General Dynamics Itronix XC6250RIM801D Laptop PC with RIM 801D ARDIS Radio Module User Manual Contents

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X-C 6250 Pro
User’s Manual
X-C 6250 Pro User’s Manual
Identification
X-C 6250 Pro User’s Manual
October 1999 · Revision 003
Copyright Notice
© Copyright 1999 Itronix Corporation. All rights reserved. No part of this
document may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval
system, or translated into any other language or computer language in whole or
in part, in any form or by any means, whether it be electronic, mechanical,
magnetic, optical, manual, or otherwise, without the prior written consent of
Itronix Corporation, South 801 Stevens Street, Spokane, Washington 99204.
Disclaimer
This document is printed in the U.S.A. Itronix Corporation reserves the right to
revise the manual and make periodic changes to the content without a direct or
inferred obligation to Itronix to notify any person of such revision or changes.
Itronix Corporation does not assume responsibility for the use of this manual,
nor for any patent infringements or other rights or third parties who may use the
manual.
This document contains valuable trade secrets and proprietary information of
Itronix Corporation.
This product is available for purchase under the terms of the Itronix Hardware
Purchase and Software License Agreement. Itronix hardware products may be
reconditioned, or be manufactured from parts and components that may be
new, used, rebuilt, or recycled and in some cases, the hardware product may
not be new and may have been previously installed. In any event, Itronix
warranty terms apply.
Trademark Notice
Itronix is a registered trademark of Itronix Corporation.
Microsoft, MS, Windows, and MS-DOS are registered trademarks of Microsoft
Corporation.
IBM is a trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.
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Compliance Statements
The X-C 6250 Pro computer has been tested and found to comply with the
limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These
limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference
in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate
radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular
installation.
If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television
reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the
user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the
following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to
which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
The X-C 6250 Pro computer complies with Part 68 of the FCC Rules. On the
bottom of this equipment is a label that contains, among other information, the
FCC registration number and ringer equivalence number (REN) for this
equipment. If requested, this information must be provided to the telephone
company.
The REN is used to determine the quantity of devices which may be connected
to the telephone line. Excessive RENs on the telephone line may result in the
devices not ringing in response to an incoming call. In most, but not all areas,
the sum of the RENs should not exceed five (5.0). To be certain of the number
of devices that may be connected to the line, as determined by the total RENs,
contact the telephone company to determine the maximum REN for the calling
area.
The X-C 6250 Pro computer may be connected to the telephone network using
the RJ-11 jack provided.
If this equipment causes harm to the telephone network, the telephone
company will notify you in advance that temporary discontinuance of service
may be required. If advance notice isn’t practical, the telephone company will
notify the customer as soon as possible. Also, you will be advised of your right
to file a complaint with the FCC if you believe it is necessary.
The telephone company may make changes in its facilities, equipment,
operations, or procedures that could affect the operation of the equipment. If
79-0003-003 22 October 1999
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X-C 6250 Pro User’s Manual
this happens, the telephone company will provide advance notice in order for
you to make the necessary modifications in order to maintain uninterrupted
service.
If trouble is experienced with this equipment, please contact the equipment
manufacturer for repair and/or warranty information. Do not attempt repairs of
this equipment yourself without obtaining manufacturer authorized parts and
documentation. If the trouble is causing harm to the telephone network, the
telephone company may request you remove the equipment from the network
until the problem is resolved.
Compliance Statement for Canada
NOTICE: The Industry Canada label identifies certified equipment. This
certification means that the equipment meets certain telecommunications
network protective, operational and safety requirements as prescribed in the
appropriate Terminal Equipment Technical Requirements document(s). The
Department does not guarantee the equipment will operate to the user’s
satisfaction.
Before installing this equipment, users should ensure that it is permissible to be
connected to the facilities of the local telecommunications company. The
equipment must also be installed using an acceptable method of connection.
The customer should be aware that compliance with the above conditions may
not prevent degradation of service in some situations.
Repairs to certified equipment should be made by a representative designated
by the supplier. Any repairs or alterations made by the user to this equipment,
or equipment malfunctions, may give the telecommunications company cause
to request the user to disconnect the equipment.
Users should ensure for their own protection that the electrical ground
connections of the power utility, telephone lines, and internal metallic water
pipe system, if present, are connected together. This precaution may be
particularly important in rural areas.
CAUTION! Users should not attempt to make such connections themselves,
but should contact the appropriate electric inspection authority, or electrician,
as appropriate.
The Ringer Equivalence Numbers (REN) are:
X-C 6250 Pro non-radio: 0.5B
X-C 6250 Pro ARDIS: 0.5B
X-C 6250 Pro RAM: 0.5B
X-C 6250 Pro CDPD: 1.3B
NOTICE: The Ringer Equivalence Number (REN) assigned to each terminal
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device provides an indication of the maximum number of terminals allowed to
be connected to a telephone interface. The termination on an interface may
consist of any combination of devices subject only to the requirement that the
sum of the Ringer Equivalence Numbers of all the devices does not exceed 5.
The X-C 6250 Pro computer may be connected to the telephone network using
the RJ-11 jack provided.
Fax Branding
The Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 makes it unlawful for any
person to use a computer or other electronic device to send any message via a
telephone fax machine unless such message clearly contains in a margin at the
top or bottom of each transmitted page or on the first page of the transmission,
the date and time it is sent and an identification of the business or other entity,
or other individual sending the message and the telephone number of the
sending machine or such business, other entity, or individual.
In order to program this information into your fax machine, you should
complete the following:
This information is entered through the FAX application software
you have installed. Consult your FAX software documentation for
instructions about entering this information.
Warnings and Cautions
WARNING It is important that only authorized Itronix personnel attempt
repairs on Itronix equipment as this might void any maintenance contract with
your company. Unauthorized service personnel might be subject to shock
hazard on some Itronix equipment if removal of protective covers is attempted.
The product you have purchased is powered by a rechargeable battery. The
battery is recyclable and, under various state and local laws, it may be illegal to
dispose of this battery into the municipal waste stream. Do not crush the
battery or place it in a fire. Check with your local solid-waste officials for details
on recycling options or proper disposal.
CAUTION Internal components of the X-C 6250 Pro computer will be
damaged if exposed to contaminants. When dust covers, the PC card door, or
the battery door are open on the computer, shield the unit from all
contaminants such as liquids, rain, snow, and dust.
Federal Communication Commission (FCC) Regulations for the Stand Alone
Charger
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class
B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are
designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a
79-0003-003 22 October 1999
X-C 6250 Pro User’s Manual
residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio
frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular
installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or
television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and
on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of
the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to
which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
“The equipment has been approved to [Commission Decision “CTR21”] for
pan-European single terminal connection to the Public Switched Telephone
Network (PSTN). However, due to differences between individual PSTNs
provided in different countries the approval does not, of itself, give an unconditional assurance of successful operation on every PSTN network termination
point.
In the event of problems, you should contact your equipment supplier in the
first instance.
Safety Information
The following safety symbols are used in this manual to indicate potentially
dangerous situations. Do not proceed beyond a WARNING or CAUTION symbol
until the indicated conditions are fully understood and met.
CAUTION This caution statement denotes a hazard. It calls attention to a
procedure or practice that could result in damage to or destruction of part
or all of the product if not performed correctly.
WARNING This warning denotes a hazard. It calls attention to a procedure or practice that could result in personal injury if not performed
correctly.
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About This Manual
The X-C 6250 Pro User’s Manual provides information about using the
X-C 6250 Pro computer and some of its peripherals.
If you’ve never used this computer (or any computer) before, the first
three sections contain important information to get you started successfully. To help you become a proficient user or just to make your daily
tasks easier, try using the tools that reside on your system listed on
page viii.
If you’re an experienced computer user already familiar with Windows, Section 3, “Getting Started,” provides important setup procedures for the computer. Section 5 shows you how to customize system
settings.
If you don’t read anything else in this manual, turn to Section 7 and
read about batteries and power. Following the tips outlined in this
section can significantly increase the life of your batteries.
Inside
To Do This...
Turn to This Section
See where we put the parts
Features of the Computer, Page 17
Use the keyboard
Using the Keyboard and Mouse, Page 26
Use the mouse
Using the Keyboard and Mouse, Page 34
Set up your computer correctly
Getting Started, Page 38
Register your radio modem
If You Have a Radio Modem, Page 48
Customize settings
Customizing Settings, Page 58
Copy files
Transferring Files, Page 64
Charge and maintain batteries
Managing Batteries and Power, Page 74
Use PC Cards
Using PC Cards, Page 88
Connect printers or external drives
Optional Equipment and Accessories,
Page 92
Find out about your modem
Modems, Page 112
Maintain your computer
Maintenance and Storage, Page 116
Correct errors
Error Messages, Page 126
Solve problems
Troubleshooting, Page 136
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X-C 6250 Pro User’s Manual
For More Help
If you need help, or if you want to learn more about your computer, use
the following resources already installed on your system.
• If you need help using an application, refer to the application’s online
Help. Start the application, select Help from the menu bar, and then
choose the item you want.
• To learn about using Windows 95, a ten-minute tutorial is accessible
from the Start Menu by selecting Help, Contents, “Tour: Ten Minutes
to Using Windows.”
• For help using Windows 95, refer to the online Help on your system.
To access this information, select Help from the Start Menu.
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Contents
About This Manual .............................................................. vii
Inside .................................................................................. vii
For More Help ....................................................................viii
Section 1 Features of the Computer........................ 15
Introduction ....................................................................... 16
Individual Parts .................................................................. 17
Indicator Lights ................................................................... 19
Standard Hardware .............................................................. 20
Optional Hardware ............................................................... 20
Standard Software ............................................................... 21
Optional Software ................................................................ 22
MS-DOS Utilities ................................................................. 22
If You Have a Touch Screen ................................................. 23
Section 2 Using the Keyboard and Mouse ............... 25
Keyboard Basics ................................................................. 26
Restarting the Computer ....................................................... 26
Primary Keys ....................................................................... 26
Arrow Keys ......................................................................... 29
Numeric Keypad .................................................................. 30
FN Keys ............................................................................. 31
Function Keys ..................................................................... 32
Other Keys .......................................................................... 33
Using the Mouse ................................................................. 34
General Guidelines ............................................................... 35
Changing the Speed of the Mouse .................................... 35
Section 3 Getting Started ...................................... 37
Introduction ....................................................................... 38
PRECAUTIONS .................................................................... 38
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X-C 6250 Pro User’s Manual
The First Time... ................................................................. 39
Connecting the AC Adapter ................................................... 39
Installing and Charging the Battery ........................................ 40
Turning the Computer On and Off .......................................... 42
Startup Problems? ............................................................... 43
If You Have a Touch Screen................................................... 43
Password Security .............................................................. 44
Setting or Changing Your Password ........................................ 45
If You Cannot Remember Your Password ................................ 45
Section 4 If You Have a Radio Modem .................... 47
Introduction ....................................................................... 48
Before You Start: Register! ................................................... 48
ARDIS or RAM .................................................................... 48
Cellular Data or Voice ........................................................... 48
Cellular CDPD ..................................................................... 49
What Can I Do with My Radio Modem? ................................. 49
Using the Integrated Radio Modem ....................................... 50
Antenna Positioning ............................................................. 50
Serial Port Settings .............................................................. 51
Radio Indicator Light ............................................................ 51
Enabling the Radio Modem ................................................... 51
For MS-DOS Users ............................................................... 53
Factory Installed Radio Software .......................................... 53
User Installable Cellular/CDPD Radio Software ...................... 54
Additional Documentation.................................................... 55
Section 5 Customizing Settings .............................. 57
Introduction ....................................................................... 58
Using the System Configuration Utility .................................. 58
Accessing the SCU ............................................................... 59
Setting the COM3 and COM4 IRQs ....................................... 60
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Section 6 Transferring Files ................................... 63
Introduction ....................................................................... 64
Using Direct Cable Connection ............................................. 65
Direct Cable Connection Requirements ................................... 65
Computers Connected to a Network ....................................... 66
Direct Cable Connection Tips ................................................ 66
Wiring Specifications for Cables ........................................... 71
Parallel Cables..................................................................... 71
Serial Cables ....................................................................... 72
Section 7 Managing Batteries and Power ................ 73
Introduction ....................................................................... 74
Practical Battery Tips .......................................................... 74
Conserving Power and Extending Battery Life ........................ 79
Low Battery Warnings ......................................................... 80
Power-saving Features ......................................................... 80
Suspend ............................................................................. 80
Hard Disk Standby ............................................................... 80
Display ............................................................................... 81
Backlight ....................................................................... 81
MaxBright ...................................................................... 82
Getting Battery Information.................................................. 82
Battery Status ..................................................................... 82
Battery Maintenance ............................................................ 82
Removing and Replacing Batteries........................................ 83
Charging Batteries .............................................................. 84
Deep Cycle Discharging ....................................................... 85
Battery Storage and Care ..................................................... 86
Disposing of Batteries ......................................................... 86
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X-C 6250 Pro User’s Manual
Section 8 Using PC Cards ..................................... 87
Introduction ....................................................................... 88
Inserting and Removing a PC Card ....................................... 88
Transferring Files Using PC Cards ......................................... 89
Using Bootable PC Cards ..................................................... 90
Section 9 Optional Equipment and Accessories ....... 91
Connecting a Printer ........................................................... 92
Connecting an External Monitor ............................................ 93
Connecting an External Mouse ............................................. 93
PC Card External Floppy Disk Drive ...................................... 95
PRECAUTIONS .................................................................... 95
Booting from a PC Card External Floppy ................................. 96
Using an External CD-ROM .................................................. 97
Stand Alone Charger ........................................................... 98
Indicator Lights ................................................................... 99
Vehicle Adapter .................................................................. 99
Vehicle Cradle .................................................................. 102
PRECAUTIONS .................................................................. 103
Charging Batteries ............................................................. 103
Communicating with Other Devices ..................................... 104
External Antennas ......................................................... 104
RF Antenna Placement .................................................. 105
Using the CD-ROM ............................................................ 106
Cleaning or Replacing Cradle Contact Pins ............................ 107
Surge Protection ............................................................... 108
Selecting the Right Surge Protection .................................... 108
Surge Environment ....................................................... 108
Type of Equipment to be Protected.................................. 108
Quality of Electrical Wiring and Service ........................... 109
Selecting the Right Equipment ............................................ 109
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Section 10 Modems ............................................ 111
Introduction ..................................................................... 112
Which Modem Do I Have? .................................................. 112
Using the Internal Landline Modem .................................... 113
Transferring Files .............................................................. 114
Section 11 Maintenance and Storage ................... 115
Introduction ..................................................................... 116
If You Have a Touch Screen ............................................... 116
Hard Drive Care and Handling ............................................ 116
Internal Hard Drives ........................................................... 117
External PC Card Hard Drives .............................................. 118
Battery Maintenance and Storage ....................................... 119
Maintaining Batteries ......................................................... 119
Storing Batteries ................................................................ 119
Computer Maintenance and Storage ................................... 120
Maintaining Your Computer ................................................. 120
Care and Cleaning ........................................................ 120
Storing Your Computer ....................................................... 123
Appendix A Error Messages ................................. 125
Introduction ..................................................................... 126
POST Messages ................................................................ 126
MS-DOS Messages ........................................................... 132
Windows Messages ........................................................... 133
Application Messages ........................................................ 133
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X-C 6250 Pro User’s Manual
Appendix B Troubleshooting ................................ 135
What to Try First ............................................................... 136
For More Help ................................................................... 136
Common Solutions to Common Problems ............................ 137
Applications ...................................................................... 138
Batteries ........................................................................... 140
Cellular Modem ................................................................. 143
Display ............................................................................. 143
Hard Disk ......................................................................... 145
I/O Ports ........................................................................... 145
Keyboard .......................................................................... 147
Landline Modems .............................................................. 148
Miscellaneous ................................................................... 151
Mouse .............................................................................. 155
PC Cards .......................................................................... 155
Pen/Touch Screen .............................................................. 157
Peripherals ........................................................................ 157
Radio Modems .................................................................. 157
Appendix C Glossary ........................................... 161
Index.................................................................. 167
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SECTION
Features of the
Computer
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Introduction
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Individual Parts 17
Indicator Lights 19
Standard Hardware 20
Optional Hardware 20
Standard Software 21
Optional Software 22
MS-DOS Utilities 22
If You Have a Touch Screen
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X-C 6250 Pro User’s Manual
Introduction
The X-C 6250 Pro mobile computer is a ruggedized, weather-sealed
computer system built for the demanding environment of the mobile
worker. Designed for use by large mobile workforces, this computer is
one of the most practical work tools for collecting, managing, and
communicating information in the field.
The following pages describe the external and internal features of your
X-C 6250 Pro computer.
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Section 1. Features of the Computer
Individual Parts
These diagrams and descriptions provide an overview of the computer.
Antenna
Battery Door
USB Port
Audio Port
Mouse Pointer
and Buttons
Microphone
Display
Indicator Lights
Keyboard
Power Port
Parallel Port
Video Port
PC Card Ejector
Buttons
Serial Port
PC Card Sockets
RJ-11 Connector
PC Card Door (open)
Speaker
(on the bottom of
the computer)
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Dust Cover (open)
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X-C 6250 Pro User’s Manual
The labeled components are described below.
• 9-Pin Serial Port This port can be used for serial communications,
bar code input, connection to a printer, or other purposes.
• 15-Pin Video Port This port can be used to connect an external
monitor (see Section 9 of this manual for more information).
• 25-Pin Parallel Port
This port can be used to connect optional
devices such as a printer.
• Antenna If you have a radio modem installed in your computer, the
antenna sends and receives radio waves for this modem.
• Audio Port A custom port designed to connect to an adapter such
as a telco or multimedia adapter.
• Battery Door and Latches
This door covers the Nickel MetalHydride (NiMH) battery. If you unlatch the battery door before
turning off the computer first, the system automatically powers off
the unit to protect data on the hard disk.
• Display Display options include monochrome, color, or touch
screen. The screen can be illuminated in low-light conditions by
turning on the backlight or MaxBright (FN+F1).
• Dust Covers These covers provide added protection for the serial,
parallel, and video ports when they are not being used.
• Keyboard The keyboard is environmentally sealed and designed
with 93 percent standard key spacing.
• Microphone The microphone allows a user to talk to another
person using the internal modem and the Speaker Phone application.
• Mouse Pointer and Buttons
The integrated mouse pointer is
located directly below the spacebar on the keyboard. The left and
right mouse buttons are located on either side of the mouse.
• PC Card Door This door covers the PC card sockets. When this
door is open, shield the unit from all contaminants such as liquids,
rain, snow, and dust.
• PC Card Sockets PC cards are inserted into these sockets. To
remove a card, press the ejector button located to the left of the
each socket.
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Section 1. Features of the Computer
• Power Port This port is used to connect the external power supply
to the computer.
• RJ-11 Connector This port is used by the internal modem to
communicate over standard voice grade telephone lines.
• Speaker Located on the bottom of the computer, the speaker
provides sound for the unit. Use the FN+F6 and FN+F7 keys to
adjust speaker volume.
• USB Port The Universal Serial Bus port is a series Type A USB
connector.
Indicator Lights
Located below the display, these lights blink or remain on or off to
indicate activity on the system.
The On/Off light illuminates when you power on the computer; it blinks
to indicate a low battery.
The External Power light illuminates when external power is connected
to the computer. It blinks while the external power supply is charging
the battery and remains on when the battery is fully charged.
The Disk Activity light comes on when the hard disk is spinning or
processing data.
The Radio On/Off light illuminates when the radio modem is powered
on (if your computer is equipped with a radio modem). If the computer
is off and you receive a message, the light blinks to indicate a message
is waiting.
POWER ON / LOW BATT
RADIO ON / MESSAGE
EXTERNAL POWER / CHRG
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HARD DRIVE ACTIVE
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X-C 6250 Pro User’s Manual
Standard Hardware
• National Instruments® 266 megahertz (MHz) GXm® processor
• 32, 64, 96, or 128 Megabytes (MB) of Random Access Memory
(RAM)
• 1 MB of internal video RAM
• Monochrome, color, or touch screen display that opens to 180
degrees
• Internal hard disk
• Weather sealed keyboard with 93 percent standard key spacing
• Video port with a standard 15-pin D connector
• USB port that is a series Type A USB connector
• 2 PC card sockets supporting two Type I or II cards, or one Type III
card
• Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) battery
• Display contrast and speaker volume adjustment keys
• Backlight toggle key and adjustment keys (monochrome display)
• Backlight adjustment keys (color display)
• MaxBright toggle key (10.4-inch color display only)
• Automatic temperature compensation of display contrast
• Integrated mouse pointer
• AC adapter
Optional Hardware
• Stand Alone Charger
• Vehicle Adapter
• Vehicle Cradle
• RF modem
• Bar code wand
• Bar code laser scanner
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Section 1. Features of the Computer
• Hand-held laser scanner
• External 3.5-inch floppy drive
• External CD-ROM drive
• Internal modem
Standard Software
• Microsoft® Windows® 95, 98 and NT
• National Instruments’s Virtual System Architecture™ (VSA™)
Allows XpressGRAPHICS™ and XpressAUDIO™ as well as generic
16-bit emulation capabilities (SoundBlaster®16).
• Speaker Phone
Allows you to dial a number and talk with someone, just like a
telephone.
• Battery Maintenance
Allows you to deep cycle discharge batteries.
• Battery Status
Provides current information about the battery including voltage,
temperature, and remaining capacity.
• Documentation in PDF format
A User’s Manual resides on the computer’s desktop as a PDF file.
• Practical Battery Tips
Lists important information about battery use and proper
maintenance.
• Keyboard Status
Shows the status of the Num Lock and Caps Lock keys. Icons appear
on the Windows 95 Taskbar when Num Lock or Caps Lock are
activated.
• HyperTerminal
Enables you to connect your computer to other computers and
exchange information.
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X-C 6250 Pro User’s Manual
Optional Software
• Battery History
Tracks all major power and battery events in the system and
generates a timeline of power events and usage.
• Password Security
Prevents unauthorized users from gaining access to information on
the computer.
MS-DOS Utilities
• MODEM
Allows you to turn on the internal modem before running an MSDOS® application.
• XCPRF
Installs the radio modem power management TSR.
• RADIO
Reports the status of the radio modem; turns the radio modem on
and off.
• BATTMON
Logs battery and power usage statistics for later viewing and
diagnostic purposes.
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Section 1. Features of the Computer
If You Have a Touch Screen
If you have a touch screen, follow the guidelines below.
CAUTION
• Always use an approved stylus.
• Never use sharp, hard, or abrasive implements on the touch
screen such as ball point pens, pencils, or keys. They could
damage the screen.
• To clean the touch screen panel, apply a household glass cleaner
to a soft, clean, dry cloth and wipe the screen.
To use the stylus
• Slide the stylus out of its holder.
If you have a shoulder strap, you may have a slot on the strap to
hold the stylus.
• To replace it, slide it into the appropriate slot point first.
If you cannot select objects accurately with the stylus, you may need to
recalibrate the touch screen.
To calibrate the touch screen
1 From the Start Menu, select Programs, Touch, and then choose
Touchscreen Controls.
2 Select the Calibration button.
3 Follow the instructions on the screen to calibrate the touch screen.
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X-C 6250 Pro User’s Manual
24
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SECTION
Using the
Keyboard and
Mouse
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Keyboard Basics 26
Restarting the Computer 26
Primary Keys 26
Arrow Keys 29
Numeric Keypad 30
FN Keys 31
Function Keys 32
Other Keys 33
Using the Mouse 34
General Guidelines 35
Changing the Speed of the Mouse
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X-C 6250 Pro User’s Manual
Keyboard Basics
The keyboard on the mobile computer looks much like the keyboard of a
typewriter and operates in almost the same way. While typewriter keys
put characters on paper, the keys on the laptop enter characters in the
computer and perform certain functions, depending on the application
or program. Typing skills are helpful but are not essential because
typing short commands or responses is easy.
The mobile computer features:
• A typewriter-style keyboard
• Twelve function keys, F1-F12
• Embedded numeric keypad
• Mouse keys
• Special Function Keys (85-Key Keyboard Only)
CAUTION You can restart the mobile computer using the following
keys; however, restarting your computer while you are running
applications or working in Windows may corrupt files or data.
Restarting the Computer
Press
To do this
CTRL+ALT+DEL
Reboot the computer.
Press and hold both mouse
buttons for about ten seconds
and then release the buttons.
Reset the computer.
Primary Keys
26
Key
Description
ALT
The ALT (alternate) key is used with other keys to
perform special tasks. Pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL resets
the computer. Processing stops and the computer
attempts to restart the operating system.
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Section 2. Using the Keyboard and Mouse
Function Keys
F1
Esc
F2
F3
Embedded Numeric Keypad
F4
F5
F6
F7
F8
F9
Tab
Caps
Lock
ñ Shift
Ctrl
Fn
U 4
F11
F10
O 6
Alt
ON
Delete
Backspace
¦
OFF
Enter
Pause
Bre ak
Scr Lk
In s e r t
M 0
Prt Sc
SysRq
K 2
F12
Num Lk
Alt
Home
ñShift
Pg Up
E nd
Pg Dn
Mouse Keys
On/Off Keys
79-Key USA Keyboard
Function Keys
F1
Esc
ù
¦
F2
F3
Embedded Numeric Keypad
F4
F5
F6
F7
“
£
Tab ç
è
Caps Lock
ñ Shift
Ctrl
FN
Alt
F9
F11
Prt Sc Scr Lk Pause Delete
Sys Rq Insert
Break
F12
Num Lk
F10
F8
Alt Gr
] Off
Ctrl
Back
Space
Enter
¿
é
ñShift
Pg Up
è
Home
ON /
Back
Space
ê
Pg Dn
è
End
Mouse Keys
On/Off Keys
Special Function Keys
85-Key International
(UK Layout) Keyboard (Optional)
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X-C 6250 Pro User’s Manual
ALT GR
The ALT GR key, a special function key found on the 85key keyboard, when pressed and held, allows you to use
characters in the bottom right of a three character key.
BACKSPACE
The BACKSPACE key, sometimes represented on the
keyboard as a left arrow, moves the cursor one position
to the left. The character to the left of the cursor is
erased.
On the 85-key International Keyboard the key to the
right of the BACKSPACE key is also designed to move the
cursor one position to the left. The character to the left
of the cursor is erased. If other functions are designed
for this key, the key will be printed with the appropriate
legend.
CAPS LOCK
Pressing the CAPS LOCK key one time locks keys A
through Z in the UPPER CASE position. Pressing the
CAPS LOCK key again returns the letters to lower case.
While in the upper case mode, pressing the SHIFT key
results in lowercase characters when entered. You still
have to use the SHIFT key to display characters located
on the upper portion of the keyboard. For example, press
SHIFT+8 to type an asterisk (*), even when the CAPS
LOCK key is activated.
This icon appears on the Taskbar when Caps Lock
is activated.
28
Key
Description
CTRL
The CTRL (control) key works with other keys to perform
a variety of functions.
ENTER
The ENTER key signals the computer that you have
completed your entry. This is your way of telling the
computer to process the information that you have
entered.
ESC
The ESC (escape) key cancels the current line if you are
working in DOS. In some DOS applications, pressing the
ESC key backs you out of your last menu selection. In
Windows, the ESC key allows you to exit a pop-up
window or message box.
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Section 2. Using the Keyboard and Mouse
PRT SC
In Windows, pressing the PRT SC (print screen) key
copies the current screen or window to the clipboard so
you can paste it into documents. Pressing ALT+PRT SC
key copies the active window to the clipboard.
SHIFT
The SHIFT key changes the keys A through Z to the
UPPER CASE position. When you press an alphabetic
key, the character appears as a capital letter. When you
press SHIFT with other keys, the characters on the upper
part of the keys appear. For example, pressing SHIFT+7
displays an ampersand (&).
FN
Function. Some special keys have been established to
perform important tasks when pressed and held with the
FN key. These keys are described later in this document.
SPACEBAR
Use the SPACEBAR to enter a space and move the cursor
one character to the right. If you press FN and the
SPACEBAR at the same time, your computer turns on.
On the 85-key International Keyboard the two keys to
the right of the SPACEBAR are also designed to enter a
space and move the cursor one character to the right. If
other functions are designed for these keys, the keys will
be printed with the appropriate legends.
TAB
The TAB key moves the cursor to the next tab stop or
field. Tab stops are defined by your operating system or
application program. Press the TAB key to move from one
field or text box to another.
Arrow Keys
The arrow keys are defined by the software application.
The UP ARROW key usually moves the cursor up one line. In some
cases, you can use the up arrow to make selections from menus and
scrollable list boxes.
The DOWN ARROW key usually moves the cursor down one line. In
Windows, you can use the down arrow to make selections from menus
and scrollable list boxes.
The RIGHT ARROW key usually moves the cursor one character position
to the right.
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X-C 6250 Pro User’s Manual
The LEFT ARROW key usually moves the cursor one character position to
the left.
In Windows, you can use the arrow keys instead of the mouse.
Key
Description
FN+END
Pressing FN+END (FN+RIGHT ARROW) activates the End
key. The function of the End key is defined by the
application being used.
FN+HOME
Pressing FN+HOME (FN+LEFT ARROW) activates the
Home key. The function of the Home key is defined by
the application with which you are working.
FN+PGDN
Pressing FN+PGDN (FN+DOWN ARROW) activates the
page down key. The Page Down key is defined by the
application being used. It usually causes the next screen
or window to appear.
FN+PGUP
Pressing FN+PGUP (FN+UP ARROW) activates the page
up key. The Page Up key is defined by the application
you use. It usually causes the previous screen or window
to appear.
Numeric Keypad
The numeric keypad is embedded in the keyboard area. The embedded
keypad emulates the numeric keypad typically found on a full-size
keyboard. It is arranged like a calculator for applications that require
you to key many numbers or for use with the Calculator in the standard
Windows Accessories.
This icon appears on the Windows 95 Taskbar when Num Lock is
enabled:
Num Lock icon
30
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Section 2. Using the Keyboard and Mouse
Below are descriptions of the keys when NUM LK is pressed.
Key
Description
NUM LK (FN+F12) Numeric Lock. Pressing the FN+NUM LK keys places
the embedded numeric keypad in the numeric state.
Pressing 0 through 9 generates numbers. Pressing
FN+NUM LK again returns keys back to their original
state. For example, when NUM LOCK is on, the u
key generates a 4 when pressed. When NUM LOCK
is off, the keys return to their alphabetic setting.
Minus (-)
The Minus key is used to subtract numbers.
Plus (+)
The Plus key is used to add numbers.
Asterisk (*)
The Asterisk key is used to multiply numbers.
Forward Slash (/) The Forward Slash key is used to divide numbers.
Period (.)
The period key inserts a decimal point.
ENTER
The ENTER key generates a total for calculations you
have entered.
FN Keys
On the mobile computer, you must press the FN key in combination
with other keys to perform various tasks. These keys are labeled with a
small box around the command. For example:
FN+PGDN
Fn
Pg Dn
Press
To do this
FN+ON
Turn on the computer
(FN+SPACEBAR)
FN+OFF
Turn off the computer
FN+F1
Toggle the backlight on and off (monochrome
display)
FN+F1
Toggle MaxBright on and off (10.4-inch color
display only)
FN+F2
Dim the display backlight
FN+F3
Brighten the display backlight
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X-C 6250 Pro User’s Manual
FN+F4
Lighten the display contrast (not available on the
10.4-inch color display)
FN+F5
Darken the display contrast (not available on the
10.4-inch color display)
FN+F6
Decrease the volume
FN+F7
Increase the volume
FN+NUM LK
(FN+F12) Toggle NUM LOCK on and off (In NUM
LOCK mode, the blue keys on the keyboard
emulate a numeric keypad.)
FN+INSERT
Toggle Insert mode on and off
FN+END
Activate the End key. The function of the End key
is defined by the application being used.
FN+HOME
Activate the Home key. The function of the home
key is defined by the application with which you
are working.
Press
To do this
FN+PGDN
Activate the Page Down key. This key is defined by
the application being used. It usually causes the
next screen or window to appear.
FN+PGUP
Activate the Page Up key. This key is defined by
the application you use. It usually causes the
previous screen or window to appear.
Function Keys
32
Key
Description
F1 - F12
The Function keys are located at the top row of the
keyboard. How you use function keys F1 through F12
depends upon the application that is running.
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Section 2. Using the Keyboard and Mouse
Other Keys
Key
Description
DEL
Delete. In DOS, the DEL key deletes one character to the
left of the cursor’s position. In Windows, the DEL key
deletes highlighted text, selected objects or graphics,
and single characters of text located one position to the
right of the cursor.
FN+INSERT
The Insert key is activated by pressing FN+INSERT
(FN+SCR LK). The Insert key may vary with the software
being used.
PAUSE
Momentarily pauses or stops the display.
SCROLL LOCK The function of the SCROLL LOCK key depends on the
software being used. It is often used to keep the cursor
in one position while the text moves.
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X-C 6250 Pro User’s Manual
Using the Mouse
The mouse (pointer device) and its buttons (controls) are located at the
bottom of the keyboard just below the space bar. The mouse, which
looks like a gray eraser head, is positioned between the left and right
mouse buttons at the bottom of the keyboard.
Apply light pressure to the mouse in the direction you want to move the
pointer around the screen. You can move the pointer to the icon or
menu you want, and click with the left, primary mouse button for most
operations. Or, double-click the left, primary mouse button twice rather
quickly for certain operations. Use the left, primary mouse button to
either click or double-click, which is based on the task you are
performing.
F1
Esc
F2
F3
F4
F5
F6
F7
F8
F9
Tab
Caps
Lock
Fn
ñ Shift
Ctrl
Alt
U 4
F10
M 0
F11
O 6
K 2
Prt Sc
SysRq
ON
F12
Num Lk
Alt
Scr Lk
In s e r t
Pause
Bre ak
Backspace
Delete
OFF
¦
Enter
Home
ñShift
Pg Up
E nd
Pg Dn
Mouse Keys
The following table describes the meaning of terms used with the
mouse.
34
Term
Meaning
Point
To move the mouse until the mouse pointer on the
screen points to the item of choice.
Click
To quickly press and release the left, primary mouse
button. To select an icon, you must point and click on
that icon. Usually, you point and click on buttons, menu
bars, menu options, and drop-down list boxes.
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Section 2. Using the Keyboard and Mouse
Term
Meaning
Double-click
To click the left, primary mouse button twice in rapid
succession.
Pointing and double-clicking on an application icon
opens or launches the program associated with the icon.
Drag
To point, click, and press and hold down the left,
primary mouse button while you move the mouse. You
use drag to move icons from one window or directory to
another. To select text in a data entry field, you place the
cursor at the beginning of the text, click on the left,
primary mouse button, and drag the cursor over text.
You can then delete or type over the text.
General Guidelines
The mobile computer uses a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), which is the
type of screen used on many notebook and sub-notebook computers.
One problem experienced on computers with an LCD display, especially
in cold environments, is that the cursor seems to “disappear” whenever
the mouse is moved quickly. To improve the visibility of the mouse
cursor, you should:
• Enable the “Pointer Trails” feature to add trailing cursors.
• Use a slow or medium speed/sensitivity level.
You can combine a higher level of acceleration with a slow or medium
speed/sensitivity level. This will allow you to move the mouse cursor
quickly by increasing your finger pressure, while still providing a finer
degree of control when you apply minimum pressure.
Changing the Speed of the Mouse
To change the speed of the mouse, from the Start Menu select Settings,
Control Panel, and then choose Mouse to make adjustments.
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X-C 6250 Pro User’s Manual
36
79-0003-003 22 October 1999
SECTION
Getting Started
○
○
○
○
○
○
○
○
○
Introduction
○
○
○
○
○
○
○
○
○
○
○
○
○
○
○
○
○
○
38
PRECAUTIONS 38
The First Time... 39
Connecting the AC Adapter 39
Installing and Charging the Battery 40
Turning the Computer On and Off 42
Startup Problems? 43
If You Have a Touch Screen 43
Password Security 44
Setting or Changing Your Password 45
If You Cannot Remember Your Password 45
T M
X-C 6250 Pro User’s Manual
Introduction
This section includes procedures for setting up and using your
computer for the first time.
PRECAUTIONS
Please be aware of the following important information before you
begin operating your computer.
• Data stored on floppy disks may be corrupted if the disks come in
close contact with the magnetic components of the computer. Do
not lay a floppy disk on top of or under the computer.
• The internal components of the computer will be damaged if
exposed to contaminants. When dust covers, the PC card door, or
the battery door on the computer are open, shield the unit from all
contaminants such as liquids, rain, snow, and dust.
• You can lose data if you remove the battery while the computer is
operating on battery power. Turn off the unit by pressing FN+OFF
before you remove the battery. You can also lose data if the battery
is removed for more than 10 minutes.
• CAUTION If you have a touch screen:
-Always use an approved stylus.
-Never use sharp, hard, or abrasive implements on the touch screen
such as ball point pens, pencils, or keys. They could damage the
screen.
• WARNING The computer is powered by a rechargeable Nickel
Metal Hydride (NiMH) battery. Disposing of this battery improperly
can cause serious personal injury. Do not crush the battery or place
it in a fire. The battery is recyclable and, under various state and
local laws, it may be illegal to dispose of the battery into the
municipal waste stream. Check with your local solid-waste officials
for details on recycling options or proper disposal.
38
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Section 3. Getting Started
The First Time...
Using your computer for the first time involves:
• Connecting the AC adapter to the computer
• Installing and charging the battery
Connecting the AC Adapter
To connect the AC adapter
1 Attach the power cord to the AC adapter, and then connect the
appropriate end of the cord to an AC wall outlet.
2 Insert the other end of the AC adapter cable into the computer’s
power port on the side of the unit.
Computer
Power Port
AC Adapter
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X-C 6250 Pro User’s Manual
Installing and Charging the Battery
The Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) battery supplied with your computer
should be fully charged before you operate the unit on battery power. To
increase battery capacity, follow the recommendations about deep cycle
discharging later in this manual.
To install the battery
1 Lift up the display and locate the battery door in front of the
keyboard.
2 Open the battery door by pushing the two latches down and then
sliding it away from the unit.
Velcro
Pad
Battery
Door
Latches
Battery
40
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Section 3. Getting Started
3 Align the battery connectors as shown in the diagram below, and
then place the battery in the computer.
4 Replace the battery door by sliding it toward the keyboard and
latching it into place.
The battery starts charging automatically.
The computer’s external power light on the indicator panel blinks while
the battery is charging; it stops blinking and remains on when the
battery has completed charging. At moderate temperatures,
approximately 21°C (70°F), the battery will be fully charged in three to
four hours. In extremely hot or cold temperatures, it may take up to 16
hours to charge the battery.
Note Keep the display tilted open while the battery is charging to
help prevent the battery from overheating.
Connectors
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X-C 6250 Pro User’s Manual
Turning the Computer On and Off
You can operate the computer while the battery is charging.
To turn on the computer
1 Press FN+ON (FN+SPACEBAR).
Note: If the computer does not power on, restart it by holding down
both mouse buttons for at least 10 seconds, and then releasing the
buttons.
2 Adjust the display contrast control for a sharp, clear display.
• FN+F4 lightens the display
• FN+F5 darkens the display
Note: If you have a 10.4-inch color display, these keys are not
active.
3 Adjust the backlight if necessary.
• On a monochrome display, pressing FN+F1 toggles the backlight
on and off.
• On a color display, the backlight is on whenever the computer is
running. Pressing FN+F1 toggles the MaxBright feature on and off.
4 Make sure the date and time are correct by choosing the Date/Time
icon from Control Panel and making any needed changes.
To turn off the computer
• Press FN+OFF.
When you power the computer back on, the system resumes from
where you left off. To conserve battery power, turn off the computer
whenever you are not using it.
Note The system automatically turns off (suspends) the unit after
a period of continuous idle time. You can resume where you left off
by pressing FN+ON.
42
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Section 3. Getting Started
Startup Problems?
If your computer does not operate, try these solutions.
• Connect the AC adapter to charge the battery if it is not charged.
• If the AC adapter is connected, make sure the electrical outlet you
are using works.
• Check to make sure the battery is installed and charged properly.
• Check the battery door latches to make sure the door is closed and
secured.
• If the computer does not turn on, restart the system by holding down
both mouse buttons for at least 10 seconds and then releasing the
buttons.
• If the battery doesn’t begin charging, remove the battery, connect the
AC adapter, and turn on the computer by pressing FN+ON. Reinstall
the battery. The indicator light blinks while the battery is charging.
Appendix B, “Troubleshooting,” lists additional solutions you can try.
If You Have a Touch Screen
CAUTION
• Always use an approved stylus.
• Never use sharp, hard, or abrasive implements on the touch
screen such as ball point pens, pencils, screw drivers or keys.
They could damage the screen.
• To clean the touch screen panel, apply a household glass cleaner
to a soft, clean, dry cloth and wipe the screen. A soft, dry cotton
cloth may be used to eliminate fingerprints on the screen if
household cleaner is unavailable.
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X-C 6250 Pro User’s Manual
To use the stylus
• Slide the stylus out of its holder.
If you have a shoulder strap, you may have a slot on the strap to
hold the stylus.
• To replace it, slide it into the appropriate slot point first.
If you cannot select objects accurately with the stylus, you may need to
recalibrate the touch screen.
To calibrate the touch screen
1 From the Start Menu, select Programs, Touch, and then choose
Touchscreen Controls.
2 Select the Calibration button.
3 Follow the instructions on the screen to calibrate the touch screen.
Password Security
If your computer is equipped with security software configured
appropriately, you can activate or deactivate password security. To learn
more about the security software, refer to its online help.
To activate or deactivate security
1 Select the Password Security icon in the Mobile Computer Tools
folder.
2 Enter your current password and check the box to be able to get into
the Change Password screen.
If you are using the computer for the first time, enter the default
password provided by your company.
3 If the Activate Security field is available to change, toggle the field to
the desired setting (contact your supervisor or help desk if you don’t
have access to this field and need it).
If you set the Activate Security field, this activates password security
and you are prompted for a password whenever keyboard or mouse
inactivity exceeds the time specified in the Inactivity Delay field. If
you clear the Activate Security field, you are not prompted for a
password.
44
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Section 3. Getting Started
Setting or Changing Your Password
Setting or changing your password is a way to make sure unauthorized
users do not gain access to the information stored on your computer. If
your computer is equipped with security software, follow these
instructions to set or change your password.
To set or change your password
1 Select the Password Security icon in the Mobile Computer Tools
folder.
2 Enter your current password.
If you are using the computer for the first time, enter the default
password provided by your company.
3 Enter your new password twice—once in the Enter New Password
field and again in the Re-Enter New Password field.
4 Choose OK to save your new password.
If You Cannot Remember Your Password
If your computer is equipped with security software and you forget your
password, contact your supervisor or the help desk at your organization
for instructions about regaining access to your system.
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X-C 6250 Pro User’s Manual
46
79-0003-003 22 October 1999
SECTION
If You Have a
Radio Modem
○
○
○
○
○
○
○
○
○
Introduction
○
○
○
○
○
○
○
○
○
○
○
○
○
○
○
○
○
○
48
Before You Start: Register! 48
ARDIS or RAM 48
Cellular Data or Voice 48
Cellular CDPD 49
What Can I Do with My Radio Modem? 49
Using the Integrated Radio Modem
Antenna Positioning 50
Serial Port Settings 51
Radio Indicator Light 51
Enabling the Radio Modem 51
For MS-DOS Users 53
50
Factory Installed Radio Software 53
User Installable Cellular/CDPD Radio Software 54
Additional Documentation 55
T M
X-C 6250 Pro User’s Manual
Introduction
If your computer is equipped with a radio modem, you must register it
with the appropriate network provider. There are also a few things to
remember when using your radio.
Before You Start: Register!
Before using your radio modem you must sign up for service with a
wireless network provider. When you register, you will need to furnish
the network provider with your modem ID and the computer’s serial
number. This information is printed on the bottom of the computer.
ARDIS or RAM
If you are registering with the ARDIS wireless network or the RAM
Mobile Data MOBITEX network, your Radio Modem ID (RID) will be
printed on a label as shown below.
S/N: 999001
RID: 1234ABCD
Computer serial number
Radio ID
Cellular Data or Voice
If you are registering with a Cellular provider for data or voice service,
your modem’s Electronic Serial Number (ESN) will be printed on a label
as shown below.
S/N: 999001
ESN: 1234ABCD
48
Computer serial number
Cellular modem
Electronic Serial Number
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Section 4. If You Have a Radio Modem
Cellular CDPD
If you are registering with a Cellular provider for CDPD service, your
modem’s Equipment Identifier (EID) will be printed on a label as shown
below.
ESN Hex: CE001BC0
ESN Dec: 206-00007104
EID: 00-A0-D5-00-1B-C0
Electronic serial number
(Hexadecimal, decimal)
Radio ID
CAUTION Your modem generates radio frequency (RF) signals. Do
not operate the radio modem before you have registered it with a
network provider. The network will not accept a signal from an
unregistered device. Unauthorized use of your radio modem may
interfere with local business or government communications,
resulting in fines or other legal action.
What Can I Do with My Radio Modem?
The radio modem in your mobile computer gives you the freedom to
send and receive data without connecting to the wired telephone
system or traditional wired networks. Common uses of radio
communications include dispatching, personal messaging, and
accessing remote host computer systems.
Cellular radio modems offer an additional capability to use your
computer as a cellular phone. When you are not sending or receiving
data, you can switch the modem into voice mode using your mobile
computer’s Speaker Phone program.
The exact capabilities of your radio modem are determined by the
communications software you are using, and the services provided by
your wireless network provider. Refer to the documentation provided
79-0003-003 22 October 1999
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Section 4. If You Have a Radio Modem
with your communications software for information on using the
program with a radio network. Your network provider can answer
questions regarding specific network features, host connectivity,
registration options, billing, and geographic coverage areas. In some
cases, your network provider can also assist you with selecting
modem setup options for your communications software.
Using the Integrated Radio Modem
This section provides basic information on operating your mobile
computer’s integrated radio modem.
Antenna Positioning
The mobile computer radio antenna has maximum sensitivity in the
full vertical upright position. For best radio reception, position the
antenna as shown below. You can fold the antenna down while the
radio is not being used.
CAUTION For RIM 901 Radios: While
the radio is operating, its antenna must be at
least 5 cm from all persons in order to comply
with the FCC RF exposure limit. Radio
operators must make sure their radio unit is in
compliance with these FCC regulations. See
Section 9 for important information about
vehicle-mounted antennas.
While the display is open
50
CAUTION For RIM 801 Radios: To
comply with FCC RF exposure requirements
this device must be operated with a minimum
separation distance of 3 cm (1.2 inches)
between the user/nearby person and the
antenna, with the antenna in the vertical
upright position. This is the intended position
of the antenna when using the RIM 801D
radio modem installed in the unit.
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Section 4. If You Have a Radio Modem
Serial Port Settings
The mobile computer’s integrated radio modem is accessed through the
COM4 serial port. When installing your communications software, make
sure to configure the software to use COM4 with Hardware Flow Control
(RTS/CTS) enabled.
Radio Indicator Light
Indicator lights located below the computer display report current
mobile computer activities. The indicator light at the far right shows
radio power status and message wake up activity.
Radio on/off and
message waiting
There are three modes reported by the radio indicator light:
Off
On
Blinking
Radio power
is off
Radio power
is on
Indicates a message wake up has
occurred. If a radio message is
received while the computer is
suspended (computer off/radio on),
the computer automatically powers on
to allow your radio application to store
the message.
If you are using the Sierra Wireless SB300 Series (CDPD/Cellular) radio
modem, the radio indicator light will blink while a Speaker Phone
cellular voice call is in progress.
Enabling the Radio Modem
The integrated radio modem powers on automatically when your
communications program requests use of the COM4 serial port. When
you close the program, the radio automatically powers off.
You can use the Radio Status utility to manually disable the radio when
you want to conserve battery power or store the computer. The Radio
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X-C 6250 Pro User’s Manual
Status utility appears as a minimized icon on the Windows desktop. You
can also run Radio Status by opening the Radio Tools folder. Doubleclick on the icon to activate Radio Status.
Clicking on the Radio Status Power button toggles power to the
integrated radio modem.
Radio enabled
Modem Type
CDPD/Cellular
Radio disbled
Modem type
CDPD/Cellular
52
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Section 4. If You Have a Radio Modem
TIP If the computer’s battery becomes low, the system
automatically disables the radio and extinguishes the radio indicator
light. The system will automatically restore the radio hardware and
indicator light after the low battery condition is corrected.
For MS-DOS Users
If you exit Windows and return to the MS-DOS prompt, use the RADIO
command to enable or disable the radio modem.
Command
Action
RADIO ON
Enables the radio
RADIO OFF
Disables the radio
RADIO
Reports the current radio status
You can also enable or disable the radio using the DOS Radio Status
resident utility. While running your radio application software, press
CTRL+ALT+R to pop up the DOS Radio Status screen.
Factory Installed Radio Software
The mobile computer includes factory installed software that makes it
easy to verify the operation of your integrated radio modem. These
programs are located in the Radio Tools folder.
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User Installable Cellular/CDPD Radio Software
If you are using the Sierra Wireless SB300 (CDPD/Cellular) radio
modem, you will need to install the Sierra Wireless Watcher program.
To install Sierra Wireless Watcher software
1 Ensure that Dialup Networking and TCP/IP are installed on your
system.
Refer to Windows 95 online Help for information about installing
these components.
2 Select Run from the Start menu and enter the following:
c:\sierra\watcher\setup.exe
3 When prompted to select a modem, choose the SB300 Series option.
4 When prompted for a communications port select COM4.
5 Select defaults for all other settings.
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Section 4. If You Have a Radio Modem
Additional Documentation
If you are developing a custom radio application for the mobile
computer, you may need to order additional documentation describing
the programming interface to your radio modem. The following is a list
of documents available for purchase from Technical Publications, Itronix
Corporation, P.O. Box 179, Spokane, WA 99210.
Motorola RPM Native Mode Interface R1.1
Itronix Part No. 98-0008-001
Native Control Language (NCL) interface specification for developing
communication applications using the ARDIS networks.
Motorola Mobile Asynchronous Communications (MASC) Interface R1.0
Itronix Part No. 98-0009-001
MASC serial interface specification for developing communication
applications using the Bell South Wireless network).
Sierra Wireless SB300 Series Modem User Guide
Itronix Part No. 98-0013-001 & 98-0012-001
AT command set and SLIP interface specification for use with the Sierra
Wireless SB300 Series modem (CDPD/Cellular/PSTN networks).
Sierra Wireless PocketPlus Developer’s Toolkit
Itronix Part No. 98-0005-001
Programming information for designing and developing TCP/IP, UDP, and
Winsock applications on the CDPD network using the Sierra Wireless
SB300 Series modem.
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SECTION
Customizing
Settings
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Introduction
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58
Using the System Configuration Utility 58
Accessing the SCU 59
Setting the COM3 and COM4 IRQs 60
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X-C 6250 Pro User’s Manual
Introduction
This section shows you how to access the System Configuration Utility
(SCU) in order to customize settings for your own personal preference.
It also covers viewing and changing IRQ settings.
CAUTION Changing settings may cause the mobile computer to
operate incorrectly. Change default settings only if you are
instructed to do so.
Using the System Configuration Utility
The System Configuration Utility (SCU) allows you to change default
settings for your hardware options and power management. The default
settings should not be changed unless you are installing new hardware
or adding memory. Otherwise, your existing hardware may not operate
properly.
You can change the power management options based on personal
preference. For example, the computer enters suspend mode after 2
minutes if it does not detect any keyboard or mouse activity. If you want
to change this time-out setting, use SCU to make this change. Other
power management options you may want to change include:
• When the system turns off the backlight (or MaxBright)
• When the hard disk is placed in standby mode
• How power is managed for the COM ports
• Whether the computer resumes when the radio modem detects a
ring signal
• Whether or not power management is enabled
Important Changing or disabling power management options can
decrease battery life. Set these options at levels that will use the
least amount of battery power.
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Section 5. Customizing Settings
Accessing the SCU
To access the System Configuration Utility
1 From the Start Menu, select Shut Down and then choose “Restart
the computer.”
2 Read the text on the screen while the computer is restarting and
press CTRL+ALT+S as soon as the following line appears:
“ to enter System Configuration Utility.”
3 Follow the instructions at the bottom of the screen to move around in
this utility and change the items you want to customize.
4 To exit the utility, press ALT+E (or select Exit from the menu), and
then choose the appropriate option.
This utility provides additional options in the Exit menu:
“Default Settings” loads default settings defined by the system.
“Factory Defaults” loads the settings defined at the time of
manufacture.
Note You may want to reset these parameters to their factory
defaults and then customize the settings. First write down the
existing settings in case you need to refer to them.
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Setting the COM3 and COM4 IRQs
Some modem software will not work with standard communication
(COM) port and Interrupt Request (IRQ) settings. Follow these
guidelines for the mobile computer:
COM Port
IRQ Setting
Change to
COM3
IRQ 11
IRQ 4
COM4
IRQ 10
IRQ 3
The IRQ must be set the same in Windows 95 (Windows 98 and NT)
and in the SCU. Follow the procedures below.
To view or change the IRQ settings in the SCU
1 From the Start Menu, select Shut Down and then choose “Restart
the computer.”
2 Read the text on the screen while the computer is restarting, and
press CTRL+ALT+S as soon as the following line appears:
“ to enter System Configuration Utility.”
3 Select Components by pressing ALT+C.
4 Select COM Ports.
5 Press TAB to move to COM3 or COM4 settings.
6 Use the UP and DOWN ARROW keys to switch between IRQ values,
and then press the SPACEBAR on the desired setting.
7 Choose OK to save the settings.
To view or change the Windows 95 IRQ settings
1 From the Start Menu, select Settings, Control Panel, and then choose
System.
2 Select the Device Manager tab, and then choose the plus sign next
to Ports.
3 Choose COM3 or COM4.
4 Select the Resources tab to view the current Interrupt Request
setting.
5 Make sure the “Use Automatic Settings” box is not checked.
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6 Select “Interrupt Request” listed under Resource type.
7 Choose the Change Setting button.
If a message appears indicating that this resource cannot be
changed, select a different configuration type in the “Setting based
on” box and go back to Step 6.
8 In the Value field, use the UP or DOWN ARROW to display valid
values.
If the desired value does not appear, select a different configuration
type in the “Setting based on” box and go back to Step 6.
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SECTION
Transferring Files
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Introduction
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64
Using Direct Cable Connection
65
Direct Cable Connection Requirements 65
Computers Connected to a Network 66
Direct Cable Connection Tips 66
Wiring Specifications for Cables 71
Parallel Cables 71
Serial Cables 72
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X-C 6250 Pro User’s Manual
Introduction
You may need to transfer files to the mobile computer’s hard drive such
as copying a new program file to the computer so you can use a new
version. There are several different ways you can transfer files to your
computer:
• Using Direct Cable Connection between computers loaded with
Windows 95 (see the instructions in this section).
• Using PC cards (see Section 8, “Using PC Cards”).
• Using an external floppy or a CD-ROM (see Section 9, “Optional
Equipment and Accessories”).
• Using the internal landline modem (see Section 10, “Modems”).
CAUTION In addition to the above methods, your company may
have other ways of copying files to your computer. Contact your
supervisor or your organization’s help desk for information about the
best way to do this.
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Section 6. Transferring Files
Using Direct Cable Connection
Direct Cable Connection is a Microsoft product that comes with
Windows 95. It allows you to establish a connection between two
computers loaded with Windows 95 to gain access to the host
computer’s resources.
Windows 95 online Help provides detailed instructions about installing
and using this software, as well as troubleshooting information for this
process. Look up “Direct Cable Connection” and “Direct Cable
Connection, Troubleshooting” in the Help index. The information on the
following pages provides additional tips and guidelines to help make
this process successful.
For additional information, check your local bookstore for books on
Windows 95. Also, a large amount of information about Direct Cable
Connection can be found on the Internet (search for “Direct Cable
Connection”).
Direct Cable Connection Requirements
Make sure the following requirements are met before installing and
using Direct Cable Connection.
• Windows 95 must be installed on the host and the guest computer.
• A parallel or serial cable must be connected to both computers. See
“Direct Cable Connection Tips” for information about obtaining a
cable. If you need to make a cable, see “Wiring Specifications for
Cables” later in this section.
• File sharing must be enabled on the host computer. For information
about how to enable sharing, look up “enabling, file and printer
sharing” in the Windows 95 online Help index.
• To share files, you share the folder they are in. A folder must be set
up as “shared.” For information about establishing shared folders,
look up “shared folders, setting up” in the online Help index.
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Computers Connected to a Network
If you are using Direct Cable Connection to share resources with a
computer on a network, follow these guidelines.
• Give your guest computer a unique name to avoid problems
connecting to the host computer.
1 From the Start Menu, select Settings, Control Panel, and then
choose Network.
2 Select the Identification tab, and then enter the appropriate
information.
3 Choose OK, and then restart your computer if you are prompted to
do so.
• If you are prompted to enter a network password, enter it correctly or
you may not be able to see the shared resources on the host
computer.
Direct Cable Connection Tips
Where do I find basic information about Direct Cable
Connection?
• Windows 95 online Help provides several help topics about Direct
Cable Connection. From the Start menu, select Help, and then use
the index to search for “Direct Cable Connection.”
I don’t know how to start Direct Cable Connection
• To start Direct Cable Connection, select the Start button, Programs,
Accessories, and then choose Direct Cable Connection. If you don’t
see Direct Cable Connection on the Accessories menu, see the
procedure below. Note that Direct Cable Connection will only work if
both machines are running Windows 95.
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Section 6. Transferring Files
Direct Cable Connection is not on the Accessories menu
• If Direct Cable Connection is not on your Accessories menu, follow
this procedure to add it:
1 From the Start button, select Settings, and then choose Control
Panel.
2 Choose Add/Remove Programs, and then select the Window Setup
tab.
3 Highlight Communications in the component list, and then choose
Details.
Make sure that Dial-Up Networking and Direct Cable Connection
are checked.
4 Choose OK. Choose OK again.
You may be prompted to insert the Windows 95 CD-ROM or
disk(s).
When I try to start Direct Cable Connection, I get the error
“Cannot find file C:\WINDOWS\DIRECTCC.EXE” (or one of its
components)
• This indicates that Direct Cable Connection was not initially installed
completely. First, uninstall both Dial-Up Networking and Direct Cable
Connection as follows:
1 From Control Panel, choose Add/Remove Programs.
2 Select the Window Setup tab.
3 Highlight Communications in the component list, and then choose
Details.
Make sure that Dial-Up Networking and Direct Cable Connection
are NOT checked.
4 Choose OK; choose OK again.
5 Follow the instructions previously under “Direct Cable Connection
is not on the Accessories menu.”
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Where do I get a Direct Parallel Cable?
• Direct Parallel Cables are available at computer stores. They are
often referred to as one of the following:
“Parallel Laplink Cable”
“PC File Transfer Cable”
“Direct Cable Connection Cable”
“Direct Parallel Cable”
“Interlink Cable”
“Interlnk/Intersvr Cable”
For information about obtaining a Direct Parallel Cable, contact your
organizations’ help desk.
I am having trouble making a connection
• Use the Windows 95 Direct Cable Connection Troubleshooting as the
first step in resolving a problem. From the Start menu, choose Help,
and then use the index to search for “Direct Cable Connection,
Troubleshooting.”
• Make sure that Windows 95 is installed on the host and the guest
computer.
• Make sure that both computers are securely connected by a Direct
Parallel Cable. A Direct Parallel Cable is not the same as a standard
parallel cable.
• When starting Direct Cable Connection for the first time, you are
prompted to select Host or Guest for the operating mode. Make sure
that one PC is the Host (PC Workstation) and one is the Guest
(mobile computer). If one of the computers is attached to a Local
Area Network (LAN) and you want both computers to have access to
LAN resources, set the computer attached to the LAN as the Host,
and the other computer as the Guest.
• Make sure that the Host and Guest computers have unique computer
names. On both computers, from the Start menu, select Settings,
Control Panel, and then choose Network. Select the Identification
tab, and then verify that the computer name is different for each
computer. If necessary, change the computer name of the Guest
computer to a name that is unique for the entire workgroup. The
name is case sensitive.
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Section 6. Transferring Files
• Verify that the Host and Guest computers have the same workgroup
name. On both computers, from the Start menu, select Settings,
Control Panel, and then choose Network. Select the Identification
tab, and then verify that the workgroup name is the same for both
computers. If not, set the Guest computer to have the same
workgroup name as the Host computer. The name is case sensitive.
For example, the name “WORKGROUP” is not the same as
“Workgroup.”
• Make sure that you start Direct Cable Connection on the Host
computer first, and then the Guest computer. After starting Direct
Cable Connection on the Host, make sure that you choose the Listen
button. After starting Direct Cable Connection on the Guest, make
sure that you choose the Connect button.
• Check to make sure your printer/parallel port is configured for Direct
Cable Connection communication. Both computers must have the
same printer port configuration. In your BIOS setup, check the
section regarding ports setup, usually in the chipset setup for newer
motherboards. There will be a section that configures the printer/
parallel port. There are two printer sections: one is IRQ and the other
is type of communication. In the type, make sure it is in the ECP
mode or EPP + ECP mode. Save and exit. The IRQs do not have to
match.
• Make sure that you are able to see the “Verifying...” message when
connecting. If you see this message, the Host and Guest computers
are able to communicate over the cable. This means that your port
and cable configurations are working.
• If you see this message but still cannot make a connection, make
sure that both computers have the same protocols. On both
computers, from the Start menu, select Settings, Control Panel, and
then choose Network. Select the Configuration tab, and verify that
both computers have the same network components installed.
NetBEUI protocol needs to be installed for the Host gateway function
to operate. If the protocols are not the same, select Help from the
Start menu, and then use the index to search for “installing a
network protocol” and follow the instructions.
• If you do not see the “Verifying...” message, this means the Host and
Guest are not able to communicate over the cable. Something may
be wrong with your cable. Verify that the cable is securely connected
at each computer.
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• Make sure that both computers have the Dial-Up Adapter installed.
From the Start menu, select Settings, Control Panel, and then choose
Add/Remove Programs. Select the Window Setup tab. Highlight
Communications in the component list, and then choose Details.
Make sure that Dial-Up Networking is checked. If not, check it, and
then choose OK. Choose OK again. You may be prompted to insert
the Windows 95 CD-ROM or disk(s).
• Verify that another application is not using Dial-up Adapter. You
cannot use the Dial-up Adapter for a dial-up connection (such as
Internet, FAX, modem) at the same time as a Direct Cable
Connection. Disconnect from any dial-up connections before starting
Direct Cable Connection.
I cannot access information on the Host computer or LAN
• Make sure Network Neighborhood is on the desktop of both
computers. If it isn’t, you can re-install it from your Windows 95 CDROM or disk(s).
• Make sure that resources on the Host computer are shared. Choose
Network Neighborhood on the Host computer. Right click on the
resource you want to share, and then select Sharing... from the popup menu. Select Shared As, and then choose OK. If Sharing... is not
on the pop-up menu, that resource cannot be shared. You won’t be
able to access LAN resources unless they are shared (talk to your
Network Administrator about this).
The shared folder doesn’t have a drive letter assigned to it
• To map a drive letter to a shared folder, choose Network
Neighborhood on the Guest computer. Right click on the folder you
want to assign a drive letter to, and then select Map Network Drive
from the pop-up menu. Enter the drive letter you want to assign.
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Section 6. Transferring Files
Wiring Specifications for Cables
You can use a parallel or serial cable to transfer information; however, a
parallel connection transfers data at a much higher rate than a serial
connection.
Parallel Cables
To make a Direct Parallel Cable, make a cable with male DB-25
connectors at both ends and wire the cable as follows:
25 pin
25-pin
Description
pin 2
<———>
pin 15
N/A
pin 3
<———>
pin 13
N/A
pin 4
<———>
pin 12
N/A
pin 5
<———>
pin 10
N/A
pin 6
<———>
pin 11
N/A
pin 15
<———>
pin 2
N/A
pin 13
<———>
pin 3
N/A
pin 12
<———>
pin 4
N/A
pin 10
<———>
pin 5
N/A
pin 11
<———>
pin 6
N/A
pin 25
<———>
pin 25
Ground-Ground
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Serial Cables
To make a Direct Serial Cable, make a cable with either a 9-pin or 25pin female connector on both ends, and wire the cable as follows:
72
9 pin
25 pin
25 pin
9-pin
Description
pin 5
pin 7
<———>
pin 7
pin 5
Ground-Ground
pin 3
pin 2
<———>
pin 3
pin 2
Transmit-Receive
pin 7
pin 4
<———>
pin 5
pin 8
RTS-CTS
pin 6
pin 6
<———>
pin 20
pin 4
DSR-DTR
pin 2
pin 3
<———>
pin 2
pin 3
Receive-Transmit
pin 8
pin 4
pin 5
pin 20
<———>
<———>
pin 4
pin 6
pin 7
pin 6
CTS-RTS
DTR-DSR
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SECTION
Managing
Batteries and
Power
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Introduction
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74
Practical Battery Tips 74
Conserving Power and Extending Battery Life
Low Battery Warnings
79
80
Power-saving Features
80
Getting Battery Information 82
Removing and Replacing Batteries 83
Charging Batteries 84
Deep Cycle Discharging 85
Battery Storage and Care 86
Disposing of Batteries 86
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X-C 6250 Pro User’s Manual
Introduction
The mobile computer uses a Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) battery. This
section provides some important information about these types of
batteries and ways to extend their life.
Practical Battery Tips
Tip 1. Getting the most from your battery
• Your battery will last longer during the day if it is used and charged
between 10°C and 30°C (50°F and 86°F).
• Charge the battery nightly where the temperature will remain around
20°C (68°F).
• Set up your system to automatically suspend (turn off) while the
battery is charging.
This can be done by enabling the “Suspend on AC Power” option
under the Power, Suspend/Resume Control menu in the System
Configuration Utility (SCU). This allows the system to automatically
suspend while it is connected to external power.
• Use the Battery Maintenance application (located in the computer
tools folder) to deep cycle discharge your battery. Deep cycling your
battery reconditions it and eliminates memory effect. Follow these
guidelines when deep cycling:
- Deep cycle your battery when requested, which may be as often
as 3 months, depending on usage.
- For the best conditioning, deep cycle the battery where the
temperature will remain around 20°C (68°F).
- Leave the display tilted open and allow unrestricted airflow so
excess heat can escape from the battery compartment and
prevent the battery from overheating.
- Consider running the deep cycle process over a weekend because
it can take up to 40 hours to complete.
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Section 7. Managing Batteries and Power
• The indicator light may read “fully charged,” but this does not
necessarily guarantee sufficient capacity. Use the Battery Status
application periodically to check your battery’s capacity, and then
recondition it as needed.
• Even the best maintained batteries eventually need to be retired.
They simply degrade from continuous use. Consider replacing your
battery if you are not getting the usage you need from it after
performing a deep cycle discharge.
Tip 2. Conserving power and extending battery life
• Turn off your computer by pressing FN+OFF whenever you are not
using it.
• Make sure your system suspends automatically. PC Cards, custom
applications, or modified system settings can affect this.
• Unplug peripherals and remove peripheral and network PC Cards
when you are not using them.
• If you have a monochrome display, turn off the backlight when you
do not need it.
• If you have a 10.4-inch color display, turn off MaxBright when you
do not need it.
• Use the SCU to set power management options at levels that will
consume the least amount of battery power (see Section 5,
“Customizing Settings,” for more information).
• Use the AC adapter or vehicle adapter whenever possible.
• Avoid exposing batteries to extremely hot or cold temperatures for
long periods.
• The mobile computer display does not require a screen saver. Using
screen savers consumes valuable battery power and is discouraged
unless the unit is connected to external power and an external
monitor.
• Deep cycle discharge your battery when requested, which may be as
often as 3 months, depending on usage by using the Battery
Maintenance application.
• Store the battery within the recommended temperature range: 10°C
to 30°C (50°F to 86°F).
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Tip 3. If your battery is new or has not been used for
several weeks
Follow these guidelines to deep cycle discharge the battery and
condition it.
• Deep cycling the battery up to four times in succession may increase
its capacity. You may want to do this over consecutive weekends
since each deep cycle process can take up to 40 hours. After this
initial conditioning, maintain battery capacity by deep cycling when
requested, which may be as often as 3 months, depending on usage.
• For the best conditioning, deep cycle the battery where the
temperature will remain around 20°C (68°F).
Tip 4. Determining when your battery has finished
charging
• Under normal circumstances, your battery is finished charging when
the external power indicator light stops blinking and remains solid.
To prevent possible damage to the battery, the system will not allow
a charge if the battery temperature is above 50°C (122°F) or below
5°C (41°F), such as in a closed, unattended vehicle. In this case,
your battery may not be fully charged.
• If you charge your battery every night, it is finished charging when
the Battery Status application shows a full gas gauge even though
the external power indicator light may still be blinking.
If your battery is new, or if you have not used it for a week or more,
the gas gauge may be inaccurate because the battery naturally
discharges over time. In this case, wait until the external power
indicator light stops blinking and remains solid.
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Section 7. Managing Batteries and Power
Tip 5. How your battery behaves in warm and cold
conditions
In warm conditions
• When using a battery in warm conditions, the battery capacity will
drain faster. In general, as the temperature rises, it is possible for the
battery to drain 20 percent faster at 40°C (104°F) and 50 percent
faster at 45°C (113°F).
• To prevent possible damage to the battery, the system will not allow
a charge if the battery temperature is above 45°C (113°F), such as
in a closed, unattended vehicle during the summer.
• If possible, charge the battery in a location with a moderate
temperature of around 20°C (68°F). The battery won’t last as long
during the day if charged at higher temperatures because heat slows
down the battery’s chemical reactions. Also, if the battery becomes
too hot while charging, the charge mode automatically switches from
Fast Charge to Slow Charge. Slow Charge takes much longer to finish
charging the battery.
• When charging the battery, leave the display tilted open and allow
unrestricted airflow so excess heat can escape from the battery
compartment and prevent the battery from overheating.
In cold conditions
• When using a battery in cold conditions, the battery capacity can
drain 30 percent faster at 4°C (39°F) and 70 percent faster at -11°C
(19°F).
• To prevent possible damage to the battery, the system will not allow
a charge if the battery temperature is below 5°C (41°F), such as in a
closed, unattended vehicle during the winter.
• If possible, charge the battery in a location with a moderate
temperature of around 20°C (68°F). The battery won’t last as long
during the day if charged at lower temperatures because cold slows
down the battery’s chemical reactions.
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Tip 6. Preventing data loss
How to prevent data loss when removing the battery or storing
your computer
• You can lose data if you remove the battery while the computer is
operating on battery power. To prevent this, turn off the unit by
pressing FN+OFF before you remove the battery.
• The computer is equipped with enough internal backup power to
maintain memory contents for about 5 minutes each time you
exchange batteries. Be careful not to exceed this 5 minute limit
when you replace the battery.
• If you plan to store your computer for more than 30 days, exit
Windows to save data to the hard disk, and then press FN+OFF to
turn off the computer. Remove the battery before storing the
computer.
Tip 7. Returning batteries for service
• When shipping batteries, use non-static packing material to reduce
the possibility of static discharge. Placing the battery in a non-static
bag is ideal; however, wrapping the battery in paper or newspaper is
also acceptable.
• Contact your supervisor or your organization’s help desk for correct
shipping procedures and information.
Tip 8. For more information
• The Battery Status and Battery Maintenance applications provide
battery troubleshooting information. From the Help menu for each
application, choose Contents (or Help Topics), and then choose
Troubleshooting, followed by “Common Solutions to Common
Problems.”
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Section 7. Managing Batteries and Power
Conserving Power and Extending Battery Life
Follow these guidelines to get the most use from your batteries and
extend their life.
• Turn off your computer by pressing FN+OFF whenever you are not
using it.
• Make sure your system suspends automatically. PC Cards, custom
applications, or modified system settings can affect this.
• Unplug peripherals and remove peripheral and network PC Cards
when you are not using them.
• If you have a monochrome display, turn off the backlight when you
do not need it.
• If you have a 10.4-inch color display, turn off MaxBright when you
do not need it.
• Use the SCU to set power management options at levels that will
consume the least amount of battery power (see Section 5,
“Customizing Settings,” for more information).
• Use the AC adapter or vehicle adapter whenever possible.
• Avoid exposing batteries to extremely hot or cold temperatures for
long periods.
• The mobile computer display does not require a screen saver. Using
screen savers consumes valuable battery power and is discouraged
unless the unit is connected to external power and an external
monitor.
• Deep cycle discharge your battery when requested, which may be as
often as 3 months, depending on usage by using the Battery
Maintenance application.
• If you plan to store the computer for more than 30 days, remove the
battery.
• Store the battery within the recommended temperature range: 10°C
to 30°C (50°F to 86°F).
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Low Battery Warnings
When the battery becomes low, the mobile computer beeps and the
battery indicator light blinks. If you are running Windows, a warning
message also appears on the screen periodically. Unless you connect
external power or replace the battery within a reasonable time, the
system turns off the computer automatically. If the battery voltage
becomes very low, the computer shuts off and you cannot turn it back
on until you correct the low battery condition.
Power-saving Features
Suspend
Suspend mode turns off the system if there is no activity for a period of
time. The computer also enters suspend mode if the battery capacity
becomes critically low and external power is not connected or the
battery is not replaced.
Note Some systems do not automatically enter suspend mode
when they are connected to external power. Systems that can
suspend on external power have a user-defined option in the System
Configuration Utility (SCU) that enables or disables this feature. See
Section 5 for information about accessing the SCU.
By default, the computer enters suspend mode after two minutes of
inactivity. This “time-out” setting can be changed in the System
Configuration Utility (see Section 5, “Customizing Settings”). You can
place the computer in suspend mode manually by pressing FN+OFF.
Files and data are retained and you can resume where you left off by
pressing FN+ON.
Hard Disk Standby
To conserve power, the hard disk switches to standby mode after a
period of inactivity and resumes when it detects activity.
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Display
To conserve power, the system turns off the display when the computer
enters suspend mode. It automatically turns on when the computer is
turned back on.
Backlight
The display backlight can be turned on to make information on the
screen easier to read in low-light situations. To conserve power on the
monochrome displays only the system automatically turns off the
backlight after a period of inactivity. You must manually turn the
backlight on by pressing FN+F1 when you resume. You can change the
time-out setting for the backlight in the System Configuration Utility
(SCU). See Section 5, “Customizing Settings,” for more information.
On a color display, the backlight is always on whenever the computer is
running. See “About the Display Backlight” below.
About the Display Backlight
10.4-inch color
• Backlight is always on when the computer is runnning
• FN+F1 toggles MaxBright on/off
• FN+F2 dims
• FN+F3 brightens
• FN+F2 and FN+F3 are active only when MaxBright is off
10-inch monochrome
• FN+F1 toggles the backlight on/off
• FN+F2 dims
• FN+F3 brightens
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MaxBright
MaxBright is a feature available on 10.4-inch color display that
intensifies the backlight to its maximum brightness. Pressing FN+F1
toggles MaxBright on and off. The system automatically turns off
MaxBright after a period of inactivity, and this time-out setting can be
changed in the System Configuration Utility (SCU). See Section 5,
“Customizing Settings,” for information about accessing the SCU.
Getting Battery Information
Battery Status
The Battery Status application provided with your system monitors the
condition of the battery installed in the computer. This application
allows you to check information such as the current capacity and
temperature of the battery. Battery Status runs automatically when you
run Windows. To learn more about this program, refer to its online help.
To open this program, choose the Battery Status icon from the Taskbar.
Battery Maintenance
The Battery Maintenance application allows you to perform a deep
cycle discharge of the battery and obtain information about the last
time this activity was completed. For additional information, see “Deep
Cycle Discharging” later in this section.
To learn more about this program, refer to its online help.
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Removing and Replacing Batteries
Replace the battery in your computer with a new one if your existing
battery does not hold a charge. If your battery is drained, replace it with
a charged one. When operating on battery power, the computer is
equipped with enough internal backup power to maintain memory
contents for about 5 minutes each time you exchange batteries.
CAUTION You can lose data if you remove the battery while the
mobile computer is operating on battery power. Turn off the
computer by pressing FN+OFF before you remove the battery. You
can also lose data if the battery is removed from the unit for more
than 5 minutes.
To remove and replace the battery
1 Turn off the computer by pressing FN+OFF, and then locate the
battery door in front of the keyboard.
2 Push the two battery door latches down to unlatch the door and slide
it away from the unit (C).
3 Grasp the ribbon and pull up on the battery to remove it.
4 Align the battery connectors and place a new battery in the
computer (D).
5 Replace the battery door and make sure it is securely latched.
Velcro
Pad
Connectors
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Charging Batteries
To maintain power and prevent data loss from a low battery, charge the
battery daily. You can use several external power or charging devices
approved for use with the mobile computer. The AC adapter comes with
your computer, but you also can use other optional devices such as the
vehicle adapter, the stand alone charger, or the vehicle cradle. See
Section 9, “Optional Equipment and Accessories,” for more information
about this equipment.
To charge the battery using the AC adapter
1 Connect the appropriate end of the AC adapter to an AC wall outlet.
2 Connect the other end to the computer’s power port on the side of
the unit.
3 Install the battery in your computer and make sure the battery door
is latched and secured.
Velcro
Pad
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Leave the display tilted open and allow unrestricted airflow while the
battery is charging. This allows excess heat to escape from the battery
compartment and helps prevent the battery from overheating.
The battery starts fast charging automatically, and the external power
indicator light blinks while the battery is charging. At moderate
temperatures, around 70 degrees Fahrenheit, the battery will complete
charging in 3 to 4 hours. Under extremely cold or hot temperatures,
however, the battery can take up to 16 hours to fully charge.
Deep Cycle Discharging
Use the mobile computer’s Battery Maintenance application to perform
a deep cycle discharge. To run this application, double-click the Battery
Maintenance icon in the Mobile Computer Tools folder. To learn more
about this program, refer to its online help.
Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries can develop “memory effect”
when they are partially discharged and recharged repetitively without a
full discharge. Repeatedly charging the batteries this way will eventually
decrease battery capacity and performance. To recondition the batteries
and eliminate battery charge memory effect, you should deep cycle
discharge batteries when requested, which may be as often as 3
months, depending on usage.
If your battery is new or has not been used for several weeks, deep
cycling it up to four times in succession may increase its capacity. You
may want to do this over consecutive weekends since each deep cycle
process can take up to 40 hours. After this initial conditioning, maintain
battery capacity by deep cycling at the recommended frequency.
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Battery Storage and Care
Follow these guidelines to maintain performance of NiMH batteries.
• Avoid exposing batteries to extremely hot or cold temperatures for
long periods. To prevent possible damage to the battery, the mobile
computer does not allow the battery to charge if the internal
temperature of the battery gets too low (< 5°C or < 41°F) or too
high (> 50°C or > 122°F).
• Charge the batteries nightly where the temperature will remain
around 20°C (68°F).
• Deep cycle discharge your battery when requested, which may be as
often as 3 months, depending on usage.
• Store the batteries within the recommended temperature range:
10°C to 30°C (50°F to 86°F).
• After storage, or periods during which the battery has not been used,
deep cycling it up to four times in succession may increase its
capacity. You may want to do this over consecutive weekends since
each deep cycle process can take up to 40 hours. After this initial
conditioning, maintain battery capacity by deep cycling at the
recommended frequency.
Disposing of Batteries
WARNING
The mobile computer is powered by a rechargeable
Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) battery. Disposing of the battery
improperly can cause serious personal injury. Do not crush the
battery or place it in a fire. The battery is recyclable and, under
various state and local laws, it may be illegal to dispose of it into
the municipal waste stream. Check with your local solid-waste
officials for details on recycling options or proper disposal.
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SECTION
Using PC Cards
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Introduction
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Inserting and Removing a PC Card 88
Transferring Files Using PC Cards 89
Using Bootable PC Cards 90
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Introduction
A PC card is a self-contained, credit card-sized device that can be used
to store programs, data, or to expand the capabilities of your computer.
The mobile computer accepts Type I, Type II, and Type III PC cards.
Inserting and Removing a PC Card
The PC card sockets are located on the back of the computer.
CAUTION The internal components of the mobile computer will
be damaged if exposed to contaminants. When the PC card door is
open, shield the unit from all contaminants such as liquids, rain,
snow, and dust.
To insert a PC card
1 Provide a suitable environment for the computer, and then open the
PC card door by pushing in on the door and sliding the latch down.
Push in on the door and slide the latch down
Door
Ejector Buttons
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PC Card
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Important Make sure the card is positioned correctly when you
insert it. Attempting to insert the card upside down can damage
the ejector button, and this may cause the button to malfunction
when you remove the card.
2 Position the card and carefully slide it into the card socket until it is
firmly seated.
3 Close the PC card door and push the latch up to secure it.
To remove a PC card
1 Before you remove the card, select the PC card icon in the system
“tray” area of the screen (near the clock in the lower right corner),
and choose “Stop [card name] card.”
2 Provide a suitable environment for the computer, and then open the
PC card door by pushing in on the door and sliding the latch down.
3 Press the ejector button.
4 Carefully slide the card out of the socket.
Tip Use one finger to press down lightly on top of the card, and
then slide it out. If the ejector button malfunctions when you press
it, release the button and press it again.
Transferring Files Using PC Cards
To transfer files using PC cards
This method of transferring files requires that the computer you are
exchanging files with is also equipped with a PC card socket.
1 Insert a PC memory or ATA card into the PC card socket of the
source computer.
2 Copy the file(s) you want to transfer from the hard disk to the PC
card.
The drive letter assigned to the card depends on the hardware
configuration of the computer.
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3 Remove the card and insert it into the card socket of the destination
computer.
4 Copy the file(s) from the PC card to the hard disk of the destination
computer.
Using Bootable PC Cards
The mobile computer normally boots from the internal hard disk (drive
C); however, it might be necessary to boot from an alternate boot device
if the computer’s hard disk becomes corrupted or fails, or if you want to
boot another operating system.
You can boot from an approved external floppy disk drive (see Section 9
for more information), or you can use an SRAM PC Card. Boot
precedence is first from the SRAM PC card (drive C), then the external
floppy (drive A, removable), and then the internal hard drive.
Important Do not use FN+OFF to suspend the computer if you
have booted from a PC Card rather than the computer’s internal
hard disk. When you have finished using the card, remove it from
the computer and then press CTRL+ALT+DEL to restart the system.
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SECTION
Optional
Equipment and
Accessories
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Connecting a Printer 92
Connecting an External Monitor
93
Connecting an External Mouse 93
PC Card External Floppy Disk Drive 95
Using an External CD-ROM
97
Stand Alone Charger 98
Vehicle Adapter 99
Vehicle Cradle 102
Surge Protection 108
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Connecting a Printer
You can connect a printer to the mobile computer with the parallel or
serial cable supplied with your printer. This allows you to print
documents that are stored in the computer. See your printer’s user’s
manual for more information.
To connect a printer to the parallel port
1 Open the I/O dust cover on the back of the computer and connect
the male end of the parallel cable to the 25-pin connector (the larger
of the two connectors).
This connector is referred to as LPT1.
2 Connect the other end of the cable to your printer.
3 Follow the instructions for your application to use the printer.
To connect a printer to the serial port
1 Open the I/O dust cover on the back of the computer and connect
the male end of the parallel cable to the 9-pin connector (the smaller
of the two connectors).
This connector is referred to as COM1.
2 Connect the other end of the cable to your printer.
3 Follow the instructions for your application to use the printer.
BACK VIEW
9-pin
Serial Port
Dust Cover
(open)
25-pin
Parallel Port
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Connecting an External Monitor
The computer has a “Display Selection” feature that allows you to
switch between the computer display, an external monitor, or both as
the active display.
To use an external monitor, first connect the monitor cable to the 15-pin
video port on the back of the computer and then follow the procedure
below.
To select a display
1 From the Desktop, double click the Display Select icon.
2 Select one of these options:
• “LCD Panel” to use the computer display
• “Monitor / LCD” to use both displays
3 Choose OK.
Connecting an External Mouse
You can connect an external mouse to the serial port of the computer.
First select the appropriate mouse manufacturer and model as
described below, and then enable the communication port by making
changes in the System Configuration Utility (SCU).
To connect an external mouse
1 Connect the mouse to the 9-pin serial port on the back of the
computer.
2 From the Start Menu, select Control Panel, Settings, and then choose
Mouse.
3 Select the General tab, and then choose Change.
4 Make sure “Show all devices” is enabled.
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5 Under “Manufacturers,” select the appropriate mouse you intend to
use.
6 Under “Model,” select the appropriate model.
7 Choose OK.
8 Close all windows and enable the communication port.
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PC Card External Floppy Disk Drive
An external floppy drive can be connected to the computer using the PC
Card socket. You can use the external floppy to transfer files to the
mobile computer; use the drive letters that correspond to your hardware
configuration.
Follow the procedures in this section to connect the floppy drive to the
computer.
PRECAUTIONS
• Using an unapproved bootable external floppy disk drive may cause
errors or may damage the computer. Use only external floppy disk
drives approved for use with the mobile computer.
• Do not open the computer’s battery door when you are using an
external floppy disk drive.
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To connect an external floppy disk drive
1 Open the PC Card door on the back of the computer and insert the
PC Card connector into the socket.
2 Connect the other end of the cable to your external floppy drive.
3 Turn on the floppy disk drive.
PC Card
Connector
Booting from a PC Card External Floppy
The mobile computer normally boots from the internal hard disk;
however, it might be necessary to boot from an alternate boot device if
the computer’s hard disk becomes corrupted or fails, or if you want to
boot another operating system. One option is to use a bootable external
floppy disk drive.
To boot from an external floppy disk drive
1 If you are running Windows, Exit Windows (from the Start Menu
select Shut Down, and then choose “Shut down the computer”).
2 Separate the PC Card connector from the cable by gently squeezing
the two small clips on each side of the connector.
3 Insert the PC Card (disconnected from the cable) into the socket.
4 Restart the computer by pressing FN+ON.
5 Follow the instructions on the screen to reconnect the cable to the
PC Card, insert a diskette, and boot the computer.
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Using an External CD-ROM
You can use an external CD-ROM drive to copy files to the mobile
computer or access information from a CD. Before you connect an
external CD-ROM to the computer, check these things:
• Make sure you are using an external CD-ROM that is approved for
use with the mobile computer.
• If necessary, follow the instructions provided with the CD-ROM to
install the correct device drivers on the computer.
After following the appropriate setup procedures, you can access the
external CD-ROM by using Windows Explorer or My Computer. Use the
drive letter that corresponds to your hardware configuration.
To connect an external CD-ROM
1 Connect the CD-ROM cable to your CD-ROM drive.
2 Open the PC Card door on the back of the computer and insert the
PC Card connector into the socket.
3 Turn on the CD-ROM drive.
PC Card
Connector
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Stand Alone Charger
The stand alone charger is an optional charging device used to charge a
Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) battery. This charger allows you to charge
an additional battery for the mobile computer.
CAUTION There are no user-replaceable parts within the stand
alone charger, so do not open the charger case. The stand alone
charger is internally protected. It resets automatically if there is a
power fault.
The operating temperature for this device is +10ºC to +40ºC (+50ºF
to +104ºF). Operating the stand alone charger outside of this
temperature range may damage the battery.
To charge a battery
1 Insert the appropriate end of the power cord into the power port on
the stand alone charger; insert the other end of the power cord into
an electrical wall outlet.
2 Align the connectors and place the battery onto the charger.
The charger automatically begins fast charging the battery. At
moderate temperatures, around 21°C (70ºF), the battery will be fully
charged in approximately three to four hours. Under extremely cold
or hot temperatures, however, the battery can take up to 16 hours to
charge.
Red “Fault” Light
Green Indicator
Light
Power Port
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Indicator Lights
Green
Red
Description
On
On
Power up. No battery installed.
Blinking
Off
Charging battery.
On
Off
Charging complete.
On
Blinking
Battery problem. Use Battery Status
to check the condition of the battery.
Blinking
Blinking
Charger problem.
Vehicle Adapter
The Vehicle Adapter is an optional device that supplies power from the
vehicle battery to operate the computer and charge the battery installed
in the unit. It typically connects to the vehicle battery using the
cigarette lighter socket.
CAUTION
There are no user-replaceable parts within the vehicle adapter, so
do not open the adapter case. The adapter is internally protected. It
resets automatically if there is a power fault.
The operating temperature for this device is -20°C to +60°C (-4°F
to +140°F). Operating the vehicle adapter outside of this
temperature range may damage the battery.
To prevent possible damage to the battery, the system will not allow the
battery to charge at extreme temperatures. Be aware of the following
charging characteristics, especially if the computer is left unattended in
a closed vehicle.
Temperature
Charging Activity
<5°C (<41°F)
Battery will not charge
>45°C (>113°F)
Slow charge mode
>50°C (>122°F)
Maintenance charge
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To connect the vehicle adapter
1 Insert the vehicle adapter’s power cord into the power port on the
side of the computer.
2 Insert the cigarette lighter adapter into the vehicle’s cigarette lighter
socket, turning it slightly to make a good connection.
The power light illuminates to indicate that current is reaching the
vehicle adapter. When you connect the vehicle adapter, it
automatically begins fast charging the computer’s battery. At
moderate temperatures, around 21°C (70ºF), the battery will be fully
charged in approximately three hours. Under extremely cold or hot
temperatures, however, it will take longer to charge the battery (up
to 16 hours).
Power Light
Power Cord
Cigarette
Lighter Adapter
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Important
• If you charge your battery daily, rely on the gas gauge reading to
determine battery capacity. The gas gauge displayed by Battery
Status may show that the battery is full, but the external power
indicator light may still be blinking. This typically occurs if the
charge mode switched from Fast to Slow because the battery
became too hot. The charging process is trying to put a little
more capacity into the battery; however, external power can be
removed since the battery is virtually full.
• If your battery is new or has not been used for several weeks,
rely on the indicator light to determine when the battery is fully
charged. The gas gauge is unreliable in these cases; it may read
100 percent, but the actual capacity is only 10 percent.
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Vehicle Cradle
The vehicle cradle is a vehicle-based docking station designed to safely
secure the computer in the vehicle. A standard key lock located on the
back of the cradle locks the computer onto the cradle for security
purposes. You can use the vehicle cradle to:
• Charge batteries
• Communicate with other devices
• Access information from a CD-ROM
Latch
FRONT VIEW
Dovetail Pivot
Release Lever
Cradle Contacts
Power Button
CD-ROM Option
BACK VIEW
Key Lock
Serial Port
Parallel Ports
(not shown)
TNC RF Connector
(option)
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PRECAUTIONS
• There are no user-replaceable parts within the vehicle cradle, so do
not open the cradle case. The vehicle cradle is internally protected. It
resets automatically if there is a power fault.
• Do not use the vehicle cradle to charge the computer battery
overnight. Turn off the vehicle cradle at the end of each work day to
prevent draining the voltage in your vehicle’s battery below starting
levels.
Important The power button works differently on the standard
Vehicle Cradle and the CD-ROM Vehicle Cradle:
• On the standard cradle, pressing the power button turns on the
unit, and the power light means current is reaching the cradle.
• The CD-ROM model powers on as soon as external power is
connected. The power button on the CD-ROM model only turns
the CD-ROM on and off, and the power light means current is
reaching the CD-ROM.
Charging Batteries
The vehicle cradle is designed to charge the computer’s battery with
voltage from the vehicle battery while you are traveling between
customer jobs. Follow the procedure below to charge a Nickel Metal
Hydride (NiMH) battery.
To charge a battery installed in the computer
1 Make sure the computer is powered off.
2 Place the computer onto the vehicle cradle, making sure it is
securely latched.
CD-ROM vehicle cradles automatically power on.
3 If you have a model with no CD-ROM, turn on the vehicle cradle
by pressing the power button.
The vehicle cradle automatically begins fast charging the battery.
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Important
• A temperature of -20ºC to +60ºC (-4ºF to +140ºF) is
recommended when charging batteries with the vehicle cradle.
Batteries may not charge successfully outside this temperature
range.
• If you charge your battery daily, rely on the gas gauge reading to
determine battery capacity. The gas gauge displayed by Battery
Status may show that the battery is full, but the external power
indicator light may still be blinking. This typically occurs if the
charge mode switched from Fast to Slow because the battery
became too hot. The charging process is trying to put a little
more capacity into the battery; however, external power can be
removed since the battery is virtually full.
• If your battery is new or has not been used for several weeks,
rely on the indicator light to determine when the battery is fully
charged. The gas gauge is unreliable in these cases; it may read
100 percent, but the actual capacity is only 10 percent.
Communicating with Other Devices
The vehicle cradle is designed with a standard serial port so you can
connect external devices such as a printer or modem. Specify COM2
when you select the communications port in your application. Connect
the external device to the serial port on the back of the cradle, and then
place the mobile computer onto the vehicle cradle. You can install or
remove the computer from the vehicle cradle without connecting or
disconnecting a printer or modem cable from the computer.
External Antennas
An external RF antenna also can be connected to the cradle using the
TNC RF connector on the back. FCC regulations require that users of
vehicle-mounted antennas must use only antennas authorized for use
with the mobile computer in order to meet FCC RF exposure limits.
Please contact your organizations’s help desk for a list of approved
vehicle-mounted antennas. For mounting installation and/or mounting
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instructions for these types of antennas, see the instructions that
accompany each antenna.
RF Antenna Placement
WARNING Improper installation and/or operating configurations of
permanent and magnetic vehicle-mounted antennas may cause FCC
RF exposure limits to be exceeded. Vehicle-mounted antennas must
be placed at least 20 cm from operators and bystanders.
Placement of a vehicle-mounted antenna
1 Measure and identify an area 20 cm (8 inches) in from the edges of
the vehicle roof.
2 Place the antenna within that area.
To maximize RF performance, position the antenna in the center of the
vehicle roof.
Side View
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Front View
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Using the CD-ROM
The Vehicle Cradle has an optional CD-ROM feature. You can use the
CD-ROM to copy files to the mobile computer or access information
from a CD. Follow the procedure below if your cradle is equipped with a
CD-ROM.
Important The power button works differently on the standard
Vehicle Cradle and the CD-ROM Vehicle Cradle:
• On the standard cradle, pressing the power button turns on the
unit, and the power light means current is reaching the cradle.
• The CD-ROM model powers on as soon as external power is
connected. The power button on the CD-ROM model only turns
the CD-ROM on and off, and the power light means current is
reaching the CD-ROM.
To use the CD-ROM with the mobile computer
1 Place the computer on to the vehicle cradle, making sure it is
securely latched.
2 Connect the appropriate end of the CD-ROM cable to the parallel
port on the back of the computer and the other end to the CD-ROM
port on the back of the vehicle cradle.
The cable connectors are keyed to be inserted only one way.
3 Turn on the CD-ROM by pressing the power button.
4 Restart the mobile computer by pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL.
5 Insert a CD into the CD slot on the cradle.
6 You can access the CD-ROM by using an application or using your
operating system’s file manager. Choose the CD icon or the
appropriate drive assigned to the CD-ROM, depending on the
hardware configuration for your computer.
Important If your CD-ROM does not operate after following these
instructions, additional drivers may need to be installed on your
system. Contact your organization’s help desk for assistance.
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CAUTION Turn off the vehicle cradle at the end of each work day
to prevent draining the voltage in your vehicle’s battery below
starting levels.
Cleaning or Replacing Cradle Contact Pins
The contact pins on the vehicle cradle are exposed to contamination
and stress when the computer is installed and removed from the cradle
during normal daily operation. The pins were designed to be cleaned or
replaced as required.
If the pins become dirty, they can be removed and cleaned with an
electrical contact cleaner or replaced. The power and ground pins are
pins 3 and 8 respectively. When charging problems are encountered
and replacement pins are not available, other pins in the contact
assembly can be used to field fix the unit until replacement parts are
available.
Note Pin 8 on RF units is an RF connector and is not user
replaceable. Contact your support desk for information about
replacing this RF connector.
To clean or replace the cradle contact pins
1 Hold down the protective plastic cover.
2 Grasp a pin and pull straight up, being careful not to bend it.
3 Clean the pin with electrical contact cleaner and reinstall it into the
cradle contact assembly.
If a pin is bent or cannot be cleaned, contact your support desk to
obtain a replacement pin.
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Surge Protection
A large number of computer and high technology equipment damage is
directly related to AC power and telephone line problems. These
problems can include surges, spikes, noise, interference, and weatherrelated problems, which in turn can cause glitches, hang-ups, crashes,
performance slow downs, and down time with computer equipment.
The market is flooded with hundreds of AC power line surge suppressors
advertising high performance surge protection; only a few of them
actually provide adequate protection.
This section provides guidelines for selecting a quality surge suppressor
to be used with your mobile computer, and it helps identify a few
sources for products with acceptable performance.
Selecting the Right Surge Protection
Consider the level of quality you need when selecting a surge
suppressor. This depends on factors such as surge environment, the
type of equipment to be protected, and the quality of the electrical
wiring and service.
Surge Environment
Surge environment refers to the damage potential from electrical surges
in a particular geographical area. A high quality suppressor should be
used if there is frequent lightening activity in the area and the location
service is fed by overhead utility poles. An example of a high surge
environment would be Florida; a low surge environment might be New
York.
Type of Equipment to be Protected
If the computer is equipped with a modem, the modem should also be
surge protected. Protecting the power line without protecting the
modem line provides only partial protection.
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Quality of Electrical Wiring and Service
Wiring should be up to current NEC standards and have verified good
AC grounds. It is important that your computer system be plugged into
a grounded AC outlet when charging and that all peripherals connected
to your system reference the same AC ground.
Selecting the Right Equipment
There are a number of companies that sell quality surge suppressors
such as Sutton Designs, APC, and Panamax. When you are looking for a
surge suppressor, consider these things.
• Expect to pay at least $50 for a good quality surge suppressor.
• The surge suppressor should be a UL 1449, 497, and 1283 listed
for surge suppression, modem surge protection, and RFI/EMI noise
filtering respectively.
• The surge suppressor should have diagnostic LEDs that verify good
AC ground, proper wiring, and proper surge operation. Lighted on/off
switches are not recommended since they can produce electrical
noise.
• The Joule ratings should be a minimum of 480 Joules for the AC
surge circuit.
• The Joule ratings should be a minimum of 240 Joules for the
modem.
• The modem surge circuit should present low capacitance to the
modem line or it will slow the transmission rate. Capacitance should
be specified at less than 50 picofarads.
• Quality surge suppressor manufacturers generally offer a lifetime
warranty.
• Consider obtaining a protected equipment coverage policy which
insures the equipment in the event of surge damage.
• The devices that will be attached to the computer also need to be
surge protected.
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SECTION
10
Modems
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Introduction 112
Which Modem Do I Have?
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Using the Internal Landline Modem
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Transferring Files 114
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Introduction
The mobile computer may be equipped with one of several modems. A
modem allows the computer to exchange data over a phone line with
another computer that is also equipped with a modem.
See Section 5, “Customizing Settings,” for correct IRQ and
communication port settings.
Which Modem Do I Have?
To verify which modem is installed in your unit, locate the “Config”
string label on the bottom of the computer, check the seventh digit in
this string, and then refer to the following table.
For more detailed information, see the AT Command Reference Manual.
112
If the 7th “Config”
string digit is . . .
This modem is installed
Rockwell 56K baud modem
No modem installed
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Section 10. Modems
Using the Internal Landline Modem
To use the internal landline modem
1 Plug one end of an RJ-11 cable into the RJ-11 connector on the
back of the computer.
2 Plug the other end of the RJ-11 cable into a telephone jack.
Make sure the COM3 IRQ is set correctly. Failure to do so may cause
some communication programs to lock up. See Section 5,
“Customizing Settings.”
3 Set up the HyperTerminal application, or another application, to use
the communications port COM3.
4 If necessary, set up other communication parameters in your
application to match the parameters set for the modem you are
talking to.
5 Use the HyperTerminal application, or another application, to
establish a connection to another computer.
RJ-11 Connector
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Transferring Files
To transfer files using the internal landline modem
1 Insert one end of an RJ-11 cable into the RJ-11 connector on the
back of the computer.
2 Insert the other end of the RJ-11 cable into a telephone jack.
3 Set up the HyperTerminal application, or another application, to use
the communications port COM3.
4 If necessary, set up other communication parameters in the
application to match the parameters set for the external modem.
5 Use the HyperTerminal application, or another application, to
establish a connection to another computer.
RJ-11 Connector
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SECTION
11
Maintenance and
Storage
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Introduction 116
If You Have a Touch Screen 116
Hard Drive Care and Handling 116
Internal Hard Drives 117
External PC Card Hard Drives 118
Battery Maintenance and Storage
Maintaining Batteries 119
Storing Batteries 119
119
Computer Maintenance and Storage 120
Maintaining Your Computer 120
Care and Cleaning 120
Storing Your Computer 123
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Introduction
The mobile computer is ruggedized and weather resistant. Handle it
with the normal care required by any sophisticated electronic
equipment, and the computer will provide reliable service even under
harsh field conditions.
Follow the guidelines below to care for your unit.
If You Have a Touch Screen
CAUTION
• Always use an approved stylus.
• Never use sharp, hard, or abrasive implements on the touch
screen such as ball point pens, pencils, or keys. They could
damage the screen.
• To clean the touch screen panel, apply a household glass cleaner
to a soft, clean, dry cloth and wipe the screen.
Hard Drive Care and Handling
There are two hard drive options for the mobile computer: a shockmounted 2.5-inch hard drive and a PC Card Type III hard drive. All hard
drives contain media for data storage in the form of a rotating disk,
read/write head(s), a motor, and electronics for interfacing and control.
Each hard drive type can be susceptible to damage from severe shock
and other stressful environmental impacts. The degree of susceptibility
to damage is directly related to the individual hard drive and mounting
system employed.
When reading or writing to the hard disk, the head is “flying” on a thin
layer of air, micro-inches above the disk. A shock can cause the read/
write head to contact the spinning disk, resulting in immediate loss of
stored data and possible physical damage to the disk. It could also
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Section 11. Maintenance and Storage
create loose debris in the drive enclosure that may cause progressive
damage over time.
To reduce exposure to high operating shocks, the mobile computer uses
power modes for the hard drive that prevent the read/write heads from
being positioned over the disk when it is not being used: idle mode and
standby mode.
You can reduce the risk of damage to the hard drive and increase the
reliability of the hard drive and data integrity by following the
recommendations below.
Internal Hard Drives
• Do not intentionally drop the computer. The unit is designed to
withstand the day to day rigors of the mobile environment and
provide years of reliable service. The useful life of the product can be
enhanced by not intentionally abusing it.
• Use the power management feature control in the System
Configuration Utility (SCU). Power management conserves power but
also ensures that the read/write heads are unloaded and the hard
drive is spun down within the time specified.
• Whenever possible suspend the unit by pressing FN+OFF before
moving it from one location to another. This will unload the read/
write heads and spin down the disk.
• Maintain the environmental seal of the computer by keeping the PC
Card door closed and latched. Also avoid exposing the unit to
extreme temperatures or moisture when the PC Card door is open.
• Periodically backup or archive important files and data.
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External PC Card Hard Drives
Each PC Card hard drive manufacturer provides specific guidelines for
the care and handling of the product. In addition, follow these
recommendations:
• When the PC Card hard drive is not inserted in a PC Card socket,
store the hard drive in a protective carrying case. This will help
protect it from inadvertent shocks.
• Always use care when handling the hard drive. Do not drop, bend,
flex, or crush it.
• Avoid exposing the PC Card hard drive to extreme moisture, heat, or
sunlight.
• Keep all debris out of the connector to ensure good electrical
connections.
• There are no user repairable parts in the PC Card hard drive. Do not
attempt to disassemble any part of the hard drive. The warranty will
be voided if drive seals are broken or screws have been removed.
• Periodically backup or archive important files and data.
If you encounter or suspect hard drive problems, you can run
SCANDISK from the MS-DOS prompt. If you are not familiar with
SCANDISK, enter SCANDISK/? at the DOS prompt for a description of
usage and syntax. SCANDISK will identify any failures on the hard
drive and prompt you for corrective action based on selected options. If
problems are found, it may be necessary to run SCANDISK several
times to determine the extent and severity of the problem. SCANDISK
may discover multiple bad clusters. Up to ten bad clusters can be
allowed before returning the computer for service. After you have run
SCANDISK and the problem persists or becomes more severe, or if
SCANDISK finds more than ten bad clusters, return the unit for service.
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Battery Maintenance and Storage
Maintaining Batteries
Follow these guidelines to maintain performance of Nickel Metal
Hydride (NiMH) batteries.
• Avoid exposing batteries to extremely hot or cold temperatures for
long periods. To prevent possible damage to the battery, the mobile
computer does not allow the battery to charge if the internal
temperature of the battery gets too low (< 5°C or < 41°F) or too
high (> 50°C or > 122°F).
• Charge the battery nightly where the temperature will remain around
20°C (68°F).
• Deep cycle discharge your battery when requested, which may be as
often as 3 months, depending on usage.
Storing Batteries
• Store the battery within the recommended temperature range: 10°C
to 30°C (50°F to 86°F).
• Unused or stored batteries can lose power over time. When you
install a battery that has not been used for awhile, connect external
power to the computer and charge the battery.
• After storage, deep cycling the battery up to four times in succession
may increase its capacity. You may want to do this over consecutive
weekends since each deep cycle process can take up to 40 hours.
After this initial conditioning, maintain battery capacity by deep
cycling at the recommended frequency.
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Computer Maintenance and Storage
Maintaining Your Computer
Follow these guidelines to help maintain the condition and performance
of your computer.
• Turn off the computer when you are not using it.
• Charge the batteries daily or whenever their capacity is low.
• Operate the computer within the recommended temperature ranges
of -20°C to +60°C (-4°F to +140°F).
Care and Cleaning
Physical Inspection Periodically inspect the computer and accessories
for wear, damage, or loose or missing parts. Identifying and correcting
potential problems early can help reduce the need to return the unit for
service.
Outside Case Like all tools, the outside of the computer will get dirty
with use. The case is made of painted Magnesium with Santoprene
bumpers and polycarbonate blend (plastic) doors and covers. These
areas can be cleaned with a solution of one part Formula 409® and one
part water. Follow the procedure below.
To clean the outside case
1 Disconnect external power and turn off the computer.
2 Remove the battery.
3 Using a soft, dry cloth (do not use paper products because they can
scratch the surface), add a small amount of cleaning solution to the
cloth and clean the computer case and bumpers.
4 Wipe off any excess liquid with a soft cloth.
5 Reinstall the battery.
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Section 11. Maintenance and Storage
Display Periodically inspect the display to make sure the contrast and
brightness functions are operating properly and that all pixels are
operational.
Note If you have a 10.4-inch color display, the FN+F2 and FN+F3
keys to adjust backlight brightness are only active when MaxBright is
off. Additionally, the contrast keys, FN+F4 and FN+F5 are not active for
this display.
If you have a touch screen
• Always use an approved stylus.
• Never use sharp, hard, or abrasive implements on the touch screen
such as ball point pens, pencils, or keys. They could damage the
screen.
To clean the display assembly, use the same cleaning solution and
procedure described earlier for the outside case. In some cases, you can
use a small amount of isopropyl alcohol to remove streaks or smears.
Use a soft, clean cloth to clean the display. Do not use paper products
because they can scratch the screen.
External Power Connector The external power connector may
sometimes be exposed to moisture and/or contamination causing an
unreliable connection to the external power source.
Clean the connector using a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol.
RJ-11 Connector Make sure this connector is operating properly.
During normal use, the connector pins can get dirty or become broken,
bent, or pushed out of place. Clean the connector with a cotton swab
dipped in isopropyl alcohol.
If the connector needs to be replaced, this can be done without
returning the unit for service. Contact your local support person for
more information.
Keyboard Check all keys to make sure they are working properly. To
clean the keyboard, use the same cleaning solution and procedure
described above for the outside case.
If keyboard problems persist, the keyboard might need to be replaced.
This can be done without returning the unit for service. Contact your
local support person for more information.
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I/O Ports Make sure the video, serial, and parallel ports are operating
properly. Periodically inspect the ports for damage or contamination,
and make sure the cover is attached to the computer. The I/O cover can
be replaced without returning the unit for service. Contact your local
support person for more information.
PC Card Door and Connector Whenever possible, make sure this door
is closed and latched properly. When the PC Card door is closed, it
provides a watertight seal for the PC Card socket. Shield the area from
all contaminants such as liquids, rain, snow, and dust when the door is
open.
If the door needs to be replaced, this can be done without returning the
unit for service. Contact your local support person for more information.
Make sure the PC Card connector is operating properly by reading from
or writing to a PC Card.
Battery and Battery Well The battery well is not sealed, so it is
possible for moisture to enter this area. If this happens, remove the
battery and use a clean, dry cloth to wipe away any moisture from the
battery well. Also remove any moisture from the battery and battery
connectors. The connectors may corrode if they are exposed to moisture
for extended periods. Corrosion can be removed with a cotton swab
dipped in isopropyl alcohol.
Cradle Contacts The cradle contacts on the bottom of the computer
may get dirty with daily use. Pins can be cleaned with a cotton swab
dipped in isopropyl alcohol.
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Section 11. Maintenance and Storage
Storing Your Computer
You can store the mobile computer for approximately 30 days without
losing data as long as the battery is fully charged to begin with.
If you plan to store the computer for more than 30 days, follow these
storage guidelines.
To store the computer
1 Files and data should be saved before storing the computer.
Contact your organization’s help desk about the procedure for
backing up files or data.
2 Exit all applications and use the appropriate procedure to exit from
your operating system.
3 Turn off the computer.
4 Remove the battery from the unit and store it in a dry place.
5 Store the computer within the recommended temperature ranges of
-40°C to +75°C (-40°F to +167°F).
If you use PC cards, refer to the manufacturer’s instructions you
received with the card for storage and care information.
Note When you turn on the mobile computer after it has been
stored for a long period, you may need to reset the system by
holding down both mouse buttons for at least 10 seconds and then
releasing the buttons.
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APPENDIX
Error Messages
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Introduction 126
POST Messages
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MS-DOS Messages 132
Windows Messages
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Application Messages 133
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Introduction
The following are possible error and warning messages you may
encounter while operating the computer. The messages in this section
are listed alphabetically.
Error and warning messages are generated by several different sources
including:
• Power On Self Test (POST)
• MS-DOS
• Windows
• Applications
POST Messages
When the mobile computer restarts, it tests its hardware components.
This test is called the Power On Self Test (POST). If the system finds an
error during this test, it displays an error message.
Some POST errors can occur before anything can be displayed on the
screen. In this case, the computer issues a series of beeps, then stops
working. This type of error indicates a serious hardware problem, and
you should contact your supervisor or your organization’s help desk.
The most common POST error messages are listed next along with
solutions you can try.
BIOS ROM bad checksum
An expansion card has a bad ROM checksum. The expansion card may
need to be replaced. Contact your supervisor or your organization’s help
desk.
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Appendix A. Error Messages
-Disk not found
-FATAL: CMOS RAM test failed
-FATAL: DMA controller faulty
-FATAL: Faulty DMA page registers
-FATAL: Faulty refresh circuit
-FATAL: Interrupt controller failed
-FATAL: No RAM found
-FATAL: No video display found
-FATAL: RAM error at location xxxxxx: Wrote: xx Read: xx
-FATAL: ROM checksum incorrect
Restart the computer by pressing both mouse buttons for at least ten
seconds and then releasing the buttons. If the problem persists, contact
your supervisor or your organization’s help desk.
Fixed disk controller failure
Disk controller is not responding. Report this error to your supervisor or
your organization’s help desk.
Fixed disk failure
Report this error to your supervisor or your organization’s help desk.
Floppy disk fault - insert valid boot disk and press any key
If no floppy drive is present, run the System Configuration Utility (SCU)
and disable the floppy disk controller. (See Section 5, “Customizing
Settings,” for more information about the SCU.)
Gate A20 failure
Hardware failure. Report this error to your supervisor or your
organization’s help desk.
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-Hard disk boot sector invalid
-Hard disk failed
Restart the computer by pressing both mouse buttons for at least ten
seconds and then releasing the buttons. If the problem persists, contact
your organization’s help desk.
-Insert boot-disk and press any key
-Internal cache test failed
Restart the computer by pressing both mouse buttons for at least ten
seconds and then releasing the buttons. If the problem persists, contact
your organization’s help desk.
-Keyboard clock line failure
-Keyboard controller failure
-Keyboard data line failure
Reboot the computer by pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL. If the message
persists, and the keyboard is not usable, report this error to your
supervisor or your organization’s help desk.
-Keyboard failure
-Keyboard stuck key failure
-Memory failure at AAAAAAAA, read XX expected YY
Restart the computer by pressing both mouse buttons for at least ten
seconds and then releasing the buttons. If the problem persists, contact
your organization’s help desk.
No boot device available — press F1 to retry boot
Reboot the computer by pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL. If the problem
persists, the hard disk may need to be replaced. Report this error to
your supervisor or your organization’s help desk.
No boot sector on hard disk
Data corrupted on hard disk. Restore hard disk data by rebooting from a
bootable PC card.
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No timer tick interrupt
Restart the computer by pressing both mouse buttons for at least ten
seconds and then releasing the buttons. If the problem persists, contact
your organization’s help desk.
Non-system disk or disk error — Replace and press any key to
continue
Remove the non-bootable PC memory card from the card socket and
press any key to reboot.
Non-system disk - insert boot disk and press any key
Restart the computer by pressing both mouse buttons for at least ten
seconds and then releasing the buttons. If the problem persists, contact
your organization’s help desk.
Press the F1 key to continue
This message indicates that an error was found during POST. Pressing
the F1 key allows the system to attempt to boot.
Shutdown failure
Reboot the computer by pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL. If the message
persists, contact your supervisor or your organization’s help desk.
Unexpected interrupt in protected mode
Reboot the computer by pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL. If the message
persists, contact your supervisor or your organization’s help desk.
WARNING! PC87570 initialization incomplete. Code=XXX
Press ENTER to continue and then restart the computer by pressing
CTRL+ALT+DEL. You can continue to use the computer since basic
computer functions may still be operable; however, some functions may
not work properly.
If the problem persists, contact your supervisor or your organization’s
help desk.
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WARNING! Boot sector 0 has changed
The boot sector of the hard drive has been modified. This message also
may be displayed when booting from drive C after booting from another
device. Pressing F1 will allow the system to continue to boot. If this
problem persists, contact your organization’s help desk.
-WARNING: CMOS checksum invalid - run SCU
-WARNING: CMOS failure - run SCU
Run the System Configuration Utility (SCU) to set the system
configuration. If the problem persists, contact your organization’s help
desk. (See Section 5, “Customizing Settings,” for more information
about the SCU.)
-WARNING: Floppy controller failed
-WARNING: Floppy disk track 0 failed
Restart the computer by pressing both mouse buttons for at least ten
seconds and then releasing the buttons. If the problem persists, contact
your organization’s help desk.
WARNING: Floppy information invalid - run SCU
Run the System Configuration Utility (SCU) to set the system
configuration. If the problem persists, contact your organization’s help
desk. (See Section 5, “Customizing Settings,” for more information
about the SCU.)
-WARNING: Keyboard controller failure
-WARNING: Keyboard failure
Reboot the computer by pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL. If the problem
persists, the keyboard is not usable; contact your organization’s help
desk.
-WARNING: No bootable floppy drive 0 installed
-WARNING: No interrupts from timer 0
Restart the computer by pressing both mouse buttons for at least ten
seconds and then releasing the buttons. If the problem persists, contact
your organization’s help desk.
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WARNING: Time/date corrupt - run SCU
Run the System Configuration Utility (SCU) to set the time of day and
date. (See Section 5, “Customizing Settings,” for more information
about the SCU.)
WARNING: Unexpected amount of memory - run SCU
Run the System Configuration Utility (SCU) to reinitialize the system
configuration. If the problem persists, contact your organization’s help
desk. (See Section 5, “Customizing Settings,” for more information
about the SCU.)
xxxxxh Option ROM checksum failure where xxxxxh is the
starting address of the option ROM
An expansion board contains a defective ROM. Try restarting the
computer by pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL. If the problem persists, the
expansion board may need to be replaced. Report this error to your
supervisor or your organization’s help desk.
-PC87570 CPU test failed! Press ENTER to continue
-PC87570 initialization failed! Press ENTER to continue
-PC87570 RAM test failed! Press ENTER to continue
-PC87570 ROM test failed! Press ENTER to continue
Restart the computer by pressing both mouse buttons for at least ten
seconds and then releasing the buttons. You can press ENTER to
continue to use the computer since basic computer functions may still
be operable; however, the battery will not be charged properly. If the
problem persists, contact your organization’s help desk.
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MS-DOS Messages
The MS-DOS operating system may display a warning or error message
if it encounters a problem with a command in the CONFIG.SYS or
AUTOEXEC.BAT file, or a command that you entered at the DOS
prompt. Following are a few of the most common MS-DOS messages.
Bad command or file name
A command was entered that is spelled incorrectly or does not exist on
the computer.
Invalid media type reading drive D
Abort, Retry, Fail?
The PC memory card may not be formatted. Press A to abort, then
format the card using the MS-DOS Format command, or from Windows
using the Format Disk command.
Invalid drive specification
You tried to access a drive that does not exist. This can happen if you
try to access drive D, but the PC card drivers are not loaded. Report
this error to your supervisor or help desk.
Non-System disk or disk error
Replace and press any key when ready
This can occur if a PC memory card is in the card socket and you
restart the computer. Remove the card, and then press any key.
Not ready reading drive D
Abort, Retry, Fail?
Make sure that the PC card is inserted fully into the card socket, then
press R to retry. See Section 8, “Using PC cards” for more information.
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Windows Messages
Windows messages are typically self-explanatory. See Appendix B,
“Troubleshooting,” for more information.
Application Messages
Both MS-DOS and Windows applications may display messages if a
warning or error condition occurs. Refer to the online Help or other
documentation for the application that generated the message.
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APPENDIX
Troubleshooting
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What to Try First
For More Help
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136
Common Solutions to Common Problems 137
Applications 138
Batteries
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Cellular Modem 143
Display
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Hard Disk
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I/O Ports
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Keyboard 147
Landline Modems
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Miscellaneous 151
Mouse 155
PC Cards
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Pen/Touch Screen 157
Peripherals 157
Radio Modems
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What to Try First
This section is designed to help you determine and fix problems you
might encounter while operating the mobile computer. Try the following
things in order:
• First look through the categories in this section for a solution.
• If you don’t find a solution for your situation here, try one of the
resources listed below.
• If you are having a problem with a computer application, use the
online Help that comes with the application to find a solution.
• If you still cannot resolve your problem, contact the help desk at your
organization.
For More Help
• Windows 95 online Help is already installed on your system. To
access this information, select Help from the Start Menu.
• A ten-minute Windows 95 tutorial is accessible from the Start Menu
by selecting Help, Contents, “Tour: Ten Minutes to Using Windows.”
• Third-party Windows manuals are available from your local
bookstore.
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Common Solutions to Common Problems
Solutions to some common problems are listed on the following pages
under these categories:
• Applications
• Batteries
• Cellular Modem
• Display
• Hard Disk
• I/O Ports
• Keyboard
• Landline Modem
• Miscellaneous
• Mouse
• PC Cards
• Pen/Touch screen
• Peripherals
• Radio Modem
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Applications
My application locks up, acts strangely, or produces a General
Protection Fault (GPF) error
• If you’ve tried to resolve the problem other ways and your application
still doesn’t respond, you may need to restart your computer as
described below.
CAUTION
Restarting your computer may corrupt files or data.
To reboot your computer, press CTRL+ALT+DEL.
If the computer does not restart when you press CTRL+ALT+DEL, the
keyboard may be locked up. Reset the computer by holding down
both mouse buttons for at least ten seconds and then releasing the
buttons.
• The data on the hard disk could be corrupted. Run SCANDISK.
• Windows is out of memory/resources. Exit Windows and restart
Windows.
• If you are using a communications application, make sure that the
Interrupt Request lines (IRQ) for COM3 and COM4 specified for
Windows match the IRQ lines specified in the SCU. See Section 5,
“Customizing Settings,” to view and change IRQ settings.
The Speaker Phone application does not work and it locks up or
is very slow after dialing
• Make sure the IRQ is set to the same value in both Windows and in
the SCU. See Section 5, “Customizing Settings.”
When trying to install some third-party software applications, the
message “Insert disk into drive B” appears
• Before running Windows to install the program, enter the following
command at the DOS prompt:
SUBST A: C:\
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Applications
In Windows, Windows and the mouse lock up when aborting the
deep cycle process in Battery Maintenance
• Restarting the computer by pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL corrects the
problem.
Communications programs such as HyperTerminal, Procomm
Plus, or Speaker Phone don’t seem to work or they lock Windows
• If you are using the internal modem, be sure to specify COM3 as the
communications port.
• When you first try to use HyperTerminal or similar application, the
system responds with a message asking if you want to install the
modem. Answer “Yes” to this question and follow the instructions on
the screen to install it.
• Verify with your company that your computer has an internal modem
installed.
• Make sure the IRQ lines for COM3 and COM4 are specified for
Windows. See Section 5, “Customizing Settings,” for more
information.
Third-party applications don’t work with COM3
• Make sure a modem is installed. Locate the “Config” string label on
the bottom of the computer; a modem is not installed if the seventh
digit is Z.
• Make sure your application is set to use COM3.
• Make sure your application is using the correct communication
settings (baud, parity, etc.).
• Make sure that the Interrupt Request lines (IRQs) for COM3 or
COM4 specified for Windows match the IRQ lines specified in the
SCU. See Section 5, “Customizing Settings,” for more information.
• You may also need to try a different IRQ setting. See Section 5,
“Customizing Settings,” for more information.
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Batteries
The battery does not charge
• To prevent possible damage to the battery, the system will not allow
a charge if the battery temperature is extremely hot or cold (such as
in a closed, unattended vehicle). If possible, charge the battery in a
location with a moderate temperature of around 20°C (68°F).
• Keep the display tilted open and allow unrestricted airflow while the
battery is charging so excess heat can escape and prevent the
battery from overheating.
• If possible, turn off the computer while the battery is charging.
• Try enabling the “Suspend on AC Power” option under the Power,
Suspend/Resume Control menu in the System Configuration Utility
(SCU). This allows the system to automatically suspend while it is
connected to external power.
• If the battery is new or has been stored for a week or more, follow
this procedure:
1 Make sure the computer is turned off (press FN+OFF).
2 Open the battery door and remove the battery.
3 Connect the AC adapter to the computer and an AC wall outlet,
and then turn on the computer by pressing FN+ON
(FN+SPACEBAR).
4 Reinstall the battery and replace the battery door.
5 Allow the system to remain idle for one hour with the AC adapter
connected to the computer.
The external power light blinks when the battery starts charging.
6 If the battery still fails to charge after an hour, remove the battery,
wait several seconds, and then install it again.
If the battery does not begin charging within several minutes,
return the unit for service.
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Batteries
The batteries take much longer than three hours to charge
• Under moderate temperatures, about 21°C (70ºF), the computer’s
battery takes 3 to 4 hours to completely charge. Under extremely
cold or hot temperatures, however, the battery can take up to 16
hours to fully charge.
The batteries don’t last very long
• Deep cycle discharge the battery using the Battery Maintenance
application. If your battery is new or has not been used for several
weeks, deep cycle discharging the battery over two or three
consecutive weekends may substantially increase its capacity.
• As your battery ages, the maximum capacity that it can hold
naturally decreases, and even the best maintained batteries
eventually need to be retired. Consider replacing the battery if you
are not getting the usage you need from it.
• You may have a defective battery. Check the battery condition with
the Battery Status application. Generally, a battery should be
replaced when it charges to less than 80 percent of capacity.
The charging light doesn’t flash
• Verify that a battery is installed in the unit.
• This may indicate that the charging process terminated. Use the
Battery Status application to determine whether a normal or
abnormal condition caused the charging process to terminate. Select
“Last Charge Termination” in the More Info dialog box.
The gas gauge isn’t full after charging the battery
• This may indicate that the charging process terminated prematurely.
Use the Battery Status application to determine if some condition
caused the charging process to terminate. Select “Last Charge
Termination” in the More Info dialog box.
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Batteries
The ambient temperature rises rapidly when charging the battery
at room temperature
• This is normal. The internal ambient temperature is always 0º to 16º
higher than the external ambient temperature. Ambient temperature
is not used for charge termination criteria.
The gas gauge reads “full,” but the indicator light is still blinking
• If you charge your battery daily, rely on the gas gauge reading to
determine battery capacity. The charge mode may have switched
from Fast to Slow because the battery became too hot. The charging
process is trying to put a little more capacity into the battery;
however, external power can be removed because the battery is
virtually full.
• If your battery is new or has not been used for several weeks, rely on
the indicator light to determine when the battery is fully charged.
The gas gauge is unreliable in these cases; it may read 100 percent,
but the actual capacity is only 10 percent.
My battery seems to have less and less capacity
• To keep your battery at optimum performance, perform a deep cycle
discharge every 2-1/2 to 3 months using the Battery Maintenance
application.
• Over time, your battery may develop “memory effect.” This occurs
when the battery is partially discharged and recharged repetitively
without a full discharge. A partial or shallow discharge means that
you use less than 50 percent of its capacity before charging. Deep
cycle discharge the battery using the Battery Maintenance
application to help prevent memory effect.
• If your battery is new or has not been used for several weeks, deep
cycling it up to four times in succession may increase its capacity.
You may want to do this over consecutive weekends since each deep
cycle process can take up to 40 hours. After this initial conditioning,
maintain battery capacity by deep cycling at the recommended
frequency.
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Batteries
• Over time as your battery ages, the maximum capacity that it can
hold naturally decreases, and even the best maintained batteries
eventually need to be retired. Consider replacing your battery if you
are not getting the usage you need from it.
Cellular Modem
The Sierra Watcher utility has a run time error when starting or
when trying to setup the cellular modem
• Make sure the Speaker Phone application is not running.
Display
The display performance is slow
• The temperature may be too cold. Move the computer to a warmer
operating environment.
I can’t read the display
• Adjust the backlight.
-On a monochrome display, pressing FN+F1 toggles the backlight on
and off.
-On a color display, the backlight is on whenever the computer is
running. Pressing FN+F1 toggles the MaxBright feature on and off.
• The automatic power-saving mode may have shut off (suspended)
the computer. Press FN+ON to resume.
• Adjust the contrast by pressing FN+F4 and FN+F5 (these keys are
not active on a 10.4-inch color display).
The underlined, inverse, and hypertext characters are difficult to
read on the screen
• Adjust the contrast by pressing FN+F4 and FN+F5 (these keys are
not active on a 10.4-inch color display).
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Display
• Change the color scheme. From the Start Menu select Settings,
Control Panel, choose Display, and then click the Appearance tab to
make changes to the color scheme.
• Make the online hypertext jumps black by adding the line
JumpColor=0,0,0 to the [Windows Help] section of WIN.INI.
The display goes “squiggley wiggley” after removing/inserting the
battery
• This can occur if you attempt to turn on the unit with a low or
depleted battery. Restart the unit by pressing and holding down both
mouse buttons for at least 10 seconds and then releasing the
buttons. Connect external power and recharge the battery.
CAUTION Restarting your computer while you are running applications or while you are working Windows may corrupt files or data.
I can’t see the cursor while using the DOS editor
• Press FN+INSERT to change from insert mode to overwrite mode to
enable a block cursor. When it defaults to insert mode, the DOS
editor uses an underline cursor which is less visible than the block
cursor for overwrite mode.
The display appears to have random pixels darkened after
scrolling
• Contact your supervisor or your organization’s help desk for
information about correcting this problem.
I changed my display resolution, but I see no difference on the
screen
• Try restarting your computer by pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL for the
changes to take effect.
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Display
The NeoMagic tab under Display Properties disappears if the
number of colors is set to 16
• If the NeoMagic tab disappears when the number of colors is set to
16, set the number of colors to 256 or more.
Hard Disk
The hard disk will not spin up so the computer can’t boot up
• This occurs if the unit is exposed to extreme temperature and
humidity. This is a hardware failure associated with the hard disk
power circuit. Return the unit for service.
I can’t save files because the disk is full
• Report this situation to your supervisor or your organization’s help
desk.
Diskette Read Error
• Any card in the PC card socket except for a properly formatted
memory card will cause this error since it is trying to read the PC
card.
I/O Ports
I can’t access a serial port
• Make sure another application is not using the same port.
• Make sure the correct COM port is selected in your application. Refer
to the online Help for your application.
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I/O Ports
Floppy disk attached to the parallel port does not work after
suspend/resume
• Not all external floppy disk drives will work with the mobile
computer. Make sure all add-on device drivers are Advanced Power
Management (APM) aware.
PC SRAM cards are not readable on the mobile computer
• If the SRAM card is reformatted on the mobile computer, read/write
operations will be successful.
• Verify the following lines are in your CONFIG.SYS:
“DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\CSMAPPER.SYS”
“DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\CARDDRV.EXE\SLOT=2”
Serial ports do not work consistently with Procomm Plus Version
2.00 or earlier
• Procomm Plus Versions 2.01 and later do support 16550 buffered
UART operation. Upgrade software.
The system does not automatically detect COM3
• This error can occur if COM3 is removed using Device Manager in
System Properties and then “Add New Hardware” is run. To prevent
this problem, open a DOS box and enter MODEM ON before running
“Add New Hardware.”
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Keyboard
Something unexpected happens when I press a key
• You may have pressed a key combination that performs a Windows
function. Make sure you are pressing the correct keys for the
application you are running.
I can’t tell if I’m in NUM LOCK mode
• This icon appears on the Windows 95 Taskbar when NUM LOCK is
enabled:
Pressing FN+NUM LK toggles NUM LOCK mode on and off.
PGUP, PGDN, HOME, and END keys don’t work
• You need to press the FN key in combination with other keys for
certain functions. For example:
To page up, press FN+UP ARROW.
To page down, press FN+DOWN ARROW.
To move to the home position, press FN+HOME.
To move to the end position, press FN+END.
Incorrect characters appear on the screen when I press certain
keys
• You may be in NUM LOCK mode. Press FN+NUM LK (FN+F12) to
toggle NUM LOCK mode off.
Keyboard stuck failure” appears when the computer boots up
• This error occurs if more than four keys are pressed during the Power
On Self Test (POST).
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Landline Modems
The modem doesn’t work
• Make sure a modem is installed. Locate the “Config” string label on
the bottom of the mobile computer; a modem is not installed if the
seventh digit is Z.
• When you first try to use HyperTerminal or similar application, the
system responds with a message asking if you want to install the
modem. Answer “Yes” to this question and follow the instructions on
the screen to install it.
• If you are operating in DOS, verify that the modem has been
powered on using MODEM ON. MODEM OFF will power off the
modem to conserve power when the modem is not in use.
• Make sure the communication settings are correct in your
application. Refer to the online Help for your application.
• Make sure you have the correct COM port selected in your
application. Refer to the online Help for your application. The
following table describes the correct settings for each modem type.
Modem type
COM port
External
COM1 or COM2
Internal landline
COM3
Internal CDPD
COM4
• Make sure that the Interrupt Request lines (IRQs) for COM3 or
COM4 specified for Windows match the IRQ lines specified in the
SCU.
You may also need to try a different IRQ setting. See Section 5,
“Customizing Settings.”
The modem doesn’t dial a number
Check these things:
• If you are running a program in MS-DOS, make sure the modem is
turned on using MODEM ON before you run the application. MODEM
OFF will power off the modem to conserve power when the modem
is not in use.
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Landline Modems
• If you are using an external modem, make sure the cables are
attached correctly.
• If you are using an internal modem, make sure the modem is
installed. Check with your organization to determine if your computer
has an optional internal modem installed.
• Make sure your communications parameters are correct in your
application. Refer to the online Help for your application.
• Make sure you have the correct COM port selected in your
application. Refer to the online Help for your application. The
following table describes the correct settings for each modem type.
Modem type
COM port
External
COM1 or COM2
Internal landline
COM3
Internal CDPD
COM4
• Make sure that the Interrupt Request lines (IRQs) for COM3 or
COM4 specified for Windows match the IRQ lines specified in the
SCU.
You may also need to try a different IRQ setting. See Section 5,
“Customizing Settings.”
The modem dials and receives an answer but does not establish
a connection
• You may have incorrect parameters selected for your application to
talk with the remote modem. Refer to the online Help for your
application.
• You may need to adjust your modem’s baud rate or protocol
selection.
• Make sure that the Interrupt Request lines (IRQs) for COM3 or
COM4 specified for Windows match the IRQ lines specified in the
SCU.
You may also need to try a different IRQ setting. See Section 5,
“Customizing Settings.”
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Landline Modems
Communications programs such as HyperTerminal, Procomm
Plus, or Speaker Phone don’t seem to work or they lock Windows
• If you are using the internal modem, be sure to specify COM3 as the
communications port.
• Verify with your company that your computer has an internal modem
installed.
• When you first try to use HyperTerminal or similar application, the
system responds with a message asking if you want to install the
modem. Answer “Yes” to this question and follow the instructions on
the screen to install it.
• Make sure the IRQ lines for COM3 and COM4 are specified for
Windows. See Section 5, “Customizing Settings,” to view and
change IRQ settings.
Third-party applications don’t work with COM3
• Make sure a modem is installed. Locate the “Config” string label on
the bottom of the mobile computer; a modem is not installed if the
seventh digit is Z.
• Make sure your application is set to use COM3.
• Make sure your application is using the correct communication
settings (baud, parity, etc.).
• The modem may not be powered on. If you are using a DOS
application, before running the application, make sure that MODEM
ON is called from the DOS command line or from a batch file.
• Make sure that the Interrupt Request lines (IRQs) for COM3 or
COM4 specified for Windows match the IRQ lines specified in the
SCU.
You may also need to try a different IRQ setting. See Section 5,
“Customizing Settings.”
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Landline Modems
Attempting to use the speaker phone without a modem installed
causes Windows to lock up
• This can also happen if the IRQ settings in Windows under Control
Panel, Ports don’t match those in the SCU. Verify IRQ settings and
that the modem option is installed. Locate the “Config” string label
on the bottom of the mobile computer; a modem is not installed if
the seventh digit is Z.
The modem dials and the answering modem generates tone, but
our modem does not begin the training sequence to establish a
connection
Although the problem may appear to originate from the computer, the
source of the problem is the answering modem.
• Try setting up the answering modem to generate the correct V.22
tone which can usually be done by sending an AT command to the
modem. See the AT Command summary in the AT Command
Reference manual more information.
• Add %!1300AO to the initialization string. If used, this command
must be sent immediately before the command to dial the desired
phone number and sent again before re-dialing the number since the
modem will default to the original setting at the end of the session.
Miscellaneous
The computer shuts off unexpectedly
• The computer has entered suspend mode. Press FN+ON to turn it
back on.
• The battery capacity may be low. Connect external power to charge
the battery, or replace the battery with a fully charged one.
• The battery door may be loose. Make sure the battery door is
securely latched.
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Miscellaneous
• The computer turns off automatically if you remove the battery door.
To turn on the computer, replace the door, make sure the door is
secured, and press FN+ON.
• The battery contacts may be dirty. Turn off the computer by pressing
FN+OFF, remove the battery, and clean the contacts.
The speaker volume is too high or too low
• Increase the volume by pressing FN+F7; decrease the volume by
pressing FN+F6.
The computer won’t turn on
• The battery may not be installed properly, or it may not be fully
charged. Make sure a fully charged battery is properly installed.
• Connect external power to charge the battery if it is not charged.
• If you are using the AC adapter, check the electrical outlet you are
using to make sure it is working properly.
• If the mobile computer does not turn on, restart the computer by
holding down both mouse buttons for at least 10 seconds and then
releasing the buttons.
CAUTION Restarting your computer while you are running applications or while you are working Windows may corrupt files or data.
The computer won’t turn off
• Press FN+OFF.
If pressing FN+OFF does not turn off your computer, the system may
be locked up. Reboot your computer by pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL. If
your system still does not respond, restart your computer by holding
down both mouse buttons for at least 10 seconds and then releasing
the buttons.
• The unit may have been idle for an extended period. Hold down both
mouse buttons for at least 10 seconds and then release the buttons.
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Miscellaneous
The computer enters suspend mode too quickly
• When there is no activity for a period of time, the computer turns off
or enters suspend mode. To extend this time, use the SCU and enter
a new time. See Section 5, “Customizing Settings,” for information
about accessing this utility.
The computer doesn’t automatically suspend
• Check to make sure the COM ports are off. For example, exit any
application that uses COM ports such as Speaker Phone.
• Make sure external power is not connected. Some systems will not
suspend automatically when they are connected to external power.
The computer is locked up
• If you’ve tried to resolve the problem other ways and your system still
doesn’t respond, you may need to restart your system as described
below.
CAUTION Restarting your computer while you are running applications or while you are working Windows may corrupt files or data.
To reboot your computer, press CTRL+ALT+DEL.
If the computer does not restart when you press CTRL+ALT+DEL, the
keyboard may be locked up. Reset the computer by holding down
both mouse buttons for at least 10 seconds and then releasing the
buttons.
The system date and time are incorrect
• Reset the correct date and time by choosing the Date/Time icon from
Control Panel and making the appropriate changes.
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Miscellaneous
All of the indicator lights are flashing
• This can occur during a Power On Self Test (POST) and means the
test has failed. Reset the mobile computer by pressing
CTRL+ALT+DEL or holding down both mouse buttons for at least 10
seconds and then releasing the buttons.
CAUTION
Restarting your computer may corrupt files or data.
I receive an “out of memory” error message
• Too many applications may be running at the same time. Close
applications you don’t need.
• Run MS-DOS applications in full screen rather than a window. Press
ALT+ENTER to toggle between full screen and window mode.
• If you’re using desktop wallpaper, set wallpaper to None. To do this,
choose Display from Control Panel and make the appropriate change.
• Make sure you have enough space on your hard disk. Contact your
supervisor or your organization’s help desk for assistance.
• Set up a permanent swap file. Contact your supervisor or your
organization’s help desk for assistance.
Holding down both mouse buttons to reset the computer doesn’t
always work
• Try resetting the computer again. If this doesn’t work, remove all
power, and allow the unit to remain idle for ten minutes. After ten
minutes, connect external power and retry.
This warning message appears when I restart the computer:
“Warning ‘Include’ specifies memory already excluded at D100"
• This problem is generally caused when the PC card controller is out
to lunch. Reset the computer once again by holding down both
mouse buttons for at least 10 seconds and then releasing the
buttons.
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Miscellaneous
I can’t turn off the computer after booting from a PC Card
• Do not use FN+OFF to suspend the computer if you have booted
from a PC Card rather than the internal hard disk. Instead, remove
the card and then press CTRL+ALT+DEL to restart the system.
Mouse
I have difficulty double-clicking the mouse fast enough
• From the Start Menu, select Settings, Control Panel, and then choose
Mouse. The Buttons tab contains the setting for the double-click
speed.
I can’t see the mouse pointer
• The mouse pointer may be off the screen. Move the mouse until it
reappears on the screen.
• From the Start Menu, select Settings, Control Panel, and then choose
Mouse. The Motion tab contains settings for the mouse speed and
trail.
It’s difficult to position the mouse on window borders
• From the Start Menu, select Settings, Control Panel, and then choose
Display. Click on the Appearance tab, select “Active Window
Border” under Item, and then increase the numbers under Size.
PC Cards
I can’t remove the PC card
• Press the ejector button located inside the PC card door on the back
of the computer. Use one finger to press down lightly on top of the
card, and then slide it out.
• If the ejector button malfunctions when you press it, release the
button and then press it again.
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PC Cards
Diskette Read Error
• Any card in the PC Card socket except for a properly formatted
memory card will cause this error since it is trying to read the PC
Card.
PC SRAM cards are not readable on the mobile computer
• If the SRAM card is reformatted on the computer, read/write
operations will be successful.
• Try loading the SystemSoft CardWorks drivers by running this
program:
C:\DRIVERS\CARDWORKS\SETUP.EXE
The system does not recognize the PC Card CD-ROM when it is
inserted into the PC Card socket
• There is a delay of 10 to 15 seconds before the CD-ROM drive is
recognized.
• Drivers may not be installed. Contact your organization’s help desk
for assistance.
The computer locks up when I remove the PC card
• Before you remove the card, select the PC card icon in the system
“tray” area of the screen (near the clock in the lower right corner),
and choose “Stop [card name] card.”
I can’t turn off the computer after booting from a PC Card
• Do not use FN+OFF to suspend the computer if you have booted
from a PC Card rather than the internal hard disk. Instead, remove
the card and then press CTRL+ALT+DEL to restart the system.
The Megahertz Ethernet PC card does not work
• This card has two connectors, XJACK and Honda. Use the Honda
connector.
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Pen/Touch Screen
When I try to use the stylus on my touch screen, nothing
happens
• If you cannot select objects accurately with the stylus, you may need
to recalibrate the touch screen.
To calibrate the touch screen
1 From the Start Menu, select Programs, Touch, and then choose
Touchscreen Controls.
2 Select the Calibrate button.
3 Follow the instructions on the screen to calibrate the touch screen.
The touch screen display warps or pillows in high humidity
• The computer remains functional; however, moving the computer to
a more suitable environment will allow the display to recover.
Peripherals
The parallel floppy drive does not work
• This floppy is not supported on the mobile computer. Use the PC
Card floppy instead.
Radio Modems
How can I tell if my RAM radio is working?
Try the following procedure.
1 Make sure the IRQ is set the same in the SCU and in Windows.
See Section 5, “Customizing Settings,” for more information.
2 Use Battery Status to make sure the battery is at 100 percent
capacity.
3 Make sure RFGXM.EXE is loaded in AUTOEXEC.BAT.
4 Exit Windows to a DOS prompt.
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Radio Modems
5 From a DOS prompt, enter: C:\XCTOOLS\XCMASC.
6 Check to make sure the radio indicator light is on.
The following messages appear in order:
“Network Contact Lost” (or something similar as it starts up)
“Network Contacted”
If you receive the first message and not the second, your unit is
probably not registered. See Section 4, “If You Have a Radio
Modem,” for more information, or contact your company’s help desk
for assistance.
7 After the “Network Contacted” message appears, your radio ID is
displayed. Make sure this matches the ID on the bottom of your
computer.
If these numbers do not match, contact your company’s help desk
for assistance.
8 If your unit is registered, type some text and press ENTER.
This sends the text to the RAM network which in turn sends it back
to you (sending a message to yourself). After receiving a message,
this text appears at the top of the screen: “MPAK received.” This
means the message was sent successfully. “MPAK rejected” means
that the message just echoed back to itself internally within the
modem (you may be out of range).
9 Press ALT+R to display signal strength.
If it is greater than 0 db, your radio is probably working correctly.
Press F1 for help on other keys.
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Radio Modems
How can I tell if my ARDIS radio is working?
• First connect the computer to external power, install a fully-charged
battery, and then follow the procedure below for your particular
operating system.
1 From the Start Menu, select Shut Down, and then choose “Restart
the computer.”
2 Press F8 when this message appears: “Starting Windows 95...”
3 Select Option 5.
This allows you to “single step” through each startup command.
4 Respond “N” to each prompt EXCEPT the following:
“Process your startup device drivers (CONFIG.SYS)”
“DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\HIMEM.SYS”
“DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\EMM386.EXE NOEMS”
5 From the DOS prompt, enter C:\CD XCTOOLS.
6 Enter RFGXM.
Radio driver starts and the radio on/off light comes on; continue to
the next step. If the light does not come on, contact your
company’s help desk for assistance.
7 Enter XCMG.
If a message appears indicating that it was unable to initialize,
contact your company’s help desk for assistance.
8 ARDIS can be contacted to verify that the computer has an ARDIS
radio installed and that it is registered with their company.
Contact your company’s help desk for assistance.
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Radio Modems
XCMASC program can’t regain network contact after the radio
detects a low battery even when the battery is recharged
• The radio power must be cycled before the radio will resume contact
with the network.
Radio application cannot find radio modem
• Make sure the IRQ setting for COM4 is set correctly in the SCU.
Many DOS applications assume this to be IRQ 3 rather than the
default of IRQ 10.
See Section 5, “Customizing Settings.”
• Make sure that XCPRF is being loaded in AUTOEXEC.BAT before
starting the application.
Activating the Radio TSR while in the DOS Editor causes the
computer to lock up requiring a hardware reset
• Do not use CTRL+ALT+R while inside the DOS Editor.
The Transparent Mode application doesn’t work
• This application is only for the ARDIS radio network.
160
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APPENDIX
Glossary
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AC adapter The standard charging device shipped with the mobile
computer that supplies power from an AC wall outlet to operate the
computer and charge the battery installed in the unit.
antenna If you have a radio modem installed in your computer, this
device sends and receives radio waves for this modem. For best
reception, place the antenna in a vertical position.
application A program designed for a specific purpose such as solving
a particular business or mathematical problem.
backlight A feature of the computer display that makes information on
the screen easier to read in low-light situations. On a monochrome
display, the backlight automatically turns off after one minute of
inactivity. You must manually turn the backlight on by pressing FN+F1
when you resume. On a color display, the backlight is on whenever
the computer is running. See also “MaxBright.”
battery indicator light The left-most light on the indicator panel, this
light illuminates when the computer is operating on battery power
and blinks to let you know the battery capacity is getting low.
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X-C 6250 Pro User’s Manual
Battery Maintenance application A separate program that allows you
to deep cycle discharge batteries.
Battery Status application A separate program that displays
information about the current state of the battery. By default, this
program runs automatically when you run Windows.
bit The smallest unit of computer data (binary digit).
deep cycle discharge A user-initiated charging method that
completely discharges Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries before
charging them again. This helps eliminate “memory effect,”
reconditions the batteries, and helps increase their capacity.
desktop The screen background for Windows on which windows,
icons, and dialog boxes appear.
dust cover A cover that provides added protection for the serial,
parallel, and video ports when they are not being used.
external power Any of the approved devices used to supply power to
the mobile computer including the AC adapter, the vehicle adapter,
and the vehicle cradle.
external power light The second light from the left on the indicator
panel, this light illuminates when the computer is operating on
external power. If a battery is installed, the external power supply
automatically begins charging the battery when power is connected.
The light blinks to indicate the battery is being charged; it remains on
when the battery is fully charged.
fast charge A method of quickly increasing the battery capacity while
the mobile computer is attached to external power. This is the normal
and preferred charging method. It takes approximately three hours to
fully charge the battery using this method.
hard disk A rigid magnetic storage device that provides fast access to
stored data. The standard hard disk for the mobile computer is
ruggedized to withstand more shock and vibration than hard disks in
typical notebook computers.
hardware The electronic components, boards, peripherals, and
equipment that make up your computer system.
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Appendix C. Glossary
indicator lights The small lights located between the display and the
keyboard that blink or remain on or off to indicate activity on the
system. They include an On/Off light, an External Power light, a Disk
Activity light, and a Radio On/Off light.
keyboard The keyboard is weather sealed and designed with 93
percent standard key spacing.
MaxBright A feature available on the 10.4-inch color display that
intensifies the backlight to its maximum brightness. Pressing FN+F1
toggles MaxBright on and off.
megabytes (MB) A unit of memory measurement equal to
approximately one million bytes (1,048,576 bytes).
megahertz (MHz) A measurement of electrical frequency equal to one
million cycles per second.
microphone Using the Speaker Phone application, the microphone
allows a user to talk to another person.
Microsoft Windows and Windows 95 An operating environment for
MS-DOS used on IBM-compatible computers that provides users with
graphical windows in which to do their work. All Windows
applications have consistent features such as command menus,
windows, and dialog boxes.
mouse pointer and buttons On the mobile computer, the integrated
mouse pointer is located directly below the spacebar on the keyboard.
The left and right mouse buttons are located on either side of the
mouse pointer.
MS-DOS Microsoft Disk Operating System. The standard, single-user
operating system of IBM-compatible computers.
Nickel Metal Hydride battery (NiMH) The standard types of
rechargeable batteries used in the mobile computer.
on/off light The left-most light on the indicator panel, this light
illuminates when you turn on the mobile computer; it also blinks to let
you know the battery is getting low.
online help A help utility available on-screen while you are using an
application.
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operating system A set of programs that manage the overall operation
of the computer.
parallel port
A port that can be used to connect a printer.
PC card A self-contained, credit card-sized device that can be used to
store programs, data, or to expand the capabilities of your computer.
port An interface between the computer and external devices.
Power On Self Test (POST) A diagnostic test run by the computer’s
BIOS system when the computer restarts.
power port A port used to connect the external power supply to the
mobile computer.
radio on/off light The right-most light on the indicator panel. If your
computer is equipped with a radio modem, this light turns on when
the radio modem is powered on. When the computer is off, the light
blinks to indicate a message is waiting.
Random Access Memory (RAM) The computer’s primary working
memory in which program instructions and data are stored so they
are accessible directly to the central processing unit (CPU).
RJ-11 connector A port used by the internal modem to communicate
over standard voice grade telephone lines.
ruggedized The unique design of mobile computers that are built to
withstand rugged and rough environments.
serial port A port that can be used to connect a printer or modem.
slow charge A method of increasing the battery capacity while the
computer is attached to external power. This method uses lower AC
voltage. It takes approximately 16 hours to fully charge the battery
using this method.
software System, utility, or application programs expressed in a
computer-readable language. Software programs tell the hardware
components what to do.
speaker Located on the bottom of the computer, the speaker provides
sound for the unit.
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Appendix C. Glossary
Speaker Phone application The Speaker Phone application is a
separate program that allows you to dial a number and talk with
another person over telephone lines. To run this application, doubleclick the Speaker Phone icon in the Mobile Computer Tools folder.
stand alone charger An optional charging device used to charge an
additional battery for the computer.
suspend mode Suspend mode turns off certain functions of the
computer if there is no activity for a user-specified time. The
computer also enters suspend mode if the battery capacity becomes
critically low and external power is not connected or the battery is not
replaced. Some systems do not automatically enter suspend mode
when they are connected to external power.
System Configuration Utility (SCU)
A utility that allows you to
change default settings for your hardware options and power
management.
Taskbar In Windows 95, the area along the bottom of the screen that
contains the Start button and buttons for windows, documents, or
applications that are open.
utility A program that helps you maintain and improve the efficiency
of the computer system.
vehicle adapter An optional device that supplies power from the
vehicle battery to operate the computer and charge the battery
installed in the unit. It typically connects to the vehicle battery using
the cigarette lighter socket.
vehicle cradle An optional, vehicle-based docking station designed to
safely secure the computer in a vehicle. You can also use the vehicle
cradle to charge batteries, communicate with other devices, and
access information from a CD-ROM.
Video Graphics Array (VGA) Video graphics technology that supports
up to 256 colors and a graphics resolution of 640 x 480 pixels.
video port
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This port can be used to connect an external monitor.
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X-C 6250 Pro User’s Manual
166
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Index
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Symbols
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applications (continued)
Speaker Phone 21, 165
troubleshooting 138
ARDIS radio, registering 48
ATA cards. See PC cards
audio port, illustrated 17
15-pin video port 17
25-pin parallel port 17
9-pin serial port 17
AC adapter 39, 84
defined 161
accessories
optional 20, 92
adjusting display contrast 32, 42
adjusting mouse movement 35
adjusting volume 32
antenna
illustrated 17
position 50
applications
Battery Maintenance 21, 82, 85, 162
Battery Status 21, 82, 162
defined 161
HyperTerminal 21
Keyboard Status 21
Radio Status 52
backlight 42, 81
adjusting 31
changing time-out setting 58
defined 161
battery
charging 40, 41, 84, 98
conserving power 79, 80
deep cycle discharging 85, 162
disposing of 86
extending life 79
installing 40, 83
light 19
low battery indicators 19
low battery warnings 80
maintenance 86, 119
Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) 40, 163
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X-C 6250 Pro User’s Manual
battery
recycling 86
replacing 83
storage and care 86, 119
temperatures 77, 141
tips 74
troubleshooting 141
battery door
illustrated 17
opening 83, 152
Battery Maintenance application
21, 82, 85, 162
Battery Status application 21, 82, 162
brightness, display 42
cables, parallel and serial 65, 71
calibrating the touch screen 23
Caps Lock mode 28
CD-ROM
external 97
vehicle cradle 106
CDPD radio, registering 49
cellular modem, registering 48, 49
changing power management options 58
changing the speed of the mouse 35
chargers
AC adapter 84
stand alone 98
vehicle adapter 99
vehicle cradle 102
charging batteries 40, 41, 84, 98
cleaning the computer 120, 121
COM3 IRQ, setting 60
COM4 IRQ, setting 60
compliance statements iii
connecting a printer 92
connecting an external monitor 93
connecting an external mouse 93
connecting optional equipment and accessories
92
168
connecting two computers 65
conserving power 79, 80
copying files 64
using an external CD-ROM 97
using an external floppy disk drive 95
using Direct Cable Connection 65
using PC cards 89
using the internal landline modem 114
using the vehicle cradle CD-ROM 106
customizing settings 58
deep cycle discharging 85, 162
default settings, changing 58
Direct Cable Connection 65
Direct Parallel Cable 68, 71
Direct Serial Cable 65, 72
disk activity light 19
display
adjusting contrast 32, 42
backlight 81, 161
calibrating the touch screen 23
cleaning 121
if you have a touch screen 43
illustrated 17
MaxBright 31
troubleshooting 143
disposing of batteries 86
DOS utilities 22
error messages 126
extending battery life 79
external floppy disk drive 95
external monitor, connecting 93
external mouse 93
external power
AC adapter 84
defined 162
indicator light 19
vehicle adapter 99
vehicle cradle 102
79-0003-003 22 October 1999
Index
FCC statements iii
files, copying 64, 89, 114
floppy disk drive, external 95
FN keys 31
function keys 32
general description of the computer 17
getting battery information 82
getting started 39
hard disk
care and handling 116
defined 162
troubleshooting 145
hardware settings, changing defaults 58
hardware, standard 20
headset port, illustrated 17
HyperTerminal application 21
I/O ports
illustrated 17
troubleshooting 145
if you have a touch screen 43
important battery tips 74
indicator lights 19, 41
defined 163
illustrated 17
installing batteries 40, 83
installing software 64
IRQ settings 60
keyboard
basics 26
cleaning 121
illustrated 17, 26
troubleshooting 147
using 26, 31
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Keyboard Status application 21
keys
FN 31
numeric 30
summary table 31
landline modem 113, 148
LED. See indicator lights
lights. See See indicator lights
low battery indicators 19
low battery warnings 80
maintaining batteries 86, 119
MaxBright 31, 42, 82
memory 20
messages, error 126
microphone, illustrated 17
Microsoft Windows, defined 163
mobile computer
cleaning 120, 121
connecting peripherals 92
connecting to telephone line 113
features 17
illustrated 17
indicator lights 19
keys 26
memory 20
operating the first time 39
overview 17
power-saving features 80
processor 20
restarting 26
special keys 31
standard hardware and software 20
storing 123
turning on and off 31
modem
determining type 112
internal landline 113
radio 48
surge protection 108
troubleshooting 143, 148, 157
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X-C 6250 Pro User’s Manual
monitor, external 93
mouse
adjusting movement 35
connecting external 93
defined 163
how to use 34
illustrated 17
MS-DOS messages 132
MS-DOS utilities 22
Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) battery 40
defined 163
maintaining 86, 119
tips 74
Num Lock mode 30
numeric keypad 26, 30
optional equipment and accessories 20, 92
optional hardware and software 20
parallel cable 68, 71
parallel port
connecting a printer 92
defined 164
illustrated 17
password security 44
PC card door and slots, illustrated 17
PC cards
bootable 90
inserting 88
troubleshooting 155
using to transfer files 89
pen/touch screen 43
calibrating 23
cleaning 116
troubleshooting 157
170
peripherals
connecting 92
surge protection 108
power, conserving 79
power management. See also battery: tips
AC adapter 39
changing options in the SCU 58
power port
cleaning 121
illustrated 17
power surges, protecting equipment from 108
precautions 38
printer 92
problems, solutions to 136, 137
processor 20
protecting equipment from power surges 108
radio modem
additional documentation 55
antenna position 50
capabilities 49
enabling 51, 53
indicator light 19
registering 48
software 53, 54
troubleshooting 160
Radio Status application 52
RAM radio, registering 48
recycling batteries 86
replacing the battery 83
restarting the computer 26
resuming 42
RJ-11 connector 113
cleaning 121
defined 164
illustrated 17
79-0003-003 22 October 1999
Index
safety information vi
screen. See See display. See display
selecting a surge suppresser 108
serial cable 65, 72
serial port
connecting a printer 92
connecting an external mouse 93
defined 164
illustrated 17
radio settings 51
settings, changing defaults 58
software
installing 64
radio 53, 54
standard 21
speaker, illustrated 17
Speaker Phone application 21, 165
stand alone charger 98, 165
standard hardware 18
standard software 21
startup instructions 39
startup problems, solutions to 43
storing batteries 86, 119
storing the computer 123
stylus, using 43
surge suppressors 108
suspend mode 80, 165
System Configuration Utility (SCU) 58
accessing 59
defined 165
touch screen 43
calibrating 23
cleaning 116
troubleshooting 157
transferring files 64
using an external CD-ROM 97
using an external floppy disk drive 95
using Direct Cable Connection 65
using PC cards 89
using the internal landline modem 114
using the vehicle cradle CD-ROM 106
troubleshooting
common solutions 137
what to try first 136
turning MaxBright on and off 31, 42
turning the backlight on and off 31, 42
turning the computer on and off 42
USB port, illustrated 17
vehicle adapter 99, 165
vehicle cradle 102, 165
video port 17, 93
volume, adjusting 32
wireless network providers 48
telephone line, connecting 113
temperatures
battery 74, 77, 140
operating 120
storing the computer 123
tips, battery 74
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X-C 6250 Pro User’s Manual
172
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Itronix Corporation
P.O. Box 179
Spokane, WA 99210-0179
www.itronix.com
79-0003-003

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