NorthStar Horizon User manual
NorttSa~
HORIZON
USER
GUIDE
UNPACKING 1
M·P."
£
W¥GM
'+WMWMMM
lift
the
HORIZON and
the
foam packing
material
out
of the shipping container.
Unpacking
the HORIZON
-=::::::::
~
Figure 1-1
Remove
the
packingmaterial.Place
the
HORIZON
on
aflat surfacecapableofsupporting a
weight of
about
SO
pounds.
In
addition to
the
packing materials and this User Guide,
the
container should
indude:
•HORIZON Computer
•
A.C.
Power Cord
•Documentation and Diskette Package
Verify
that the contents of the container match this list.
Should you find that anything
is
missing from
the
container,
or
should there appear
to
be
damage
due
to shipping, please notify your dealer immediately.
Keep
the
shipping container and packing material.
If
you need
to
return your
HORIZON
to
the
faaory, the computer must arrive undamaged to qualify for
warranty service. Repacking the computer
in
the
original container
prOVides
the
best
proteaion
for
it.
Nonh
Star Computers. Inc 14440 Catalina
5t
.San
La.ndro.
CA
94517 USA
1415)
357-8500 TWXlTelex (910) 366-7001
00450B
INSTALLATION
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2.1
INTRODUCTION
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55%
2
The HORIZON
is
aversatile
computer
that can form the nucleus of either asingle-user
or
a
multi-user configuration.
If
you wish
to
create
asingle-usersystem, you
will
probablywant to
connect
the
HORIZON
to
aterminal and aprinter.Theseconnections are very simple,
and
the
instructions are given
below.
To
incorporate
one
or
more
18Mb hard disks into your
computer
system, follow
the
directions
in
the
North Star
HD-1B
UserlTechnical Manual.
To
create
aHORIZON-based
computer
system that can serve
up
to five users, follow
the
directions
in
the
North Star
TSS-A
or
TSS-C
Multi-User System Operation Manual.
2.2
SELECTING
A
SITE
You
can place
the
HORIZON in almost any convenient location, although the
computer
should
not
be
exposed
to
extremes of
temperature
or
humidity. Dust and dirt can also
be
harmful
to
the
HORIZON.
In
general,an
environment
that
is
comfortablefor
the
operator
is
also suitable for
the
computer.
2.3
CONNECTING
A
TERMINAL
TO
THE
HORIZON
The terminal you select must have an
RS-232-C
serial interface. Read
the
instruction manual provided by
the
manufacturer
to
be
sure
that
the
terminal
is
appropriate and that you observe
all
necessary precautions
in
handling
it.
Follow
the
steps specified by
the
manufacturer to set these stand
operating
parameters:
9600 Baud
Full
Duplex
No Parity
If
the
terminal
cannot
be
setfor
9600
baud,consult
the
HORIZON
Computer
System Manual
for instructions.
2
-------------¥
Position
the
HORIZON
so
the back
is
facingyou. The controls and connectors on theback
of
the
computer
are labelled in Figure 2-1.
Back
of
the
HORIZON
Parallel
Output
Port
(Hard Disk
or
Parallel Printer Connector)
Reset Switch
-t--1~Ii1i'i'il
Power
OnlOff
Switch "
Fuse
Holder
._.
•
._.
.
_.
•
._
.
._.
•
._.
.
_.
•
._
.
Power
Cord
Receptacle
Parallel
Input
Port(Hard Disk
Connector)
left
Serial
Input/Output
Port
(Serial Printer Connector)
Figure
2-1
Right Serial
Input/Output
Port
(Terminal Connector)
Connect
the
HORIZON
and
the
terminal before you attach the
power
cord
to
the
computer.
Make
sure
that
the
power
to
the
terminal
is
turned
off
and the
power
cord
is
unplugged
from
the wall socket.
Theterminal
is
connected
to
the
HORIZON
by
an
RS-232
cord
or
cable. The
cord
or
cable mustend in a
"D"
shaped connector,
as
shown
in
Figure 2-2.
3
Terminal Cable
Options
\.
Figure
2-2'
¥-------------
Press
acable connector carefully over the
right serial
port
connector on the HORI-
ZON
back panel (Fig. 2-3). These connec-
tors
only
match
one
way,
so
makesure they
are
properly
aligned.
Connecting the Terminal Cable
to
the HORIZON
Figure 2·3
Use
the
same
procedure
to
connect the
other
end
of
this cable
to
the
MAIN
or
TERMINAL
porton
the back
of
theterminal. Consult the manual
for
the terminal
for
the location
of
the
appropriate port.
2.4
CONNECTING A
PRINTER
TO
THE
HORIZON
A
printer
with
either
an
RS-232
serial interface
or
aparallel interface
can
beconnected
to
the
HORIZON. Aserial
printer
can
be placed fifty
or
more feet away
from
the computer, while
the
cable
to
aparallel printer
can
be
no
more than ten feet long.
Before connecting the
printer
and the HORIZON, read the instruction manual provided
with
the
printer. Follow the steps specified by the manufacturer
to
set these standard
operating parameters:
1200
Baud
Full Duplex
No
Parity
If
the
printer
you are using cannot operate
at
1200
baud, consultthe HORIZON Computer
System Manual
for
instructions.
Connect the computer and the printer before attaching the power cord to the computer.
Make
sure thatthe power
to
the
printer
is
turned
off
and the
power
cord
is
unpluggedfrom
the
wall socket.
4
ew,
Jfl
2.4.1 Serial Printer
Aserial
printer
can
be connected to the HORIZONbyeitheraflat ribbon cable
or
around
cord. The
printer
cord
or
cable mustend
in
the
same
kind
of
"D"
connectorshown in Figure
2-2, above.
Take
the free end
of
the printer cable and
press the
"D"
shaped connector carefully
over the left serial port
of
the HORIZON
back panel shown
in
Figure
2-4.
These
connectors only match one
way,
so
make
sure they ilre properly aligned.
Connecting aSerial Printer
to the HORIZON
Figure
2-4
The HORIZON, terminal,
and
printer will now be connected
as
shown in Figure
2-5.
Computer System with
Serial.
Printer
~
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.=.
Q.t::;;:r.
.'CP'
0
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.'C:'.
0
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Figure
2-5
5
¥-----------------
2.4.2 Parallel Printer
To
connect
aparallel printer
to
the
HORI-
ZON requires
the
DB-232
cable shown
in
Figure 2-6. If
the
appropriate cable
is
not
available, consult your authorized North
Star Dealer for assistance.
Press
one
end
of
the
printercable carefully
over
the
parallel
output
connector
on
the
back of
the
HORIZON
(Fig.
2-7).
These
connectors only match
one
way, so make
sure they are properly aligned.
Parallel Printer Cable
Figure
2-6
Connecting the Parallel Printer
to the HORIZON
Figure
2-7
Use
the
same
procedure
to
connect
the
other
end
ofthis cableto
the
appropriateconnector
on
the
printer. Consult
the
manual for the printer for the location of this canector.
6
2.5
SITUATING
THE
SYSTEM
After making
the
necessary connections, turn
the
HORIZON,
the
terminal and the printer
around
so that
the
front of
the
componentsface you. Position the equipmentso that you can
use it conveniently.
It
;s
important
to
rest
the
HORIZON and
the
printer on different surfaces, so that printer
vibration does not affect
the
computer.
Situate
the
compter so you have easy access
to
the
floppy disk drlve(s)
on
the
front
of
the
HORIZON, and can reach
the
powerswitch and reset switch
on
the back of
the
computer.
The HORIZON can
be
placed horizontally, as shown in Figure
2-8.
Computer System Configuration
Figure
2-8
The
computer
can also
be
placed on
end,
as
shown
in
Figure
2-9.
If
you choose this
arrangement, note that
the
disk drivels)
MUST
be
positioned at the top of the unit.
as
indicated.
Alternate System Configuration
qY
lh
81
I'
u
I
I----Oa
0
00.
k"\"'-->."...'-:;,::c...c..':-0.~
~\1
-.....,
........
..,--.--.~
...
--.
...
-;
...........
~~;
~
1I
II
tII
·0
II
Figure 2-9 ;
7
¥-------------
2.6
POWERING
UP
THE
COMPUTER
SYSTEM
Take
the
socket end
of
the power cord
supplied
with
the HORIZON.
Press
the
socket
firmly
over
the
three-prong recep-
tacle on
the
computer's back panel
(Fig.
2-10).
Installing the Power Cord
Figure
2-10
The
HORIZON
operates on the standard electrical power sup'plied
to
offices,
schools and homes. The computer MUST
BE
ELECTRICALLY
GROUNDED,
however.
All HORIZON system componentsmustbe
powered
from
grounded(3-wire) A.C.
out-
lets
on
the
same
circuit. Do
not
use
any
plug
adapters that eliminate
the
ground
line.
8
Plugging
in
the HORIZON
Figure
2-11
----------------¥
The computer, terminal, printer, and any other peripheral devices you
use
MUST be
plugged into the
same
circuit
or
circuit breaker.
Other
electrical equipment(such
as
copying machines, fluorescent lights
or
typewriters)
should
NOT
be plugged
into
the
same
circuit. The electrical noIse generated by such
equipment
can
interfere
with
the proper operation
of
the computer system.
While
a
power
strip
is
oftenconvenientwhenseveral pieces
of
equipmentareoperati
ng
as
a
system, take care
not
to
overload the circuit. Do
not
use
extension cords
to
power the
system.
Turn
on
the
power
to
the computer. The
HORIZON
onloff
switch
is
located next
to
the
fan on the back panel.
To
turn the
power
on,
press the
outer
edge
of
the
switch
in
toward the computer
(Fig.
2-12).
Turning on the HORIZON
Figure
2-12
When you
turn
the power on, the fan begins
to
whir
and the red indicator light over the
NorthStar logo on the
front
panel
is
illuminated.
9
The
floppy
disk drivels) on the HORIZON
aretaped closed
for
shipment. Remove the
tape from the
floppy
disk drive(s). The
HORIZON
may contain just one floppy
disk drive,
or
it
may
have
two
floppy disk
drives,
as
shown in Figure
2·13.
Untapingthe Floppy Disk Drives
Figure
2-13
Another
HORIZONconfiguration includesone floppy disk drive and one Winchester hard
disk drive,
as
shown in Figure
2-14.
HORIZON with Winchester Hard Disk
Floppy Disk Drive
Winchester Hard Disk Drive
Figure
2-14
10
USING
THE
HORIZON
3.1
HANDLINC
FLOPPY
DISKETIES
3
Afloppy diskette consists
of
avery thin
layer
of
magnetically treated mylar that
is
permanently encased
in
aplastic jacket.
label
Drive
Spindle
Hole
Floppy Diskette Features
~~~~!
Write
=
-Protect
Notch
_Plastic
Jacket
Disk Surface
Figure
3-1
Do
not
touch
the mylar surface,
as
this may damage
the
diskette.
Fingerprints,scratches,
or
spillscan destroy
information stored
on
the
diskette.
If
ashes
or
particles land
on
adiskette they can
interfere with
the
storage and retrieval of
information. Likewise,
if
the
diskette
is
exposed
to
amagnetic field, its contents
can
be
lost. Amagnetic field can
be
gener-
ated
by an electrictypewriter
or
amagnetic
paper
clip holder, for example. Figure 3-2
provides information
on
how
to
handle
your
diskettes.
11
Important Diskette Precautions
Replace
in
Jackel
Do Not Bend
Insert Carefully
Never
Touch
Diskette Surface
10"
C - 52" C
50" F - 1250F
Never
Expose
to
Magnetic
Field
Figure 3-2
Take
the
system diskette you want
to
use
and
remove
it
from
the
protective enve-
lope.
Be
sure
to
hold
the
diskette
by
the
label
or
some
portion of
the
plastic jacket,
as
shown
in
Figure
3-3.
Handling aDiskette
Figure 3·3
Inserting aDiskette
3.2 INSERTING ADISKETIE
IN
THE
HORIZON
You
can insert adiskette
in
the
HORIZON with thecomputerturned
on
oroff.
For
simplicity,
the
following discussion assumes that
the
power
is
turned
on
in
both
the
HORIZON and the
terminal.
Open
the
floppy disk drive that
is
closer
to
the centerof
the
HORIZON
by
pulling
the
latch
toward you. The system diskette (such
as
the
HORiZON-Diskette provided with
the
computer)
is
always loaded into this floppy drive, which
is
either designated
as
drive
#1,
or
drive
A,
depending
on
the
program you are using.
Slide
the
system diskette into
th.e
drive
opening.Thedisketteshould
be
positioned
as shown
in
Figure 3-4, with
the
small
rectangular notch
on
top
and
the
label
facing toward you.
Figure
3-4
12
-.,..-----------¥
Push
the
diskette
in
gently. If you
encounter
more than slight resistance, pull the diskette
out
carefully
and
start again. Thediskette
is
flexible and you may damage
it
if
you force
it
into
the
floppy disk drive.
Push
the
diskette into
the
drive until you hearaclick and feel
the
diskette hit
the
back
of
the
slot. This indicates that
the
diskette
is
properly positioned
In
the
disk drive.
With
the
diskette fully inserted, close
the
disk drive latch.
3.4
'BOOTING'
THE
HORIZON
Press
and
release
the
reset switch
on
the
back panel of
the
HORIZON
(Fig
3-5). This
is
called
"booting"
the
computer,
and
it
starts
the
process
of
transferring
the
pro-
gram from
the
diskette into
the
internal
memory.
Booting the HORIZON
Figure 3-5
When
the
resetswitch
is
activated,
the
red indicatorlight
on
the
floppy disk drive comes
on,
the
disk drive
motor
begins
to
whir,
and
the
program
prompt
appears
on
the
terminal
screen.
You
are now ready
to
begin work with your HORIZON.
13
If-------------
3.4
USING
YOUR
HORIZON
If
your HORIZON has two floppy disk drives,
the
drive toward
the
center
of
the
computer
(#1)
is
used for system diskettes, and
the
drive toward
the
outer
edge
(#2)
is
used for data
diskettes. Use
the
same
procedure
described
in
Section 3.2 to insertadata diskette
in
drive
#2.
If
your HORIZON contains aWinchester hard disk drive
as
well
as
afloppy disk drive,
the
harddisk
is
permanentlyinstalled
in
the
computer.
You
do
notinteract directlywith
the
hard
disk, as you
do
with
the
floppy diskettes.
The hard disk
is
used forstoringprograms
and
data. The floppy diskettes
enable
you
to
load
new
programs
onto
the
hard disk, and to transfer programs and data
between
computers.
The floppy diskettes also serve
as
abackup medium for
the
hard disk.
Perhaps
the
single most important part of working with a
computer
;s
learning
to
make
regular
backup
copies
of
all your programs and data. Systematic backup
is
crucial to guard
against information loss
due
to
operator
error,
equipment
malfunction,
or
other
causes. The
manualsfor
the
programsyou use
will
explain exactly
howto
back upyour diskettes
or
hard
disk.
3.5
ENDING
A
WORK
SESSION
The manual for
the
program you are running
will
explain how to exit from that program.
Always wait until
the
red indicator light on
the
floppy disk drive has
gone
out
before
removing adiskette from
the
drive.
You
may damage
the
diskette
if
you
attempt
to
remove
it
while
the
drive
;s
still
operating.
lift
the
latch
on
the
floppy disk driveand carefully remove
the
diskette. Replace
the
diskette
in its protective envelope and store
it
upright, in an appropriate container.
At
the
end
of
the
day, turn off
the
power
to
the
HORIZON.
'4
TROUBLESHOOTING
'M&M&M
4
The
following table
will
help you
to
diagnose and remedy problemsyou
may
encounter
as
you work
with
the
HORIZON.
COMPUTER DOES
NOT
GO
ON
WHEN POWER
IS
TURNED
ON.
1
1.1
Fan off
and
red
indicator light over
logo off. Power cord
is
notplugged into wall outlet. Plug
in
cord.
Power cord
is
not firmly
connected
to
computer.
Plug
in
cord.
Wall
outlet
is
not providing power. Check outlet
with
another
device; call electrician for service if
necessary.
AC
line fuse
is
blown. Turn power off, unplug
cord,change fuse
(n
extto
powercord receptacle).
If
second fuse also blows,contactyour authorized
North Star dealer for service.
COMPUTER GOES
ON,
BUT
PROGRAM DOES NOT LOAD
SUCCESSFULLY
2
2.1
Drive indicator light goes
on;
motor
is
audible. Press and release the reset switch again.
Diskette inserted improperly. Remove diskette
and
reinsertit,
then
press and release resetswitch.
Cable connections from HORIZON to terminal
are improper
or
insecure. Check connections.
Data diskette inserted instead of system diskette.
Replace diskette.
System diskette damaged. Replace with another
copy of diskette.
If
the
printer
and
the
terminal use
the
same
cables, exchange to see
if
one
cable
is
defective.
continued
15
¥-------------
PROGRAM
LOADS
AND
RUNS,
THEN
FAILS~
3
3.1
Terminal screen displays orderly
error
mess.illge.
3.2 Screen displays garbled message
or
random pattern.
Consult program manual for explanation
of
mes-
sage and procedure for
dearing
it.
Press and release reset switch. Repeat program
loading procedure.
Activate reset switch. Remove diskettes. Turn
power off, then on. Repeat loading procedure.
Consult manual for terminal.
Ca
II
for service.
16
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