HeadStart LX CDROM Series User manual

1
User's
Guide
(l1noM
SERIES
II Getting Started
II Operating Environment
II Technical Reference Manual
ML -1 0846
i
J

Getting Started
(l1noM
SE RIES

FCC Notice
This equipment uses and generates radiofrequency energy. If not installed and used
in strict accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, it may cause interference
with radio and television reception.
It has been type
tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B computing
device
in accordance withspecifications in SubpartJ of Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These
specifications provide reasonable protection against interference in a residential in-
stallation, however
there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in any
particular installation.
Tryturning
the monitor off and on to determine if it is causing interference. If so, you
maybeable
to correct the situation byusing one or moreof the following procedures:
• reposition the receiving antenna
• relocate the computer or move it away from the receiver
• use different power outlets for the computer and receiver
If necessary, contact your HeadStart™ Dealer or a radio/television technician for ad-
ditional suggestions.
NOTE: It is necessary to use a shielded parallel interface cable when connecting a
printer
to the computer.
It is necessary to use a joystick with a bead. This can be purchased from HeadStart
Technologies,
Co.
F.C.C. ID: FFOHEADSTART LX
The Federal Communications Commission has prepared a booklet that you may find
helpful. Called "How
to Identify and Resolve Radio-TV Interference Problems," this
booklet is available from the U.S. Government PrintingOffice, Washington, D.C. 20402,
Stock
No. 044--000-03454.
Made in Canada
Philips Electronics, Ltd.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS (CANADA)
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise emissions
from digital
apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of the Canadian
Department of Communications.
MINISTERE DES COMMUNICATIONS (CANADA)
Le present appareil numeriquen'emet pas de bruits radioelectroniques depassant les
limites applicables aux appareils numeriques
de la classe B prescrites dans la
Reglement
sur le brouillage radioelectronique edicte par le Ministere des Communi-
cations du Canada.
Warning
To reduce the hazard of fire or electricshock, do not expose this equipment to rain or
moisture. Should moisture enter it, unplug it immediately.
This manual© 1989 HeadStart Technologies Co. All rights reserved worldwide. Printed in the U.S.A.

Warranty Disclaimer
The software and accompanying manuals are licensed to the purchaser for persor
use only. Neither may be copied, or used for any commercial purpose without t'
express written permission of HeadStart Technologies Co.
The above warranties are in lieu of all warranties, express, implied, or statutm
including but not limited to, any implied warranties of merchantability and fitness f
a
particular purpose and of any waranty obligation. In no event shall HeadSti
Technologies Co. be liable for indirect, special, or consequential damages.
Copyright Notice
All rights reserved. No part of the contents of these books or computer softwa
programs may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without t
written
permission of HeadStartTechnologies Co. IBM and PS/2 are trademarks of IE
Inc.
Need Help?
Every effort has been made to make it easy for you to get "up & running" quick
Should
you need additional technical information, please call our technical supp<
line, at 1-800-PC-COACH.

Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction
Your HeadStart To The Future! ................................................................ 1-1
What's a CD-ROM? ..................................................................................... 1-1
System Features ......................................................................................... 1-2
Hardware..................................................................................................... 1-3
8088-1 4. 77 /9.54 MHz Microprocessor ..................................................... 1-3
768 Kilobytes of RAM ................................................................................ 1-3
3.5" 1.44 Megabyte Floppy Disk Drive ..................................................... 1-3
VGA Color Video ........................................................................................ 1-3
3 Available Expansion Slots ...................................................................... 1-3
Built-in Clock-Calendar Hardware with Lithium Battery ...................... 1-3
Parallel Port ................................................................................................ 1-3
Nine-Pin Serial (RS-232C) Port .................................................................. 1-4
Mouse and Mouse Port ............................................................................. 1-4
RCA Jacks.................................................................................................... 1-4
Table of Contents
T-1

Headphone and min-DIN Headphone Jack ............................................. 1-4
2 CD-ROM Caddies ..................................................................................... 1-4
3" CD Adapter ............................................................................................. 1-4
Software ...................................................................................................... 1-4
The HeadStart Office Manager ................................................................. 1-4
ATI Training and Computer*Ease............................................................ 1-4
XTree ........................................................................................................... 1-4
Backup Pro ................................................................................................. 1-4
DS Optimize ................................................................................................ 1-4
OS RECOVER ............................................................................................... 1-5
Twist & Shout ............................................................................................. 1-5
Chessmaster 2000 ...................................................................................... 1-5
Splash .......................................................................................................... 1-5
Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing! ................................................................ 1-5
Publish-It! .................................................................................................... 1-5
GW-BASIC .................................................................................................... 1-5
HeadStart Operating Environment .......................................................... 1-5
Microsoft Bookshelf .................................................................................. 1-5
Hotline Two ................................................................................................ 1-5
The CD Guide Optical Edition .................................................................. 1-5
PC Globe...................................................................................................... 1-5
Conclusion .................................................................................................. 1-6
Chapter 2: Setting Up Your System
Unpacking ................................................................................................... 2-1
Creating a Good Working Environment .................................................. 2-2
--------~~---~----- -----------
T-2 Table of Contents

Getting to Know Your System .................................................................. 2-4
Connecting the Components .................................................................... 2-5
Chapter 3: Turning On Your System
Starting Up Your System ........................................................................... 3-1
Inserting the CD-ROM ................................................................................ 3-2
The 3" CD Adapter ..................................................................................... 3-4
Chapter 4: Important Hardware Components
The Keyboard ............................................................................................. 4-1
Other Differences ....................................................................................... 4-2
Auto-Repeating Keys ................................................................................. 4-2
The Function Keys ..................................................................................... 4-4
The Editing Keys ........................................................................................ 4-5
The Numeric Keypad ................................................................................. 4-6
Taking Care of Your Disks ........................................................................ 4-6
Label Your Diskettes ................................................................................. 4- 7
A
Tour of 3.5" Diskettes ............................................................................ 4-7
CD-ROMS ..................................................................................................... 4-8
Your Video Adapter ................................................................................... 4-9
Table of Contents T-3

Chapter 1
Introduction
Your HeadStart to the Future!
Congratulations! You now have more information than you ever dreamed
right at your fingertips.
Your HeadStart
LX-CD breaks new ground in personal computing. Not
only do you have room to store 40 million bytes of your own information,
the CD-ROM drive that comes with your computer gives you access to
more than 680 million bytes of data at a time - more than many
mainframe computers. Imagine -an entire encyclopedia, a catalog of
nearly
every music CD ever made, a shelf-full of vital reference materials,
all small
enough to fit intoa coat pocket! You can even use your computer
as a CD player by plugging in the enclosed headphones or attaching an
amplifier and speakers.
What's a CD·ROM?
You've surely heard of audio CDs -Compact Discs -which have
revolutionized the electronics and music industry with their ruggedness
and pristine digital sound. CD players have been accepted faster than
almost any other kind of consumer electronics equipment.
What
you may not have heard about is that the same CDs that carry music
can also hold data. Lots
of data. A standard 3.5-inch floppy disk holds
about 720 thousand bytes of data. A5-inch CD-ROM (as the data CDs are
Introduction 1-1

called) can hold more than 680 million bytes - more than 940 floppies'
worth of information. If you wanted to print that data on single-spaced
letter-sized paper, youwould need 200,000 sheets creatinga stack nearly
60 feet tall. In terms of capacity and size, CD-ROM is the most advanced
form of computer storage.
A CD-ROM works differently than a floppy disk or a hard disk. A
conventionaldiskrelies on magnetic impulses to read and writedata, just
like a cassette tape. A CD-ROM uses a laser beam to read the information,
just like an audio CD. And just as you can record your own cassettes, a
conventional disk lets you save your own data on it. A CD-ROM, though,
only lets you read the data that's alreadythere. In fact, that's what ROM
stands for: Read Only Memory.
System Features
As excitingas the CD-ROM drive is, we haven't forgotten the basics. Your
HeadStart IJC-CD has been carefully designed to get you up and running
fast, lettingyou start workwhile users of other PCs are still reading their
manuals.
Your HeadStart system saves youtime and money two ways. First, we've
included thousands ofdollarsworthofsoftware. We'vecarefully selected
the package to include the programs that do the jobs most computer
users need.
A Complete System
The result? You save the time it would take to shop around for programs
that will meet your needs. You save the money you would spend on the
programs and you spare yourself the frustration and aggravation from
possibleincompatibilitiesbetween programs and betweenprograms and
the machine.
Your HeadStart IJC-CD system also saves you time and money with its
unique OperatingEnvironment. The HeadStart OperatingEnvironmentis a
special "master control program" which lets you run programs, perform
routine maintenance tasks and change your system specifications with-
out typingin cryptic, hard-to-remembercommands. Instead, you simply
make selections from a series of menus.
If youcan order dinnerin a restaurant or use an automaticteller machine,
you can use your HeadStart computer right out of the box!
1-2 Getting Started

Hardware
Here's a quick look at what's "under the hood" of your HeadStart LX-CD
the impressive array of hardware that makes up your computer system.
8088·1 4.77/10.00 MHz Microprocessor.
A supercharged version of the industry-standard PC
microprocessor. Using the keyboard or the HeadStart
Operating Environment, you
can switch between the
standard PC speed ( 4. 77 megahertz) or the HeadStart
"turbo" speed of 10.00 megahertz for dramatically in-
creased performance.
768 Kilobytes of RAM
The HeadStart LX-CD comes with 768 kilobytes of random
access memory installed, enough to run any DOS-compat-
ible program.
3.5" 1.44 Megabyte Floppy Disk Drive
Exchanges programs and data with PS/2 machines and
laptops without an external drive or added software.
Formats,
reads and writes 3.5" 720 kilobyte and 1.44 mega-
byte diskettes.
VGA Color Video
The included video card lets you run software on VGA
(Video Graphics Array) monitors, as well as those follow-
ing
the MCGA, EGA, CGA, MDA and Hercules standards.
It's compatible with PS/2, analog, TTL and multiple-fre-
quency monitors.
Three Available Expansion Slots
Open expansion slots permit easy upgrades with HeadStart
and other industry-compatible add-on boards.
Built-in Clock-Calendar Hardware with Lithium
Battery
Data files are properly time- and date-stamped without
your having to enter the time and date each time you start
the computer.
Parallel Port
Hooks up your HeadStart computer to printers with
parallel interfaces.
Introduction 1-3

Nine-Pin Serial (RS-232C) Port
Hooks up your computer to external modems and printers
with serial interfaces.
Mouse and Mouse Port
The HeadStart Mouse brings "point and shoot" conven-
ience
to mouse supported programs.
RCA Jacks
Two RCA-type audio jacks, for audio CD output to an external
amplifier.
Headphone and Mini-DIN Headphone Jack
For private listening to audio CDs.
Two CD-ROM Caddies
Two holders for your CD-ROMs, required to insert the discs into
your computer.
3" CD Adapter
So you can listen to 3-inch CD "singles."
Software
Your HeadStart LX-CD comes with two different sets of software. One set
is copied from a CD-ROM onto your hard disk. The other set is kept
entirely
on the CD-RO Ms, which you can insert and eject more or less like
floppy discs.
For
your hard disk, you get:
1·4
• The HeadStart Office Manager is a full suite of programs
that can take care of your word processing, spreadsheet
and database needs.
• ATI Training and Computer*Ease help you learn how to
use your new computer.
• XTree™ helps manage the files on your hard disk.
• Backup Pro™ backs up your hard disk onto floppy disks,
keeping
you protected against data loss or hardware
failure.
• DS OPTIMIZE™ insures that your hard disk is working at
its fastest.
Getting Started

• DS RECOVER™ can recover a file (and even a hard disk)
that has been erased or otherwise damaged.
• Twist & Shout™ prints spreadsheets sideways and
creates large banners.
• Chessmaster 2000™ challenges your chess-playing skills.
• Splash!™ is one of the most powerful yet simplest
graphics programs available.
• Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing!™ lets you practice one of
the most important skills in using your computer: your
typing.
• Publish-ItPM is a best-selling, simple desktop publishing
package.
• GW-BASlC™ and PC LOGO are the most popular ver-
sions of these widely used computer languages.
• And the HeadStart Operating Environment is the
control center for your LX-CD.
Then there's the software on CD-ROM:
• Microsoft®BookshelffM includes the full text of the World
Almanac
and Book of Facts®, Roget's II Electronic The-
saurus, The American Heritage Dictionary, the U.S. ZIP
Code® Directory, Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, The
Chicago Manual of Style, Business Information Sources,
Houghton Mifflin Spelling Verifier and Corrector,
Houghton Mifflin Usage Alert, and Forms and Letters.
• Hot Line™ Two and The National Directory of Ad-
dresses and Telephone Numbers®,
which includes
I10,000 of
the most commonly called businesses and
organizations and more than 100,000 verified fax num-
bers.
•The CD Guide Optic~ Edition™, a guide to almost all the
audio CDs released to date, complete with reviews,
critiques and audio samples.
• The New Gtolier Electronic Encyclopedia™, the CD
ROM version of the authoriatative 21-volume Academic
American Encyclopedia.
Introduction 1-5

• PC Globe®, a computerized world atlas and database.
• An audio sampler with some of the most beautiful and
hottest music available today.
• Thirty computer games, selected from among the best
the industry has to offer.
Conclusion
Your HeadStart LX-CD is state-of-the-art equipment tamed for your every-
day use. With an entire library of information and the software to
manipulate it, you have one of the most complete personal computers
ever sold.
And remember,
if you ever have any questions, just call our toll-free
support line: 1-800-PC-COACH.
1-6 Getting Started

Chapter 2
Setting Up Your System
Unpacking Your System
The complete HeadStart system comes with everything you need to get
up and running. There are three smaller cartons inside the large system
box. Here is a rundown of what they contain:
In the accessory box you will find:
•Headphones
•A mouse
•Five manuals
•A 3.5-inch Installation Disk
•Two CD ROM discs in CD caddies
•Three CD ROM Discs in "jewel boxes"
•A 3-inch
"CD Single" adapter
•Two empty "jewel boxes"
In the keyboard box you will find:
•A keyboard
In the inner carton you will find:
•The system unit
•AC power cord
•Monitor power adapter
•Five more manuals
•Quick Reference Guide
•Quick Start Guide
•CD Games Quick Reference Guide
Setting Up Your System 2·1

If you're missing anything, tell your dealer immediately and call our
technical support line at 1-800-PC-COACH.
Figure 2-1 What's Included With Your HEAIJSTART LX-CD System
Creating a Good Working Environment
Ifyou take the time to arrange your work area efficiently, you'll find that
using your computer is more enjoyable and productive. Although your
HeadStart computer is not especially sensitive to temperature, it works
best at the same temperature you do. This means the environment
shouldn't be too cold or too hot and you should protect the computer
from direct sunlight and excessive dust.
Figure 2-2 A Good Working Environment
2-2 Getting Started

Your keyboard should be close to typingheight and your monitor should
be positioned at a comfortable eye level. Also, leave enough space in back
of
your system unit to allow for proper air circulation and to allow the
cables to hang freely.
Your work area should also include a grounded power outlet that is
dedicated to the components of your system. These include your system
unit, printer and light source. A grounded electrical outlet has three
prongs which match the grounded plugof your HeadStart computer. If the
outlets in your work area aren't grounded, buy a three prong to two prong
adapter at your local hardware store and install it according to the
manufacturer's instructions. Three-pronged plugs provide important
protection against electrical shock to both you and your computer.
Figure 2-3 A Three Prong to Two Prong Adapter
Another protection device you may want to install is a surge protector.
The voltage coming from your electrical outlets varies to a surprising
degree. Lightning striking a power line even miles away or the shutting
down of a heavyelectrical load in your neighborhood (as when a pieceof
industrial
machinery is turned off) can cause sudden surges of voltage in
the line which can damage sensitive electronic devices like your com-
puter.
Electronic devices like
your computer are also sensitive to line noise,
such as when the vacuum cleaner interferes with TV reception. If your
power lines are particularly"dirty" you may want to invest in a line filter.
Line filter/surge
protector combinations are available.
Setting Up Your System 2-3

There are many brands and models of surge protectors and line filters
available. Your
computer dealer can help you choose the one that's right
for you.
Figure 2-4 A Surge Protector.
Getting to Know Your System
As you unpack your system, you'll notice that the hardware consists of a
few basic
components that you'll be connecting together with the in-
cluded cables.
If you have the room, keep the packing boxes in case you
need to transport your system. Refer to the illustration below to familiar-
ize yourself with
the components.
-------- @Monitor
@ Power Cords
©Keyboard
Figure 2-5 Your HeadStart LX-CD
2-4 Getting Started

CD System Unit
This is the main unit. It contains the microprocessor,
which does the actual computing, RAM (random access
memory), where programs and data are stored during
program execution, and ROM (read-only memory), a
permanent-memory
chip which contains information for
the correct operation of your system. The system unit
also
contains a variety of 1/0 (input/output) facilities
such as the serial and parallel ports, space for expansion
boards and the CD and disk drives.
~ Disk Drives
Programs and data can be stored on diskettes. The 3.5"
disk drive reads and writes information to the diskettes.
The drive is compatible with the IBM® PS/2® and can
handle disks with the capacity of either 720 kilobytes or
1.44 megabytes. The drive on the bottom is a state of
the art CD laser disc drive which reads the information
which is
stored on the compact discs.
@ Monitor (sold separately)
You can choose either a colorful VGA video display or a
monochrome monitor. The included VGA video card
(which drives the display) will support VGA, MCGA,
EGA, CGA, MDA, or Hercules software standards.
®Keyboard
This is a 101-key PS/2-style keyboard.
@ PowerCords
One power cable connects the system unit to the wall
outlet.
The other one connects the monitor to the
system unit.
Connecting the Components
Here's how to assemble the components of your HeadStart system.
1. Place the system unit on a stable work surface. Be sure
to allow enough room so you have access to both the
front and rear of the unit.
Setting Up Your System 2-5

2. Look at the back of your system unit and locate 0 the
nine-pin video connector;@ the 15-pin VGA connector; 8)
the nine-pin mouse connector; 0 the parallel printer
connector; fit the serial device connector; <D the system
power connector and 8 the monitor power connector;
and 0 the audio jacks, 0 the headphone jack and@ the
headphone volume control.
Notice
the difference between <D the power connector that you use to plug
the system unit into the electrical outlet and 8 the power connector that
joins the system unit and the monitor.
2-6
Figure 2-6 Back View of the System Unit
3. Remove the monitor from the box and set it carefully on
top of the system unit. Notice that the video connector
on the system unit matches the 15-pin connector on the
cable from the VGA monitor.
4. Insert the video connector from the monitor into the 15-
pin video connector on the back of the system unit.
Getting Started