NEC Direction T-Series User manual

First Printing — August 1997
Copyright 1997
NEC Computer Systems Division
Packard Bell NEC, Inc.
1414 Massachusetts Avenue
Boxborough, MA 01719-2298
All Rights Reserved
PROPRIETARY NOTICE AND LIABILITY DISCLAIMER
The information disclosed in this document, including all designs and related materials, is
the valuable property of NEC Computer Systems Division, Packard Bell NEC, Inc.
(hereinafter “NECCSD”) and/or its licensors. NECCSD and/or its licensors, as appropriate,
reserve all patent, copyright and other proprietary rights to this document, including all de-
sign, manufacturing, reproduction, use, and sales rights thereto, except to the extent said
rights are expressly granted to others.
The NECCSD product(s) discussed in this document are warranted in accordance with the
terms of the Warranty Statement accompanying each product. However, actual
performance of each such product is dependent upon factors such as system configuration,
customer data, and operator control. Since implementation by customers of each product
may vary, the suitability of specific product configurations and applications must be
determined by the customer and is not warranted by NECCSD.
To allow for design and specification improvements, the information in this document is
subject to change at any time, without notice. Reproduction of this document or portions
thereof without prior written approval of NECCSD is prohibited.
Direction is a trademark of NEC Computer Systems Division, Packard Bell NEC, Inc.
NEC is a registered trademark of NEC Corporation; MultiSync is a registered trademark of NEC Technologies, Inc.; these trademarks are
used under license by NEC Computer Systems Division, Packard Bell NEC, Inc.
All other product, brand, or trade names used in this publication are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective trademark
owners.

iii
Contents
Page
Preface......................................................................................................................... ix
Abbreviations............................................................................................................... xi
Section 1 Technical Information
System Board .............................................................................................................. 1-1
Processor.............................................................................................................. 1-2
System Cache/Memory ......................................................................................... 1-2
Chipset ................................................................................................................. 1-3
PCI Local Bus ...................................................................................................... 1-3
Expansion Bus ............................................................................................... 1-3
BIOS.................................................................................................................... 1-3
Plug and Play Support.................................................................................... 1-4
CMOS Memory/Real-Time Clock Battery............................................................. 1-5
DMA/IRQ Settings............................................................................................... 1-5
IDE Ports ............................................................................................................. 1-6
I/O Ports............................................................................................................... 1-6
Sound System....................................................................................................... 1-7
U.S. Robotics Sportster Fax/Modem Board................................................................. 1-7
Diskette Drive.............................................................................................................. 1-7
Hard Disk Drive........................................................................................................... 1-7
CD-ROM Reader......................................................................................................... 1-8
Zip Drive ..................................................................................................................... 1-8
Power Supply .............................................................................................................. 1-8
Power Management..................................................................................................... 1-8
Section 2 Setup Utility
Configuration Information............................................................................................ 2-1
When to Use Setup...................................................................................................... 2-1
How to Start Setup...................................................................................................... 2-2
How to Use Setup ....................................................................................................... 2-3
Menu Bar.............................................................................................................. 2-3
Legend Bar........................................................................................................... 2-4
Selecting a Menu Item .......................................................................................... 2-4

iv Contents
Displaying a Submenu........................................................................................... 2-4
Getting Help......................................................................................................... 2-4
Main Menu.................................................................................................................. 2-5
Floppy Options Submenu...................................................................................... 2-6
Primary/Secondary IDE Master/Slave (Submenus)................................................ 2-7
Advanced Menu........................................................................................................... 2-9
Resource Configuration Submenu......................................................................... 2-10
Peripheral Configuration Submenu........................................................................ 2-11
Keyboard Configuration Submenu......................................................................... 2-12
Video Configuration Submenu.............................................................................. 2-13
DMI Event Logging Submenu............................................................................... 2-13
Security Menu ............................................................................................................. 2-14
Power Menu................................................................................................................ 2-14
Boot Menu .................................................................................................................. 2-15
Hard Drive Submenu............................................................................................. 2-16
Removable Drive Submenu................................................................................... 2-16
Removable Format Submenu................................................................................. 2-16
Exit Menu.................................................................................................................... 2-16
Section 3 Option Installation
General Rules for Installing Options............................................................................. 3-1
Precautions.................................................................................................................. 3-2
Removing the Access Cover......................................................................................... 3-3
Replacing the Access Cover......................................................................................... 3-5
Expansion Boards........................................................................................................ 3-6
Expansion Slot Locations...................................................................................... 3-6
Expansion Board Installation................................................................................. 3-7
Expansion Board Removal.................................................................................... 3-8
DIMM Upgrade........................................................................................................... 3-8
DIMM Removal.................................................................................................... 3-9
DIMM Installation................................................................................................ 3-11
Data Storage Devices................................................................................................... 3-12
Device Slots.......................................................................................................... 3-12
Device Preparation................................................................................................ 3-13
Device Cables....................................................................................................... 3-13
Diskette Drive Signal Cable............................................................................ 3-14
IDE Signal Cables.......................................................................................... 3-15

Contents v
System Power Cables..................................................................................... 3-16
Device Cabling...................................................................................................... 3-17
Cabling an IDE Device................................................................................... 3-17
Cabling a Diskette Drive ................................................................................ 3-18
Storage Device Installation.................................................................................... 3-19
Removing the Front Panel.............................................................................. 3-19
Installing a 3 1/2-Inch Device......................................................................... 3-20
Installing a 5 1/4-Inch Device......................................................................... 3-22
Accessing the CD-ROM Reader..................................................................... 3-24
Replacing the Front Panel............................................................................... 3-24
Adding External Options.............................................................................................. 3-25
Parallel Printer ...................................................................................................... 3-25
RS-232C Device Connection................................................................................. 3-27
Section 4 Maintenance and Troubleshooting
Maintenance ................................................................................................................ 4-1
System Cleaning.................................................................................................... 4-1
Keyboard Cleaning................................................................................................ 4-2
Mouse Cleaning.................................................................................................... 4-2
Troubleshooting........................................................................................................... 4-4
Diagnosing and Solving Problems ......................................................................... 4-4
Beep Codes........................................................................................................... 4-10
CMOS Battery Replacement................................................................................. 4-11
Section 5 Disassembly and Reassembly
Disassembly................................................................................................................. 5-2
System Access Cover............................................................................................ 5-2
Expansion Board Removal.................................................................................... 5-2
Front Panel Removal............................................................................................. 5-3
Side Panel Removal .............................................................................................. 5-4
Device Cage Removal........................................................................................... 5-4
Diskette Drive Removal........................................................................................ 5-4
5 1/4-Inch Device Removal................................................................................... 5-5
Standard 3 1/2-Inch Hard Disk Drive Removal...................................................... 5-6
Optional 3 1/2-Inch Hard Disk Drive Removal...................................................... 5-7
Fan Assembly Removal......................................................................................... 5-8
DIMM Module Removal....................................................................................... 5-9

vi Contents
Power Supply Removal......................................................................................... 5-10
System Board Removal......................................................................................... 5-11
Illustrated Parts Breakdown......................................................................................... 5-11
Appendix A System Specifications
Appendix B Connector Pin Assignments
Processor Socket......................................................................................................... B-4
Serial Interface Connectors.......................................................................................... B-4
Parallel Interface Connector......................................................................................... B-5
Power Supply (Primary)............................................................................................... B-6
Keyboard and Mouse Connectors................................................................................. B-6
Front Panel .................................................................................................................. B-7
Diskette Drive Interface Pin Assignments..................................................................... B-8
IDE Interface Connectors ............................................................................................ B-9
DIMM Sockets............................................................................................................ B-10
ISA Expansion Bus Connector Pin Assignments........................................................... B-11
PCI Expansion Bus Connector Pin Assignments...........................................................B-13
Universal Serial Bus (USB) Connectors.......................................................................B-14
Appendix C System Resources
IRQ Settings................................................................................................................ C-1
Viewing System Resources .......................................................................................... C-2
Checking Jumper Settings............................................................................................ C-2
Clearing the System Password...................................................................................... C-4
BIOS Update Utility .................................................................................................... C-4
Figure
Figure 3-1 Loosening the Screw and Pressing the Tabs................................................ 3-3
Figure 3-2 Sliding Off the Cover.................................................................................. 3-4
Figure 3-3 Aligning the Tabs........................................................................................ 3-5
Figure 3-4 Locating Expansion Slots............................................................................ 3-6
Figure 3-5 Removing the Slot Cover............................................................................ 3-7
Figure 3-6 Removing a DIMM..................................................................................... 3-10
Figure 3-7 Installing a DIMM ...................................................................................... 3-11
Figure 3-8 Locating Device Slots................................................................................. 3-12

Contents vii
Figure 3-9 System Board Cable Connectors................................................................. 3-14
Figure 3-10 Diskette Drive Signal Cable....................................................................... 3-15
Figure 3-11 IDE Signal Cable ...................................................................................... 3-15
Figure 3-12 Power Cable Connectors........................................................................... 3-16
Figure 3-13 Connecting IDE Device Cables ................................................................. 3-17
Figure 3-14 Connecting 1.2-MB Diskette Drive Cables................................................ 3-18
Figure 3-15 Releasing the Front Panel.......................................................................... 3-19
Figure 3-16 Device Slots, Front Panel Removed .......................................................... 3-20
Figure 3-17 Inserting the Device.................................................................................. 3-21
Figure 3-18 Removing the Blank Panel ........................................................................ 3-22
Figure 3-19 Installing the Device.................................................................................. 3-23
Figure 3-20 Locating the Parallel Port.......................................................................... 3-26
Figure 3-21 Locating COM Ports................................................................................. 3-27
Figure 4-1 Removing the Mouse Ball Cover................................................................. 4-3
Figure 4-2 Locating the Battery ................................................................................... 4-11
Figure 5-1 Removing a Board...................................................................................... 5-3
Figure 5-2 Releasing the Front Panel............................................................................ 5-3
Figure 5-3 Locating the Device Cage Screw................................................................. 5-4
Figure 5-4 Locating the Two Diskette Drive Clips ....................................................... 5-5
Figure 5-5 Removing the 5 1.4-Inch Device Screws..................................................... 5-6
Figure 5-6 The 3 1/2-Inch Device Screws .................................................................... 5-7
Figure 5-7 Removing the Drive.................................................................................... 5-8
Figure 5-8 Removing a DIMM..................................................................................... 5-9
Figure 5-9 Removing the Power Supply Screws........................................................... 5-10
Figure 5-10 Removing the System Board Screw........................................................... 5-11
Figure 5-11 Direction T-Series Desktop Illustrated Parts Breakdown........................... 5-14
Figure 5-12 Direction T-Series Minitower Illustrated Parts Breakdown........................ 5-17
Figure B-1 System Board Connectors and Slots........................................................... B-2
Figure B-2 System Board External Connectors ............................................................ B-2
Figure C-1 System Board Configuration Jumpers......................................................... C-3
Table
Table 1-1 System Features........................................................................................... 1-1
Table 1-2 System Memory Map................................................................................... 1-4

viii Contents
Table 1-3 Interrupt Level Assignments......................................................................... 1-5
Table 1-4 DMA Assignments....................................................................................... 1-6
Table 2-1 Setup Key Functions .................................................................................... 2-4
Table 3-1 Optional Memory Configurations ................................................................. 3-9
Table 4-1 Problems and Solutions................................................................................ 4-4
Table 4-2 Beep Code Descriptions............................................................................... 4-10
Table 5-1 Disassembly Sequence.................................................................................. 5-1
Table 5-2 Direction T-Series Desktop Field-Replaceable Parts List .............................. 5-12
Table 5-3 Direction T-Series Minitower Field-Replaceable Parts List........................... 5-15
Table 5-4 Direction T-Series Memory Options............................................................. 5-18
Table 5-5 Direction T-Series Documentation ............................................................... 5-18
Table B-1 System Board Connectors............................................................................ B-1
Table B-2 System Board Internal Connectors............................................................... B-3
Table B-3 System Board Connector Numbers and Types ............................................. B-3
Table-B-4 RS-232C Serial Port Connector Pin Assignments ........................................ B-4
Table B-5 Parallel Port Connector Pin Assignments ..................................................... B-5
Table B-6 Primary Power Supply Connector Pin Assignments...................................... B-6
Table B-7 Keyboard and Mouse Connector Pin Assignments ....................................... B-6
Table B-8 Front Panel Connector Pin Assignments....................................................... B-7
Table B-9 Diskette Drive Connector Pin Assignments.................................................. B-8
Table B-10 IDE/PCI Connector Pin Assignments......................................................... B-9
Table B-11 DIMM Socket Pin Assignments................................................................. B-10
Table B-12 ISA Expansion Slot Pin Assignments......................................................... B-11
Table B-13 PCI Expansion Pin Assignments.................................................................B-13
Table B-14 USB Connectors........................................................................................ B-14

Contents ix

ix
Preface
This service and reference manual contains technical information necessary for servicing and
repairing the Direction T-Series systems. The manual includes system setup information,
procedures for installing options, and troubleshooting. The manual is written for
NECCSD-trained customer engineers, system analysts, service center personnel, and
dealers.
The manual is organized as follows:
Section 1 — Technical Information, provides an overview of the computer features,
hardware design, interface ports, and internal devices.
Section 2 — Setup Utility, includes procedures for configuring the system through the
Setup utility program
Section 3 — Option Installation, provides installation procedures for adding optional
expansion boards, diskette and hard disk storage devices, system memory, and processor
updates.
Section 4 — Maintenance and Troubleshooting, includes recommended maintenance
information, lists possible computer problems and their solutions, and has battery
replacement procedures.
Section 5 — Disassembly and Reassembly, includes computer disassembly and
reassembly procedures.
Appendix A — System Specifications, provides a list of the system specifications
including dimensions, weight, environment, safety compliance, power consumption, and
memory.
Appendix B — Connector Pin Assignments, provides a list of the system boards’ internal
and external connector pin assignments.
Appendix C — System Resources, includes information on system board jumpers, IRQ
settings and the BIOS update utility.

xi
Abbreviations
A ampere
AC alternating current
AT advanced technology
(IBM PC)
BBS Bulletin Board Service
BCD binary-coded decimal
BCU BIOS Customized Utility
BIOS basic input/output system
bit binary digit
BUU BIOS Upgrade Utility
bpi bits per inch
bps bits per second
C capacitance
C centigrade
Cache high-speed buffer storage
CAM constantly addressable memory
CAS column address strobe
CD/ROM compact disk-ROM
CG character generator
CGA Color Graphics Adapter
CGB Color Graphics Board
CH channel
clk clock
cm centimeter
CMOS complementary metal oxide
semiconductor
COM communication
CONT contrast
CPGA ceramic pin grid array
CPU central processing unit
DAC digital-to-analog converter
DACK DMA acknowledge
DC direct current
DIP dual in-line package
DLAB Divisor Latch Address bit
DMA direct memory access
DMAC DMA controller
DOS disk operating system
DRAM dynamic RAM
ECC error checking and correction
EDO extended data output
EGA Enhanced Graphics Adapter
EPROM erasable and programmable
ROM
EVGA Enhanced Video Graphics
Array
F Fahrenheit
FAX facsimile transmission
FCC Federal Communications
Commission
FG frame ground
FM frequency modulation
FP fast page
FRU field-replaceable unit
GB gigabyte
GND ground
HEX hexadecimal
HGA Hercules Graphics Adapter
Hz hertz
IC integrated circuit
ID identification
IDE intelligent device electronics
IDTR interrupt descriptor table
register
in. inch
INTA interrupt acknowledge
IPB illustrated parts breakdown
IR infrared
IRR Interrupt Request register
ISA Industry Standard Architecture
ISR In Service register
I/O input/output

xii Abbreviations
IPC integrated peripheral controller
ips inches per second
IRQ interrupt request
K kilo (1024)
k kilo (1000)
KB kilobyte
kg kilogram
kHz kilohertz
lb pound
LED light-emitting diode
LSB least-significant bit
LSI large-scale integration
M mega
mA milliamps
max maximum
MB megabyte
MDA Monochrome Display Adapter
MFM modified frequency modulation
MHz megahertz
mm millimeter
ms millisecond
MSB most-significant bit
NASC National Authorized Service
Center
NC not connected
NMI Non-maskable Interrupt
ns nanosecond
NSRC National Service Response
Center
PAL programmable array logic
PC personal computer
PCB printed circuit board
PCI Peripheral Component
Interconnect
PDA personal digital assistant
PFP plastic flat package
PIO parallel input/output
pixel picture element
PLCC plastic leaded chip carrier
PLL phase lock loop
p-p peak-to-peak
PPI programmable peripheral
interface
PROM programmable ROM
QFP quad flat pack
RAM random-access memory
RAMDAC RAM digital-to-analog
converter
RAS row address strobe
RGB red green blue
RGBI red green blue intensity
ROM read-only memory
rpm revolutions per minute
R read
RTC real-time clock
R/W read/write
S slave
SCSI Small Computer System
Interface
SG signal ground
SIMM single inline memory module
SPM standard page mode
SRS Sound Retrieval System
SVGA Super Video Graphics Array
SW switch
TAC Technical Assistance Center
TSC Technical Support Center
TTL transistor/transistor logic
tpi tracks per inch
USB universal serial bus
V volt
Vac volts, alternating current
Vdc volts, direct current
VESA video electronics standards
association

Abbreviations xiii
VFC VESA-compliant feature
connector
VGA Video Graphics Array
VRAM video RAM
W watt
W write

Section 1
Technical Information
This section provides an overview of the NEC Direction™T-Series computers. Table 1-1
describes the various features of the different models. The subsections that follow provide
more detailed information on the system features.
Table 1-1 System Features
Feature Direction SP200T Direction SP233T
System Board
Processor IntelPentium200
MHz MMX
Intel Pentium 233 MHz
MMX
System RAM 32 MB 32 MB or 64 MB
Secondary Cache 512 KB, pipeline burst 512 KB, pipeline burst
Chipset Intel 82430TX dual PCI Intel 82430TX dual PCI
Graphics PCI graphics board Number Nine
Revolution 3D graphics
board
Video Memory 4 MB SGRAM 4 MB WRAM
Sound Sound Retrieval
SystemSound Retrieval
System
Fax/Modem U.S. Robotics, 56 kbps U.S. Robotics, 56 kbps
Hard Disk 3.2 GB 3.2 GB, 4.3 GB, or
7 GB
CD-ROM 24x 24x
Zip™ Drive Iomega(100 MB) or
none none
Power Supply 200 W 200 W
SYSTEM BOARD
The system board contains most of the components that provide system functions. The
following subsections provide a description of these components.

1-2 Technical Information
Processor
The system board uses a 200-MHz or 233-MHz Intel Pentium processor with MMX
technology. The MMX processor improves audio, video, and 3D graphics performance.
The system board comes equipped with the latest 321-pin zero-insertion-force (ZIF) socket
(Socket 7) for easy processor upgrades with next generation processors.
System Cache/Memory
To utilize the processor’s power, the system features an optimized 64-bit memory interface
and provides support for secondary cache to compliment the processor’s internal caches.
High-performance features include:

pipeline 32-bit addressing
 64-bit data
 512-KB of pipeline burst secondary cache integrated on system board; direct
mapped write-back and write-through organization.
The system comes with 32 or 64 MB of main system memory. Two sockets on the system
board support up to 256 MB of high-speed memory using industry-standard gold-plated
dual in-line memory modules (DIMMs).
The system supports 60-ns Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM) or Extended Data Out (EDO)
DRAM.
The system supports the following 60-ns configurations:
 1-MB by 64-bit (8-MB DIMM)
 2-MB by 64-bit (16-MB DIMM)
 4-MB by 64-bit (32-MB DIMM)
 8-MB by 64-bit (64-MB DIMM)
 16-MB by 64-bit (128-MB DIMM).

Technical Information 1-3
Chipset
The Intel 82430TX PCI chipset provides DMA, memory, bus, and cache control. The
chipset includes the following chips:

430TX System Controller (MTXC) integrates the cache, main memory DRAM
control and provides bus control to handle transfers between the processor, cache,
main memory, and PCI bus.

430TX PCI ISA IDE Xcelerator (PIIX4) features multifunction PCI to ISA
bridge/USB support.
PCI Local Bus
The 32-bit industry-standard PCI bus is a highly-integrated input/output (I/O) interface that
offers the highest performance local bus available for the Pentium processor. The PCI bus
supports burst modes that send large chunks of data across the bus, allowing fast displays of
high-resolution images.
The high-bandwidth PCI local bus eliminates data bottlenecks found in traditional systems,
maintains maximum performance at high clock speeds, and provides a clear upgrade path to
future technologies.
The PCI bus contains two embedded PCI devices: the PCI local bus IDE interface and the
PCI video/graphics controller. The PCI bus also contains a connector for attaching the bus
expansion board.
Expansion Bus
The expansion bus contains two ISA slots, three PCI slots, and one PCI/ISA slot. The PCI
ISA IDE Xcelerator chip (430TX) provides the logic that enables the ISA bus functions.
With 24-bit memory addressing, a 16-bit data path, and an eight MHz clock, the ISA bus is
designed to support all peripherals compatible with the IBMAT™standard. For PCI
functions, the Xcelerator chip provides 32-bit memory addressing, 32-bit data path, and a
33 MHz clock speed.
BIOS
The BIOS (Basic Input Output System) is stored in the Intel U6520222D Flash EPROM.
The Flash EPROM is reprogrammable and allows fast, economical BIOS upgrades.
The system memory map in shown in Table 1-2.

1-4 Technical Information
Table 1-2 System Memory Map
Memory Address Size Function
100000-10000000 255 M
B
Extended Memory
F0000-FFFFF 64 K
B
BIOS
EC000-EFFFF 16 K
B
Boot Block (available as UMB)
EA000-EBFFF 8 K
B
ECSD (Plug and Play configuration and DMI)
E9000-E9FFF 4 K
B
Reserved for BIOS
E8000-E8FFF 4 K
B
OEM Logo or Scan User Flash
E0000-E7FFF 32 K
B
POST BIOS (available as UMB)
C8000-DFFFF 96 K
B
Available Hi
g
h DOS memor
y
(open to ISA and
PCI bus)
A0000-C7FFF 160 K
B
Video memory and BIOS
9FC00-9FFFF 1 K
B
Extended BIOS Data (moveable b
y
memor
y
managers)
80000-9FBFF 127 K
B
Extended conventional memory
00000-7FFFF 512 K
B
Conventional memory
Plug and Play Support
The system comes with Plug and Play BIOS technology. Plug and Play eliminates
complicated setup procedures for installing Plug and Play expansion boards.
To add a Plug and Play expansion board, simply power off the system, install the board, and
power on the system. There are no jumpers to set and no system resource conflicts to
resolve. Plug and Play automatically configures the board for the system. The system also
supports non-Plug and Play boards.
Plug and Play is controlled by the Plug and Play BIOS and the system’s operating system.
The Plug and Play BIOS is stored in the Intel U6520222D Flash EPROM on the system
board.
The Plug and Play BIOS adds several steps to the POST process. During POST, the Plug
and Play evaluates the configuration of installed boards and assigns available system
resources to the devices. On completion of Plug and Play POST, the operating system
checks to see if there are any additional resources required, then assigns available resources
to the devices.

Technical Information 1-5
CMOS Memory/Real-Time Clock Battery
The 430TX PCI ISA IDE Xcelerator (PIIX4) on the system board stores system
information in non-volatile CMOS memory. The chip also contains the system’s real-time
clock. Both are maintained by a 3-volt coin cell lithium battery on the system board. The
battery is replaceable.
DMA/IRQ Settings
The system automatically configures interrupts requests (IRQ), direct memory access
(DMA) channels, and other parameters when adding PCI boards with minimal user
intervention.
Table 1-3 and Table 1-4 list system IRQ and DMA default settings.
Table 1-3 Interrupt Level Assignments
IRQ System Resource
NMI I/O channel check
00 Reserved, internal timer
01 Reserved, keyboard buffer full
02 Reserved, cascade interrupt form slave PIC
03 COM2*
04 COM1*
05 LPT2 (Plug and Play option)/Audio/User available
06 Diskette drive
07 LPT1*
08 Real-time clock
09 User available
10 User available/USB
11 Windows Sound System*/User available
12 Onboard mouse port (if present, else user available)
13 Reserved, math coprocessor
14 Primary IDE (if present, else user available)
15 Secondary IDE (if present, else user available)
* Default, but can be changed.

1-6 Technical Information
Table 1-4 DMA Assignments
DMA Resource
00 Audio
01 Audio/Parallel port
02 Diskette drive
03 ECP parallel port/Audio
04 Reserved, cascade channel
05 Available
06 Available
07 Available
IDE Ports
The system board provides two IDE ports:
 a fast IDE port (the primary channel)

a standard IDE port (the secondary channel).
Each port supports two devices for a total of four IDE devices. The system board allows
the connection of an IDE CD-ROM reader for system configuration flexibility without the
addition of a controller.
The fast IDE port features an enhanced IDE interface which supports up to 10 MB per
second 32-bit wide data transfers on the high-performance PCI local bus. (Standard IDE
supports 2 MB to 3 MB per second on the ISA bus.) The standard hard disk and Zip drive
(in some systems) are connected to the fast IDE port (primary channel) for high
performance. The CD-ROM reader is attached to the standard IDE port (secondary
channel).
I/O Ports
The system board features an enhanced parallel port, two buffered high-speed serial ports,
and two Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports.
The enhanced parallel port supports Enhanced Capabilities Port (ECP) and Enhanced
Parallel Port (EPP) modes for devices that require ECP or EPP protocols. These protocols
allow high-speed bi-directional transfer over a parallel port and increase parallel port
functionality by supporting more devices.
The two buffered high-speed serial ports use fast 16550 UARTs which support transfer
rates up to 19.2 kilobytes (KB) per second. These ports allow the installation of high-speed
serial devices for faster data transfer rates.

Technical Information 1-7
The two USB ports allow additional new plug and play serial devices without removing the
system cover. Simply plug the USB device into the port. The speed varies between
12 megabits per second (Mbps) for printers and 1.5 Mbps for mice and keyboards. Up to
127 USB devices can be connected to the computer.
The combination of the enhanced parallel port, buffered serial ports, and USB ports ensure
optimum performance for future peripheral devices and operating systems.
Sound System
The system board features Yamaha OPL®YMF715 audio chip. It integrates a 16-bit audio
codec, OPL3 FM synthesis and DAC, 3D enhanced stereo controller, and an interface for
MPU401 and a joystick. The chip also provides the following features.

Stereo analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters
 Analog mixing, anti-aliasing, and reconstruction filters
 Support for 16-bit address decode
 ADPCM, A-law or µlaw digital audio compression/decompression
 Full digital control of all mixer and volume control functions
 Sound Blaster™and Windows Sound System™compatibility
The system board provides a connector for connecting a Creative Labs AWE32 wavetable
board to the Yamaha chip. The board provides true wavetable synthesis and 32 distinct
voices for music playback.
U.S. ROBOTICS SPORTSTER FAX/MODEM BOARD
The fax/modem board (in some systems) contains fax and modem capabilities. The board
provides modem, fax, full-duplex speakerphone, and voicemail capabilities. The board
provides transfer rates of 56-kbps (kilobytes per second) for data and 14.4-Kbps for fax.
DISKETTE DRIVE
The system comes standard with a 1.44-MB high-density diskette drive pre-installed in the
3 1/2-inch accessible device slot (drive A). The drive is connected to the system board via a
two-connector cable.
HARD DISK DRIVE
The system supports up to three IDE hard drives, the standard hard drive and two optional
hard drives (if a Zip drive does not come standard with the system). The standard hard drive
is either a 3.2-GB, 4.3-GB, or 7-GB drive.

1-8 Technical Information
CD-ROM READER
The reader can be used to load programs from a CD or it can be used to play audio CDs.
The reader operates at different speeds depending on whether the CD contains music or
data. The reader is fully compatible with Kodak Multisession Photo CDs™ and standard
CDs.
The reader is connected to the secondary IDE/PCI port on the system board.
ZIP DRIVE
Some systems come with the Iomega Zip 100 ATA drive. The Zip drive provides removable
100-MB data disks and has a data transfer rate up to 1.4 MB per second.
POWER SUPPLY
The 200-watt power supply is mounted inside the system unit. It supplies power to the
system board, option boards, diskette drives, hard drives, keyboard, and mouse. A fan
inside the power supply provides system ventilation. The power supply has several cables
for attaching to the various devices requiring power.
POWER MANAGEMENT
The Advanced Power Management (APM) program, located on the 430TX System
Controller (MTXC) chip, reduces system power consumption when there is no activity
detected from the keyboard, mouse, diskette drive, CD-ROM reader, or hard disk drive
after a pre-defined period of time. As soon as activity is detected, the system resumes where
it left off.
There are four levels of reduced power consumption, which may be selected in the CMOS
Setup utility. The four levels are Disabled, Minimum Power Savings, Customized, and
Maximum Power Savings. Each setting provides a timer in which the system activates the
Standby, Suspend, and Fixed Disk power-saving schemes.