Vector Graphic System 2800 User manual

VECTOR 2800
--
'-
USERS MANUAL

VECI'OR SYSTEM 2800
OVERVIlli
Revision 1
USERISMANUAL
Revision C
August 15, 1980
Copyright 1980 Vector Graphic Inc.

Copyright 1980 by Vector Graphic Inc.
All rights reserved.
Disclaimer
Vector Graphic makes no representations or warranties with respect to the
contents of this manual itself, whether or not the product it describes is
covered by a warranty or repair agreement. Further, Vector Graphic reserves
the right to revise this publication and to make changes from time to time
in the content hereof without obligation of Vector Graphic to notify any
person of such revision or changes, except when an agreement to the contrary
exists.
Revisions
The date and revision of each page herein appears at the bottom of each
page. 'Ihe revision letter such as A or B changes if the MANUAL has been
improved but the PRODUCT itself has not been significantly iIlC.X1ified. The
date and revision on G~e Title Page corresponds to that of the page most
recently revised. When the product itself is modified significantly, the
product will get a new revision number, as showTI on the manual's title page,
am the manual will revert to revision A, as if it were treating a brand new
product. EACH MMlJAL SHOULD ONLY BE USED WITH THE PRODUCT IDENTIFIED ON THE
TITLE PAGE.
Rev. l-C 8/15/80

System 2800 User's Manual
REPAIR AGREEMENT
The System 2800 sold hereunder is sold "as is", with all faults and without
any warranty, either expressed or implied, including any implied warranty of
fitness for intended use or merchantability. However, the above
notwithstanding, VECTOR GRAFHIC, INC., will, for a period of ninety (90)
days following delivery- to custaner, repair or replace any System 2800 that
is found to contain defects in materials or 'iNOrkrnanship, provided:
1. Such defect in material or workmanship existed at the time the
System 2800 left the VECTOR GRAPHIC, INC., factory;
2. VECTOR GRAPHIC, INC., is given notice of the precise defect
claimed within ten (10) days after its discovery;
3. The System 2800 is pranptly returned to VECTOR GRAHHC, INC.,
at customer's expense, for examination by VECTOR GRAFHIC, INC., to confirm
the alleged defect, and for subsequent repair or replacement if found to be
in order.
Repair, replacement or correction of any defects in material or 'iNOrkmanship
which are discovered after expiration of the period set forth above will be
performed by VECTOR GRAHHC, INC., at Buyer's expense, provided the System
2800 is returned, also at Buyer's expense, to VECTOR GRAHHC, INC., for such
repair, replacement or correction. In performing any repair, replacement or
correction after expiration of the period set forth above, Buyer will be
charged in addition to the cost of parts the then-current VECTOR GRAPHIC,
INC., repair rate. At the present time the applicable rate is $35.00 for
the first hour, and $18.00 per hour for every hour of work required
thereafter. Prior to commencing any repair, replacement or correction of
defects in material or 'iNOrkmanship discovered after expiration of the period
for no-cost-to-Buyer repairs, VECTOR GRAffiIC, INC., will submit to Buyer a
written estimate of the expected charges, and VECTOR GRAFHIC, INC., will not
commence repair until such time as the written estimate of charges has been
returned by Buyer to VECTOR GRAPHIC, INC., signed by duly authorized
representative authorizing VECTOR GRAPHIC, INC., to canmence with the repair
work involved. VECTOR GRAHHC, INC., shall have no obligation to repair,
replace or correct any System 2800 until the written estimate has been
returned with approval to proceed, and VECTOR GRAPHIC, INC., may at its
option also require prepayment of the estimated repair charges prior to
camnencing work.
Repair Agreement void if the enclosed card is not returned to v~CTOR
GRAFHIC, INC. within ten (10) days of end conswrer purchase.
Rev. l-C 8/15/80

System 2800 User's Manual
FORE'fMJRD
Audience
Scope
Organization
Rev. l-C 8/15/80
'Ibis manual is intended for canputer
distributors, or others with at least a
moderate
technical knowledge of small
canputers.
It will describe how to install the Vector
Graphic System 2800, how to initialize the
software and how to use the disks.
Each section is written at a uniform level
of technical depth. "Perspective" tells
vm:AT the system does and requires only a
moderate knowledge
of canputer systems.
"User's Guide
ll
. describes HCW to use the
system and assumes the same level of
knowledge.

System 2800 User1s Manual
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section
Table of Contents
I. Persr:;ective
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
Intrcrluction .. ft "'" "'" IIlI • "'" Illo ". e • ~ III 111 '" ~ ~ ft $III 0 #II "e .. " lIII 1(1 • ". til .. 1-1
Standard hardware and software •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• l-l
Optional hardware and software •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 1-2
Hardware specifications •• e •• ~~.&~~~n •••••••••••••••••••••••• 1-3
Pre-Installation check list ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 1-5
II. Installation
2.1
Installation of the System 2800 ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 2-1
2.1.1
2.1.2
2.1. 3
2.1.4
2.1. 5
Installing the 8" disk controller board •••••••••••••• 2-1
Connecting
the signal cable •••••••••••••••••••••••••• 2-l
Connecting the power cables •••••••••••••••••••••••••• 2-2
Testing. '" .. "'" «I •• "'" .fI e "" "" •III 0"'" oil '" <!!I CIl .. II "'" «I 2-2
Completing the installation •••••••••••••••••••••••••• 2-3
III. User IsGuide
3.1
3.2
3.3
Operating the Dualstor 8" Floppy Disk Drive ••••••••••••••••• 3-l
Kinds of disks ...... e ••• It.Il\l ••• ~o.~ ....... .e •• "' ...... e •• " ••••••• ".19.3-1
Using double, single and mixed density disks •••••••••••••••• 3-l
IV. Software Initialization
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
4.8
4.9
4.10
Cold [:x:x)t III it "'" "" • 44 "'" IIIl e "" "'" '" .. <\'I "" •• " "'" "" •". • "'" '" 81 III "'" III iIIll .. 4-1
Warm [:x:x)t"", .... 0 .. I) 1& ill e.. 11\ " '" 0 .. ill • '" '" .. l!I • oil! e I!!I "'" .. III e • .. 4-1
Return to Extended Systems Monitor Executive •••••••••••••••• 4-2
Wam start,. 00 "" '" .. e "" '" "'" " 1\'1 .... It "'" • "'" noll"" .., O!I #II #.I 0, I!ll til 4) ... '" ... "" ,. • II .... '" .. 1(1 ....... "e 4-2
Backing up the SJ.1stem disk •• n •••• I\I •• ~ ••• " ••• 1fI1l1.1It •••• e .... IIlI~"'914-2
Configuring the personalized system disk •••••••••••••••••••• 4-3
Custom printer driverso".ilIIo!!Iftlllt:lllao!t!ll.fII"'.40e •••• e"' "'oIfl4-8
Interrupts" . 'I) $ 1'1 '" ll!I ~ III •lilt • o!Il • "" III '" .. ", '" \'!l e "" '" 0, 41 .. I(!I • .It • oIll '" fa .. '" "" /Ill "!I ill !II 4-9
Fonnatting new disk. III .. fa .. III 'I' lilt • 0 1ft III '" • «I f!l o!!l '"' • '" .. 41 '" • '" til .. II ., .. Il\I ,. '" 4-9
Other CP;M files .. ,. 0 III 1/1 • ~ .. !'f ,." '" •«I iIIl • ,. III .. II!JI 4-10
v. Drive Removal and Replacement
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
Rev. l-C
ReTIl()val. e e _ ill 4l 0 '" .e _ <I!t • o!I III ill .. '" " Ilo • l1li e '!'II I::l til ,. ,.. til ,. • IS III • ,. " ••• '" .... ." ... eIII '" .. 5-1
.Replacement ". '" III " ,. <8 '" ol!I ~ III 'II III ~ 0 ~ '" "" '" ,. 'll '" '" '" ,. III l!lo 'II III '" lr> IIlIo •III 'II •• III '" II • III <II 5-1
Controller board port addresses ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 5-2
CP;M 2 III 2ffieJ1l.()ry rna.p II) 'll ., Il\l .. 40 III I!'l • 0 III III I!II 0\lil "" .. e "" ....... III ••• !II o(IJ III •• III eo eo " ..... "" e e III 5-3
8/15/80

System 2800 User's Manual
I. PERSPECI'IVE
1.1 Introduction
A System 2800 is a general pUrpJse microprocessor based canputer system.
It is delivered by Vector Graphic assembled and fully tested, including roth
hardware and operating system software, including a single/double density
disk controller board, two 8" floppy disk drives, drive cabinet,
interconnection cables and CPjM* compatible software device handler.
Double density recording gives a storage capacity of 1M bytes per dual
sided drive (2 Megabyte total) and a data transfer rate of 500
kilobits/sec.
L 2 Standard hardware and software
1) Video console with a keyboard featuring the feel of an excellent
electronic typwriter and a la-key number pad.
2) A single/double density disk controller roard.
3) Two 8" floppy disk drives featuring double density storage capacity of 1
Megabyte
per drive.
4) 56K of random access memory.
5) Capability of interfacing to one serial printer and one parallel printer
at a time. The printers involved may include one of Vector's system
printers, or any of the many standard printers on the market.
6) Camnunications caPability of interfacing to a standard asynchronus modem
or acoustic coupler.
7) Industry-compatible CP/M 2 operating system, allowing use of most CP/M
compatible software.
8) Microsoft Basic 80, release 5, one of the fastest and most powerful
general purpose languages available, used in conjunction with CP/M.
9) Additional powerful software development tools including SCOPE - an
advanced screen-oriented program editor; RAID - a full-screen
simulator-debugger for assembly language programs; the ZSM assembler using
the 8080-superset mnemonics; and the Extended Systems Monitor on ROM,
allowing direct manipulation of memory and input/output.
*CP/M is atradmark of Digital Research, Inc.
Rev. l-C 8/15/80
1-1

System 2800 User's Manual
10) Computer electronics consisting of:
a) Chassis with heavy duty power supply and 6-s1ot fully shielded and
terminated S-IOO motherboard.
b) High-sFeed (4 MHz) Z-80 CPU board.
c) 64K Dynamic RAM board.
d} Flashwriter II Video board featuring a replaceable character set.
e) 8" floppy disk drive controller board.
1.3 Optional hardware and software
I} Vector Graphic offers two system printers, the Sprint 3 letter-quality
daisywheel printer, and the MP dot matrix printer which prints 150
characters per second.
2) Mernorite word processing software from Vector Graphic.
3) Peachtree ready-to-use general business accounting software from Vector
Graphic, including programs for Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable,
General Ledger, Payroll, and Inventory Management.
1-2
P..ev. l-C 8/15/80

System 2800 User's Manual
1.4 Hardware Specifications
For a system with 1 tenninal, 2 S" drives, and 1 Sprint 3 printer
Voltage option
Frequency
Current, Operating
Current, Surge
Bower Dissipation
Heat generation
S" FLOPPY DISK DRIVES
115 VAC + 10%
60 Hz + TI.5%
1.0 Amps
15 Amps
110 watts
1200 BTU
220 VAC + 10%
50 Hz +-0.5%
0.5 Amps
7.5 Amps
110 Watts
1200 BTU
Capacity: unformatted - 0.4 Mbytes single density/single sided
1.6 Mbytes double density/double sided.
IBM format- 0.256 Mbytes single density/single
sided,
1.03 Mbytes double density/double sided.
La tency (average): 83 mil iseconds
Access time - track-to-track: 3 miliseconds
average: 91 miliseconds
Settling time: 15 miliseconds
Head load time: 35 miliseconds
Rotational speed: 360 RPM
Track density: 4S TPI
Tracks/disk: 154 (double sided disk)
77 (single sided disk)
EnvirollIl'Ental limits: Operating temperature 5deg C to
43 deg C(41 to 110 deg F). Storage temperature
-10 deg C to 45 deg C(14 deg F to 113 deg F).
Relative humidity operating 20 to SO%. Relative
humidity storage 8 to 80%.
AC power requirements 110/115 VAC installations: 110/115 VAC
+10%, 50/60 Hz +1%, O.SA max (start up),
'O.3A max (running).
AC power requirements 200/230 VAC installations: 200/230 VAC
+110%, 50/60 Hz +1%, O.6A max (start up),
O.3A (running). -
IX: power requirements: +24V +10%, +5V +5%.
Rev. l-C 8/l5/S0
1-3

CONTROLLER
1-4
System 2800 User's Manual
Data transfer rate - single density: 2S0K bits/sec.
Data transfer rate - double density: SOOK bits/sec.
Diskette fomat - single density: IBM 3740.
Diskette fonnat - double density: IBM SYSTEM 34
Controller FOrt addresses - EOH to ESH
Rev. l-C 8/15/80

System 2800 User's Manual
1.5 Pre-installation check-list
1) The System 2800 can be ordered for either 110 or 220 volt power sources.
Make sure that the system to be installed has the proper power supply for
the power supply in your region.
2) It is recommended, but not required, that the power line to which the
computer is connected be a "dedicated" power line; that is, the line CClIT'eS
directly from the building's power source, no other devices except another
System 2800 making use of it, and that it is well grounded. The intent in
this recanrnendation is to eliminate electronic "noise" on the power line
which can effect the reliability of the system, and to avoid the loss of
data if the circuit breaker is tripped because another device short circuits
or too many devices are connected. It is particularly critical that heavy
machinery not be connected to the same power line.
3) Do not install more than two system 2800's per 20A circuit.
4) Extension cords are not recommended.
5) Special air-conditioning and raised floors are not required for a system
2800. It will function in a normal office environment.
6) I:b not install a System 2800 in abnormally dusty or dirty environments,
due to the effect on the disk drives and diskettes.
7) Make sure there is adequate area for all equipment, and there is
adequate desk space next to the console. The console must be low enough for
comfortable typing. There must be some space left to the rear of the
console for adequate ventilation.
8) Make sure the console is not directly oPIX'si te a bright open window, as
that will create a glare on the screen.
9) If the carpet in the computer area is a shag or thick carpet, and if
there is a lot of foot traffic near the computer, or if the operator Is chair
has rolling casters, there may be a build up of static in the operator and
people passing by that can discharge into the system and cause the system to
malfunction. If you anticipate or experience this problem, spray the carpet
with anti-static spray available in many electronic supply and carpet
distributors. If the system is still affected by static, we recanrnend the
purchase of a 3M anti-static mat to be placed on the floor in the computer
area.
Pev. l-C 8/15/80
1-5

System 2800 User's Manual
II. INSTALIATIOO
2.1 Installation of a System 2800
1) Inspect all cartons for external signs of damage. If any damage is
observed, have the delivery agent note the damage on the shipping document.
Some shippers may wish to be present when the container is opened if
external damage is apparent.
2) Open all cartons, remove the packing material, and then remove the
equipment and manuals. If present, remove plastic bags from the equipment.
3) Place the canputer console in a horizontal J:X)sition with the Dualstor 8n
floppy disk drive cabinet as near as p::>ssible. Be sure not to bump or jar
the disk drive cabinet, as this can throw the disk drives out of alignment.
4) Using a Philips head screwdriver, remove the four Philips head screws,
two on each side, holding the console cover to the chassis. Remove the
cover. Carry out a quick internal inspection, checking for obvious shipping
damage and loose boards due to shipping vibration. Press each board down
firmly making sure it is fully inserted in its slot. If you find any
obviously broken boards or parts, do not use the equipment in order to avoid
further damage, or unexplained malfunction at the user's site at a later
da te. Report the damage to the carrier and rep::>rt the damage to qualified
service personnel or Vector Graphic.
2.1.1 Installing the 8" disk controller board
NOI'E:
If your System 2800 comes with the Disk Controller Board already installed,
skip directly to section 2.1.2.
With the canputer p::>wer off, insert the controller board in any of the empty
slots in the motherboard. The board should be firmly seated in the
connector at the back of the slot. The board edges should be in the card
edge guides corresJ:X)nding to that slot. Mount the board with the component
s ide toward the rear of the computer. Verify this by comparing the board
you have installed with the boards already lIDunted in the rrotherboard. All
the boards installed should have the component side facing the same
direction.
2.1.2 Connecting the signal cable
1) Coming fran the rear of the Dualstor is a50 ......... ire flat signal cable with
a 50-pin connector on the end. 'Ibis connector mates with a 50-pin connector
on the top edge of the controller board. When making G~is connection, rna1<.e
certain that pin 1 on the connector matches pin 1 on the controller board.
2) You can make this identification as follows. Notice that the 50-wire
cable coming from the back of the Dualstor unit is color coded on one side
Rev. l-e 8/15/80
2-1

System 2800 User's Manual
and not on the other. As the unit leaves the factory, the color coded side
faces down. When the cable is in this position, the wire which is attached
to connector pin 1 will be on the right hand side of the cable. You can
further identify this by the blue and pink alternating stripes on this side
of the cable. One edge of the cable should start with a blue stripe. This
identifies the wire which should be attached to connector socket 1. Now
carefully examine the 8" disk controller board. It has a fifty pin connector
on top arranged in tw:::> rows of 25 pins each. Be sure not to confuse it with
the 34 pin connector on the top of the ZCB single board computer in your
system. i'btice that there is a small numeral "I" silkscreened near one end
of the 50 pin disk controller cable connector.
3) Connect the cable connector into this socket so that the connector
socket 1 attached to the cable connects to pin 1 on the connector.
2.1. 3 Connecting the power cables
1) Connect the DC power cable (provided with the Dualstor) between the
6-pin connector on rear panel of the Dualstor and the 6-pin connector on the
rear of the Vector 3. Note: The term Vector 3, as used in this manual,
refers to the complete microcomputer system housed in the console cabinet.
2) Connect the AC fOwer cord fran the rear of the console to the auxiliary
AC power connector on the rear :Panel of the Dualstor.
3) Connect the AC power cord from the Dualstor to an appropriate wall
receptacle.
4) Check now that all connections have been made properly and that all
boards are seated properly in their sockets.
2.1.4 Testing
1) Make sure no disks have been inserted in their slots. Also be careful
around the unit with the cover off. Potentially lethal voltages are
present. Turn the Vector 3 unit on by switching on main fOw-er at the rear
of the unit. Turn on the Cualstor AC Ebwer. The Vector 4.1 Monitor banner
should appear on the console screen.
2) Make the following test on the unit. MAKE SURE 00 DISKS ARE INSERTED!
Before booting your CP/M disk for the first ti.rrE, test your connection to
the controller by typing V (for boot Dualstor) without any disks in drive A.
The Monitor pranpt should-return immediately. If the light on drive A stays
on, do not try to boot up the CP/M system disk. Turn your power off and
check your controller cable connection, it may need to be reversed. Even if
you check your connection according to the instructions above and all ched<s
out properly, there is a chance that your cable has the connector installed
upside down. If your unit fails to boot properly, yet has a functioning
Monitor program, turn the Vector 3 console and the Dualstor power off and
reverse the connector on the 8" disk controller board. Turn on the power
and test again. If this fails to clear the problem, contact your authorized
2-2
Rev. l-C 8/15/80

System 2800 User's Manual
Vector Graphic service representative immediately. I:b not try to use the
unit.
2.1.5 Completing the installation
1) At the rear of the console, the basepan (bottan cover) has an angled
section which is slightly larger than the the flat cable. Remove the black
strain relief bracket which is attached to the angled section with two
screws. mute the flat cable from the controller board out the rear of the
console by clamping the cable to the angled section with the strain relief
bracket.
2) To replace the console cover, fasten the cover to the basepan using the
four Philips head screws removed in cover removal procedure. Tighten screws
securely using a Philips head screwdriver.
Rev. l-C 8/15/80
2-3