RiscStation R7500 Operating and safety instructions

C

R7500
Welcome Guide
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
This product is not intended for use as a critical component in life support devices or any
system in which failure could be expected to result in personal injury.
RiscStation Ltd. accept no liability for loss of data or the consequences as a result, direct or
otherwise, of using this equipment.
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Guidelines for safe operation
The equipment described in this guide is intended for use only as a personal computer. It
should not be used for other purposes. It is important that the installation and its operation
are carried out in accordance with the instructions provided in this guide. Please observe the
following guidelines in the interests of continued safe and reliable operation, .
Electrical Safety
• This equipment must be earthed (grounded) to prevent the hazard of electrical shock.
• The equipment should be installed near to the mains power outlet, which should be readily
accessible.
• If the plug supplied is not suitable for use in your country, please consult your supplier.
• Do not attempt to open any display or monitor, whether supplied with this equipment or not.
• Do not operate this equipment if any cables are damaged.
• Switch off and unplug the equipment and any accessories before opening the unit (e.g. to install an
upgrade).
• Switch off and unplug the unit if you are not going to use it for a few days.
Installation
• This equipment is for indoor use only (in a dust-free and dry environment).
• Do not expose this equipment to sudden extremes in temperature, direct sunlight, or other heat
sources.
• Stand the equipment on a level, hard surface allowing enough space for air to circulate when in use.
• Locate the equipment in such a way that it does not present a hazard or interfere with other
equipment.
• Ensure that any wires or cables are routed sensibly so that they cannot be snagged or tripped over.
Do not tug or twist any wires or cables, or use them to hang or lift any of the equipement.
• The equipment should only be used with the covers secured.
• Keep the machine at a room temperature of +5°C to +35°C (+41° tp +95° Farenheit) and a relative
humidity of 10% to 80% (non-condensing).
• Keep any plastic bags used in the packaging away from children and animals.
• Keep the original packaging in case you need to transport the equipment.
• The computer is designed for desktop use only.
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Precautions in use
• Do not spill liquid on the equipment. If you do, turn the equipment off immediately and take it to
your supplier for assessment.
• Do not drop the equipment or subject it to exessive jarring or bumping.
• Do not cover, obstruct, or poke objects into the equipment.
UK Information
Since the colours of the cores in the AC power lead of this equipment might not correspond exactly to the coloured
markings identifying the terminals in your plug, proceed as follows:
• The core which is coloured green and yellow must be connected to the terminal in the plug
coloured green and yellow, or marked by the letter E or by the earth symbol .
• The core which is coloured blue must be connected to the terminal coloured black or marked with
the letter N.
• The core which is coloured brown must be connected to the terminal coloured red or marked with
the letter L.
The mains lead supplied with the power supply unit is already fitted with a moulded plug incorporating a 5A fuse.
If you need to replace the fuse in the mains plug supplied, then you must use a 5A fuse, ASTA-approved to
BS1362.
Information for Australia and New Zealand
This equipment should be fitted with a plug that complies with the requirments of AS3112-1990 and NZ 198-1967.
If the plug fitted does not fit your socket outlet, it should be removed and disposed of. A suitable alternative plug
should then be fitted, following the instructions provided with it.
As the colours of the cores in the main cord of this equipment might not correspond to the coloured
markings identifying the terminals in your plug, proceed as follows:
• The core which is coloured green and yellow must be connected to the terminal in the plug which
is marked E or labelled green.
• The core which is coloured blue must be connected to the terminal whicn is marked N.
• The core which is coloured brown must be connected to the terminal which is marked P or A.
Never use an unapproved mains plug. In the event of damage to the mains plug, replace it with another approved
to the above national standard (or one approved for your socket outlet) and wired as detailed above.
If in any doubt, please contact a qualified electrician able to complete the task for you.
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Welcome !
Thank you for choosing the RiscStation R7500. This Welcome Guide is intended to be of
most use to those who are using a RISC OS computer for the first time. Much of the advice
given in this document will apply to other RISC OS computers but it has been written with
the RiscStation R7500Lite specifically in mind. If you are already familiar with RISC OS,
then you might also like to read on if only to refresh your memory of the basics. Users of
previous versions of RISC OS might just wish to familiarise themselves with those features
new in RISC OS 4, see Appendix A.
The following areas will be covered:
Chapter Subject
1 Unpacking and setting up
2 Switching on
3 The RISC OS desktop
4 Using the mouse
5 Windows
6 Menus and dialogue boxes
7 Discs and disc drives
8 Using the keyboard
9 Using applications
10 Files and directories
11 Printing
12 Switching off
Appendix A: Configuration
Appendix B: Write-protecting your Configuration
Appendix C: Virus protection
Appendix D: ASCII character codes
Appendix E: Glossary of terms
Appendix F: Pin-outs (back panel connections)
Appendix G: Troubleshooting
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1. Unpacking and Setting Up
Unpacking
When unpacking your new RiscStation R7500 computer, take care not to bump or knock the
equipment. Any sudden impact could cause damage, so handle your new computer carefully.
Unpack onto a sturdy, flat surface. It is a good idea to keep the packaging in which your
computer (and any accessories) arrived; this is useful for re-packing at a later date should
you need to transport the equipment.
Warning: The packaging contains plastic bags which can be dangerous
and might cause suffocation, especially in the hands of children. For safety,
ensure these are kept well out of reach.
Checklist
With your RiscStation R7500, you should have the following items:
• This Welcome Guide
• Backup System CD
• Computer Base Unit ('Tower' or 'Desktop' style)
• Keyboard
• Three-buttoned Mouse
• Mains cables
• Registration Card
• Monitor/Display (if purchased with system)
• Speakers (with some models)
• Software pack (where applicable)
Refer to the enclosed packing list for a precise list.
Please check that you have all of the above items. If there is anything listed which you do
not have, or if any of the the listed items is damaged, please contact your supplier as soon as
possible.
Please take a few minutes to fill in your Registration Card and send it back to RiscStation
Ltd. (UK) or RiscStation Australasia, as appropriate, so that you can be sent any updates in
the future.
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Choosing where to set up your computer
It is likely that you might want to use your computer often and for extended periods of time,
therefore it is recommended that you position it in a location and aspect which will be
comfortable for you.
To reduce the risk of strain, choose a desk and chair which will allow you to sit comfortably
with your keyboard in front of you on a level with your elbows and your monitor at eye level.
Arrange the base unit so that there is no strain on the cable connections and so that you have
easy access to the CD and floppy disc drives. Place your mouse on a mouse mat to one side
of the keyboard, where it is free to move without restriction, allowing space at the other side
of the keyboard for referring to documents such as this Welcome Guide.
This is meant as a guide only, the simple message being that, if you intend working for
extended periods of time, do make yourself comfortable.
Setting up the computer
The various input, output, and control devices which connect to your computer (such as
keyboard, mouse, and monitor) are peripherals. Each of these peripherals connects to the
computer via a socket known as a port. These ports are grouped together at the back of the
computer base unit. In simple terms, you control the computer using the mouse and keyboard
(input) and experience the results of your actions using the monitor, printer, or speakers (
output).
Take care when connecting any peripherals that you do not use excessive force. Most
connectors have small metal pins which, unless treated with care, can easily be damaged.
You should situate your computer in a suitable location which allows ventilation around th
base unit, is not in direct sunlight, and is not at risk of exposure to moisture.
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Peripheral connections (ports)
Your peripherals connect to the computer via the ports at the back of the machine
Before you switch on...
Connect the mouse and keyboard to the computer
Plug the mouse connector into the socket, at the back of the computer, identified by a
symbol for the mouse and the keyboard connector into the socket indicated by a picture of a
keyboard. These connections are of the same type and should operate in either socket but it
is recommended that the keyboard be connected via the lower socket and the mouse via the
upper socket (on the 'Desktop' model) or the left socket (on the 'Tower' model). If you wish
to make use of the support for waking the computer up on various events such as the press of
a 'wake' button on the keyboard, then the keyboard and mouse must be connected this way
round. Be careful to ensure that the connector is inserted the right way around, the 'top' of
the plug is indicated by an arrow moulded into it.
Connect the monitor to the computer
Connect the monitor video-signal cable to the socket. This connection is unique and so the
cable will fit in only one socket. The connector also has screws for ensuring that the
connector stays in place. When making connections with screws do not over-tighten.
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Connect the printer to the computer
If you have a printer, you can connect your printer using a standard parallel printer cable to
the parallel printer port. Other peripheral devices such as scanners or zip drives can also be
connected via the parallel port. As well as the printer being physically connected to the
computer, you will also have to setup the software which communicates with the printer; this
will be covered later in the section on Printing.
Equipment check
Be sure to check that there are no trailing wires or cables which might cause obstruction or
pose a possible risk of tripping anyone (even if a person is not injured, equipment can be
pulled off desks and damaged easily). Try to keep cabling neat and tidy - it is easier to
manage and less likely to cause accidents. Also it is a good idea to ensure you have easy
access to the mains power switch on the wall in case of extreme emergency.
Allow space around your computer equipment for cooling ventilation.
Connect the computer to the mains power supply
If the plug supplied is not suitable for the power supply in your country, please consult your
supplier. Do not attempt to repair or replace the mains cord yourself - refer to your supplier
instead. Do not operate this equipment if any cables are damaged.
Once your peripherals are connected, connect the computer base unit to the mains electricity
using the cable supplied. When the cable is connected and the mains power is switched on,
there is a small voltage permanently fed to the motherboard to allow certain parts of the
computer to remain live. This will be evident by the green power light flashing
intermittently.
Even before you press the 'power-on' switch it can be 'woken' at any time by an appropriate
signal via the keyboard, the network, the modem (if present), or the power switch (of course)
, as desired and configured. When the computer is powered up fully, the green light will be
on continuously.
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2. Switching On
Switch on ('power on')
In order to switch on the computer for use, press the 'power' button, as indicated, and release.
Boot procedure
When you switch the computer on you will see the following as it goes through its start up
procedure (known as 'booting'):
• a black screen which shows
and then reports the various essential software components being added in the
start up sequence. This is accompanied by a system 'beep'.
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• a welcome banner, acknowledging the combined efforts and
contributions from Pace Micro Technologies plc, RISCOS Ltd., and
RiscStation Ltd.
• the computer enters the desktop, ready for use.
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3: The RISC OS desktop
When using your RISC OS computer, the main screen display you will see and use for most
operations is known as the desktop. This can also be referred to as a WIMP environment,
which is an acronym for Windows, Icons, Menus, and Pointer, all of which are used when
operating any computer in its desktop.
At the bottom of the screen is the Icon Bar.
The icons (pictures) on the left-hand side of the Icon Bar give you access to the computer's
various storage areas. Those on the right-hand side allow you to dynamically change aspects
of the computer during operation, this is also where most application icons sit when active.
You may click SELECT, the left button on the mouse, with the mouse pointer on any of the
icons on the left-hand side of the Icon Bar to open a filer window showing a directory listing
for that device - for example, click SELECT once on the hard disc icon to open a window to
see and access the content of the hard disc.
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Icons
Each object in a filer window is represented by an icon. There are three types of filer icon:
Files, Folders, and Applications.
- this is the icon for a drawfile (notice how the picture depicts the type of file it
represents)
- this is the icon for a spritefile (notice how the picture depicts the type of file it
represents)
- this is the icon for a text file (notice how the picture depicts the type of file it
represents)
Files (the icons used to represent files give an indication of the type of file by the
picture used). Notice the up-turned, bottom right-hand corner indicating that these are files (
documents).
- this is the icon for a closed folder / directory
- this is the icon for an open folder / directory
Folders (all folders look alike). Folders (or directories) can be created to give your
hard disc order. Folders can be created within other folders to make a heirarchical structure.
When a folder is opened it's icon changes to that of an open folder.
- this is the icon for the !Draw application which creates and edits drawfiles
(notice the similarity between the application icon and the application's
associated file icon, above).
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- this is the icon for the !Paint application which creates and edit sprites (
notice the similarity between the application icon and the application's
associated file icon, above).
- this is the icon for the !Edit application which creates and edits text files
(notice the similarity between the application icon and the application's
associated file icon, above).
Applications (the term 'application' has several meanings but generally, an
application is a collection of files which have been grouped together inside a folder and
which function co-operatively to perform a certain function - e.g. running a program. An
application can be identified by an exclamation mark at the start of its name ! and an
application icon/picture to identify the program's function. The names of some files, usually
those within an application folder, might also begin with an exclamation mark).
Device Icons
A 'device' is an object such as a hard disc or floppy disc drive. Each icon on the left hand
side of the Icon Bar relates to a specific device. If you want to view or access the content of
a CD ROM, then click SELECT on the CD ROM icon, for example.
CD ROM
Hard disc
Floppy disc
Shared (Ethernet network) discs
ROM-based resources*
RAM Disc**
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Some devices, such as the hard disc, are physical whereas others, such as a RAMDisc, are
virtual (or, in the case of a ShareFS mount, a portal of another computer's physical or virtual
device being shared over the network and then accessed remotely).
*These ROM-based resources are resident in the Read-Only Memory chips inside the
computer and cannot be erased. They hold the majority of the information required to allow
the computer to function (the operating system). Supplementary resources and software
applications are kept on the hard disc and are utilised in a structured manner when booting
or at any point when using the computer. Click SELECT on the ROMAPPS icon on the Icon
Bar to access those applications held in ROM.
**Random Access Memory Filing System - temporary storage space in the computer's
memory which is lost when the power is switched off incorrectly referred to as a 'RAMdisc'.
Application Icons
The right-hand side of the Icon Bar is generally used to show when a computer program (
also known as an application) is active, by displaying its icon there, and also to allow you to
control the properties of the screen display using the Display Manager, or to manage the
computer's active memory allocation using the Task Manager (these last two features are
always present on the Icon Bar).
The Display Manager allows you to change the size of screen area and the depth of colour
being displayed. The RISC OS 4 cube allows access to the computer's dynamic areas where
you can allocate memory to specific tasks.
Other application icons will appear on the Icon Bar when made active by the user).
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4. Using the Mouse
What is a Mouse ?
A mouse, in computer terms, is a hand-held control device. The mouse has a ball on its under
side. When the mouse is moved on a flat surface, the ball is rotated and sensors inside the
mouse recognise in which direction the mouse has moved and relay that information to the
computer. The pointer on the screen moves relative to the movements of the mouse.
Holding and moving the Mouse
Hold the mouse in your dominant (writing) hand with the curved side in your palm and the
flat under side (where the mouse-ball is) down on a flat surface. Position the mouse with the
mouse buttons at your fingertips, and the cable which connects to the computer leading away
from you with enough freedom for it to be moved around. Whilst you are getting used to
using the mouse, it is a good idea to line up the movement of the mouse with the positioning
of the monitor so that when you move the mouse forwards, away from you (towards the
monitor), the pointer on screen moves towards the top of the screen and when you pull the
mouse back, towards you (away from the monitor), the pointer on screen moves down
towards the bottom of the screen. Equally, as you move the mouse to the right the pointer on
screen will move towards the right hand side and as you move it to the left the pointer will
move to the left - this will help you to associate the correct movements of the mouse with the
desired movement of the pointer on screen. The pointer on screen will not disappear off the
screen. The edges of the Desktop area act as a boundary for the pointer. If the pointer does
disappear (it can be hidden from view when you are typing on the keyboard, for example), or
it is not easily spotted at first glance, then a small movement of the mouse should be enough
to make it appear of draw your attention to its location.
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The mouse buttons
The mouse used with all RISC OS computer systems, has three buttons. Each of these buttons
has a particular role to play. The button which does most of the work is named SELECT; the
middle button, when clicked, always produces a menu, and so is called the MENU button;
and the remaining button is known as ADJUST, because it performs a number of alternative
functions complimentary to the other two. Using the mouse configuration tool (described
later) you can set the mouse to be either for left-handed or right-handed users (by swapping
the mouse buttons so the SELECT falls under the index finger of your dominant hand)
Mouse techniques
Pressing and releasing a mouse button down is known as 'clicking' it. In fact, when you
depress a mouse button you will probably hear a 'clicking' sound. You click a mouse button
to activate the function of that button when the pointer is over the desired area of the screen.
a short time (configurable using the Mouse configuration tool) the pointer will revert to the
default icon. If you click the mouse a second time whilst the pointer icon is in its double-
headed state, then this is considered a double-click.
For example,
A single click of SELECT on a device icon on the Icon Bar (such as the Hard disc, or Floppy
disc) will open a filer directory window showing the content of that device.
A single click of SELECT on an application icon on the Icon Bar will open a (new)
document for that particular program.
A single click of MENU will open a menu of options (the MENU button always opens a
menu on the screen - where the pointer is located at the time of your clicking the MENU
button determines what the menu relates to (clicking MENU on the Floppy disc icon, for
example, will open a menu list of options relating to the Floppy disc drive).
A single. click of ADJUST will select an item (as SELECT does) but subsequent selections
using ADJUST will add to the selection allowing you to select more than one object (this
applies to both files and directories in filer directory windows and also multiple objects within
a document such as separate vector-based shapes in a drawfile.
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As a general rule, for items which are resident on the Icon Bar (either permanently, or after
they have been made active), you would click a mouse button just once. For items not on the
Icon Bar you would 'typically' click twice (to activate programs, load documents, open
directories etc.). If you double-click on an application icon on the Icon Bar then you will
open two documents for that program - unless you were intending to open more than one
document, a single click will suffice. When opening directory folders, if you open the
directory using SELECT then the sub-directory filer windows is opened keeping the
original (the 'parent') also open on screen. If you open a directory using ADJUST then, as
the sub-directory is opened, the parent directory is closed (which can help to keep the
desktop clear of too many windows - you can have many windows open on screen at the
same time, it is simply easier and less confusing to have as few as possible and as many as
necessary windows open on screen simultaneously).
Double-clicking with <SHIFT>
Double-clicking on an application whilst holding down the <SHIFT> key opens the
application directory rather than activating the program. This allows you to access resources
within the application. Double-clicking on a file whilst also holding down the < SHIFT> key
will open that file into a text editor rather than load the file into an application which would
usually handle that type of file. You can double-click using SELECT or ADJUST.
You can drag an icon from a filer directory window or from a 'save as' box by clicking either
SELECT or ADJUST on the icon, keeping the mouse button held down as you move the
pointer to the desired location, then releasing the mouse button. This sounds more
complicated than it really is. This is known as 'Drag and Drop'. When you click and hold
SELECT or ADJUST over an icon, the new icon will appear under the pointer which is a
transparent version of the original icon (if more than one icon is selected then the
group of objects has been selected).
These are the same as double-clicking:
• If you drag an application's icon to the Icon Bar then that program will be made
active. 17

• If you drag a directory icon to the Icon Bar then that directory will be opened.
• If you drag a document (file) icon to the Icon Bar then that file will be
opened (if a suitable program has been 'seen' by the computer, which can
handle the type of file you are activating - i.e. if you drag a spritefile to the
Icon Bar then !Paint will be activated to allow you to view and edit that file).
If you drag an icon (directory, application, or file) from one filer directory window to another
then that object will be copied from its original location (the 'source') to the new one ('
destination').
If you drag an icon (directory, application, or file) from one filer directory window to
another, but holding down the SHIFT key on the keyboard as you do so, then that object will
be moved to the new one (in other words, it will be 'shifted' - the object is copied from the '
source' location to the 'destination' then the 'source' is deleted - this is useful for moving and
organizing the content of your computer's storage devices (re-shuffling data on hard discs or
floppy discs, for example).
Using SELECT will keep the windows of the source object open whereas using ADJUST to
perform these dragging operations will close the source directory window as part of the
process.
In a very short space of time all of this will become second nature as you regularly use your
computer and become more familiar with it.
Mouse maintenance
As with any mechanical device which has moving parts, with increased use, the mouse can
collect dirt and grime and assorted particles which can prevent it from working at its best. If
left to accumulate, this can noticibly impair the performance of the mouse (which is generally
the primary means of controlling the computer).
On the underside of the mouse, with a simple twist of the plastic casing, you can remove the
mouse ball and access the rollers in order to clean them.
It is possible to clean the mechanical parts of the mouse using a cotton bud, for example, or
you could purchase a mouse-cleaning kit from your local dealer (either is suitable).
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