NEC Versa LXi User manual

NEC Versa Notebook Computer
NEC VERSA®LXI
SERVICE AND
REFERENCE MANUAL

First Printing — March 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 and Versa are registered trademarks of NEC Corporation and/or one or more of its subsidiaries. All are used under
license.
ENERGY STAR is a U.S. registered mark.
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
Preface ................................................................................................................................................. vii
Abbreviations.........................................................................................................................................ix
1 System Overview
Getting to Know the NEC Versa......................................................................................................... 1-2
The Front of the System...................................................................................................................... 1-3
LCD Panel..................................................................................................................................... 1-3
Base Unit....................................................................................................................................... 1-3
Operating Status LEDs.................................................................................................................. 1-4
Power Button ..................................................................................................................... 1-4
Keyboard....................................................................................................................................... 1-5
Front Features................................................................................................................................ 1-7
The Back of the System...................................................................................................................... 1-8
The Left Side of the System................................................................................................................ 1-9
The Right Side of the System............................................................................................................ 1-10
The Bottom of the System................................................................................................................. 1-11
Internal Components......................................................................................................................... 1-12
Hard Disk Drive.......................................................................................................................... 1-12
File Bay....................................................................................................................................... 1-12
VersaBay III................................................................................................................................ 1-12
CPU Board.................................................................................................................................. 1-12
Audio Board................................................................................................................................ 1-12
Main Battery................................................................................................................................ 1-12
CMOS Battery............................................................................................................................. 1-12
Bridge Battery............................................................................................................................. 1-12
ChipSet.............................................................................................................................................. 1-13
2 System Configuration and Setup
Power Sources for Your NEC Versa................................................................................................... 2-2
Using the AC Adapter................................................................................................................... 2-2
Connecting the AC Adapter .......................................................................................................... 2-2
Powering the System On and Off..................................................................................................2-3
Using the Battery........................................................................................................................... 2-3
Determining Battery Status........................................................................................................... 2-4
Battery Gauge LEDs ..................................................................................................................... 2-5
Low Battery Status........................................................................................................................ 2-5
Returning the Battery to its Normal State ..................................................................................... 2-5
Extending Battery Life.................................................................................................................. 2-5
Battery Handling........................................................................................................................... 2-6
Replacing the Battery.................................................................................................................... 2-6
Battery Precautions ....................................................................................................................... 2-9
Precautions for Recharging the Battery......................................................................................... 2-9
System Batteries............................................................................................................................ 2-9
Main Battery....................................................................................................................2-10
CMOS Battery ................................................................................................................. 2-10
Bridge Battery..................................................................................................................2-10
Optional Battery............................................................................................................... 2-10
BIOS Setup ....................................................................................................................................... 2-10
Pausing the Screen ...................................................................................................................... 2-11
BIOS Setup Main Menu.............................................................................................................. 2-11
Looking at Screens...................................................................................................................... 2-12
Using Keys.................................................................................................................................. 2-12
Checking/Setting System Parameters.......................................................................................... 2-13
Resetting System Parameters ...................................................................................................... 2-13

iv Contents
Standard CMOS Setup.................................................................................................................2-13
Advanced CMOS Setup...............................................................................................................2-14
System Security Setup.................................................................................................................2-15
Establishing System Passwords...................................................................................................2-16
Hard Disk Drive Passwords.........................................................................................................2-16
Establishing Hard Disk Drive Passwords.........................................................................2-16
Changing Hard Disk Drive Passwords.............................................................................2-17
Using Hard Disk Drive Password Protection...................................................................2-17
Moving the Hard Disk Drive............................................................................................2-17
Power Management Setup...........................................................................................................2-18
Boot Device Setup.......................................................................................................................2-20
Peripheral Setup...........................................................................................................................2-21
Other BIOS Setup Options..........................................................................................................2-22
Updating the BIOS............................................................................................................................2-22
Obtaining the BIOS Update.........................................................................................................2-22
Preparing the BIOS Update Diskette...........................................................................................2-23
Enabling the BIOS Flash Switch.................................................................................................2-23
Performing the BIOS Update.......................................................................................................2-25
NEC Utilities.....................................................................................................................................2-26
NEC Customize Utility................................................................................................................2-26
NEC Customize Utility Screen ........................................................................................2-26
Using the NEC Customize Utility....................................................................................2-27
HDPREPEZ Utility......................................................................................................................2-27
Using HDPREPEZ in Windows 98 or 95 ........................................................................2-27
Using HDPREPEZ with Windows NT ............................................................................2-27
Application and Driver CD ...............................................................................................................2-28
Launching the A&D CD with Windows 98/95 ...........................................................................2-28
Launching the A&D CD with Windows NT ...............................................................................2-28
Understanding the A&D CD Dialog Box....................................................................................2-28
Installing the A&D Software.......................................................................................................2-29
3 Disassembly and Reassembly
Required Tools and Equipment...........................................................................................................3-2
Upgrade Information...........................................................................................................................3-2
Hard Disk Drive.............................................................................................................................3-2
System Memory.............................................................................................................................3-7
Disassembly ........................................................................................................................................3-9
Battery...........................................................................................................................................3-9
VersaBay III Device....................................................................................................................3-11
Memory Modules ........................................................................................................................3-13
Hard Disk Drive...........................................................................................................................3-14
File Bay Device...........................................................................................................................3-15
Keyboard and Switch Settings.....................................................................................................3-16
Switch Settings.................................................................................................................3-17
Front Cover..................................................................................................................................3-17
Speaker Assembly .......................................................................................................................3-19
VersaGlide Assembly..................................................................................................................3-19
LED Status Board........................................................................................................................3-20
PC Card Assembly.......................................................................................................................3-20
Mini-PCI Option..........................................................................................................................3-21
CMOS Battery.............................................................................................................................3-21
Buzzer..........................................................................................................................................3-22
Top Cover and LCD Panel ..........................................................................................................3-23
Audio Board ................................................................................................................................3-24
Main Board..................................................................................................................................3-25
Bridge Battery .............................................................................................................................3-26
Fan Assembly..............................................................................................................................3-26
CPU Board Assembly..................................................................................................................3-27

Contents v
Connector Board ......................................................................................................................... 3-28
Reassembly....................................................................................................................................... 3-29
4 System Board Layout
LED Status Board............................................................................................................................... 4-2
Audio Board........................................................................................................................................ 4-2
Connector Board................................................................................................................................. 4-2
Main Board ......................................................................................................................................... 4-3
5 Illustrated Parts Breakdown
Illustrated Parts Breakdown................................................................................................................ 5-2
Parts List ............................................................................................................................................. 5-3
6 Preventive Maintenance
Cleaning the Notebook Exterior.......................................................................................................... 6-2
Cleaning the Notebook Interior........................................................................................................... 6-2
Protecting the Diskette Drive and Hard Disk Drive............................................................................ 6-2
Handling the Battery Pack .................................................................................................................. 6-3
Maintaining the LCD Quality ............................................................................................................. 6-3
7 Troubleshooting
Quick Troubleshooting ....................................................................................................................... 7-2
Helpful Questions ............................................................................................................................... 7-4
8 Getting Services and Support
Services and Support Contact Information ......................................................................................... 8-2
NECC Web Site.................................................................................................................................. 8-2
NECC FTP Site................................................................................................................................... 8-3
Email/Fax to Support Services............................................................................................................ 8-3
NECC Support Services...................................................................................................................... 8-3
9 Specifications
System Components............................................................................................................................ 9-2
Connector Locations........................................................................................................................... 9-9
Memory Map .................................................................................................................................... 9-10
Interrupt Controllers.......................................................................................................................... 9-11
Glossary
Index

Preface vii
Preface
This service and reference manual contains the technical information necessary to set up and
maintain the NEC Versa ® LXi 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 center personnel, and dealers.
The manual is organized as follows:
Chapter 1, “System Overview,” provides an overview of the hardware and interface
components.
Chapter 2,“System Configuration and Setup,” provides information on setup and how to
operate the notebook.
Chapter 3,“Disassembly and Reassembly,” provides detailed instructions on how to
disassembly the notebook.
Chapter 4,“System Board Layout,” shows the system boards and the board connectors.
Chapter 5, “Illustrated Parts Breakdown,” shows the Illustrated Parts Breakdown (IPB) and
corresponding part numbers.
Chapter 6, “Preventive Maintenance,” lists general notebook preventive maintenance
procedures.
Chapter 7, “Troubleshooting,” lists troubleshooting procedures as well as helpful servicing
hints.
Chapter 8, “Getting Services and Support,” provides information as to how to contact NECC
for service information, technical support, and product information.
Chapter 9, “Specifications,” lists physical specifications, connector locations, memory map and
interrupt controllers.
A Glossary and an Index are included for convenience.

ix
Aampere
AC alternating current
AGP Advanced Graphics Port
AT advanced technology
(IBM PC)
BBS Bulletin Board Service
BCD binary-coded decimal
BCU BIOS Customized Utility
BIOS basic input/output system
bit binary digit
BUU BIOS Upgrade Utility
bpi bits per inch
bps bits per second
C capacitance
C centigrade
Cache high-speed buffer storage
CAM constantly addressable
memory
CAS column address strobe
CD-ROM compact disk-ROM
CG character generator
CGA Color Graphics Adapter
CGB Color Graphics Board
CH channel
clk clock
cm centimeter
CMOS complementary metal oxide
semiconductor
COM communication
CONT contrast
CPGA ceramic pin grid array
CPU central processing unit
DAC digital-to-analog converter
DACK DMA acknowledge
DC direct current
DIP dual in-line package
DLAB Divisor Latch Address bit
DMA direct memory access
DMAC DMA controller
DOS disk operating system
DRAM dynamic RAM
DVD digital video disk
ECC error checking and correction
ECP enhanced capabilities port
EDO extended data output
EGA Enhanced Graphics Adapter
EPP enhanced parallel port
EPROM erasable and programmable
ROM
EVGA Enhanced Video Graphics
Array
F Fahrenheit
FAX facsimile transmission
FCC Federal Communications
Commission
FG frame ground
FM frequency modulation
FP fast page
FRU field-replaceable unit
GB gigabyte
GND ground
HEX hexadecimal
Hz hertz
IC integrated circuit
ID identification
IDE intelligent device electronics
IDTR interrupt descriptor table
register
in. inch
INTA interrupt acknowledge
IPB illustrated parts breakdown
IR infrared
IRR Interrupt Request register
ISA Industry Standard Architecture
ISR In Service register
I/O input/output
IPC integrated peripheral
controller
ips inches per second
IRQ interrupt request
K kilo (1024)
k kilo (1000)
KB kilobyte
kg kilogram
kHz kilohertz
Abbreviations

x
lb pound
LED light-emitting diode
LCD liquid crystal display
LSB least-significant bit
LSI large-scale integration
Mmega
mA milliamps
max maximum
MB megabyte
MDA Monochrome Display Adapter
MFM modified frequency modulation
MHz megahertz
mm millimeter
ms millisecond
MSB most-significant bit
NASC National Authorized Service
Center
NC not connected
NMI Non-maskable Interrupt
ns nanosecond
NSRC National Service Response
Center
PAL programmable array logic
PCB printed circuit board
PCI Peripheral Component
Interconnect
PDA personal digital assistant
PFP plastic flat package
PIO parallel input/output
pixel picture element
PLCC plastic leaded chip carrier
PLL phase lock loop
p-p peak-to-peak
PPI programmable peripheral
interface
PROM programmable ROM
QFP quad flat pack
RAM random-access memory
RAMDAC RAM digital-to-analog
converter
RAS row address strobe
RGB red green blue
RGBI red green blue intensity
ROM read-only memory
rpm revolutions per minute
R read
RTC real-time clock
R/W read/write
Sslave
SCSI Small Computer System
Interface
SDRAM synchronous dynamic
random-access memory
SG signal ground
SIMM single inline memory module
SPM standard page mode
SRS Sound Retrieval System
SVGA Super Video Graphics Array
SW switch
TFT thin film transistor
TSC Technical Support Center
TTL transistor/transistor logic
tpi tracks per inch
USB universal serial bus
Vvolt
Vac volts, alternating current
Vdc volts, direct current
VESA video electronics standards
association
VFC VESA-compliant feature
connector
VGA Video Graphics Array
VRAM video RAM
Wwatt
W write
XGA Extended Graphics Array

1
System Overview
!Getting to Know the NEC Versa
!The Front of the System
!The Back of the System
!The Left Side of the System
!The Right Side of the System
!The Bottom of the System
!Internal Components
!Chipset

1-2 System Overview
Getting to Know the NEC Versa
The NEC Versa LXi notebook computer offers you a portable system filled with exciting
resources for home, business or travel. Standard features include a powerful Intel®Pentium III
450-MHz, 500-MHz, 600-MHz with SpeedStep™, or 650-MHz with SpeedStep microprocessor,
all with AGP (advanced graphics port). Intel’s SpeedStep technology allows you to customize
high-performance computing on your notebook system to optimize performance speed and
conserve battery life. The 14.1-inch or 15.0-inch TFT XGA LCD panel provides high-resolution
display for sharp, effective visuals.
In addition, your system provides a high-performance hard disk drive, a diskette drive or
SuperDisk™ drive, PC card support, and a 24X CD-ROM drive, a CD read/write drive or a 6X
DVD-ROM drive. To optimize your connectivity options, some models ship with an internal
mini-PCI modem, internal mini-PCI LAN, or combination internal mini-PCI LAN/modem. As a
multimedia system, your NEC Versa also provides the tools needed to create and present
impressive images using video clips and sound.
NEC Versa LXi notebook computer
To get comfortable with the notebook, read the following sections and take a tour around the
system!

System Overview 1-3
The Front of the System
The NEC Versa is compact with features on every side. First, look at the front of the NEC
Versa. The following sections describe front features, beginning with the liquid crystal display
(LCD) panel.
LCD Panel
Your NEC Versa LXi comes with a 1024x768, 64K color LCD panel that you can adjust for a
comfortable viewing position. To adjust the viewing angle, gently tilt the LCD panel into
position. Depending on the model, your system is equipped with a:
!14.1-inch color Thin Film Transistor (TFT) Extended Graphics Array (XGA) panel, or a
!15.0-inch Thin Film Transistor (TFT) Extended Graphics Array (XGA) panel.
To adjust the LCD panel brightness press the Fn-F8 and Fn-F9 functions keys. For more details
about using the system’s function keys, see the section, “Keyboard,” later in this chapter.
Base Unit
The base unit of your NEC Versa offers the following features, which are described after the
figure.
LCD panel and base unit
A– Stereo Speakers D– Operating Status LEDs
B– Keyboard E– Power Button
C– LCD Panel F– NEC VersaGlide
!Stereo Speakers — Provides 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.
!Keyboard — 85 keys with the standard QWERTY-key layout. (Models purchased
outside of the U.S. and Canada ship with country-specific keyboard layouts.)
!LCD Panel — Provides a high-resolution display for sharp, effective visuals on your
NEC Versa.
!Operating Status LEDs — Keeps you informed of your NEC Versa’s current operating
status. See the following section for details about the operating status LEDs.

1-4 System Overview
!Power Button — Press the Power button to power on, power off, and to resume from
Suspend (Windows 95/NT) or Standby (Windows 98) mode.
!NEC VersaGlide — The NEC VersaGlide works like a standard computer mouse.
Simply move your fingertip over the VersaGlide to control the position of the mouse
pointer. Use the selection buttons below the VersaGlide to select menu items.
Operating Status LEDs
Operating status LEDs
A– IDE/VBIII Devices E– Num Lock
B– Diskette Drive F– Microphone
C– Caps Lock G– Power Button
D– Scroll Lock
!IDE/VBIII devices — lights when the NEC Versa writes data to or retrieves data from
the internal hard disk drive, a SuperDisk drive in the file bay, or a device in the
VersaBay III.
!Diskette Drive — lights when the NEC Versa accesses the floppy diskette drive.
!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.
!Microphone — A strategically positioned built-in microphone allows you to record
monophonic sound directly into your notebook computer.
Power Button
The Power button provides power on/off and Suspend/Resume functionality. This functionality
is controlled by BIOS in Windows 95/NT and by the Advanced Power Management settings in
Windows 98.
In Windows 95/NT, the Power button is configured in BIOS on the Power Management Setup
menu. Selecting Power Button sets the Power button to turn the system power on and off.
Selecting Sleep Button sets the Power button to put the system into Suspend mode or to resume
from Suspend mode.

System Overview 1-5
Note The Power button has a 4 second power override. Hold the Power button in place for 4
or more seconds to power off the system.
In Windows 98, the Power button is configured using Control Panel. From the Windows taskbar
select Start, Settings, Control Panel, Power Management, and the Advanced tab. The following
settings are available under “When I press the power button on my computer.”
!Standby – Press the Power button to put the system into Standby mode.
!Hibernate – Press the Power button to put the system into Hibernate mode.
!Shutdown – Press the Power button to shutdown (power off) the system.
Keyboard
The NEC Versa keyboard offers the following features, which are described after the figure.
Keyboard
A– Function Keys D– Windows Keys
B– Numeric Keys E– Control Key
C– Cursor Control Keys F– Control Keys
!Function keys — Twelve function keys, F1 through F12, are available on the NEC
Versa keyboard. These keys work together with the Fn key to activate special functions.
Several keys are preprogrammed with dual functions, some of which are printed in blue
on the key.
Function keys are application-driven. See the specific application’s user guide for
information about how each function key works within the application you are using.
The following function key combinations are preprogrammed for the NEC Versa LXi
computer.
Fn-F3 — Toggles between four video modes; LCD, CRT, both (LCD and CRT) or TV
out.
Fn-F4 — Sets standby power management mode on, in Windows 95 and Windows 98
(APM mode).
In Windows 95, press any key to resume from Standby mode.
In Windows 98, Standby is equivalent to Windows 95 Suspend mode. To resume
from Windows 98 Standby mode, press the Power button.

1-6 System Overview
No function when Windows 98 configured for Advanced Configuration and Power
Interface (ACPI).
Fn-F6 — Sets the beeper volume to low, medium, high, or mute.
Fn-F7 — Toggles between various power management levels in Windows 95. Beeps
indicate the level chosen as follows:
1 beep Off
2 beeps Custom
3 beeps Highest Performance
4 beeps Longest Life
No function when Windows 98 configured for Advanced Configuration and Power
Interface (ACPI).
Fn-F8 — Increases the LCD panel brightness.
Fn-F9 — Decreases the LCD panel brightness.
Fn-F10 — Toggles LCD expansion mode (DOS only).
Fn-F12 — Toggles the scroll lock off and on.
Fn-ESC — Initiates a save-to-RAM, in Windows 95. Saves your working environment
to memory.
Fn-Power — Initiates a save-to-file on demand, in Windows 95. Saves your working
environment to a reserved area on the hard drive.
An additional preprogrammed function key, Fn-Left Ctrl, simulates pressing the right control
key for support of IBM 327x connections.
!Numeric keypad — Pressing NumLock on the keyboard activates the numeric keypad
numbers and functions printed in blue on the keys.
The keypad lets you type numbers and mathematical operands (+, -) as you would on a
calculator. The keypad is ideal for entering long lists of numbers.
When you press NumLock again, the keys revert to their normal functions as typewriter
keys.
!Cursor Control keys — Cursor control keys let you position the cursor on the screen
where you want. On the screen, the cursor is a blinking underline, block, or vertical line
depending on the application. The cursor indicates where the next text typed is inserted.
!Windows keys — If you have Windows 98 or 95, you can use the following two keys to
facilitate your work.
Quick access to shortcut menus
Displays the Start menu

System Overview 1-7
!Control keys — Ctrl, Alt, Fn, and Shift are controls used in conjunction with other keys
to change their functions. To use control keys, press and hold the control key while
pressing another key. For example, “press Ctrl c” means to hold down the Ctrl key and
type the letter c. How the key combination works depends on the application you are
running.
!Typewriter keys — The typewriter keys (also called alphanumeric keys) are used to
enter text and characters. Keys with blue printing on them behave differently when
combined with control keys or the Fn key.
Front Features
The front features of your NEC Versa are described after the following the figure.
Front features
A– NEC VersaBay III C– Battery Charging LED
B– Power Status LED D– LCD Lid Latch
!NEC VersaBay III™ — A 24X CD-ROM drive, a SuperDisk drive, a 6X DVD-ROM
drive, or a CD read/write drive comes installed in the NEC VersaBay III on the front of
your system.
The VersaBay III lets you add options, including an optional second Li-Ion battery, or
an additional hard disk drive.
!Power Status LED — lights green when the system is under AC power. When the
system is under battery power, this LED lights to indicate the following:
Lights green when the system power is on.
Blinks green when the system is in Suspend (Windows 95/NT) or Standby
(Windows 98) mode.
Lights yellow (blinks when in Windows 95/NT Suspend mode or Windows 98
Standby mode) to indicate that battery power is at 8% capacity or less.
Lights amber (blinks when in Windows 95/NT Suspend mode or Windows 98
Standby mode) to indicate that battery power is at 3% capacity or less.
Note When both the primary and a secondary battery are installed, the power status LED
indicates the total (primary plus secondary) battery status.

1-8 System Overview
!Battery Charging LED — lights to indicate battery charging activity.
Lights amber when the primary battery is charging. Blinks amber to indicate an
error. The primary battery is installed in the battery bay.
Lights green when the secondary battery is charging. Blinks green to indicate an
error. The secondary (optional) battery is installed in the VersaBay III.
!LCD Lid Latch — Secures the LCD panel when closed.
The Back of the System
You’ll find system ports for connecting optional devices (like a printer, a docking station, or an
external monitor) on the back of your NEC Versa. These ports are described after the figure.
Back features
A– PortBar Notches E– External Monitor Port
B– PS/2 Port F– Expansion Port
C– Serial Port G– AC Power Port
D– Parallel Port
!PortBar Notches — Secure the PortBar to the back of the system.
!PS/2 Port — Connects 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.
!Serial Port — Connects an external modem or other serial device.
!Parallel Port — Connects 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.
!External Monitor (Video) Port — Attaches an external monitor to your NEC Versa. You
can run the LCD display and the external monitor simultaneously or run either alone.
!Expansion Port — This port (also called the Docking port) provides a connection for
NEC Versa LXi options including the NEC Versa Dock and the NEC Versa PortBar.
Only dock the NEC Versa LXi system on the NEC Versa Dock. The
cover of the NEC Versa Dock is specially designed to allow for proper system cooling.
!AC Power Port — Use the power jack to attach the NEC Versa to a DC power source,
such as the AC adapter or the optional DC auto adapter.

System Overview 1-9
The Left Side of the System
The left side of your NEC Versa offers the following features, which are described after the
figure.
Left side features
A– TV Out (S-video) E– LAN Port (optional)
B– TV Out (RCA) F– USB Ports
C– Fan G– PC Card Slots
D– Modem Port (optional)
!TV Out (S-video) Port — Lets you use a television set equipped with an S-video input
jack as an external monitor. This port supports both NTSC and PAL signals.
!TV Out (RCA) Port — Lets you use a television set equipped with a standard RCA jack
as an external monitor. This port supports both NTSC and PAL signals.
Note The TV Out ports do not support the SECAM signal used in some countries.
!Fan — Allows your system to cool properly and maintain a safe operating temperature.
Always keep the fan vents unobstructed to allow proper system cooling.
!Modem Port — Uses an RJ-11 cable to connect your internal modem to an analog
telephone line. (Available if optional mini-PCI modem or mini-PCI LAN/modem
installed.)
!LAN Port — Uses an RJ-45 cable to connect your system to a local area network.
(Available if optional mini-PCI LAN or mini-PCI LAN/modem installed.)
!USB Ports — Each Universal Serial Bus (USB) port allows you to connect up to 127
USB-equipped peripheral devices (printers, monitors, scanners, etc.) to your NEC
Versa.
!PC Card slots — Provide two slots for inserting two Type II PC cards or one Type III
PC card.

1-10 System Overview
The Right Side of the System
The right side of the NEC Versa offers the following features, which are described after the
figure.
Right side features
A– Volume Control E– IR port
B– Headphones/External Speakers F– Kensington Lock
C– Line-In G– File Bay
D– External Microphone H– Battery Bay
!Volume Control — Allows you to control the speaker and headphone volume.
!Audio ports
Headphones — Connects external headphones or speakers to your NEC Versa.
Plugging in headphones disables the built-in system speakers. The
headphone/speaker port supports SP/DIF.
Line-In — Uses 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 in
stereo.
External Microphone (MIC) — Connects an external microphone for monophonic
recording or amplification through the unit. Plugging in an external microphone
disables the built-in microphone.
!IR Port — Use this infrared (IR) port to transfer files between your NEC Versa and an
IR-equipped desktop or notebook computer or to print to an IR-capable printer.
Note Your NEC Versa LXi ships with the IR port disabled.
!Kensington Lock — Provides added security by installing an optional Kensington Lock.
!File Bay — Your NEC Versa ships with a 3.5-inch, 1.44-MB diskette drive or the
SuperDisk drive installed in the file bay.
!Battery Bay — Contains the system’s main, twelve-cell, Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) battery.

System Overview 1-11
The Bottom of the System
The bottom of the NEC Versa offers the following features, which are described after the figure.
Bottom features
A– Height Adjustment Feet E– NEC VersaBay III
B– Memory Module Bay F– NEC VersaBay III Release Latch
C– Battery Bay Release Latch G– Main Battery Bay
D– NEC VersaBay III Release Lock H– Vents
!Height Adjustment Feet — Modifies the angle of the NEC Versa for easier viewing and
typing.
!Memory Module Bay — Stores the system’s memory modules.
!Battery Bay Release Latch — Releases and removes the system’s main battery.
!NEC VersaBay III™ Release Lock — Unlocks the VersaBay III for device removal.
!NEC VersaBay III — A 24X CD-ROM drive, a SuperDisk drive, or a 6X DVD-ROM
drive, or a CD read/write drive comes installed in the NEC VersaBay III on the front of
your system.
The NEC VersaBay III lets you add options, including an optional second Li-Ion
battery, or an additional hard disk drive.
!NEC VersaBay III Release Latch — Releases a device from the NEC VersaBay III.
!Battery Bay — Contains the system’s main, twelve-cell, Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) battery.
!Vents — Allows your system to cool properly and maintain a safe operating
environment.

1-12 System Overview
Internal Components
Review the following sections for a description of the system’s internal hardware.
Hard Disk Drive
A standard 2.5-inch, 9.5 mm or 12.7 mm hard disk drive ships with the system.
File Bay
The NEC Versa LXi ships with a 3.5-inch, 1.44 MB diskette drive or the SuperDisk drive
installed in the file bay.
VersaBay III
A 24X CD-ROM drive, a 6X DVD-ROM drive, or a CD read/write drive comes installed in the
NEC VersaBay III on the front 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.
Audio Board
The audio board provides the NEC Versa system with its audio I/O capabilities via a line-in
jack, headphone and microphone jacks. It is situated on top of the main board.
Main Battery
The twelve-cell Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) battery provides the main power source in your NEC
Versa LXi computer. See Chapter 9 for a list of battery specifications. In addition to this battery,
the CMOS battery and bridge battery also provide system power.
CMOS Battery
This lithium battery 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, for example, date, time, drives, and memory. The
CMOS battery charges when your NEC Versa is connected to AC power. The CMOS battery
may discharge completely if the NEC Versa notebook remains unused for an extended period of
time.
Bridge Battery
The bridge battery saves your system status in Suspend (Windows 95) or Standby (Windows 98)
mode, giving you time to install a fully charged battery or plug in AC power when your battery
charge becomes low.
Connect your NEC Versa system to AC power for a full 24 hours before
using it on battery power for the first time. Doing so insures that the bridge battery is fully charged
and that no data is lost during a battery change.