Epson HX-20 User manual

EPSON
HX-20 OPERATIONS MANUAL
B Y
Kenneth Skier
President
SkiSoft, Inc.
Cambridge, Massachusetts

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, mechan-
ical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of
Epson America, Inc. No patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of the
information contained herein. While every precaution has been taken in the
preparation of this book, the publisher and author assume no responsibility for
errors or omissions. Neither is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the
use of the information contained herein.
The Source”’ is a service mark of Source Telecomputing Corporation. a subsidiary of the
Readers Digest Association. Inc.
CompuServe® is a registered trademark of CompuServe. Inc.
Copyright® 1982 by Epson America, Inc.
Torrance, California 90505
ii

Federal Communications Commission
Radio Frequency Interference
Statement
“This equipment generates and uses radio frequency energy and if
not installed and used properly, that is, in strict accordance with the
manufacturer’s instructions, may cause interference to radio and
television reception. It has been type tested and found to comply
with the limits for a Class B computing device in accordance with
the specifications in Subpart J of Part 15 of FCC Rules, which are
designed to provide reasonable protection against such interference
in a residential installation. However, there is no guarantee that
interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equip-
ment does cause 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:
l Reorient the receiving antenna
l Relocate the computer with respect to the receiver
l Move the computer away from the receiver
l Plug the computer into a different outlet so that com-
puter and receiver are on different branch circuits.
If necessary, the user should consult the dealer or an experienced
radio/ television technician for additional suggestions. The user
may find the following booklet prepared by the Federal Communica-
tions Commission helpful:
“How to identify and Resolve Radio-TV Interference Problems.”
This booklet is available from the US Government Printing Office,
Washington, D.C., 20402, Stock No. 004-000-00345-4.

CONTENTS
1 Congratulations! ...................................
2 Cautions .........................................
Case ..............................................
Dummy cartridge ..................................
System bus cover ...................................
Circuitry cover .....................................
Battery charger ....................................
Batteries ..........................................
Printer ............................................
Peripherals ........................................
Physicalshock .....................................
Humidity .........................................
Extreme temperatures ...............................
3 Preparing your HX-20 for use
.......................
Unpackingthe HX-20 ..............................
Charging the batteries ..............................
Preparing the printer for use .........................
Removing the printer cover. .....................
Inserting the paper roll. .........................
Inserting the ribbon cartridge ....................
Replacing the printer cover. .....................
Adjusting the viewing angle ......................
initializing memory and the calendar clock ............
Selecting a different character set. ....................
4 Using the HX-20 ...................................
Turning it on ......................................
Viewing the menu.. ................................
Choosing an item from the menu .....................
5 The screen editor. ..................................
The virtual screen ..................................
Thecursor ........................................
Scrolling ..........................................
Homing the cursor .................................
Clearing the screen .................................
Typing on the virtual screen .........................
Automatic scrolling. ................................
1
5
5
5
6
7
7
8
9
9
10
10
11
13
13
14
15
16
17
21
22
23
25
27
31
31
31
33
35
35
36
40
40
41
41
41
V

Virtual screen width ................................
42
Logical lines vs. physical lines. .......................
43
Retyping ..........................................
44
Deleting text ......................................
44
Insert mode .......................................
45
Upper and lower case. ..............................
46
Numeric mode .....................................
47
Graphic characters .................................
49
Printing the screen .................................
50
Using the special function keys .......................
52
6 Connecting your HX-20 to other devices
..............
55
-to a cassette recorder .............................
55
-to an RS-232 device ..............................
57
-to a bar code reader ..............................
58
7 What if you have problems?
.........................
61
If you can’t turn off your HX-20 .....................
61
If the menu displays garbage .........................
62
If you encounter other problems .....................
62
8 Storing your HX-20 ................................
63
-for a few minutes to a few hours ..................
63
- for a few hours to a few weeks ....................
63
-for a few weeks to a few months ...................
63
9 Specifications.
.....................................
65
Architecture.. .....................................
65
Expansion .........................................
67
Help! ...............................................
73
vi

Chapter 1
Congratulations!
Congratulations! You have just
purchased the first of a new gen-
eration of personal computers.
The Epson HX-20 is unlike any
product ever built, combining
the power and usefulness of a
desktop computer with the port-
ability of a pocket calculator.
It’s a go-anywhere, do-
anything system designed from
the start to be user-friendly-
which means you don’t have to
know anything about comput-
ers to use it. Powered by its own
internal batteries, with no dan-
gling cords or external parapher-
nalia, the HX-20 is a compact
and uncluttered system, at home
in the classroom or the confer-
ence room, on your desk or in
your lap.
Unlike most other personal
computers, the HX-20 can store
up to seventeen programs in its
memory. (Five of these may be
BASIC programs.) When you
turn on the HX-20, a menu ap-
pears on the screen, listing the
names of these programs. You
can make the HX-20 run any
program on the menu simply by
pressing a single key.
Furthermore, the HX-20 has
a memory like an elephant. Un-
like most personal computers,
which forget any program in
memory as soon as they are
“powered down,” the HX-20
remembers all programs in its
1

memory even when you turn it
off
Contained within the HX-20
is an extended version of Micro-
soft BASIC, a powerful pro-
gramming language that is easy
to learn and which takes full
advantage of the many special
features of the HX-20. If you
have no interest in program-
ming, you can purchase
programs and run them on your
HX-20. But if you do wish to
learn about programming, the
accompanying Epson HX-20
BASIC Tutorial and Reference
Manual will teach you every-
thing you need to know. It will
take you from a computer
novice to an accomplished com-
puter programmer, in only a few
evenings.
J
When you use the HX-20,
you’ll notice that its full-size,
full-stroke keyboard has the feel
of a fine piece of office equip-
ment, and that its program-
mable special function keys
make it a snap to develop pro-
grams that are extremely easy to
use. You'll also appreciate its
built-in screen and printer. They
display graphics as well as num-
bers, punctuation marks, and
upper and lower case letters.
You may tailor the HX-20 to
certain applications, such as
word processing or telecom-
munications, by purchasing a
tiny circuit called an option
ROM An option ROM will fit
inside the HX-20, enhancing it
2

permanently with the desired
capabilities. Only one option
ROM can fit inside the HX-20 at
a time, but it’s a powerful means
of customizing the HX-20 for a
desired application-without
diminishing in any way its abil-
ity to run BASIC programs or to
accept option cartridges.
Option cartridges also tailor
the HX-20 for specific applica-
tions. You can install a cartridge
in moments, simply by sliding it
into a recessed compartment in
the case of the HX-20. Insert a
program cartridge for one or
more ready-to-run applications
programs; or slide in the micro-
cassette cartridge, which con-
tains a complete microcassette
recorder suitable for storing
programs and data files.
If your applications require
more memory than the HX-20
features, just attach an expan-
sion unit, which virtually dou-
bles the read-write memory
and permanent memory of the
system.
Should you decide to expand
the capabilities of your HX-20
even further, you may connect it
to such external devices as:
-an ordinary cassette recorder,
for permanent storage of pro-
grams and data;
-a display controller, which
enables the HX-20 to display
text and graphics on your
television set or on a video
monitor;
-a printer, for full-page print-
outs of text and graphics;
1-
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-a modem or acoustic coupler,
to enable your HX-20 to com-
municate over telephone lines
to other computers and net-
works such as CompuServe@
and The Source”;
3

I
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-one or more floppy-disk
units, which may store dozens
or hundreds of programs and
data files on-line, for virtually
instant access;
As you can see, the HX-20 is
powerful, portable, easy to use
and expandable. Whether you
wish to use it for school, for busi-
ness, or just for fun, you could
hardly choose a more personal
personal computer.
So, once again, Congratulations!
-a bar code reader, to scan bar-
coded programs, songs, and
data sheets.
4

Chapter 2
Cautions
The HX-20 is not a toy. Although it is solid and well-built, it is not
invulnerable. Treat it with the care it deserves, and it should pro-
vide you with years of reliable service.
The warnings on these pages concern only the HX-20. If you con-
nect your HX-20 to any peripherals, be sure to heed any warnings
contained within the documentation for those peripherals.
(Note: failure to observe the following cautions may void the
warranty on your HX-20.)
Never disassemble the case
There are no parts inside your HX-20 that you can service or replace
by yourself. If you remove the screws that hold the case together,
you will risk damaging the static-sensitive circuitry and/or the
batteries.
INever
disassemble the case
Leave the dummy cartridge in place
In the upper right corner of your HX-20, you will notice a dummy
cartridge.
5

cartridge
Leave the dummy cartridge in place
If you purchase an option cartridge containing a program or a
microcassette recorder, then you will need to remove the dummy
cartridge in order to insert the option cartridge. But until then,
please leave the dummy cartridge in place.
When no cartridge is in place, one of the HX-20’s connectors is
exposed. Static electricity or metal objects contacting this con-
nector can damage the HX-20’s circuitry. By covering up this
connector, the dummy cartridge prevents such mishaps.
Do not remove the system bus cover
On the left side of your HX-20, you will notice a small strip of dark
plastic. This covers up a connector called the system bus.
system bus cover
Do not remove the system bus cover
When the system bus is exposed, you will run the risk of dam-
aging your HX-20 through exposure to static electricity, metal
objects, and other hazards. The system bus cover protects your
HX-20. Carefully remove it only to install the HX-20 expansion
unit.
6

Treat the circuit cover with care
If you turn your HX-20 upside down, you will notice something that
looks like a trap door. This covers the HX-20’s internal circuitry.
circuit cover
Treat the circuit cover with care
PLEASE NOTE: You should not remove this cover yourself! Re-
moving it exposes the static-sensitive circuit to possible damage.
Your warranty will become void if you attempt to modify, adjust,
add, or insert any ROM or other part or device in this compartment.
This cover should only be removed by an authorized Epson
dealer or service center and for one of two reasons:
1 ) to install an option ROM.
2.) to select a different character set (see Page 27).
Also, do not operate the HX-20 with the circuit cover removed.
Doing so increases the chance of damage to the circuit, and may
cause the HX-20 to interfere with television or radio reception
nearby.
Use only the HX-20 AC adapter to charge HX-20 batteries
Your HX-20 comes with a device labelled AC ADAPTER. This unit
is designed to charge the batteries in your HX-20. It is not designed
to run your HX-20 directly from AC current.
In all cases, you should operate the HX-20 using only its internal
nickel-cadmium batteries.
You may own other electronic products whose accessories
include an AC adapter or a battery charger that looks much like the
HX-20 battery charger. DO NOT USE any of these devices with
your HX-20. Their electrical characteristics will almost certainly be
quite different from those of the HX-20 battery charger. (This is true
even of chargers and adapters rated at 6 volts, and equipped with
7

plugs identical to the one on the HX-20 battery charger.)
Using any battery charger other than the one that came with your
HX-20 may damage the HX-20 and/ or its batteries and could void
your warranty.
Use only the HX-20 AC adapter to charge HX-20 batteries
Don’t overcharge the batteries
If you operate the HX-20 with the battery charger connected, even-
tually you will overcharge the batteries.
Do not operate the HX-20 with the battery charger connected
When its batteries need to be recharged, the HX-20 will flash
“CHARGE BATTERY” on the screen sixty times, and then shut
off. When you see the “CHARGE BATTERY” warning, turn off
the power switch and charge the HX-20 for eight hours. If you
8

recharge the HX-20 before you see that message, you will only
shorten the useful life of the batteries.
Charging the batteries for more than eight hours at a time will
shorten their life. Charging them continuously for more than seven
days can destroy them.
I
Don’t overcharge the batteries
If your batteries fail to hold a charge, take your HX-20 to an
Epson Service Center. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REMOVE THE
BATTERIES YOURSELF, or you could damage your HX-20.
Don’t pull on the paper when the printer is active
You may damage the HX-20’s built-in microprinter if you pull on
the paper while the printer is working.
Don’t pull on the paper when the printer is active
You may, however, pull on the paper when the printer is inactive;
this will cause no damage to the printer.
Connect the HX-20 only to appropriate peripherals
The sockets on the back of the HX-20 enable you to connect it to an
Epson disk drive or an RS-232 serial device such as a modem or a
printer. Sockets on the side of the HX-20 enable you to plug in a
bar-code reader or a cassette recorder.
Do not plug any device into these sockets unless it conforms to
the interface specifications listed at the back of this manual.
9

Plugging in a device that does not conform to these specifications
may damage the HX-20 and/or the device you plug in, and may
void your warranty.
Connect the HX-20 only to appropriate peripherals
Protect the HX-20 from physical shock
Don’t drop your HX-20, or let it shake about. Like any other
electronic product, the HX-20 can be damaged by such treatment.
Pack it in its original box, using the original packing materials,
whenever you ship it.
Protect the HX-20 from physical shock
Protect the HX-20 from extreme humidity
The HX-20 is designed for use in conditions where the humidity
does not exceed 80%. Exposure to humidity exceeding this level can
impair the performance of the HX-20, or damage it. Exposure to
water can create a potential shock hazard.
Protect the HX-20 from extreme humidity
10

Protect the HX-20 from extreme heat and cold
The HX-20 is designed for use in conditions where the temperature
is below 95° F (35° C), and above 41°F (5° C).
The HX-20 will not work reliably outside of this temperature
range.
Protect the HX-20 from extreme heat and cold
Storing the HX-20 in conditions that are too hot or too cold may
damage it permanently.
11

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Chapter 3
Preparing your HX-20 for use
Before you use your HX-20 for the first time, you must take several
steps:
I) Unpack it.
2) Charge the batteries.
3) Put paper and a ribbon in the printer.
4) Adjust the LCD display.
5) Initialize memory and the calendar clock.
If you need to work with special symbols, you might also wish to
select a different character set. See page 27.
Unpacking the HX-20
Remove the HX-20, the battery charger, and all packing materials
from the box. Check the packing materials for small parts and
papers.
DO NOT DISCARD THE PACKING MATERIALS!
You will need them if you ever ship the HX-20, to protect it during
shipment.
You should have the following:
1) The Epson HX-20 computer and carrying case.
2) The battery charger.
13

3) A roll of paper for the printer.
4) A ribbon cartridge for the printer.
5) This manual.
6) The Epson HX-20 BASIC Tutorial and Reference Manual.
7) The registration card.
8) A warning sheet concerning the battery charger.
Fill out the registration card at the time of purchase and mail it
to Epson.
With your registration card on file, Epson can provide continuing
software and hardware support to help you in using your HX-20.
Charging the batteries
The nickel-cadmium batteries in your HX-20 hold very little charge
when they are new. So charge them now, before using the HX-20.
A full charge is necessary to maintain maximum battery efficiency.
For optimum battery life, only recharge the batteries when the
HX-20 tells you to do so.
Plug the battery charger into an AC outlet:
14

Uncoil the battery charger cable. At the free end of this cable is a
small, cylindrical plug:
Insert this plug into the socket labelled “ADAPTER” on the back
of the HX-20:
DO NOT TURN ON THE HX-20! If you leave your HX-20
power on, your batteries will not be fully charged at the end of eight
hours.
The batteries in the HX-20 are now charging. Allow them to
obtain a full charge for eight (8) hours. Then disconnect the battery
charger from the AC outlet, and unplug it from the HX-20.
Preparing the printer for use
The HX-20 features a built-in microprinter which can print text and
graphics. The printer mechanism and controls are located in the
upper left corner of the HX-20.
paper
printer
printer
15