NorthStar Horizon User manual

NorttSa~ HORIZON USER GUIDE
UNPACKING 1
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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 [phone] 00450B

INSTALLATION
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2.1 INTRODUCTION
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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

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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
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Figure 2-2'

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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

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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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Figure 2-5
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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
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-....., ........ ..,--.--.~ ... --. ... -; ........... ~~;
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Figure 2-9 ;
7

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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
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