56K V.90 modem, or optional Mini PCI V.90 modem plus
10/100 NIC combination card
nThe following PC Card features are available, varying by computer
model:
nThe Armada E500 features two Type II PC Card slots with
support for both 32-bit CardBus and 16-bit PC Cards; Zoomed
video is supported in the bottom slot.
nThe Armada V300 features one Type II PC Card slot with support
for both 32-bit CardBus and 16-bit PC Cards.
nExternal AC adapter with power cord
nThe following battery packs are available, varying by computer
model:
nThe Armada E500 supports a 9-or 6-cell Lithium ion (Li ion)
primary battery pack in the battery bay or DualBay, and a 6-cell Li
ion MultiBay battery pack in the MultiBay; supporting up to
three battery packs in the computer at one time.
nThe Armada V300 supports a 9-or 6-cell Li ion primary battery
pack in the battery bay and a 6-cell Li ion MultiBay battery pack
in the MultiBay.
nThe following hard drives are available, varying by computer model:
nThe Armada E500 supports 12.0-, 6.0-, or 4.3-GB high-capacity
SMART hard drives with DriveLock security and Prefailure
Warranty.
nThe Armada V300 supports 6.0-or 4.3-GB high-capacity SMART
hard drives with DriveLock security and Prefailure Warranty.
nFlexible MultiBay that accommodates a 24X MAX CD-ROM drive,
DVD-ROM drive, SuperDisk LS-120 drive, 6-cell Li ion MultiBay
battery pack, or secondary hard drive (when used with a Hard Drive
MultiBay Adapter).
nConnectors for parallel, serial, audio in/out, external monitor,
universal serial bus, external keyboard, and AC power
nStereo speakers providing Compaq PremierSound 16-bit stereo
sound

1-8Product Description
1.2 Intelligent Manageability
Intelligent Manageability consists of preinstalled software tools for the
computer and Compaq servers that assist in tracking, troubleshooting,
protecting, and maintaining the computer. It provides the following
functions:
nAsset Management: provides detailed configuration and diagnostic
information.
nFault Management: prevents, predicts, and alerts of impending
hardware problems.
nSecurity Management: protects unauthorized access to data and
components.
nConfiguration Management: optimizes the computer by providing the
latest drivers, utilities, and software, which are available on CD ROM
and the Compaq Web site at www.compaq.com/support/portables.
NOTE: For further help with Intelligent Manageability, select Startà
Compaq Information Center àIntelligent Manageability
Accessing the Web Agent
The computer may have a preinstalled Web Agent that allows computer
configuration information to be viewed using Web technology. To
access this feature, select StartàCompaq Information Center àInsight
Web Management.
If the computer does not have a preinstalled Web Agent, it can be
downloaded from the Compaq Web site at www.compaq.com.
Asset Management
Asset Management enables component information to be retrieved when
on the road or connected to the network.
Asset Management also enables the network administrator to remotely
retrieve information from any Compaq computer connected to the
network. The information can be used to assist in tracking and
maintaining the computer and its components. It provides the following
information:

Product Description 1-9
nInventory information—The network administrator can retrieve
information about the computer over the network by using Compaq
Insight Manager or any PC management tool provided by Compaq
Solution Partners. Asset control information retrieved from the
computer includes:
nManufacturer, model, and serial number of Compaq computers,
monitors, hard drives, battery packs, memory boards, processor
speeds, and operating systems
nSystem board and ROM revision levels
nBIOS settings
nDiagnostic information—Diagnostics for Windows includes
information on hard drives, ports, video, sound, and other
components. This application also allows multi-threaded tests to be
run on hardware components. If problems are found,
recommendations are provided.
All of the above information can be viewed, printed, or saved.
Fault Management
Fault Management features minimize downtime and data loss by
monitoring system performance and generating the following alerts:
nHard drive alert—provides 72-hour advance warning of impending
hard drive problems and can automatically start optional backup
software.
nSystemtemperature alert—reports overheating. As the system
temperature rises, this feature first adjusts fan speed and other
cooling components, then displays an alert, then shuts down the
system.
nBattery pack alert—reports charging problems and battery pack
failure.
nMonitor alert—diagnoses and displays external monitor operational
problems.
nMemory alert—reports memory board configuration changes when a
memory board is removed, added, or reconfigured. It also provides
the previous and current configurations for comparison.
The alerts work with or without network connection. If the computer is
not connected to the network, the network administrator cannot receive
alerts from the computer.

1-10 Product Description
Fault Management Alerts
Alerts can be enabled, disabled, and tested, and software can be set to
back up information whenever a hard drive alert occurs.
nWhile the computer is connected to a network, alerts pop up on the
computer display and are simultaneously reported to the network
console.
nSystem temperature alert—reports overheating. As the system
temperature rises, this feature first adjusts fan speed and other
cooling components, then displays an alert, then shuts down the
system.
NOTE: A battery charging problem alert is reported only on the
computer display.
nWhen the computer is not connected to a network, the user will
receive a local alert.
nTo set alerts, select the Intelligent Manageability icon in the system
tray.
Security Management
Security Management features customize system security.
nPower-On and Setup Passwords—prevent unauthorized access to
information and computer configuration.
nDriveLock—prevents unauthorized access to hard drives.
nDevice disabling—prevents unauthorized data transfer through
modems, serial ports, parallel ports, and infrared ports on the
computer and an optional docking station.
nQuickLock/QuickBlank—locks the keyboard and clears the screen.
nOwnership Tag—displays ownership information during system
restart.

Product Description 1-11
Configuration Management
Configuration Management optimizes software upgrade and customer
support procedures. Compaq provides support software to optimize the
performance of the computer. This support software is accessible
through a monthly CD-ROM subscription. Support software can also be
downloaded from the Compaq Web site at www.compaq.com/support/
portables.
Managing Power
The computer comes with a collection of power management features that
allow battery operating time to be extended and power to be conserved.
Use power management to monitor most computer components such as
the hard drive, processor, and display.
Accessing Power Management
nIn Windows 95, select StartàSettings àControl Panel àPower to
view or adjust settings in Power Properties.
nIn Windows NT 4.0, select Compaq Power instead of Power
nIn Windows 98, select Power Management instead of Power.
Power Management Levels
To extend the life of batteries, use the Battery Conservation tab in Power
Properties.
nIf Windows 95 is running, select StartàSettings àControl Panel à
Power to access Power Properties.
nIn Windows NT 4.0, select Compaq Power instead of Power.
nIn Windows 98, select Power Management instead of Power.
The level of battery conservation or the selection of preset power
management levels can be customized.

1-12 Product Description
1.3 Computer External Components
The external components on the display and left side of the computer are
shown in Figure 1-2 and described in Table 1-3.
Figure 1-2.Display and Left Side Components

Product Description 1-13
Table 1-3
Display and Left Side Components
Item Component Function
1 Tilt feet (2) Tilt the computer for ease of use.
2 Battery bay Accepts a 9-or 6-cell Lithium ion (Li ion)
primary battery pack.
3 Armada E500: DualBay
Armada V300: Fixed
diskette drive
Accepts a removable diskette drive or 9-or
6-cell Li ion primary battery pack.
Accepts diskettes.
4 Display release latch Opens the computer.
5 Audio bass port Enhances stereo sound.
6 MultiBay Accepts the following MultiBay devices:
CD-ROM drive, DVD-ROM drive, hard drive
(in Hard Drive MultiBay Adapter), SuperDisk
LS-120 Drive, 6-cell Li ionMultiBay
batterypack.
7 Volume buttons Adjust the volume of the stereo speakers.
8 Power/suspend light
(green) On: Power is turned on.
Off: Power is turned off.
Blinking: Computer is in Suspend.*
NOTE: The power/suspend light also blinks
if a battery pack that is the only source of
power available to the computer reaches a
critical low-battery condition while
Hibernation is disabled.
9 Battery light (green) On: A battery pack is charging.
Off: No battery packs are changing.
Blinking: A battery pack that is the only
available power source has reached a
low-battery condition.
*In Windows 98 the term Standby replaces the term Suspend.

1-14 Product Description
The external components on the right side of the computer are shown in
Figure 1-3 and are described in Table 1-4.
Figure 1-3.Right Side Components

Product Description 1-15
Table 1-4
Right Side Components
Item Component Function
1 PC Card slots* Supports 32-bit (CardBus) and 16-bit
PC Cards.
* The Armada E500 has two PC Card slots; the Armada V300 has
only one PC Card slot.
2 Stereo speaker/
headphone jack Connects stereo speakers, headphones, or headset.
This jack is driven by an amplifier and has
volume control. The internal computer
speakers are turned off when external
speakers or headphones are plugged
into this jack.
3 Mono microphone jack Connects a mono microphone, disabling
the built-in microphone.
4 Security cable slot Accepts an optional security cable to
secure the computer to a fixed object to
prevent theft.
5 RJ-11 jack (internal
modem models only) Connects the modem cable to an internal modem.
NOTE: A modem cable is included with
internal modem models.
6 RJ-45 jack (internal
network interface card
models only)
Connects the network cable.
7 Infrared port Provides wireless communication between
the computer and another infrared-
equipped device using an infrared beam.
8 Air vent Provides for airflow to cool internal
components.
9 CompositeTV
connector Connects a television, VCR, camcorder, or overhead projector.

1-16 Product Description
The external components on the rear of the computer are shown in Figure
1-4 and described in Table 1-5.
Figure 1-4.Rear Components

Product Description 1-17
Table 1-5
Rear Components
Item Component Function
1 AC Adapter connector Connects the AC power adapter.
2 Universal Serial Bus
(USB) connector Connects USB devices, such as cameras for video conferencing, or hubs which
connect multiple USB devices.
The USB connector is a powered hub.
When running Windows 95 or higher or
Windows NT, any combination of up to five
powered or unpowered hubs can be
connected in any sequence, as long as two
unpowered hubs are not connected next to
each other.
When running a lower version of Windows
or Windows NT, or if using a different
operating system, up to two hubs can be
connected.
3 External monitor
connector Connects an optional external monitor, overhead projector, or TV adapter.
4 Serial connector Connects optional serial devices, such as
a mouse.
5 Docking connector Connects the computer to the expansion
base, convenience base, or port replicator.
6 Parallel connector Connects an optional parallel device, such
as a printer.
7 Keyboard/mouse
connector Connects an optional full-sized keyboard or a mouse. Both external mouse and
computer pointing device are active. An
optional splitter/adapter allows both an
external keyboard and mouse to be used at
the same time.

1-18 Product Description
Computer keyboard components are shown in Figure 1-5 and described in
Table 1-6.
Figure 1-5.Keyboard Components

Product Description 1-19
Table 1-6
Keyboard Components
Item Component Function
1 Power switch Turns the computer on or off of exits
Suspend1.
2 Suspend button Initiates or exits Suspend1. When pressed
with theFn key, initiates Hibernate.
3 Display switch Turns off the display if it is closed while the
computer is turned on.
4 Page up and page
down keys Move to the previous or next screen.
5 Embedded numeric
keypad Converts keys to numeric keypad.
6 Cursor-control keys Move the cursor around the screen.
7 Windows application
key Displays shortcut menu for item beneath mouse cursor.
8 TouchPad (TouchPad
models only) Moves the mouse cursor, selects, and activates.
9 Left and right
TouchPad buttons
(TouchPad models
only)
Function like the left and right mouse
buttons on an external mouse.
10 Microsoft logo key Displays the Windows Start menu.
11 Caps lock key Turns on the caps lock function.

1-20 Product Description
Additional computer keyboard components are shown in Figure 1-6 and
described in Table 1-7.
Figure 1-6.Keyboard Components (continued)