Delta Electronics orporated DN-715 NoteBook User Manual CHAP 5

Delta Electronics Incorporated NoteBook CHAP 5

USER MANUAL CHAP 5

CChhaapptteerr 55 Exploring your NotebookThis chapter gives anin-depth description ofsome of the built-insoftware and hardwarefeatures of yournotebook
5-1IntroductionThe software drivers and utility programs are pre-installed on your notebook,and are integrated into the Windows environment. If you ever have to rebuildyou hard disk drive, you can use the support software supplied with thenotebook to re-install the programs.Video DisplayThe video system on your notebook comprises the flat-panel screen, the videocontroller and video memory circuitry, the video ports, and the video software.Flat-panel ScreenThe flat-panel screen is a large, color liquid crystal display panel. The screenuses a technology called TFT (Thin Film Transistor), which provides a veryhigh contrast display. You can adjust the brightness of the display by using thevideo hot keys.FN + F7 This key combination increases thebrightness of the built-in screen.FN + F8 This key combination decreases thebrightness of the built-in screen.Resolution and Color DepthThe screen is designed to display a video resolution of 1024 pixels by 768pixels. This is called XGA resolution, and it is common to most high-endcomputers. It displays a maximum of information without making the screenfonts too small to read.You cannot display a higher resolution than 1024 by 768. You might be ableto disable the stretching function by using the video software utility describedbelow.
5-2Video PortsYour notebook is installed with two video ports:TV-out PortMonitor PortFigure 5-1: Video PortsMonitor PortThe 15-pin external monitor port allows you to connect an external computermonitor to your notebook. You should ensure that the external monitor iscapable of supporting an XGA resolution of 1024 x 768. When the monitor isconnected to your system, you can select to display the notebook’s videooutput on the built-in screen or on the external monitor. You can even generatea simultaneous display on the screen and monitor.NOTE: Some monitors are now shipping with a USB (universal serialbus) interface. This notebook does not allow you to switch the displayto a monitor connected to a USB port.To change the video output when an external monitor is connected, use the hotkeys [FN] + [F3]. Each press of the keys cycles the video output to the monitorport, to both the built-in screen and the monitor port, and then back to thebuilt-in screen only.
5-3FN + F3 Press Once: video to monitor port onlyPress Again: Video to LCD & monitor portPress Again: Video to LCDNOTE: You can also assign additional keyboard hot key combinations,for switching the display, using the video software described below.TV-out PortThe TV-out port is a standard RCA-type jack. You can attach a standard A/V(audio/visual) cable into this port to connect your notebook to a TV receiver, acamcorder, or a videocassette recorder.To send your notebook’s video signal to the TV-out port, you must first usethe video software utility to make sure everything is configured properly fortransfer of the video signal to the TV format. You particularly want to makesure that you are using the right TV standard, i.e. either PAL or NTSC.Before using the TV-out port, you must always change the resolution of yourcomputer’s display down to 800 x 600 (SVGA) or 640 x 480 (VGA). Youcannot export the video image to a TV receiver while you notebook isdisplaying at the default resolution of 1024 x 768.After you have made all the necessary changes required in order to send thenotebook video to the TV-out port, you can use the video software describedbelow to switch the video between the built-in screen and the TV-out port.NOTE: You can also assign keyboard hot key combinations forswitching the display, using the video software described below.
5-4Video SoftwareThe video software has been integrated into the standard Windows videoutility. You can access the utility by moving the screen pointer over a cleararea of desktop on the Windows display and clicking the right touch padbutton. When the pull down menu appears, click the left button on the itemProperties. This will open the Display Properties window. You can also findthe Display Properties in the Control Panel folder. (Start/ControlPanel/Display).You can use this Windows utility to make all kinds of changes to the videodisplay. The major area of interest here is the Settings tab.SettingsLeft click on the Settings tab todisplay the basic displaysettings of your notebookdisplay. Here you can set thecolor depth and screenresolution.The main area displays iconsthat represent your monitors. Ifmore than one icon isdisplayed, double-click eachone to enable or to set moreadvanced properties. Also, ifmore than one icon isdisplayed, you can drag themto the positions that representthe way you want to moveitems between monitors. Withtwo monitors, say the built-inscreen and an external monitorattached to your notebook, you can bring the mouse cursor over to the otherscreen by moving it over the edge of the screen. For example, if you are usingtwo monitors, and you want to move items from one monitor to the other bydragging over the left and right screen border, position the icons side-by-side.To move items between monitors by going over to top and bottom screenborder, position the icons one above the other. The icon positions don’t haveto correspond to the physical positions of your monitors.The Advanced button allows access to the video graphics software driver,monitor settings and performance.Figure 5-2: Settings Tab
5-5AdvancedLeft click on the Advanced button to display the custom display featuresembedded in the ATI RAGE graphics chipset used by your notebook. Thiswill bring up a new window with two rows of tabs at the top.The two major areas of interest here are the Displays and Color tabs.DisplaysThis area allows you tocustomize some settings forthe video-switching feature.You can choose which devicesare to be switched on and thusavailable for possible videodisplay.If you want to direct the videoto a TV, make sure the box ismarked. Also use the propercheck box to select the NTSCor PAL/SECAM TV format.When directing the video tothe TV-out ports, go to theSettings tab and change thescreen resolutionHere you can also assign keyboard hot key combinations for display switchingand other video features mentioned above.ColorThis area allows you to customize the color settings of your display.HelpBoth of the pages mentioned abovehave a Help button that brings up anew window with information onhow to use the display properties onthese pages.Figure 5-3: Displays TabFigure 5-4: Help window
5-6The Sound SystemThe sound system includes the built-in microphone and speakers, the audiocircuitry, the sound ports, and the audio software.SpeakerSpeakerMicrophoneVolume ButtonsFigure 5-5: Microphone, Speakers and Volume ButtonsWhen a sound file is playing, you can use the volume buttons to turn the raiseand lower the volume of the speakers.The volume buttons are located just abovethe keyboard, next to the power switch.Pressing the top button increases thevolume of the internal sound system,pressing the lower button decreases thevolume level.NOTE: The audio volume buttons only affect the audio file currentlyplaying. If you want to change the notebook’s default sound volume,use the Windows audio utilities described below.Figure 5-6: volume Buttons
5-7Audio JacksThe built-in speakers and microphone ensure that you can record and playsounds at any time. However, you can improve the sound quality byconnecting higher fidelity components to the sound ports on the rear side ofthe computer.Audio InputAudio OutputExternal MicrophoneFigure 5-7: Audio JacksAudio Input JackYou can use this jack to input stereo sound from other devices, such as a radioor tape recorder, into your notebook.External Microphone JackYou can use this jack to input sound from an external microphone into yournotebook. When an external microphone is connected to this jack, the built-inmicrophone is automatically disabled.Audio Output JackYou can use this jack to output sound generated by your notebook to anexternal device, such as stereo loudspeakers or headphones. When an externaldevice is connected, the built-in speakers are automatically disabled.
5-8Audio SoftwareWindows is installed with a useful set of audio utilities. Click on the Startbutton, point to Programs, then Accessories, then Multimedia, to display theaudio utilities. They include a CD player (for audio CDs), a media player (forvideo CDs and audio/video files), a sound recorder, and a volume control.Using the CD-ROM DriveThis notebook is installed with a CD-ROM drive. This option is factoryinstalled and cannot be easily switched. The CD-ROM drive is installed in theright side of the notebook. This drive can read data discs, play audio CDs andrun video CDs. CD-ROM Drive Eject Button Manual Eject Hole Figure 5-9: CD-ROM DriveFigure 5-8: Audio Software
5-9To play a disc:1. Press the eject button on the front of the drive.2. When the disc tray opens, carefully pull it all the way out of the drive.Figure 5-10: CD-ROM Drive Tray3. Place the disc in the drive tray with the label side up. Press the disc downcarefully so that the central spindle on the disc tray inserts into the hole inthe center of the diskNOTE: If your system is turned off, you can still open the tray byinserting a pointed object, such as a paperclip, in the manual eject hole.This will unlock the tray and allow you to slide it out.Windows can usually recognize an audio or videodisc and open theappropriate player. If you are playing a data disc, use Windows Explorer to logon to the CD-ROM drive. If you are playing an audio disc, go toStart/Programs/Accessories/Multimedia and start the CD-player. If you areplaying a videodisc, go to Start/Programs/Accessories/Multimedia and startthe Active Movie Control program.
5-10Using the Floppy DiskThe drive bay on the left side of the notebook is installed with a floppy disk.The Floppy drive uses removable 3.5”, low capacity (1.44 MB), inexpensive,diskettes. Your system identifies this disk drive as drive A:. Access to thefloppy disk drive is quite slow but floppy diskettes are very useful for storingand transferring files.Figure 5-11: Floppy Disk DrivePC Card SlotsThis notebook is installed with two PC card slots on the left side of the system.PC cards are very similar to the expansion cards that you can install in full-sizedesktop computers, except that they are no bigger than a credit card, and theycan be plugged into the notebook even when the notebook is turned on.PC cards are usually used to provide new functions or features to yournotebook, such as a fax/modem card, a network adapter, or a SCSI host
5-11adapter. They can also be used as storage devices using memory chips orminiature hard disks. If you are using PC card storage devices, they will beassigned drive letters (for example E: or F:).PC Card StandardsThis system supports type-I, type-II, and type-III PC cards. If you are usingtype-1 or type-II cards (which are usually about 2.5mm high), you can installone or two cards at the same time. If you use a type-III card (which is usuallyabout 10mm high), you must install it in the lower card slot, and you will notbe able to use the upper slot.Using PC Cards1. You can install or change PC cards while your notebook is turned on.2. Locate the PC card slot compartment on the left side of the notebook, andopen the compartment door.PC Card Slot CompartmentFigure 5-12: PC Card Slot Compartment3. Orient the card correctly. The label side of the card faces up. One of thenarrow edges has a double row of pinholes. This edge inserts into the slot.
5-12Figure 5-13: Inserting a PC Card4. Insert the card into the slot. When the card is nearly all the way inserted,press quite firmly to ensure that the card mates properly with theconnector inside the slot.5. Your notebook will emit two beeps (in rising tones) to let you know thatthe card has been recognized by the system. If Windows has theappropriate drivers to use the card, they will be loaded automatically. Forsome cards, you may have to install drivers or software, supplied by thecard manufacturer.6. Before ejecting a CardBus card, it is important that you tell Windows tostop using the card. Click on the card icon on the right side of theWindows task bar. When the stop button appears, click on it. Windowswill display a message that the card can now be safely removed.Eject buttonsFigure 5-14: Removing a PC Card7. When you insert a card, the card eject button will be forced outward. Toeject a card from the slot, press the eject button back into the notebook.The card will disconnect from the internal connector and you can removeit from the slot. The notebook will emit two beeps (in falling tones) to letyou know that the card has ejected.
5-13Touch pad/Mouse UtilityThe notebook’s touch pad canbe customized using theWindows mouse driver utilityprogram. This program can befound in the Control Panelfolder (Start/Settings/ControlPanel).Double click the Mouse icon.This will start the MouseProperties window. Here youcan see different tabs thatallow you to set up yourtouchpad/mouse features.You can change the buttonconfiguration and adjust it forright-hand and left-hand use,and also change the double-click speed.InfraredThe infrared (IR) feature of your notebook provides a powerful tool forconnecting to other computers, networks, or peripherals via a high-speedwireless connection. This port is sometimes referred to as a serial infrared port(SIR), but it is also capable of functioning as a second parallel port forprinting. This port allows you to send information between machines withouthaving to attach cables or transfer information to a diskette or other removabledisk. With the high speed of data transmission and the ease of connection ofthe IR port, it is a quick and easy connection to establish.The IR port is located behind the dark plastic square on the right-hand side ofyour notebook.Figure 5-15: Mouse Properties
5-14Infrared PortFigure 5-16: Infrared PortTo use you IR port, place the two IR ports within one meter, about four feet, ofeach other and either directly in line or at an angle of less than 30 degrees.Click on the Infrared icon in the Control Panel (Start/Settings/ControlPanel/Infrared).This will bring up the IR software built into Windows. This software willbegin scanning for a present IR device. If one is found, it will complete theconnection. If a device is not found, try adjusting the distance and anglebetween the two IR ports.For proper operation of an IR connection, you might need to set up theidentification information in the IR software.Once your connection is established, be careful not to obstruct the connectionbetween the machines. Maintain the distance and angle and do not place anyobjects between the ports, as this can disrupt the connection.IR Connections between ComputersIf you are going to use the IR port to send information between you notebookand another IR-capable computer, there are a couple of steps that you willneed to perform before your notebook is ready to be used in this way.If you have not already set up your system for a Direct Cable Connection orfor file sharing, you will need to do this first.Direct Cable ConnectionIn the Control Panel, select the Add/Remove Programs utility by doubleclicking on it. When the Add/Remove Program Properties window opens,click on the Windows Setup tab. Click on Communications and then the
5-15Details button. Click on Direct Cable Connection. If you have not already setup the Dial-up Networking option, you will be asked to establish this as well.The Dial-up Networking activates certain network options of Windows thatare necessary for using the Direct Cable Connection. Click OK to activate thenew option(s). Windows will load installation files that are stored on your harddrive. If you did not already have network functions established, you will beasked to select computer and workgroup names that will be used to identityyour machine when it is part of a network. Windows will configure your filesand then ask you to restart your system so that the effects can take effect.You have now established the Direct Cable Connection for your system. Amachine that shares files is a host; a machine that accesses files is a guest. In aDirect Cable Connection session, one machine will serve as the host and oneas a guest. If you want the connection to work both ways, you will have toestablish a separate connection for file transfer in each direction. If you do notwant to allow sharing of your files or printer via your notebook, you cancontinue on to the section on making the Connection. You will still be able toaccess files and printers that are set up for sharing.SharingIf you want to make files on your notebook available to another computer, orif you want to allow another system to print to a printer attached to yournotebook, you will need to set up your system for sharing. You can set this upby double-clicking on the Network icon in the Control Panel. This will bringup the Networking window. Click on the File and Print Sharing button.You will be asked to decided if you want to allow file sharing, print sharing, orboth, click on the appropriate checkboxes. You have now established the fileand print sharing for your notebook. You can click OK to exit the Networkutility, you might be asked to reboot. If you want to allow access to certainfiles on your system, you will need to designate those files for sharing. Openthe Windows Explorer program (Start/Programs/Windows Explorer) andthe drive containing the folders that you want to share. Find the folders thatyou want to share. Right click on the folder and click on the Sharing option ofthe pop-up menu.You will now be asked to establish the kind of access you want to allow to thisfolder. You should consider who will be using the access and why andestablish he necessary password. Keep in mind that shared folders will beaccessible to any machine that establishes an IR connection.
5-16Making the ConnectionTo establish the IR connection between your notebook and another system,you will use the IR as if it were a direct cable connection between the systems.The other machine will also need to have the software to support thisconnection. If the other machine is not set for Direct Cable Connection, pleaserepeat the steps above with the other machine.Start the IR software as described above. Once the machines alert you thatthey have recognized the presence of another IR system, launch the DirectCable Connection program (Start/Programs/Accessories) and set up theconnection between the two machines.If this is the first time you are suing this connection, you will be asked if themachine will be serving as a host or guest. You will need to set the machinethat will be receiving files or sending information to the printer as the guest.The machine that will be sending files or allowing printer access should be setas the host.When you have selected the status of the machine, you will be asked todesignate a port for the connection. For a connection between machines, youshould select Serial cable on COM2. When you select a machine as the host,you will be asked to establish wherever or not a password should be requiredof the guest machine before completing the connection.When both machines have established a connection via the IR, you willreceive information on the connection.In subsequent sessions, your notebook will default to the host/guest status thatit had in the last session. You can change this by clicking on the Changebutton. You will then be asked to establish the port for the connection. If youwant to maintain the same status as the last session, just click the Listenbutton, if your notebook is the host, or the Connect button, if your notebook isthe guest.When the connection is in place, the guest machine will have an open windowshowing the folders on the host machine that are available for sharing. Youcan copy the files in those folders as you would any files in any drive windowon your notebook.PrintingYou can use your IR port to print by connecting to a printer with built-in IR, aprinter with an IR adapter connected to its parallel port, a network printeravailable via an infrared network node, or printer connected to a computerwith an IR port.
5-17Before proceeding, you must set up a connection for the printer via the IR port.See Chapter 6 for information on setting up a printer, To test the printingcapability of an application over an IR link to an IrDA-compliant printer, clickon the Infrared icon in the Control Panel (Start/Settings/ControlPanel/Infrared). The IR software will detect the printer’s IR port. Now try thePrint option in an application.

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