Epson Equity 4 Dimensions

EPSON AMERICA, INC.
EPSON
Product Support Bulletin
Subject: Common Questions and Answers for the Epson Equity 4SX/25, 4DX/33
and 4DX2/50 Computers
Date: 04/02/93
Page(s): 1 of 8
PSB No: S-0155
Originator: SLS
GENERAL
Q1.
What an? the Epson Equity 4SX/25, 4DX/33 and 4DX2/50 computers?
A.
The Epson 4SX/25, 4DX/33 and 4DX2/50 represent Epson’s new family of
entry-level computer products. Along with an affordable price, the new
Equity 4 series offers Intel™ i486™ processing power and upgrade
solutions for a wide range of computing applications. In addition to the
performance that these systems offer, users will appreciate the
convenience of a small footprint, complete system integration and pre-
loaded software. Key features include:
l Choice of Intel 486SX/25, 486DX/33 or 486DX2/50 processor
l Built-in math coprocessor (40X/33 and 4DX2/50); math coprocessor
support in the 4SX/25 model
l Intel OverDrive
TM
Support (4SX/25 and 4DX/33)
l Zero Insertion Force (ZIF) socket for easy processor upgrades
l 8KB internal cache (built-in CPU)
l Small-footprint case incorporates
- four ISA 16-bit option slots
- two externally accessible drive bays and one internal drive bay
- built-in Super VGA video adapter
- built-in serial, bi-directional parallel, mouse and keyboard ports
- built-in floppy and IDE hard drive controller/interface
l Choice of 120MB or 240MB hard disk drive
l 4MB of RAM; upgradeable to 32MB via SlMMs

PSB No: S-0155
Page: 2 of 8
Q1.
What an? the Epson Equity 4SX/25, 4DX/33 and 4DX2/50 computers?
(continued)
A. l 512KB video memory; upgradeable to 1MB providing True Color
support
l Alternate VGA feature connector for additional graphics capabilities
l System and video BIOS can be relocated in shadow RAM for
increased system performance
0. ROM based system SETUP
l Password security
l Virus warning abilities included in BIOS
l Bundled with MS-DOS® 5.0*, Microsoft® Windows
TM
3.1 and a mouse
(MS-DOS and Windows are pre-loaded on hard drive models)
l MS-DOS 6.0 will be included when available
Q2. what is the target market for this computer?
A.
The Epson Equity 4SX/25, 4DX/33 and 4DX2/50 computers are targeted
at the following markets.
l Home office and small-business users seeking maximum performance
at today’s low prices.
l Work at home users who need an efficient and cost-effective system
that’s compatible with all their business software.
l Businesses in search of a low-cost network node that can handle
current and future applications.
Q3. What interfaces and controllers are integrated on the motherboard?
A.
The Epson Equity 4SX/25, 4DX/33 and 4DX2/50 computers come
standard with a built-in IDE hard disk drive interface, a floppy disk drive
controller, a super VGA video adapter, two serial interfaces, a bi-
directional parallel interface, a PS/2 style mouse port and a PS/2 style
keyboard port all integrated on the main system board (motherboard).

Q4.
A.
PSB No: S-0155
Page: 3 of 8
What levels of password security are provided with the Epson Equity
4SX/25, 4DX/33 and 4DX2/50 computers?
The Equity 4 series of computers offer two levels of password security to
insure that unauthorized users do not change the system’s SETUP
configuration or obtain access to the system.
- Password security to obtain system access
- Password security to access SETUP menus
CPU
Q5.
What microprocessors are being offered with the Epson Equity 4 series
computers?
A.
The Epson Equity 4SX/25 comes standard with an Intel i486SX
microprocessor (CPU) running at 25MHz. The Epson 4DX/33 comes
standard with an Intel i486DX CPU running at 33MHz. The Epson Equity
4DX2/50 comes standard with an Intel DX2/50 CPU running at 50MHz.
Common features of the different microprocessors include backward
compatibility with the 8088, 8086, 80286, and 80386 CPUs and a built-in
8KB cache. For system flexibility, the built-in CPU cache can be disabled
via SETUP.
The i486DX and DX2/50 CPUs contains an on-chip numeric coprocessor
to increase the speed of floating point operations. This coprocessor is
backward compatible with the 387DX and 387SX math coprocessors and
complies to ANSI/IEEE standard 754-1985.
Q6.
What processor upgrades are available in the Epson Equity 4SX/25,
4DX,33 and 4DX2/50 computers?
A.
The Epson Equity 4SX/25 computer can be upgraded by installing an Intel
i487SX or Intel Overdrive CPU in the processor socket. Both of these
CPUs improve system performance by adding a numeric coprocessor to
speed up floating point calculations. The Intel Overdrive CPU doubles
the processor’s internal speed to further increase system performance.
The Epson Equity 4DX/33 computer can be upgraded by installing an Intel
Overdrive CPU in the processor socket. Like the Intel Overdrive CPU for
the 4SX/25, the Intel Overdrive CPU for the 4DX/33 also doubles the
processor’s internal speed to further increase system performance.
Please note that the Equity 4SX/25, 4DX/33 and 4DX2/50 computers do
not support the Weitek math co-processor.

PSB No: S-0155
Page: 4 of 8
BIOS
Q7.
What B/OS comes with the Epson Equity 4SX/25, 4DX/33 and 4DX2/50
computers?
A. The Equity 4 series computers incorporate an AWARD BIOS that contains
both the system and video BIOS. The AWARD BIOS is contained in a
single EPROM device that is installed in a pluggable socket on the main
system board.
Q8. How is SETUP accessed and what information is contained in Setup?
A.
To access SETUP, press the “DEL” key after POST (Power On Self-Test)
completes the memory test but before the computer loads the operating
system. There are two pages of setup information.
STATUS PAGE
- System Date and Time
- Floppy Drive Type Selection A: B: (360K, 1.2M, 720K, 1.44M and None)
- Video Type (EGA/VGA, CGA40, CGA80 and Mono)
- Halt on Error selection
(All Errors, No Errors, Keyboard, Diskette or Diskette/Keyboard)
- Cache (Enable/Disable)
- Shadow (System, Video or System/Video)
- Security (Setup Access, System access or Disabled)
- Boot Sequence (Drive A,C or C,A)
- Virus Warning (Enabled/Disabled)
- NumLock Boot Status (On/Off)
- HDD Drive Type Selection C: D: (Type Number or User-Defined)
OPTIONS PAGE
ISA Command Delay (Normal/Extended)
ISA Wait State (Normal/Extended)
I/O Recovery Time (Enabled/Disabled)
Extended ALE (Enabled/Disabled)
Decouple Refresh (Enabled/Disabled)
COM 1 Select (Enabled/Disabled)
COM2 Select (Enabled/Disabled)
Parallel Port Address
(03BCH, 0378H, 0278H or Disabled)
IDE Select (Enabled/Disabled)
FDC Select (Enabled/Disabled)
256K/384K Relocation (Enabled/Disabled)
DRAM Timing (Fast/Normal)
Video Cacheable (Enabled/Disabled)
System Cacheable (Enabled/Disabled)

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Page: 5 of 8
VIDEO
Q9.
What video adapter comes standard built-in) with the Epson Equity
4SX/25, 4DX/33 and 4DX2/50 computers?
A.
The Equity 4 series computers utilize a Cirrus GD5422 VGA graphics
controller as its built-in video adapter. These computers include 512KB of
video memory which may be upgraded to a full 1MB of memory by
installing pluggable memory chips.
The Cirrus VGA graphics controller is 100% hardware and BIOS-
compatible with IBM® VGA display standards.
Q10. What type of RAM chips are used to upgrade the video memory to a full
1MB on the Equity 4SX/25, 4DX/33 and 4DX2/50 computers?
A.
To increase the Epson Equity 4 series computer’s video memory requires
four pieces of a 256K x 4 bit, 70ns, 20-pin DRAM (Dual In-line Package)
chip. These chips install on the computer’s main logic board in sockets
M5, M6, M7 and M8.
To insure compatibility, we have tested the following DRAM chips and
confirmed that they operate properly when upgrading the video memory:

PSB No: S-0155
Page: 6 of 8
Q11. What video modes are supported by the Epson Equity 4SX/25, 4DX/33
and 4DX2/50 computers?
List below is a table that shows the Epson Equity 4 series computer’s
supported video modes and the memory requirements to obtain each
mode:
Note: An "*"
indicates a Hi-Color mode and an ‘**’ indicates True Color mode.
Q12. What software video drivers are provided with the Epson Equity 4SX/25,
4DX/33 and 4DX2/50 computers?
There are four diskettes included that feature video drivers for many popular
software programs and also include video utilities. The key drivers included are:
Framework II and III, Gem 3.x. Lotus 1-2-3 Rel. 2.x,3.0/Lotus Symphony Rel.
2.0, Ventura Publisher 2.x and 3.0, Windows 3.0 and 3.1, WordPerfect 5.0 & 5.1,
AutoShade v1.x, Autocad R9, R10 and R11, AutoCAD/386 R10, R11 and R12,
PCad 4.x, VersaCAD 386/2D, Microsoft Word 5.0, and Microsoft OS/2 2.0.
The VGA video utilities included are: CLMODE and SETRES. These utilities
are useful when customizing system settings such as video modes or refresh
rates.

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Page: 7 of 8
MEMORY
Q13. What is the standard memory configuration and maximum amount of
system memory that can be used in the Epson Equity 4SX/25, 4DX/33
and 4DX2/50 computers?
A. The Epson Equity 4 series computers come standard with 4MB of system
memory. This memory is provided by a 4MB SIMM installed in SIMM
socket 0 on the main system board.
There is a total of two SIMM sockets on the main system board. These
sockets accept 1 MB, 4MB or 16MB SIMMs. Optional SlMMs may be
purchased to increase the computer’s memory up to a maximum of 32MB.
NOTE: The SlMMs used must be 70ns or faster, 36-bit, 72-pin, fast page
mode type.
Q14. What an? the valid system memory configurations for the Epson Equity
4SX/25, 4DX/33 and 4DX2/50 computers?
A.
Listed in the table below shows all valid system memory configurations for
the Epson Equity 4 series computers:
SIMM 0
4MB
Total Memory
4MB*
4MB 4MB
4MB
1MB
5MB
1MB 4MB 5MB
4MB
4MB 8MB
16MB 16MB
16MB 16MB
16MB 1MB
17MB
1MB 16MB 17MB
16MB 4MB 20MB
4MB 16MB 20MB
16MB 1 16MB
1 32MB
Note “*’
= Factory default memory configuration

PSB No: S-0155
Page: 8 of 8
MASS STORAGE
Q15. What factory floppy and hard disk drive configurations are offered with the
Equity 4SX/25, 4DX/33 and 4DX2/50 computers?
A. The Epson Equity 4SX/25, 4DX/33 and 4DX2/50 computers are available
in three factory configurations. All three configurations come standard
with a 1.44MB floppy disk drive.
Listed below are the factory configurations:
l 3.5” 1.44MB floppy disk drive
l 3.5” 1.44MB floppy disk drive/120MB IDE hard disk drive
l 3.5” 1.44MB floppy disk drive/240MB IDE hard disk drive

PSB No.: S-0062I
Page: 1 of 18
EQUITY 386/33 PLUS
VER PART # ESC TYPE LOC REASON
031892 Y707590802 AMI 27C512 U29 INITIAL RELEASE
061892 201078300 AMI 27C512 U29 Rapid keystrokes on all areas of the
keyboard may cause a shift key
lock and/or keyboard lockup. In
some rare cases, improper
keyboard timing may cause
intermittent system boot failure.
See ECN No: EQ386/33+-001
(2/5/93).
EN EAVOR / EQUITY 4
VER PART # ESC TYPE LOC REASON
1.149A AWAR 27C010 U8 INITIAL RELEASE
EN EAVOR 486C
VER PART # ESC TYPE LOC REASON
053193 1017670 AMI 27C010 U8 INITIAL RELEASE
EL 486 UC
VER PART # ESC TYPE LOC REASON
1.01 451-7010-201 PHOENIX 27C010 U20 INITIAL RELEASE