Laser XT/3 User manual

Warning
This equipment generates and uses radio frequency energy. If it
is not installed and used properly, that is, in strict accordance
with the manufacturer's instructions, it may cause interference to
radio and television reception.
It has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a
Class B computing device in accordance with the specifications
in Subpart J, Part
15, of FCC Rules. These rules 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 equipment 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:
* Reorient the receiving antenna
* Relocate the computer with respect to the receIver
* Move the computer away from the receiver
* Plug the computer into a different outlet so that computer
and receiver are on different branch circuits
If necessary, you should consult the dealer or an experienced.
radio/television technician for additional suggestions. You
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 U.S. Government Printing
Office, Washington, DC20402, Stock No. 004-000-00345-4.
Warning:
To ensure that the use of this product does not contribute to
interference.
It is necessary to use shielded I/O cables.
1

Copyright
This manual is copyrighted with all rights reserved. No portion
of this document may be copied or reproduced by any means
without the prior consent in writing from Video Technology
Computers, Inc.
While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of
this book, Video Technology assumes no. responsibility for errors
or omissions. Neither is any liability assumed for damages
resulting from the use of the information contained herein.
© Copyright 1988 by Video Technology Computers, Ltd.
IBM is a registered trademark of International Business
Machines Corp.
Hercules is a registered trademark of Hercules Computer
Technology.
Intel is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation.
MS-DOS is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
Lotus 1-2-3 IS a registered trademark of Lotus Development
Corporation.
DBase III is a registered trademark of Ashton-Tate.
WordPerfect is a registered trademark of WordPerfect
Corporation.
2

Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Installation ................................................................ 5
Introduction.................................................................................... 5
Preparing for the Installation.................................................. 7
Checking the Contents of the Package .............................. 8
Hardware Features Overview .................................................. 9
Connecting Peripherals ..............................................................
11
Starting the computer ................................................................ 13
Setting the System Clock ........................................................ 15
Operation Speed .......................................................................... 16
Chapter 2: Using the Keyboard .......................................... 17
The Keyboard Security Lock .................................................. 17
Overview ........................................................................................ 18
Typewriter Keys .......................................................................... 19
Nunleric Keypad .......................................................................... 22
Editing and Cursor Control Keys ........................................ 25
Function Keys .............................................................................. 27
Chapter 3: Introduction for New Users ........................ 29
Facts You Should Know .......................................................... 29
Introduction to MS-DOS .......................................................... 30
Storing Files on a Computer ................................................ 31
Organizing Files into Directories ........................... ..... .......... 32
The Menu of MS-DOS Activities ........................................
34
How to Care for Your Computer ...................................... 38
Diskette Care .............................................................................. 39
3

Chapter 4: Enhancements .......................................................... 43
Special Note .................................................................................. 43
Opening the System Unit ........................................................ 44
Road Map of Internal Components .................................... 45
Expanding System Memory to 640KB ................................ 47
Installing Parity RAM .............................................................. 51
Installing Expansion Cards ...................................................... 54
Installing an 8087 Math Co-Processor ................................ 56
Installing Expanded Memory .................................................. 58
Using Expanded Memory ........................................................ 60
Installing a Hard Disk Drive ................................................ 62
Chapter 5: Troubleshooting Checklist .............................. 63
Symptoms and Suggestions ...................................................... 63
Beeps .............................................................................................. 65
Display Messages ........................................................................ 66
Chapter 6: Further Reading (Getting More Help) 67
Appendices: .......................................................................................... 69
Appendix 1: Dip Switches and Settings .............................. 69
Appendix 2: The Multi I/O Card ........................................ 73
Appendix 3: The Monochrome Graphics/
Color Graphics Card ........................................
79
Appendix 4: Glossary of Computer Terms ........................ 83
4

Chapter 1:
Installation
Introduction
The computer is a high performance, expandable personal com-
puter system which
is designed specifically to be compatible
.with software and peripherals conforming to the popular
MS-
DOS and mM PC-XT standard.
In some versions of the computer there may be differences in
memory size and expansion cards installed, you may need to
refer to a separate user's manual for
any other expansion card
installed.
• IBM PC/XT compatible processor running at
4.77 or 10
MHz.
• 512K memory, expandable to 1664K.
• 150 watt power supply.
• Two
5.25" 360K floppy drives, (some versions come with
one
5.25" 360K and one 3.5" 720K floppy drive), additional
space for one half-height hard disk drive.
• Some versions of computer have hard disk installed.
•
102 key enhanced keyboard.
• Multi
I/O Card supporting Centronics parallel printer
interface, RS232 serial interface, and game port for a
joystick.
• Monochrome Graphics/Color Graphics Card, supporting
RGB, Hercules
,and composite monitors. Some versions
of computer
will have EGA card installed, which supports
EGA, RGB, Hercules and composite monitors.
5

• Socket for an Intel 8087 math co-processor
• Eight expansion slots
In this
fIrst chapter, we will guide you through the installation
of the computer, and introduce
you to the basic structure of
the computer.
If you are unfamiliar with the meaning of a cer-
tain term,
you can consult the glossary in Appendix 4 for a
definition.
6

Preparing for the Installation
Before you install the computer, you should have a large clear
area on which to work. Clear a tabletop large enough to hold
the system unit and keyboard. The monitor can sit on top of
the system unit if space
is at a premium. You will need the
following:
• A grounded, three-prong power outlet
• A small flathead screwdriver
These tools are sufficient for a normal installation.
If you need
to open up the system unit to install additional memory, disk
drives, or expansion cards, you'll also need the following:
• A small Philips screwdriver
• A cup or an ashtray to hold loose screws
7

Checking the Contents of the Package
Carefully unpack the computer from its carton. Make sure the
carton contains the
following:
• The computer system unit
• A keyboard
• A power cord
• A video cable for composite monitors
• A package with manuals for MS-DOS®and GW/BASIC®(optional)
• A package containing four diskettes
• A warranty card
It is important to save the carton and packing materials in
case you need to ship your unit in the future. Be sure to
return the warranty card as soon as possible.
8

Hardware Features Overview
With the computer on a level surface, examine the following
features on the front panel:
Keyboard lock/unlock LED indicators
"B"
Space reserved for hard
When the security lock is switched at left position, keyboard is
unlocked and reset button is enabled; with the lock switched at
right position, keyboard is locked and reset button
is disabled.
The speed indicator
is used to indicate the operation speed of
the computer, a "5" will be displayed when computer operates
at normal speed (4.77MHz) and a "10"
will be displayed when
the computer operates at high speed
(10 MHz).
Notice the latch on each of the
disk drives. With the latch in
the horizontal position (pointing to the right), the drive is open,
and ready to receive a diskette. After inserting a diskette, close
the drive
by turning the latch clockwise so it's pointing down-
wards.
9

Diskette are
On the right side panel, you'll find the ON-OFF switch. The
"1" setting means "ON", and "0" means "OFF".
On the back side, there are several important connectors. You
should notice:
Monochrome monitor
EGA card
DIP switch
eGA, monochrome or
EGA monitor
Toggle switch
For composite monochrome monitor
Monochrome graphics/Color graphiCS
card
In normal installations, there is no need to open the
system cabinet.
If you will be adding enhancements, see
Chapter 4 for instructions on opening the system unit.
10

Connecting Peripherals
1. Before connecting anything to your computer, make sure the
power
is off. The switch on the right panel should
be in
the down, or "0" position.
2. If you haven't done so already,
remove the keyboard from its
protective plastic bag. The keyboard
cable attaches into the rounded
five-pin socket on the back of the
main unit:
-r-
~/ 0
Make sure the plug is lined up with the socket. The small
indentation should
be pointing upwards.
3. Connect the monitor's cable into the appropriate place on
the Monochrome Graphics / Color Graphics Card.
• For monochrome composite monitors,
use the top round socket.
•
For color, composite monitors, use the
round socket in the middle, right above
the slide switch
•
For Hercules or RGB monitors, use the
9-pin
"D" socket on the bottom of
the adapter.
4. Connect the power cord from your monitor into a
grounded, 3-prong wall outlet.
5.
If you are using a Hercules or RGB monitor, set the
slide switch to the up ("MDA") position for a TTL
monochrome monitors, or
to the down ("CGA") position
for RGB color monitors.
RGB Color Monitors TTL Monochrome Monitors
MDArnl MDAril
CGAl!J CGAl1!J
11

6. Insert the main power cable that comes with the computer
into the socket on the back of the system unit.
,
Plug the other end into a grounded, three-prong wall outlet.
7. Flip up the levers on the two
floppy disk drives, and remove
the sheets of cardboard that
protect the drives during
shipping. Remember to save
these cards with the rest of
the packaging.
12

Starting the Computer
For system installed with hard disk, please follow the proce-
dure:-
1. Turn on the power to your monitor. The ON/OFF switch IS
normally found on the front of the video. screen.
-
2. Turn on the power to the system unit by flipping the red
power switch on the right side into the up position, labeled
"1" .
3. During the start-up procedure, the system performs a mem-
ory test, then loads the MS-DOS operating system. After
several seconds, the following display
will appear:
LASER TURBO XT
Start Up Utility
Main Menu
[A]Format a
disk
[H]Change directory
[B]Format a sys disk [I]Display directory
[C]Format hard drive
[J]Run a program
[D)Copy file(s) [K)Change date &time
[E) Copy disk
[L)Check config.
[F]Make a directory [M]Display help file
[G]Remove directory [N]Exit to DOS
i Current directory:
C: \ ~
Current date/time: 05-01-88 09:35:51
II ©1988 Video Technology Computers,
Inc. II
13

If your computer has no hard disk drive installed, then follow
the following procedures:
Open the package of diskettes that came with the system.
Locate the diskette labeled "Microsoft MS-DOS." Insert the
diskette into the floppy drive with the label side
up. The oval
opening in the diskette should
go in first.
When the diskette
is all the way into the drive, close the latch
by moving the lever into the down position.
Then performs step 1 to step 3 as described above. For
_ computer with hard disk installed, subdirectories are opened for
MSDOS, GW/BASIC and start up utility. These users can
practice with DOS, BASIC and start up commands.
14

Setting the System Clock
Your computer has its own clock to keep track of the date
and time while you work. The clock
is not set in the factory,
so you'll need to set it the first time you use it.
1. The Computer Main Menu (As shown on page 9) should
appear on the screen.
2. Type in the letter "K".
MS-DOS treats upper and lower case letters the same
way,
so it doesn't matter whether you're using capital or small
letters.
3. The system will display the current date. Type m the correct
date in the form:
mm-dd-yy
<ENTER>
For example, to set the date for New Year's Day, 1988, you
would type:
01-01-88
<ENTER>
4. The current time now appears on the screen. Press <EN-
TER> if no change is necessary , or type in the correct
time using the format:
hh:mm:ss <
ENTER>
The system's real-time clock is now set. Every time the
computer
is started, it will retrieve the correct date and
time.
15

Operation Speed
The computer can operate at two different speeds. Some
software requires you to operate at
4.77 MHz to maintain full
compatibility with the original IBM PC-XT. When possible
though,
you should try to operate your computer at the "turbo
speed" of
10 MHz. After warm or cold start, your computer
will operate at 4.77MHz.
For 4.77MHz Operation:
Press
~ and I ~ Isimultaneously.
For 10 MHz Turbo Operation:
Press
~ and ~ simultaneously.
16

Chapter 2: Using the Keyboard
The Keyboard Security Lock
The computer features a keyboard lock on the front panel.
With the keyboard locked,
no characters can be typed in to
the computer, protecting your system from unwanted intruders.
You receive
two keys with the unit. Make sure you store one
in a safe place.
Two LEDs are used to indicate whether the keyboard
is locked
or unlocked. For example, when the keyboard
is locked, the
LED labelled with 'keyboard lock'
will be on.
Lock ON Lock OFF
Indicator Indicator
17

Overview
The keyboard is your primary means of communicating with
your computer. Its layout roughly resembles an ordinary type-
writer. To describe the keyboard clearly, its helpful to divide it
into four parts, each with its own function. In this chapter,
we'll refer to these four areas:
• The Typewriter Keypad, with control
keys
• The Numeric Keypad
• The Editing and Cursor Control
keys
• The Function Keys
The diagram below shows the four principal keypads:
Typewriter keys
Editing & Cursor Control
Numeric ke~pali
18

The Typewriter Keys
The typewriter area of the keyboard behaves a lot like a
standard keyboard. Like a typewriter, the SHIFT key produces
capital letters. To type the special characters shown above the
numbers on the number
keys, hold down the SHIFT key and
press the appropriate
key. For example, the SHIFT key with
the number 1 produces an exclamation mark (!).
The diagram below shows several general keys like BACK-
SPACE, SHIFT, TAB, and CAPS
LOCK You'll also notice
several special control keys specifically associated with computer
operations, including the ESC,
CfRL, ALT, and ENTER keys.
Here's a brief explanation of some important typewriter and
control
keys:
B CAPS
WCK. .. This is similar to the Sbift-
Caps Lock Lock key on an ordinary typewriter. With this
key, you can type upper case letters without
holding down the SHIFT
key. When CAPS
LOCK
is engaged, the indicator light in the
upper left hand corner of the keyboard lights
up.
The CAPS LOCK
key only affects the 26 letters
of the alphabet. To get special symbols, you'll
still need to press the SHIFT
key.
19