NEC Versa LX User manual

Preface vii
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Disclaimer
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The PBN 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 PBN.
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any time, without notice. Reproduction of this document or portions thereof without prior written approval of
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Intel and Pentium are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation.
Microsoft, Windows, and Windows 95 are registered trademarks of Microsoft in the US and other countries.
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xiv Preface
Preface
This service and reference manual contains the technical information necessary to set up
and maintain the Versa ® LX notebook computer.
The manual also provides hardware and interface information for users who need an
overview of the system design. The manual is written for NEC-trained customer engineers,
system analysts, service centre personnel, and dealers.
The manual is organized as follows:
Section 1, System Overview, provides an overview of the hardware and interface
components.
Section 2,System Configuration and Setup, provides information on setup and how to
operate the notebook.
Section 3,Disassembly and Reassembly, provides detailed instructions on how to
disassembly the notebook.
Section 4,System Board Layout and Board Connectors, shows the system boards and the
board connectors.
Section 5, Illustrated Parts Breakdown, shows the Illustrated Parts Breakdown (IPB) and
corresponding part numbers.
Section 6, Preventive Maintenance, lists general notebook preventive maintenance
procedures.
Section 7, Troubleshooting, lists troubleshooting procedures as well as helpful servicing
hints.
Section 8, Specifications, lists physical specifications, video modes, pin assignments,
connector locations, memory map and interrupt controllers.

1
System Overview Versa SX
nVersa SX Notebook
nAround the Front of the System
nAround the Back of the System
nAround the Left Side of the System
nAround the Right Side of the System
nAround the Bottom of the System
nInternal Components

1-2 System Overview
Versa SX
The Versa SX notebook computer is a portable system filled with exciting
resources for home, business or travel. Standard features include a powerful
Intel Pentium II 266-MHz microprocessor that works together with the latest
Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) architecture.
In addition, this system provides a high-performance hard disk drive, diskette
drive or SuperDisk and PC card support. Most models are equipped with a 24X
CD-ROM reader or an optional DVD module. As a multimedia system, the
Versa also provides the tools needed to create and present impressive images
using video clips.
To get comfortable with the notebook, read the following sections.
Versa SX notebook computer

System Overview 1-3
Around the Front of the System
The Versa is compact with features on every side. First, look at the front of the
Versa. The following sections describe front features, beginning with the liquid
crystal display (LCD) panel.
LCD Panel
Your Versa SX comes with a colour LCD panel that you can adjust for a
comfortable viewing position. Depending on the model, the system is equipped
with:
n14.1-inch colour Thin Film Transistor (TFT) Extended Graphics Array
(XGA) panel.
To adjust the LCD panel brightness:
nPress the Fn-F8 and Fn-F9 functions keys to adjust the brightness up or
down. There are 8 levels of brightness.
Control Panel
The Versa control panel provides the features shown in the figure. These
features are described after the figure.
Control panel
A- LCD Panel B- Power/Sleep Button C- LED Control Panel D- Speaker
E- Microphone F- Power Status LEDs G- VersaGlide H- Keyboard
nOperating Status LEDs — keeps you informed of your Versa's current
operating status. See the following figure and list for each icon's
meaning.
Operating status LEDs

1-4 System Overview
A- Hard Drive B- VersaBay III C- Caps Lock D- Scroll Lock E- Num Lock
Hard Drive — lights when the Versa writes or reads data from the
hard drive.
VersaBay III™ — lights when the Versa writes data to or retrieves
data from a device in the VersaBay III.
Caps Lock — lights when Caps Lock is in effect.
Scroll Lock — lights when Scroll Lock is in effect.
Num Lock — lights when Num Lock mode is active.

System Overview 1-5
Keyboard Panel and Base Unit
The Versa keyboard panel and base unit contains the following features that are
described after the figure.
Keyboard panel and base unit
A -Power/Sleep Button
nPower/Sleep Button — press the Power/Sleep button to power on, power
off, and to put the computer into Suspend mode. Your Versa ships with
the power on and power off function, to use the Sleep functionality, refer
to “BIOS Setup” in Chapter 3 for setting up the Power/Sleep functions.
Press the Power/Sleep button to power on.
Hold the Power/Sleep button in place for 5 or more seconds to power
off.
Hold the Power/Sleep button in place for 4 or fewer seconds to put
the system into Suspend mode.
The Power/Sleep button is a “smart” switch, meaning that it recognizes
when the system is in Suspend mode. If in Suspend mode, you cannot
power off until you press the Power/Sleep button again to bring it out of
Suspend mode.
In addition, the Smart Power switch invokes an orderly shutdown in the
Windows 95 and Windows NT environments. If you use the Power/Sleep
button to turn off your system while applications are running, the Smart
Power switch alerts the operating system. The operating system prompts
you to save all data and invokes an orderly shutdown procedure.

1-6 System Overview
Put the unit in Suspend mode when you need to be away from your
system for a short period of time and want to return to where you left off.
Suspend mode shuts down all devices in the system while retaining data
and system status. Use the Fn Power/Sleep key combination to initiate a
manual save-to-file. Hold the Smart power Switch (Power/Sleep button)
in place to resume from a save-to-file. You can find more detailed
information on using Suspend mode in Chapter 3, “Using the Software.”
nKeyboard — 85 keys with the standard QWERTY-key layout. See
Chapter 4 for complete details. (Models purchased in Europe are shipped
with country-specific keyboard layouts.)
nVersaGlide — The VersaGlide works like a standard computer mouse.
Simply move your fingertip over the VersaGlide to control the position of
the cursor. Use the selection buttons below the VersaGlide to select menu
items. VersaGlide settings and features are described in detail in Chapter
4.
nStereo Speakers — provide stereo sound for your multimedia
presentations or listening pleasure. The built-in sound system also
supports 3D sound, which simulates the latest surround-sound
technology.
nSystem Power LEDs — keeps you informed of the system’s current
power status.
System power LEDs
A- Power Status LED B- Battery Charging LED C- Microphone D- IR Port
Power Status LED — lights green to indicate the power is on or
amber to indicate low power condition when operating under battery
power.

System Overview 1-7
Note: When both the primary and a secondary
battery are installed, the power status LED indicates the
total (primary plus secondary) battery status.
Battery Charging LED — lights green for secondary battery or amber
to indicate primary battery charging activity.
Microphone — A strategically positioned built-in microphone allows
you to record monophonic sound directly into your notebook
computer. See Chapter 6, “Using Multimedia,” for details about
recording.
IR Port — Use this infrared (IR) port to transfer files between your
Versa and an IR-equipped desktop or notebook computer. Use the
Windows 95 IRMON utility to communicate with other
IR-equipped devices.

1-8 System Overview
Around the Back of the System
You'll find system ports for connecting optional devices (like printers, docking
station, or external monitor) on the back of your Versa. These ports are
described following the figure.
Ports on the back of the system
A- PS/2 Port B- Serial Port C- Parallel Port D - External Monitor E- Expansion Port
F- DC Power Port G- Tilt Feet H- Docking Notches
nPS/2 Port — Use the standard PS/2 port to connect an external PS/2-style
mouse or a PS/2-style keyboard to the system. With an optional Y-cable
adapter, you can connect both a mouse and a keyboard at the same time.
nSerial Port — Use this port to connect an external modem or other serial
device.
nParallel Port — Use this port to connect a parallel printer or other parallel
device. The port is an Enhanced Capabilities Port (ECP). The ECP
standard provides you with a greater processing speed than the
conventional parallel port. It also supports Enhanced Parallel Port (EPP)
bi-directional and uni-directional protocols.
nExternal Monitor (Video) Port — Use this 15-pin port to attach an
external monitor to your Versa. You can run the LCD display and the
external monitor simultaneously or run either alone.
nExpansion Port — This port (also called the Docking port) provides a
connection for Versa SX options including the Versa Dock, and the NEC
PortBar.
nDC Power Port — Use the power jack to attach the Versa to a DC power
source, such as the AC adapter or the optional DC car adapter.
nTilt Feet — Use to elevate the back of the notebook.
nDocking Notch — Allows the notebook to be securely mated with the
Versa Dock and NEC PortBar.

System Overview 1-9
Around the Left Side of the System
The left side of your Versa offers the following features, which are described
after the figure.
Left side features
A- Audio Ports and Volume Control B- USB Port C- Fan Vent D- Kensington Lock
Slot E- PC Card Slot F- PC Card Ejection Buttons
nAudio ports and a volume control knob.
External Microphone (MIC) — Allows you to connect an external
microphone for monophonic recording or amplification through the
unit. Plugging in an external microphone disables the built-in
microphone.
Line-In — Lets you use another audio system, like a home stereo, as
an input source. Use a cable to connect to the Line-Out port on the
other audio system to record or play.
Headphones/Speakers — Lets you connect external headphones or
speakers to your Versa. Plugging in headphones or external speakers
disables the built-in system speakers.
Volume Control — Allows you to control the internal speaker volume
and headphone volume.
nUSB Port — The Universal Serial Bus (USB) port allows you to connect
up to 127 USB-equipped peripheral devices (printers, monitors, scanners,
etc. with optional USB hub) to your Versa.
nFan Vents — Allow your system to cool properly and maintain a safe
operating temperature.
nKensington Lock slot — Lets you provide added security by installing an
optional Kensington Lock.
nPC card slots — Provides two slots for inserting two Type II PC cards or
one Type III PC card.

1-10 System Overview
Around the Right Side of the System
The right side of the Versa offers the features shown in the following figure.
Features are described after the figure.
Right side features
A- VersaBay III
nVersaBay III — A diskette drive, 24X CD-ROM reader, an SuperDisk
drive, or a DVD module comes installed in the VersaBay III on the right
side of your system.
The VersaBay III lets you add options, including an optional second Li-
Ion battery, or an additional hard disk drive. See “Customizing Your
System with the VersaBay III” in Chapter 4.

System Overview 1-11
Around the Bottom of the System
The bottom of the Versa offers the features shown next. Descriptions of the
features follow the figure.
Bottom features
A- Coin Screw B- Memory Expansion Bay Cover C- Battery Bay Release
D- Battery E- VersaBay III Device F- VersaBay Release Latches
nMemory Expansion Bay Cover — Opens with a coin screw to access two
RAM expansion sockets for small outline double inline memory modules.
nBattery — Contains the system's main battery and is part of the exterior
of the notebook. It is a nine-cell, Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) battery with built
in battery gauge.
nVersaBay III Release Latches — Allows you to remove the option
currently installed in the VersaBay III.

1-12 System Overview
Internal Components
Review the following sections for a description of the system’s internal
hardware.
Battery Pack
The system uses a rechargeable Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) battery as its transient
power source. The battery pack installs in the compartment next to the
VersaBay III on the bottom of the Versa.
Hard Disk Drive
A standard 2.5-inch 9.5 mm (2.1-GB or 3.2-GB) hard disk drive ships with the
system.
VersaBay III
A 24X CD-ROM reader, a Diskette drive, a SuperDisk drive, or a DVD-ROM
drive comes installed in the VersaBay III on the right side of the system.
CPU Board
The CPU board is a rectangular-shaped board located above the main board.
The CPU board is part of a subassembly, which includes a heat sink and the
CPU board.
CMOS Battery
The lithium battery (3 Volts, 30 mAh capacity) is attached to P13 on the main
board. It provides battery backup and prevents data loss in the system’s
complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) RAM. This memory area
contains information on the system’s configuration like date, time, drives, and
memory. The CMOS battery lasts approximately three years.
Bridge Battery
The bridge battery saves the memory contents and system status for up to 5
minutes while in Suspend mode. It is connected to the main board via connector
P11. The AC adapter maintains voltage in the bridge battery when the system is
powered on or off. The bridge battery stores 7.2 Volts, 40 mAh.

System Overview 1-13
ChipSet
Chip Manufacturer Description Technology
Intel Mobile Pentium II MMO
266 Intel 266 MHz CPU 320-pin TCP
82440BX (supporting
Pentium Pro)
PIIX4E
Intel System Controller
PC97338VJG National
Semiconductor Super I/O 100-pin TQFP
ATI 3D Rage LT Pro ATI Video
ESS Maestro2E ESS
Technology PCI Audio
ES1918 ESS
Technology AC97 Link
M38813E4 Mitsubishi Keyboard Controller
RB5C478 Ricoh PCI CardBus Controller

2
System Configuration and Setup
nPower Sources for Your Versa
nBios Setup
nNEC CSD Utilities
nSoftware Applications and Drivers

2-2 System Configuration and Setup
Power Sources for Your Versa
The Versa can be powered using three different sources, making it a truly
portable system. Operate your Versa just about anywhere using one of the
following power sources:
nThe AC adapter connected to an electrical wall outlet (using AC power).
nThe battery pack or an optional second battery pack.
nThe optional Air/Auto adapter.
Read the following sections for specific steps on powering on the system.
Using the AC Adapter
Use the AC adapter and power cable that came with your Versa to run your
computer on alternating current (AC) power, or to recharge the battery pack.
Use the AC adapter whenever a wall outlet is nearby.
Keep the adapter connected whenever possible. The AC adapter charges the
battery whether or not you are using the Versa or have the system powered on.
WARNING
Do not attempt to disassemble the AC adapter. The AC
adapter had no user-replaceable or serviceable parts inside.
Dangerous voltage in the AC adapter can cause serious
personal injury or death. The AC adapter is intended for use
with a computer. Both must meet EN609050 standards.

System Configuration and Setup 2-3
AC Adapter
A– AC Adapter B– AC Power Cable
Note: Check that the AC outlet voltage falls in the range
of 100-240 Volts AC. Verify that the cord and plug are
appropriate for your AC source.
Connect the AC adapter as follows:
1. Connect the AC adapter cable to the power port on the back of your Versa.
2. Plug one end of the AC power cable into the AC adapter and the other end
into a properly grounded 120- or 240-volt wall outlet.
Note: The AC power cable type that your system uses
depends on the country where you are using it. Contact the
local dealer to purchase the correct power cable.
Connecting the AC Adapter

2-4 System Configuration and Setup
CAUTION
Do not cover or place objects on the AC adapter. Keeping
the adapter clear of objects lets the adapter cool properly
during use.
Powering On
Power on the system as follows:
1. Locate the latch on the front of the LCD panel, slide it to the right, and raise
the panel.
2. Locate the Power/Sleep button and press it to turn on system power. For
additional information about Power control buttons and power LED’s, refer
to Chapter 1, “Introducing the Versa.”
Using the Main Battery Pack
The Versa comes with a rechargeable Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) battery pack. You
can run your system on battery power for approximately two to four hours with
power management features enabled. It's easy to install and remove.
Your Versa system provides tools to help you keep track of the main (or an
optional) battery's power level. These include the power status LED described in
Chapter 1, and SystemSoft’s PowerProfiler (for Window NT systems, only)
described later in this chapter. Both provide important battery status
information.
When battery power is very low, the power LED flashes amber.
When battery power gets low, do either of the following:
nPress the Power/Sleep button and hold it in place for 4 or fewer seconds
to put your system in Suspend mode. Remove the battery pack and
replace it with a fully charged battery.
nLeave the battery pack in the system and connect your Versa to the AC
adapter and a wall outlet. If you connect the system to AC power and
keep the system within standard operating temperatures, the battery
recharges in approximately 2 hours whether or not you use your system.
You can also buy an optional Versa battery charger to charge your battery.

System Configuration and Setup 2-5
WARNING
To prevent accidental battery ignition or explosion, adhere to
the following:
nKeep the battery away from extreme heat.
nKeep metal objects away from the battery terminals to
prevent a short circuit.
nMake sure the battery is properly installed in the battery
bay.
nRead the precautions printed on the battery and in the
online System Information.
Determining Battery Status
You can determine battery status via the power status LED on the Battery or via
the Battery Meter provided within the Windows 95 operating system and
PowerProfile in the Windows NT operating system.
nIf the battery is removed from the system press the Battery test button to
see the relative status of the battery. If all four LED indicators light the
battery is at or near full charge and if none or one light the battery is at or
near full discharge.
WARNING
If the second and forth LEDs are on and the third is off. The
battery should be charged overnight. If the LEDs are not all
on in the morning after pressing the Test button, the battery
may have reached its normal end of life and need to be
replaced.
Battery Status Gauge
A- Status Indicator B - Battery Test Button