NCD Xplora Series User manual

Installing Your
Explora Family
System
Part Number 9300385 Rev A
November, 1995
Network Computing Devices
350 North Bernardo Ave.
Mountain View California 94043
1
2
3
4
5
6
About the
Explora Family
Explora
Product Line
Basic
Installation
Selecting
Screen
Resolution
Installing
Optional
Equipment
Pinout
Diagrams
7Specifications
8Trouble-
shooting

Warnings and Certifications
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A dig-
ital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in
a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio fre-
quency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual,
may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment
in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will
be required to correct the interference at his own expense.
You are cautioned that any changes or modifications not expressly approved in this
manual could void your authority to operate this equipment.
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class A limits for radio noise emissions from
digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of the Canadian Depart-
ment of Communications.
Le présent appareil numérique n’émet pas de bruits radioélectriques dépassant les lim-
ites applicables aux appareils numériques de la classe A prescrites dans le Règlement
sur le brouillage radioélectrique édicté par le ministère des Communications du Cana-
da.
Declaration of Conformity
Manufacturer’s Name: Network Computing Devices, Inc.
Manufacturer’s Address: 350 N. Bernardo Ave, Mountain View, CA 94043
Type of Equipment: X-Terminal
Model No.: Xplora and Xplorapro family of System Bases and Systems
Application of Council Directives: 89/336/EEC, 73/23/EEC
Standards to which Conformity is Declared: EN 55022, EN 50082-1, EN 60950
Importer’s Name: Network Computing Devices (UK) Limited
Importer’s Address: Unit 10, Grove Park 2, Waltham Road, White Waltham, Maiden-
head Berkshire, England SL6 3LW
We hereby declare the equipment specified above conforms to the above Directives and
Standards.
____________________________________________________
Andrew Hall, Director, Technical Services Northern Europe, NCD (UK) Ltd.,August
1995

3
1
About the Explora Family
The Explora family consists of a base unit, several different monitors, a
mouse, and several keyboards. The base unit can be purchased alone
or with a monitor. The base supports many standard VGA or SVGA
third party monitors.
Explora Family Features
The Explora bases are advanced, small- signature X terminals that
include the following features:
•VGA/SVGA monitor support
•PS/2 mouse support
•Multiple keyboard choices
•Serial (RS-232 C) connection
•Parallel connection
•Externally accessible PCMCIA card slot
•Built-in twisted-pair and/or thin Ethernet connections (depending on
model)
The base is ergonomically designed with as small a footprint as
possible, making it ideal for environments where space is at a
premium. Table 1 lists the physical dimensions of the base.
Table 1: Explora Dimensions
Dimension Explora
Height 1.625 inches (4.13 cm)
Width 7.25 inches (18.42 cm)
Depth 10.00 inches (25.40 cm)
Weight 1.51 pounds (0.686 kg)
N C D
N C D
Xxx

4
2
Explora Product Line
After unpacking the shipping cartons, make sure you have all of the
standard components and any optional components you may have
ordered. If any components are missing or appear damaged, contact
NCD at [phone] or your representative immediately.
Note Optional equipment installation is covered in Section 5.
* Optional Single Power Source Attachment, see Section 5.
COLOR
13
2
N C D
N C D
N C D
N C D
Xxx
PCMCIA
Explora
Security Device
with Screw
(Optional)
Wall Mounting
Bracket with
Screws (Optional)
Power Supplies and
Accessories
Keyboard
PS/2 Mouse
Monitor
Memory SIMM
(Optional)
PCMCIA Cards
(Optional)
*

5
3
Basic Installation
Controls and Indicators
The controls and indicators are the same for all the models in the
Explora family.
Note If you are installing additional memory in your base, do not
complete the basic installation until you have installed the
memory. Go now to Section 5, Installing Optional Equipment.
Connections
Note Explorapro has both twisted-pair and thin Ethernet connectors
for making network connections. Explora has only a twisted-
pair connector.
N C D
N C D
N C D
N C D
Xxx
Power
Switch
Power
Indicator
Network
Activity
Indicator
Front View Back View
Twisted-Pair Link
Look Through Hole
WARNING
WARNUNG
Before connecting any cables, make sure the power is off.
Vor de m Anch l ießen von Kabeln sicherstellen, daßdie Stromzufuhr unterbrochen ist.
WARNING
WARNUNG
Do not connect any power cords to the Explora unless the monitor, keyboard, and
mouse are properly connected.
Kein Netzkabel in den Explora stecken, sofern Monitor, Tastatur und Maus nicht ord-
nungsgemäß angeschlossen sind.

6
3
Look at the appropriate diagram for the model you have and make the
following connections: keyboard, mouse, monitor, network, and your
serial and/or parallel device. Connect the power supply last.
Caution
Do not set the monitor on top of the base. The base is not designed
to hold a monitor.
Explora
Mouse
Keyboard
Power Supply
Monitor Parallel Serial Network
Connection
Twisted-pair
Explorapro
Mouse
Keyboard
Power Supply
Monitor Parallel Serial Network
Connection*
Twisted-pair
Thin
Ethernet
* Make only one network
connection at a time.

7
4
Selecting Screen Resolution
When the terminal is first turned on, the display uses a default
resolution, depending on the installed video cable and monitor
capabilities. This setting may not provide the highest resolution and
refresh rate your monitor supports. See your monitor documentation
for supported resolutions.
A menu is provided for selecting the correct resolution and changing
the DPI (dots per inch) setting for the monitor. You access this menu
through the Boot Monitor.
To change the resolution:
Caution
Selecting the wrong screen resolution can damage your monitor.
Make sure your selection is supported by your monitor.
1. Turn on the system or reboot (if the system is already on).
2. After the Boot Monitor title and version number, messages similar
to the following appear. Press the Escape key to interrupt the
booting process.
Searching for IP address...
Using IP address
IP address of terminal
Searching for subnet mask
Using subnet mask
subnet mask
...........................loaded
3. Depending on how the terminal’s booting parameters are set, you
may see more than one of these messages. Press Escape each time
one of them appears. This aborts the load process and puts the
system into the Boot Monitor (> prompt).
4. When you’re in the Boot Monitor (> prompt), press the Setup
key (or type se). The Main menu appears.
Esc
Setup
Help Keyboard Monitor Network Boot Done
Help
Use the arrow keys to navigate through the menus
listed across the top of the screen:
Left, Right Go to previous or next menus.
Up, Down Go to previous or next field
within the current menu.
Control-U Delete to beginninbg of line.
Escape Restore previous value.
Help for each field within a menu is shown along the
bottom of the screen.
Exit via the Done menu at the right of the screen.

8
4
5. Use the right arrow key to select Monitor. The screen now dis-
plays the available monitor resolution settings
6. Press the up or down arrow keys to select the correct
setting for your monitor.
7. Press the right arrow key to select Dots Per Inch.
→
Help Keyboard Monitor Network Boot Done
Dots Per Inch
XX
Press Shift-T to rest new monitor parameters, Esc to stop test
640 x 480 60Hz
640 x 480 72Hz
640 x 480 75Hz
800 x 600 60Hz
800 x 600 72Hz
800 x 600 75Hz
1024 x 768 60Hz
1024 x 768 70Hz
1024 x 768 75Hz
Monitor Resolution
Supported
resolutions for
Explora
Help Keyboard Monitor Network Boot Done
Monitor Resolution
640 x 480 60Hz
640 x 480 72Hz
640 x 480 75Hz
800 x 600 60Hz
800 x 600 72Hz
800 x 600 75Hz
1024 x 768 60Hz
1024 x 768 70Hz
1024 x 768 75Hz
1152 x 900 66Hz
1152 x 900 76Hz
1280 x 1024 70Hz
1280 x 1024 72Hz
1280 x 1024 75Hz
Dots Per Inch
XX
Press Shift-T to rest new monitor parameters, Esc to stop test
Supported
resolutions for
Explorapro
↓
↓
→

9
4
8. Enter the numerical value that matches the resolution you have
selected. (Or leave the default value.)
9. To test the selected refresh rate, press Shift -T .
Running this test generates a cross hatch test screen pattern. If the
refresh rate you select is not supported by the monitor, the test
pattern does not appear.
10. Press any key to return to the Monitor menu.
11. Press the right arrow key to select Done. The following menu
appears.
12. Use the up or down arrow keys to select one of the options
from the Done menu.
Reboot -- saves the settings you changed and reboots the system.
Exit -- saves the settings and returns you to the Boot Monitor.
Undo -- reloads the parameters that were in effect when you
entered the menus. The system continues to display the menus.
13. Press .
If you save your selection, you do not need to repeat this procedure
unless you change to a different type or size of monitor.
Shift Τ
→
Help Keyboard Monitor Network Boot Done
Save Parameters and reboot. Press <Return> to confirm
Exit
Undo
Done
Reboot
↓
↓
Return

10
5
Installing Optional Equipment
The following optional equipment is available for your Explora.
Note If you are adding additional memory, do so before doing the
basic installation in the previous section.
Installing Additional Memory
You can add additional memory to your unit at any time. It can be
purchased from NCD or other vendors. Contact NCD Technical
Support for information about approved vendors. Only SIMMs
supplied by NCD are covered under NCD’s warranty.
Notes Explora has 4 MB of built-in memory and 1 MB of built-in
display memory.
Explorapro has 8 MB of built-in memory and 2 MB of built-in
display memory.
You can add one additional SIMM to Explora, and two
additional SIMMs to Explorapro.
Table 2 lists the SIMM specifications.
PCMCIA
Wall Mount
Bracket
Security Device
PCMCIA card Audio PCMCIA
Card with Audio
Interface Module
Memory SIMM

11
5
Table 2: SIMM Specifications
Notes When installing additional memory in Explorapro, observe the
following rules:
If you are adding only one SIMM, use socket J9.
If you are adding two different size SIMMs, use socket J9 for
the larger SIMM.
Adding more memory does not improve terminal operation,
but may be required by your applications.
Caution
Installing additional memory is a four step procedure: 1) disassem-
bling the terminal base, 2) installing the SIMM(s), 3) reassembling
the terminal base, and 4) testing the memory after your terminal is
up and running. If you don’t feel confident performing these pro-
cedures on your terminal, refer the unit to a qualified service
center.
Speed Profile Thickness Size
Fast-page mode. 60
nanoseconds (ns) or
faster. (Lower ns rat-
ings are faster.)
72-pin.
Low profile (maxi-
mum 1.1 inches tall).
Tin-plated SIMM con-
tacts should be used.
Board thickness of
0.047 to 0.054 (0.050
inch nominal). Install-
ing SIMMs that are
out of specifications
may damage the
SIMM socket or cause
the terminal to behave
erratically.
32-bits wide.
1M (256Kx32 SIMM)
2M (512Kx32 SIMM)
4M (1Mx32 SIMM)
8M (2Mx32 SIMM)
16M (4Mx32 SIMM)
32M (8Mx32 SIMM)

12
5
Disassembling the Base
1. Remove all cables connected to
the base.
2. Turn the base upside down, and
place it on a flat surface, so that
the base bottom is facing up and
the front is facing you.
3. Locate the two phillips screws in
the holes on the base bottom front
corners.
4. Remove the two screws.
5. Turn the base over and place it on
a flat surface, so that the base top
is facing up and the front is facing
you.
6. Grasp the tabs protruding from
the back of the unit with your
forefinger as shown.
7. Gently pull the tabs away from
the center and at the same time:
•apply pressure with your thumbs
to the base top and
•using your thumbs, pull the top
cover towards the front. (Towards
you.)
8. When the cover is about one-half
(1/2) inch from the back of the
bottom housing, pull up on the
top cover and remove it.
Screw
holes
Bottom of Base
Remove
Screws
1/2 Inch
Gap

13
5
Installing SIMMs
If your base already has a SIMM or SIMMs installed, proceed to the
next heading “Removing SIMMs”and then return to this section for
installation instructions. If not, follow these steps.
Caution
SIMMs and other components located on the logic board can be
damaged by Electrostatic Discharge (ESD). Make sure you touch a
suitable ground before handling any SIMM. If possible, set the
base on an anti-static mat and wear a grounding strap.
Explora
Explorapro
J9
J9
J10
The SIMM socket(s) are located on the
left side of the logic board.
To install the SIMM(s):
1. Orient the SIMM so that the notch
is facing towards the back of the
logic board.
2. Insert the SIMM into the socket at
about a 45 degree angle.
3. When you are certain the SIMM is
inserted all the way, press down
on both ends of the SIMM until it
clicks into place. The SIMM
should go past the metal tabs on
each end of the socket.
The SIMM should lie at about a 25
to 30 degree angle in the socket.
Notch
Socket
SIMM

14
5
Removing SIMM
MetalTabs
Metal
Ta b
To Remove a SIMM
1. Using your two forefingers or
your thumbs, pull back on the
two metal tabs located on each
end of the SIMM socket.
2. As you pull back on the tabs, the
SIMM pops up past the metal
tabs.
3. Hold the SIMM on both ends
(you should always handle
SIMMs by the edges only), and
remove it from the socket.
HoldSIMMson
Edges

15
5
Reassembling the Base
To reassemble the base, follow these steps:
1. Swing the front of the top
cover over the front edge of
the bottom section and con-
tinue down with the rest of
the top cover unit it covers the
bottom section (this is a tight
fit). There should be a one-half
(1/2) inch gap between the
bottom section back, and the
top cover back.
Note Make sure the top cover is
resting completely flat on
the bottom section before
doing step 2.
2. Hold the back of the bottom
section and push the top cover
toward the back until the two
tabs click through the two
openings on the bottom
section.
3. Once the top cover and
bottom section are together as
a unit (base), turn it upside
down, so that the base bottom
is facing up and the front is
facing you.
4. Secure the base together by
screwing in the two phillips
screws into the two holes
located at the front corners on
the bottom.
5. Tighten the screws so they are
snug, but do not over tighten.
6. Turn the base upright and
refer to Section 3, to install the
cabling.
7. After the system is installed,
perform the memory test, pre-
sented next.
1/2 Inch
Gap
Side View
Bottom of Base
Insert
Screws
Tabs
Hold
Here
Push
Here

16
5
Testing Memory
Before running the memory test, go to Section 3, “Basic Installation”
and install the rest of the system.
To run the memory test, you need to access the Boot Monitor.
Accessing the Boot Monitor
1. Turn on the system or reboot (if the system is already on).
2. After the Boot Monitor title and version number, messages similar
to the following appear. Press the Escape key to interrupt the
booting process.
Searching for IP address...
Using IP address
IP address of terminal
Searching for subnet mask
Using subnet mask
subnet mask
...........................loaded
3. Depending on how the terminal’s booting parameters are set, you
may see more than one of these messages. Press Escape each time
one of them appears. This aborts the load process and puts the
system into the Boot Monitor (> prompt).
Memory Test
Run the memory test as follows:
1. At the Boot Monitor prompt (>), type ex and press Return.
2. Type the number associated with the Test Available Memory test
and press Return .
Enter test type? # (for Test Available Memory test)
<CR>
3. Press Return to run the test once.
F Loop forever
E Loop until error
Q Main menu
<cr> Test once
Esc Abort testing
Enter choice? <CR>
The diagnostic code displays either
Pass -00000001
to signify that the memory is good, or a message similar to the fol-
lowing if an error was detected:
Expected bad component is JXX.(Indicates socket number
of bad SIMM.)
If there are no errors, go to Step 6.
If errors are reported, continue with Step 4.
Esc
Return

17
5
4. Remove the bad SIMM from the socket indicated and rerun the
memory test to confirm that the remaining memory is good.
5. Add a new SIMM, and rerun the memory test to confirm that the
newly installed SIMM is good.
6. Exit from the test and return to the Boot Monitor by typing:
Enter test type? Q <CR>
7. Reset the terminal by typing:
> rs <CR>
For information about the Boot Monitor commands, refer to NCDware
software documentation.

18
5
Installing PCMCIA Cards
The PCMCIA cards are 68-pin credit-card size devices that fit into the
base PCMCIA slot. These cards can be ordered directly from NCD or
from other vendors. Most PCMCIA cards have an arrow on the top
face side showing the direction of insertion into the PCMCIA slot. The
cards are keyed and cannot be installed upside down.
Caution
Do not insert or remove the PCMCIA card while the unit is run-
ning; always turn off the terminal first.
The rear edge of the PCMCIA card may have a write protect/enable
switch. If your card has this switch, it should be in the OFF position. If
write protect is enabled, data cannot be written to the card and an
error message appears if you try to do so.
Directional
Arrow
Write Protect/Enable
Switch set to OFF (If
Applicable)
T
opofCard
N C D
N C D
N C D
N C D
Xxx
PCMCIA
PCMCIA
Card
To install a PCMCIA card:
1. Shut off the terminal.
2. If your PCMCIA card has a
write protect switch, set it to
OFF.
3. With the arrow side facing up,
slide the card into the PCMCIA
slot until you feel the card make
contact with the pins in the
socket.
4. Firmly push the card into the
socket to seat it.
Caution
Do not force the card into the
socket; the card should go
straight in.
5. If the PCMCIA is an audio card,
attach the Audio Interface
Module to the connector on the
card.
N C D
N C D
N C D
N C D
Xxx
PCMCIA
Audio PCMCIA
Card with Audio
Interface Module

19
5
Installing the Security Device
Both models have a rectangular security cover located next to the
keyboard connector. This is where the security device is located once
the cover is removed. The security device can be used with or without
the mounting bracket.
If you are using the optional mounting bracket and are going to use
the security device with it, do step one of this procedure and then go to
the next part in this section “Installing the Mounting Bracket.”You do
not have to return to this section.
1. To remove the security cover,
insert a medium sized flat
blade screwdriver into the
bottom of the slot.
2. Gently pry out the security
cover.
3. Insert the security device into
the slot so that the center of
the device lines up with the
screw hole in the chassis.
4. Insert an M2.5 machine screw
(supplied) through the center
of the security device and into
the hole.
5. Tighten down the machine
bolt.
6. To secure the unit, insert a lock
or cable through the outer hole
in the security device.
N C D
N C D
N C D
N C D
Xxx
Security
Cover
Pry
Here
M2.5
Pan-Head
Screw
Security
Device
Lock

20
5
Installing the Mounting Bracket
There are various places the mounting bracket may be attached.
Examples include attaching the bracket on a wall or on your desk, as
shown in the illustration. In determining where to attach the bracket,
keep the following in mind:
•Are the cables you have attached to the base long enough to reach
from the bracket to the keyboard, mouse, and monitor?
•Is the fixture where you’re attaching the bracket secure enough to hold
the bracket and base?
•Is the area where you’re placing this bracket and base out of the way
of traffic, so that the unit will not be bumped?
•Is there enough clearance around the unit for cables and air
circulation?
To mount the bracket:
1. Select the location to
attach the bracket.
2. Use the two flathead
screws (supplied), and
secure the bracket to the
fixture.
Make sure the screw
heads are flush with the
bracket before attaching
the base.
Use two screws
Possible areas for mounting the bracket.
Inside of Desk
Outside of Desk
Underneath Desk Top