iDOT Explora Instruction Manual

2
FCC Declaration of Conformity
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2)
this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
For questions related to the EMC performance of this product, contact:
iDOT.com
9715 Burnet Road
Building 6, Suite 100
Austin, Texas USA 78758 USA
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital
device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This
equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed
and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a
particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful 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:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.
• Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit other than the one to which the
receiver is connected.
Part Number Edition Date
DOC1033 First November 1999
iDOT.computers, iDOT.com, and PCs for Smarties are trademarks of iDOT.com, Inc. All other brand names and
product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
1999 by iDOT.com, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced in any form, including
translation to another language, without the prior written consent of iDOT.com, Inc.
iDOT.com
9715 Burnet Road
Building 6, Suite 100
Austin, Texas 78758 USA
512-684-5000
www.idot.com

Contents 3
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Welcome 5
Package checklist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Ordering options and replacement parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Contacting iDOT.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Setting Up Your iDOT Explora System 7
Setup quickstart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Completing iDOT Explora setup. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Protecting your iDOT Explora system. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Troubleshooting setup problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Turning on the computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Turning off the computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Installing and Upgrading
iDOT Explora Hardware 17
Removing the chassis cover. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Installing expansion cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Installing and removing RAM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Installing DIMMs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Removing DIMMs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

iDOT Explora User’s Handbook
4Contents
Using the Recovery CD 25
Reformatting the hard drive and reinstalling software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Welcome 5
:HOFRPH
Package checklist
In addition to this book, your iDOT Explora systempackage
should include the items listed below. If any item is damaged or
missing, contact the iDOT.com™Customer Service Department
at 888-315-9563.
■iDOT Explora computer
■mouse
■keyboard
■power cable
■speaker cable (if you ordered speakers)
■phone cord for modem
■monitor (if you ordered a monitor)
■Recovery CD
■Microsoft®Windows®98 documentation, and Software Certificate
of Authenticity.
Note
Be sure to keep your Recovery CD and your Software
Certificate of Authenticity in a safe place. You’ll need them both
to set up the system if you ever need to reinstall Microsoft
Windows 98 or any of the software applications included with
your system.

Ordering options and replacement parts iDOT Explora User’s Handbook
6Welcome
Ordering options and replacement parts
For complete information about options and components available for
your iDOT Explora system, see the iDOT.com Web site:
www.idot.com.
Contacting iDOT.com
For the most up-to-date information about your iDOT Explora system
and for sales or technical support, go to the iDOT.com Web site at
www.idot.com. You can also contact iDOT.com at these numbers:
Customer Service 888-315-9563
Sales 888-388-4368
Technical Support 800-838-5265

Setting Up Your iDOT Explora System 7
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2Plug the power
cable into the back
of the computer.
Make sure the plug
is firmly connected.
3Plug in the keyboard.
5Connect one end of
the monitor cable to
the video port
and the other end to
the monitor.
Plug the monitor
into a power outlet.
6If your system includes
speakers, plug the
speaker cable into
the top speaker jack.
If your speakers
include a power
adapter, plug the
adapter into a power
outlet.
7Connect the
modem:
If a phone is
connected to the
telephone wall jack,
unplug the phone
from the wall jack
and plug it into the
modem TELEPHONE
jack.
Connect the modem
cable to the
PHONE LINE jack.
Connect the other
end to the telephone
wall jack.
9If you have a serial
device, connect it
to the COM1 port.
4Plug in the mouse.
If a protective shield
covers the ball on
the bottom of the
mouse, remove the
shield.
8If your system
includes a printer,
plug one end of the
printer cable into the
computer’s printer
port; plug the other
end into the printer.
Thenplug theprinter’s
power cable into a
power outlet.
10 If you have a USB
device, connect it.
Follow the instructions
on page 9 to finish
setting up your
iDOT Explora
computer.
1Check to be sure the
voltage selector is
set to 115 Volts.
11

Completing iDOT Explora setup iDOT Explora User’s Handbook
8Setting Up Your iDOT Explora System
Completing iDOT Explora setup
computer power
on/off button
CD-ROM drive
tray
CD-ROM tray
open/close
button
floppy disk drive
door
floppy disk eject
button
power indicator
light
hard drive activity
indicator light
reset button

iDOT Explora User’s Handbook Completing iDOT Explora setup
Setting Up Your iDOT Explora System 9
Follow these steps to finish setting up your computer:
1. Make sure all power cables are plugged into power outlets
(computer, monitor, printer, modem, etc.).
Notes
In order for the computer to be properly grounded, its
power cord must be plugged into a grounded outlet, power
strip, surge suppressor, or UPS (uninterruptible power
supply).
Although not a requirement, iDOT.com recommends that
you plug your equipment into a surge protector or UPS to
protect your system from electrical surges. Damage
caused by surges or electrical line problems are not
covered by your iDOT.com warranty.
2. If your system includes a printer, turn on the printer.
3. Turn on the monitor.
4. If your system includes speakers, turn on the speakers.
(The speaker power switch is either on the front or the back of
one of the speakers, depending on the type of speakers you have.)
5. Turn on the computer as follows:
a. Make sure no diskettes or CDs are in the computer.
b. Press the power on/off button on the front of the computer.
(See the illustration on page 8.)
When the computer starts up, the power indicator light comes on
and the computer beeps. After a few moments, a message appears
on the monitor asking you to enter your name and company name
(if applicable).
6. Type your name (and company name), then press the Enter key
on your keyboard.
The software license agreement screen opens.

Completing iDOT Explora setup iDOT Explora User’s Handbook
10 Setting Up Your iDOT Explora System
7. Read the agreement, then use the mouse to click the I accept
button.
A message appears that asks you to enter the Windows 98
software Product ID (registration) number, which is located on
the Microsoft Software Certificate of Authenticity attached to the
Microsoft Windows 98 setup and installation manual.
8. Type the Product ID number, then use the mouse to click the OK
button.
Note
You only need to enter the Product ID number the first time
you run Windows 98 or after re-installing Windows 98.
Protecting your iDOT Explora system
When you set up your system, keep these important points in mind to
protect the system from environmental hazards that may interfere
with the system’s proper operation:
■Do not overload power sockets by plugging too many devices
into a single outlet.
■Place the system where it is out of direct sunlight and away from
high temperatures.
■Do not place magnetic objects too close to the system.
■Do not place the system directly against awall; leave a little space
between the wall and the system.
■Protect the system from dust and moisture.
■Place the system away from radios or electronic receivers.

iDOT Explora User’s Handbook Troubleshooting setup problems
Setting Up Your iDOT Explora System 11
Troubleshooting setup problems
When I turned on the computer, nothing happened even after I waited
a couple of minutes.
Make sure the power cable is securely plugged into the back of the
computer and into a live AC power source such as a live AC wall
outlet, power strip, or surge suppressor.
When I started the computer, I heard the startup beep, but nothing
appears on my screen.
Make sure the monitor’s power cable is securely plugged into a live
AC power source such as a live AC wall outlet, power strip, or surge
suppressor.
Make sure the monitor is turned on. (Most monitors include a small
light on the front of the monitor that indicates when the monitor is
on.)
Check to be sure the video cable is plugged securely into the video
port on the back of the computer. (See page 7.)
Adjust the monitor’s Brightness and Contrast by using the controls
located on the front of the monitor.
My mouse and/or keyboard aren’t working.
Check to be sure the mouse and/or keyboard are securely plugged into
their respective ports. (See page 7.)
No sound is coming from my speakers.
Make sure that the speakers’audio cable is securely plugged into the
top speaker jack on the back of the computer (page 7) and into the
back of the main speaker (the speaker with the controls).
Verify that the power adapter is plugged into a live AC source such as
an AC wall outlet, power strip, or surge suppressor, and that the
adapter’s cable is plugged securely into the back of the main speaker.
Confirm that the speakers are turned on by pressing the power button
on the master speaker. (Your speakers may include an LED light that
comes on when the speakers are on.)
Note:
Speakers are
optional. Your
system may not
include speakers.

Troubleshooting setup problems iDOT Explora User’s Handbook
12 Setting Up Your iDOT Explora System
Turn the volume control up on the speakers. Check the volume level
settings of the Windows Multimedia Control Panel. (Refer to the
Microsoft Windows 98 setup and installation manual for information
about the Multimedia Control Panel.)
My modem won’t dial.
Make sure the telephone wall jack you are using is live by plugging a
regular telephone into it and listening for a dial tone.
If you hear a dial tone, disconnect the telephone from the wall jack
and reconnect the modem cable to the telephone wall jack and to the
modem’s Phone Line jack (see page 7), making sure the cable is
securely plugged into both jacks.
If this still doesn’t work, try using a different phone cable.
Windows 98 won’t load.
Refer to the Microsoft Windows 98 setup and installation manual and
the CD that accompanied your computer.
I have a hardware or Windows 98 problem that hasn’t been
addressed by any of these troubleshooting techniques.
For iDOT.com hardware or Windows 98 setup questions or problems,
call iDOT.com Technical Support at 800-838-5265.
Note
The technical support number is for original (iDOT.com) equipment
support only. For help installing other hardware or software, contact the
manufacturer or vendor of that product.

iDOT Explora User’s Handbook Turning on the computer
Setting Up Your iDOT Explora System 13
Turning on the computer
After you set up your computer, you can use the following procedure
from now on each time you turn on the computer:
1. Turn on the printer (if your system includes a printer).
2. Turn on the monitor.
3. Turn on the computer as follows:
a. Make sure no diskettes or CDs are in the computer.
b. Press the power on/off button on the front of the computer.
When the computer starts up, the power indicator light comes on and
the computer beeps.
computer power
on/off button
power indicator
light

Turning off the computer iDOT Explora User’s Handbook
14 Setting Up Your iDOT Explora System
Turning off the computer
It is important to follow these steps whenever you turn off the
computer:
1. Click the Windows Start button (located in the lower left corner
of the screen, on the Windows taskbar).
2. Place the cursor over the Shut Down option to select it, then click
the left mouse button.
The following dialog box opens:
3. With the Shut down the computer option selected (as shown in
the illustration above), click the Yes button to continue the
shutdown process.

iDOT Explora User’s Handbook Turning off the computer
Setting Up Your iDOT Explora System 15
Note
See your Windows documentation for information about
the other options that may appear in the Shut Down
Windows dialog box.
The computer closes each application you have open. Before it closes
each application, it gives you the opportunity to save any of that
application’s files you haven’t yet saved.
The computer then shuts down, and the green power indicator light
goes out.
Note
If the computer does not shut down after you’ve performed
steps 1 –3 on page 14, press the computer power on/off button
on the front of the computer down for several seconds, until the
computer turns off. (See the illustration on page 8.) If pressing the
power on/off button does not turn the computer off after a few seconds,
disconnect the power cable from the back of the computer.

iDOT Explora User’s Handbook
16

Installing and Upgrading iDOT Explora Hardware 17
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This chapter provides instructions for changing or upgrading
iDOT Explora system hardware.
Static electricity can damage integrated circuits. Before
handling any computer component outside its protective
packaging, use one of these methods to discharge static
electricity in your body:
•Before you handle computer components or install any
upgrades, touch a metal part of the computer’s chassis.
When you work with components or upgrades, touch the
chassis frequently to eliminate static buildup.
or
•Wear a static wrist strap that is connected to a natural earth
ground.
Do not handle add-on cards by their “gold finger”connectors.
Fingers have oils and other contaminants that can prevent
connectors from making an electrical connection, which may
cause errors or other malfunctions. Handle all system
components by their mounting brackets or other edges.
Warning

Removing the chassis cover iDOT Explora User’s Handbook
18 Installing and Upgrading iDOT Explora Hardware
Removing the chassis cover
1. Shut down the computer and all peripheral devices connected to
the computer.
2. Disconnect the keyboard, mouse, and any other peripheral
devices connected to the computer.
3. Disconnect the power cord from the back of the computer.
4. On the back of the computer, remove the three chassis cover
screws.
chassis cover
screw
chassis cover
screw
chassis cover
screw

iDOT Explora User’s Handbook Removing the chassis cover
Installing and Upgrading iDOT Explora Hardware 19
5. Slide the chassis cover back and pull it up and off the chassis.

Installing expansion cards iDOT Explora User’s Handbook
20 Installing and Upgrading iDOT Explora Hardware
Installing expansion cards
Shut down the computer and disconnect the power cord
before you install or remove any computer components or
devices.
Observe static electricity precautions. See the warnings on
page 17.
1. Remove the chassis cover as described in “Removing the chassis
cover”on page 18.
2. Select an empty expansion slot.
3. Remove the expansion slot cover:
Caution
Place the head of a flathead screwdriver into the small
slot in the middle of the expansion slot cover.
Push the screwdriver gently until the slot cover loosens.
Reach inside and carefully move the slot cover back and
forth until it breaks free.