NEC POWERMATE CT 815 - RELEASE NOTES User manual

First Printing — February 2001
Copyright 2001
NEC Computers Inc.
15 Business Park Way
Sacramento, CA 95828
All Rights Reserved
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The information disclosed in this document, including all designs and related
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and/or its licensors. NECC and/or its licensors, as appropriate, reserve all patent,
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The NECC 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 NECC.
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
NECC is prohibited.
NEC, PowerMate, and MultiSync are registered trademarks and AccuSync is a trademark of
NEC Corporation or one of its subsidiaries. All are used under license.
Intel, Pentium, and LANDesk are registered trademarks and Celeron is a trademark of Intel
Corporation.
Microsoft, Windows, and Windows NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective
trademark owners.

Contents iii
Contents
Using This Guide
Text Conventions........................................................................................... x
Related Documents ....................................................................................... xi
1 Reviewing System Features
Front Features..............................................................................................1-2
System Controls and Lamps...............................................................1-3
Diskette Drive.....................................................................................1-4
Universal Serial Bus Port ...................................................................1-4
CD-ROM Drive..................................................................................1-5
DVD-ROM Drive...............................................................................1-5
CD-RW Drive.....................................................................................1-5
Zip Drive ............................................................................................1-5
Rear Features...............................................................................................1-6
External Connectors ...........................................................................1-9
Power Supply Features.....................................................................1-10
Inside Features ..........................................................................................1-11
System Board....................................................................................1-12
Power Management..........................................................................1-12
Hard Drive........................................................................................1-13
Network Board .................................................................................1-13
Fax/Modem Board............................................................................1-13
AGP Video Board.............................................................................1-14
Chassis ......................................................................................................1-14
Speakers....................................................................................................1-14
System Overview......................................................................................1-15
Hardware ..........................................................................................1-15
Software............................................................................................1-16
Preloaded Software..................................................................1-16
NEC OS Restore CD................................................................1-17
NEC Application and Driver CD.............................................1-17
Security.............................................................................................1-17

iv Contents
2 Setting Up the System
Chassis Orientation......................................................................................2-2
Cable Connections.......................................................................................2-2
Startup .........................................................................................................2-3
Shutdown.....................................................................................................2-4
Power-Saving Operation..............................................................................2-5
System Care.................................................................................................2-5
Protecting Your System From Damage ..............................................2-6
Keeping Your System in Good Condition ..........................................2-7
Moving or Shipping Your System ......................................................2-7
More Information ........................................................................................2-8
3 Configuring the System
Configuration Tools and Utilities................................................................3-2
BIOS Setup Utility ......................................................................................3-4
How to Start BIOS Setup....................................................................3-4
How to Use Setup...............................................................................3-5
Main Menu..........................................................................................3-6
Advanced Menu................................................................................3-10
Security Menu...................................................................................3-19
Exit Menu .........................................................................................3-21
Hard Drive Security...................................................................................3-21
Establishing Hard Disk Drive Passwords .........................................3-21
Changing Hard Disk Drive Passwords..............................................3-22
Using Hard Disk Drive Password Protection....................................3-23
Moving the Hard Drive.....................................................................3-24
FLASH Utility...........................................................................................3-24
NEC INFO Center.....................................................................................3-25
NEC Application and Driver CD...............................................................3-26
NEC OS Restore CD .................................................................................3-28
System Board Jumper Settings..................................................................3-29
Intel Processor Serial Number Control Utility ..........................................3-34
System Requirements........................................................................3-34
Installation ........................................................................................3-34
Processor Serial Number...................................................................3-35
Frequently Asked Questions.............................................................3-35
Technical Support.............................................................................3-36

Contents v
4 Installing Options
General Rules..............................................................................................4-2
Safety Precautions.......................................................................................4-3
System Unit Covers.....................................................................................4-4
Removing the Cover...........................................................................4-4
Replacing the Cover ...........................................................................4-6
Removing the Front Panel ..................................................................4-7
Replacing the Front Panel...................................................................4-9
Expansion Boards......................................................................................4-10
Removing the Expansion Board Retainer Bar..................................4-11
Installing an Expansion Board..........................................................4-12
Removing an Expansion Board ........................................................4-14
Installing the Expansion Board Retainer Bar....................................4-15
System Board Options...............................................................................4-16
Memory Upgrade..............................................................................4-17
Checking System Memory.......................................................4-18
Installing a DIMM Module......................................................4-18
Removing a DIMM Module.....................................................4-20
Processor Upgrade............................................................................4-21
Removing the Processor...........................................................4-21
Installing an Upgrade Processor...............................................4-23
Data Storage Devices................................................................................4-25
Device Bays......................................................................................4-25
Device Preparation ...........................................................................4-26
5 1/4-Inch Accessible Device Upgrade ............................................4-29
Installing a 5 1/4-Inch Accessible Device................................4-29
Removing a 5 1/4-Inch Accessible Device ..............................4-32
3 1/2-Inch Accessible Device Upgrade ............................................4-35
Installing a 3 1/2-Inch Accessible Device................................4-35
Removing a 3 1/2-Inch Accessible Device ..............................4-38
Internal Hard Drive Upgrade............................................................4-39
Installing a 3 1/2-Inch Internal Hard Drive ..............................4-39
Removing a 3 1/2-Inch Internal Hard Drive ............................4-42
Minitower and Desktop Setup Options.....................................................4-43
Converting from Minitower to Desktop ...........................................4-43
Converting from Desktop to Minitower ...........................................4-45

vi Contents
5 Solving System Problems
Solutions to Common Problems..................................................................5-2
System Problems.................................................................................5-2
Diskette Drive Problems.....................................................................5-4
Monitor Problems ...............................................................................5-5
Keyboard/Mouse Problems.................................................................5-6
CD-ROM Drive Problems ..................................................................5-6
Speaker Problems................................................................................5-7
How to Clean the Mouse.............................................................................5-8
How to Replace the CMOS Battery...........................................................5-10
6 Getting Services and Support
NECC Website ............................................................................................6-2
NECC FTP Site ...........................................................................................6-3
Email/Fax Technical Support Service.........................................................6-3
NECC Technical Support Services..............................................................6-4
A Setting Up a Healthy Work Environment
Making Your Computer Work for You......................................................A-2
Arrange Your Equipment ...........................................................................A-3
Adjust Your Chair ......................................................................................A-4
Adjust Your Input Devices.........................................................................A-6
Adjust Your Monitor..................................................................................A-8
Vary Your Workday.................................................................................A-10
Pre-existing Conditions and Psychosocial Factors...................................A-11
Checking Your Comfort: How Do You Measure Up? .............................A-11
Checking Your Chair.......................................................................A-11
Checking Your Keyboard ................................................................A-12
Checking Your Mouse.....................................................................A-12
Checking Your Monitor...................................................................A-12
Checking You..................................................................................A-12

Contents vii
B System Specifications
Models........................................................................................................ B-2
System Board............................................................................................. B-2
Storage Devices.......................................................................................... B-3
Input/Output Devices ................................................................................. B-4
Expansion................................................................................................... B-4
Power Management.................................................................................... B-5
System Management.................................................................................. B-5
Operating System Software........................................................................ B-5
Operating Environment.............................................................................. B-5
Compliance ................................................................................................ B-6
Index
Regulatory Statements

Using This Guide ix
Using This Guide
The PowerMate®CT 815 User’s Guide provides a comprehensive
reference to information about your system.
The guide contains the following information:
!Chapter 1, Reviewing System Features, provides a look at the front,
back, and inside features of the system. It also gives a summary of the
system’s hardware, software, and security features.
!Chapter 2, Setting Up the System, briefly describes how to set up, start
up, and shut down the system. The chapter also provides information
on installing applications, and tips on caring for the system.
!Chapter 3, Configuring the System, describes how to use the software
shipped with your system, including the BIOS Setup Utility, the
FLASH Utility, the NEC INFO Center, the NEC Application and
Driver CD, and the NEC OS Restore CD. The chapter also includes
information for setting system jumpers.
!Chapter 4, Installing Options, provides installation procedures for
processor and memory upgrades, expansion boards, and storage
devices.
!Chapter 5, Solving System Problems, contains troubleshooting tips for
solving simple problems. The chapter also includes procedures for
cleaning the mouse and replacing the system battery.
!Chapter 6, Getting Services and Support, describes the services
available to you for information and help, and describes how to access
the services.
!Appendix A, Setting Up a Healthy Work Environment, contains
guidelines to help you use your computer productively and safely.
This appendix also instructs you on how to set up and use your
computer to reduce your risk of developing nerve, muscle, or tendon
disorders.
!Appendix B, System Specifications, provides technical specifications
for your system and its components.

x Using This Guide
Prolonged or improper use of a computer
workstation may pose a risk of serious injury. To reduce your risk of injury,
set up and use your computer in the manner described in Appendix A,
Setting Up a Healthy Work Environment.
Text Conventions
This guide uses the following text conventions.
!Warnings, cautions, and notes have the following meanings:
Warnings alert you to situations that could result
in serious personal injury or loss of life.
Cautions indicate situations that can damage the
hardware or software.
Note Notes give important information about the material being
described.
!Names of keyboard keys are printed as they appear on the keyboard,
for example, Ctrl, Alt, or Enter.
!Text or keystrokes that you enter appear in boldface type. For
example, type abc123 and press Enter.

Using This Guide xi
Related Documents
In addition to this guide, the following printed documentation ships with
your system.
!NEC PowerMate CT 815 Quick Setup/Quick Reference
The Quick Setup shows how to quickly get the system connected and
powered on.
The Quick Reference briefly describes the documentation, NEC
utilities, software applications, and services available with the NEC
PowerMate CT 815 system.
!How Does Your Workplace Measure Up?
This brochure provides information for setting up and using the
computer productively and safely. Information includes guidelines to
reduce the risk of injury associated with using a computer.
!NEC PowerMate CT 815 Release Notes
Release Notes provide additional information about the computer that
was not available at the time the user’s guide was printed. Information
in the Release Notes is the result of extensive product testing.
Your system also comes with the NEC INFO Center online
documentation on your hard drive. The NEC INFO Center is an online
guide to your PowerMate system. It provides information about the
system through the following online modules: Tour, User’s Guide,
Questions, Solutions, and Services.
In addition to the documentation that ships with the system,
documentation is available from the NECC website.
!NEC PowerMate CT 815 Service and Reference Manual
This manual provides information for maintaining, troubleshooting,
and repairing the system. This manual also includes hardware and
interface information for programmers, engineers, and others who
need to know how the system is designed.
Service and reference manuals are available on the Internet at the
Service and Support area of the NECC website (see Chapter 6 for
access information).
!NEC PowerMate CT 815 User’s Guide
Check the NECC website for the most current online version of your
printed user’s guide.

1
Reviewing System Features
!Front Features
!Rear Features
!Inside Features
!Chassis
!Speakers
!System Overview