Epson Equity 386/33 PLUS User manual

EPSON
®
EQUITY® 386/33 PLUS
User’s Guide

IMPORTANT NOTICE
DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY
Epson America makes no representations or warranties, either express or implied, by or
with respect to anything in this manual, and shall not be liable for any implied warranties
of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose or for any indirect, special, or
consequential damages. Some states do not allow the exclusion of incidental or
consequential damages, so this exclusion may not apply to you
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Epson
America, Inc. No patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of information
contained herein. Nor is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of the
information contained herein. Further, this publication and features described herein are
subject to change without notice.
TRADEMARKS
Epson is a registered trademark of Seiko Epson Corporation
Equity is a registered trademark of Epson America, Inc.
General notice: Other product names used herein are for identification purposes only and
may be trademarks of their respective companies.
Copyright 0 1992 by Epson America, Inc.
Torrance, California Y74499100100
ii

Important Safety Instructions
1.
2.
3.
Read all of these instructions and save them for later reference.
Follow all warnings and instructions marked on the product.
Unplug this product from the wall outlet before cleaning. Use a
damp cloth for cleaning, not liquid cleaners or aerosol cleaners.
4.
5.
6.
Do not use this product near water.
Do not place this product on an unstable cart, stand, or table.
Slots and openings in the cabinet and the back or bottom are
provided for ventilation; these openings must not be blocked or
covered. This product should never be placed near or over a
radiator or heat register.
7. This product should be operated from the type of power source
indicated on the marking label. If you are not sure of the type of
power available, consult your dealer or local power company.
8. Connect all equipment to properly grounded (earthed) power
outlets. If you are unable to insert the plug into the outlet,
contact your electrician to replace your obsolete outlet. Avoid
using outlets on the same circuit as photocopiers or air control
systems that regularly switch on and off.
9. Do not locate this product where the cord will be walked on.
10. If an extension cord is used with this product, make sure that the
total of the ampere ratings on the products plugged into the
extension cord do not exceed the extension cord ampere rating.
Also, make sure that the total of all products plugged into the
wall outlet does not exceed 15 amperes.
11. Never push objects of any kind into this product through the
cabinet slots. Never spill liquid of any kind on the product.
iii

12. Except as specifically explained in the User’s Guide, do not
attempt to service this product yourself. Refer all servicing to
qualified service personnel.
13. Unplug this product from the wall outlet and refer servicing to
qualified service personnel under the following conditions:
A. When the power cord or plug is damaged.
B. If liquid has entered the product.
C. If the product does not operate normally when the operating
instructions are followed. Adjust only those controls that are
covered by the operating instructions, since improper
adjustment of other controls may result in damage and will
often require extensive work by a qualified technician to
restore the product to normal operation.
D. If the product has been dropped or the cabinet has been
damaged.
E. If the product exhibits a distinct change in performance.
iv

Contents
Introduction
Where to Get Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Chapter 1
Using Your Computer
Copying the Reference and Utility Files
.............. 1-1
Special Keys on the Keyboard
................... 1-2
Stopping a Command or Program
................. 1-4
Resetting the Computer
.......................
1-4
Using a Power-on Password
.................... 1-6
Using Disks and Disk Drives
.................... 1-7
How Disks Store Data
..................... 1-7
Types of Diskette Drives
................... 1-9
Caring for Diskettes and Diskette Drives
..........
1-12
Write-protecting Diskettes
..................
1-14
Using a Single Diskette Drive System
............ 1-16
Inserting and Removing Diskettes
.............. 1-17
Formatting Diskettes
......................
1-19
Making Backup Copies
.................... 1-19
Using a Hard Disk Drive
...................
1-20
Chapter 2 Enhancing System Operations
Using AUTOEXEC.BAT and Other Batch Files
.......... 2-1
Changing the Processor Speed
...................
2-2
Entering Keyboard Commands
...............
2-4
Using the ESPEED Program
.................
2-5
Using Your Computer as a Network Server
........... 2-7
Using a Password in Network Server Mode
........ 2-8
Using Special VGA Features
....................
2-9
vii

Chapter 3
Accessing Internal Components
Removing the Cover
.........................
3-2
Removing the Subassembly
.....................
3-5
Replacing the Subassembly
.....................
3-9
Replacing the Cover
..........................
3-17
Chapter 4
lnstalling and Removing Options
Main System Board
..........................
4-3
Changing the Jumper Settings
....................
4-4
Setting the Jumpers
.......................
4-4
Replacing the Battery
.........................
4-7
Installing an Option Card
......................
4-11
Removing an Option Card
......................
4-15
Using the Alternate VGA Interface
.................
4-16
Adding Memory Modules
......................
4-18
Installing Memory Modules
..................
4-19
Removing Memory Modules
.................
4-22
Installing a Math Coprocessor
....................
4-23
Removing a Math Coprocessor
...................
4-26
Post-installation Setup for Memory Cards
.............
4-26
Using the CORFIX Program
..................
4-27
Post-installation Setup
........................
4-28
Chapter 5
Installing and Removing Drives
Choosing the Correct Drive Bay
...................
5-2
How to Use This Chapter
.......................
5-3
Setting the Hard Disk Drive Jumpers
................
5-4
Changing the Jumper Settings
.................
5-5
Installing a Hard Disk in the Vertical Position
...........
5-7
Removing the Mounting Frames From the Drive
......
5-8
Removing and Attaching the Mounting Plate
........
5-10
Installing the Drive
.......................
5-11
Removing a Hard Disk From the Vertical Position
........
5-17
viii

Installing or Removing a Drive in the Horizontal Position . . .
5-19
Installing a Drive in the Horizontal Position . . . . . . . .
5-19
Removing a Drive From the HorizontaI Position . . . . . 5-26
Appendix A Specifications
CPU and Memory
.......................
A-1
Controllers
...........................
A-2
Interfaces
............................
A-2
Power Supply.
.........................
A-3
Mass Storage
..........................
A-3
Keyboard ............................
A-4
Environmental Requirements
................
A-4
Physical Characteristics
....................
A-4
System Memory Map
.....................
A-5
Appendix B
Performing System Diagnostics
Starting the Diagnostics Program
.................
B-2
The Main Menu Screen
.......................
B-2
Setting the Run Time Parameters.
.................
B-4
Error Logging.
.........................
B-6
Selecting Diagnostic Tests
......................
B-8
Selecting Multiple Tests
....................
B-8
Running the Tests
..........................
B-10
Memory Diagnostics
.........................
B-12
Hard Disk Diagnostics.
.......................
B-13
Hard Disk Parameters
.....................
B-14
Hard Disk Format
.......................
B-17
Media Analysis
.........................
B-18
Performance Test
........................
B-18
Seek Test
............................
B-18
Read/Verity Test
........................
B-19
Check Test Cylinder
......................
B-19
Force Bad Tracks
........................
B-19
Hard Disk Error Messages
..................
B-19
ix

Floppy Disk Diagnostics
......................
B-20
Performing the Tests
.....................
B-21
Floppy Disk Error Messages
.................
B-22
Miscellaneous Diagnostics
.....................
B-23
Printer Adapter Test.
.....................
B-23
Communication Adapter Test
................
B-24
Exiting System Diagnostics
.....................
B-25
Appendix C Troubleshooting
Identifying Your System
......................
C-1
Error Messages
............................
C-2
The Computer Won’t Start
.....................
C-5
The Computer Does Not Respond
.................
C-6
Password Problems
.........................
C-8
Accessing Your Current Password
.............
C-8
Keyboard Problems
.........................
C-10
Monitor Problems
..........................
C-10
Diskette Problems
..........................
C-12
Diskette Drive Problems
......................
C-14
Hard Disk Problems
.........................
C-15
Installing the Drive
......................
C-16
Preparing the Drive
......................
C-17
Accessing Data on the Drive
.................
C-18
Software Problems
..........................
C-18
Printer Problems
...........................
C-20
Option Card Problems
.......................
C-21
Mouse Problems
...........................
C-22
Memory Module Problems
.....................
C-23
Battery Problems
...........................
C-23
Math Coprocessor Problems
....................
C-24
Glossary
Index
x

Introduction
This Equity® 386/33 PLUS User’s Guide contains the information
you need to get the best results from your computer. You’ll find
instructions for adding options to your system such as disk
drives, option cards, or a math coprocessor, as well as general
reference information such as how to use diskettes, test your
system, and troubleshoot minor problems.
Note
For instructions on setting up your system or changing the
SETUP configuration, see the Setup Guide.
You don’t have to read everything in this book. Its contents are
summarized below:
Chapter 1 covers general operating procedures, such as using
and caring for disks and disk drives.
Chapter 2 describes special features you can use to enhance
your system’s performance.
Chapter 3 tells how to remove and replace the computer’s
cover and subassembly to reach internal components.
Chapter 4 describes some of the options you can use in your
computer and instructions for setting jumpers, replacing the
battery, and installing options.
Chapter 5 explains how to install and remove disk drives.
Appendix A lists the specifications of your computer,
Appendix B covers the system diagnostic tests you can run, and
Appendix C contains troubleshooting tips.
At the end of this manual you’ll find a glossary and an index.
Introduction 1

Where to Get Help
If you purchased your computer in the United States, Epson
America provides local customer support and service through a
nationwide network of authorized Epson dealers and Service
Centers.
Epson also provides the following support services through the
Epson Customer Resource Center at [phone]:
cl
cl
Ll
cl
cl
Q
Technical assistance with the installation, configuration,
and operation of Epson products
Assistance in locating your nearest Authorized Epson
Reseller or Service Center
Sales of ribbons, supplies, parts, documentation, and
accessories for your Epson product
Customer Relations
Epson technical information library fax service
Product literature with technical specifications on our
current and new products.
If you purchased your computer outside of the United States,
please contact your dealer or the marketing location nearest
you for customer support and service. International marketing
locations are listed on the inside back cover.
2 Introduction