MiTAC MiStation EC-900 User manual

Revision: R00
(September 2008)
NOTE
The information in this manual is subject to change without notice.

i
Table of Contents
Table of Contents........................................................................i
Preface v
Safety Precautions ....................................................................v
About the Battery .................................................................v
About the AC Adapter ........................................................vi
Notational Conventions......................................................... vii
Chapter 1 .............................................................................1-1
Getting Started........................................................................1-1
Getting the Computer Running ............................................ 1-2
Unpacking ........................................................................ 1-2
Connecting to AC Power ................................................. 1-2
Opening the Cover ........................................................... 1-3
Turning On and Off the Computer................................... 1-4
Taking a Look at the Computer............................................ 1-6
Right-Side Components ................................................... 1-6
Left-Side Components ..................................................... 1-7
Bottom Components......................................................... 1-8
Top-open Components ..................................................... 1-9
Where to Go from Here...................................................... 1-11
Chapter 2 .............................................................................2-1
Operating Your Computer......................................................2-1
Starting and Stopping the Computer .................................... 2-2
Starting the Computer ...................................................... 2-2
Stopping the Computer .................................................... 2-2

ii
Using the Keyboard.............................................................. 2-4
Hot Keys .......................................................................... 2-5
Using the Touchpad ............................................................. 2-7
Configuring the Touchpad ............................................... 2-8
Using the Video Features ..................................................... 2-9
Configuring the Display Modes ....................................... 2-9
Using the Audio Features................................................... 2-10
Connecting Audio Devices ............................................ 2-10
Using the Communication Features ................................... 2-12
Using the LAN ............................................................... 2-12
Using the WLAN ........................................................... 2-12
Chapter 3 .............................................................................3-1
Managing Power......................................................................3-1
AC Adapter .......................................................................... 3-2
Battery Pack ......................................................................... 3-3
Charging the Battery Pack ............................................... 3-3
Initializing the Battery Pack............................................. 3-3
Checking the Battery Level.............................................. 3-4
Replacing the Battery Pack .............................................. 3-4
Battery Low Signals and Actions..................................... 3-5
Power Management.............................................................. 3-7
Hibernation....................................................................... 3-8
Power-Saving Tips ............................................................... 3-9
Chapter 4 .............................................................................4-1
Expanding Your Computer.....................................................4-1
Connecting an External Monitor .......................................... 4-2
Connecting a USB Device.................................................... 4-3
Using the Card Reader ......................................................... 4-4
Internal Components Upgrade.............................................. 4-5

iii
Chapter 5 .............................................................................5-1
Using BIOS Setup ...................................................................5-1
When and How to Use BIOS Setup ..................................... 5-2
When to Use..................................................................... 5-2
Starting BIOS Setup......................................................... 5-2
Moving Around and Making Selections .......................... 5-4
Main Menu ........................................................................... 5-5
Advanced Menu ................................................................... 5-6
Boot Menu............................................................................ 5-8
Security Menu ...................................................................... 5-9
Exit Menu........................................................................... 5-11
Chapter 6 .............................................................................6-1
Using the Software Drivers ....................................................6-1
How to Use the Driver Disc ................................................. 6-2
Chapter 7 .............................................................................7-1
Caring for the Computer.........................................................7-1
Protecting the Computer....................................................... 7-2
Using the Windows Security Center ................................ 7-2
Using the Password .......................................................... 7-3
Using the Cable Lock....................................................... 7-3
Taking Care of the Computer............................................... 7-4
Location Guidelines ......................................................... 7-4
General Guidelines........................................................... 7-4
Cleaning Guidelines ......................................................... 7-5
Battery Pack Guidelines................................................... 7-5
When Traveling.................................................................... 7-6
Chapter 8 .............................................................................8-1
Troubleshooting......................................................................8-1
Preliminary Checklist........................................................... 8-2
Solving Common Problems.................................................. 8-3

iv
Battery Problems.............................................................. 8-3
Display Problems ............................................................. 8-3
Hardware Device Problems.............................................. 8-4
Hard Disk Drive Problems ............................................... 8-5
Keyboard, Mouse and Touchpad Problems ..................... 8-5
LAN Problems ................................................................. 8-6
WLAN Problems.............................................................. 8-6
Power Management Problems.......................................... 8-7
Software Problems ........................................................... 8-8
Sound Problems ............................................................... 8-8
Startup Problems .............................................................. 8-9
Other Problems................................................................. 8-9
Resetting the Computer...................................................... 8-10
Recovering Pre-installed Software..................................... 8-11
Specifications.........................................................................A-1
Regulatory Information..........................................................B-1
Class B Regulations .............................................................B-2
USA..................................................................................B-2
Canada..............................................................................B-3
Europe ..............................................................................B-3
Index 1

v
Preface
Safety Precautions
About the Battery
DANISH
ADVARSEL! Lithiumbatteri – Eksplosionsfare ved fejlagtig håndtering. Udskiftning må kun ske
med batteri af samme fabrikat og type. Levér det brugte batteri tilbage til leverandøren.
NORWEGIAN
ADVARSEL: Eksplosjonsfare ved feilaktig skifte av batteri. Benytt samme batteritype eller en
tilsvarende type anbefalt av apparatfabrikanten. Brukte batterier kasseres i henhold til
fabrikantens instruksjoner.
SWEDISH
VARNING: Explosionsfara vid felaktigt batteribyte. Använd samma batterityp eller en
ekvivalent typ som rekommenderas av apparattillverkaren. Kassera använt batteri enligt
fabrikantens instruktion.
FINNISH
VAROITUS: Paristo voi räjähtää, jos se on virheellisesti asennettu. Vaihda paristo ainoastaan
valmistajan suosittelemaan tyyppiin. Hävitä käytetty paristo valmistajan ohjeiden mukaisesti.
ENGLISH
CAUTION: Danger of explosion if battery is incorrectly replaced. Replace only with the same or
equivalent type recommended by the equipment manufacturer. Discard used batteries according
to manufacturer's instructions.
DEUTSCH
VORSICHT: Explosionsgefahr bei unsachgemäßem Austausch der Batterie. Ersatz nur durch
denselben oder einen vom Hersteller empfohlenen gleich-wertigen Typ. Entsorgung gebrauchter
Batterien nach Angaben des Herstellers.

vi
FRENCH
ATTENTION: II y a danger d’explosion s’il y a remplacement incorrect de la batterie. Remplacer
uniquement avec une batterie du même type ou d’un type équivalent recommandé par le
constructeur. Mettre au rebut les batteries usagées conformément aux instructions du fabricant.
Attention (for USA Users)
The product that you have purchased contains a rechargeable battery. The
battery is recyclable. At the end of its useful life, under various state and local
laws, it may be illegal to dispose of this battery into the municipal waste stream.
Check with your local solid waste officials for details in your area for recycling
options or proper disposal.
About the AC Adapter
 Use only the AC adapter supplied with your computer. Use of another type
of AC adapter will result in malfunction and/or danger.
 Do not use the adapter in a high moisture environment. Never touch the
adapter when your hands or feet are wet.
 Allow adequate ventilation around the adapter when using it to operate the
device or charge the battery. Do not cover the AC adapter with paper or
other objects that will reduce cooling. Do not use the AC adapter while it is
inside a carrying case.
 Connect the adapter to a proper power source. The voltage requirements are
found on the product case and/or packaging.
 Do not use the adapter if the cord becomes damaged.
 Do not attempt to service the unit. There are no serviceable parts inside.
Replace the unit if it is damaged or exposed to excess moisture.

vii
Notational Conventions
Throughout this manual, the following conventions are used to distinguish
elements of text.
NOTE: identifies additional information that requires special attention.
CAUTION: identifies important information that, if not followed, may result in loss of data or
damage to the computer.
Keyboard keys are shown in a bold typeset. For example:
Press the Enter key to complete.
When keys are joined by a plus sign (+), press the first key, and, while keeping
the first key down, press the remaining keys, finally release all the keys. When
necessary, keys are also shown in graphics.
A title, command, setup item, or button that you can see on the screen is shown
in boldface. A value or an option that you can select for a setup item is shown in
italic. For example:
Select When I press the power button, set it to Shut down, and
then click the Save changes button.

Getting Started 1-1
Chapter 1
Getting Started
Congratulations on purchasing this computer.
Your computer incorporates desktop computer capabilities into a compact
notebook-sized package. It can greatly enhance your productivity either in the
office or at home. And, of course, wherever you need it, the computer is ready
and easy “to go.”
This chapter first tells you step by step how to get the computer up and running.
You will find instructions for these procedures:
 Unpacking
 Connecting to AC power
 Opening the cover
 Turning on the computer
 Turning off the computer
Then, you will find a section briefly introducing the external components of the
computer. And the last section navigates you to the information you may need
after the computer is ready for use.
CHAPTER

Getting Started 1-2
Getting the Computer Running
This section guides you through the procedures for getting the computer ready
for operation.
Unpacking
After unpacking the shipping carton, you should find these standard items:
 Notebook computer
 Accessories:
−AC adapter
−AC power cord
Inspect all the items. If any item is damaged or missing, notify your dealer
immediately.
Keep the shipping carton and packing materials in case you need to ship or store
the computer in the future.
Connecting to AC Power
The computer operates either on the external AC power or internal battery
power. It is suggested that you use AC power when you start up the computer for
the very first time.
CAUTION: Use only the AC adapter included with your computer. Using other AC adapters may
damage the computer.
1. Make sure that the computer is turned off.
2. Plug the DC cord of the AC adapter to the power connector of the computer
().

Getting Started 1-3
3. Plug the female end of the AC power cord to the AC adapter and the male
end to an electrical outlet ().
4. When the AC adapter is connected, power is being supplied from the
electrical outlet to the AC adapter and onto your computer. Now, you are
ready to turn on the computer.
CAUTION:
 Whenyoudisconnect the AC adapter,disconnect from theelectrical outlet first and then from
the computer. A reverse procedure may damage the AC adapter or the computer.
 When unplugging the connector, always hold the plug head. Never pull on the cord.
NOTE: When the AC adapter is connected, it also charges the battery pack. For information on
using battery power, see Chapter 3.
Opening the Cover
CAUTION: Be gentle when opening and closing the cover. Opening it vigorously or slamming it
shut could damage the computer.
Open the top cover by lifting up the cover. You can tilt the cover forward or
backward for optimal viewing clarity.

Getting Started 1-4
Turning On and Off the Computer
Turning On
NOTE: As a safety feature, you can only turn on the computer when the top cover is open. This
prevents an accidental power-on during transport.
1. Make sure that the computer is connected to AC power.
2. Press the power button.

Getting Started 1-5
3. Each time the computer is turned on, it performs a Power-On Self Test
(POST), and the operating system such as Windows should start.
Turning Off
To turn off the computer power, use the “Shut Down” command of your
operating system.
NOTE: There areother ways you canstop the computer sothatyouwillbebacktowhereyouleft
off when you next turn on the computer. (See “Stopping the Computer” in Chapter 2 for
information.)
CAUTION: If you have to turn the computer on again immediately after turning it off, wait for at
least five seconds. Turning the computer off and on rapidly can damage it.

Getting Started 1-6
Taking a Look at the Computer
This section identifies the external components of the computer and briefly
describes the function of each component.
NOTE: Depending on the model you purchased, the appearance of your computer may not be
exactly the same as those shown in this manual.
Right-Side Components
Ref Component Description See Also
GPS Antenna
(optional) Receives signals from the GPS satellites
overhead.
USB Port Connects a USB device, such as a flash
disk, printer, digital camera, joystick, and
more.
P. 4-3
RJ-45 Connector Connects the LAN cable. P. 2-12
Kensington Lock Locks the computer to a stationary object
for security.
P. 7-3

Getting Started 1-7
Left-Side Components
Ref Component Description See Also
 Power Connector Connects the AC adapter P. 1-2
VGA Connector Connects an external display P. 4-2
USB Port Connects a USB device, such as a flash
disk, printer, digital camera, joystick, and
more.
P. 4-3
Ventilation
Opening Enables heat emission.
Card Reader Accepts a SD (Secure Digital), SDHC
(Secure Digital High Capacity) or MMC
(MultiMediaCard) card for removable
storage media.
P. 4-4

Getting Started 1-8
Bottom Components
Ref Component Description See Also
Ventilation
Opening Enables heat emission.
Hard Disk Drive Inside is the hard disk drive.
Memory Slot Inside is the memory slot.
Battery Pack Supplies power to your computer when
external power is not connected.
P. 3-3

Getting Started 1-9
Top-open Components
Ref Component Description See Also
Camera Lens Takes still pictures or records videos.
Stereo Speaker Sends out sound and voice from the
computer.
P. 2-10
Power Button Turns the computer power ON and OFF. P. 1-4
Keyboard Serves as the data input device of the
computer.
P. 2-4
Touchpad Serves as the pointing device of the
computer.
P. 2-7
Microphone
Connector Connects an external microphone. P. 2-10

Getting Started 1-10
Ref Component Description See Also
Audio Output
Connector Connects a set of headphones, external
speakers with amplifier, or an audio
recording device.
P. 2-10
Microphone Receives sound and voice for the computer. P. 2-10
Indicators Show the current status of the computer’s
devices.
Power status indicator
Glows in green when the computer is
turned on.
Blinks in green when the computer is in the
standby mode.
Hard disk drive in-use indicator
Battery charge indicator
LED-off when the battery is fully charged.
Glows in green when the battery capacity is
between 90 to 99%.
Glows in amber when the battery capacity
is between 20 to 90%.
Blinks in amber when the battery capacity
is less than 20%.
P. 3-3
WLAN

Glows in green when the wireless LAN
(WLAN) radio is on.
P. 2-12

Getting Started 1-11
Where to Go from Here
As your computer is ready for operation, you may want to do any of the
following now:
For this purpose ... Do this ...
To know more about the computer ... Go on to the next chapter.
To install the operating system if your
dealer has not already done so ...
See the operating system manual.
To know more about the operating
system ...
Read the operating system manual.
To install the drivers if your dealer has
not already done so ...
See Chapter 6.
To set a power-on password ... See “Security Menu” in Chapter 5.
To charge the battery pack for the first
time ...
See “Charging the Battery Pack” in
Chapter 3.