Optima Centoris Z500 User manual

Z500 SERIES NOTEBOOK PC
USER’S GUIDE
April 2003

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CONTENTS
Z500 SERIES NOTEBOOK PC ...................................................................... 1
USER’S GUIDE .............................................................................................. 1
TAKING CARE OF YOUR NOTEBOOK PC ................................................... 5
1 BEFORE YOU START............................................................................... 9
1-1 Making sure you have everything ................................................... 9
1-2 Finding where everything is located ............................................ 10
2 GETTING STARTED ............................................................................... 19
2-1 Power Sources ............................................................................... 19
2-2 Display Panel .................................................................................. 22
2-3 Starting Your Notebook PC ........................................................... 24
2-4 Status Display Indicators .............................................................. 26
2-5 Using the Keyboard ....................................................................... 29
2-6 Volume Control .............................................................................. 31
2-7 Power Management ........................................................................ 32
3 USING YOUR NOTEBOOK PC ............................................................... 35
3-1 Touchpad Pointing Device ............................................................ 35
3-2 Memory Card Reader ..................................................................... 37
3-3 Optical Drive ................................................................................... 38
3-4 PC Cards ......................................................................................... 45
3-5 Memory Upgrade Module .............................................................. 47
3-6 Device Ports on Optional Port Replicator .................................... 51
4 TROUBLESHOOTING ............................................................................ 55
4-1 Identifying the Problem ................................................................. 55

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TAKING CARE OF YOUR
NOTEBOOK PC
To prevent possible overheating of the
computer’s processor, make sure you don’t
block the openings provided for ventilation.
DO NOT place or drop objects on the com-
puter and DO NOT apply heavy pressure on it.
DO NOT subject the computer to magnetic
fields.
DO NOT place on uneven or unstable work
surfaces.
DO NOT press or touch the display panel.
DO NOT use your notebook computer under
harsh conditions.

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DO NOT place near fire or other sources of
heat.
DO NOT tamper with the batteries. Keep them
away from children.
DO NOT expose to direct sunlight. DO NOT use or store in extreme temperatures.
Avoid sudden changes in temperature or hu-
midity by keeping it away fromA/C and heat-
ing vents.
DO NOT expose the computer to rain or mois-
ture.

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DO NOT expose to dust and/or corrosive
chemicals.
DO NOT slam your notebook shut and never
pick up or hold your notebook by the display.
DO NOT spray water or any other cleaning flu-
ids directly on the display.
If you are traveling with your computer, re-
member to carry it as hand luggage. Do not
check it in as baggage.

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1 BEFORE YOU START
1-1 Making sure you have everything
When you receive your notebook PC, unpack it carefully, and check to make sure
you have all the items listed below. For a pre-configured model you should have the
following:
• Notebook Computer
• Lithium ion battery
• AC adapter with AC power cord
• Driver and Applications CD
• Getting Started Guide or User Guide
Depending upon the configuration of your notebook, you may have also received
the following items:
• CD-ROM Application CD
• DVD Application CD
• DVD / CD-RW Combo Application CD
• DVD-RW Application CD
Once you have checked and confirmed that your notebook system is complete,
read through the following pages to learn about all of your notebook components.

1. BEFORE YOU START
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1-2 Finding where everything is located
1-2-1 OPENING THE DISPLAY PANEL
1. Slide the latch located at the top of the display panel to the right. This releases
the locking mechanism and raises the display slightly.
2. Lift the display backwards, being careful not to touch the screen, until it is at a
comfortable viewing angle.
Display
Panel
Latch

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1. BEFORE YOU START
1-2-2 TOP COMPONENTS
The following is a brief description of your notebook’s top components.
Display Panel
The display panel is a color LCD panel with back lighting for the display of text
and graphics.
Keyboard
A full-size keyboard with dedicated Windows keys.
Stereo Speakers
The built-in dual speakers allow for stereo sound.
Suspend/Resume/
Power On Button
Scroll Button TouchPad
Pointing Device
Built-in
Speaker
Built-in
Speaker
Status Display
Indicators
Keyboard
Display Panel
Instant Keys

1. BEFORE YOU START
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Status Display Indicators
The Status display indicator lights correspond to specific components of your
notebook. (See suspend notebook activity without powering off, resume your
notebook from suspend mode, and power on your notebook when it has been shut
down from Windows. (See Suspend/Resume/Power On Button in 2-3-1 Power On
for more information.)
Touchpad Pointing Device
The Touchpad pointing device is a mouse-like cursor control with four buttons
(left, right, and two scroll buttons).
Suspend/Resume/Power On Button
This button turns your notebook pc on and off as well as put it to sleep. (See
Suspend/Resume/Power On Button in 2-3-1 Power On for more information.)
Instant Keys
The two instant keys allow you to launch your favorite email and internet applica-
tions with the touch of a button.

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1. BEFORE YOU START
1-2-3 FRONT PANEL COMPONENTS
The following is a brief description of your notebook’s front panel components.
Built-in Stereo Speakers
The built-in dual speakers allow for stereo sound.
Memory Card Reader
The memory card reader offers the fastest and most convenient method to transfer
pictures, music and data between your notebook PC and flash-compatible devices
such as digital cameras, MP3 players, mobile phones, and PDAs.
Infrared Port
The fast IrDA-compatible port allows you to communicate wirelessly with an-
other IrDA-compatible infrared device without a cable.
Display Panel Latch
The display panel latch locks and releases the display panel.
Built-in
Speaker
Built-in
Speaker
Display Panel Latch
Memory
Card
Reader
Infrared
Port

1. BEFORE YOU START
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1-2-4 LEFT-SIDE PANEL COMPONENTS
The following is a brief description of your notebook’s left-side components.
USB Ports (V2.0)
The four USB ports allow you to connect Universal Serial Bus devices.
The leftmost USB port is disabled when your notebook PC is
connected to an optional Port Replicator.
IEEE 1394 Port
The 1394 port is used to connect between your and a peripheral such as a digital
video camera.
PC Card Slot
The PC Card Slot allows you to install one Type II PC Card.
Audio-In Jack
The audio-in jack allows audio sources to be recorded by your computer.
Microphone Jack
The microphone jack allows you to connect an external mono microphone.
Headphone Jack
The headphone jack allows you to connect headphones or external speakers with
amplifer.
PC Card
Slot
PC Card
Eject Button
USB
Ports
IEEE
1394
Port
Headphone
Jack
Microphone
Jack
Audio-in
Jack
POINT

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1. BEFORE YOU START
1-2-5 RIGHT-SIDE PANEL COMPONENTS
The following is a brief description of your notebook’s right-side components.
Lithium ion Battery Bay
The internal battery pack can be removed for installation of a fully charged battery
pack. (See 2-1-3 Replacing the Battery for more information.)
Optical Drive
The Optical Drive allows you to play back a media disc.
Optical Drive Eject Button
The Optical Drive Eject Button allows you to open the Optical Drive tray to
remove or install a DVD, CD-R, or CD-ROM.
Emergency Optical Drive Tray Release
The Emergency Optical Drive Tray Release allows you to open the Optical Drive
tray without powering on your notebook.
Power Adapter Port
The power adapter port allows you to plug in the AC adapter to power your
notebook and charge the internal Lithium ion battery.
Lithium ion
Battery Bay Optical
Drive
Optical Drive
Eject Button
Emergency
Optical Drive
Tray Release
Power Adapter
Port

1. BEFORE YOU START
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1-2-6 BACK PANEL COMPONENTS
The following is a brief description of your notebook’s back panel components.
Modem (RJ-11) Port
The modem (RJ-11) port is used to attach a telephone line to the internal 56K
modem.
LAN Port (RJ-45)
The LAN port is designed to support a 10/100/1000 Base-T standard RJ-45 plug.
Port Replicator Connector
The Port Replicator connector extends the functionality of your notebook by
providing ports to connect PS/2 devices, an external monitor, a serial device, a
parallel device, USB devices, a LAN (RJ-45) cable, an external audio source, and
an AC adapter.
Parallel Port
The parallel port allows you to connect parallel devices, such as a printer. (This is also
sometimes referred to as an LPT port.)
External Monitor Port
The external monitor port allows you to connect an external monitor.
S-Video/TV Out Port
The S-video/TV out port allows you to connect to video devices such as, a televi-
sion, projector, or a VCR.
External
Monitor
Port
Ethernet
Port
(RJ-45)
Parallel
Port
Modem
Port
(RJ-11)
TV-out
Port
Port Replicator
Interface
Kensington
Lock Slot

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1. BEFORE YOU START
Kensington Lock Port
The Kensington lock slot allows you to secure your notebook to an immovable
object through an optional security cable.
1-2-7 BOTTOM COMPONENTS
The following is a brief description of your notebook’s bottom panel components.
Lithium ion
Battery Bay
Memory
Compartment
Optical
Drive
Bay
Main Unit &
Configuration
Label
Hard Disk
Drive Bay
Mini-PCI
Card
Cover

1. BEFORE YOU START
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Optical Drive Bay
The internal optical drive is accessible through the optical drive bay.
Main Unit and Configuration Label
The configuration label shows the model number and other information about
your notebook. In addition, the configuration portion of the label has the serial
number and manufacturer information that you will need to give your support
representative. It identifies the exact version of various components of your
notebook.
Memory Compartment
The memory compartment contains the system RAM.
Lithium ion Battery Bay
The battery bay contains the internal Lithium ion battery. It can be opened for the
removal of the battery when stored over a long period of time or for swapping a
discharged battery with a charged Lithium ion battery.
Hard Disk Drive Bay
The internal hard disk drive is accessible through the hard disk drive bay.

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2 GETTING STARTED
2-1 Power Sources
YournotebookPChas twopossiblepowersources:aprimaryLithiumionbatteryoran
AC adapter.
2-1-1 CONNECTING THE POWER ADAPTERS
TheAC adapter provides powerfor operating your notebookPCand chargingthe
batteries.
Connecting the AC Adapter
1. PlugtheDCoutput cable into the adapterpower portof your notebook PC.
2. PlugtheACadapterintoanACelectrical outlet.
TheLithiumion batteryisnotchargeduponpurchase.Initially,you
will need toconnect theAC adapter touse your notebook PC.
POINT

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2. GETTING STARTED
2-1-2 RECHARGING THE BATTERY
TheLithiumionbattery isrechargedinternally usingtheACadapter.Torechargethe
batterymakesurethebatterythat needs to be chargedisinstalledinyour notebook PC
and connect theAC adapter.
Thereis no memoryeffectonthe Lithium ion battery,thereforeyoudo not needto
dischargethebatterycompletelybeforerecharging.Thechargetimeswillbe significantly
longerif your notebookPCisin use whilethebatteryis charging.Ifyouwant to charge
thebattery more quickly,put yournotebookPCintoSuspend mode, or turnitoffwhile
theadapteris chargingthe battery.(See2-7PowerManagement formore information
onSuspendmodeand shutdownprocedure)
Low Battery State
Whenthebatteryis runninglow,a lowbatterynotificationmessagewillappear.Ifyou
donot respond tothelow battery message,thebatterywill continue todischargeuntil it
is toolow to operate.When this happens, yournotebook PC willgo into Suspend
mode.There is no guarantee that your datawill be saved oncethe notebook reaches
thispoint.
Toprotectyour notebook PC from damage,use only the power
adapterthat camewith the notebook PC becauseeachpower
adapterhasits ownpoweroutputrating.
OnceyournotebookPCgoesintoDead BatterySuspend mode you will be unableto
resume operation untilyou providea source ofpower either from an adapter, or a
charged battery. Once you haveprovided power, you willneed to press the Suspend/
Resume button toresume operation.In theDeadBattery Suspendmode, your datacan
bemaintained for sometime,but if a power source is not providedpromptly,thePower
indicatorwill stopflashingandgoout, meaningthatyou havelostthe datathatwasnot
stored. Once you providepower, you can continue to useyour notebook PC whilean
adapteris chargingthebattery.
Shorted Battery
TheStatus Indicatorpanelusesa symbol insidethebattery outline oftheBattery Level
indicatortodisplaythe operatinglevelavailable inthatbattery. Ifthisdisplayshowsa
ShortedBattery, it meansthat the battery isdamagedandmust be replacedso it does
notdamageany other parts ofyour notebook PC.
CAUTION