Sceptre S6500 User manual

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December 1998
The information in this document is subject to change without notice and
should not be construed as a commitment by the manufacturer.
The manufacturer assumes no responsibility for any errors that might appear in
this document.
The software described in this document is furnished under a license and may
be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of such license. No
responsibility is assumed for the use or reliability of software or equipment that
is not supplied by the manufacturer or its affiliated companies.
Restricted Rights: Use, duplication, or disclosure by the U.S. Government is
subject to restrictions as set forth in subparagraph (c) (1) (ii) of the Rights in
Technical Data and Computer Software clause at DFARS 252.227-7013.
© Compal Electronics 1998. All Rights Reserved.
Pentium is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation.
MS-DOS and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Sound Blaster is a registered trademark of Creative Labs Corporation.
Macrovision is a registered trademark of Macrovision Corporation.
Dolby, Dolby Digital and double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby
Laboratories.
ATI is a registered trademark of ATI Technology Inc.
ESS and Maestro are registered trademarks of ESS Technology Inc.
All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their
respective holders.

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The FCC wants you to know...
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class
B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are
designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a
residential installation.
Any changes or modifications made to this equipment may void the user’s
authority to operate this equipment.
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if
not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that
interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does
cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be
determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try
to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
•=Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
•=Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
•=Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to
which the receiver is connected.
•=Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
•=All external cables connecting to this basic unit must be shielded. For
cables connecting to PCMCIA cards, see the option manual or installation
instructions.

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Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
PART 68 Warning
This equipment complies with Part 68 of the FCC Rules. On the bottom of the
computer is a label that contains, among other information, the FCC
Registration Number and Ringer Equivalence Number (REN) for this
equipment. You must, upon request, provide this information to your
telephone company.
FCC Part 68 Registration Number: LNQUSA-25551-PT-E
REN: 0.6B
The REN is useful to determine the quantity of devices you may connect to
your telephone and still have all of those devices ring when your number is
called. In most, but not all areas, the sum of the REN’s of all devices should
not exceed five (5.0). To be certain of the number of devices you may connect
to your line, as determined by the REN, you should call your local telephone
company to determine the maximum REN for your calling area.
If your MODEM causes harm to the telephone network, the local Telephone
Company may discontinue your service temporarily. If possible, they will
notify you in advance. But if advanced notice isn’t practical, you will be
notified as soon as possible. You will be informed of your right to file a
complaint with the FCC.
Your telephone company may make changes in its facilities, equipment,
operations, or procedures the could affect the proper functioning for your
equipment. If they do, you will be notified in advance to give you an
opportunity to maintain uninterrupted telephone service.

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CANADIAN DOC NOTICE
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise
emissions from digital apparatus as set out in the Radio Interference
Regulation of the Canadian Department of Communications.
"Le présent appareil numérique n’èmet pas de bruits radioélectriques dépassant
les limites applicables aux appareils numériques de la class B prescrites dans le
Règlement sur le brouillage radioélectrique édicté par le ministère des
Communications du Canada"
Macrovision License of Notice
This product incorporates copyright protection technology that is protected by
method claims of certain U.S. patents and other intellectual rights owned by
Macrovision Corporation, and other rights owners. Use of this copyright
protection technology must be authorized by Macrovision Corporation, and is
intended for home and other limited viewing uses only unless otherwise
authorized by Macrovision Corporation. Reverse engineering or disassembly
is prohibited.
Dolby License of Notice
Manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories.

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Table of Contents
Chapter 1 .............................................................................................................1
Introducing the Notebook......................................................................................................... 1
Features and Controls ............................................................................................................ 2
Optional Devices ................................................................................................................... 7
Unpacking & Checking the Equipment.................................................................................. 7
Identifying Parts of the Notebook.......................................................................................... 8
Installation and Initial Setup................................................................................................ 14
Chapter 2 ...........................................................................................................19
The BIOS Setup Program.......................................................................................................19
Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 19
Navigating through the BIOS Setup Program...................................................................... 20
The Main Menu ................................................................................................................... 24
The System Devices Menu .................................................................................................. 26
The Security Menu............................................................................................................... 32
The Power Menu.................................................................................................................. 34
The Boot Menu.................................................................................................................... 38
The Exit Menu..................................................................................................................... 39
Chapter 3 ...........................................................................................................43
Operation................................................................................................................................. 43
Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 43
Video Display Controls ....................................................................................................... 43
Some Important Keys on the Keyboard............................................................................... 44
Cursor Control Keys and Editing Keys................................................................................46
The Function Keys............................................................................................................... 47
Embedded Numeric Keypad................................................................................................ 47
Hot Keys for System Control............................................................................................... 48
The System Status Window................................................................................................. 49
LED Status Indicators.......................................................................................................... 51
Battery Charging Control..................................................................................................... 53
Using the Touch Pad............................................................................................................ 53

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The FIR Module .................................................................................................................. 55
Multimedia Sound System................................................................................................... 56
Audio Volume Control ........................................................................................................ 57
Chapter 4 ...........................................................................................................59
Peripherals.............................................................................................................................. 59
Additional Equipment.......................................................................................................... 60
Connecting Peripheral Devices............................................................................................62
Chapter 5 ...........................................................................................................69
The Power System...................................................................................................................69
The AC Adapter ............................................................................................................... 70
The Battery Power System ............................................................................................... 70
Removing the Battery Pack.................................................................................................. 72
Inserting the Battery Pack.................................................................................................... 73
Automatic Battery Pack Charging Function.........................................................................74
AC Power Connection ..................................................................................................... 74
Using Battery Power ........................................................................................................ 76
Battery Life Status ............................................................................................................... 76
Low Battery Activity ........................................................................................................... 76
Small Battery for Real Time Clock...................................................................................... 76
Power Management Habits.................................................................................................. 77
Power Management Modes.................................................................................................. 78
Controllable Features........................................................................................................... 81
Smart CPU Mode................................................................................................................. 81
Cover Lid Switch................................................................................................................. 82
Reactivating From Power Saving Modes.............................................................................82
Power Management Summary............................................................................................. 82
The APM Interface.............................................................................................................. 83
Chapter 6 ...........................................................................................................85
Expansion Options.................................................................................................................. 85
System Memory Expansion ................................................................................................. 85
Installing Memory Cards ..................................................................................................... 86
Installing and Removing Modules ....................................................................................... 87

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Optional Modules ................................................................................................................ 89
Removing and Installing HDD Modules.............................................................................. 90
The I/O Port Replicator ....................................................................................................... 93
The AC Adapter and Peripherals Connection...................................................................... 94
The Notebook to I/O Port Replicator Connection ............................................................... 94
Removing the Notebook from the I/O Port Replicator ........................................................ 95
I/O Replicator Specifications............................................................................................... 96
Chapter 7 ...........................................................................................................97
Caring for your Notebook....................................................................................................... 97
General Maintenance........................................................................................................... 97
Cleaning The Computer....................................................................................................... 98
Safety Precautions.............................................................................................................. 100
Appendix A......................................................................................................103
Troubleshooting....................................................................................................................103
An Approach to Troubleshooting ..................................................................................104
I/O Connections................................................................................................................. 106

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Abbreviations
Abbreviation Meaning
ACPI Advanced Configuration and Power Interface
APM Advanced Power Management (This Notebook supports APM 1.2)
BIOS Basic Input/Output System
CMOS Complementary Metal Oxide Semi-conductor
DIMM Dual In-line Memory Module
DMA Direct Memory Access
DRAM Dynamic Random Access Memory
DVD Digital Versatile Disc
EDO RAM Extended Data Out Random Access Memory
IDE Integrated Drive Electronics (internal hard disk drive interface)
FIR Fast Infrared
GB Gigabyte (1GB = 1,073,741,824 bytes or 1,024MB)
ISA Industry Standard Architecture
KB Kilobyte (1KB = 1,024 bytes)
LCD Liquid Crystal Display
MB Megabyte (1MB = 1,048,576 bytes or 1,024KB)
MIDI Musical Instrument Digital Interface
MPEG Motion Picture Experts Group
MS-DOS Microsoft Disk Operating System
PCI Peripheral Component Interconnect
PCMCIA Personal Computer Memory Card International Association
POST Power On Self-Test
PnP Plug and Play
RAM Random Access Memory
RAMDAC Random Access Memory Digital to Analog Converter
ROM Read Only Memory
VGA Video Graphics Array
SVGA Super Video Graphics Array
UART Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter
XGA Extended Graphics Array
YUV The video native signal format

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ABOUT THIS GUIDE
This guide describes how to operate, configure, and troubleshoot the Note-
book computer. With this easy to use guide, you will be able to quickly
familiarize yourself with all aspects of the Notebook computer.
Organization
This guide contains the following:
Chapter 1: Introducing the Notebook - This chapter identifies the external
components of the Notebook and provides a quick reference to the Notebook
functions. It also shows you how to get the Notebook up and running for the
first time and covers creating a comfortable working environment.
Chapter 2: The BIOS Setup Program - This section introduces the Setup
program, discusses how to move around in the Setup program, as well as how
to specify and save your new settings. A detailed list of the optional settings
among the different menus is also provided.
Chapter 3: Operation - This chapter provides information pertaining to the
Video Display Controls used to adjust the LCD screen’s appearance. Also
included in this chapter is a brief overview of the keyboard, the LCD Status
Display icons, the Touch Pad, the FIR module, and a description of the audio
features of the Notebook.
Chapter 4: Peripheral Devices - This chapter overviews the peripherals that
can be connected to the Notebook, the necessary requirements for using these
peripherals with your Notebook and instructions on how to connect these
devices to your Notebook.
Chapter 5: Power System - This chapter contains information on the
Notebook’s power system, including the AC Adapter, the battery system,
recharging the battery, and tips for conserving battery power. Also included is
a detailed description of power management.
Chapter 6: Expansion Options - This chapter describes the optional
equipment that can be added to the basic Notebook system. Also covered in
this chapter is step by step information on installing and removing the optional
modules that can be inserted in the Notebook.

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Chapter 7: Caring for Your Notebook - This chapter covers some of the basic
maintenance procedures you may want to familiarize yourself with. It
introduces proper methods of cleaning the case, the screen, the FDD drive, as
well as some helpful tips on handling diskettes.
Appendix A: Troubleshooting - In a question and answer format, this section
provides you with solutions to possible problems that may arise.
Appendix B: Technical Specifications - This appendix lists your Notebook
computer’s operating specifications.
Special Notices
Three kinds of special notices are used in this guide to emphasize specific
information.
Provides additional information.
Indicates the presence of a hazard that can cause damage to
the Notebook or other equipment.
Alerts you to a condition that may hamper the performance
of the Notebook.