NEC PowerMate Pro 2180 User manual

First Printing — June 1996
Copyright 1996 Copyright 1996
NEC Technologies, Inc. NEC Corporation
1414 Massachusetts Avenue 7-1 Shiba 5-Chome, Minato-Ku
Boxborough, MA 01719 Tokyo 108-01, Japan
All Rights Reserved 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 Corporation (NEC) and/or its licensors.
NEC 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 NEC 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 NEC.
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 NEC is prohibited.
MultiSync and PowerMate are registered trademarks of NEC Technologies, Inc.
FastFacts is a trademark of NEC Technologies, Inc.
All other product, brand, or trade names used in this publication are the trademarks or
registered trademarks of their respective trademark owners.

Contents iii
Contents
Using This Guide
Text Conventions ..................................................... xii
Related Documents................................................... xiii
1 Introducing Your Computer
Front Features.......................................................... 1-1
System Controls and Lamps ................................ 1-3
IR Window ......................................................... 1-5
Diskette Drive A ................................................. 1-5
CD-ROM Reader................................................ 1-6
Back Features .......................................................... 1-8
External Connectors............................................ 1-9
Power Supply Features........................................ 1-11
Matrox Video Board............................................ 1-12
SCSI Adapter Board ........................................... 1-13
Speakers .................................................................. 1-14
Microphone.............................................................. 1-15
2 Using Your Computer
System Operation..................................................... 2-1
Starting Up ......................................................... 2-1
Shutting Down .................................................... 2-2
Setting Date and Time......................................... 2-3
Using System Features ........................................ 2-4
Using a Mouse............................................... 2-4
Using Diskettes .............................................. 2-6
Diskette Removal ........................................... 2-6
Handling Compact Discs................................ 2-8
Loading a CD................................................. 2-9
Removing a CD.............................................. 2-10
Using Your System’s Audio Functions............ 2-10
Suspend Power............................................... 2-10

iv Contents
Protection Features.............................................. 2-11
Setting a Password......................................... 2-11
Using a Password........................................... 2-12
Productivity ............................................................. 2-14
Saving Your Work .............................................. 2-14
Backing Up Your Work....................................... 2-14
Printing a Document............................................ 2-15
Changing Video Drivers ........................................... 2-16
System Care............................................................. 2-16
Protecting Your System from Damage................. 2-17
Keeping Your System in Good Condition............. 2-18
Cleaning Your Mouse.......................................... 2-19
Moving or Shipping Your System........................ 2-21
Battery Replacement ........................................... 2-22
3 Understanding System Features
System Chassis ........................................................ 3-2
System Board Components....................................... 3-3
Processor ............................................................ 3-3
System Memory .................................................. 3-4
Interrupt Controller ............................................. 3-4
PCI Local Bus..................................................... 3-6
Flash ROM......................................................... 3-6
Graphics Features ............................................... 3-7
Motion Video Controller................................. 3-7
Graphics Accelerator...................................... 3-7
Video Support................................................ 3-8
Feature Connector.......................................... 3-9
High-Speed Communication Ports ....................... 3-9
Dual IDE Ports ................................................... 3-9
SCSI Port ........................................................... 3-10
ZIF Socket.......................................................... 3-10
Sound System ..................................................... 3-10
Plug and Play Support......................................... 3-10
Power Saving Feature.......................................... 3-11
Specifications........................................................... 3-12

Contents v
4 NEC Drivers and Utilities
The Setup Utility...................................................... 4-1
When to Use Setup.............................................. 4-2
How to Start Setup.............................................. 4-3
How to Use Setup ............................................... 4-4
Main Menu .............................................................. 4-5
System Date/Time............................................... 4-6
Diskette Drive..................................................... 4-6
IDE Devices........................................................ 4-6
IDE Device Configuration Submenu............... 4-7
IDE Device Configuration.............................. 4-7
IDE Translation Mode.................................... 4-8
Language............................................................ 4-10
Boot Options....................................................... 4-10
Boot Options Submenu................................... 4-10
Boot Sequence........................................... 4-10
System Cache............................................ 4-11
Boot Speed................................................ 4-11
NumLock.................................................. 4-11
Speaker..................................................... 4-11
Setup Prompt............................................ 4-12
Hard Disk Pre-Delay................................. 4-12
Typematic Rate Programming ................... 4-12
Video Mode ........................................................ 4-13
Mouse................................................................. 4-14
Base Memory...................................................... 4-14
Extended Memory ............................................... 4-14
BIOS Version...................................................... 4-14
Advanced Menu ....................................................... 4-14
Processor Type.................................................... 4-15
Processor Speed.................................................. 4-15
Cache Speed........................................................ 4-15
Peripheral Configuration ..................................... 4-15
Peripheral Submenu ....................................... 4-15
Peripheral Configuration Mode.................. 4-16
IDE Interface (Primary and Secondary) ..... 4-16
Floppy Interface........................................ 4-16

vi Contents
Serial Port (1 and 2) Address..................... 4-16
Serial Port 2 IR Mode ............................... 4-17
Parallel Port Address................................. 4-17
Parallel Port Mode .................................... 4-17
Advanced Chipset Configuration ......................... 4-18
Advanced Chipset Submenu ........................... 4-18
Base Memory Size ......................................... 4-18
ISA LFB Size................................................. 4-19
ISA LFB Base Address .................................. 4-19
Video Palette Snoop ....................................... 4-19
Latency Timer (PCI Clocks)........................... 4-20
Memory Error Detection................................. 4-20
Onboard Audio............................................... 4-20
Banks 0 and 1 SIMM Detected....................... 4-21
Power Management Configuration....................... 4-21
Power Management Submenu......................... 4-21
IDE Drive Power Down............................. 4-22
VESA Video Power Down......................... 4-22
Inactivity Timer (Minutes)......................... 4-22
Hot Key .................................................... 4-23
Auto Start on AC Loss.............................. 4-24
Power-On COM1 Ring.............................. 4-24
Plug and Play Configuration................................ 4-24
Plug and Play Submenu.................................. 4-24
Boot with PnP OS..................................... 4-25
ISA Shared Memory Size.......................... 4-25
ISA Shared Memory Base Address............ 4-26
Event Logging Configuration............................... 4-27
Security Menu.......................................................... 4-27
Set User Password and Administrative
Password .......................................................... 4-29
Unattended Start.................................................. 4-29
Security Hot Key................................................. 4-30
Exit Menu................................................................ 4-30
Exit Saving Changes ........................................... 4-30
Exit Discarding Changes ..................................... 4-31
Load Setup Defaults............................................ 4-31

Contents vii
Discard Changes ................................................. 4-32
Flash Utility............................................................. 4-32
SCSISelect Utility.................................................... 4-33
Desktop Management Interface................................. 4-33
DMI Components................................................ 4-34
Manageable Components..................................... 4-34
CI Module........................................................... 4-34
DMI Browser...................................................... 4-35
Usage.................................................................. 4-36
Troubleshooting .................................................. 4-37
Video Drivers........................................................... 4-37
5 Installing Options
Option Installation Procedures.................................. 5-2
Safety Precautions............................................... 5-2
Cover Removal/Replacement Procedure.................... 5-4
Removing the System Unit Cover ........................ 5-4
Replacing the System Unit Cover......................... 5-7
Expansion Boards .................................................... 5-8
Locating Expansion Slots.................................... 5-8
Installing an Expansion Board............................. 5-10
Removing an Expansion Board............................ 5-12
SIMM Upgrade........................................................ 5-13
Checking System Memory................................... 5-14
Removing a SIMM.............................................. 5-17
Installing a SIMM............................................... 5-18
Video Upgrade ......................................................... 5-19
Processor Upgrade ................................................... 5-21
Removing the Processor ...................................... 5-21
Installing the Processor........................................ 5-22
Data Storage Devices............................................... 5-23
Locating Device Slots.......................................... 5-24
Preparing the Device ........................................... 5-25
Device Cables ..................................................... 5-26
Diskette Drive Signal Cable............................ 5-27
IDE Signal Cable ........................................... 5-28
SCSI Cable.................................................... 5-29

viii Contents
System Power Cables..................................... 5-30
Cabling Storage Devices...................................... 5-31
Cabling an IDE or SCSI Device ..................... 5-32
Cabling a Diskette Drive ................................ 5-33
Installing Storage Devices ................................... 5-34
3 1/2-Inch Drive Installation........................... 5-34
Removing the Side Panel ................................ 5-37
Removing the Front Panel............................... 5-38
Installing the 5 1/4-Inch Device ...................... 5-40
Replacing the Front and Side Panels ............... 5-42
Adding External Options ..................................... 5-44
Connecting a Parallel Printer .......................... 5-44
Connecting an RS-232C Device...................... 5-45
Connecting a SCSI Device.............................. 5-46
6 Setting System Board Jumpers
Changing Processor Jumper Settings......................... 6-2
BIOS Recovery........................................................ 6-5
Clearing CMOS....................................................... 6-6
Denying Access to CMOS Setup .............................. 6-9
Clearing Your Password........................................... 6-11
7 24-Hour Information Services
NEC's Fastfacts Service ........................................... 7-2
NEC Bulletin Board Service..................................... 7-4
America Online Service............................................ 7-7
CompuServe Online Service ..................................... 7-8
AT & T Interchange................................................. 7-9
E-Mail/Fax Technical Support Service ..................... 7-10
Internet .................................................................... 7-11
NEC Technical Support Services.............................. 7-12
8 If You Have a Problem
Problem Checklist .................................................... 8-2
Solutions to Common Problems................................ 8-3

Contents ix
System Problems................................................. 8-3
Diskette Drive Problems...................................... 8-5
Monitor Problems................................................ 8-6
Keyboard/Mouse Problems.................................. 8-7
CD-ROM Problems............................................. 8-7
Speaker Problems................................................ 8-8
Microphone Problems.......................................... 8-8
Getting Help............................................................. 8-9
Getting Help from Your Company....................... 8-9
Getting Help from Your NEC Dealer................... 8-9
Getting Help from NEC's Technical Support
Center............................................................... 8-10
NEC Warranty/Non-Warranty Repair Service..... 8-10
A Setting Up a Healthy Work Environment
Making Your Computer Work for You..................... A-1
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-12
Checking Your Chair........................................... A-12
Checking Your Keyboard .................................... A-12
Checking Your Mouse......................................... A-12
Checking Your Monitor....................................... A-12
Checking You ..................................................... A-13
Index

x Contents
List of TablesInterrupt Level Assignments..................................... 3-5
Navigation Keys....................................................... 4-4
Hot Key Parameters ................................................. 4-23
Security Passwords .................................................. 4-27
Recommended Memory Upgrade Path ...................... 5-16

Using This Guide xi
Using This Guide
The PowerMate Pro2200 Series User's Guide provides a
quick reference to information about your computer.
The guide contains the following information:
■Chapter 1, Introducing Your Computer, provides a look
at system components. See this chapter to familiarize
yourself with your system.
■Chapter 2, Using Your Computer, explains how to start
up and shut down your system, use your system
components, and care for your system.
■Chapter 3, Understanding System Features, provides a
quick overview of the various features of your system.
Included in this chapter are the system specifications.
■Chapter 4, NEC Drivers and Utilities, describes the
various software drivers shipped with your system. In
addition, the Setup Utility and other utilities are
explained in detail.
■Chapter 5, Installing Options, provides installation
instructions and in some cases, removal procedures for
the options.
■Chapter 6, Setting System Board Jumpers, provides
information on changing jumper settings when
reconfiguring your system.
■Chapter 7, 24-Hour Information Services, lists the
services available to you for information and help and
describes how to access the services.