Sceptre S6900 User manual

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June 1999
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 1999. 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.
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: 6CTTAI – 25876 – FB – E
REN: 0.8B
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. However, 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 that 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................................................................................................ 16
Chapter 2 ...........................................................................................................21
The BIOS Setup Program.......................................................................................................21
Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 21
Navigating through the BIOS Setup Program...................................................................... 22
The Main Menu ................................................................................................................... 26
The System Devices Menu .................................................................................................. 29
The Security Menu............................................................................................................... 34
The Power Menu.................................................................................................................. 35
The Boot Menu.................................................................................................................... 40
The Exit Menu..................................................................................................................... 41
Chapter 3 ...........................................................................................................45
Operation................................................................................................................................. 45
Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 45
Video Display Controls ....................................................................................................... 45
Some Important Keys on the Keyboard............................................................................... 46
Cursor Control Keys and Editing Keys................................................................................48
The Function Keys............................................................................................................... 49
Embedded Numeric Keypad................................................................................................ 50
Hot Keys for System Control............................................................................................... 51
The System Status Indicator Panel....................................................................................... 52
Definition Tables for the LED Status Indicators.................................................................. 54
Battery Charging Control..................................................................................................... 56
Using the Touch Pad............................................................................................................ 56

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The FIR Module .................................................................................................................. 58
Multimedia Sound System................................................................................................... 60
The CD-ROM Module.........................................................................................................62
Audio Volume Control ........................................................................................................ 63
Chapter 4 ...........................................................................................................65
Peripherals.............................................................................................................................. 65
Additional Equipment.......................................................................................................... 65
Connecting Peripheral Devices............................................................................................69
Chapter 5 ...........................................................................................................77
The Power System...................................................................................................................77
The AC Adapter................................................................................................................... 78
The Battery Power System................................................................................................... 79
Removing the Battery Pack.................................................................................................. 81
Inserting the Battery Pack.................................................................................................... 82
Automatic Battery Pack Charging Function.........................................................................83
AC Power Connection ......................................................................................................... 84
Using Battery Power............................................................................................................ 85
Battery Status Indicator ....................................................................................................... 85
Low Battery Activity ........................................................................................................... 86
Small Battery for Real Time Clock...................................................................................... 86
Power Management Habits.................................................................................................. 86
Power Management Modes.................................................................................................. 88
Controllable Features........................................................................................................... 92
Cover Lid Switch................................................................................................................. 93
Reactivating From Power Saving Modes.............................................................................93
Power Management Summary............................................................................................. 94
The APM Interface.............................................................................................................. 95
The Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI)................................................. 96

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Chapter 6 ...........................................................................................................97
Expansion Options.................................................................................................................. 97
System Memory Expansion ................................................................................................. 97
Installing Memory Cards ..................................................................................................... 97
Removing and Installing Modules ....................................................................................... 98
Replacing the Battery Module ........................................................................................... 101
Removing and Installing HDD Modules............................................................................ 101
Removing and Installing the FDD Module........................................................................ 103
Removing and Installing a Mini PCI Card......................................................................... 106
The I/O Port Replicator ..................................................................................................... 107
The AC Adapter and Peripherals Connection.................................................................... 108
The Notebook to I/O Port Replicator Connection ............................................................. 108
Removing the Notebook from the I/O Port Replicator ...................................................... 110
I/O Replicator Specifications............................................................................................. 111
Chapter 7 .........................................................................................................113
Software................................................................................................................................. 113
Driver Installation.............................................................................................................. 113
VGA Driver Installation .................................................................................................... 114
Audio Driver Installation................................................................................................... 115
Mini PCI Modem Driver Installation................................................................................. 119
Touch Pad Driver Installation............................................................................................ 123
Chapter 8 .........................................................................................................129
Caring for your Notebook..................................................................................................... 129
General Maintenance......................................................................................................... 129
Cleaning the Computer ...................................................................................................... 130
Safety Precautions.............................................................................................................. 133
Appendix A ...................................................................................................... 135
Troubleshooting....................................................................................................................135
An Approach to Troubleshooting ...................................................................................... 136
I/O Connections................................................................................................................. 138
Table of Figures

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Figure 1-1: Right Front View with Display Panel Closed............................................................. 8
Figure 1-2: Left Front View with Display Panel Closed............................................................. 10
Figure 1-3: Rear View of Notebook ...........................................................................................12
Figure 1-4: Right Front View with Display Panel Open............................................................. 13
Figure 1-5: System Status Indicator Panel.................................................................................. 14
Figure 1-6: Connecting the Power Cord and the AC Adapter..................................................... 16
Figure 2-1: The Setup Main Menu.............................................................................................. 26
Figure 2-2: The System Devices Menu....................................................................................... 29
Figure 2-3: The Security Menu................................................................................................... 34
Figure 2-4: The Power Menu...................................................................................................... 36
Figure 2-5: The Boot Menu........................................................................................................ 40
Figure 2-6: The Exit Menu ......................................................................................................... 41
Figure 3-1: The Keyboard Layout ..............................................................................................46
Figure 3-2: Cursor Control and Text Editing Keys..................................................................... 48
Figure 3-3: The Embedded Numeric Keypad............................................................................. 50
Figure 3-4: The System Status Indicators...................................................................................52
Figure 3-5: The Touch Pad......................................................................................................... 56
Figure 3-6: The FIR (Fast Infrared Module)............................................................................... 58
Figure 4-1: Connecting an External Monitor to the Notebook’s VGA Port................................ 69
Figure 4-2: Connecting a Printer to the Notebook’s Parallel Port .............................................. 70
Figure 4-3: Connecting a Mouse to the Notebook’s Serial Port .................................................71
Figure 4-4: Connecting an External Keyboard to the Notebook’s PS/2 Port.............................. 72
Figure 4-5: Inserting and Ejecting a PCMCIA Card................................................................... 73
Figure 4-6: Connecting a USB Device........................................................................................ 75
Figure 5-1: The Notebook’s AC Power Adapter ........................................................................ 78
Figure 5-2: The Notebook’s Battery System...............................................................................79
Figure 5-3: Removing the Battery Pack...................................................................................... 81
Figure 5-4: Inserting the Battery Pack........................................................................................ 82

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Figure 5-5: Connecting the AC Adapter to the Notebook’s AC port........................................... 84
Figure 6-1: Removing the Memory Door and Installing the Memory Card................................ 98
Figure 6-2: Removing the CD-ROM Module.............................................................................. 99
Figure 6-3: Installing the CD-ROM Module.............................................................................. 100
Figure 6-4: Removing the HDD Module (A)............................................................................ 101
Figure 6-5: Removing the HDD Module (B)............................................................................ 102
Figure 6-6: Replacing the HDD Module................................................................................... 102
Figure 6-7: Removing the FDD Module (A).............................................................................104
Figure 6-8: Removing the FDD Module (B)............................................................................. 105
Figure 6-9: Installing a Mini PCI Cards.................................................................................... 106
Figure 6-10: The I/O Replicator’s Ports ................................................................................... 107
Figure 6-11: Connecting the Notebook to the I/O Port Replicator ........................................... 109
Figure 6-12: Removing the Notebook from the I/O Replicator ................................................ 110

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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