NEC PowerMate CT User manual

A Powerful, Versatile Corporate PC
POWERMATE®CT
USER’S GUIDE

First Printing — July 2000
Copyright 2000
NEC Computers Inc.
15 Business Park Way
Sacramento, CA 95828
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 Computers Inc. (hereinafter “NECC”)
and/or its licensors. NECC and/or its licensors, as appropriate, reserve all patent,
copyright and other proprietary rights to this document, including all design,
manufacturing, reproduction, use, and sales rights thereto, except to the extent said
rights are expressly granted to others.
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 is a registered trademark of NEC Corporation.
PowerMate and MultiSync are registered trademarks and VistaScan is a trademark of NEC
Corporation or one of its subsidiaries. All are used under license by NEC Corporation
and/or one or more of its subsidiaries.
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 A.................................................................................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...............................................................................................1-5
External Connectors ........................................................................... 1-8
Power Supply Features.....................................................................1-10
Inside Features .......................................................................................... 1-11
System Board ...................................................................................1-11
Power Management.......................................................................... 1-12
Hard Drive........................................................................................1-13
Network Board.................................................................................1-13
Fax/Modem Board............................................................................ 1-13
AGP Video Board ............................................................................ 1-13
Chassis ...................................................................................................... 1-14
Speakers....................................................................................................1-14
System Overview......................................................................................1-14
Hardware.......................................................................................... 1-14
Software............................................................................................1-15
Preloaded Software..................................................................1-15
NEC OS Restore CD................................................................ 1-16
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 Setup..............................................................................3-4
How to Use Setup...............................................................................3-5
Main Menu..........................................................................................3-7
Advanced Menu................................................................................3-13
Security Menu...................................................................................3-22
Power Menu......................................................................................3-25
Boot Menu........................................................................................3-28
Exit Menu .........................................................................................3-28
Hard Drive Security...................................................................................3-29
Establishing Hard Disk Drive Passwords .........................................3-29
Changing Hard Disk Drive Passwords..............................................3-30
Using Hard Disk Drive Password Protection....................................3-31
Moving the Hard Drive.....................................................................3-32
FLASH Utility...........................................................................................3-32
NEC INFO Center.....................................................................................3-33
NEC Application and Driver CD ..............................................................3-35
NEC OS Restore CD.................................................................................3-36
System Board Jumper Settings..................................................................3-37
Intel Processor Serial Number Control Utility ..........................................3-42
System Requirements .......................................................................3-42
Installation ........................................................................................3-42
Processor Serial Number ..................................................................3-43
Frequently Asked Questions.............................................................3-43
Technical Support.............................................................................3-44

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...................................................................4-8
Expansion Boards ....................................................................................... 4-9
Locating Expansion Slots and Connectors....................................... 4-10
Removing the Retainer Bar ..............................................................4-10
Removing an Expansion Board........................................................ 4-11
Installing a Slot Cover......................................................................4-12
Removing a Slot Cover ....................................................................4-13
Installing an Expansion Board.......................................................... 4-14
Replacing the Retainer Bar............................................................... 4-15
System Board Options ..............................................................................4-16
Memory Upgrade..............................................................................4-16
Checking System Memory....................................................... 4-17
Removing a RIMM or Continuity Module ..............................4-18
Installing a RIMM or Continuity Module................................ 4-20
Processor Upgrade............................................................................4-22
Removing the Processor ..........................................................4-22
Installing an Upgrade Processor .............................................. 4-24
Data Storage Devices................................................................................ 4-26
Locating Device Bays....................................................................... 4-26
Preparing the Device ........................................................................4-27
Connecting Device Cables................................................................ 4-28
Cabling Storage Devices .................................................................. 4-30
IDE Drive Cabling................................................................... 4-30
Diskette Drive Cabling ............................................................4-30
Network Board Wake-On LAN Cabling.................................. 4-31
Replacing 5 1/4-Inch Accessible Devices ........................................ 4-31
Removing or Replacing a Bay Cover.......................................4-32
Storing and Retrieving Unused Rails....................................... 4-35
Removing or Installing Device Rails....................................... 4-36
Removing a 5 1/4-Inch Accessible Device.............................. 4-36
Installing a 5 1/4-Inch Accessible Device................................ 4-38
Replacing 3 1/2-Inch Accessible Devices ........................................ 4-39
Removing a 3 1/2-Inch Accessible Device.............................. 4-40
Installing a 3 1/2-Inch Accessible Device................................ 4-42

vi Contents
Replacing Internal Drives.................................................................4-44
Removing a 3 1/2-Inch Internal Drive......................................4-44
Installing a 3 1/2-Inch Internal Drive.......................................4-47
Minitower and Desktop Setup Options .....................................................4-49
Converting from Minitower to Desktop............................................4-49
Converting from Desktop to Minitower............................................4-51
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 A-1
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
Graphics......................................................................................................B-4
Input/Output Devices..................................................................................B-4
Expansion....................................................................................................B-5
Power Management.....................................................................................B-5
System Management...................................................................................B-5
Operating System Software.........................................................................B-6
Operating Environment...............................................................................B-6
Compliance.................................................................................................B-6
Index
Regulatory Statements

Using This Guide ix
Using This Guide
The PowerMate®CT 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
utilities 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 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 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 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 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 User’s Guide
Check the 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

1-2 Reviewing System Features
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 the computer in the manner described in Appendix A,
“Setting Up a Healthy Work Environment.”
This chapter highlights system hardware and software features, and
describes the security features of the system.
Front Features
You can use your PowerMate CT system as a minitower or as a desktop
system. The following figures show the features on the front of the system
for both configurations. Brief descriptions follow the figures.
PowerMate CT minitower front features
A– USB Port F– Power/Sleep Button
B– CD-ROM or DVD-ROM Drive G– Power/Sleep Lamp
C– 5 1/4-Inch Bay H– Disk Activity Lamp
D– Diskette Drive I– 3 1/2-Inch Accessible Device
E– 3 1/2-Inch Accessible
Device Bay Bracket

Reviewing System Features 1-3
PowerMate CT desktop front features
A– Power/Sleep Button F– 3 1/2-Inch Accessible Device Bracket
B– CD-ROM or DVD-ROM Drive G– 3 1/2-Inch Accessible Device Bay
C– 5 1/4-Inch Bay H– Diskette Drive
D– Power/Sleep Lamp I– USB Port
E– Disk Activity Lamp
System Controls and Lamps
System controls and lamps are identical for the minitower and desktop
systems. The controls and lamps include a power/sleep button,
power/sleep lamp, and hard drive activity lamp. The previous figures
show the controls and lamps on the front of the systems.
!Power/sleep button
Press this button to turn on system power. To turn off power, close all
applications, and shut down Windows. If you have Windows®98 or
Windows 2000, the system automatically powers down. If you have
Windows NT®, close all applications, shut down Windows NT, and
press in the button until the system powers down (about four seconds).
Press and immediately release the power/sleep button to suspend
system operation and go into a power saving mode. If you have a
VESA-compliant monitor, your monitor also goes into a power-saving
mode.
Press any key or move your mouse to resume system operation at the
point where you stopped it.

1-4 Reviewing System Features
!Power/sleep lamp
The power/sleep lamp indicates whether system power is on or off. It
also lets you know if the system is operating in a power-saving mode.
A steady green lamp indicates that the power is on to all system
components. An unlit lamp indicates that power is not on.
A steady amber lamp and a blank monitor (VESA-compliant) screen
indicates that the system is in a power-saving (sleep) mode, with
full-power reduction.
!Hard drive lamp
A blinking green lamp indicates that the hard drive is active. The
green lamp tells you that the hard drive is reading or writing data.
Do not turn off the system unless absolutely
necessary while the hard drive lamp is lit. To do so can damage your hard
drive or data.
Diskette Drive A
Use the diskette drive to copy data files to and from a diskette. You can
also use the diskette drive as a bootable drive for loading and starting
programs from a diskette.
To prevent damage to your diskette drive and
data, do not turn off the system or remove a diskette while the diskette
drive busy lamp is lit.
Universal Serial Bus Port
The universal serial bus (USB) port on the front of the system allows you
to easily and conveniently add plug and play USB devices without
opening up the system. You simply plug the USB device into the port.
You can connect up to 127 devices including a mouse, monitor, keyboard,
printer, scanner, speakers, and more. A second USB port is on the rear of
the system.

Reviewing System Features 1-5
CD-ROM Drive
Systems come with a 40X Max or higher variable speed CD-ROM drive.
Use the CD-ROM drive to load and start programs from a compact disc
(CD). You can also use the CD-ROM drive to play your audio CDs.
The CD-ROM drive operates at different speeds depending on whether
the CD you are using contains data or music. This allows you to get your
data faster and to see smoother animation and video.
DVD-ROM Drive
Some systems come with an 8X or higher digital video disc (DVD)-ROM
drive. The drive offers many improvements over the standard CD-ROM
technology, including superior video and audio playback, faster data
access, and greater storage capacities.
The DVD-ROM drive uses DVD technology to read DVD discs as well as
standard audio and video CDs.
CD-RW Drive
Some systems come with a 8x (record) 4x (rewrite) 32x (read) compact
disk-rewritable (CD-RW) drive. Use the drive to record your data on a
CD disc, just like you would on a diskette, Zip®disc, or hard drive.
Zip Drive
Some systems come with a 250-MB capacity Zip drive. Use the Zip drive
with 3 1/2-inch Zip disks to back up work, archive old files, and transport
your work. The Zip drive supports 250-MB and 100-MB Zip disks.
Rear Features
On the rear of your system, you’ll find external connectors, the power
supply socket, a monitor power socket, a voltage switch, and expansion
board slots. The following figures show these features.

1-6 Reviewing System Features
PowerMate CT minitower rear features
A– AC Power Connector F– Locking Tab
B– Monitor Power Socket G– Expansion Slots
C– Power Supply H– System Board Connectors
D– Keyboard/Mouse Anti-Theft Bracket I– Voltage Switch
E– AGP Video Board

Reviewing System Features 1-7
PowerMate CT desktop rear features
A– Power Supply F– System Board Connectors
B– Keyboard/Mouse Anti-theft Bracket G– Monitor Power Socket
C– AGP Video Board H– Voltage Switch
D– Locking Tab I– AC Power Connector
E – Expansion Slots
Minitower rear connector locations
A– Keyboard Connector G– Line In
B– Mouse Connector H– Line Out
C– Parallel Port I– Serial Port 2
D– MIDI/Game Port J– Serial Port 1
E– VGA Connector K– USB Port
F– Microphone In

1-8 Reviewing System Features
Desktop rear connector locations
A– Mouse Connector G– Line Out
B– Parallel Port H– Serial Port 2
C– MIDI/Game Port I– Serial Port 1
D– VGA Connector J– USB Port
E– Microphone In K– Keyboard Port
F– Line In
External Connectors
External connectors let you attach peripheral devices, such as a monitor,
keyboard, mouse, and printer to your system. Your system has the
following external connectors.
!Mouse port
Attach the mouse that comes with your system to this port. The mouse
port supports a PS/2®-compatible (personal system/2-compatible)
mouse.
!Keyboard port
Attach the keyboard that comes with your system to the keyboard
port.
The keyboard port supports a PS/2-compatible 101-key or 104-key
keyboard (in the U.S. and Canada) or a 102-key keyboard (in the
United Kingdom and Germany) with a 6-pin mini DIN connector.

Reviewing System Features 1-9
!Universal Serial Bus port
This port adds USB capability at the rear of the system. A second
USB port is on the front of the system.
!Serial port 1 (COM A) and serial port 2 (COM B)
Attach a serial device with a 9-pin connector to these serial ports.
Serial devices include a pointing device, serial printer, or a modem.
!Printer port
Use this port to connect a parallel printer with a 25-pin connector to
the system.
!MIDI/Game port
Use this port to attach a musical MIDI device or a gaming device to
your system.
!VGA monitor connector
The system comes with a video graphics array (VGA) connector on
the 4X accelerated graphics port (AGP) video board installed in your
system. Attach the signal cable from your monitor to the VGA
connector on the video board. Use this port to connect an NEC
MultiSync®monitor, NEC VistaScan™ monitor, or other
VGA-compatible monitor with a 15-pin connector.
!Audio connectors
The system comes with sound integrated on the system board. The
following audio connectors are at the rear of the system (see the
preceding figure for locations).
—Microphone in jack
Use this jack to connect a microphone for recording audio
information in your data system files.
—Line in jack
Use this jack to connect a stereo audio device such as a stereo
amplifier or a cassette or minidisc player for playback or
recording.
—Line out jack
Use this jack to connect an amplified output device, such as
powered speakers or headset, a stereo tape recorder, or an external
amplifier for audio output.

1-10 Reviewing System Features
!Fax/Modem port
Some systems come with a V.90 rated 56-kilobits per second (Kbps)
PCI fax/modem board. The board allows the connection of a phone
line to the system for data communications functions.
!LAN port
Some systems come with a local area network (LAN) board. Use the
RJ-45 compatible LAN port on the board for connecting the system to
an Ethernet LAN.
Power Supply Features
Your system has the following power supply features:
!Power socket
Connect your power cable to this socket.
!Monitor power socket
If you have a plug adapter, plug the monitor power cable into this
socket instead of a wall outlet.
!Voltage switch
Sets the voltage for your system to 115 volts or 230 volts.
Set the switch correctly for the voltage in your
area. Most wall outlets in the United States and Canada are 115 volts.
Outlets in Europe are 230 volts.
!Power supply fan
The power supply fan cools the power supply and other system
components to keep them from overheating. Keep the area near the
fan clear for proper ventilation.