NEC VERSA VXi User manual

NEC COMPUTERS INC.
NEC Versa Series Notebook Computers
NEC VERSA®VXi
SERVICE AND
REFERENCE MANUAL

First Printing — April 2001
Copyright 2001
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.
Intel and Pentium are registered trademarks and Celeron is a trademark of Intel Corporation.
Microsoft, Windows, and Windows NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective trademark owners.

Contents iii
Contents
Preface ..................................................................................................................................................vii
Abbreviations.........................................................................................................................................ix
1 System Overview
About the NEC Versa VXi Notebook..................................................................................................1-2
Around the Front of the System...........................................................................................................1-3
LCD Panel......................................................................................................................................1-3
Control Panel .................................................................................................................................1-4
Power Button......................................................................................................................1-4
Status Icons.........................................................................................................................1-5
Keyboard Panel and Base Unit ......................................................................................................1-6
Around the Back of the System ...........................................................................................................1-9
Around the Left Side of the System...................................................................................................1-10
Around the Right Side of the System ................................................................................................1-10
Around the Bottom of the System .....................................................................................................1-11
Around the Port Replicator................................................................................................................1-11
Internal Components..........................................................................................................................1-12
Battery Pack.................................................................................................................................1-12
Diskette Drive ..............................................................................................................................1-12
CD-ROM/DVD-ROM/CD-Read/Write Drive .............................................................................1-12
Hard Disk Drive...........................................................................................................................1-12
CMOS Battery .............................................................................................................................1-13
Chipsets .............................................................................................................................................1-13
2 System Configuration and Setup
Power Sources for the NEC Versa.......................................................................................................2-2
Using the AC Adapter....................................................................................................................2-2
Connecting the AC Adapter...........................................................................................................2-2
Powering the System On and Off ..................................................................................................2-3
Powering On with Windows 2000.................................................................................................2-3
Using the Battery ...........................................................................................................................2-3
Replacing the Battery.....................................................................................................................2-4
Low Battery Power ........................................................................................................................2-5
Returning the Battery to its Normal State ......................................................................................2-5
Battery Handling............................................................................................................................2-5
Extending Battery Life...................................................................................................................2-5
Conserving Battery Power .............................................................................................................2-6
Charging the Battery......................................................................................................................2-6
Battery Precautions ........................................................................................................................2-7
Precautions for Recharging the Battery .........................................................................................2-7
Disposing of the Battery ................................................................................................................2-7
System Batteries.............................................................................................................................2-7
System Power Cord .......................................................................................................................2-8
BIOS Setup..........................................................................................................................................2-8
BIOS Setup Main Menu.................................................................................................................2-9
Looking at Screens.........................................................................................................................2-9
Using Keys...................................................................................................................................2-10
Checking/Setting System Parameters ..........................................................................................2-10
Resetting System Parameters .......................................................................................................2-10
Standard CMOS Setup.................................................................................................................2-11
Advanced CMOS Setup...............................................................................................................2-12
System Security Setup .................................................................................................................2-13
Password Protection.....................................................................................................................2-14
Establishing Passwords................................................................................................................2-14

iv Contents
SmartCard Protection.................................................................................................................. 2-14
FingerPrint Protection ................................................................................................................. 2-15
Hard Disk Drive Passwords ........................................................................................................ 2-15
Establishing Hard Disk Drive Passwords ........................................................................ 2-15
Changing Hard Disk Drive Passwords............................................................................. 2-15
Using Hard Disk Drive Password Protection................................................................... 2-16
Moving the Hard Drive.................................................................................................... 2-16
Power Management Setup........................................................................................................... 2-16
Boot Device Setup....................................................................................................................... 2-19
Peripheral Setup .......................................................................................................................... 2-20
Other BIOS Setup Options.......................................................................................................... 2-20
Updating the BIOS............................................................................................................................ 2-21
Obtaining the BIOS Update ........................................................................................................ 2-21
Preparing the BIOS Update Diskette........................................................................................... 2-22
Performing the BIOS Update ......................................................................................................2-22
Managing System Power .................................................................................................................. 2-23
Windows 98 Power Management Properties .............................................................................. 2-23
Windows 98 Power Schemes ...................................................................................................... 2-23
Windows 98 Alarms.................................................................................................................... 2-24
Windows 98 Power Meter........................................................................................................... 2-24
Windows 98 Advanced ............................................................................................................... 2-25
Windows 98 Hibernate................................................................................................................ 2-25
Windows 2000 Power Options Properties................................................................................... 2-25
Windows 2000 Power Schemes .................................................................................................. 2-26
Windows 2000 Alarms................................................................................................................ 2-26
Windows 2000 Power Meter....................................................................................................... 2-27
Windows 2000 Advanced ...........................................................................................................2-27
Windows 2000 Hibernate............................................................................................................ 2-28
Windows 98/2000 Power Management States............................................................................ 2-28
Recognizing the Windows 98/2000 Power Management States ................................................. 2-28
Windows NT Power Management States.................................................................................... 2-29
Recognizing the Windows NT Power Management States......................................................... 2-29
NEC Utilities..................................................................................................................................... 2-29
NEC Customize Utility ............................................................................................................... 2-30
Using the NEC Customize Utility.................................................................................... 2-30
HDPREPEZ Utility ..................................................................................................................... 2-30
Using the HDPREPEZ Utility ......................................................................................... 2-30
SpeedStep Applet.............................................................................................................................. 2-31
SoftDVD Player................................................................................................................................ 2-31
NEC CD-RW CD.............................................................................................................................. 2-31
Personal Code Setting Utility............................................................................................................ 2-31
Installing the Personal Code Setting Utility ................................................................................ 2-31
Setting a Personal Code............................................................................................................... 2-32
NEC Info Center ............................................................................................................................... 2-32
Installing the NEC Info Center.................................................................................................... 2-32
Uninstalling the NEC Info Center ............................................................................................... 2-32
Partition Magic ................................................................................................................................. 2-33
Application and Driver CD............................................................................................................... 2-33
Launching the Application and Driver CD with Windows 98 .................................................... 2-33
Launching the Application and Driver CD with Windows 2000/NT.......................................... 2-34
Application and Driver CD Dialog Box...................................................................................... 2-34
Installing the Application and Driver CD Software .................................................................... 2-34
Product Recovery CD ....................................................................................................................... 2-34
Guidelines for Using the Product Recovery CD ......................................................................... 2-35
Product Recovery CD Options .................................................................................................... 2-35
Full Disk Drive Restore............................................................................................................... 2-35
Partition Only Restore................................................................................................................. 2-37
DIP Switch Settings .......................................................................................................................... 2-38

Contents v
3 Disassembly and Reassembly
Required Tools and Equipment ...........................................................................................................3-2
Disassembly.........................................................................................................................................3-2
Battery Pack...................................................................................................................................3-3
Memory Module ............................................................................................................................3-4
Mini PCI Card................................................................................................................................3-5
Hard Disk Drive.............................................................................................................................3-5
LED/Button Assembly...................................................................................................................3-7
LCD Panel......................................................................................................................................3-8
Keyboard and Heat Plate .............................................................................................................3-10
Top Cover ....................................................................................................................................3-11
VersaGlide Assembly ..................................................................................................................3-14
CD-ROM Drive ...........................................................................................................................3-14
Audio Board.................................................................................................................................3-15
DC/DC Board ..............................................................................................................................3-16
I/O Board .....................................................................................................................................3-17
CMOS Battery .............................................................................................................................3-18
Microphone..................................................................................................................................3-18
Diskette Drive ..............................................................................................................................3-19
Speakers.......................................................................................................................................3-20
Kensington Lock Latch................................................................................................................3-20
Main Board ..................................................................................................................................3-21
CPU Removal ..............................................................................................................................3-21
PC Card Assembly.......................................................................................................................3-22
Reassembly........................................................................................................................................3-23
4 System Board Layout
Audio Board Connectors .....................................................................................................................4-2
DC/DC Board Connectors ...................................................................................................................4-2
I/O Board Connectors..........................................................................................................................4-3
Main Board Connectors.......................................................................................................................4-3
5 Illustrated Parts Breakdown
Illustrated Parts Breakdown.................................................................................................................5-2
Parts List..............................................................................................................................................5-3
6 Preventive Maintenance
Cleaning the Exterior...........................................................................................................................6-2
Cleaning the Interior............................................................................................................................6-2
Protecting the Hard Disk Drive ...........................................................................................................6-2
Handling the Battery Pack ...................................................................................................................6-3
7 Troubleshooting
Quick Troubleshooting ........................................................................................................................7-2
Helpful Questions ................................................................................................................................7-5
8 Getting Services and Support
Services and Support Contact Information ..........................................................................................8-2
NEC Computers Web Site ...................................................................................................................8-2
NEC Computers FTP Site....................................................................................................................8-3
Email/Fax to Support Services ............................................................................................................8-3
NEC Computers Technical Support Services......................................................................................8-3

vi Contents
9 Specifications
System Components............................................................................................................................ 9-2
Memory Map ...................................................................................................................................... 9-8
Interrupt Controllers............................................................................................................................ 9-8
Glossary
Index

Preface vii
Preface
This service and reference manual contains the technical information necessary to set up and
maintain the NEC Versa® VXi 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 Computers-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 disassemble
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 lists
field replaceable units (FRUs).
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 on how to contact NEC
Computers for service information and technical support.
Chapter 9, Specifications, lists physical specifications, memory map, and interrupt controllers.
A Glossary and an Index are included for convenience.

Abbreviations ix
Aampere
AC alternating current
AGP Advanced Graphics Port
AT advanced technology
(IBM PC)
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
CD-RW compact disk-read/write
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
DVD-ROM digital video disk-ROM
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
FTP file transfer protocol
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
Abbreviations

x Abbreviations
kHz kilohertz
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
URL uniform resource locator
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
www world wide web
XGA Extended Graphics Array

1
System Overview
!About the NEC Versa VXi Notebook
!Around the Front of the System
!Around the Back of the System
!Around the Left Side of the System
!Around the Right Side of the System
!Around the Bottom of the System
!Around the Port Replicator
!Internal Components
!Chipset

1-2 System Overview
About the NEC Versa VXi Notebook
The NEC Versa VXi notebook computer features include a powerful Intel®Celeron™
microprocessor running at 600 MHz, 650 MHz, 700 MHz, 750 MHz or higher, or a Pentium®III
microprocessor running at 700 MHz, 750 MHz, 800 MHz, 850 MHz, 900 MHz, or 1 GHz.
These processors are designed to work together with the latest Peripheral Component
Interconnect (PCI) architecture.
In addition, the system provides a high-performance hard disk drive, diskette drive, PC card
support, 24X CD-ROM drive, DVD-ROM drive, CD read/write drive, or combination DVD-
ROM and CD read/write drive. The NEC Versa VXi comes with Windows 98SE, Windows NT,
or Windows 2000 operating system preinstalled. To optimize 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, the NEC Versa VXi provides the tools needed to
create and present impressive images using video clips and sound.
NEC Versa VXi notebook computer

System Overview 1-3
Around the Front of the System
The NEC Versa is a compact notebook with features on every side. The following sections
describe front features, beginning with the liquid crystal display (LCD) panel.
LCD Panel
The NEC Versa VXi comes with a color LCD panel that is adjustable for a comfortable viewing
position. The LCD panel is available with a 12.1-inch Super Video Graphics Array (SVGA)
color display or a 13.3/14.1-inch Extended Graphics Array (XGA) color display. Each screen is
TFT (thin film transistor) for sharp, bright imagery and text.
The power and battery charging status LEDs (identified by icons) are located just under the front
of the LCD panel. The status LEDs are duplicated on the back of the LCD panel to allow
viewing when the panel is closed.
Power and battery charging LEDs
A– Power LED B– Battery Charging LED
The power LED lets you know that system power is on. The LED is positioned so that you see
the power state whether the LCD panel is opened or closed. The LED
!lights green when the system is powered on with the AC adapter, battery, or auto adapter
!lights green when on and has normal battery power
!lights yellow when on and low (8% to 4%) battery power
!lights amber when in Windows 98/2000/NT Standby mode, Windows NT Suspend mode,
and very low (4% or less) battery power.
The battery charging LED lights to indicate battery charging status. The LED
!lights amber to indicate the battery is charging
!blinks amber to indicate an error
!lights off to indicate the battery is fully charged.

1-4 System Overview
Control Panel
The NEC Versa VXi control panel provides the features shown in the following figure. The
control panel features are described after the figure.
Control panel
A– CD Control Buttons or Password Buttons D– Internet Button
B– Status LEDs E– Power Button
C– Email Button
!CD Control Buttons — controls the CD-ROM drive, DVD-ROM drive, CD read/write
drive, or combination DVD-ROM and CD read/write drive (with stop, reverse, play/pause,
and fast forward). Available on some systems.
!Personal Code Buttons — sets a personal code for security. Available on some systems.
!Status LEDs — keeps you informed of the NEC Versa VXi’s current operating status.
Descriptions of the status icons appear in the following section.
!Email Button — press to access the email software.
!Internet Button — press to access the Internet.
!Power Button — press to power on or off the system.
Note If unable to power off the system, use the power override. Press the Power button and
hold it in place approximately 4 to 5 seconds until the system powers off.
Power Button
The Power button is a “smart” switch, meaning that it recognizes when the system is in Standby
(Windows 98/2000) or Suspend (Windows NT) mode, if the BIOS parameter “System Switch”
is set to “Sleep.” If in Suspend or Standby mode, you cannot power off until you press the
Power button to resume operation.
Put the unit in Standby or Suspend mode when away from the system for a short period of time
and want to return to where you left off. Standby mode in Windows 98/2000 and Suspend mode
in Windows NT shuts down all devices in the system while retaining data and system status.
!In Windows 98/2000, go to Start, Shutdown, Standby to put the system into Standby mode.
!In Windows NT, press the Power button for less than 4 seconds to put the system into
Suspend mode.

System Overview 1-5
!Use the Power button in the following ways:
—Press the Power button to power on.
—Press the Power button to resume from Standby (Windows 98/2000) or Suspend
(Windows NT) mode and proceed with normal operation.
—Hold the Power button in place for 4 or more seconds to initiate power override
(powers off the system). Only use this option if you cannot power off the system using
Start, Shutdown.
Status Icons
The NEC Versa VXi system uses status lights marked with icons to communicate system status.
See the following figure and list for each icon’s meaning.
Status LED Icons
A– New Email Notification D– Caps Lock
B– Hard Drive Access E– Scroll Lock
C– Diskette Drive Access F– Num Lock
!New Email Notification — lights when new email arrives; stays lit until new messages are
read.
!Hard Drive Access — lights when the NEC Versa VXi accesses the hard disk drive,
CD-ROM drive, or DVD-ROM drive.
!Diskette Drive Access — lights when the NEC Versa VXi writes data to or retrieves data
from the diskette drive.
!Caps Lock — lights when caps lock is in effect.
!Scroll Lock — lights when scroll lock is in effect (not supported in U.S./Canada).
!Num Lock — lights when Num Lock mode is active.

1-6 System Overview
Keyboard Panel and Base Unit
The NEC Versa VXi keyboard panel and base unit has the following features. The keyboard
panel and base unit features are described after the figure.
Keyboard panel
A– Keyboard B– NEC VersaGlide
Base unit
A– Speakers D– Audio Ports
B– IR Port E– Volume Control
C– Microphone
!Keyboard — standard QWERTY-key layout. (Models shipped outside of the U.S. are
equipped with country-specific keyboard layouts.) The keyboard is equipped with many
features, including:
—Function keys
—Windows keys
—Cursor control keys
—Typewriter keys
—Numeric keypad
—Control keys.
Key features and operations are described after the following figure.

System Overview 1-7
Keyboard
A– Function Keys D– Control Keys (Ctrl, Fn, Alt, Shift)
B– Numeric Keypad E– Cursor Control Keys
C– Typewriter Keys
!Function Keys — Twelve function keys, F1 through F12, are available on the NEC Versa
VXi keyboard. These keys work together with the Fn key to activate special functions.
Eight keys (printed in blue) are preprogrammed with dual functions.
Function keys are application-driven. See the specific application’s user guide for
information about how each function key works within the application being used.
The following function key combinations are pre-programmed for the NEC Versa VXi.
Fn-Left Ctrl — Simulates pressing the right control key to support IBM 327X connections
(not supported in U.S./Canada).
Fn-F3 — Toggles the video mode between LCD only, CRT only, Simultaneous mode, and
TV out.
Fn-F4 — Sets standby power management mode on, in Windows NT.
—In Windows NT, press any key to resume from Standby mode.
—No function when Windows 98/2000 configured for Advanced Configuration and
Power Interface (ACPI). In Windows 98/2000, Standby is equivalent to Windows NT
Suspend mode. To resume from Windows 98/2000 Standby mode, press the Power
button.
Fn-F6 — Toggles the system beep off and on.
Fn-F7 — Toggles between various power management levels in Windows NT. 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 98/2000 configured for Advanced Configuration and Power
Interface (ACPI).
Fn-F8 — Increases the LCD’s brightness (eight settings).
Fn-F9 — Reduces the LCD’s brightness (eight settings).

1-8 System Overview
Fn-F10 — Provides zoom in/out control.
Fn-F12 — Toggles the scroll lock feature (not supported in U.S./Canada).
Windows keys — Use the following two shortcut keys for quick access to several functions.
—Shortcut/Application key – provides quick access to shortcut menus. This key acts like
a right mouse button.
—Floating Window key – displays the Start menu.
!Numeric Keypad — Pressing Num Lock on the keyboard activates the numeric keypad
numbers and functions printed in blue on top of 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 Num Lock again, the keys revert to their normal functions as typewriter
keys.
!Typewriter keys — Typewriter keys (also called alphanumeric keys) are used to enter text
and characters. Keys with blue print on them behave differently when combined with
control keys or the Fn key.
!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. Key combinations work specific to the application you are running.
!Cursor Control keys — Cursor control keys position the cursor on the screen where you
want. On the screen, the cursor is a blinking underline, block, or vertical bar depending on
the application. The cursor indicates where the next text typed is inserted.
!NEC VersaGlide — works like a standard computer mouse. Move your fingertip over the
VersaGlide to control the position of the cursor. Use the selection buttons below the
VersaGlide to select menu items.
!Speakers — provides stereo sound for multimedia presentations or listening pleasure.
!IR Port — allows file transfer between the NEC Versa and an IR-equipped desktop or
notebook computer.
!Microphone — allows recording of monophonic sound directly into the notebook computer.
!Audio Ports
—Microphone — Allows connection of an external microphone for monophonic
recording or amplification through the unit. Plugging in an external microphone
disables the built-in microphone.
—Line In — Allows use of 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 — Allows use of plug in stereo headphones or powered speakers.
!Volume Control — Allows speaker volume control through the thumb wheel.

System Overview 1-9
Around the Back of the System
System ports for connecting the NEC Versa VXi to optional devices (like a printer or external
monitor) are on the back of the system. The ports are described after the figure.
Back system features
A– PS/2 Port E– VGA Port
B– AC Power Port F– Serial Port
C– Parallel Port G– USB Ports
D– Expansion Port H– Modem/LAN Port
!PS/2 Port — Use the standard PS/2 port to connect an external PS/2-style mouse,
PS/2-style keyboard, or PS/2 style Numeric Keypad to the system. With an optional
Y-adapter cable, you can connect up to two of these devices at the same time.
!AC Power Port — Attach the NEC Versa VXi to the AC power source using the AC
adapter that comes with the system. Keep the system connected to AC power whenever
possible to keep the battery pack and internal CMOS battery charged.
!Parallel Port — Use this port to connect a parallel printer or other parallel device. The
parallel port default is bidirectional (Bi-Dir). The port also supports Enhanced Capabilities
(ECP) and output only protocols.
!Expansion Port — Use this port to connect the Port Replicator.
!VGA Port — Use this 15-pin port to attach an external monitor to the NEC Versa VXi.
!Serial Port — Use this port to connect a serial printer or other serial device.
!USB Ports — Each Universal Serial Bus (USB) port allows connection of up to 127 USB-
equipped peripheral devices (for example, printers, monitors, scanners) to the
NEC Versa VXi.
!Modem/LAN Port — NEC includes a 56K fax/data modem, mini-PCI LAN, or combination
mini-PCI LAN/modem.

1-10 System Overview
Around the Left Side of the System
The left side of the NEC Versa VXi has the features shown in the following figure. The left side
features are described after the figure.
Left side features
A– Kensington Lock Latch C– Diskette Drive
B– CD-ROM Drive D– Hard Disk Drive
!Kensington Lock Latch — This latch allows the attachment of a Kensington security lock or
other compatible lock to secure the notebook from theft.
!CD-ROM Drive — Allows loading and starting programs from a compact disc (CD) and
play audio CDs. Some systems ship with a DVD-ROM drive, a CD read/write drive, or a
combination DVD-ROM and CD read/write drive installed.
!Diskette Drive — A 3.5-inch, 1.44-MB diskette drive comes installed in the NEC Versa.
!Hard Disk Drive — An internal hard disk drive comes installed in the NEC Versa. The disk
drive is upgradeable.
Around the Right Side of the System
The right side of the NEC Versa VXi offers the features shown in the following figure. The right
side features are described after the figure.
Right side features
A– Battery Bay C– PC Card Slots
B– Fan D– TV Out
!Battery Bay — Depending upon the model, the battery bay contains a rechargeable Nickel-
Metal-Hydride (NiMH) or Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) battery pack.
!Fan — Allows the system to cool properly and maintain a safe operating environment.
Do not block the fan while the NEC Versa VXi is in use.

System Overview 1-11
!PC Card Slots — Two PC card slots allow insertion of two Type II PC cards or one Type III
PC card in the bottom slot. Card BUS cards are supported and Zoom Video is supported in
the top slot.
!TV Out — Allows you to connect to a television.
Around the Bottom of the System
The bottom of the NEC Versa VXi offers the following features. The features are described after
the figure.
Bottom features
A– Battery Bay D– Memory Module Bay Cover
B– Battery Release Latch E– Tilt Foot
C– PCI LAN/Modem Card Bay Cover
!Battery Bay — Equipped with a rechargeable Nickel-Metal-Hydride (NiMH) or (depending
on the model) Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) battery.
!Battery Release Latch — Slide the latch to the other end and hold it. While holding the
latch, slide the battery bay outwards to remove the battery.
!Memory Module Bay Cover — Remove the screw to access two SO-DIMM slots. One slot
has a SDRAM memory board configured by the factory. The other is empty for upgrade
use.
!PCI LAN/Modem Card Bay Cover — Remove the screw to access the 56K fax/data
modem, mini-PCI LAN, or combination mini-PCI LAN/modem.
!Tilt Foot — Adjust to provide flexible keyboard angle.
Around the Port Replicator
The NEC Port Replicator is an accessory that duplicates some of the ports found on the back of
the NEC Versa VXi system. It also has a LAN port for a network connection and a Kensington
lock. The lock secures the NEC Versa VXi to the Port Replicator and secures the Port Replicator
to the desk. The user can keep the NEC Port Replicator in the office and connected to
peripherals while taking the NEC Versa VXi on the road.