Digital Equipment HiNote VP 550-575 Series User manual

DIGITAL HiNote VP 550-575
Series
Service Quick Reference Guide
Part Number: ER-PD1WF-SR. A01
Digital Equipment Corporation

October 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 HiNote VP 550-575 Series Service
Quick Reference Guide
Copyright © Digital Equipment Corporation.
All Rights Reserved.
DEC, DIGITAL, ThinWire, and the DIGITAL logo are registered
trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation
ESS is a registered trademark of ESS Corp.
Intel and Pentium are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation
Microsoft, MS-DOS, and Windows are registered trademarks of
Microsoft Corporation.
All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of
their respective holders.

FCC Notice
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 need to be
shielded. For cables connecting to PCMCIA cards, see the option
manual or installation instructions.

i
Contents
Preface
1
Overview
Introduction ..............................................................................1-1
System Overview.....................................................................1-1
CPU and Chip Set....................................................................1-1
Memory....................................................................................1-3
BIOS.........................................................................................1-3
Video Controller Chip...............................................................1-4
I/O Ports...................................................................................1-5
Option Modules........................................................................1-5
Components, Controls and Indicators......................................1-5
Related Information................................................................1-18
2
System Restoration
Introduction ..............................................................................2-1
Reinstalling and Installing Drivers............................................2-2
Creating a Bootable Floppy......................................................2-3
Using the Boot Floppy..............................................................2-3
Re-installing the Operating System..........................................2-4
System Installation...................................................................2-5
Complete System Restoration.................................................2-6
Using the DIGITAL HiNote System CD....................................2-8
System Installation.................................................................2-12
Complete System Restoration...............................................2-14

Contents
ii
3
System BIOS
Introduction ..............................................................................3-1
BIOS Setup Program ...............................................................3-1
Navigating through the BIOS Setup Program..........................3-2
The Main Menu........................................................................3-6
The Peripherals Menu..............................................................3-7
Integrated Peripherals (Peripherals submenu)........................3-9
The Security Menu.................................................................3-12
The Power Menu....................................................................3-15
The Boot Menu.......................................................................3-17
The Exit Menu........................................................................3-19
Modifying Flash BIOS ............................................................3-20
4
Troubleshooting
Introduction ..............................................................................4-1
Troubleshooting Tips................................................................4-2
Check Points and Error Messages........................................4-14
Phoenix BIOS Test Points......................................................4-15
Warning Messages................................................................4-21
5
FRU Replacement
Introduction ..............................................................................5-1
Required Tools.........................................................................5-2
Removing the Battery...............................................................5-6
Removing the 12x CD/FDD Combination Module and
Supplementary Battery.............................................................5-8
Removing the HDD Assembly ...............................................5-10
Removing the Keyboard.........................................................5-12
Removing the CPU ................................................................5-15
Shell Installation Instructions..................................................5-17

Contents
iii
6
Specifications
Base Unit..................................................................................6-1
Ports.........................................................................................6-3
Audio........................................................................................6-4
LCD Display.............................................................................6-5
PCMCIA (PCI)..........................................................................6-6
BIOS Support...........................................................................6-7
Battery, Status Display, Keyboard...........................................6-8
Physical....................................................................................6-9
7
Device Mapping
Memory Map............................................................................7-1
DMA Channel Assignments.....................................................7-2
Notebook Computer Interrupt Levels.......................................7-3
I/O Address Map......................................................................7-4
A
Service Notes ...........................................................................A-1

v
Preface P
This Service Quick Reference Guide describes how to test,
troubleshoot, and remove and replace the DIGITAL HiNote VP
500 series Models VP 550, 575 notebook computer Field
Replaceable Units (FRUs).
This guide is written specifically for DIGITAL approved on-site
service engineers. On-site repair of systems beyond the approved
FRU list is prohibited and may void warranty.
CAUTION: Digital recommends that only A+
certified engineers attempt to repair this
equipment. All troubleshooting and repair
procedures are detailed to support
subassembly/module level exchange.
Because of the complexity of the individual
boards and subassemblies, no one should
attempt to make repairs at the component level
or make modifications to any printed circuit
board. Improper repairs can create a safety
hazard. Any indications of component
replacement or circuit board modifications
might void any warranty or exchange
allowances.

1-1
Overview 1
Introduction
This chapter introduces the DIGITAL HiNote VP 500 series
notebook computers. It provides a system overview and
describes the controls, indicators, and hot keys.
System Overview
The HiNote VP 500 series are high-performance portable
computers designed for the mobile professional.
Figure 1-1 shows a functional block diagram of the notebook
computer. The following sections provide an overview of the
different functions.
CPU and Chip Set
The HiNote VP 500 series notebook computers use the Intel
P54CSLM 120/133 processors and P55C 150/166/175
processors mounted on a daughter card.
The following chip set is used to implement the core functions of
the system.
• Intel Mobile Triton chip set provides system controller &
PCI IDE controller functions

Overview
1-2
• SMC669FR provides support for floppy disk controller
(FDC), two serial ports (one serial port and one FIR) and
one parallel port
• Intel 80C51SL provides the keyboard controller and
scanner and the battery management unit
• Cirrus CL-PD6832 is used as the PCI PCMCIA controller
• ESS ES1878 for the audio subsystem
CACHE
RAM
Selected Models
VGA
NM2093
VGA
NM2093 AUDIO
ESS 1878
Figure 1-1. Functional Block Diagram

Overview
1-3
Memory
The system comes with 16 MB of on-board DRAM for system
memory and 256KB of L2 cache memory (on selected models).
System memory can be upgraded to a total of 24 MB, 32 MB, 48
MB, and 80 MB. The upgrade is performed by installing two 4 MB,
8 MB, 16 MB, or 32 MB DIMM modules. Two identical memory
modules must be installed when adding additional memory.
BIOS
The system has a 256KB Flash ROM for system BIOS (Phoenix
BIOS 4.04). The BIOS provides support for the following:
• Suspend to RAM/Disk
• Full APM 1.2 supported
• Password protection(System and HDD)
• Auto-configured with replicator/docking/modules
• Windows 95 ready with PnP
• 32KB ROM for 51SL keyboard controller
• Gas-gauge for battery status information
• Various hot-keys for systemcontrol

Overview
1-4
Video Controller Chip
Video support is provided by the Neo Magic NM2093 VGA
Controller Chip. This chip provides the following functions:
• PCI Bus support
• Simultaneous display supported
• Integrated 128-bit wide, 7Mbits Display Memory – 1.1 MB
of Video RAM
• Integrated programmable linear address feature
accelerates GUI performance
• Supports NON-interlaced CRT monitors with resolutions
up to 1024 x 768/256 colors
• Advanced power management features minimize power
consumption during:
− Normal operation
− Standby mode
− SUSPEND mode
− VESA DPMS for monitor by 2093 (option)
• Graphic accelerator for WINDOWS application
• 3.3V/5V panel Interface support
− bit BLT Engine
− Memory mapped I/O
− Linear addressing
− Color expansion
− 64x64 hardware cursor
− 64x64 or 128x128 hardware ICON

Overview
1-5
• High resolution SVGA (800x600) panel
− TFT displays support a maximum of 64K colors
− DSTN displays support a maximum of 64K colors
I/O Ports
The system has the following I/O ports:
• One 9 pin Serial port, 16550A compatible
• One 25 pin Parallel port, EPP/ECP Capability
• One 15 pin CRT port
• 6 pin external full keyboard/numeric key-pad / PS/2
mouse connector
• One microphone in port & one speaker out port
• 240 pin docking connector that supports PS2 mouse port,
AT-keyboard, 1S1P, CRT, audio ports, MIDI port, and AC
jack.
• Built-in microphone
• Built-in IRDA FIR transmitter-receiver
Option Modules
The following expansion modules can be installed in the system:
Secondary LiIon Battery
Components, Controls and Indicators
This section shows the locations and provides a description of the
different components, controls, and indicators on your DIGITAL
notebook computer.

Overview
1-6
Front and Side Components (Panel Closed)
Component Description
➊Removable
Hard Drive Easily removable and upgradable.
➋Lid Release Slide the two latches located on either
side of the notebook toward you to open
the LCD panel.
➌Main Battery
Module Removable battery module that can be replaced with a charged battery.
➍Expansion bay Supports the 12X CD-ROM/FDD
Combination module and optional lithium-
ion secondary battery module.
Figure 1-2. Right Front View (Panel Closed)

Overview
1-7
Rear View
Component Description
➊Fast Infrared
Interface Allows wireless data transfer between the notebook and other IR devices.
(Selected models only)
➋Serial (COM)
Port A serial device connects to this port.
➌Parallel LPT
Port A parallel device, such as a printer, connects to this port.
➍Reset Button Using a pen or paper clip, press this
button to reboot the system. All unsaved
data will be lost.
➎VGA Display
Port An external VGA or SVGA monitor connects to this port.
➏Minidock Port This 240-pin port allows you to connect
the notebook to the Minidock Port
Replicator.
➐External
Keyboard or
PS/2 Mouse
Port
An external keyboard or PS/2 mouse
connects to this port.

Overview
1-8
Figure 1-3. Rear View

Overview
1-9
Left and Side Components
Component Description
➊Speaker-out
Port External speakers or headphones connect to this port.
➋External Mic
Port An external microphone connects to the notebook.
➌PC Card
Lower Socket
Eject Button
Ejects a PC Card Type II from the lower
socket or to eject a Type III card.
➍PC Card
Socket Insert PC Card Type II or Type III cards into this socket.
➎PC Card
Upper Socket
Eject Button
Ejects a PC Card Type II from the upper
socket..
➏AC Power Port The AC Adapter power cord connects to
this port.
➐Security Lock
Port A Security Lock device, such as a Kensington Lock, connects to this port.

AC Power LED Lights green when the notebook is
operating on AC power.

Battery
Charger LED Lights amber when the battery is being charged. When the battery is fully
charged the amber LED turns off.

Overview
1-10
Figure 1-4. Left Front View (Panel Closed)

Overview
1-11
Right Front View (Panel Open)
Component Description
➊Internal
Microphone Used to record music, voice and sound files.
➋LCD Display DSTN or TFT Super VGA back-lit display.
➌LCD Status
Display Provides system operating status.
➍Suspend/
Resume
Button
Turns the notebook on and toggles
between the suspend/resume mode.
Press [fn + Suspend/Resume] to turn off
the notebook.
➎Lid Switch Close the notebook’s LCD lid to suspend
the system. Open the lid to resume the
normal operation. The Lid Switch can be
configured to CRT display mode from
within the Power menu of the BIOS Setup
Program. Please refer to Chapter 2.
➏Internal Stereo
Speakers Used to hear sound files and system sounds through stereo speakers.

Touch pad A touch sensitive pointing device
providing all the functions of a two-button
mouse.

Overview
1-12
Figure 1-5. Right Front View (Panel open)

Overview
1-13
Controlling Power
Unique to DIGITAL notebook’s, the suspend/resume button not
only enables you to take advantage of the built-in power saving
features but also turns the notebook on and off.
Action How to...
On Press the Suspend/Resume button to
turn the system on.
Suspend When the system is on, press this button
to place your system in Suspend mode.
Resume Press the Suspend/Resume button to
resume normal operation from the
Suspend mode.
Off To completely shut off your notebook,
press and hold [fn + suspend/resume]
button until a system beep sounds,
indicating that the system has been
successfully turned off.
Suspend
Lid Switch In its factory default mode, closing the LCD lid will also enter the notebook into
Suspend mode. Refer to Chapter 3, in
the section labeled
Power Menu
for
instructions on how to configure the Lid
Switch function.