NEC POWERMATE VP User manual

First Printing — March 1995
Copyright 1995 Copyright 1995
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
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The information disclosed in this document, including all designs and related
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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 docu-
ment is subject to change at any time, without notice. Reproduction of this docu-
ment or portions thereof without prior written approval of NEC is prohibited.
MultiSync and PowerMate are U.S. registered trademarks of NEC Technologies, Inc.
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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....................................................... viii
Related Documents.................................................... ix
1 1-1
Using Your Computer 1-1
SYSTEM FEATURES............................................... 1-1
Front Panel............................................................ 1-2
Power Button................................................... 1-4
Lamps .............................................................. 1-4
Suspend Button................................................ 1-5
Diskette Drive.................................................. 1-5
Diskette Loading................................................... 1-7
Hard Disk......................................................... 1-9
CD-ROM Reader............................................. 1-9
CD Loading .......................................................... 1-11
Audio Support ................................................. 1-13
Rear Panel............................................................. 1-13
15-Pin VGA Monitor Port............................... 1-15
Printer Port ...................................................... 1-15
Serial Ports ...................................................... 1-15
Keyboard Port.................................................. 1-16
Mouse Port ...................................................... 1-16
Expansion Slot Covers .................................... 1-16
Sound Board Jacks .......................................... 1-17
Network Connectors........................................ 1-20
Power Supply........................................................ 1-22
Cooling Fans.................................................... 1-24
Voltage Selector Switch.................................. 1-24
System Power Socket ...................................... 1-25
Keyboard............................................................... 1-25
Function Keys.................................................. 1-26

iv Contents
Status Lamps....................................................1-26
Numeric Keypad/Cursor Control Keys............1-26
Standard Cursor Control Keys.........................1-27
Typewriter Keys ..............................................1-27
Mouse....................................................................1-27
Speakers ................................................................1-28
Microphone...........................................................1-28
SYSTEM OPERATION.............................................1-28
Startup/Shutdown..................................................1-28
Powering On ....................................................1-30
Powering Off....................................................1-32
System Reset.........................................................1-33
INTEGRATED TECHNOLOGIES ...........................1-35
Processor Subsystem.............................................1-36
System Memory ....................................................1-37
System BIOS.........................................................1-37
Flash ROM............................................................1-37
Power Management...............................................1-38
Using Standby Mode........................................1-39
Using Suspend Mode.......................................1-40
Plug and Play.........................................................1-40
System I/O Controller...........................................1-42
PCI Local Bus.......................................................1-43
PCI Auto Configuration........................................1-43
Video Features ......................................................1-43
DESKTOP MANAGEMENT INTERFACE.............1-44
DMI Components..................................................1-45
Manageable Products............................................1-46
CI Module .............................................................1-46
DMI Browser ........................................................1-46
Usage.....................................................................1-48
Troubleshooting....................................................1-48
2 2-1
Setting System Parameters 2-1
THE SETUP UTILITY ..............................................2-2

Contents v
HOW TO START SETUP......................................... 2-3
HOW TO USE SETUP.............................................. 2-4
The Menu Bar....................................................... 2-5
The Legend Bar .................................................... 2-6
Selecting a Menu Item..................................... 2-7
Displaying a Submenu..................................... 2-7
The Field Help Window....................................... 2-7
The General Help Window................................... 2-7
Main Menu Options.............................................. 2-8
IDE Adapters ........................................................ 2-9
Memory Shadow................................................... 2-11
Boot Sequence...................................................... 2-12
NumLock.............................................................. 2-14
THE ADVANCED MENU........................................ 2-14
Integrated Peripherals Menu................................. 2-15
Parity..................................................................... 2-16
Large Disk Access Mode...................................... 2-17
THE SECURITY MENU........................................... 2-17
THE POWER MENU................................................ 2-20
THE EXIT MENU..................................................... 2-21
Save Changes & Exit............................................ 2-22
Discard Changes & Exit ....................................... 2-22
Get Default Values ............................................... 2-22
Load Previous Values........................................... 2-23
Save Changes........................................................ 2-23
3 3-1
Using NEC Utilities and Drivers 3-1
MOUSE DRIVER...................................................... 3-1
Changing Mouse Parameters................................ 3-2
Command Line Options........................................ 3-2
VIDEO DRIVERS..................................................... 3-5
BIOS UPDATE UTILITY......................................... 3-7
Using the Flash Utility.......................................... 3-7
NEC Bulletin Board Service................................. 3-8

vi Contents
4 4-1
Maintaining Your Computer 4-1
SYSTEM CARE.........................................................4-1
Protective Measures..............................................4-1
Routine Care .........................................................4-3
Backup...................................................................4-3
MOUSE CARE ..........................................................4-4
CD CARE...................................................................4-6
MOVING GUIDELINES...........................................4-7
5 5-1
Removing the System Unit Cover 5-1
DESKTOP SYSTEM UNIT COVER........................5-1
Removing the Desktop Cover...............................5-1
Replacing the Desktop Cover................................5-4
MINITOWER SYSTEM UNIT COVER...................5-6
Removing the Minitower Cover............................5-6
Removing the Minitower Bottom Access Cover ..5-9
Replacing the Minitower Cover............................5-10
Replacing the Bottom Access Cover.....................5-12
6 6-1
Adding Options 6-1
OPTIONAL HARDWARE........................................6-1
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ........................................6-3
EXPANSION BOARDS ............................................6-4
Desktop Slot Expansion Locations.......................6-5
Desktop Board Installation....................................6-7
Desktop Board Removal .......................................6-9
6 6-11
Adding Options 6-11
Desktop Inside Expansion Slot .............................6-12

Contents vii
Installing an Inside Slot Board........................ 6-12
Removing an Inside Slot Board....................... 6-15
Minitower Slot Locations..................................... 6-17
Minitower Board Installation................................ 6-18
Minitower Board Removal................................... 6-20
6 6-19
Adding Options 6-19
SIMM UPGRADE KITS ........................................... 6-21
Precautions............................................................ 6-22
Checking the Memory in Your System ................ 6-23
SIMM Installation................................................. 6-26
VIDEO UPGRADE ................................................... 6-30
PROCESSOR UPGRADE......................................... 6-33
DATA STORAGE DEVICES ................................... 6-37
Storage Device Support........................................ 6-37
6 6-37
Adding Options 6-37
Desktop Device Slots............................................ 6-38
Minitower Device Slots........................................ 6-39
Device Preparation ............................................... 6-40
Cables ................................................................... 6-40
System Power Cables ...................................... 6-42
Diskette Drive Signal Cable............................ 6-42
PCI/IDE Cable................................................. 6-43
Desktop Storage Device Installation .................... 6-44
Installing a Desktop Storage Device ............... 6-44
Cabling a Desktop Storage Device.................. 6-49
6 6-51
Adding Options 6-51
Minitower Storage Device Installation................. 6-53
Installing an Accessible Minitower Storage Device6-53

viii Contents
Cabling a Minitower Storage Device...............6-58
Installing an Internal Minitower Storage Device6-60
EXTERNAL PERIPHERALS....................................6-62
VGA MONITOR........................................................6-62
PARALLEL PRINTER..............................................6-64
RS-232C DEVICE......................................................6-66
MULTIMEDIA COMPONENTS ..............................6-68
Connecting the Speakers.......................................6-69
Connecting the Microphone..................................6-71
7 7-1
Setting System Board Jumpers 7-1
JUMPER LOCATIONS.............................................7-2
JUMPER SETTINGS.................................................7-3
Changing Jumper Settings.....................................7-6
CMOS Jumper.......................................................7-7
8 8-1
Solving Problems 8-1
PROBLEM CHECKLIST..........................................8-1
PRODUCT INFORMATION.....................................8-5
IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE..................................8-7
Getting Help from Your Company........................8-7
Getting Help from Your Dealer ............................8-8
Getting Help from NEC........................................8-8
A A-1
Setting Up a Healthy Work Environment A-1
MAKING YOUR COMPUTER WORK FOR YOU.A-1
ARRANGE YOUR EQUIPMENT ............................A-3
ADJUST YOUR CHAIR ...........................................A-4
ADJUST YOUR KEYBOARD AND MOUSE.........A-6
ADJUST YOUR MONITOR.....................................A-8
VARY YOUR WORKDAY.......................................A-10

Contents ix
PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS AND PSYCHOSOCIAL
FACTORS.................................................................. A-12
CHECKING YOUR COMFORT: HOW DO YOU
MEASURE UP?......................................................... A-13
Checking Your Chair............................................ A-13
Checking Your Keyboard..................................... A-13
Checking Your Mouse.......................................... A-13
Checking Your Monitor........................................ A-13
Checking You....................................................... A-14
B B-1
Specifications B-1
C C-1
CD-ROM Reader Configuration C-1
D D-1
Sound/Fax/Modem Board Configuration D-1
SOUND/FAX/MODEM BOARD CONFIGURATIOND-3
SOUND/FAX/MODEM BOARD CONNECTOR
JUMPER.................................................................... D-5
FAX/MODEM COM JUMPERS ............................. D-6
FAX/MODEM IRQ JUMPERS................................ D-7
Glossary
Index
List of Tables Setup Key Functions................................................. 2-6
Main Menu Parameters............................................. 2-8
IDE Hard Disk Parameters........................................ 2-11
Memory Shadow Parameters.................................... 2-12
Boot Parameters........................................................ 2-13

xContents
Keyboard Parameters ................................................2-14
Integrated Peripherals Parameters.............................2-16
Large Disk Parameters ..............................................2-17
System Security Options...........................................2-18
Power Management Parameters................................2-20
1-MB Video Resolutions...........................................3-5
2-MB Video Resolutions...........................................3-6
Single-Sided SIMM Upgrade Path............................6-25
Double-Sided SIMM Upgrade Path ..........................6-26
Troubleshooting ........................................................8-2

Contents xi

Using This Guide xi
Using This Guide
The PowerMate®VP Series User's Guide is a
comprehensive source of information about your com-
puter. Before using this guide, read and follow the instruc-
tions in the PowerMate VP Series Quick Setup sheet that
comes with your system.
To get the most out of your system, read Chapters 1,2,3,
and 4 in this guide. See
nChapter 1, Using Your Computer, to familiarize your-
self with system components and system operation.
nChapter 2, Setting System Parameters, to change your
system configuration and to customize the system with
security features.
nChapter 3, Using NEC Utilities and Drivers, for mouse,
video, and Flash utility information. This chaption in-
cludes information on the NEC Bulleting Board serv-
ice.
nChapter 4, Maintaining Your Computer, to extend the
life and optimize the condition of your computer. This
chapter provides protective measures, tips for routine
care, and guidelines for moving your computer.
nChapter 5, Removing the System Unit Cover, contains
procedures for removing and replacing the system unit
cover.
nChapter 6, Adding Options, provides comprehensive
procedures for adding expansion options to the system.
The chapter includes important device preparation and
cabling information.

xii Using This Guide
The chapter also includes procedures for connecting
external peripheral devices such as a printer, serial
device, telephone line, speakers, and a microphone.
nChapter 7, Setting System Board Jumpers, provides a
description of system board jumper settings and ex-
plains how to change jumper settings.
nChapter 8, Solving Problems, provides a checklist of
conditions to determine and solve a problem that might
occur. This chapter also describes the assistance avail-
able to you if you cannot solve the problem.
WARNING: Prolonged or improper use
of a computer workstation may pose a risk of 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.
nAppendix 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.
nAppendix B, Specifications, provides a comprehensive
list of system specifications by component.
nAppendix C, CD-ROM Reader Configuration,
contains connector and jumper setting information for
the system’s CD-ROM reader.
nAppendix D, Sound Board Jumper Settings, provides
jumper and connection information for configuring the
sound board.

Using This Guide xiii
Use this guide with the other documentation that comes
with your system (see “Related Documentation” in this
preface).
TEXT CONVENTIONS
This guide uses the following text conventions.
nWarnings, cautions, and notes have the following
format:
WARNING: Warnings alert you to situa-
tions that could result in serious personal injury or
loss of life.
CAUTION: Cautions indicate situations
that can damage the hardware or software.
Notes give particularly important informa-
tion about the material being described.
nNames of keyboard keys are printed as they appear on
the keyboard, for example, Ctrl, Alt, or Enter.
nText or keystrokes that you enter appear in boldface
type. For example, type return and press Enter.
nFile names are printed in uppercase letters.

xiv Using This Guide
RELATED DOCUMENTS
In addition to this guide, the following printed documenta-
tion ships with your system.
nQuick Setup
Contains information for quickly getting your system
up and running. Read this information before you set
up the system for the first time.
nWindows for Workgroups and MS-DOS User's Guide
Provides a comprehensive source of information for
using MicrosoftWindowsfor Workgroups,
Windows, and MS-DOS.
MS-DOS and Windows for Workgroups
are preinstalled on the hard disk in hard disk system
configurations.
nEnsemble User’s Guide (multimedia systems only)
Contains detailed information about using the sound
board installed in multimedia models.
nFax/Modem User’s Guide (multimedia systems with
fax/modem only)
Describes how to connect and use the fax/modem in
fax/modem models. This guide includes procedures for
sending and receiving a fax with Delrina™ WinFax
LITE™.
nNetwork Interface Board User’s Guide
(network-ready systems only)
Provides network configuration information for
connecting the system to a network.
Your system might ship with additional documentation.
See the label on the shipping carton for a complete list.

Using This Guide xv
In addition to the documentation that ships with the sys-
tem, the following documentation is available from NEC:
nPowerMate VP Series Service and Reference Manual
(part number 819-181170-000) which provides
information for maintaining, troubleshooting, and
repairing the system. This guide also includes hardware
and interface information for programmers, engineers,
and others who need to know how the system is
designed.
To purchase the service and reference manual (avail-
able in the U.S. and Canada), call NEC at 1-800-632-
4525, press 3at the prompt, and provide the document
name and part number.
nNEC FastFacts™
NEC FastFacts is an automated service that sends the
latest information about NEC and its products directly
to a fax machine. The service is available 24 hours a
day, 7 days a week.
With FastFacts, you can obtain product literature and
technical information bulletins. By using FastFacts, you
can be kept up-to-date on the latest technical informa-
tion for your PowerMate V486 Series system.
See “FastFacts” in Chapter 8 for information about
using FastFacts.

Using Your Computer 1-1
Using Your Computer
After completing the steps on the Quick Setup sheet that
comes with your PowerMate VP Series computer, your
system is ready to use (hard disk models only).
NEC recommends that you perform the following
procedures once your system is up and running:
nRead Appendix A, Setting Up a Healthy Work
Environment, for guidelines that help you use your
computer productively and safely. Information includes
how to set up and use your computer to reduce your
risk of developing nerve, muscle, or tendon disorders.
nRun the system’s Setup utility to check your computer's
current time and date (see Chapter 2). Be sure that the
system's clock is set for your time zone.
The following sections describes system features and pro-
cedures that you will use regularly to operate your com-
puter. Information includes:
nsystem unit, keyboard, and mouse features
nstartup/shutdown and reset procedures
nintegrated system technologies.
SYSTEM FEATURES
The PowerMate VP75 system comes in a variety of con-
figurations. Information in this manual applies to all con-
figurations unless otherwise stated. All configurations are
Energy Star compliant and are listed below.
1

1-2 Using Your Computer
nDiskette drive only configuration (no hard disk) with 8
MB of system memory
nHard disk drive configuration; including a diskette
drive, hard disk drive, and 8 MB of system memory
nMultimedia configuration; including a diskette drive,
hard disk drive, quadruple speed CD-ROM reader,
sound board, speakers, microphone, and 16 MB of
system memory
nNetwork configuration; including a diskette drive, hard
disk drive, network board and 8 MB of system memory
Front Panel Controls, lamps, and a 3 1/2-inch diskette drive are
conveniently located on the front panel of the system units.
The desktop has two accessible 5 1/4-inch slots and a
31/2-inch hard disk drive slot behind the front panel.
Minitower configurations have three accessible 5 1/4-inch
slots and two internal 3 1/2-inch hard disk drive slots.
The following figure shows the front panel features. De-
scriptions of these features follow the figure.

Using Your Computer 1-3
Desktop system controls and storage slots
Minitower system controls and storage slots

1-4 Using Your Computer
Power ButtonThe power button controls power to the system unit. Press
the button once to turn on the power and again to turn off
the power. The power button is almost flush with the front
panel when power is off and indented further when power
is on.
See “Startup/Shutdown” later in this chapter for informa-
tion about powering on and off.
Lamps The front panel contains two lamps, power and disk.
nThe power lamp (green) indicates that the system unit
is powered on. When in suspend mode, the power lamp
on the front panel changes from green to amber.
A green lamp indicates that the system is in a Full
Power On mode of operation. An amber lamp indicates
that the system is in Suspend mode with full power
reduction.
See “Power Management” later in this chapter for in-
formation about power saving modes of operation.
nThe disk lamp (green) indicates when a hard disk is
performing a read or write operation.
CAUTION: Do not turn off the system,
unless absolutely necessary, while the disk lamp is
lit or in suspend mode. To do so can damage your
hard disk or data.

Using Your Computer 1-5
Suspend Button
After the system has been powered on, the suspend button
lets you put your computer into an instant suspend or
“Sleep” mode when it is pressed. This suspend mode is a
power saving mode that shuts down all installed devices,
video signal to the monitor, and processor without power-
ing off the system.
When in suspend mode, the power lamp on the front panel
changes from green to amber. Exit the suspend mode by
moving the mouse or pressing a key on the keyboard. See
“Power Management” in this chapter for more informa-
tion.
Diskette DriveYour system comes with a 3 1/2-inch 1.44-MB diskette
drive — which is assigned as drive A.
Desktop diskette drive controls