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C-Series User Manual

1. These instructions assume you have removed the cover according to the instructions given on page 43 1 Locate the processor socket on the system board The processor will be covered either by a heatsink a metal construction like a hedgehog or a small fan 55 3 Fitting Hardware Options Caution A heatsink is used to dissipate heat from the processor so it may be HOT 2 Lift the lever of ZIF socket and remove processor Replace with new upgrade processor Ensure that pin 1 marked with dot or corner cut is located correctly 3 Replace the original heatsink or fit the small fan supplied with the upgrade onto the new upgrade processor Move any link settings required 4 Replace the cover of the computer see page 44 and reconnect your system as shown on the Setting Up Your New Computer card 5 Check on start up that the correct processor type and speed is detected Drive Upgrades 56 Your C Series computer can have a number of different drive upgrades There is space for up to two external drives The external drive upgrades could be any of the following e ZIP drive e CD ROM drive e tape backup unit Note Your computer may have been supplied with additional drives as fitted options Specific fitting instructions are provided with all drive upgrades Fitting a Drive These instructions assume you have removed the cover according to the instructions given on page 43 3 Fitting Hardware Opt
2. 60 If you need to move your computer a short distance to an adjoining room for example disconnect all equipment connected to the computer 1 Ensure that the floppy disk drive LED is off and remove any floppy disks from the floppy disk drive s 2 Close down the operating system then check that the hard disk drive LED is off 3 Switch off your computer the monitor and any other equipment attached to it 4 Disconnect any equipment from your computer and disconnect the computer from the mains 5 Prepare the new surface to put your computer on It should be flat firm and dry 6 Carefully lift your computer and put it down gently at its new location 4 Maintenance Service and Troubleshooting 7 Reconnect your system as shown on the Setting Up Your New Computer card Remember if you move your computer from a cold room to a warm one allow the computer to warm to room temperature before switching it on Servicing Switch off the computer and contact RM Customer Support if any of the following occurs e liquid gets into the computer e the computer has been dropped or suffered a severe jolt e electrical fuses blow repeatedly e the mains lead appears frayed or damaged e the computer behaves abnormally If you need to return the computer to RM make a new backup of all the contents on the hard disk if fitted and keep these copies in a safe place Do not overwrite any recent backups of the hard dis
3. gt p e 7 Plug in any cables or leads you may need Refer to the manufacturers instructions provided 8 Replace the cover of the computer see page 44 49 3 Fitting Hardware Options 50 Removing a Card Note If you need to remove any cables please make a note of the orientation BEFORE removal Toolbox Pozidriv no 1 screwdriver 1 2 Remove the cover see page 43 Disconnect any cables connected to the card making a quick sketch of their orientation and where they plug into You can then refer to the sketch if you need to refit the card Unscrew the single screw on the card mounting bracket and put the screw in a safe place Holding the card by the upper edge or corners gently pull the card up rocking the card from side to side if necessary Remove the card from the computer and put it in a safe place preferably in an anti static bag or container Replace the metal blanking plate which was removed when the card was fitted and screw it into place Replace any cables you disconnected earlier Replace the cover of the computer See page 44 and reconnect your system as shown on the Setting Up Your New Computer card 3 Fitting Hardware Options DIMMs Your computer may use Dual In line Memory Modules DIMM to provide random access memory RAM All C Series computers are supplied with a minimum 16 MB of RAM The system board in your computer can be upgraded using the additi
4. Nn oO gt 31 2 System Description 32 The lt Print Scrn gt key can be used in certain circumstances to print the screen display if the computer is connected to a printer ER Print Sern SysRq CY Pressing the lt Scroll Lock gt key causes the lt T gt and lt gt arrow keys to move the text displayed on screen up or down one line The cursor does not move from the line it is positioned on until lt Scroll Lock gt is pressed again This key is only effective when using certain types of applications e g terminal emulation software Scroll EY The Scroll Lock LED is lit to show that lt Scroll Lock gt has been pressed The lt Pause gt key stops the contents of the screen scrolling depending on the program you are ss running Press any other key to restart scrolling r If the lt Num Lock gt key is pressed the keys on the E numeric keypad see later produce numbers rather Paa than move the cursor Windows 95 keys These keys are located in the main part of the keyboard These keys only carry out special functions while running Windows 95 If the lt Start Menu gt key is pressed the Start Menu will be opened Pressing the lt Right Click gt key is the e equivalent of pressing the right hand mouse a button The right hand mouse button is used a lot more in Windows 95 than older versions of Windows Function Keys The function keys F1 to F12 are located along the top of t
5. General Maintenance Moving and Re packing the Computer Servicing Problem Solving Computer Keyboard Mouse Peripherals Monitor Software Forgotten Passwords Hard Disk Problems Error Messages During Start up Before you Ring for Help Chapter 5 Technical Information General Specification System Board Power Requirements Battery Physical Specifications Safety Ergonomics Electro Magnetic Compatibility EMC Environmental Factors Connectors Video Signal Connector Monitor Power Connector Serial Connector Parallel Connector Mouse and Keyboard Connector System Setup CMOS Program Changing the password Glossary Index Contents 66 67 71 ii Introduction Welcome to the C Series User Manual This manual provides you with most of the information you need to use your C Series computer This manual includes familiarising yourself with your computer including monitor disk drives memory printers and other equipment upgrading your computer by fitting extra options troubleshooting if things go wrong technical information about your computer glossary which explains all the technical terms used in this manual We do not expect you to read every chapter in this manual before you start using your computer However we suggest you read through this introduction Chapter 1 Getting Started and Chapter 2 System Description Important Read the Safety section on pages 2 through 5 before y
6. If you can reproduce the problem note how you did it before calling Make a careful note of the circumstances which led up to your problem e What software was loaded e What happened when you tried the suggestions given on the previous pages e Have you changed any settings in the Setup program If possible ring RM with your computer in front of you so that you can try out any suggestions given to you 71 4 Maintenance Service and Troubleshooting 72 Chapter 5 Technical Information This chapter provides detailed information about your C Series computer General Specification System Board The system board may vary from model to model so each computer is supplied with software copy its own technical System Board User s Manual Power Requirements Your C Series computer is fitted with a 90W Power Supply Unit PSU The voltage and frequency of the mains output are the same as those of the mains input The maximum input and output current and mains frequency figures are given for 200 240V and 110 120V Mains voltage required 220 240V 110 120V Maximum input current from mains 3A a c 6A a c Mains frequency 50 60 Hz 50 60 Hz Internal power supply unit rated output approx 90W 73 5 Technical Information Battery There is a battery inside the computer which maintains the system settings held in CMOS memory including the system date and time The battery is built on to the system bo
7. a screen or a display A desk based device which can be moved on a flat surface to move a pointer on the screen with buttons to press to select objects on the screen A group of computers linked together so as to share devices such as printers and information A set of programs that translates commands given directly or through an application so that a computer and devices attached to it can carry them out an interface which deals with several signals sent in parallel at the same time Usually one bit of a byte used to check that the byte has been transmitted and received correctly Peripheral Component Interconnect a type of local bus A plug connector socket or interface The unit which supplies power to the computer A complete set of instructions written in a computer language for handling a particular task 85 Glossary 86 PSU RAM real time clock RTC reboot refresh rate reset ROM screen mode serial interface serial number server SIMM DIMM software See power supply unit Random access memory also known as user or program memory which stores programs and data loaded from disk ready for processing A clock inside a computer which keeps time whether the computer is switched on or off See reset The number of times per second the graphics adapter sends an image to the monitor Clear the memory of a computer and reload the operating system usually done
8. 44 Ctrl Control key 31 Cursor 30 Customer account number 8 D Disk CDs 28 floppy 25 hard 23 Disk drive 5 inch floppy 56 CD ROM 28 56 caring for 28 floppy 19 hard 23 Tape 56 upgrades 56 fitting 56 Disk eject button 19 Dot matrix printer 37 Driver printer 36 89 Index E Earthing precautions 45 wristband 45 Enter key 31 Ergonomics 75 Error messages during startup see Startup error messages Esc Escape key 31 Expansion slots location 21 F Fan location 20 Files problems using 64 Floppy disk 25 backing up 26 caring for 25 double density disk 25 formatting 27 high density disk 25 labelling 26 low density disk 25 preparing for use 27 removing 25 write protecting 26 Floppy disk drive 19 sizes 25 Function keys 33 Fuses 3 G Graphics mode 35 resolution 36 screen modes 36 text mode 35 H Hard disk 23 backing up 24 caring for 24 problems 66 self parking heads 24 Help before you ring 71 90 forgotten password 65 lost keys 65 on line 1 9 troubleshooting 62 K Key combinations 34 Keyboard 29 compatibility 29 connector location 22 pin connections 79 keys 29 problem no response 62 Keypad numeric 33 special 34 Keys Alt Alternate key 31 Backspace key 31 Caps Lock key 31 combinations 34 Ctrl Control key 31 Enter key 31 Esc Escape key 31 function keys 33 Num Lock key 32 33 pause key 32 Print Screen key 32 Right Click key 32 Scroll Lock key 32 Shift key 30
9. Start Menu key 32 Tab key 30 typewriter like keys 30 Windows 95 keys 32 L Laser printer 37 LEDs floppy disk 19 hard disk drive 18 power 18 LPT1 38 Manuals 9 Licence agreements 8 on line 9 operating system 9 Memory fitting 52 removing 54 size mismatch 68 upgrades 51 Monitor 35 power connector location 21 type 77 problems screen frozen 64 unreadable 63 signal connector pins 76 Mouse 35 connector location 22 pin connections 79 problem no response 63 N Network connecting to 40 server 40 station 40 Num Lock key 32 Num Lock light 29 33 Numeric keypad 33 P Parallel connector location 22 LPT1 38 pin connections 78 selecting 38 Password changing 80 changing default password 80 enable disable 80 Pause key 32 Port parallel 22 serial 22 PostScript printer 37 Power requirements 73 Power switch 18 Index Print Screen key 32 Printer changing serial parameters 39 choosing 37 compatibility 36 connecting to 36 dot matrix 37 driver 36 laser 37 parallel 37 PostScript 37 problems 39 serial 37 testing 39 Problem solving 62 Processor upgrades fitting 55 Processor upgrades 55 R RAM see Memory S Safety 2 cables 3 CE marking 2 75 earthing wristband 45 fuses 3 handling options 47 looking after yourself 13 plugs and sockets 3 static electricity 45 ventilation and dust protection 4 Screen modes 36 Scroll Lock key 32 Scroll Lock light 29 32 Security coded number 8 Serial
10. Used in this Manual Throughout this manual the following conventions are used lt Enter gt Press the appropriate key on the keyboard see page 29 In this example you should press the lt Enter gt key lt Alt S gt Slashes separate keys In this example press the lt Alt gt key and hold it down as you press lt S gt Release both keys together lt gt lt gt These are the right left up and down arrow lt T gt lt l gt keys These keys are on the right of your keyboard Courier type face is used to indicate screen messages and command lines for example Press Enter to continue Introduction Chapter 1 Getting Started This chapter outlines the steps to follow and the jobs you need to complete before you can really start to use the computer for work 1 Before you start 2 Disks and manuals 3 Setting up your computer taking into account security and the environment RM also runs various training courses Contact the RM Training Administrator on Abingdon 01235 826125 for details 1 Getting Started Before you Start Serial Number The serial number label can be found on the rear panel of the computer s case The serial number is of the form of either TO123456 78 WO123456 78 or MO123456 78 It is important to make a note of the serial as this is your security number recorded on all expensive components inside your computer Part Number The part number can be found from
11. bit 0 Isb from computer 3 data bit 1 from computer 4 data bit 2 from computer 5 data bit 3 from computer 6 data bit 4 from computer 7 data bit 5 from computer 8 data bit 6 from computer 9 data bit 7 msb from computer 10 acknowledge to computer 11 busy to computer 12 paper end out of paper to computer 13 select to computer 14 autofeed from computer 15 error to computer 16 initialise printer from computer 17 select input from computer 18 25 ground not applicable shows active high shows active low 78 5 Technical Information Mouse and Keyboard Connector At the back of your C Series computer there are two identical standard IBM PS 2 style connectors One is for a PS 2 style mouse and the other is for a PS 2 style keyboard N C 6 5 Clock 5v fused 4 3 Gnd N C 2 1 Data System Setup CMOS Program The BIOS has a built in setup program which allow the user to modify the computer s basic system parameters This information is stored in the battery backed CMOS memory Your computer has been set up by RM and is ready to use Use the CMOS Setup program to change the system settings if e you change the amount of memory in your computer e you add or change a disk drive e you want to change the password e you want to set up special features Caution Do not attempt to run Setup and change the system settings unless you understand what you are doing You can experience
12. by pressing the reset button Read only memory This type of memory can only be read from The format including resolution and number of colours in which information is presented on the screen An interface which transmits or receives signals one piece at a time The unique number assigned to a computer or a component on RM computers the serial number is on the rear of the computer e g M012345678 A computer which controls the activities of a network Single Inline Memory Module Dual Inline Memory Module A small plug in board containing DRAM chips SIMMs provide your computer s memory Programs such as operating systems applications or languages standalone stop bit systemboard text editor utility VGA Windows 3 11 Windows 95 or Windows NT word length write protect ZIF Glossary A computer used on its own rather than linked into a network A serial communications parameter used to make sure that transmitting and receiving equipment are in step with one another The main printed circuit board inside a computer on which the processor and RAM are attached A program which allows you to create and edit batch files and other text files A program used by the operating system to organise and control files disks and devices A video graphics adapter and standard providing a selection of screen modes A set of programs which extends the MS DOS operating system It provides a
13. computer the system automatically detects the extra memory and updates the CMOS RAM On some models you may need to enter the Setup program to confirm the CMOS RAM in this case the following message is displayed RUN SETUP UTILITY Press lt F1l gt to RESUME Press lt F1 gt to run Setup Enter your password if the system prompts you to do so for default password see page 80 At the main menu save the changes The system will reboot 3 Fitting Hardware Options Check the memory test during boot up to see that the correct amount of memory has been detected and that your upgrade is working correctly 5 Replace the cover of the computer see page 44 and reconnect your system as shown on the Setting Up Your New Computer card System Board Upgrades Note Links on the systemboard may need moving for any of the systemboard upgrades Refer to the System Board User s Manual provided Processor There are a number of different processor upgrades depending on the model of computer which can enhance the performance of your computer All processors are fitted in to a ZIF Zero Insertion Force socket for easy removal and upgrading If you wish to purchase any of these upgrades contact the RM Sales Desk for more details Fitting a Processor Note You WILL need your System Board User s Manual The location of the socket and all link settings for processor types and speed is given in this manual
14. connector changing settings 39 COM1 38 location 22 pin connections 77 selecting 38 Serial number 8 21 Server 40 Setup program 91 Index changing password 80 corrupt CMOS 68 password enable disable 80 Shift key 30 SIMMs fitting 52 removing 54 Socket AC input 21 Special keypads 34 Startup error messages 67 C Drive Error 69 C Drive Failure 69 CMOS Battery State Low 68 CMOS Checksum Failure 68 CMOS Memory Size Mismatch 68 CMOS System Options Not Set 68 CMOS Time amp Date Not Set 69 D Drive Error 69 D Drive Failure 69 Diskette Boot Failure 69 FDD Controller Failure 69 HDD Controller Failure 69 Invalid Boot Diskette 70 Keyboard Error 68 Static electricity 45 System board 73 T Tab key 30 Text mode 35 Training 7 U Upgrades Adapter cards 46 cache 55 disk drives 56 5 inch floppy 56 CD ROM 56 Tape 56 Memory 51 Processor 55 V Ventilation 4 Voltage label 21 92 W Windows 95 keys 32 Wristband 45 Write protecting floppy disks 26
15. level on a monochrome monitor In text mode there are usually 80 columns and 25 rows in which characters appear Each character is formed from a number of pixels In graphics mode these pixels are in a denser matrix of columns and rows for example 640 columns and 480 rows Windows uses graphics mode 35 2 System Description RER Da Screen modes The screen mode the format in which the information is presented on the screen is defined as follows e The resolution of the display is the number of columns and rows of characters text or pixels graphics e The number of available colours or shades of grey Screen modes can be shown as follows 640 x 480 pixels x 256 colours which represents a graphics mode with 640 columns and 480 rows 256 colours can be displayed at any one time Some programs automatically select the screen mode which is most suitable for your system and the program Other programs must be configured to select different modes You can also fit cards to give extra higher graphics resolutions In this case you may need to remove the existing SVGA adapter There is additional help on setting up resolutions and refresh rates to match your monitor in the RM PC Help Connecting to a Printer 36 Printers must be carefully selected to produce the output you want They must also be set up correctly This can take some time and thought depending on your printer and which software you want
16. other keys to carry out particular functions These functions depend on the program you are using Remember you must press down the first key and keep it pressed down while you press the second key Where you need to press three keys you should press the first key hold it down and press the second key and holding down both keys press the third key Release all keys together The following combination can be used while running Windows to end a task or close down the system lt Ctrl Alt Del gt The Mouse 34 Your computer is set up ready for use with the supplied mouse A mouse is another means of entering information into the computer It is a small desk based object with two buttons You press or click these buttons to select options from the screen This can considerably speed up your use of the computer 2 System Description You may not be able to use your mouse with all types of software The Monitor Your computer is supplied with a Super VGA video graphics array display adapter You can use a VGA or Super VGA monitor in various sizes with your computer Contact RM for more information on monitors or consult your RM Sales catalogue Information appears on your monitor in either text or graphics modes depending on the software you are using Both text and graphics modes use a display of pixels These are tiny dots that light up to form a screen message or picture Each dot can be a different colour or intensity
17. plugged in to the computer and the computer switched ON before the monitor will power up If the monitor is not receiving a signal from the computer the on light may flash Is the brightness turned up and other controls adjusted correctly e Is your monitor compatible with your computer and do you have the correct cables e Does your monitor work correctly with other computers e Does your computer work with other monitors If initially OK but when you re boot it is unreadable the refresh rate or resolution has been setup incorrectly by the system software Try setting to a lower resolution The screen freezes and you cannot enter information Is the application waiting for a particular action or command Is the application looking for something such as a disk which has not been inserted in the floppy disk drive Resetting your computer If you cannot unlock the screen press the reset button see page Error Bookmark not defined on the front of the computer However work you have not saved will be lost e Does the same software function work on another computer Software You cannot locate a file e Have you typed the correct filename Do you need a particular filename extension for example DOC or PIC Do you need to specify a path a drive and or a directory 4 Maintenance Service and Troubleshooting Try using the Find command which can be found from the Start menu on the bottom of the
18. serious problems when using your computer if you select incorrect settings in Setup Full details on entering changing the system settings and saving changes and exiting are in the System Board User s Manual see the white envelope labelled Technical Information Important Before changing any system settings make a record of all current settings first 79 5 Technical Information 80 Changing the password Password protection can be used to keep your data secure by preventing unauthorised access to the system and Setup program By default the Setup program is protected by a password The password can be a maximum of eight characters i e you can use any letter or number The password may be case sensitive Be very careful to choose a password that you will not forget and others will not be able to guess Caution You should change the default password as soon as you receive your computer If YOU do not change the default password someone else may change it for you and prevent you from accessing the system If you forget your password you will need to return your computer to RM to be reset This reset is not covered by your warranty agreement REMEMBER THIS BEFORE YOU CHANGE YOUR PASSWORD CHOOSE A PASSWORD WHICH YOU WILL REMEMBER The first time you change the password The first time you select this option you will need to enter the default password The default password is the password which has been set u
19. the standard for the safety of information technology equipment including electrical business equipment Ergonomics The system hardware complies with the EEC directive 90 270 EEC and the British Standards BSEN29241 part 3 and BS7179 part 4 for ease and comfort of use Electro Magnetic Compatibility EMC On the 1st January 1996 the new Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive 89 336 EEC became a legal requirement on all electrical and electronic equipment RM products comply fully with the European Directive The relevant standards are EN50082 1 and EN55022 and these require e Protection from spurious mains power interference e Immunity from external radio frequency interference e Safeguards against static discharges ESD e Reduced radio frequency emission from PCs Environmental Factors Recommended working ambient temperature range 5 35 C Humidity conditions of between 20 and 80 non condensing Recommended maximum elevation above sea level for operation 3 300 metres 75 5 Technical Information The computer should not be subjected to vibration or shock Always transport your computer in its original packing material Connectors Video Signal Connector At the back of your C Series computer there is a video connector VGA analogue 15 way DIN in 9 way shell 3 row D type oAaAtnU amp BWNF 76 5 3 2 1 OOO00 1900 807060 OO0O00 Red 0 Green 0 Blue 0 Not used Digital g
20. to damage from the following sources e vibration e static electricity e sudden changes in temperature A hard disk is expensive to replace and data can be lost if the disk is damaged For precautions on static see page 45 The heads of the hard disk in your computer are self parking However remember that you must switch off the computer and allow the hard disk to stop rotating before moving the computer or adjusting its position on the desk 2 System Description Floppy Disks A 3 4nch floppy disk can be inserted into and removed from your computer The floppy disk drive fitted in your computer is a 1 44 MB 314nch disk drive The 1 44 MB 3 4nch drive accepts two types of 3 4nch disks e 1 44 MB floppy disks which are known as high density disks e 720 KB floppy disks known as low density or double density disks High density disks can hold approximately twice as much data as low density disks and are also more reliable We advise you to use high density disks wherever possible rather than low density disks Removing floppy disks Press the disk eject button at the front of the disk drive The floppy disk pops out halfway enough for you to take hold of it and pull it out of the drive Note You should remove floppy disks only when the floppy disk drive light is off Looking after floppy disks Look after your floppy disks to avoid them becoming damaged Keep disks e away from magnetic fields e clean and
21. ED on the front of the computer will light when the computer is switched on Wait for a few moments while the computer starts up then depending on the model your computer will boot either from the hard disk or network if connected Some models are supplied with a Boot Disk which can be used if required 1 Getting Started 15 Chapter 2 System Description This chapter describes various aspects of your C Series computer It covers the exterior of the computer using floppy disks using hard disk and CD ROM drives the keyboard and special keys the mouse the monitor using printers connecting to a network Variations between Models Your computer may not look exactly like the model shown overleaf For example it may not have a CD ROM drive fitted or it may also be fitted with another option in one of the spare drive bays 17 2 System Description The Front of the Computer 18 FDD LED Eject Button Power switch Power LED HDD LED Power switch The power switch is used to switch the computer on and off If you switch off the computer using the power switch wait about five seconds before switching on again Caution Think before you press the power switch Restarting your computer means you lose all un saved work If possible save your work and quit from any applications which you are running Power LED POWER This LED light emitting diode is lit to indicate that the computer is switched o
22. RN Computer Details Fill in the details of your computer for quick reference Model Description see front Of Computer ok eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeteeeeeeeeeeeeeeetaees Part Number see rear of Computer haaeeeceeeeeeeeeeenteeeeeeeeeteetttteeeeeees Serial Number see rear of computer WO TO MO c cceeeeeeeeeeeeteetteeeees Customer Account Number see despatch note ccceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeteeeeeees Graphics Cs AA talib tei Floppy disk drive Hard disk Configuration DiSkis e a MB Network Configuration ha decttteeeeteeettteetttteeeeeeeeeteeenaaees Options DIMMs SIZ RN MB S174 pababababibababakiPa PaPa kEPA PAPE EE Aiki MB CD ROM SPCCOS fi Goi paine a side aan TaS din Other Details sadaa e A t C Series User Manual Edition 1 Copyright Research Machines plc 1999 All rights reserved Although you may make copies of this manual for your own use you may make no other form of copy of any part of it without our written permission AT and IBM are registered trademarks of International Business Machines Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation PostScript is a registered trademark of Adobe Systems Inc Because our policy is to improve our products and services continually we may make changes without notice We have tried to keep the information in this manual completely accurate but we cannot be held responsible for the consequences of any errors or
23. Windows desktop Verify the contents of the disk by using the SCANDISK utility Windows NT has a repair disk Utility See the Help file for further information If the file is on a floppy disk is the disk properly inserted in the floppy disk drive Check that the shutter on the floppy disk moves freely 31 2 inch only If something is stuck in the drive such as a floppy disk label pull it out gently if you can Do not insert a screwdriver or anything similar into a disk drive If you have a problem contact a qualified service engineer for advice e f you have another computer with the same application installed copy the file from one computer to the other and try again You cannot save a file e Is the hard disk or floppy disk full e Are you trying to save the file to a write protected disk See page 26 e Are you working on a network and trying to save the file toa location to which you have no write access e Are you trying to save a file that is read only See your operating system manual for further information Forgotten Passwords If you forget your password you will need to return your computer to RM to be reset This reset is not covered by your warranty agreement CHOOSE A PASSWORD WHICH YOU WILL REMEMBER Since RM will need to ensure you are the owner you may need to provide some further identification to prevent unauthorised access to your computer 65 4 Maintenance Service and Troubleshoo
24. al also has its own on line tutorial help Network documentation If your computer is being used as a network station the accompanying network documentation tells you how to use your computer as part of a network Technical manuals Apart from this user manual your computer is supplied with a software copy of the System Board User s Manual Setting up the Computer Things to consider before you start 1 Getting Started Q Security Considerations 10 Theft of computers or components is becoming more common so RM recommend you implement all secure practices Security products are available e g security cable and padlock for information on the full range please call the Education Sales Desk on 01235 826868 Our sales advisors will be happy to discuss any aspect of PC security with you There are products to suit any security need and budget many are available on a next day delivery via RM Direct Access To restrict access to the computer place it in a room where you can control who uses it If the computer is being used as a server on a network then locking the computer in a separate room is a practical solution as long as there is adequate ventilation Passwords Your computer has a password feature which allows you to guard against unauthorised access This feature is set to setup as default with a password already installed We advise you change the password from the default as soon as possible Kee
25. all electrical and electronic equipment RM products comply fully with this European Directive The relevant standards are EN50082 1 and EN55022 and these refer to e Protection from spurious mains power interference e Immunity from external radio frequency interference e Safeguards against static discharges ESD e Reduced radio frequency emission from PCs Introduction Plugs and Sockets The mains cable provided with your computer comes with a sealed moulded plug so no wiring is required Always use the mains cable plug provided inserted into a standard 3 pin power socket only Sockets should be earthed through the wiring system of the building and must be easily accessible Cables Check the condition of all cables and particularly mains cables regularly If any are damaged replace them immediately Place the computer near to the socket to avoid trailing cables If you use an extension lead make sure it is three core and safely earthed Incorrect wiring can be fatal Fuses Always use a 5A fuse that conforms with BS1362 and is approved by ASTA for your C Series computer Always keep the fuse cover on WARNING Never replace a blown fuse with one of a higher rating than the correct fuse Ventilation and Dust Protection Your C Series computer has a cooling fan outlet on the rear panel and ventilation slots on the underside of the front panel Always make sure that all the ventilation outlets are not obstruct
26. application programs can use it CON2 is also a serial port and if not needed for a serial mouse may be used for any other standard serial device How to Select the Printer There is help on installing printers in the RM PC Help You can also set the printer as default for all Windows applications by selecting the Set As Default button 2 System Description Setting Serial Communication Parameters The following settings must have the same values on your computer as they do on the serial printer baud rate parity setting word length or number of data bits number of stop bits Find out the printer settings from your printer manual The computer and printer settings should match Testing your Printer Your printer will probably be supplied with a self test routine which checks that it is working If so the self test routine will be described in your printer manual To check that your printer works with your computer try printing the test page within the latest version of Windows If your printer does not print check that e You have switched on the printer and it is on line e The printer is not jammed or out of paper e You have correctly connected the cable e If itis a serial printer you have set up the serial communication parameters correctly e You have the correct switch settings 39 2 System Description Connecting to a Network 40 A network is a number of computers which are connect
27. ard so check the System Board User s manual for details on what type of battery is fitted e Re Chargeable battery This battery can maintain the CMOS memory for up to three months when fully charged The battery is automatically recharged whenever the computer is switched on and cannot be removed from the computer It should take approximately 14 hours to recharge the battery totally If this type of battery develops a fault and needs to be replaced the computer will need to be returned to RM Services for repair Note Do not leave the computer switched off for more than three months as the system may revert to default settings Make sure that the battery is fully charged if you do not intend using the computer for any length of time e Lithium battery This coin cell style battery is fitted on to the system board ina socket for easy replacement This type of battery has an estimated lifetime of at least seven years e Sealed Lithium battery This type of battery is built into the real time clock RTC chip which is fitted into a socket onto the systemboard for easy replacement This type of battery has an estimated lifetime of at least 10 years Physical Specifications Dimensions 420 D x 395 W x 135 mm H with feet 74 5 Technical Information Weight Up to 15 Kg including hard disk drive floppy disk drive 3 5 CD ROM drive PSU and standard adapter cards Safety This product complies with EN60950
28. arm air might blow into the ventilation outlets 12 1 Getting Started Looking after Yourself Make sure that you have enough space for all your paperwork and manuals A document holder may help to avoid awkward neck movements Adjust your chair and monitor so that you find the most comfortable position Check that there are no reflections from windows or bright lights if this is unavoidable adjust curtains and blinds or buy an anti glare cover for your monitor Make sure you have enough space underneath your desk to move your legs freely Try to avoid excessive pressure on the backs of your legs and knees A footrest may be helpful The angle of your keyboard can be adjusted to suit your preference and a space in front is helpful for resting your hands and wrists while typing Don t sit for long periods in the same position change your posture as often as practicable Short breaks away from the computer will help 13 1 14 Getting Started Starting Up Unpack your computer carefully and save all the packaging in case you need to move the computer at a later date If you place a monitor on top of your computer put it down gently Place it centrally if you can Do not put anything weighing more than 60 Kg 9 stone on top Connect up your monitor keyboard and mouse as shown on the Setting Up Your New Computer card Switch on the monitor first before switching on the computer The power L
29. but the principles apply to any vacant slot 47 3 Fitting Hardware Options Fitting a Card Toolbox Pozidriv no 1 screwdriver 1 Remove the cover see page 43 2 Select a slot that is appropriate for the card e g ISA or PCI local bus Note The position of the different types of expansion slots are in your System Board User s manual supplied 3 Unscrew the single screw at the side of the appropriate blanking plate and remove the blanking plate Put the screw in a safe place You no longer need the blanking plate but keep it in case you want to remove the card in the future 4 Prepare the card for fitting Make sure you have set any switches or jumpers on the card The manufacturer s documentation accompanying the card should tell you how to do this 5 Holding the card by the edge taking care not to touch any components align the mounting bracket with the rear panel Lower the card until the mounting bracket is located in the correct slot and the edge connector is in the socket on the system board Push the card firmly but gently into place Make sure that any external connectors project correctly from the rear panel 6 When the card is fitted correctly the screw cut out on the card mounting bracket should be lined up with the screw hole on the case Insert the blanking plate screw you removed earlier and use the screwdriver to tighten it Avoid over tightening the screw 48 3 Fitting Hardware Options
30. cs adapter graphics mode hard disk hardware Glossary Software which controls a device such as a printer or a mouse The set of connectors engraved along the edge of an adapter card which fits into an expansion slot Messages which the computer displays on the screen if the software discovers something wrong when it tries to process a command or program A commonly used networking standard Slots designed for add on cards to be fitted into the computer See adapter card A collection of related information stored on a disk and referred to by a filename A disk which can store information and which is inserted in a floppy disk drive for use Prepare a disk for use by a particular operating system An adapter which enables the computer to display text and graphics on a monitor A screen mode based on individual pixels rather than complete characters A fixed disk fitted inside a computer it can store large amounts of information Sometimes referred to as a fixed or Winchester disk Components which make up the computer and associated devices 83 Glossary 84 heatsink high density disk IBM compatible industry standard interface ISA KB LAN local bus low density disk LPT1 A metal construction placed on the processor to dissipate heat from the processor Sometimes a fan is used instead A 3 5 inch floppy disk holding 1 44 MB of information Capable of using sof
31. d contact RM CMOS Time amp Date Not Set The time and or date are not set Run the Setup program see page 79 and set the date and time Diskette Boot Failure Check the power and interface cables to the floppy disk drive Alternatively the floppy disk is corrupt and cannot be used to start up boot the system Use another boot disk and follow the instructions on the screen Also check for viruses on your hard disk 69 4 Maintenance Service and Troubleshooting 70 Invalid Boot Diskette The BIOS can read the floppy disk but the disk cannot be used to start up boot the system Use another boot disk and follow the instructions on the screen Also check for viruses on your hard disk 4 Maintenance Service and Troubleshooting Before you Ring for Help If you have tried the suggestions on the previous pages and the problem remains contact either RM or your supplier for help 1 Make sure you can provide full details of your system If you have not already done so fill in the form on the inside front cover of this manual so that you can give a quick reply to questions asked about your computer Make sure you know the serial number and part number of your computer when you ring RM You should also have your Service Call Number with you when you ring There is help on obtaining a service call number in RM PC Help Find out as much as you can about the problem and its effects so that you can describe it clearly
32. dry e away from sources of heat and direct sunlight 25 2 System Description 26 Backing up floppy disks Always make backups copies of programs and data which are important to you Store the backup in a safe place There is additional help on backing up in RM PC Help Labelling floppy disks Always label your disks carefully so that you know which files they contain Place the label on the front of the disk and make sure that the label does not touch any metal areas on the disk Write protecting floppy disks Write protecting a floppy disk allows you to read the files on it but not to change files delete files or add new files to the disk To write protect a 3 5 inch floppy disk turn it over and slide the plastic square as shown below read write write protected Later if you want to write to the disk you can slide the plastic square back to the read write position 2 System Description Preparing new floppy disks for use New disks must be prepared for storing information To do this you run a program which formats the disk so that the operating system can store and find information on it Beware Formatting a disk destroys any information held on the disk Be very careful when you format a disk You may be able to recover data lost when formatting a disk but you should not rely on this If you want to format a disk which you have used before check that y
33. e Caps Lock indicator LED lights to show that lt caps Lock gt has been pressed Using lt caps Lock gt has no effect on non alphabetic keys Caps Lock lt Sy To return the alphabetic keys to lower case mode press lt Caps Lock gt again The Caps Lock indicator LED goes out When the Caps Lock LED is on use the lt shift gt key to type a lower case letter The lt Backspace gt key moves the cursor back one position to the left and erases the letter character e tab or space in that position The lt Enter gt key is similar to the carriage return key on a typewriter It moves the cursor to the start of the next line on the screen The lt Enter gt key is also used to instruct the computer to carry out commands Cc Additional special keys The following keys cannot be found on a typewriter but are located in the main part of the keyboard These keys also carry out special functions depending on the program you are running The lt Ait gt Alternate key is used in conjunction with other keys For examples of other functions see page 34 lt DY a The lt ctr1 gt Control key is also used in conjunction with other keys to perform a particular function For examples of these functions see page 34 trl lt gt Eo The lt Esc gt Escape key can often be used to cancel a function or command depending on the program you are running lt gt
34. e bay for external drives such as ZIP drive tape backup drive and a CD ROM drive unless already fitted WARNING Remember that electricity is dangerous If you do not unplug your computer you may damage the parts inside it You may also damage yourself We strongly recommend you to wear an earthing wristband when touching internal computer parts to avoid damage due to static electricity See page 45 for details on how to attach a wristband to your computer 3 Fitting Hardware Options The Cover of the Computer Removing the Cover Toolbox Pozidriv no 1 screwdriver 1 Switch off your computer and unplug it from the mains 2 Remove the security cable or padlock if fitted Switch off unplug and disconnect all attached equipment including the monitor mouse keyboard and any network cable s 3 Unscrew and remove the three screws which secure the cover to the rear panel Put these screws in a safe place Remove Screws 5 Slide the cover backwards about 2 cm to disengage it from the front moulding of the case Lift the cover up and off and put it in a safe place 43 3 Fitting Hardware Options Replacing the Cover Toolbox Pozidriv no 1 screwdriver 1 44 Make sure that all the internal cables are tucked safely out of the way so that they will not be caught between the cover and the internal frame Place the cover onto the case so the security bracket sticks out the back about 2 cm from the fro
35. e grill on the rear panel is the outlet for the cooling fan Caution Do not obstruct the PSU outlet or this may lead to overheating 20 2 System Description Mains power connector An AC power supply is used to power the computer The power cable plugs into this socket Make sure the plug is fitted into the socket firmly and the cables are routed where they cannot be accidentally dislodged Serial number Make sure that you record the serial number onto the inside front cover of this manual for security purposes The serial number also identifies your computer model If you contact RM you may be asked for this number Voltage specification label IMPORTANT The input voltage selection switch is concealed behind a label to prevent accidental tampering with the input voltage The computer is pre set to 220 240V the setting for the United Kingdom If you attempt to operate your computer with this switch set incorrectly or you move the switch to the other setting during use you will seriously damage your computer If you do not use the computer for a while check the position of the mains input voltage switch before connecting the mains supply Expansion slots Adapter cards can be fitted into your computer using expansion slots Monitor signal connector The blue graphics connector is either in an expansion slot or in the system I O panel This connector is a D type 15 pin socket for connection to industry standard a
36. ed to prevent your computer from overheating Introduction Unused expansion slots and unused disk drive bays should always be covered with the supplied blanking plates This will ensure the correct airflow inside your computer and keep dust out Keeping the blanking plates in place will also prevent electromagnetic interference occurring between your computer and other equipment Note that while hard disk drives are sealed against dust floppy disk and CD ROM drives cannot be protected in the same way and they may be damaged if you keep your computer in an area which is very dusty Other Precautions WARNING Before adding or removing any adapter card or peripheral be sure to turn the computer off and disconnect it from the mains supply Failure to do so could cause serious damage to the computer and associated components and may cause injury to yourself or others Warranty claims made for defects arising from failure to comply with this instruction will not be entertained by RM or their suppliers of third party components Introduction e Do not tamper with the power supply unit e Do not move the computer while it is switched on If you want to move the computer always switch it off and wait for a minute to allow the hard disk s to stop rotating e Keep the computer cover screwed on when in use Always replace the cover when you have finished working within the computer and before you switch it back on Conventions
37. ed together These computers can share applications and exchange data The network consists of a server and at least one network station The server stores the software and the users files the network station is a computer used by anyone wanting to access the information and applications on the server If you purchase a network interface it will have a network connector to which a cable can be attached to connect the computer to a network The connector s protrudes through one of the inner panels of the rear panel expansion slots The type of connector depends upon your station type which could be one of the following e Ethernet thin wire 10 base 2 BNC e Ethernet thick wire 10 base 5 AUI e Ethernet twisted pair 10 base T UTP e Fast Ethernet 100 base TX UTP Consult your network administrator and the documentation supplied with your network operating system for further information on connecting up and configuring the network Chapter 3 Fitting Hardware Options Several hardware options can be fitted in your computer Fitting additional options upgrades the performance of the computer and can increase its capabilities This chapter covers the following topics e How to remove and replace the cover of your computer e How to fit and remove expansion cards e How to fit and remove DIMMs e How to fit and remove upgrade processors e How to fit and remove disk drives Selecting options A full list of the opt
38. eplace the cover of the computer see page 44 and reconnect your system as shown on the Setting Up Your New Computer card 5 When you switch on your computer the system automatically detects the extra memory and updates the CMOS RAM On some models you may need to enter the Setup program to confirm the CMOS RAM in this case the following message is displayed RUN SETUP UTILITY Press lt F1l gt to RESUME Press lt F1 gt to run Setup Enter your password if the system prompts you to do so for default password see page 80 At the main menu save the changes The system will reboot Check the memory test during boot up to see that the correct amount of memory has been detected and that your upgrade is working correctly 6 Replace the cover of the computer See page 44 and reconnect your system as shown on the Setting Up Your New Computer card 53 3 Fitting Hardware Options 54 Removing a DIMM 1 Remove the cover see page 43 2 Using your fingers push the plastic retaining clips down and away from the DIMM to release it from the socket The released DIMM can then be lifted up and out of the slots at either end of the DIMM socket Take care not to damage the socket when removing the DIMM DIMM retaining clips Replace the cover of the computer See page 44 and reconnect your system as shown on the Setting Up Your New Computer card When you switch on your
39. graphical user interface GUI based on windows icons menus and the use of a mouse Newer versions of Windows 3 11 which supports Plug and play and greater security and power management Serial communications parameter defining the length of one character of information to be transmitted or received The mechanism provided on a floppy disk to prevent the information on it from being changed Zero Insertion Force A type of socket that uses a lever to lock and release the component in the socket 87 Glossary 88 A AC input socket 21 Adapter card fitting 48 removing 50 Adapter Card handling 47 Alt Alternate key 31 Backing up disks 9 Backspace key 31 Battery changing 74 charging 74 low 68 specification 73 C Caps Lock key 31 Caps Lock light 29 31 CD disk caring for 28 CDs 28 CMOS Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor 79 COM1 38 COM2 22 Compatibility connectors 76 printer 36 Computer cleaning 59 connectors 76 dimensions 74 environmental factors 75 internal structure 42 moving 60 problem no power 62 peripherals not working 63 rearof 20 Index removing cover 43 repacking 60 replacing cover 44 safety 74 serialnumber 8 21 servicing 61 setting up 10 setup program 79 weight 74 Connector 76 keyboard 22 79 monitor power 21 77 monitor signal 76 mouse 22 79 parallel 22 78 serial 22 77 serial mouse 77 Conventions used in this manual 5 Cover removing 43 replacing
40. gt 4 Maintenance Service and Troubleshooting e Have you tried another keyboard if possible Mouse The mouse does not work e Check the mouse is plugged into the correct port e Check you have the correct mouse drivers loaded if required Peripherals Printers and other Input Output devices Equipment connected to your computer does not work e Do you have the correct cable e Has the equipment been set up correctly See Connecting to a Printer beginning on page 36 for information on setting up a printer Has the equipment been started up correctly e Have any switches on the inside or the outside of the equipment been incorrectly set e Has your computer been set up to recognise the equipment Has your software been configured to use the equipment If it needs a special driver has the driver been installed correctly e Does the equipment work on another computer which has been configured exactly the same Monitor The monitor screen is blank when you switch on or the monitor screen shows a display but it is unreadable e Is your system set up as shown on the Setting Up Your New Computer card Check especially that the monitor signal cable connector for the correct orientation or bent pins 63 4 Maintenance Service and Troubleshooting 64 e Is your monitor switched on at the power source and the monitor Most monitors have an on light Note Some monitors need the monitor signal cable
41. he keyboard 2 System Description Fedele elles eede These keys are used to carry out particular functions or tasks The function depends on the software you are running Numeric Keypad Ed ES Ee EER All The numeric keypad is located to the right of the main keyboard as shown above These keys can be used as either cursor movement keys or number keys When lt Num Lock gt is pressed these keys produce numbers and the Num Lock indicator LED is lit If you press lt Num Lock gt again the Num Lock LED goes off and the keys can be used to move the cursor Pressing the lt shift gt key temporarily inverts the key operation As number keys The layout of these keys is useful for entering numeric data The add subtract division and multiply keys are on the same keypad with an lt Enter gt key As cursor movement keys These keys move the cursor when you run applications use text editors and enter commands The function of the key depends on the program you are using 33 2 System Description Special Keypads The keyboard has separate cursor movement keys to the left of the numeric keypad a 7 lt r arm _O Sh FEE ESS lt lt lt o as Page N nN ee ah NS TE Ee These keys can be used to move the cursor even when the numeric keypad is set to produce numbers Key Combinations The lt ctr1 gt and lt alt gt keys can be used in combination with
42. ial on the rear of the computer and attach the other end to the printer If the cable does not fit into your computer s connector you may need a different cable Tell your supplier that your computer is compatible with the IBM PC AT range of computers 3 Plug the printer into the mains and switch on 4 Load the printer with paper as instructed in the printer manual 5 Now select the printer as specified in next section 37 2 System Description 38 LPT1 LPT1 is the device name of the standard parallel port or connector Many application programs send their output to LPT1 unless you select an alternative Your computer and any peripheral devices connected to it may be capable of using faster parallel port modes either EPP or ECP Check the installation manuals with other devices which you are going to attach to your computer To enable these modes it is necessary to enter the system SETUP program It may also be necessary to configure the system board to support DMA in ECP mode See the System Board User Manual for details There is step by step help on setting changing to ECP mode for Windows 95 in the RM PC Help Note that both EPP and ECP ports are completely compatible with existing parallel ports and may be used in standard printer modes if the enhanced modes are not applicable COM1 and COM2 COM1 is the device name of the standard serial port or connector on your computer You need to select this port before
43. ions Unscrew and remove the metal EMC screening plate which is across the front of the drive bay You no longer need the EMC screening plate but keep it in case you want to remove the drive in the future Remove the plastic case front panel Remove the plastic blanking panel that covers the front of the drive bay Fit the drive upgrade into the drive cage by sliding it in from the front Align the disk drive with the flat face on the front of the computer then secure the disk drive in the drive cage using four screws two on each side taking care not to over tighten them and that they are the correct length There are several flying lead connectors from the power supply unit used for connecting additional disk drives select the large connector and connect this to the power connector at the rear of the drive The connector is polarised to prevent you fitting it upside down The drive signal cable will be supplied either in the upgrade or for a floppy drive upgrade the existing cable supplied in your computer can be used Connect up the cable according to the specific upgrade instructions The drive is normally marked and the connectors are polarised to prevent incorrect fitting Replace the cover and front panel of the computer see page 44 and reconnect your system as shown on the Setting Up Your New Computer card Specific fitting instructions are provided with all drive upgrades A CD ROM drive u
44. ions that can be purchased from RM is given in the RM Systems price list Before buying an upgrade from a manufacturer other than RM we advise you to contact RM to ensure that the option you intend to buy is suitable for use with your computer Fitting options Some hardware options can be fitted by you others must be fitted by RM If you buy an RM upgrade which can be fitted by you the upgrade is supplied with its own fitting instructions which you should follow However if you buy an upgrade from another manufacturer Such as additional SIMMs it may have no instructions and you may be directed to the computer manufacturer s information i e this chapter If you prefer to have the upgrade fitted for you contact RM Services on 01235 826617 41 3 Fitting Hardware Options Internal Structure of the Computer 42 The internal structure of the C Series computer can vary depending on the model The system board may vary in each model so each system is supplied with a software copy of it s own System Board User s manual The system board has a number of expansion slots which may have adapter cards already fitted e g a PCI graphics card There may also be other adapter cards for connecting to items such as a network or a tape drive unit The floppy disk drive can be found in the smaller centre drive cage The hard disk drive can be found underneath the floppy disk drive This leaves room for expansion in the larger driv
45. k Pack the computer back into its original packing There is help on obtaining a service call number in RM PC Help 61 4 Maintenance Service and Troubleshooting Problem Solving 62 Keep a note of what happens when you carry out the checks in this chapter If the checks do not help turn to page 70 for what to do next Computer The green power light does not come on when you switch on the computer e Is your computer set up as shown on the Setting Up Your New Computer card e Is your computer switched on at the mains and at the computer e Is the fuse in the plug blown Replace the fuse see page 3 e Does the mains supply work Try another item of equipment in the same socket WARNING A blown fuse can be a sign that connections are incorrect or that the wiring in the plug is wrong A fuse can also blow if the computer overheats check that nothing covers the ventilation holes on the back panel Keyboard Nothing happens when you type on the keyboard e Is your system set up correctly as shown on the Setting Up Your New Computer card Is your keyboard correctly plugged into the keyboard connector at the rear of the computer Are you using an application Press lt Num Lock gt If the lt Num Lock gt indicator light comes on the computer is probably busy performing a time consuming task If the light does not come on you may need to close down the application by pressing lt Ctr1 Alt Del
46. m the disk There are three types of disk drives hard disk drives HDD floppy disk drives FDD and compact disk drives CD ROM drives An LED is lit while the computer is reading information from or writing to a disk Hard Disks A hard disk is a non removable disk which is built into the system You can write to and read information from a hard disk much faster than from a floppy disk A hard disk can also store larger amounts of information than a floppy disk Hard disks cannot be seen from the outside of the computer If you have a standalone computer i e the computer is not connected to a network you can find out whether or not your computer has a hard disk as follows switch on the computer without a floppy disk in drive A if the operating system loads automatically the computer is fitted with a hard disk 23 2 System Description 24 Backing up a hard disk We advise you to make regular copies of all the programs and data on your hard disk using either floppy disks or tape Tapes provide a fast non disruptive and secure method of archiving and restoring data Backing up your hard disk ensures that you always have a copy of the information held on the disk should you subsequently experience problems with it There is additional help on backing up in RM PC Help Caring for your hard disk Take care of your hard disk It is fragile and may be damaged if accidentally knocked or jolted It is particularly vulnerable
47. n and the power supply is operational Hard disk drive LED HDD This is lit when the computer is accessing the hard disk or a device attached to the hard disk interface 2 System Description 3 inch floppy disk drive The floppy disk drive fitted in the computer uses standard 3 4nch disks To insert a disk push it into the shuttered slot until it clicks into place Floppy disk drive LED This is lit when the computer is accessing the disk in the floppy disk drive Disk eject button To eject a disk simply press the disk eject button Do not eject a disk if the floppy disk drive LED is lit since the computer is reading from or writing to the disk CDROM drive The CDROM drive fitted into the computer uses standard Compact Disks or CD s To insert or remove a CD from the drive press the eject button so that the tray slides open Press the button again to close the tray CDROM drive LED This is lit when the computer is accessing the CD in the CDROM drive 19 2 System Description The Rear of the Computer These features can be identified at the rear of the computer Expansion Slots Mains power System board connector TO panel Note Not all connectors are shown here I O connectors may appear in any position in the I O panel and additional connectors may appear in any of the expansion slots according to the model Refer to page 76 for further details about the rear panel connectors Fan Th
48. nalogue VGA and Super VGA monitors See page 76 for diagram of this connector Some models have additional adapter card s fitted as standard which will occupy one or more of the expansion slots for example an Ethernet card 21 2 System Description 22 I O connectors The mouse serial parallel and keyboard connectors are fitted to I O connector positions These connectors are labelled See page 76 for diagrams of these connectors Mouse connector This is a 6 pin IBM PS 2 connector for use with a PS 2 style mouse Serial connector This is a standard 9 pin D type serial connector Use this connector to connect to a serial device such as an external modem or a serial printer The device name of this interface is COM1 If there are two serial ports then the other device name is COM2 Parallel connector This connector is mainly used to connect your computer to a parallel printer The connector is a 25 pin D type connector and its device name is LPT1 Any additional parallel ports which have been fitted to your machine will be identified by their device names e g LPT2 Keyboard connector This is a 6 pin socket used to connect a standard IBM PS 2 style keyboard to the computer 2 System Description Using Disks and Disk Drives A disk is a magnetic storage device which holds information such as computer programs and data The computer uses disk drives to write information to a disk and to read information fro
49. nd ensure that the hard disk type is correct see page 79 for information on the Setup program Is it possible to start up the system using a boot disk and then read the information on the hard disk If so see the problem explanation below If you cannot access any of the information on the hard disk contact RM You cannot start up using the hard disk but can access the disk when you start up from floppy Make a backup of the contents of your hard disk before trying the following e Try running the SYS command from C WINDOWS COMMAND This will transfer a new copy of the system files onto the root of the hard disk The system files may have been accidentally deleted from the hard disk Error Messages During Start up If a non fatal error is detected during start up i e an error which does not prevent the system from starting up an error message is displayed on your screen Note the error message and then press lt F1 gt to continue If the POST Power On Self Tests detects a fatal error during start up i e an error which will not allow the system to continue the start up procedure your computer has developed a serious problem Fatal errors are usually communicated through a series of audible beeps This section lists some of the error messages which are displayed and suggests how to correct the error using the Setup program See the Systemboard User Manual found in the white envelope labelled Technical Information fo
50. nt moulding Slide the cover forwards until it is flush with the front moulding Lower cover and slide forward Refit and tighten the three screws securing the cover to the rear panel Gently place the monitor on top of the case Connect up your computer and the rest of the system as shown on the Setting Up Your New Computer card supplied 3 Fitting Hardware Options Protecting Against Static Electricity STATIC WARNING Before handling any of the components in the computer take precautions against damage caused by static electricity on your body If you have an earthing wristband attach it to the power supply unit Make sure that it is connected to a metal part of the power supply unit and not to a label Power Supply Earthing Wristband If you do not have an earthing wristband always discharge any static electricity which may have built up on your body before touching any components To do this touch the unpainted metal rear panel of the computer near the mains inlet If you take a break from working inside the computer repeat the above procedure before you restart You need to discharge new static which may have built up in your body 45 3 Fitting Hardware Options Adapter Cards 46 You can enhance the capabilities of your computer by inserting adapter cards into the bus expansion slots 16 bit ISA Industry Standard Architecture cards or PCI local bus cards full size o
51. omissions Research Machines plc New Mill House 183 Milton Park ABINGDON Oxon OX14 4SE Telephone Abingdon 01235 826000 Contents Introduction Safety Plugs and Sockets Cables Fuses Ventilation and Dust Protection Other Precautions Conventions Used in this Manual Chapter 1 Getting Started Before you Start Disks and Manuals Setting up the Computer Security Considerations Environment Considerations Looking after Yourself Starting Up Chapter 2 System Description Variations between Models The Front of the Computer The Rear of the Computer Using Disks and Disk Drives Hard Disks Floppy Disks CD ROM Drives The Keyboard Typewriter like Keys Function Keys Numeric Keypad Special Keypads Key Combinations The Mouse The Monitor mb aRWWW WP Contents Connecting to a Printer Compatibility Choosing a Printer Setting up a Printer How to Select the Printer Setting Serial Communication Parameters Testing your Printer Connecting to a Network Chapter 3 Fitting Hardware Options Internal Structure of the Computer The Cover of the Computer Removing the Cover Replacing the Cover Protecting Against Static Electricity Adapter Cards Handling Adapter Cards Fitting a Card Removing a Card DIMMs Fitting a DIMM Removing a DIMM System Board Upgrades Processor Fitting a Processor Drive Upgrades Fitting a Drive Chapter 4 Maintenance Service and Troubleshooting Looking After Your Computer
52. onal sockets available See the RM Systems price list for details on memory upgrade kits Depending on the model there may be a number of 84 pin DIMM sockets on the system board Memory modules can be fitted in these sockets in certain arrangements only Do not use other combinations If you do so your computer may not operate correctly The different memory module combinations and sockets are specific to each model of RM computer Refer to the System Board User s manual if supplied or contact RM for details of allowed combinations DIMM socket gt S E_E e 51 3 Fitting Hardware Options Fitting a DIMM These instructions refer to fitting a DIMM N B The retention mechanism on the sockets may vary from those illustrated 1 Remove the cover see page 43 2 Hold the DIMM at a 90 angle to the empty socket with the notches on the DIMM aligned with the notches on the empty socket Note The DIMM has a polarising notch slightly off centre so that it cannot be fitted incorrectly DIMM Notches anti static wrist strap 52 3 Fitting Hardware Options 3 Keeping the DIMM at this angle slide it between the slots at each end of the DIMM socket it horizontal and at a 90 to the socket Press the DIMM firmly into the socket the retaining clips will click into place securing the DIMM at each end of the socket Make sure that both of these clips are in the vertical position 4 R
53. or or a key is being held down Check that the keyboard connector is plugged into the rear of the computer correctly CMOS Memory Size Mismatch The BIOS has detected a difference between the amount of RAM in the system and the amount stored in the Setup program Press lt F1 gt to run Setup The correct memory size is recorded automatically 4 Maintenance Service and Troubleshooting FDD Controller Failure The BIOS is unable to communicate with the floppy disk drive controller Switch off the system and then check all the connections going to the floppy disk drive also check the connections to where the cables go to on the cards If this error message returns when you switch on again you may have a hardware problem and should contact RM HDD Controller Failure The BIOS is unable to communicate with the hard disk Switch off the system and then check the power and interface cables to the drive If this error message returns when you switch on again you may have a hardware problem and should contact RM C Drive Error D Drive Error The BIOS is not receiving a response from either hard disk drive C or D Check the type of hard disk selected in Setup Re run the auto detect function in the Setup program see page 79 for information on the setup program C Drive Failure D Drive Failure The BIOS is unable to obtain any response from either hard disk drive C or D You may have a serious problem with your hard disk and shoul
54. ou no longer need the files stored on it To format a disk in Windows follow these simple steps 1 Place the floppy disk you want to format into the floppy drive Ensure the write protect tab is not set 2 Select the My Computer icon on the Windows desktop 3 Place the pointer on the floppy drive icon and press the right mouse button for the drop down menu 4 Select Format from the list 5 Now follow the instructions given on the screen 27 2 System Description CD ROM Drives A CD ROM drive is used for reading compact disks CD s It will be built into the spare drive bays CDs are used as mass storage devices because you can store huge amounts of data on them Looking after your CDs We advise you try to keep the CDs in their original packaging You should try to protect the surface of the disk from scratches fingerprints dust particles and smears Never put the CD down on a hard surface as this can easily mark the CD s surface Handling the disk should be done using either the outer edge or the centre hole Avoid leaving CDs in direct sunlight as this can warp or deform them Extremely humid conditions and sudden changes in temperature should also be avoided if possible If the surface of the CD gets dirty use a soft dry cloth to clean it You can buy a special liquid to help clean the surface of the CD available from most good record shops If you want to label a CD mark the labelled side with a sof
55. ou start using your computer Refer to this manual whenever you need further information on how to operate your computer This Windows icon is the RM PC Help icon which loads the RM PC help file This file is pre installed on all C Series computers with a hard disk drive fitted as standard and provides help on setting up and optimising the performance of your computer Wherever you see this icon in this manual it indicates that there is additional help or more detailed information available in the Help file The RM PC Help file also includes updates covering new features or improvements that may not yet be incorporated into this manual Introduction Safety CE Please read the information on this and the following pages It is important for your safety WARNING Electricity is dangerous it is vital to earth all mains powered equipment that is designed to be earthed This includes the computer and any peripheral devices you may be using Even if a piece of equipment operates correctly this is no guarantee of electrical safety If in any doubt consult a qualified electrician Hazardous voltages are exposed if the cover of the computer is removed This computer is designed to meet the EN60950 safety standard which apply s to information technology equipment including electrical business equipment On the 1st January 1996 the new Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive 89 336 EEC became a legal requirement on
56. p a note of the password in a safe place See Technical Information page 80 for information on using the CMOS setup program to change passwords 1 Getting Started Environment Considerations Power Supply Place the computer near to a power point to avoid trailing cables If you do use an extension lead make sure it is three core and safely earthed Avoid connecting the computer to a power supply that is shared with heavy duty equipment such as hydraulic lifts vacuum cleaners and lathes or portable tools This sometimes causes irregularities in the power supply Surface Operate your computer only if Lo Ol it is securely placed on its ol base on a flat surface Do not al of use it on its side or upside j down 11 1 Getting Started Temperature Avoid placing your computer in an environment that is damp or dusty as this will shorten the working life of the computer Do not place the computer where it will have prolonged exposure to direct sunlight Avoid extremes of temperature below 5 C and above 35 C If you move your computer from a cold place into a warm room allow some time for it to warm up before you switch it on so that it is at the correct operating temperature Always make sure that all ventilation outlets are not obstructed to prevent overheating Do not place your computer where w
57. p by Research Machines for use until you change the password The default password is RM When you have entered the default password correctly the system prompts you to enter the new password You will have to enter the new password twice for confirmation Glossary Below is a list of terms with notes on their meaning in the context of this manual 16 bit The number of bits of information which can be dealt with by the hardware at one time Adapter card A card which fits inside the computer to enhance its performance or capabilities application A particular set of tasks or a program designed to carry them out backup Copy information for safekeeping normally from one disk to another baud rate The rate of information transmission through a serial interface BIOS Basic Input Output System the interface software between the hardware and the operating system bus A component which carries signals from one part of the computer to another see also PCI cache memory High speed RAM hardware which speeds up memory operations Newer models have cache internally in the CPU CD ROM drive A compact disc providing read only information chip A flake of crystalline silicon enclosed in a casing with metal pins on which circuits are engraved to carry store or process electrical signals representing data within the computer 81 Glossary 82 CMOS compatibility COM1 COM2 communication parameters configu
58. pgrade or tape backup unit may need extra software installed in the form of a drivers disk A floppy drive or hard disk drive upgrade may need to be set up in the CMOS Setup program see the Systemboard User Manual for details 57 Chapter 4 Maintenance Service and Troubleshooting This chapter covers the following e looking after the computer e moving and re packing the computer e returning the computer for service e Problem solving if things go wrong and you cannot sort out the problem contact RM Customer Support a There is a current list of phone numbers in RM PC Help Looking After Your Computer If you do not use the computer for a while protect it with a dust cover General Maintenance Always make sure that the computer is switched off before you attempt to do any cleaning Clean your computer regularly Dust the keyboard monitor casing and computer Use a damp cloth and mild glass cleaner to clean the monitor screen but be careful not to press hard on it 59 4 Maintenance Service and Troubleshooting Make sure that no liquid seeps into any of the equipment especially the inside of the computer or keyboard so keep food and liquids away Avoid using aerosols or strong cleaning agents Do not use a damp cloth to clean floppy disks Do not attempt to clean the interior of the computer This service should only be performed by a fully qualified RM technician Moving and Re packing the Computer
59. r half size can be fitted in the computer using the expansion slots The positioning of the adapter cards may vary so refer to the expansion label for identification of the various adapter cards The positioning of the adapter cards do not affect the general procedures given in this chapter but you may have to rearrange them in order to fit a new adapter card You can remove adapter cards and refit them into any other similar slots The position of some adapter cards may be affected by the length of the adapter card route of cables attached to them or whether they require a specific type of slot e g ISA or PCI or perhaps a bus master slot ST ISA expansion slot PCI local bus e es expansion slot If you have an older ISA card it may be only 8 bit and therefore only fits into half of the ISA slot 3 Fitting Hardware Options Handling Adapter Cards STATIC WARNING Ensure that cards and chips are not damaged by static that builds up on your body e If you have an earthing wristband put it on before touching any card or chip see page 45 e Hold an adapter card by the glass fibre edges or by the mounting bracket connected to the card as shown below Mounting Bracket Edge Connector e Avoid touching either the electrical components that are mounted on the card or the gold edge connector The following instructions tell you how to fit or remove cards ina particular slot
60. r more error codes beep codes and how to use the Setup program 67 4 Maintenance Service and Troubleshooting 68 CMOS Battery State Low The battery in your system which provides power to CMOS to store the system settings is low in power and needs to be changed or recharged depending on the battery type Leave the computer switched on for 48 hours to recharge the battery CMOS Checksum Failure When you save changes made in Setup and exit the Setup program a checksum value is generated This value is stored and used for error checking If this stored value is different from the value determined by the POST routines during start up the CMOS Checksum Failure error message is displayed Change the Setup to the optimal settings then change any additional variances according to the model of computer see page 79 for details on the Setup program If this error message is displayed frequently you may have a hardware problem and should contact RM Note Some viruses can change the BIOS configuration and cause a checksum failure Check by running a virus checking program CMOS System Options Not Set The system settings stored in Setup are either corrupt or non existent Run the Setup program and make any necessary changes If the password options have been corrupted the password reverts to the default password See page 80 for details of the default password Keyboard Error There is an error with the keyboard connect
61. ration data disk disk capacity disk drive double density disk drive name CMOS memory Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor stores the system parameters such as the number and types of disk drives options for password protection and other special features The ability of a computer or item of hardware to deal with information or hardware produced for another Device names used by the system to identify the two serial ports COM1 is the standard serial port and CON2 is normally used for the mouse Baud rate word length parity and number of stop bits settings which must be the same for serial devices sending data to each other The selection of items of equipment used by your computer and the way they are set up for use Information sent to or received from the computer A medium on which programs and data can be magnetically encoded for storage and future use The amount of information which can be stored on a disk expressed in megabytes MB or kilobytes KB A piece of hardware fitted to your computer which allows programs and data to be transferred between RAM and a disk See low density disk The name used to identify a disk drive or another storage device for example the drive name A is used by the operating system to identify the first floppy disk drive driver edge connector error messages Ethernet expansion slot expansion card file floppy disk format graphi
62. round Red return Green return p Analogue Blue return J grounds 14 13 10 11 12 13 14 15 Not used Digital ground Not used Not used Horizontal sync 0 Vertical sync 0 Reserved 5 Technical Information Monitor Power Connector Type IEC 230V 1A a c Output Voltage same as the input to the computer Current 1A maximum Serial Connector At the back of your C Series computer is the serial connector RS232C asynchronous 9 way male D type connectors The 9 pin plug wiring is the same as an IBM serial adapter for the IBM PC AT giving an RS232 like interface 6 7 8 9 Pin Function Direction Number 1 DCD carrier detect to computer 2 RX received data to computer 3 TX transmitted data from computer 4 DTR data terminal from computer ready 5 GND signal ground not applicable 6 DSR data set ready to computer 7 RTS request to send from computer 8 CTS clear to send to computer 9 RI ring indicator to computer indicates active high indicates active low 77 5 Technical Information Parallel Connector There is one parallel connector at the back of your C Series computer AT compatible 25 way female D type connector Note EPP ECP signals are not shown see the System Board User Manual 13 12 11109 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Oe OF O O O O Oe Or On On Oe Oe OOO OOOO O00 0 0 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 Pin Number Function Direction 1 strobe from computer 2 data
63. t keys See later for more information on these keys 29 2 System Description 30 Typewriter like Keys The layout of the typewriter like keys is similar to that of a standard typewriter as shown below Ss am Sm A PS la The normal actions of these keys are similar to those on a typewriter when you press an alphabetic key the lower case letter appears Non alphabetic keys give the lower of the two characters inscribed on the key For most of the keys you can repeat a character by holding down the key The cursor is the marker on the screen which indicates where the next letter or character will appear when you press a key Special keys The following keys carry out particular functions In many cases the function depends on the program you are running m To type upper case letters on alphabet keys and e the upper row of characters on non alphabet keys la press lt shift gt and hold it down while you press the key you require For example pressing lt Shift gt and holding it while you press lt a gt gives a capital A e The lt Tab gt key moves the cursor to the right to the gt Ea next tab stop When used with lt shift gt lt Tab gt Va moves the cursor to the previous tab stop in some applications The tab stop positions are defined by the program you are running 2 System Description Press lt Caps Lock gt if you want the alphabetic keys to produce upper case letters Th
64. t felt tip pen NEVER use a hard or ball point pen as this may damage the CD s surface Caring for your CD ROM drive Take care of your CD ROM drive It is expensive and fragile and may be damaged if the computer is accidentally knocked or jolted Caution Never use excessive force when pushing in the CD ROM tray The CD ROM drive is particularly vulnerable to the following sources of damage shock vibration static electricity sudden changes in temperature 28 2 System Description The Keyboard The keyboard is used to type instructions and enter information into the computer The keyboard supplied with your system is a Windows 95 105 key keyboard see page 79 for pin out of connector You can adjust the keyboard to two different working positions using the fold away legs on the underside of the keyboard The Keys The keys on the keyboard are grouped together into four main areas e typewriter like keys e function keys numeric keypad e special keypads The following sections outline the most common key actions The action of any of the keys can be changed by the program you are running For example most programs use the alphabetic keys to produce letters Some games programs use alphabetic keys for other purposes such as controlling the movements and actions of objects on the screen The three lights on the right hand side show the status of the lt Num Lock gt lt Caps Lock gt and lt Scroll Lock g
65. the label on the rear panel of the computer s case The part number is of the form 12345 Together with the Serial Number this number uniquely identifies every machine Customer Account Number The despatch note has your customer account number printed on it You will need this number if you ever need to call RM Make a note of the number on the inside front cover of this manual or another suitable place Licence Agreements Make sure all licence agreements are kept in a safe place as they may be required if you wish to re install or upgrade the software on your computer These may also be required if you need to demonstrate you are using correctly licensed software 1 Getting Started Disks and Manuals Making backups Always use copies of master disks rather than using the originals If you damage the copy you can make a new copy from the original Also make copies of important files If you then delete files accidentally or your computer fails you will have a copy which you can use Operating system manuals They explain how to use the operating system software e g Windows NT or Windows 95 supplied with your computer Master disks or CDs may be supplied depending on the model On line documentation If a hard disk drive is fitted RM provide an on line help file on the Windows desktop The operating system software has its own on line help files and any additional software such as Microsoft Office Profession
66. ting Hard Disk Problems 66 This section provides some guidance on investigating problems with the hard disk You should make sure when trying to solve hard disk problems that you do not erase important files unnecessarily Note Make regular backups of files on the hard disk and keep backup disks of applications The computer appears to be operating slower than normal and with prolonged periods of disk access e The hard disk may be nearly full or have errors Check using the SCANDISK utility see the Windows Help file If full try emptying the recycle bin or deleting any unnecessary files to free up some space on the hard disk e g old files or files with BAK CHK or TMP extensions e The files on the disk may have become fragmented Check by using the DEFRAG utility see the Windows Help file You cannot boot up using the hard disk e Does the hard disk LED flash during start up Run the FDISK command see the operating system manual and check for an active partition Note Hard disk drives bigger than 2 0GB may have two partitions Beware FDISK can destroy the information held on your hard disk if you re partition e Check to see whether the BIOS System Configuration screen displayed during start up reports a hard disk is present Note Some viruses can change the BIOS configuration so check by running a virus checking program 4 Maintenance Service and Troubleshooting Run the Setup program a
67. to use Compatibility The printer you choose must be compatible with the IBM PC AT range of computers Make sure that your application programs work with the printer you want to use You may need special printer drivers 2 System Description Choosing a Printer The range and quality of work produced on a printer varies with the type of printer you choose We advise you to use a parallel printer rather than a serial printer if possible Parallel printers are easier to set up and use than serial printers e A dot matrix printer is relatively cheap and produces acceptable quality for most purposes e A laser printer costs more but produces excellent quality output for both text and graphics e A PostScript laser printer provides special features which are useful for applications such as high quality desktop publishing for example special graphics features and support for fonts Much of the information on the following pages does not apply to PostScript printers Setting up a Printer These general instructions are to help you set up your printer You will also need to refer to the manual provided with your printer 1 Find out from your printer manual if your printer is a serial or parallel printer or both If your printer can be either use the parallel connector and cable as this is generally simpler and faster than serial printing 2 Attach one end of the printer cable to the correct connector parallel or ser
68. tware and components designed for an IBM microcomputer The hardware and software most commonly used by IBM compatible microcomputers The means of communication between different pieces of equipment for example the circuitry that enables two pieces of equipment such as a computer and a printer to communicate with each other Industry Standard Architecture A type of bus used as standard available on all IBM compatible PCs see bus A measure of information 1 KB 1024 bytes sometimes written as K KByte or Kilobyte Local area network see network A high speed bus connected to the processor to provide improved performance for graphics hard disk and other adapters A 3 5 inch floppy disk holding 720 KB of information The device name used by the system to identify the parallel printer port An amount of information 1 MB 1024 x 1024 bytes sometimes written as M MByte or Megabyte mainboard memory mode monitor mouse network operating system parallel interface parity PCI bus port power supply unit PSU program Glossary See system board Internal storage of a computer usually measured in MB or KB see RAM and ROM The way or format in which something works many RM computers can use IBM Mode or PC 186 Mode and they all offer a variety of screen modes The component of a computer system on which information is displayed also known as a Visual Display Unit VDU

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