Texas Instruments TravelMate 5000 Series Product information sheet

The TM5000 Series Users
Reference Guide can be printed in
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User’s Reference Guide
TravelMateTM 5000 Series
Notebook Computer
P/N 9805810-0001
August 1995

Copyright (©) 1995 Texas Instruments Incorporated
All Rights Reserved — Printed in U.S.A.
TravelMate 5000 Series Notebook
User’s Reference Guide
TI Part No. 9805810-0001
Original Issue: August 1995
Changes may be made periodically to the information in
this publication. Such changes will be incorporated in new
editions of this manual.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a
retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or
otherwise, without the prior written permission of Texas
Instruments Incorporated.
TravelMate and BatteryPro are trademarks of Texas Instruments Incorporated.
The icons in the Windows Notebook and Startup groups are copyrighted by Texas
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Acrobat is a trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated.
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UNIX is a registered trademark of American Telephone and Telegraph.
SimulSCAN is a trademark of Cirrus Logic, Inc.

FCC Notice
This device 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. This device
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 device does cause harmful
interference to radio or television reception, which can be
determined by turning the device 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 device and receiver
Connect the device into an outlet on a circuit different from
that to which the receiver is connected
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/television
technician for help
Notice: Shielded Cables
All connections to other computing devices must be made using
shielded cables to maintain compliance with FCC regulations.
Notice: Peripheral Devices
Only peripherals (input/output devices, terminals, printers, etc.)
certified to comply with the Class B limits may be attached to this
equipment. Operation with non-certified peripherals is likely to
result in interference to radio and TV reception.
Caution
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the
manufacturer could void the user’s authority, which is granted by
the Federal Communications Commission, to operate this
computer.

Use Conditions
This part complies with Part 15 of the 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
undesired operation.
Notice: Canadian Users
This Class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the
Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations.
Remarque à l’intention des utilisateurs canadiens
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B respecte toutes les
exigences du Règlement sur le matériel brouilleur du Canada.

Contents
Preface
Chapter 1 Using the Setup Programs
Accessing the Setup Programs ................................. 1-2
Time and Date Parameters ....................................... 1-8
Disk Drive Parameters ............................................. 1-9
Input/Output (I/O) Parameters................................ 1-10
Keyboard Parameters ............................................... 1-11
Screen Parameters ................................................... 1-12
Cache Parameters .................................................... 1-13
Password Parameters ............................................... 1-14
System Configuration Parameters ............................ 1-15
Power Savings .......................................................... 1-16
Activity Monitor........................................................ 1-18
Chapter 2 Installing and Using Applications
Guidelines for Installing Applications ....................... 2-2
Restoring System Files ............................................. 2-5
Setting a Password................................................... 2-28
Chapter 3 Custom Windows Utilities
Overview of Windows Utilities................................... 3-2
Information Utilities ................................................. 3-3
Productivity Utilities................................................. 3-5
System Utilities........................................................ 3-7
Chapter 4 Power Saving Utilities
Optimizing Battery Operation................................... 4-2
SETPOWER Utility ................................................... 4-8
SMARTDRV.EXE Disk Caching Utility...................... 4-9
SPEED Utility........................................................... 4-10
Contents
iii

Chapter 5 Laptop File Manager
Getting Started with LFM ......................................... 5-3
Loading LFM ............................................................ 5-4
Using the Main Menu............................................... 5-5
Function Key Commands ......................................... 5-6
Character Key Commands........................................ 5-15
Multiple File Operations........................................... 5-28
Restoring Laptop File Manager ................................. 5-30
Chapter 6 VGA External Monitor Utilities
Capabilities.............................................................. 6-2
VGA Utility............................................................... 6-5
Advanced Monitor Operations .................................. 6-13
External Monitor Troubleshooting............................ 6-19
Chapter 7 Other Utilities
GETSTAT Utility....................................................... 7-2
RAMDRIVE.SYS Device Driver.................................. 7-7
SETCMOS Utility...................................................... 7-8
SETKEY Utility......................................................... 7-11
Chapter 8 Sound
Features................................................................... 8-2
DOS Utilities ............................................................ 8-3
Windows Utilities ..................................................... 8-8
Chapter 9 TravelMate Options
List of Options.......................................................... 9-3
Battery Options........................................................ 9-4
PCMCIA Options ...................................................... 9-11
RAM Expansion ....................................................... 9-16
SIR Port ................................................................... 9-24
Contents
iv

Using the AC Adapter............................................... 9-25
External Numeric Keypad......................................... 9-27
Carrying Cases......................................................... 9-28
Microphone/Headphone Kit ..................................... 9-29
Printers.................................................................... 9-31
External Monitor...................................................... 9-32
Appendices
Appendix A Specifications....................................... A-1
Appendix B Character Sets..................................... B-1
Appendix C Keyboard Layouts ................................ C-1
Appendix D Diagnostics.......................................... D-1
Appendix E Configuring Memory ............................ E-1
Appendix F Connector Pin Assignments.................. F-1
Appendix G Screen Standards ................................ G-1
Appendix H Creating Help Displays ........................ H-1
Glossary
Index
Contents
v

Preface
Your TravelMate 5000 Series computer comes with a
variety of standard features and options that maximize
system performance and ease of operation. This guide acts
as a reference for software utilities and hardware included
with your notebook.
Chapter 1- Shows you the basics of system setup using the
supplied Setup programs.
Chapter 2 - Provides information on system software
configuration and utility installation.
Chapter 3 - Describes custom Windows utilities.
Chapter 4 - Describes Power Saving utilities.
Chapter 5 - Describes Laptop File Manager, a program that
helps you manipulate files and directories stored on the
hard disk.
Chapter 6 - Describes utilities that allow you to connect an
external VGA monitor to your system.
Chapter 7 - Describes miscellaneous utilities for
configuration and system enhancement.
Chapter 8 - Describes the Sound utilities provided with
your notebook.
Chapter 9 - Describes options you may purchase for your
computer.
Appendix A - Provides system specifications for your
computer.
Preface
vii

Appendix B - Displays character sets used by your
computer.
Appendix C - Displays domestic and international keyboard
layouts.
Appendix D - Describes diagnostics and error codes for your
computer.
Appendix E - Describes memory configuration for your
computer.
Appendix F - Describes connector pin assignments for the
computer.
Appendix G - Describes screen stardards supported by your
computer’s internal display adapter.
Appendix H - Describes how to custom design your own
Help displays.
A glossary and index are also provided for your reference.
Preface
viii

1
Using the Setup Programs
This chapter explains:
❑How to access the Setup Programs
❑How to select and save parameters
Contents
Accessing the Setup Programs .........................................1-2
Initial Startup Procedure .............................................1-2
Startup Menu ..............................................................1-4
Creating Backup System Diskettes ..............................1-5
System Files Recovery Diskette....................................1-6
Accessing Disk-Based Setup........................................1-6
Accessing ROM-Based Setup .......................................1-7
Accessing Windows-Based Setup .................................1-7
Defining Setup Parameters ..........................................1-7
Time and Date Parameters...............................................1-8
Time............................................................................1-8
Date ............................................................................1-8
Disk Drive Parameters .....................................................1-9
Diskette Drive(s) ..........................................................1-9
Hard Disk....................................................................1-9
Input/Output (I/O) Parameters .....................................1-10
Keyboard Parameters.....................................................1-11
Screen Parameters.........................................................1-12
Cache Parameters..........................................................1-13
Password Parameters.....................................................1-14
System Configuration Parameters..................................1-15
Power Savings................................................................1-16
Activity Monitor .............................................................1-18
Using the Setup Programs 1-1

Accessingt he Setup Prog rams
Your computer has three setup programs to assist you in
selecting required hardware and software parameters:
❑Disk-based Setup
❑ROM-based Setup
❑Windows-based Setup (TI Setup)
Initial Startup Procedure
The first time you boot up your notebook, your system
automatically runs Setup. The following steps help you
through the software configuration portion of Setup.
1. Boot your system.
You are asked to specify the date and time. A greeting
screen appears during the boot process. It describes
what system backup procedures will be required and
prompts you to press any key to finish setting up
MS-Windows for Workgroups.
2. Press any key.
The Windows for Workgroups Setup screen appears and
setup begins automatically. After a few seconds, you
are prompted for your name, company, and product
number.
3. Enter information in each field and select Continue.
You are asked to verify the information you just entered.
4. Verify that the information is correct and select
Continue.
Windows setup continues. You are prompted to select a
printer driver from a list of printer drivers.
Accessing the Setup Programs
1-2 Using the Setup Programs

5. Scroll through the list of printer drivers and click on the
one that is used with your printer.
6. Select Install.
You are asked to enter the LPT port to which your printer
is connected.
7. Scroll through the list and click on the desired LPT port
(usually LPT1:)
8. Select Install.
Setup configures your printers. Windows for Workgroups
files are copied and inflated to their working capacity.
You are prompted to insert the System Files Recovery
Diskette. This diskette is used in case of a fatal system
crash and allows you to restore your computer to
working order.
9. Insert the System Files Recovery Diskette that came
with your unit into the diskette drive and press any
key to continue.
The required system files are copied to the diskette. This
takes several seconds. The system prompts you when
the copy has completed.
10. Remove the System Files Recovery Diskette and
write-protect it.
11. Press any key to continue.
Your system is rebooted. Refer to the "Startup Menu"
section when your computer reaches the Startup Menu
in the boot process.
nNote: Please be sure to fill out and return your Warranty
card.
Accessing the Setup Programs
Using the Setup Programs 1-3

Startup Menu
Each time your system boots, the Startup Menu appears.
You have ten seconds to make selections from this menu,
otherwise the boot process continues with previously
configured parameters. The following is a description of the
Startup Menu:
nNote: System backups can also be done using the
DiskMaker utility in Windows. This utility is located in the
Utilities directory in the TravelMate Notebook Center group.
Startup Menu Options
Option Description
Windows for Workgroups
(default) Loads standard Windows for Workgroups files and excludes PCMCIA.
Windows for Workgroups
with PC Card support Loads standard Windows for Workgroups files and PCMCIA drivers.
MS-DOS prompt Does not load any extra drivers and does
not run Windows.
MS-DOS prompt with PC
Card support Does not load Windows, but will load PCMCIA drivers.
PC-Doctor Diagnostics Allows you to diagnose and correct
problems on TM5000 Series computers.
System Maintenance and
Backup Allows you to create backup system diskettes, to delete image files, or to delete
files that allow you to create the backup
diskettes. If the files are deleted, you will be
unable to create backup diskettes again
and must order new backup diskettes from
Texas Instruments.
Games Demonstration Allows you to view or play pre-loaded
games on the notebook or delete demo
games.
Accessing the Setup Programs
1-4 Using the Setup Programs

To select an option, use the up and down arrow keys or
press the number key of the option you desire. This
highlights the option. Press Enter to select the desired
configuration.
Creating Backup System Diskettes
It is a good idea to back up the operating system as soon as
possible after purchasing your notebook so that you can
reinstall the software in case of emergency. Ensure that
your diskettes have been checked for viruses to prevent
contamination of files on your hard disk.
To create backup system diskettes, use the DiskMaker
utility from Windows or complete the following steps:
1. Ensure that you have the required number of high
density, 1.4 MB, 3.5" diskettes to back up your
system. To verify the number of diskettes, perform
steps 2 and 3.
2. Boot your system.
System startup begins. A DOS Startup Menu appears.
3. Select the System Maintenance and Backup option.
The system backup menu is displayed. You can select
files from the left column to back up by using the up
and down arrow keys to highlight the files. As
filenames in the left column are highlighted, a
description of them appears in the right column and the
number of diskettes required for these files is displayed.
4. To begin creating the system backup diskettes, insert
the diskette into the floppy drive and press Enter to
back up highlighted files. Each diskette will
automatically be formatted.
Accessing the Setup Programs
Using the Setup Programs 1-5

If you are using the DiskMaker utility, run Windows and
double-click on the DiskMaker icon in the TravelMate
Notebook Center group. The number of diskettes required
to back up each area is indicated by the number of
selections on each tab page. Use these selections to
complete the system backup.
nNote: If you don’t want to use the backup process, you
may order operating system diskettes by referring to the
Backup Diskette Flier that came in the documentation set.
System Files Recovery Diskette
You are provided a System Files Recovery Diskette with
your computer. This is a bootable diskette with backup
software and enables you to restore minimum system files.
For further information, refer to Initial Startup Procedure
earlier in this chapter.
Accessing Disk-Based Setup
This Setup program, which resides on the hard disk under
the UTILS directory, defines all default and most
user-selectable parameters. Disk-based Setup contains
four screens, or pages, with onscreen prompts plus a
context-sensitive online help.
To run this program, ensure that you have exited from the
Windows environment. From the C:\> prompt, you can
access Page 1 of disk-based Setup in two ways:
❑Press Fn-Esc (Setup)
❑Type SET_UP and press Enter
After Setup has loaded, you can define parameters based
on the information in the online help or in this chapter.
Accessing the Setup Programs
1-6 Using the Setup Programs

Accessing ROM-Based Setup
ROM-based Setup resides in internal ROM. It is identical to
disk-based Setup except it does not have any online help.
To access Page 1 of ROM-based Setup, save any work in
progress, and press Ctrl-Alt-Esc. You can then select
parameters as you do for disk-based Setup.
Accessing Windows-Based Setup
To access Windows-based Setup, complete the following
steps:
1. Double click on the TravelMate Notebook Center group.
2. Double click on TI Setup.
Several folders appear. You can define parameters based
on the information in the online help and in this chapter.
Changes to many of the Setup parameters take effect only
at system startup. If you change one of these parameters,
when you save the new Setup parameters, you are
prompted that you need to exit Windows and restart the
computer. To put these changes into effect, double-click on
the Super Shutdown icon to exit Windows, then press
Ctrl-Alt-Del to restart the computer.
Defining Setup Parameters
The three Setup Programs adequately describe what you
need to do to navigate through the menus, use cursor keys,
save parameters, and exit.
nNote: The Setup Programs are customized for each model
computer and any given model may not support all of the
selections described in the following pages.
Accessing the Setup Programs
Using the Setup Programs 1-7

Time and Dat e Paramet ers
nNote: Time and Date parameters are only available in
DOS-based and ROM-based Setup.
Time
The Time area displays the current time as stored in the
computer’s real-time clock. There are either three or four
fields in this selection depending on the setting of the Date
Display field (either U.S. or European). U.S. is
distinguished by a 12-hour (am/pm) format, whereas
European time is in a 24-hour format.
To reset seconds to 00, press the space bar when seconds
are highlighted.
Date
The Date area displays the current date as stored in the
computer’s real-time clock. There are three fields that can
be changed in this section. The order of the fields depends
on the setting of the Date Display field. The day of the
week field displays the alpha day of the week and is
updated automatically. You may display the date in either
U.S. or European format.
Time and Date Parameters
1-8 Using the Setup Programs

DiskDriveParameters
nNote: Disk Drive parameters are only available in
DOS-based and ROM-based Setup.
Diskette Drive(s)
The two Diskette fields allow the user to set the diskette
types. If the drive is not present, select "Not Installed."
Values can be set as follows:
❑3.5", 1.44 MB (default, Drive A)
❑3.5" 720 KB
❑5.25", 360 KB,
❑5.25", 1.2 MB
❑Not installed (default, Drive B)
Hard Disk
The Hard Disk Drive (HDD) fields allow you to enter
information about your hard disk(s). Your configuration is
preset. Do not alter these fields unless you are a qualified
technician.
The external IDE drive fields are provided for future options.
The TM5000 Series BIOS uses the total capacity of the hard
drive. If a third-party hard drive is purchased, you may
need to enable logical block addressing to be able to use all
the space on that drive.
Disk Drive Parameters
Using the Setup Programs 1-9

Input/Output(I/O)Parameters
The input/output (I/O) parameters define how the
computer treats I/O devices. You can use these
parameters to enable and define the ports.
Parameter Definition Values
9-Pin (Serial) COMM Port Selects the port number to
use for the standard serial
port.
COM1 (default)
COM2
COM3
COM4
Off
SIR COMM Port
(Not available on SE models) Selects the port number to user for the SIR port. COM2 Off (default)
COM3/COM4 Port Address Selects the port address to
use for the COM3/COM4
serial ports.
338h/238h
3E8h/2E8h (default)
2E8h/2E0h
220h/228h
Parallel Port Selects the port for the
parallel printer. LPT1 LPT2 (default)
LPT3
Disabled
Enable EPP* Selects the standard or
extended parallel port. No (default) Yes
EPP Mode* Selects the Extended port
mode. ❑SPP (default) - Standard
AT Compatible
❑EPP and SPP -
Enhanced and standard
❑ECP - Extended
capabilities
❑ECP and EPP -
Extended and enhanced
Sound Port
(Not available on SE models) Enables or disables the sound feature on your
computer.
On (default)
Off
Auto
Internal Mic Enables or disables the
computer’s internal
microphone.
On (default)
Off
* Located in the I/O Ports folder in TI Setup. Selections are made from Extended Mode field.
Input/Output (I/O) Parameters
1-10 Using the Setup Programs