Digital Equipment HiNote VP 500 Series User manual

Digital HiNote VP 500 Series
User's Guide
Part Number: ER-PD1WF-UA. A01
Digital Equipment Corporation

2
March 1997
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 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.
© Digital Equipment Corporation 1996. All Rights Reserved.
DEC, ThinWire, RoamAbout and the Digital logo are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation.
Digital HiNote VP is a registered trademark of Digital Equipment Corporation.
ESS is a registered trademark of ESS Corp.
Pentium is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation.
MS-DOS and Windowsare registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Sound Blaster is a registered trademark of Creative Labs Corporation
The ENERGY STARemblem does not represent EPA endorsement of any product or service.
All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective holders.

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.
All external cables connecting to this basic unit must be shielded. For cables connecting
to PCMCIA cards, see the option manual or installation instructions.
Canadian DOC Statement
This Class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference-
Causing Equipment Regulations.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B respecte toutes les exigences du Règlement sur le
matériel brouilleur du Canada.

4

Table of Contents
1About Your Notebook
Features-------------------------------- -------------------------------- -------------------------------- 1–2
Components, Controls and Indicators-------------------------------- --------------------------- 1–5
Front and Side Components (Panel Closed)-------------------------------- -------------------- 1–5
Rear View-------------------------------- -------------------------------- ---------------------------- 1–6
Left and Side Components-------------------------------- -------------------------------- --------- 1–8
Right Front View (Panel Open)-------------------------------- -------------------------------- --1–10
Installation and Initial Setup-------------------------------- -------------------------------- -----1–12
Plugging In and Turning On -------------------------------- -------------------------------- -----1–12
Controlling Power -------------------------------- -------------------------------- -----------------1–16
Battery Charge Gauge (in LCD Status Display)-------------------------------- ---------------1–17
LCD Status Display-------------------------------- -------------------------------- ----------------1–18
Keyboard Hot Keys-------------------------------- -------------------------------- ----------------1–19
Using the Touch Pad -------------------------------- -------------------------------- --------------1–20
Creating a Comfortable Working Environment-------------------------------- ---------------1–21
Optional Expansion Devices-------------------------------- -------------------------------- -----1–23
2Power and Your Computer
General Battery Information-------------------------------- -------------------------------- ------ 2–2
Nickel Metal Hydride Battery Care-------------------------------- ------------------------------- 2–2
Memory Effect-------------------------------- -------------------------------- ----------------- 2–2
NiMH Battery Life-------------------------------- -------------------------------- ------- 2–2

Table of Contents
ii
Forming a Battery-------------------------------- -------------------------------- -------- 2–3
LiIon Battery-------------------------------- -------------------------------- ------------------------- 2–4
Greater Life Span and No Memory Effect-------------------------------- ----------------- 2–4
Main Battery Pack-------------------------------- -------------------------------- ------------------- 2–5
Installing the Main Battery-------------------------------- -------------------------------- -------- 2–6
Removing the Main Battery Pack-------------------------------- -------------------------------- - 2–8
Charging the Battery Pack-------------------------------- -------------------------------- --------2–10
System LEDs-------------------------------- -------------------------------- ------------------2–11
Low Battery Activity-------------------------------- -------------------------------- ---------2–11
Replacing and Disposing of Batteries-------------------------------- ---------------------- 2–11
Power Management -------------------------------- -------------------------------- ----------------2–12
Good Power Management Habits-------------------------------- -------------------------------- 2–12
The Standby/Resume Feature-------------------------------- ------------------------------- 2–12
The Suspend/Resume Feature-------------------------------- ------------------------------- 2–12
Screen Brightness-------------------------------- -------------------------------- -------------2–12
12X CD-ROM/FDD Drive-------------------------------- -------------------------------- --2–13
PC Cards-------------------------------- -------------------------------- ----------------------- 2–13
The Serial/ Infrared Port-------------------------------- -------------------------------- -----2–13
AC Power-------------------------------- -------------------------------- ---------------------- 2–13
Power Management Modes-------------------------------- -------------------------------- -------2–14
Standby Mode-------------------------------- -------------------------------- -----------------2–14
Suspend Mode-------------------------------- -------------------------------- -----------------2–15
A Power Management Example-------------------------------- ---------------------------- 2–16
Power Management Summary-------------------------------- -------------------------------- ---2–18
Using Power Panel-------------------------------- -------------------------------- ------2–19

Table of Contents
iii
3BIOS Setup Program
Introduction-------------------------------- -------------------------------- --------------------------- 3–1
Navigating through the BIOS Setup Program-------------------------------- ----------------- 3–2
Accessing the BIOS Setup Program-------------------------------- ------------------------------ 3–3
Menu Bar -------------------------------- -------------------------------- ----------------------- 3–3
Item Specific Help-------------------------------- -------------------------------- ------------- 3–3
Legend Bar -------------------------------- -------------------------------- --------------------- 3–4
Launching Submenus-------------------------------- -------------------------------- --------------- 3–5
General Help-------------------------------- -------------------------------- ------------------------- 3–5
The Main Menu-------------------------------- -------------------------------- ---------------------- 3–6
The Peripherals Menu-------------------------------- -------------------------------- -------------- 3–8
Integrated Peripherals (Peripherals submenu)-------------------------------- ---------------3–10
The Security Menu -------------------------------- -------------------------------- -----------------3–12
Setting Admin. Password-------------------------------- -------------------------------- ---------3–13
Changing Admin. Password-------------------------------- -------------------------------- ------3–13
Deleting Admin. Password-------------------------------- -------------------------------- -------3–13
Using Backup Password-------------------------------- -------------------------------- -----------3–14
The Power Menu-------------------------------- -------------------------------- -------------------- 3–15
The Boot Menu-------------------------------- -------------------------------- ---------------------- 3–17
The Exit Menu-------------------------------- -------------------------------- ----------------------- 3–19

Table of Contents
iv
4Peripheral Devices
Peripheral Equipment -------------------------------- -------------------------------- ---------------4-1
External Monitor -------------------------------- -------------------------------- ---------------4-2
Parallel Device-------------------------------- -------------------------------- ------------------4-2
Serial Device -------------------------------- -------------------------------- --------------------4-2
Fast Infrared Port -------------------------------- -------------------------------- ---------------4-2
External Keyboard or PS/2 Mouse-------------------------------- --------------------------- 4-2
External Mic and Speaker Out-------------------------------- -------------------------------- 4-2
Connecting An External Monitor-------------------------------- -------------------------------- --4-3
Connecting a Printer to the Parallel Port -------------------------------- ------------------------- 4-4
Parallel Port Data Transfers -------------------------------- ----------------------------- 4-5
Connecting a Serial Mouse-------------------------------- -------------------------------- ---------4-5
Connecting An External Keyboard-------------------------------- -------------------------------- 4-6
Connecting a PS/2 Mouse-------------------------------- -------------------------------- ----------4-7
Fast Infrared Port-------------------------------- -------------------------------- --------------------- 4-7
5PC Cards
Inserting and Ejecting PC Cards-------------------------------- -------------------------------- ---5-1
Using Win 95 PC Card Support-------------------------------- -------------------------------- ---5-3
Installing PC Modem Cards in Win95-------------------------------- -----------------5-3
Installing PC Network Cards in Win95-------------------------------- ----------------5-4
Installing PC Cards in WinNT 4.0 -------------------------------- -------------------------------- 5-4
Installing PC Modem Cards in Windows NT 4.0-------------------------------- ----5-5
Installing PC Network Cards in Windows NT 4.0-------------------------------- ---5-5

Table of Contents
v
6Expansion and Option Devices
System Memory Expansion-------------------------------- -------------------------------- ---------6-1
Memory Configuration-------------------------------- -------------------------------- --------------6-2
Installing Memory (DIMMs)-------------------------------- -------------------------------- -------6-2
Installing and Removing Modules-------------------------------- -------------------------------- -6-5
Module Swapping-------------------------------- -------------------------------- --------------6-5
Removing the Modules-------------------------------- -------------------------------- --------6-5
Installing Modules-------------------------------- -------------------------------- -------------------6-7
Installing the 12X CD-ROM/FDD Combination Module-------------------------------- 6-7
Loading a Disc into the Combination Module-------------------------------- --------6-8
Manually Ejecting the CD-ROM Tray-------------------------------- -----------------6-9
Enabling CD-ROM and Touch Pad for DOS Real Mode-------------------------- 6-10
Installing the Optional Secondary LiIon Battery-------------------------------- --------- 6-11
Removing and Installing HDD-------------------------------- -------------------------------- --- 6-11
Creating a DOS Save to Disk File-------------------------------- -------------------------- 6-13
Optional Devices -------------------------------- -------------------------------- -------------------- 6-14
The External Battery Charger-------------------------------- -------------------------------- ---- 6-14
The Car Adapter -------------------------------- -------------------------------- -------------- 6-16
Adding the Minidock Port Replicator-------------------------------- -------------------------- 6-17
Identifying the Ports and Connectors-------------------------------- --------------------------- 6-17
Connecting the AC Adapter-------------------------------- -------------------------------- ------ 6-18
Hot-Plug Peripheral Devices-------------------------------- -------------------------------- ----- 6-18
External Monitor -------------------------------- -------------------------------- ------------- 6-18
Printer -------------------------------- -------------------------------- -------------------------- 6-18
MIDI Device-------------------------------- -------------------------------- ------------------- 6-18

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vi
Serial Mouse Connection-------------------------------- -------------------------------- ---- 6-18
External Keyboard-------------------------------- -------------------------------- ------------ 6-19
Other Peripheral Devices -------------------------------- -------------------------------- --------- 6-19
Mouse (PS/2) Connection-------------------------------- -------------------------------- --- 6-19
The Audio Ports-------------------------------- -------------------------------- --------------- 6-19
Docking the Notebook-------------------------------- -------------------------------- ------------- 6-19
Docking to a Port Replicator with NIC-------------------------------- -------------- 6-22
Undocking the Notebook-------------------------------- -------------------------------- ---------- 6-23
7Caring for Your Notebook
General Maintenance-------------------------------- -------------------------------- ----------------7-1
Cleaning The Notebook-------------------------------- -------------------------------- --------------7-1
Cleaning The Case-------------------------------- -------------------------------- -------------------7-1
Cleaning The LCD Display-------------------------------- -------------------------------- ---------7-2
Caring for Diskettes -------------------------------- -------------------------------- -----------------7-2
ASpecifications
System Window Patterns-------------------------------- -------------------------------- ----------- A-3
Standard Accessories-------------------------------- -------------------------------- --------------- A-3
BSystem Software and Restoration
System Software-------------------------------- -------------------------------- ---------------------- B-1
Available Software-------------------------------- -------------------------------- ------------ B-1
Installing Software-------------------------------- -------------------------------- ------- B-2
Installing User Documentation-------------------------------- ------------------------------ B-2
System Restoration-------------------------------- -------------------------------- ------------------ B-3

Table of Contents
vii
Preparing a New Hard Drive-------------------------------- -------------------------------- - B-3
FDISK and Format Disk Utility-------------------------------- ------------------------ B-3
PHDISKF Utility-------------------------------- -------------------------------- --------- B-5
Installing Your Operating System-------------------------------- --------------------------- B-5
Setting up Win95-------------------------------- -------------------------------- --------- B-5
Setting up Windows NT-------------------------------- -------------------------------- - B-6
Installing Drivers-------------------------------- -------------------------------- --------------------- B-6
CTroubleshooting
The Power System-------------------------------- -------------------------------- ------------------ C-1
LCD Status Display-------------------------------- -------------------------------- ----------------- C-2
Battery-------------------------------- -------------------------------- --------------------------- C-2
The LCD Display-------------------------------- -------------------------------- ------------------- C-2
Keyboard-------------------------------- -------------------------------- ----------------------------- C-2
I/O Connections-------------------------------- -------------------------------- ---------------------- C-3
External Monitor-------------------------------- -------------------------------- -------------------- C-3

Table of Contents
viii

About This Guide
This guide describes how to operate, configure, and troubleshoot the Digital HiNote VP
500 Series notebook computer.
Audience
This guide is written specifically for anyone using or configuring the Digital HiNote VP
500 Series notebook computer.
Organization
This guide contains the following:
•Chapter 1: About Your Notebook –This chapter identifies the Notebook’s external
components, overviews the various advanced features and provides a quick reference to the
notebook’s functions.
•Chapter 2: Power and Your Computer –This chapter provides information on operating
the notebook on AC and batterypower. It also covers some of the advanced power
management features designed to increase battery run time.
• Chapter 3: The BIOS Setup Program– This section introduces the Setup Program,
discusses how to navigate in the Program, as well as how to specify and save your new
settings. A detailed list of the optional settings is also provided.
•Chapter 4: Peripheral Devices –This chapter overviews the peripherals that can be
connected and instructions on how to connect these devices to your notebook.
•Chapter 5: PC Cards – This chapter provides information using and configuring PC Cards
under different operating environments.
•

Preface
x
Chapter 6: Expansion and Option Devices –This chapter describes the optional
equipment that can be added to the basic notebook system. Also covered in this chapter is
step by step information on installing and removing modules that can be inserted in the
notebook’s expansion bay.
•Chapter 7: Caring for Your Notebook- This section overviews some general maintenance
and cleaning techniques.
• Appendix A: Technical Specifications –This appendix lists your notebook’s operating
specifications.
•Appendix B: System Software and Restoration- This section will instruct you on
completely restoring your notebook’s operating system, applications and drivers. This
information is extremely helpful if you have purchased a new hard drive.
•Appendix C: Troubleshooting –In a questions and answer format, this section provides
you with solutions to possible problems that may arise.

Preface
xi
Abbreviations
Abbreviation Meaning
BIOS Basic Input/Output System
CMOS Complementary Metal Oxide Semi-
conductor
DIMM Dual In-line MemoryModule
DMA Direct MemoryAccess
DSTN Dual Scan Twisted Pneumatic
DRAM Dynamic Random Access Memory
EDO Extended Data Out
FDD Floppy DiskDrive
HDD Hard DiskDrive
IDE Integrated Drive Electronics (internal hard
diskdriveinterface)
FIR Fast Infrared
ISA Industry Standard Architecture
K1K = 1024 bytes
KB Kilobyte
LCD Liquid Crystal Display
MB Megabyte
MS-DOS Microsoft Disk Operating System
MIDI Musical Instrument Digital Interface
PC Card (PCMCIA) Personal Computer Memory Card
International Association
POST Power On Self-Test
ROM Read Only Memory
VGA Video Graphics Array
SVGA Super Video Graphics Array
TFT Thin Film Transistor

Preface
xii
Special Notices
Three kinds of special notices are used in this guide to emphasize specific information.
____________________________WARNING____________________________
Warning: Indicates the presence of a hazard that can cause
personal injury if the hazard is not avoided.
_________________________________________________________________
_____________________________Caution_____________________________
Caution: Indicates the presence of a hazard that might cause damage
to hardware or that might corrupt data.
_________________________________________________________________
______________________________Note______________________________
Note: Provides additional information.
_________________________________________________________________

Preface
xiii
Related Documentation
AQuick Setup Guide is available as a supplement to the information provided in this
User's Guide.
AQuick Reference Cardis provided, perfect for to accompany you when you travel.
An On-line User’s Guidelocated on the Digital System CD which came with your
system. Please refer to Appendix B for more information.
Digital Web Site
Please visit the Digital Windows Enterprise Computing Center Web site to download the
latest HiNote VP 500 Series operating system drivers and On-line system and expansion
User Guide Information. To navigate to the Drivers/ User Guide Information location:
1. Type in the Web site address: http//www.windows.digital.com/
2. Click on the [Service and Support] hot spot.
3. Scroll down to the Firmware and Drivers bullet and change [Select Library]
to Intel-based systems. Click on the [Go] button.
4. Scroll to the HiNote Portables Table of Contents and click on HiNote VP 500
notebook.
Click on the desired Driver or User Information to download the data to your hard drive.
The HiNote VP 500 Series User Guide Information can be browsed without
downloading the data to your hard drive by using Adobe Acrobat Reader. If Adobe
Acrobat Reader is not installed on your hard drive, you can download this piece of free
shareware from the Adobe web site at www.adobe.com

Preface
xiv

1
About Your Notebook
Congratulations on your purchase of the Digital HiNote VP 500 Series notebook
computer. The HiNote VP 500 series notebook features innovative advances in portable
computing technology. Their ergonomic design and sophisticated architecture provides
you with a portable computer that is compact, powerful and easy to use.
The notebook’s modular design provides maximum expandability without
compromising portability. Your HiNote VP 500 series notebook has a Combination
Module located in the expansion bay. The Combination Module features both a Floppy
Disk Drive and a 12X CD-ROM. It can be easily removed from its housing and
replaced with the optional light-weight lithium-ion secondary batterypack, providing
you with additional battery run timewhile away from AC power. A high performance
Pentium CPUand IDE hard drive provide you with the extra processing power needed
to handle complex graphics and large sound files. Two PC Card(PCMCIA) slots give
you the ability to use standard PC Cards, such as fax/modem, hard drive, memory, and
network interface cards.
This chapter identifies and describes the features, components, controls, and indicators
of your Digital notebook computer. Also provided is an overview of your notebook’s
expansion options.

About Your Notebook
1–2
Features
Your HiNote VP 500 Series notebook is a high-performance portable computer designed
for the mobile professional; the notebook is equipped with the following features.
CPU
The central processing unit (CPU) performs all computing functions and directs the
actions of the system. Your notebook’s architecture supports the Intel Pentium family of
CPUs which operates at 3.3 volts or less. This family of CPUs consumes less energy, for
maximum batterylife.
Hard Drive
Your notebook comes supplied with a user-upgradable Hard DiskDrive (HDD) with a
data capacity of 1.08 GB or higher.
RAM
Your Digital notebook is equipped with 16 MB of on-board low power consuming 3.3V
EDO memory, expandable up to 80MB. Please contact you Digital notebook dealer for
information on purchasing additional dual in-line memory modules (DIMMs).
L1 Cache
L1 Cache memory is memory which is actually resides inside the CPU chip. It holds the
data more frequently used by the CPU. By holding it in cache, the CPU can access the
data at a much faster rate than if it was held in RAM. Your system is equipped with a
16 KB or 32 KB Internal L1 Cache, depending upon system purchased.
L2 Cache
The notebook’s L2 Cache is 256KB, on a daughter card. L2 Cache assists in increasing
the speed which data is accessed by the CPU.