Tadpole VIPER User manual

VIPER Product Family
User’s Guide

ii VIPER Product Family User’s Guide
Contact Information
Please contact Tadpole at:
North America Corporate Office
20450 Stevens Creek Boulevard
Cupertino, CA 95014
Tel:[phone]
Fax: [phone]
North American Customer Service
7:00 AM to 6:00 PM PST
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]
Government Support
Tadpole Computer, Inc.
21355 Ridgetop Circle, Ste 150
Dulles, VA 20166
Phone: [phone] Ext. 8
Fax: [phone]
Europe
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
Online
E-mail: [email protected]
http://www.tadpolecomputer.com

VIPER Product Family User’s Guide iii
Copyright and Trademark Information
VIPER User Guide
Copyright 2005Tadpole Technology, LLC.
All rights reserved.
Part Number: 431110401 Rev. C
Printed in the United States of America
VIPER is a trademark of Tadpole Technology, LLC
Sun, Sun Microsystems, NFS, the Sun Logo, DeskSet,
Solaris, SunOS, SunView, Sun-4, Sun-5, and Sun-6 are
trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun
Microsystems, Inc. SPARC trademarks, including the
SCD Compliant Logo, are trademarks or registered trade-
marks of SPARC International, Inc. UltraSPARC-IIIi is
licensed exclusively to Sun Microsystems, Inc. Products
bearing SPARC trademarks are based upon the architec-
ture developed by Sun Microsystems, Inc. UNIX is a reg-
istered trademark of Unix System Laboratories. Ethernet
is a trademark of Xerox Corporation.
All other product names mentioned herein are trademarks
or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be repro-
duced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any
form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy-
ing, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written per-
mission of Tadpole. No patent liability is assumed with
respect to the use of the information contained herein. While
every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this
publication, Tadpole assumes no responsibility for errors or
omissions. Nor is any liability assumed for damages result-
ing from the use of the information contained herein.
Further, this publication and features described herein are
subject to change without notice.

iv VIPER Product Family User’s Guide
Disclaimer of Warranty Notice
Tadpole makes no representations or warranties with
respect to this manual, and shall not be liable for techni-
cal or editorial omissions made herein; nor incidental or
consequential damages resulting from the furnishing, per-
formance, or use of this manual. Further, Tadpole
reserves the right to make changes in the specifications of
the product described within this manual at any time
without notice and without obligation of Tadpole to noti-
fy any person of such revision or changes.
Environmental Statement
Tadpole Computer Inc. supports the concept of an envi-
ronmentally responsible corporation. To this end we
attempt to produce environmentally friendly products,
minimize waste, and make use of recycled or used parts
in our products to make most use of used materials and
components that pass our rigorous test and qualification
procedures. All products containing such parts and com-
ponents are supported fully by our manufacturers new
product warranty.

VIPER Product Family User’s Guide v
FCC Compliance Statement
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with
the limits for a digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the
FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference when
the equipment is operated in a commercial environment.
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio fre-
quency energy and, if not installed and used in accor-
dance with the instructions, may cause harmful interfer-
ence to radio and television reception. However, there is
no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particu-
lar installation.
If this equipment does cause interference to radio and
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 sepa-
ration 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.

vi VIPER Product Family User’s Guide
Declaration of Conformity
We, Tadpole,
20450 Stevens Creek Boulevard
Cupertino, CA 95014
[phone]
Declare under our sole responsibility that the product
VIPER
complies with Part 15 of FCC Rules. Operation is subject
to the following two conditions:
1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and
2) this device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesirable opera-
tion.
Shielded Cables
Connections between the VIPER notebook and peripher-
als must be made using shielded cables in order to main-
tain compliance with FCC radio frequency emission lim-
its.
The connection of unshielded equipment interface cable
to this equipment will invalidate the FCC Certification of
this device and may cause interference levels that exceed
the limits established by the FCC for this equipment. It is
the responsibility of the user to obtain and use a shielded
equipment interface cable with this device. If this equip-
ment has more than one interface connector, do not leave
cables connected to unused interfaces.
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the
manufacturer could void the user's authority to operate
the equipment.

VIPER Product Family User’s Guide vii
Modifications
Modifications to this device not approved by Tadpole
may void the authority granted to the user by the FCC to
operate this equipment.
DOC Notice
This digital apparatus does not exceed limits for radio
noise emission for a digital apparatus as set out in
the Radio Interference Regulations of the Canadian
Department of Communications.
Avis
Le present appareil numerique ne met pas de bruits radio-
electriques depassant les limites applicables aux appareils
numeriques prescrites dans le Reglement sur le brouillage
radio-electrique edicte' par le ministere des
Communications du Canada.

viii VIPER Product Family User’s Guide
Safety Precautions
WARNING: Do not attempt to recharge alkaline or other
non-rechargeable batteries with the VIPER's AC
adapter/charger. Alkaline batteries cannot be recharged.
Attempting to recharge alkaline batteries may cause personal
injury and/or damage to the VIPER notebook.
WARNING: To prevent fire, shock hazard, or damage to the
equipment, do not expose the VIPER notebook to rain or
moisture. Do not immerse the VIPER notebook in water. If
water has entered the VIPER notebook cabinet, do not use
the notebook until it has been inspected by Tadpole.
WARNING: Do not dispose of the VIPER batteries in fire.
Disposal of the VIPER batteries in fire may cause personal
injury.
WARNING: All service and upgrades to the VIPER note-
book must be performed by a trained technician only.
Otherwise, you may encounter personal injury and/or dam-
age your notebook.

VIPER Product Family User’s Guide ix
Sicherheitshinweise
WARNUNG: Beim Betrieb der VIPER Notebook treten
hohe Spannungen innerhalb des Gehauses auf. Bitte befolgen
Sie auf jeden Fall die Bedienungs- und
Installationsanweisungen um jegliches Risiko einer
Verletzung oder eines Personenschadens zu vermeiden.
WARNUNG: Versuchen Sie auf keinen Fall, Ihre
VIPER Notebook mit Trockenbatterien (Primarzellen) zu
betreiben oder solche mit dem Netz/Ladegerat zu laden.
Versuche dieser Art konnen Personen-oder Sachschaden zur
Folge haben.
WARNUNG: Betreiben Sie Ihre VIPER Notebook nicht bei
feuchten oder nassen Umgebungsbedingungen. Falls Wasser
oder Feuchtigkeit in das Gehause eingedrungen ist, sollten
Sie Ihr Gerat vor Wiederinbetriebnahme von einem quali-
fizierten Servicetechniker uberprufen lassen.

xVIPER Product Family User’s Guide
Important Safety Instructions
The following instructions pertain to the risk of fire, elec-
tric shock or bodily injury. Please read all of these
instructions carefully.
1. Follow all of the instructions and warnings marked on this
notebook or included in this manual.
2. Do not use this notebook in unstable or unsupported condi-
tions.
3. The notebook may fall, causing serious damage to the note-
book and others around.
4. Slots and openings in the cabinet are for ventilation. To
ensure reliable operation of the notebook, and to protect it
from overheating, these openings must not be blocked or
covered. Don't use this notebook on a bed, sofa, rug or other
similar surface. This notebook should never be placed near
an oven, a radiator, or heat register. This notebook should
not be placed in a built-in installation unless proper ventila-
tion is provided.
5. Never push objects of any kind into the notebook cabinet
openings as they may touch dangerous voltage points or
short out parts that could result in a fire or electrical shock.
Keep liquids of any kind away from the notebook.
6. This notebook should only be connected to the AC power
source indicated on your notebook system's information
label. If you are not sure of the type of AC power available,
consult your dealer or local power company. Only connect
this notebook to a power outlet matching the power require-
ments of this notebook.
7. Do not allow anything to rest on the power cord. Do not
locate this notebook where people will walk on the cord.
8. If you have to use an extension cord with this notebook,
make sure that the total amperage rating of all equipment
plugged into it does not exceed the amperage rating of the
extension cord. Also, make sure that the total of all note-
books plugged into the main AC power outlet does not
exceed 15 amps.
9. Unplug your notebook from the main electrical power outlet
before cleaning. Do not use liquid cleaners or aerosol clean-
ers. Use a damp cloth for cleaning.
10. Do not use this notebook near water.
11. This product is equipped with a 2-wire non-grounded type
plug.

VIPER Product Family User’s Guide xi
Battery Warning Instruction
WARNING: Danger of explosion if battery is incorrectly
replaced. Replace only with the same or equipment type rec-
ommended by the manufacturer. Dispose of used batteries
according to the manufacturer's instructions.
ATTENTION: Il y a danger d'explosion s'il y a remplace-
ment incorrect de la batterie. Remplacer uniquement avec
une batterie de meme type ou d'un type recommande par le
constructeur. Mettre au rebutles batteries usagees conforme-
ment aux instructions du fablicant.
VORSICHT: Explosionsgefahr bei unsachgemassem
Austausch der Batterie. Ersatz nur durch denselben oder
einen vom Hersteller empfohlenen ahnlichen Typ.
Entsorgung gebrauchter Batterien nachAngaben des
Herstellers.

xii VIPER Product Family User’s Guide
Wichtige Sicherheitsvorschriften
Unbedingt beachten
Die nachfolgenden Anweisungen betreffen die Gefahr
von Verletzungen durch elektrische Spannung, Feuer und
mechanische Einwirkung. Bitte lesen sie diese
Anweisungen sorgfaltig.
1. Beachten Sie alle Hinweise, die am Gerat selbst angebracht
oder in den zugehorigen Handbuchern vermerkt sind.
2. Stellen Sie das Gerat an einem sicheren, stabilen
Arbeitsplatz auf.
3. Am Gerat angebrachte Offnungen (Schlitze und sonstige
Offnungen) dienen der Beluftung des Gerates. Um ein
zuverlassiges Arbeiten des Gerates zu gewahrleisten und um
Uberhitzung zu vermeiden, mussen diese Offnungen unbed-
ingt freigehalten werden. Betreiben Sie das Gerat nie auf
Betten, Sofas oder anderen, weichen Unterlagen.
4. Stecken Sie keine Gegegenstande (Schraubenzieher,
Buroklammern, etc.) in die Offnungen. Sie wurden damit
Kurzschlusse herbeifuhren, die zur Zerstorung des Gerates
fuhren, sich der Gefahr eines Stromschlages aussetzen oder
das Gerat in Brand setzen.
5. Das Gerat darf nur an vorschriftsmassige Steckdosen mit
der auf dem Gerat angegebenen Netzspannung
angeschlossen werden. Wenn Sie nicht sicher sind, welche
Netzspannung richtig ist, wenden Sie sich an den
Lieferanten des Gerates oder an das zustandige
Elektrizitatswerk.. Bitte nur an genugend stark abgesicherte
Steckdosen anschliessen, die der Leistungsaufnahme des
Gerates entsprechen.
6. Auf das Netzanschlusskabel durfen keine Gegenstande
gestellt werden.
7. Legen Sie das Netzkabel so, dass niemand darauftreten oder
daruber stolpern kann.
8. Wenn Sie Verlangerungskabel benutzen, mussen Sie sicher
sein, dass die gesamte Leistungsaufnahme nicht grosser ist,
als das Verlangerungskabel zulasst. Der gesamte
Stromverbrauch aller angeschlossenen Gerate darf nicht
mehr als 15A betragen.
9. Wenn Sie das Gerat reinigen, muss das Netzkabel aus der
Steckdose gezogen werden.
10. DasGeratdurfen Sie nicht inder Nahe vonWasserleitungen benutzen.

VIPER Product Family User’s Guide xiii
Wartung der Notebook
Wenn Ihre Notebook nicht ordnungsgemass arbeitet, dur-
fen Sie nur die Einstellungen vornehmen, die im
Handbuch genannt werden. Andere Einstellungen oder
Veranderungen konnen den Rechner beschadigen oder
zerstoren. Umfangreiche und kostspielige Reparaturen
wurden notwendig werden, um das Gerat wieder betrieb-
sfahig zu machen.
Ziehen Sie den Netzstecker aus der Steckdose und ver-
standigen Sie den zustandigen Kundendienst bei folgen-
den Storungen:
1. Netzkabel ist defekt oder stark abgenutzt.
2. Flussigkeit ist in das Gerat gelangt.
3. Das Gerat war Regen oder Leitungswasser ausgesetzt.
4. Das Gerat ist heruntergefallen oder das Gerhause ist
beschadigt.
5. Das Gerat arbeitet nicht mehr richtig.
Achtung!
Wenn Sie das Gerat offnen mussen (Abnahme der ver-
schraubten Haube), ist unbedingt folgendes zu beachten:
1. Das Netzkabel muss aus der Steckdose gezogen werden
und zwar bevor Sie das Gerat offnen.
2. Die Haube muss wieder montiert und verschraubt werden.
Erst dann darf das Netzkabel wieder eingesteckt werden.

xiv VIPER Product Family User’s Guide
Table of Contents
Preface...........................................................................xxi
Conventions in this user guide ........................................................xxii
Symbols.......................................................................................xxii
Notes ...........................................................................................xxii
Warnings and cautions ................................................................xxii
Procedures..................................................................................xxiii
Keyboard conventions ...............................................................xxiii
Screen messages ........................................................................xxiii
Variables ....................................................................................xxiii
Table of figures...............................................................................xxiv
Supplemental documentation .........................................................xxvi
1 - Overview.....................................................................1
VIPER product line .............................................................................1
Display options ................................................................................1
Storage options.................................................................................1
Memory options...............................................................................1
VIPER components .............................................................................2
VIPER options.....................................................................................3
Languages ........................................................................................3
Hardware and software sources .......................................................3
VIPER features....................................................................................6
Customer service and support .............................................................8
2 - Getting Started...........................................................9
Overview ...........................................................................................10
First steps...........................................................................................11
Identifying components and features.................................................13
System with the display open ........................................................13
Left side panel................................................................................14
Right side panel (front)..................................................................14
Right side panel (back) ..................................................................15
Back panel......................................................................................15
Bottom of the VIPER.....................................................................16
Powering up.......................................................................................17

VIPER Product Family User’s Guide xv
Table of Contents
3 - Using VIPER............................................................19
Overview ...........................................................................................20
Setting up...........................................................................................21
Opening the display cover .............................................................22
Closing the display cover...............................................................23
Providing power.............................................................................24
Using batteries ...............................................................................26
Operating VIPER...............................................................................28
Starting VIPER ..............................................................................29
Restarting VIPER...........................................................................32
Shutting VIPER down....................................................................33
Moving VIPER ..............................................................................34
Using VIPER features .......................................................................35
Using the DVD/CD module...........................................................36
Using PCMCIA/CardBus cards.....................................................38
Using Memory Stick cards.............................................................41
Using Secure Digital cards.............................................................45
Using the USB port........................................................................49
Using the Ethernet port..................................................................50
Using the Wireless LAN................................................................51
Using the Serial port ......................................................................54
Using the Parallel port ...................................................................55
Integrated keyboard...........................................................................56
Special keys ...................................................................................58
Cursor control and editing keys.....................................................61
Function keys.................................................................................63
Common keyboard combinations ..................................................64
Easy buttons...................................................................................65
The Touch Pad...................................................................................66
Multimedia sound system..................................................................69
Audio connection options ..............................................................70
Audio volume control ....................................................................71
Recording with an external microphone........................................71
Using an external display ..................................................................72
Using an external keyboard or pointing device.................................73
System status indicator LEDs............................................................74

xvi VIPER Product Family User’s Guide
Table of Contents
4 - Maintaining VIPER.................................................77
Overview ...........................................................................................78
Maintaining VIPER...........................................................................79
Cautions .........................................................................................79
Cleaning VIPER ................................................................................81
Packing and shipping.........................................................................82
Storage...............................................................................................83
Unpacking from storage ....................................................................84
Low battery shutdown .......................................................................85
Low battery shutdown events ........................................................86
Battery maintenance ..........................................................................87
Battery charging.............................................................................87
Hardware upgrade options.................................................................89
Internal hard disk ...........................................................................89
Memory (RAM).............................................................................89
5 - Power Management.................................................91
Overview ...........................................................................................92
Understanding the PowerTool ...........................................................93
PowerTool indicators .....................................................................94
PowerTool menus...........................................................................97
Battery Details dialog box .............................................................98
System Management dialog box....................................................99
TADcar and shutdown.....................................................................100

VIPER Product Family User’s Guide xvii
Table of Contents
6 - Changing Locations...............................................101
Overview .........................................................................................102
Launching the Locations dialog ......................................................104
Locations dialog features.................................................................105
Menus...........................................................................................105
Tool bar ........................................................................................106
Status bar......................................................................................106
Locations list................................................................................107
Location Change dialog ...............................................................107
Location Change Output dialog...................................................107
Sublocations list...........................................................................108
Using the File menu.........................................................................109
New..............................................................................................109
Modify..........................................................................................110
Delete ...........................................................................................110
Copy.............................................................................................110
Update ..........................................................................................111
Exit ...............................................................................................111
Using the Configuration dialog .......................................................112
Timezone......................................................................................112
TCP/IP .........................................................................................112
DNS..............................................................................................112
NIS (YP) ......................................................................................113
Printers .........................................................................................113
NFS ..............................................................................................113
NFS Server...................................................................................113
PPP...............................................................................................114
Action buttons..............................................................................114
Using the Scripts Editor dialog........................................................115
Suspendable locations..................................................................115
Starting and stopping scripts........................................................116
Defining a new sublocation..........................................................118
Closing the Location editor dialog...............................................118

xviii VIPER Product Family User’s Guide
Table of Contents
7 - Installing the Solaris Operating System ..............119
Overview .........................................................................................120
Prerequisites ....................................................................................121
Launching the Solaris installation ...................................................122
Choosing initial install rather than upgrade.....................................123
Configuring the networking ............................................................125
System identification.......................................................................126
IPv6..................................................................................................128
Setting the name service..................................................................129
Default router...................................................................................130
Warning messages ...........................................................................131
Setting the time zone .......................................................................132
Setting the date and time .................................................................133
Adding a root password...................................................................134
Turning off power management ......................................................135
Proxy server configuration ..............................................................136
Confirming host and network information......................................137
The Solaris Web Start welcome.......................................................138
Specifying the installation media ....................................................139
Selecting the installation type..........................................................140
Installation procedures.....................................................................141
Optional documentation ..................................................................142
Finishing up.....................................................................................143
Logging in....................................................................................143
Completing the installation..........................................................143
Notes on custom installations..........................................................144
Laying Out File Systems..............................................................144
8 - VIPER Specifications ............................................145

VIPER Product Family User’s Guide xix
Table of Contents
Appendix A - Connector Pin Assignments................151
Overview .........................................................................................152
Audio line-out connector.................................................................153
Microphone connector.....................................................................154
Ethernet twisted-pair connector.......................................................155
USB port connector .........................................................................156
Serial port connector........................................................................157
Parallel port connector.....................................................................158
External monitor connector .............................................................159
DC input connector..........................................................................160
Appendix B -External Monitor Matrix.....................161
Overview .........................................................................................162
VIPER ATI display controller .........................................................163
Changing resolutions.......................................................................164
Configuring the display using boot PROM commands...................165
Appendix C -Troubleshooting....................................167
Overview .........................................................................................168
Starting and booting ........................................................................169
Blank LCD display panel ................................................................173
Battery operation .............................................................................174
Ethernet port ....................................................................................175
Serial port ........................................................................................176
External video port ..........................................................................177
External keyboard/mouse port.........................................................178
Customer service and support .........................................................179
Index.............................................................................181

xx VIPER Product Family User’s Guide
Table of Contents