HP VECTRA VE User manual

HP Vectra VE
User’s Guide

Notice
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Hewlett-Packard France
Commercial Desktop Computing Division
38053 Grenoble Cedex 9
France
©1997 Hewlett-Packard Company

User’s Guide

Important Safety Information
iv Francais
Who this Manual is For
This manual is for anyone who wants to do any of the following:
•Set up the PC for the first time
•Configure the PC
•Add accessories to the PC
•Troubleshoot problems on the PC
•Find out where to get more information and support
Important Safety Information
If you have any doubt that you can lift the PC or display safely, do not
try to move it without help.
For your safety, always connect the equipment to a grounded wall
outlet. Always use a power cord with a properly grounded plug, such as
the one provided with this equipment, or one in compliance with your
national regulations. This PC is disconnected from the power by
removing the power cord from the power outlet. This means the PC
must be located close to a power outlet that is easily accessible.
For your safety, never remove the PC’s cover without first removing the
power cord from the power outlet, and any connection to a
telecommunications network. Always replace the cover on the PC
before switching it on again.
WARNING To avoid electric shock, do not open the power supply.
This HP PC is a class 1 laser product. Do not attempt to make any
adjustment of the laser units.

Francais v
Important Safety Information
Important Ergonomic Information
We recommend strongly that you read the ergonomic information
before using your PC.
For Windows 95 users, open the Start menu in the task bar and choose
Help. Then double-click on the help topic “Working in Comfort”.
For Windows for Workgroups users, open the Program Manager, open
the program group ‘HPUtils’, and double-click on “HP User Tools” icon.
Then click on “Working in Comfort” in the page tagged “Information”.
For DOS users, refer to the Working in Comfort booklet.

Important Safety Information
vi Francais

Contents
English vii
Important Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv
1 Setting Up and Using Your PC
Unpacking Your PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Connecting the Mouse, Keyboard, Display and Printer . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Connecting the Power Cords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Connecting to a Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Your PC’s Hardware Control Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Starting and Stopping Your PC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Starting Your PC for the First Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Starting Your PC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Stopping Your PC and HP Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Asset Tracking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
PC Identification/Tattoo String . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
PC Serial Number. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Protecting Your PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Setting an Administrator and a User Password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Using Power Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Desktop Management Interface (DMI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
HP Dynamic Video. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Additional Information and Help. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

viii English
2 How to Install Accessories In Your PC
Accessories You Can Install . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Removing and Replacing the Cover. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Removing the Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Replacing the Cover after Installing Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Moving and Replacing the Power Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Installing Memory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Main Memory Modules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Installing an Optional Cache Memory Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Upgrading Video Memory To Improve Resolution and Increase the Number
of Displayed Colors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Installing Mass Storage Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Connecting IDE Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Configuring an IDE Device After Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Installing a Flexible Disk Drive or a CD-ROM Drive
in the Middle Shelf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Installing an IDE Hard Disk Drive in the Rear Shelf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Installing an IDE Hard Disk Drive in the Bottom Shelf. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Installing a Tape Drive in the Bottom Shelf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Installing a BNC Coax Adapter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Installing an Upgrade/Overdrive Processor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Installing Accessory Boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Configuring Accessory Boards with Plug and Play . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Installing the Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Installing the Security Bracket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

English ix
3 The HP Setup Program
The HP Summary Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
HP Summary Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Using the Setup Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
4 Troubleshooting Your PC
HP Summary Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
If Your PC Does Not Start At All . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
If Your PC Does Not Start Properly. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Display is Blank and There Are No Error Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
If you are Unable to Change any Values in Setup. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
If a POST Error Message is Displayed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
If Your PC Has a Hardware Problem. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Display Does Not Work Properly. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
If Your Keyboard Does Not Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
If Your Mouse Does Not Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
If Your Printer Does Not Work. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
If the Flexible Disk Drive Does Not Work. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
If the Hard Disk Does Not Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
If the CD-ROM Drive Has a Problem. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
If an Accessory Board Does Not Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
If Your PC Has a Software Problem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
If You Have Forgotten Your Password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
If Your Application Software Does Not Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
If the Date and Time are Incorrect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

xEnglish
If You Need to Change the Battery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
5 Features and Specifications
Features and Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
IRQs, DMAs, and I/O Addresses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
System Board Switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Processor Speed Switch SW2 and Bus Speed Jumper J-7 . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Cache Jumper J6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Multipurpose Switch SW1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Power-on Spacebar Feature Jumper JP4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
6 Hewlett Packard Support and Information Services
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Your HP Authorized Reseller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
HP SupportPack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
HP Support Assistant CD-ROM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Hewlett-Packard Information Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
HP Forum on CompuServe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
HP Forum on America Online. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
HP BBS Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
HP World Wide Web Site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
HP FAXback on Demand—HP FIRST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

English xi
HP Audio Tips (USA only) HP Automated Support Directory . . . . . . . . 74
Ordering Drivers and BIOS on Diskette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Hewlett-Packard Telephone Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Lifeline Telephone Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
HP Network Phone-in Support Service (NPS). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Summary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Hewlett-Packard Marketing Headquarters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

xii English

1
Setting Up and Using
1
Setting Up and Using Your PC

1 Setting Up and Using Your PC
Unpacking Your PC
2English
1
Setting Up and Using
Unpacking Your PC
WARNING If you have any doubt that you can lift the PC or display safely, do not
try to move it without help.
1When you receive your PC, unpack all the components.
2Place the PC on a sturdy desk near to easily accessible power outlets,
with enough space for the keyboard, mouse, and any other
accessories.
3Position the PC so that its rear connectors are easily accessible.
4Place the display on top of the computer. If you have a large display,
place it next to the computer. Refer to the display’s manual for
information about the display.
Operating System Your PC’s operating system is preloaded on your PC’s hard disk.
Installation Tools No tools are required to set up your PC. However, if you plan to install a
disk drive or an accessory board in your PC, you will need a flat-blade
screwdriver. For further information about installing accessories, see
chapter 2, How to Install Accessories In Your PC.
Manuals
Mouse
Computer Power Cord
Display Power Cord
Typical
Display
Computer
Keyboard

English 3
1 Setting Up and Using Your PC
Connecting the Mouse, Keyboard, Display and Printer
1
Setting Up and Using
Connecting the Mouse, Keyboard, Display and Printer
Connect the mouse, keyboard, and display to the back of the computer.
The connectors are shaped to go in one way only. Tighten the display
cable attachment screws.
If you have a printer, connect the printer cable to the back of the
computer and tighten the attachment screws. Use the connector
labeled:
•Parallel (25-pin parallel connector) for a parallel device
•Serial A (9-pin serial connector) for a serial device
•Serial B (9-pin serial connector) for a second serial device.
Mouse Keyboard Display
Parallel Connector Serial Connector

1 Setting Up and Using Your PC
Connecting the Power Cords
4English
1
Setting Up and Using
Connecting the Power Cords
1If fitted, remove the label covering the computer’s power connector.
2Connect the power cords to the display and the computer. (The
connectors are shaped to go in one way only.)
3Connect the display’s power cord and the computer’s power cord to
a grounded outlet.
WARNING For your safety, always connect the equipment to a grounded wall
outlet. Always use a power cord with a properly grounded plug, such
as the one provided with this equipment, or one in compliance with
your national regulations.
This PC is disconnected from the power by removing the power cord
from the power outlet. This means the PC must be located close to a
power outlet that is easily accessible.
Display
Power Cord
Computer
Power Cord
Grounded Outlet

English 5
1 Setting Up and Using Your PC
Connecting to a Network
1
Setting Up and Using
Connecting to a Network
If your PC comes with a network connector, let your Network
Administrator know you are connecting your PC to the network.
Connect the network cable to the RJ-45 UTP (Unshielded Twisted
Pair) LAN connector.
To enable your network connection, refer to the Integrated Network
Interface Submenu in the Configuration Menu of the HP Setup
program. (You can find additional information in the online Network
Administrator’s Guide.)
NOTE If you need a BNC Coax connector to connect to the network, you can
install an optional BNC coax adapter (order HP D3979A). Refer to
“Installing a BNC Coax Adapter” on page 30.

1 Setting Up and Using Your PC
Your PC’s Hardware Control Panel
6English
1
Setting Up and Using
Your PC’s Hardware Control Panel
Your PC’s hardware control panel is on the front of your PC.
Power On/Off Button Press this button to turn the power on or off to your PC.
Hard Disk Activity Light This light glows/flickers when your hard disk drive is being accessed.
The hard disk activity light only works if you have an IDE hard disk
drive, which comes with your Vectra PC. If you replace this drive with a
SCSI hard disk drive, this light will not work.
Power On/Off
Power on Status Light
Hard Disk Activity Light

English 7
1 Setting Up and Using Your PC
Starting and Stopping Your PC
1
Setting Up and Using
Starting and Stopping Your PC
Starting Your PC for the First Time
CAUTION On certain models of this PC, you may be given the choice of installing
either Windows 95 or Windows for Workgroups. You are given this
choice the first time you start the PC. This is a once only choice. Once
installed you cannot go back and change the operating system unless
you buy new operating system software.
Starting Your PC
1Before you start your PC, always switch on the display first.
2Start your PC in one of these ways:
•press the power button on the front panel
•press the space bar.
When you switch on the computer, the computer carries out the
Power-On-Self-Test (POST) while the Vectra logo is displayed. If
you wish to view the POST details, press to get the HP
Summary Screen. If there is an error in the POST, the error will
automatically be displayed.
3If you have set a password in the PC’s Setup program, the password
prompt displays after the POST has completed. If the Password
prompt is displayed, press , type your password and press
again to use the PC.
Stopping Your PC and HP Off
Before switching off the PC, save any open documents and close all
open applications. If you are using Windows 95, go to the Start menu in
the task bar and choose Shut Down. If you are using Windows for
Workgroups, close Program Manager.

1 Setting Up and Using Your PC
Starting and Stopping Your PC
8English
1
Setting Up and Using
Windows 95 and HP Off If you are using the HP-preloaded Windows 95, the HP Off utility can
protect your files and your system. If you have unsaved data or new files
open and you switch off your PC using the power switch on the front
control panel before shutting down windows 95, HP Off presents you
with the shut-down dialog box and allows you to save any open
documents before closing open applications. Windows 95 is then shut
down cleanly.
To Enable HP Off To enable HP Off:
1Open the “Power” control panel.
2Click the “HP Off” tab and click the “HP Off” option.
3Set a time for the HP Off time-out. This is the amount of time you are
given (in seconds) to cancel the shut-down sequence.
Try Out HP Off If you want to try out HP Off, do the following:
1Enable HP Off.
2Create a new file and do not save it.
3Press the on/off button the PC front panel. A dialog box with the
message “About to shut down Windows” appears on the screen. You
have between 1 and 5 seconds (according to the value you set for HP
Off time-out) to cancel the shutdown.
4If you cancel the PC returns to normal operation. Otherwise a
message warns you that you have an unsaved file open and asks if
you want to save changes to the file.
5To shutdown cleanly, click “Yes”. To return to normal operation of
the PC, click “Cancel”. To not save changes to the file and shutdown
cleanly, click “No”.