Digital Equipment Starion Minitower PC 919 User manual

1
Starion Minitower PC
User's Guide
Part Number: ER-919A3-UA. A01
Digital Equipment Corporation

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October 1995
The information in this document is subject to change without notice and should not be
construed as a commitment by Digital Equipment Corporation.
Digital Equipment Corporation assumes no responsibility for any errors that might appear in
this document.
The software, if any, described in this document is furnished under a license and may be used
or copied only in accordance with the terms of such license. No responsibility is assumed for
the use or reliability of software or equipment that is not supplied by Digital Equipment
Corporation or its affiliated companies.
Restricted Rights: Use, duplication, or disclosure by the U.S. Government is subject to
restrictions as set forth in subparagraph (c) (1) (ii) of the Rights in Technical Data and
Computer Software clause at DFARS 252.227-7013.
Starion Minitower PC User's Guide
CopyrightDigital Equipment Corporation.
All Rights Reserved.
DEC, Starion, and the Digital logo
Intel is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation.
Microsoft, Windows 95, and MS-DOS are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Pentium is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation
PhoenixBIOS is a trademark of Phoenix Technologies Ltd.
SIMM is a registered trademark of Wang Laboratories.
As an ENERGY STARTM partner, Digital Equipment Corporation has determined that this
product meets the ENERGY STARTM guidelines for energy efficiency.
ENERGY STAR and the ENERGY STARSM logo are service marks of the EPA
All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective holders.

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The FCC wants you to know...
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital
device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
Any changes or modifications made to this equipment may void the user's authority to operate
this equipment.
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed
and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a
particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television
reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is
encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
•Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna
•Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver
•Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which
the receiver is connected
•Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help
The user may find the following booklet prepared by the Federal Communications Commission
helpful: How to Identify and Resolve Radio-TV Interference Problems. This booklet is
available from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 20402. Stock No.
004-00398-5.
All external cables connecting to this basic unit need to be shielded. For cables connecting to
option boards, see the option manual or installation instructions.
FAX/Modem FCC I.D. #: EUD5U9BRI4296

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STATEMENT OF FAX BRANDING
The Telephone Consumer Protection ACT of 1991 makes it unlawful for any person to use a
computer or other electronic device to send any message via a telephone fax machine unless
such message clearly contains in a margin at the top or bottom of each transmitted page or on
the first page of the transmission, the date and time it is sent and an identification of the
business or other entity, or other individual sending the message and the telephone number of
the sending machine or such business, other entity, or individual.

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1
Contents
About This Guide
Introduction..................................................................................................... vii
Audience......................................................................................................... vii
Organization.................................................................................................... vii
Conventions .................................................................................................... ix
Abbreviations.................................................................................................. x
Special Notices................................................................................................ xi
Related Documentation................................................................................... xi
1
Introduction
Plug and Play .................................................................................................. 1-2
Power Management......................................................................................... 1-3
PCI Local Bus................................................................................................. 1-4
Onboard Video................................................................................................ 1-5
Fax/Modem Card............................................................................................. 1-6
Sending and Receiving a Fax........................................................................... 1-7
Sound Card...................................................................................................... 1-8
CD-ROM Reader............................................................................................. 1-9
System Software and Utilities.......................................................................... 1-9
Turning Off Your Computer............................................................................ 1-10
Restarting Your Computer............................................................................... 1-11
Computer Security........................................................................................... 1-11
Supervisor and User Password.................................................................. 1-12
Diskette Write Protection.......................................................................... 1-13
Reminder Messages.................................................................................. 1-14
Important Information..................................................................................... 1-15
Getting Help.................................................................................................... 1-19
2
Configuring Your Computer Using BIOS Setup
Introduction..................................................................................................... 2-1

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What is the BIOS Setup Utility?...................................................................... 2-1
Helpful Hints............................................................................................ 2-3
Maneuvering through Setup............................................................................. 2-4
Changing Time and Date................................................................................. 2-6
Setting Up Security ......................................................................................... 2-7
Setting Supervisor and User Passwords..................................................... 2-7
Enabling Password On Boot ..................................................................... 2-9
Eliminating User and Supervisor Passwords ............................................. 2-10
Protecting Against Boot Sector Viruses .................................................... 2-11
Other Security Options.................................................................................... 2-13
Setting up Power Management ................................................................. 2-14
Putting Your Computer Quickly into Full Power Management ................. 2-15
Configuring for New Disk Drives.................................................................... 2-16
Diskette Drive Configuration.................................................................... 2-16
Hard Disk Drive Configuration................................................................. 2-17
Autotyping a Hard Disk..................................................................... 2-17
Manually Defining a Hard Disk......................................................... 2-18
Changing the Boot Sequence........................................................................... 2-19
Speeding up the Boot Process.......................................................................... 2-20
Resetting Keyboard Features........................................................................... 2-21
Changing the Keyboard Features.............................................................. 2-22
3
System Software and Utilities
Introduction..................................................................................................... 3-1
Software Applications and Backup Media....................................................... 3-1
Restoring Factory Installed Software............................................................... 3-2
How to Restore All Factory Installed Software......................................... 3-3
How to Restore Individual Programs ........................................................ 3-4
Using System Utilities..................................................................................... 3-4
Before Using System Utilities and Video Drivers ..................................... 3-4
Setting High Resolution Mode for Your Monitor Display......................... 3-5
Using Your Remote Support Diskette....................................................... 3-6

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How do I Update my BIOS?..................................................................... 3-6
Preliminary Steps............................................................................... 3-7
Creating a Crisis Recovery Diskette................................................... 3-7
Using PHLASH.EXE to Upgrade your BIOS..................................... 3-9
Using the Crisis Recovery Diskette........................................................... 3-10
4
Expanding Your Computer
Introduction..................................................................................................... 4-1
Tools Needed .................................................................................................. 4-1
Static Electricity.............................................................................................. 4-2
Disconnect External Devices and Power.......................................................... 4-2
Removing the Cover........................................................................................ 4-2
Voltage Select Switch...................................................................................... 4-4
Computer Components.................................................................................... 4-6
Main Logic Board Components....................................................................... 4-8
Main Logic Board Connectors......................................................................... 4-10
Installing a Higher Performance CPU.............................................................. 4-12
Installing Additional Computer Memory......................................................... 4-14
Memory Configurations............................................................................ 4-16
Installing a SIMM..................................................................................... 4-16
Replacing the Real-Time Clock (RTC)/Lithium Battery.................................. 4-18
Installing Expansion Boards............................................................................ 4-22
Installing Mass Storage Devices...................................................................... 4-27
Installing a 5¼-Inch Device...................................................................... 4-27
Connecting Diskette and IDE Devices............................................................. 4-30
Replacing the Cover........................................................................................ 4-33
5
Problem Solving and Troubleshooting
Introduction..................................................................................................... 5-1
Initial Troubleshooting.................................................................................... 5-2
Computer Troubleshooting.............................................................................. 5-3
Disk Drive Troubleshooting............................................................................. 5-8
Monitor Troubleshooting................................................................................. 5-9
CD-ROM Troubleshooting .............................................................................. 5-10
Audio Troubleshooting.................................................................................... 5-11
A
Technical Specifications
Introduction..................................................................................................... A-1

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Computer Specifications.................................................................................. A-2
Starion Minitower PC CPU Features......................................................... A-2
Computer Performance Specifications...................................................... A-2
Computer Dimensions .............................................................................. A-3
Computer Environmental Specifications................................................... A-3
Power Supply and Input Power Requirements.................................................. A-4
Power Cord Requirements............................................................................... A-4
Main Logic Board Jumpers.............................................................................. A-5
Main Logic Board Jumper Settings........................................................... A-7
B
Computer Messages
Introduction..................................................................................................... B-1
POST Messages............................................................................................... B-1
POST and Boot Messages......................................................................... B-2
Beep Codes ..................................................................................................... B-5
C
Device Mapping
Introduction..................................................................................................... C-1
CPU Memory Address Map (Full Range)........................................................ C-2
I/O Address Map ............................................................................................. C-3
Computer Interrupt Levels............................................................................... C-5
DMA Channel Assignment.............................................................................. C-6
D
CD-ROM Specifications
CD-ROM......................................................................................................... D-1
Front Panel............................................................................................... D-2
Rear Panel................................................................................................ D-3
Operating Specifications........................................................................... D-4

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E
Fax/Modem Card and Sound Card
Fax/Modem Card Information......................................................................... E-1
Connector/Jumper Locations .................................................................... E-1
Sound Card Information.................................................................................. E-3
Connector/Jumper Locations .................................................................... E-3
FIGURES
Typical Starion Computer ..................................................................... xii
1-1. Providing a Comfortable Working Environment.................................... 1-18
2-1. BIOS Setup Utility Flow Chart.............................................................. 2-5
4-1. Removing the Cover.............................................................................. 4-3
4-2. Voltage Select Switch Location............................................................. 4-5
4-3. Computer Components.......................................................................... 4-7
4-4. Main Logic Board Components............................................................. 4-9
4-5. Main Logic Board Connectors............................................................... 4-11
4-6. Installing a Higher Performance CPU.................................................... 4-13
4-7. SIMM Socket Locations........................................................................ 4-15
4-8. Installing a SIMM ................................................................................. 4-17
4-9. Replacing the Real-Time Clock............................................................. 4-19
4-10. Replacing the Battery............................................................................ 4-21
4-11. Starion Expansion Board Slots............................................................... 4-24
4-12. Removing Metal Filler Plates ................................................................ 4-25
4-13. Installing an Expansion Board............................................................... 4-26
4-14. Removing the Filler Panel..................................................................... 4-28
4-15. Installing a 5¼-Inch Device................................................................... 4-29

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4-16. Diskette and IDE Devices Data Cable Connections ............................... 4-32
4-17. Replacing the Cover.............................................................................. 4-33
A-1. Main Logic Board Jumper Locations..................................................... A-6
D-1. CD-ROM Front Panel............................................................................ D-2
D-2. CD-ROM Rear Panel............................................................................. D-3
E-1. Fax/Modem Card Components............................................................... E-2
E-2. Sound Card Components........................................................................ E-4