Nec Powermate Vt 300I Users Manual Series

PowerMate VT 300i 45600050srv

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Best Value to Meet Basic Computing Needs

P OWER M ATE ® VT 300 I S ERIES

SERVICE AND REFERENCE
MANUAL

Proprietary Notice and Liability Disclaimer
The information disclosed in this document, including all designs and related materials, is the
valuable property of NEC Computer Systems Division, Packard Bell NEC, Inc. (hereinafter “NEC
CSD”) and/or its licensors. NEC CSD and/or its licensors, as appropriate, reserve all patent,
copyright and other proprietary rights to this document, including all design, manufacturing,
reproduction, use, and sales rights thereto, except to the extent said rights are expressly granted to
others.
The NEC CSD product(s) discussed in this document are warranted in accordance with the terms of
the Warranty Statement accompanying each product. However, actual performance of each such
product is dependent upon factors such as system configuration, customer data, and operator
control. Since implementation by customers of each product may vary, the suitability of specific
product configurations and applications must be determined by the customer and is not warranted
by NEC CSD.
To allow for design and specification improvements, the information in this document is subject to
change at any time, without notice. Reproduction of this document or portions thereof without prior
written approval of NEC CSD is prohibited.
As an ENERGY star partner, NEC Computer Systems Division (NEC CSD) has determined that this product meets the
ENERGY star guidelines for energy efficiency.
NEC and PowerMate are registered trademarks of NEC Corporation, used under license.
ENERGY STAR is a U.S. registered trademark.
All other product, brand, or trade names used in this publication are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their
respective trademark owners.

First Printing — May 1999
Copyright 1999
NEC Computer Systems Division
Packard Bell NEC, Inc.
1 Packard Bell Way
Sacramento, CA 95828-0903
All Rights Reserved

Contents
Preface.............................................................................................................................xi
Abbreviations.................................................................................................................xiii

1 System Overview
Configurations................................................................................................................1-2
Features .........................................................................................................................1-4
Front Features ...........................................................................................................1-4
Rear Features ............................................................................................................1-5
Inside Features ..........................................................................................................1-7
Security Features.......................................................................................................1-8
Components ...................................................................................................................1-9
System Board............................................................................................................1-9
Diskette Drive .........................................................................................................1-10
Hard Drive ..............................................................................................................1-10
Power Supply..........................................................................................................1-10
Keyboard ................................................................................................................1-10
Mouse.....................................................................................................................1-11
AGP Board .............................................................................................................1-11
CD-ROM Drive.......................................................................................................1-11
Speakers..................................................................................................................1-11
Fax/Modem Board ..................................................................................................1-12
Network Board........................................................................................................1-12
PC Adapter Device..................................................................................................1-12
Tape Backup Unit ...................................................................................................1-12
Zip Drive.................................................................................................................1-13

2 System Configuration
Interrupt Requests ..........................................................................................................2-2
System Interrupts ......................................................................................................2-2
Parallel Port Interrupts...............................................................................................2-3
Serial Port Interrupts .................................................................................................2-4
Jumper Settings ..............................................................................................................2-4
System Board Jumper Settings ..................................................................................2-5
Maxtor IDE Hard Drive Jumper Settings ...................................................................2-7
Seagate IDE Hard Drive Jumper Settings...................................................................2-7
NEC 32X CD-ROM Drive Jumper Settings ...............................................................2-7
Lite-On 32X CD-ROM Drive Jumper Settings ..........................................................2-8
Zip Drive Jumper Settings .........................................................................................2-8
Tape Backup Unit Jumper Settings ............................................................................2-8
BIOS Setup Utility .........................................................................................................2-9
How to Start BIOS Setup...........................................................................................2-9
How to Use BIOS Setup..........................................................................................2-10
Main Menu..............................................................................................................2-10
Advanced Menu ......................................................................................................2-13
Security Menu.........................................................................................................2-17
Exit Menu ...............................................................................................................2-18
FLASH Utility .............................................................................................................2-18
NEC OS Restore CD ....................................................................................................2-19

Contents

iii

Introducing OS Restore Options ..............................................................................2-19
Choosing a Restore Program ...................................................................................2-19
Launching the NEC OS Restore CD ........................................................................2-20
Auto Rebuild and Restore........................................................................................2-21
Custom Rebuild and Restore ...................................................................................2-22
Fixing the Operating System ...................................................................................2-24
NEC Application and Driver CD ..................................................................................2-25
Launching the Application and Driver CD...............................................................2-26
Installing Software ..................................................................................................2-26
NEC Help Center .........................................................................................................2-27
Installing the NEC Help Center ...............................................................................2-27
Uninstalling the NEC Help Center...........................................................................2-27
Resolutions for NEC VistaScan USB Monitors.............................................................2-28
Cheyenne Backup.........................................................................................................2-28
Intel Processor Serial Number Control Utility...............................................................2-29
System Requirements ..............................................................................................2-29
Installation ..............................................................................................................2-29
Processor Serial Number .........................................................................................2-30
FAQs ......................................................................................................................2-30
Technical Support ...................................................................................................2-31

3 Disassembly and Reassembly
System Unit Cover Removal ..........................................................................................3-3
Removing the Left Side Cover...................................................................................3-3
Replacing the Left Side Cover ...................................................................................3-4
Removing the Right Side Cover ................................................................................3-6
Replacing the Right Side Cover .................................................................................3-7
Expansion Board Removal .............................................................................................3-8
AGP Board Removal......................................................................................................3-9
Front Panel Removal ......................................................................................................3-9
Blank Panel and Metal Shield Removal ........................................................................3-10
DIMM Module Removal ..............................................................................................3-11
Processor Cartridge Removal/Replacing.......................................................................3-11
Removing the Celeron or Pentium III Processor Cartridge .......................................3-12
Installing the Celeron or Pentium III Processor Cartridge.........................................3-13
Removing the Pentium II Processor Cartridge..........................................................3-15
Installing the Pentium II Processor Cartridge...........................................................3-16
5 1/4-Inch Device Removal ..........................................................................................3-18
3 1/2-Inch Hard Drive Removal....................................................................................3-19
3 1/2-Inch Diskette Drive Removal...............................................................................3-20
Power Supply Removal ................................................................................................3-21
System Board Removal ................................................................................................3-22
CMOS Battery Removal...............................................................................................3-23

4 System Board
Connectors, Jumpers, and Sockets ..................................................................................4-2
External Cable Connectors ........................................................................................4-2
Internal Connectors and Sockets ................................................................................4-3
System Board Jumpers ..............................................................................................4-3
Changing Processor Speed .............................................................................. 4-4
Setting the Power On Mode ............................................................................ 4-5
Clearing the CMOS and Password .................................................................. 4-6

iv Contents

Setting Wake-On LAN.................................................................................... 4-7
Upgrade Sockets .......................................................................................................4-8
Processor Socket............................................................................................. 4-8
DIMM Sockets ............................................................................................... 4-8
Checking System Memory .............................................................................. 4-9
Components .................................................................................................................4-10
Processor and Secondary Cache...............................................................................4-12
System BIOS...........................................................................................................4-12
System Memory ......................................................................................................4-13
Plug and Play ..........................................................................................................4-13
ISA Bus ..................................................................................................................4-13
PCI Local Bus.........................................................................................................4-13
PCI/IDE Ports .........................................................................................................4-14
Parallel Interface .....................................................................................................4-14
Serial Interface........................................................................................................4-15
USB Interface..........................................................................................................4-15
Graphics Capabilities ..............................................................................................4-15
Accelerated Graphics Port .......................................................................................4-16
Graphics Controller .................................................................................................4-16
Motion Video Controller .........................................................................................4-16
Integrated Audio .....................................................................................................4-17
Resources.....................................................................................................................4-17
Memory Map ..........................................................................................................4-18
I/O Addresses..........................................................................................................4-18
DMA Settings .........................................................................................................4-21

5 Illustrated Parts Breakdown
Ordering Parts................................................................................................................5-2
Field Replaceable Unit List ............................................................................................5-3
Illustrated Parts Breakdown............................................................................................5-5

6 Preventive Maintenance
System Cleaning ............................................................................................................6-2
Keyboard Cleaning.........................................................................................................6-2
Mouse Cleaning .............................................................................................................6-3

7 Troubleshooting
Checklist ........................................................................................................................7-2
System Problems.......................................................................................................7-2
Diskette Drive Problems............................................................................................7-4
Monitor Problems......................................................................................................7-4
Keyboard/Mouse Problems........................................................................................7-5
CD-ROM Drive Problems .........................................................................................7-5
Speaker Problems......................................................................................................7-6
Diagnostics ....................................................................................................................7-6

8 NEC CSD Information Services
Service Telephone Numbers ...........................................................................................8-2
Technical Support ..........................................................................................................8-2
NEC CSD Website....................................................................................................8-2
Email/Fax Technical Support Service ........................................................................8-3

Contents

v

Technical Support Services .......................................................................................8-3
Product Information .......................................................................................................8-4
NEC CSD FTP Site...................................................................................................8-4
NEC CSD Bulletin Board Service..............................................................................8-4

9 Specifications
System Board Specifications ..........................................................................................9-3
Keyboard Specifications.................................................................................................9-3
Mouse Specifications .....................................................................................................9-4
Speaker Specifications....................................................................................................9-4
System Unit Specifications.............................................................................................9-5
Diskette Drive Specifications .........................................................................................9-5
4.3-GB Seagate Hard Drive Specifications .....................................................................9-6
4.3-GB Maxtor Hard Drive Specifications ......................................................................9-7
8.4-GB Fujitsu Hard Drive Specifications.......................................................................9-8
8.4-GB Maxtor Hard Drive Specifications ......................................................................9-9
12.9-GB Maxtor Hard Drive Specifications ..................................................................9-10
ATX Power Supply Specifications................................................................................9-10
Fax/Modem Board Specifications.................................................................................9-11
ATI Minden AGP Board Specifications........................................................................9-12
ATI Expert 98 AGP 8 MB Board Specifications ...........................................................9-12
Diamond Viper V550 AGP Board Specifications..........................................................9-13
Lite-On 32X and 40X CD-ROM Drive Specifications ..................................................9-13
NEC 32X CD-ROM Drive Specifications.....................................................................9-14
Hitachi 4X DVD-ROM Drive Specifications ................................................................9-15
PC Adapter Device Specifications ................................................................................9-15
Tape Backup Unit Specifications..................................................................................9-16
Zip Drive Specifications...............................................................................................9-17
Environmental and Safety Specifications ......................................................................9-18
Compliance..................................................................................................................9-18

A Release Notes
General Notes................................................................................................................A-2
Installing Applications and Online Documentation ...................................................A-2
Setting Boot Order in BIOS......................................................................................A-3
Configuring the System for Microsoft Internet Explorer ...........................................A-3
Changing Network Settings ......................................................................................A-3
Installing Cheyenne Backup .....................................................................................A-4
Installing LapLink Application Not Supported..........................................................A-5
Installing PartitionMagic ..........................................................................................A-5
Getting CD-ROM Support in Command Prompt Only Mode ....................................A-5
Installing Internet Explorer 4.01 Add-On Components from the NEC Driver CD......A-6
Identifying the Pentium III Processor........................................................................A-6
SCSI Drive Limitations .................................................................................................A-6
Booting from a CD...................................................................................................A-6
Using the NEC OS Restore CD with a SCSI Drive ...................................................A-7
LS-120 SuperDisk Copy Utility.....................................................................................A-7
NEC OS Restore CD .....................................................................................................A-8
Using the Fix OS Restore Option..............................................................................A-8
Fixing the Operating System ....................................................................................A-8
PIIX4 Limitations..........................................................................................................A-9
Reconfiguring Ultra DMA Support...........................................................................A-9

vi Contents

Determining IDE Device Compatibility.................................................................. A-10
New System Board Jumper Settings ............................................................................ A-10
Intel Processor Serial Number Control Utility.............................................................. A-12
Identifying System Requirements ........................................................................... A-12
Installing the Utility ............................................................................................... A-12
Looking at Serial Number Features......................................................................... A-12
Getting Answers to FAQs....................................................................................... A-13
Getting Intel Technical Support.............................................................................. A-14
Windows 95 Issues...................................................................................................... A-14
Controlling CD Audio ............................................................................................ A-14
Using Cheyenne Backup to Back Up Large Drives ................................................. A-14
Restoring Software with a US Robotics 56K V.90 Modem Installed ....................... A-15
Clicking the Product Catalog Button....................................................................... A-15
Windows 98 Issues...................................................................................................... A-15
Ejecting the NEC Application and Driver CD from a DVD-ROM Drive................. A-15
Finding Tape Device Icons ..................................................................................... A-15
Finding the 3Com Diagnostic Program................................................................... A-15
Finding No Network Neighborhood Icon on the Desktop........................................ A-16
Windows NT Issues .................................................................................................... A-16
Restoring Network Card Drivers ............................................................................ A-16
Installing BootMagic in a System with Windows NT.............................................. A-16
Configuring BootMagic .................................................................................. A-16
Correcting the BootMagic Configuration ........................................................ A-17

Glossary
Index
Regulatory Statements

Contents

vii

List of Figures
PowerMate VT 300i Series System Components ................................................................................. 1-2
PowerMate VT 300i Series System Front View................................................................................... 1-4
PowerMate VT 300i Series System Rear View.................................................................................... 1-6
Inside the System................................................................................................................................ 1-7
Processor/Bus Speed Jumper Block SW1 Settings............................................................................... 2-5
Setup Main Menu ............................................................................................................................... 2-9
Welcome screen ............................................................................................................................... 2-20
Removing the Left Side Cover ............................................................................................................ 3-4
Replacing the Left Side Cover............................................................................................................. 3-5
Removing the Right Side Cover .......................................................................................................... 3-6
Replacing the Right Side Cover .......................................................................................................... 3-7
Removing an Expansion Board ........................................................................................................... 3-8
Removing the Front Panel................................................................................................................... 3-9
Removing the Blank Panel................................................................................................................ 3-10
Removing a DIMM Module.............................................................................................................. 3-11
Removing the Celeron or Pentium III Processor Cartridge................................................................. 3-13
Installing the Celeron or Pentium III Processor Cartridge .................................................................. 3-14
Removing the Pentium II Processor Cartridge ................................................................................... 3-16
Installing the Pentium II Processor Cartridge..................................................................................... 3-17
Removing a 5 1/4-Inch Device .......................................................................................................... 3-19
Removing the Hard Drive ................................................................................................................. 3-20
Removing the Power Supply............................................................................................................. 3-21
Removing the System Board............................................................................................................. 3-22
Locating the Battery.......................................................................................................................... 3-23
Removing the Battery ....................................................................................................................... 3-24
System Board External Cable Connector Locations ............................................................................. 4-2
System Board Internal Connector and Socket Locations ...................................................................... 4-3
Locating System Board Jumpers .................................................................................................. ....... 4-4
Processor Jumper Settings...................................................................................................... ............. 4-5
PowerMate VT 300i Series Computer Illustrated Parts Breakdown ...................................................... 5-5
Removing the Mouse Ball Cover.................................................................................................. ....... 6-3

List of Tables
PowerMate VT 300i Series System Configuration ............................................................................... 1-3
System Components ........................................................................................................................... 1-9
Interrupt Level Assignments ............................................................................................................... 2-3
Parallel Port Interrupts ........................................................................................................................ 2-3
Serial Port 1 and Serial Port 2 Interrupts.............................................................................................. 2-4
Power On Mode Jumper JP1 Settings.................................................................................................. 2-6
Clear CMOS Jumper JBAT1 Settings.................................................................................................. 2-6
Wake-On LAN Jumper JWOL Settings............................................................................................... 2-6
Maxtor IDE Hard Drive Jumper Settings............................................................................................. 2-7
Seagate IDE Hard Drive Jumper Settings ............................................................................................ 2-7
NEC 32X CD-ROM Drive Jumper Settings......................................................................................... 2-7
Lite-On 32X CD-ROM Drive Jumper Settings .................................................................................... 2-8
Zip Drive Jumper Settings .................................................................................................................. 2-8
Tape Backup Unit Jumper Settings...................................................................................................... 2-8
Navigation Keys ............................................................................................................................... 2-10
Main Menu Items ............................................................................................................................. 2-10
Advanced Menu - Advanced CMOS Setup........................................................................................ 2-13
Advanced Menu - Advanced Chipset Setup....................................................................................... 2-14
Advanced Menu - Power Management Setup .................................................................................... 2-14
Advanced Menu - PCI/Plug and Play Setup....................................................................................... 2-16
Advanced Menu - Peripheral Setup ................................................................................................... 2-16
Advanced Menu - Change Language Setting ..................................................................................... 2-17
Security Menu Items......................................................................................................................... 2-17
Exit Menu Items ............................................................................................................................... 2-18

viii Contents

Resolutions for 15 and 17 Inch NEC VistaScan USB Monitors.......................................................... 2-28
PowerMate VT 300i Series Disassembly Sequence.............................................................................. 3-2
Supported DIMMs .............................................................................................................................. 4-9
Sample DIMM Upgrade Paths............................................................................................................. 4-9
System Board Components ............................................................................................................... 4-11
Parallel Port Addresses...................................................................................................................... 4-14
Serial Port 1 and Serial Port 2 I/O Addresses ..................................................................................... 4-15
System Memory Map........................................................................................................................ 4-18
I/O Address Map .............................................................................................................................. 4-18
DMA Settings................................................................................................................................... 4-21
Ordering Parts..................................................................................................................................... 5-2
PowerMate VT 300i Series System FRU List ...................................................................................... 5-3
Problems and Solutions....................................................................................................................... 7-6
NEC CSD Service and Support Telephone Numbers ........................................................................... 8-2
System Specifications ......................................................................................................................... 9-2
System Board Specifications ............................................................................................................... 9-3
Keyboard Specifications ..................................................................................................................... 9-3
Mouse Specifications .......................................................................................................................... 9-4
Speaker Specification.......................................................................................................................... 9-4
System Unit Specifications.................................................................................................................. 9-5
Diskette Drive Specifications .............................................................................................................. 9-5
4.3-GB Seagate Hard Drive Specifications .......................................................................................... 9-6
4.3-GB Maxtor DiamondMax Hard Drive Specifications..................................................................... 9-7
8.4-GB Fujitsu Hard Drive Specifications............................................................................................ 9-8
8.4-GB Maxtor DiamondMax Hard Drive Specifications..................................................................... 9-9
12.9-GB Maxtor DiamondMax Hard Drive Specifications ................................................................. 9-10
Power Supply Specifications ............................................................................................................. 9-10
Fax/Modem Board Specifications...................................................................................................... 9-11
ATI Minden (Rage IIC) AGP Board Specifications ........................................................................... 9-12
ATI Expert 98 (Rage PRO) AGP Board Specifications ...................................................................... 9-12
Diamond Viper V550 AGP Board Specifications............................................................................... 9-13
Lite-On 32X and 40X CD-ROM Drive Specifications ....................................................................... 9-13
NEC 32X CD-ROM Drive Specifications.......................................................................................... 9-14
Hitachi 4X DVD-ROM Drive Specifications ..................................................................................... 9-15
PC Adapter Device Specifications..................................................................................................... 9-15
Tape Backup Unit Specifications....................................................................................................... 9-16
Zip Drive Specification ..................................................................................................................... 9-17
Specifications ................................................................................................................................... 9-18
System Compliance .......................................................................................................................... 9-18

Contents

ix

Preface
This manual contains technical information for servicing and repairing the NEC
PowerMate® VT 300i Series computers manufactured by NEC Computer
Systems Division, Packard Bell NEC, Inc. The manual contains hardware and
interface information for users who need an overview of system design. The
manual includes system setup information, disassembly procedures, and an
illustrated parts list. The manual is prepared for NEC CSD trained customer
engineers, system analysts, service center personnel, and dealers.
The manual is organized as follows.
Section 1 — System Overview, provides an overview of system features and
includes brief descriptions of system components.
Section 2 — System Configuration, includes information on system IRQs,
jumpers, and BIOS. The section also contains information on video modes and
power management features. Also included is information on system utilities,
including the BIOS update utility and NEC OS Restore CD.
Section 3 — Disasssembly and Reassembly, provides computer disassembly
and reassembly procedures. Each procedure is supported by detailed
disassembly illustrations.
Section 4 — System Board, includes information on cable and board connector
locations, jumper settings, and upgrade sockets. Also provided is information on
board components and memory map.
Section 5 — Illustrated Parts Breakdown, includes an exploded view diagram
(illustrated parts breakdown) and a parts list for field-replaceable parts.
Section 6 — Preventive Maintenance, provides recommended maintenance
information for maintaining the system in top condition.
Section 7 — Troubleshooting, includes information for solving possible
computer problems and their solutions.
Section 8 — NEC CSD Information Services, lists telephone numbers for
obtaining service. The section also includes information on NEC CSD technical
support, website, and bulletin board service.
Section 9 — Specifications, provides specifications for the major components
in the system, including the system board, power supply, diskette drive, and
hard drives.
Appendix A — NEC PowerMate VT 300i Series Release Notes, describes
recommended operating procedures not documented in other
PowerMate VT 300i Series documentation.

Preface xi

Abbreviations
A
AC
ACK
AGP
ASIC

ampere
alternating current
acknowledge
accelerated graphics port
application-specific
integrated circuit
AT
advanced technology
(IBM PC)
ATA
AT attachment
ATAPI
AT attachment packet
interface
ATM
asynchronous transfer mode
BBS
Bulletin Board Service
BCD
binary-coded decimal
BCU
BIOS Customized Utility
BIOS
basic input/output system
bit
binary digit
BUU
BIOS Upgrade Utility
bpi
bits per inch
bps
bits per second
C
capacitance
C
centigrade
Cache
high-speed buffer storage
CAM
constantly addressable
memory
CAS
column address strobe
CD-ROM compact disk-ROM
CH
channel
clk
clock
cm
centimeter
CMOS
complementary metal oxide
semiconductor
COM
communication
CONT
contrast
CPGA
ceramic pin grid array
CPU
central processing unit
DAC
digital-to-analog converter
DACK
DMA acknowledge

dB
DC
DCC
DCE
DDC
DIMM
DIP
DMA
DMAC
DMI
DOS
DRAM
DVD
ECC
ECP
EDO
EGA
EISA
email
EMI
EPP
EPROM
ESD
EVGA
F
FAX
FCC
FG
FM
FP
FRU
FSB
ftp

decibels
direct current
direct cable connection
data communications
equipment
Display Data Channel
Dual In-Line Memory Module
dual in-line package
direct memory access
DMA controller
Desktop Management
Interface
disk operating system
dynamic RAM
digital versatile disc
error checking and correction
extended capabilities port
extended data output
Enhanced Graphics Adapter
enhanced ISA
electronic mail
electromagnetic interference
enhanced parallel port
erasable and programmable
ROM
electrostatic discharge
Enhanced Video Graphics
Array
Fahrenheit
facsimile transmission
Federal Communications
Commission
frame ground
frequency modulation
fast page
field-replaceable unit
front side bus
file transfer protocol
Abbreviations xiii

GB
GND
HEX
HGA
Hz
IC
ID
IDE
IDTR
in.
INTA
I/O
IPB
IPC
ips
IR
IrDA
IRR
ISA
ISP
IRQ
K
k
KB
kg
kHz
lb
LAN
LED
LDCM
LSB
LSI
M
mA
max
MB
MFM

xiv

gigabyte
ground
hexadecimal
Hercules Graphics Adapter
hertz
integrated circuit
identification
intelligent device electronics
interrupt descriptor table
register
inch
interrupt acknowledge
input/output
illustrated parts breakdown
integrated peripheral
controller
inches per second
infrared
Infrared Data Association
Interrupt Request register
Industry Standard
Architecture
internet service provider
interrupt request
kilo (1024)
kilo (1000)
kilobyte
kilogram
kilohertz
pound
local area network
light-emitting diode
LANDesk Client Manager
least-significant bit
large-scale integration
mega (million)
milliamps
maximum
megabyte
modified frequency
modulation

Abbreviations

MHz
MIDI

megahertz
musical instrument digital
interface
mm
millimeter
MMX
multimedia extensions
modem
modulator/demodulator
MOS
metal-oxide semiconductor
MPEG
Motion Picture Experts Group
ms
millisecond
MSB
most-significant bit
NC
not connected
NIC
networked information center
NMI
Non-maskable Interrupt
ns
nanosecond
OCR
optical character recognition
OS
operating system
PAL
programmable array logic
PC
personal computer
PCB
printed circuit board
PCI
Peripheral Component
Interconnect
PDA
personal digital assistant
PFP
plastic flat package
PIO
parallel input/output
pixel
picture element
PLCC
plastic leaded chip carrier
PLL
phase lock loop
POST
Power-On Self-Test
p-p
peak-to-peak
PPI
programmable peripheral
interface
PROM
programmable ROM
PS/2
personal system/2
QFP
quad flat pack
R
read
RAM
random-access memory
RAMDAC RAM digital-to-analog
converter
RAS
row address strobe
RGB
red green blue
RGBI
red green blue intensity

rms
ROM
rpm
RTC
R/W
S
SCSI
SDRAM
S.E.C.
SG
SGRAM
SIMM
S/N
SNMP
SPM
SRAM
SRS
SSI
SVGA
SW
T&D
TSC
TTL
tpi
UART
UHF
UL
UMA
UPS
URL
USB
V
Vac
VCR
Vdc
VDT

root mean square
read-only memory
revolutions per minute
real-time clock
read/write
slave
Small Computer System
Interface
synchronous dynamic random
access memory
single edge contact cartridge
signal ground
synchronous graphics random
access memory
single inline memory module
signal to noise ratio
simple network management
protocol
standard page mode
static random access memory
Sound Retrieval System
small scale integration
Super Video Graphics Array
switch
test and diagnostics
Technical Support Center
transistor/transistor logic
tracks per inch
universal asynchronous
receiver/transmitter
ultra high frequency
Underwriter’s Laboratories
unified memory architecture
uninterruptible power supply
uniform resource locator
universal serial bus
volt
volts, alternating current
video cassette recorder
volts, direct current
video display terminal

VESA
VFC
VGA
VHF
VLSI
VRAM
W
WAN
WRAM
W
www

video electronics standards
association
VESA-compliant feature
connector
Video Graphics Array
very high frequency
very large scale integration
video RAM
watt
wide area network
Windows RAM
write
world wide web

Abbreviations xv

1
System Overview
„ Configurations
„ Features
„ Components

This section provides an overview of the NEC PowerMate VT 300i Series
microtower computer system configurations. The section highlights system
hardware features, computer front, back, and inside features, and system
security features. Also included are brief descriptions of the major components
comprising the system.

Configurations
NEC PowerMate VT 300i Series computer systems are built-to-order systems
for commercial offices. The systems feature an Intel Celeron, Pentium II, or
Pentium III processor, two dual inline memory module (DIMM) sockets,
synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), and a plug and play
input/output (I/O) controller.
The system also features two universal serial bus (USB) ports, two serial ports,
and a parallel port. Ultra direct memory access (DMA), remote wakeup (“WakeOn LAN”), accelerated graphics port (AGP), and power management are
supported.
Build choices include intelligent device electronics (IDE) hard drives ranging
from 4.3 gigabyte (GB) to 12.9 GB. System memory is provided in
32-megabyte (MB) (minimum), 64-MB, or 128-MB DIMM modules. Memory
configurations range from 32 MB to 256 MB.
Additional build choices include fax/modem, sound, video, and peripheral
devices such as CD-ROM drives.
The following figure shows the components comprising the PowerMate VT 300i
Series system (the monitor and speakers are optional).
PowerMate VT 300i Series System Components

A – Speaker Set
B – Keyboard
C – Mouse

1-2 System Overview

D – Monitor
E – System Unit

The following table lists the PowerMate VT 300i series system configuration.
PowerMate VT 300i Series System Configuration
Component

Description

System Board

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CPU*

Celeron
300A MHz, 66 MHz Front Side Bus (FSB)
333 MHz, 66 MHz FSB
366 MHz, 66 MHz FSB
400 MHz, 66 MHz FSB
433 MHz, 66 MHz FSB

$7;=;

Pentium II
350 MHz, 100 MHz FSB
400 MHz, 100 MHz FSB
450 MHz, 100 MHz FSB
Pentium III
450 MHz, 100 MHz FSB
500 MHz, 100 MHz FSB
System RAM*

32 MB (minimum) to 256 MB of SDRAM in 2 DIMM sockets

Hard Drive*

IDE Ultra DMA/33:
4.3 GB (Maxtor)
4.3 GB (Seagate)
8.4 GB (Fujitsu)
8.4 GB (Maxtor)
12.9 GB (Maxtor)

Cache

Celeron: 128 KB Pipeline Burst SRAM integrated on processor cartridge
Pentium II and III: 512-KB Pipeline Burst SRAM integrated on processor cartridge

AGP Slot

AGP slot on system board supports AGP-compatible graphics boards

Graphics Memory

Graphics board: 4-MB, 8-MB, or 16-MB SDRAM (depending on board installed)

Audio

Creative ES1371/1373 audio chip integrated on system board

Diskette Drive

Samsung 3.5-inch 1.44-MB (SFD-321B)

Power Supply

90 watt or 145 watt

Keyboard

Chicony 6923

Mouse

Microsoft 3D Mouse

CD-ROM Drive**

NEC CDR-3000A 32X
Lite-On LTN-301 32X
Lite-On LTN-382 40X

DVD-ROM Drive**

Hitachi GD2500 4X DVD-ROM/24X CD-ROM

Fax/Modem Board**

3Com U.S. Robotics Python, 56 Kbps V.90/Voice (ISA)
Diamond MDM100D 56 Kbps V90 TTU Modem (PCI)
Aztec MDM100A 56 Kbps V90 TTU Modem (PCI)
GVC MDM100G 56 Kbps V90 TTU Modem (PCI)

AGP Board**

ATI Minden RAGE IIC 4-MB AGP
ATI XPERT 98 RagePRO 8-MB AGP
Diamond Viper V550 Tnt 16-MB AGP

Zip Drive**

Iomega 100-MB Zip Drive

®

®

®

®

®

®

System Overview 1-3

PowerMate VT 300i Series System Configuration
Component

Description

Tape Backup Drive**

Seagate Travan 4/8-GB Tape Backup Device

LS-120 Drive**

Imation SuperDisk LS-120 Diskette Drive

Speakers**

Harman/Kardon 10-watt

®

®

* Component varies by system
** Built-to-order component

Features
The system front, back, and inside features are described in the following
paragraphs. Also included are descriptions of system security features.

Front Features
The following figure identifies the components, lamps, and controls on the front
of the system. Brief descriptions of the components follow the figure.
PowerMate VT 300i Series System Front View

A – CD-ROM Drive
B – Diskette Drive
C – Power/Sleep Button

D – Power/Sleep Lamp
E – Hard Drive Lamp
F – USB Port

The system has the following devices, controls, and lamps on the front of the
system (see the above figure for device, control, and lamp locations).

„ CD-ROM drive — load and start programs from a compact disc (CD) and
to play audio CDs.

1-4 System Overview

„ Diskette drive — copy data files to and from a diskette or as a bootable
drive for loading and starting programs from a diskette.

„ Power/Sleep button — press this button to turn power on. To turn off the
system, press the button and hold in for several seconds before releasing.
Lightly press and immediately release the power button to suspend
system operation and go into the power saving mode.
An amber power/sleep lamp indicates that the system is in a power saving
mode.
Press any key or move the mouse to resume system operation.

„ Power/Sleep lamp — indicates if system power is on or off. Also
indicates if the system is operating in a power saving mode.
A steady green lamp indicates that power is on. A steady amber lamp
indicates that the system is in Sleep mode with full power reduction.

„ Hard drive lamp — when lit, indicates that the hard drive is active. A lit
lamp indicates that the hard drive is reading or writing data.

„ USB port — use this port to connect plug and play universal serial bus
(USB) devices without opening the system. A second port is on the rear
of the system.

Rear Features
The rear of the computer contains external connectors, a power socket, and
expansion board slots. The following figure identifies the connectors on the
back of the system. Brief descriptions of each connector follow the figure.

System Overview 1-5

PowerMate VT 300i Series System Rear View

A – Power Socket
B – Voltage Selector Switch
C – Mouse Port
D – Keyboard Port
E – USB Port
F – Serial Port 1
G – Serial Port 2
H – Line Out Jack

I – Line In Jack
J – Microphone In Jack
K – Fan
L – Printer Port
M – MIDI Port
N – VGA Monitor Connector
O – Expansion Slots

External connectors allow the attachment of peripheral devices such as a
monitor, keyboard, mouse, and printer. The system has the following external
connectors.

„ Audio connectors — The following audio connectors are on the back of
the system:

 microphone in jack. This jack allows the connection of a microphone
for recording audio information in data files.

 line in jack. This jack allows the connection of a stereo audio device
such as a stereo amplifier, cassette, or minidisc player for playback
or recording.

 line out jack. This jack allows the connection of an amplified output
device such as powered speakers, stereo tape recorder, or an external
amplifier for audio output. Use this jack for ordered speakers.

„ USB ports — Each of the two USB ports permits the connection of up to
127 USB configured peripheral devices such as printers, monitors,
modems, mouse, and game pads/joysticks.

1-6 System Overview

„ Serial ports — Serial port 1 (COM1) and serial port 2 (COM2) allow the
connection of serial devices with 9-pin connectors. The devices include a
pointing device, serial printer, or modem.

„ Keyboard port — Attach a keyboard (PS/2®-compatible, 101-key or
102-key) with a 6-pin mini DIN connector to this port.

„ Mouse port — Attach a mouse (PS/2-compatible) to this port.
„ Printer port — Attach a parallel printer with a 25-pin connector to this
port.

„ VGA monitor connector — Attach a video graphics array

(VGA)-compatible monitor (NEC MultiSync® monitor or other
VGA-compatible monitor) with a 15-pin connector to this AGP board
connector.

„ Expansion board slots — Use these slots to install up to four optional
boards (graphics, fax/modem, SCSI).

„ Fax/modem ports — Some systems come with a 56-Kbps fax/modem
board in an expansion slot. The board allows the connection of a phone
line to the system for fax and data communications.

Inside Features
The following figure shows the interior of the computer and its major areas. A
list of features follow the figure.
Inside the System

A – Power Supply
B – System Board
C – Expansion Slots
D – Accessible Device Bays

E – Diskette Drive
F – AGP Board Connector
G – Hard Drive

System Overview 1-7

The inside of the system has the following features:

„ system board with connectors for the Celeron or Pentium processor single
edge contact (S.E.C.) cartridge, DIMM memory, AGP board, and
external devices

„ system board with two IDE connectors, diskette drive connector, five
expansion board connectors, and internal signal and power connectors

„ AGP board (a built-to-order component)
„ two accessible 5 1/4-inch slots for expansion (one slot contains the
CD-ROM drive)

„ one accessible 3 1/2-inch diskette drive slot (contains 1.44-MB diskette
drive)

„ two 3 1/2-inch internal device slots (contains one or two hard drives)
„ 90- or 145-watt power supply.
For more information on the above features, see “Components” in this section.

Security Features
The system has hardware, software, and mechanical security features that offer
protection against unauthorized access to the system and data. The following
security features are available:

„ Password Security
The BIOS Setup utility includes a feature that allows a user to set either a
user or supervisor password, or both.
The user password controls booting of the system and controls access to
the Setup utility and the keyboard. User access to the BIOS Setup utility
is limited when a supervisor password is set. The supervisor password
allows full access to the system and the BIOS.
See Section 2, “System Configuration,” for further information on setting
and using passwords.

„ Windows Network Security Features
The Windows Network Security feature is available through the
Windows operating system. Check the Windows documentation for
details.

„ Locking Tab
The system has a locking tab on the rear of the chassis. The tab fits
through a slot on the rear edge of the chassis cover when the cover is on.
When a padlock is used in the tab, the system is physically protected
from chassis intrusion.

1-8 System Overview

Components
The major system components are listed in the following table, along with the
page number where each component is briefly described.
System Components
Component

Go to Page

System Board

1-9

Diskette Drive

1-10

Hard Drive*

1-10

Power Supply

1-10

Keyboard

1-10

Mouse

1-11

AGP Board**

1-11

CD-ROM Drive**

1-11

Speakers**

1-11

Fax/Modem Board**

1-12

PC Adapter Device**

1-12

Tape Backup Unit**

1-12

Zip Drive**

1-13

* Component varies by system
** Built-to-order component

System Board
The system board contains the Celeron, Pentium II, or Pentium III processor
mounted in a S.E.C. cartridge, system DIMM memory, Intel 440ZX AGPset,
Winbond® W83977TF super I/O controller, and Creative® ES1373 PCI audio
controller.
Internal connectors on the system board include two DIMM sockets, S.E.C.
cartridge socket (slot 1 connector), and AGP board connector.
External connectors on the system board include two serial connectors, a
parallel connector, two USB ports, keyboard port, mouse port, and external
audio connectors.
The system board supports the standard 1.44-MB diskette drive, and up to four
IDE devices such as a hard drive, CD-ROM drive, and Zip drive.
For further information on the system board, see Section 4, “System Board.”

System Overview 1-9

Diskette Drive
A single diskette drive is supported in the system. The installed 1.44-MB
3 1/2-inch diskette drive is connected by a ribbon cable with three connectors.
The diskette drive cable plugs directly into the system board. There are no
switches or jumpers that need to be set and the diskette drive is terminated.
Diskette drive specifications are given in Section 9, “Specifications.”

Hard Drive
All systems ship with one internal 3 1/2-inch hard drive (1-inch high, thinheight) installed in the bottom of the two internal drive slots, at the front of the
system. Drives are available in 4.3-GB, 8.4-GB, and 12.9-GB IDE Ultra DMA
models.
The system board has two IDE/PCI interface connectors (primary and
secondary) for connecting IDE storage devices. A three-connector IDE cable
connects to the IDE hard drive and the primary connector on the system board.
A second three-connector IDE cable connects to the IDE CD-ROM drive and
the secondary connector on the system board. Each connector supports up to
two IDE devices.
An optional second IDE hard drive can be added to the primary channel. If the
second hard drive is installed, it connects to the middle connector on the IDE
cable.
Hard drive jumper settings are given in Section 2, “System Configuration.”
Connector locations for the IDE hard drive connectors on the system board are
given in Section 4, “System Board.” Hard drive specifications are given in
Section 9, “Specifications.”

Power Supply
The 90-watt or 145-watt power supply is mounted inside the system unit. It
supplies power to the system board, option boards, diskette drive, hard drives,
CD-ROM drive, DVD-ROM drive, keyboard, mouse, and other internal options.
A fan inside the power supply provides system ventilation.
Power supply connector locations on the system board are given in Section 4,
“System Board.” Power supply specifications are given in Section 9,
“Specifications.”

Keyboard
The PS/2-compatible ergodynamic keyboard is standard equipment for the
system. The keyboard provides a numeric keypad, separate cursor control keys,
12 function keys, and is capable of up to 48 functions. Key status lamps on the
keyboard include Num (Numeric) Lock, Caps (Capital) Lock, and Scroll Lock.
The keyboard’s six-pin connector plugs into the back of the system. Keyboard
specifications are given in Section 9, “Specifications.”

1-10 System Overview

Mouse
The system ships with a Microsoft IntelliMouse PS/2-compatible mouse or a
Logitech PS/2-compatible mouse as standard equipment. The mouse has two
buttons and a cursor control wheel. The mouse has a self-cleaning mechanism
that prevents a buildup of dust or lint around the mouse ball and tracking
mechanism.
The six-pin mouse cable connector plugs into the back of the system. Mouse
specifications are given in Section 9, “Specifications.”

AGP Board
All systems come with a graphics accelerator board preinstalled in the AGP slot.
The board provides an integrated, advanced MPEG (Motion Picture Experts
Group), 3D and 2D graphics and video accelerator for exceptional graphics and
superior quality full-screen, full-motion video.
Included on the board is a standard VGA output connector for connecting a
VGA-compatible monitor.
Graphics modes are given in Section 2, “System Configuration.” Graphics board
specifications are given in Section 9, “Specifications.”

CD-ROM Drive
All systems come with a 32X or 40X CD-ROM drive. The drive features up to
32-speed or 40-speed technology, affording faster data transfer and smoother
animation and video. The CD-ROM drive comes with an Enhanced IDE (EIDE)
interface. The drive is fully compatible with Kodak Multisession Photo CDs™,
CD-I, FMV, and CD Plus, as well as standard CDs. The CD-ROM drive can
also play audio CDs (for systems with sound capabilities).
A three-connector IDE cable connects the IDE drive to the secondary IDE/PCI
channel on the system board. The drive is connected as the master device on the
secondary channel. An optional second device can be added to the secondary
channel using the free connector on the three-connector cable.
CD-ROM jumper settings are included in Section 2, “System Configuration.”
Specifications for the CD-ROM drive are given in Section 9, “System
Specifications.”

Speakers
Some systems come with a high-quality 10-watt stereo speaker set, an AC
adapter, and connecting cables. One speaker has a power on/off/volume control.
Volume can also be controlled by the Windows sound software. The speaker set
connects to the speaker line out jack on the back of the system.
Speaker specifications are given in Section 9, “Specifications.”

System Overview 1-11

Fax/Modem Board
Some systems come with a fax/modem board preinstalled. The board operates as
a fax system and data modem according to the operating system and software
installed. The modem board offers a full-duplex speakerphone and 56,600 bits
per second (bps) data/14,400 bps fax communications.
The fax/modem board is Plug and Play compatible. There are no switches or
jumpers to set if the system is running the Window 95 operating system. The
fax/modem default settings are COM2, IRQ3 for Windows 95. Systems running
the Windows NT 4.0 operating system must be configured for COM2 and IRQ3.
See Section 2, “System Configuration,” for information on setting Windows NT
jumpers. Section 4, “System Board,” includes cable connection information for
the fax/modem. Fax/modem board specifications are provided in Section 9,
“Specifications.”

Network Board
Some systems come with a 10/100 network board installed in a PCI slot.
Specifications for the network board are given in Section 9, “Specifications.”

PC Adapter Device
Some systems come with a PC Adapter Device. The PC adapter provides twin
PC card slots, which support two Type I/II cards, or one Type I/II card and one
Type III. The adapter supports ISA Plug and Play, and allows cards of mixed
voltage to be used in the same system. PC cards can provide the system with
memory, storage, fax/modem capabilities, video capabilities, or a serial port
interface. The PC adapter driver enables full diskette drive or hard disk
emulation on flash cards compatible with all compression and PC-utilities
software.
The adapter is comprised of a “SwapBox” installed in a 5 1/4-inch accessible
slot, a PC ISA adapter card, and a dual cable that connects them to the PC
adapter bus.
PC adapter device connector locations are given in Section 4, “System Board.”
PC adapter device specifications are given in Section 9, “Specifications.”

Tape Backup Unit
Some systems come with a tape backup unit. The tape backup unit is a highcapacity, high-performance data storage device that can compress and write data
to and read and uncompress data from tape. The unit also comes with backup
software used to tailor the backup process so that some or all of the files on the
system can be backed up to a tape cartridge. Files backed up to a tape backup
unit are compressed to conserve space and to speed up the backup process.

1-12 System Overview

The tape backup unit installs in a 5 1/4-inch accessible slot. The installed tape
backup unit is connected to an IDE cable that connects to the system board. The
PCI/IDE channel, and the master/slave configuration of the unit depend on the
specific configuration of the system.
Tape backup unit connector locations on the system board are given in
Section 4, “System Board.” Tape backup unit specifications are given in
Section 9, “Specifications.”

Zip Drive
Some systems come with a Zip drive. The Zip drive is a high-capacity, highperformance data storage device that writes data on and reads data from Zip
disks. A Zip disk is flexible media contained in a durable plastic cartridge. The
Zip drive supports removable Zip disks with a formatted capacity of 100 MB.
The Zip drive can be used to back up work, archive old files, and transport work
between computers.
The Zip drive is installed in a 5 1/4-inch accessible slot. The installed Zip drive
is connected to an IDE cable that connects to the system board. The PCI/IDE
channel and the master/slave configuration of the drive depend on the specific
configuration of the system.
Zip drive cable connections are given in Section 4, “System Board.” Zip drive
specifications are given in Section 9, “Specifications.”

System Overview 1-13

2
System Configuration
„ Interrupt Requests
„ Jumper Settings
„ BIOS Setup
„ Video Modes
„ Utilities

This section provides information for configuring the system. The section
includes:

„
„
„
„
„
„

system interrupt request (IRQ) assignments
system jumper settings
procedures for using the BIOS Setup utility to configure the system
descriptions of video modes
information on power management
descriptions and procedures for using the following utilities and
applications

 BIOS Update utility
 NEC OS Restore CD
 NEC Application and Driver CD
 Cheyenne Backup
 Intel Processor Serial Number Control utility.

Interrupt Requests
The following paragraphs list the system interrupts (IRQs), parallel addresses
and interrupts, and serial addresses and interrupts. Section 4, “System Board,”
includes information on system resources (memory map, I/O addresses, and
DMA settings).

System Interrupts
The system has 16 IRQs (IRQ 0 through 15) assigned to different devices (for
example, printer, modem, keyboard, mouse). Initial IRQ settings are assigned at
the factory, with settings dependent on the installed device(s). Several IRQs are
unassigned for the installation of add-on devices. See “BIOS Setup” utility in
this section for information on using the utility to assign or change the
interrupts.
The following table lists the IRQ settings. Note that assignments 0 through 15
are in order of decreasing priority.

2-2 System Configuration

Interrupt Level Assignments*
Interrupt Priority

Interrupt Device

NMI

I/O Channel Check

IRQ00

System Timer

IRQ01

Keyboard

IRQ02

Programmable Interrupt Cascade

IRQ03

COM2*

IRQ04

COM1*

IRQ05

LPT2 (plug and play option)/Audio integrated on system
board/User available

IRQ06

Diskette Drive Controller

IRQ07

Parallel Port 1

IRQ08

Real-Time clock

IRQ09

User Available

IRQ10

User Available

IRQ11

User Available (used by network board if present)*

IRQ12

Mouse

IRQ13

Reserved, Math Coprocessor

IRQ14

Primary IDE

IRQ15

Secondary IDE

* In Plug and Play systems, these interrupts are typical but may vary by configuration.

Parallel Port Interrupts
The parallel port I/O interrupts are given in the following table. The table lists
all of the possible configurations but the port only uses one set. Any interrupts
used for the built-in parallel port are not available for ISA parallel ports.
Parallel Port Interrupts
Port

Interrupt

LPT1

IRQ05

LPT2

IRQ05

LPT3

IRQ05

LPT1

IRQ07

LPT2

IRQ07

LPT3

IRQ07

System Configuration 2-3

Serial Port Interrupts
The interrupts for serial port 1 and serial port 2 are given in the following table.
Any interrupts used for the built-in serial ports are not available for ISA parallel
ports. Also, if serial ports share an interrupt, verify that hardware and software
added to the system can share these interrupts without problems.
Serial Port 1 and Serial Port 2 Interrupts
Port

Interrupt

COM1

IRQ04

COM2*

IRQ03

COM3

IRQ04

COM4

IRQ03

COM1

IRQ03

COM2

IRQ04

COM3

IRQ03

COM4

IRQ04

Jumper Settings
Jumpers on the boards and devices in the system are used to set the system
configuration. Boards and devices using jumpers include:

„
„
„
„
„

system board
CD-ROM drive
fax/modem board
Zip drive
tape backup unit.

The following paragraphs list the jumpers and their factory settings.
Note: Jumpers are set correctly at the factory for the
system configuration. If a jumper change is required, change
only the setting for that condition (see Section 4 for
procedures on setting jumpers).

2-4 System Configuration

System Board Jumper Settings
The system board has four jumper blocks: Processor/Bus Speed jumper block
SW1, Power On Mode jumper block JP1, Clear CMOS jumper block JBAT1,
and Wake-Up on LAN jumper block JWOL. Each is briefly described in the
following paragraphs. Procedures for setting the jumpers are included in
Section 4. Specifications for the system board are included in Section 9.

! CAUTION
Jumpers are set correctly at the factory for the system
configuration. Only change (or check) the appropriate
jumper settings. Otherwise, keep the jumpers at their factory
settings.

Jumper block SW1 is a four-pin pair jumper block for setting the system
processor/speed for a specific processor. The settings are shown in the following
figure.
Processor/Bus Speed Jumper Block SW1 Settings
233 MHz/66 MHz
350 MHz/100 MHz

366 MHz/66 MHz

266 MHz/66 MHz
400 MHz/100 MHz

400 MHz/66 MHz

300 MHz/66 MHz
450 MHz/100 MHz

433 MHz/66 MHz

333 MHz/66 MHz
500 MHz/100 MHz

System Configuration 2-5

Power On Mode jumper JP1 is a two-pin block for setting how the system
powers up. Depending on the jumper setting, the system powers up when the
power button is pressed or when the power cord is connected. The factory
settings are shown in the following table.
Power On Mode Jumper JP1 Settings
Function

Jumper Pins

Description

Power
Button Boot

1 and 2

Enables system power on when the power button is
pressed. Factory setting: pins 1 and 2 jumpered.

Power Cord
Boot

Open

Enables system power on when the power cord is
connected.

Clear CMOS jumper JBAT1 is a three-pin block for clearing the CMOS and
system password. The factory settings are shown in the following table.

! CAUTION
To prevent damage to the system board, do not clear CMOS
and password while power is on.

Clear CMOS Jumper JBAT1 Settings
Function

Jumper Pins

Description

Normal

1 and 2

Disables Clear CMOS and Password function. Factory
setting: pins 1 and 2 jumpered.

Clear
CMOS and
Password

2 and 3

Enables Clear CMOS and Password function.

Wake-On LAN jumper JWOL is a three-pin jumper block for use with a
network board. The factory settings are shown in the following table.
Wake-On LAN Jumper JWOL Settings
Function

Jumper Pins

Description

Enable

1 and 2

Enables onboard Wake-On LAN. Factory setting: pins 1
and 2 jumpered.

Disable

2 and 3

Disables onboard Wake-On LAN.

2-6 System Configuration

Maxtor IDE Hard Drive Jumper Settings
The factory settings for the jumpers on the Maxtor IDE hard drive are shown in
the following table. The settings are for a single drive installed in the system.
Specifications for the hard drive are included in Section 9.
Maxtor IDE Hard Drive Jumper Settings
Function

Jumper Pins

Description

Master Device

J50-1 and
J50-2

Sets hard drive as master device in single drive system.
Factory setting: pins J50-1 and J50-2 jumpered.

Slave Device

J50-1 and
J50-2

Sets hard drive as slave.

Cable Select
(CSEL)

J48-1 and
J48-2

Not used. Factory setting: pins J48-1 and J48-2 open.

Cylinder
Limitation

J46-1 and
J46-2

Not used. Factory setting: pins J46-1 and J46-2 open.

Seagate IDE Hard Drive Jumper Settings
The factory settings for the jumpers on the Seagate IDE hard drive are shown in
the following table. The settings are for a single drive installed in the system.
Specifications for the hard drive are included in Section 9.
Seagate IDE Hard Drive Jumper Settings
Function

Jumper Pins

Description

Master Device

5 and 6

Sets hard drive as master device in single drive system.
Factory setting: pins 5 and 6 jumpered.

Slave Device

Open

Sets hard drive as slave.

Cable Select
(CSEL)

3 and 4

Not used. Factory setting: pins 3 and 4 open.

NEC 32X CD-ROM Drive Jumper Settings
The factory settings for the jumpers on the NEC 32X CD-ROM drive are shown
in the following table. The drive is set as the master device on the secondary
channel. Specifications for the CD-ROM drive are included in Section 9.
NEC 32X CD-ROM Drive Jumper Settings
Jumper

Jumper Pin Settings

Cable Select (CS)

Not used.

Slave Present (SL)

Disabled, pin 2 open (factory default).
Enabled, pin 2 jumpered.

Master Select (MA)

Enabled, pin 3 jumpered (factory default).
Disabled, pin 3 open.

System Configuration 2-7

Lite-On 32X CD-ROM Drive Jumper Settings
The factory settings for the jumpers on the Lite-On 32X CD-ROM drive are
shown in the following table. The drive is set as the master device on the
secondary channel. Specifications for the CD-ROM drive are included in
Section 9.
Lite-On 32X CD-ROM Drive Jumper Settings
Jumper

Jumper Pin Settings

Cable Select (CS)

Disabled, pins open (factory default).
Enabled, pins jumpered.

Slave Present (SL)

Disabled, pins open (factory default).
Enabled, pins jumpered.

Master Select (MA)

Enabled, pins jumpered (factory default).
Disabled, pins open.

Zip Drive Jumper Settings
The factory settings for the jumpers on the Zip drive are shown in the following
table. The settings description applies when looking at the back of the drive,
with the IDE connector to the left of the jumper block. The drive is set as the
slave device on the primary channel. Specifications for the Zip drive are
included in Section 9.
Zip Drive Jumper Settings
Jumper

Jumper Pin Settings

Drive 0 Select (Master Drive Select)

Right two pin sets jumpered.

Drive 1 Select (Slave Drive Select)

Right-most pin set jumpered.

Cable Select Mode

All three pin sets jumpered.

Tape Backup Unit Jumper Settings
The factory settings for the jumpers on the tape backup unit are shown in the
following table. Specifications for the unit are included in Section 9.
Tape Backup Unit Jumper Settings
Jumper

Jumper Pin Settings

Cable Select (CS)

Not used (pins 1-2 open).

Master Device (DS)

Enabled, DS (pins 5-6) jumpered.
Disabled, DS (pins 5-6) open (factory default).

Slave Device (SL)

Disabled, SL (pins 3-4) open (factory default).
Enabled, SL (pins 3-4) jumpered.

2-8 System Configuration

BIOS Setup Utility
The AMI BIOS Setup utility program is used to configure the main components
of the computer.
The computer ships from the factory with the correct system parameters for the
configuration. Unless optional hardware is added, it’s not necessary to run the
BIOS Setup utility to operate the system. However, the Setup utility should be
run to set features that customize the system, such as security features.
System configuration information is stored in a nonvolatile memory device. The
device retains its data when system power is turned off. Nonvolatile memory is
stored in a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) memory chip
backed up by a battery on the system board. The battery supplies continuous
power to CMOS memory and maintains configuration information when system
power is off (see “Battery Replacement” in Section 3).
NEC CSD recommends that the current BIOS Setup parameters be printed out
or written down and the information stored in a safe place. This lets you restore
the system to the current parameters if replacing the battery.

How to Start BIOS Setup
Follow these steps to start the BIOS Setup utility.
1. Turn on or reboot the system.
2. Press F2 as soon as you see the following message at the bottom of the NEC
startup screen.
Press F2 to enter BIOS Setup

You have about five seconds to press F2 before the system boot continues.
3. Setup’s Main Menu appears and looks similar to the following screen.
Setup Main Menu
Main Menu
Main

Advanced

Security

BIOS Version
Processor Type
Processor Speed
Cache RAM
Total Memory
DRAM Bank 0
DRAM Bank 1
System Date
System Time
Floppy Drive A
Floppy Drive B
Primary IDE Master
Primary IDE Slave
Secondary IDE Master
Secondary IDE Slave

Exit
Setup Help

VI.xxxx
Pentium
333 MHz
512 KB
32 Mb
SDRAM
None
Wed Jan 20 1999
10:17:59

Month:
Day:
Year:

Jan-Dec
01-31
1901-2099

1.44 MB 3 1/2
Not Installed
Auto
Auto
Auto
Auto

Previous Item
Next Item
Select Menu

Esc: Exit

Enter: Select

F5: Setup Defaults

F6: Original Values

F10: Save & Exit

System Configuration 2-9

How to Use BIOS Setup
Use the keys shown on the bottom of the Main menu to make your selections or
exit the current menu. The following table describes the navigation keys.
Navigation Keys
Key

Function

Esc

Exits the menu.

Enter

Executes Command or brings up a submenu.

F5

Loads the Default Configuration values for this menu.

F6

Selects the Original Values for the field.

F10

Saves changes and Exits the BIOS Setup utility.

↑ or ↓ arrow keys

Moves cursor up and down in the menu.

← or → arrow keys

Selects next menu.

Help Setup information displays on the right side of the Setup screen.

Main Menu
The BIOS Setup utility usually comes up displaying the Main Menu. If BIOS is
displaying another menu, choose the Main Menu by selecting Main in the
legend bar.
See “How to Start BIOS Setup” for a look at a typical Main Menu screen.
Main Menu options are available by selecting submenus. Use the arrow keys to
select a Main Menu option. Press Enter to display the submenu. Explanations of
typical Main Menu options and suboptions appear in the following tables.
Actual explanations and settings may vary between systems.
Main Menu Items
Menu Item

Settings (default is bold)

BIOS Version

This field is read-only and cannot be changed from the BIOS Setup
utility.
Example: V1.001

Processor Type

This field is read-only and cannot be changed from the BIOS Setup
utility.
Example: Celeron

Processor Speed

This field is read-only and cannot be changed from the BIOS Setup
utility.
Example: 333 MHz

2-10 System Configuration

Main Menu Items
Menu Item

Settings (default is bold)

Cache RAM

This field is read-only and cannot be changed from the BIOS Setup
utility.
Example: 128 KB

Total Memory

This field is read-only and cannot be changed from the BIOS Setup
utility.
Example: 32 MB

DRAM Bank 0
DRAM Bank 1

These fields are read-only and cannot be changed from the BIOS
Setup utility.
Example:
DRAM Bank 0 32 MB SDRAM
DRAM Bank 1 None

System Date

Set system date in this field. Press Tab or Enter to move between
month, date, and year fields.
Example:
Jan 20 1999

System Time

Set system time in this field. Press Tab or Enter to move between
hour, minute, and second fields.
Example: 09:30:00

Floppy Drive A:

Disabled
360 KB 5 1/4"
1.2 MB 5 1/4"
720 KB 3 1/2"
1.44/1.25 MB 3 1/2"
2.88 MB 3 1/2"

Floppy Drive B

Not Installed

Primary IDE Master
Primary IDE Slave
Secondary IDE Master
Secondary IDE Slave

Device type, Auto
Device type, Auto
Device type, Auto
Device type, Auto
Each device menu item displays the Hard drive or CD-ROM
identifier if a device is installed.
If you install a hard drive that does not feature auto IDE type
detection or your IDE hard drive was formatted on another system
with parameters different from those reported by the drive, enter a
parameter for each of the fields in the device submenu.
Bring up a device submenu by pressing Enter. The submenus
include Type, Cylinders, Write Precompensation, Heads, Sectors,
LBA Mode, Block Mode, Fast Programmed I/O Modes, and 32-Bit
Transfer Mode. Each mode is briefly described in the following.

System Configuration 2-11

Main Menu Items
Menu Item
Type

Settings (default is bold)
None, CD-ROM, IDE Removable, User,
ATAPI Removable, Auto
Defaults to Disabled and changes at boot time based on autodetection. When set to Auto, the values for Cylinders, Heads,
Sectors, and Maximum Capacity are displayed but are read only.
When set to Auto, the BIOS detects what the drive is capable of, not
the translation mechanism that was used to format the drive. If a
drive is run in a mode other than the mode in which it was
partitioned and formatted, unpredictable results may occur, including
data loss.

Cylinders

When Type is Auto, value in the Cylinders field is auto-detected and
field is read only.

Write
Precompensation

When Type is Auto, value in the Write Precompensation field is
auto-detected and field is read only.

Heads

When Type is Auto, value in Heads field is auto-detected and field is
read only.

Sectors

When Type is Auto, value in Sectors field is auto-detected and field
is read only.

Maximum
Capacity

xxxx MB

LBA Mode

On, Off
When On is selected, it causes logical block addressing to be used
in place of cylinders, heads, and sectors.
When Type is set to Auto, the value in the LBA Mode field is autodetected and the field is read only.

Block Mode

On, Off
When On is selected, it allows block mode data transfers.
When Type is set to Auto, the value in the Block Mode field is autodetected and the field is read only.

Fast Programmed I/O
Modes

Auto, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
Sets the Advanced PIO mode.

32 Bit Transfer Mode

ON, Off
When On, allows 32 bit data transfers.

2-12 System Configuration

Advanced Menu
The Advanced Menu is a top-level menu in the BIOS Setup utility. Choose the
Advanced Menu by selecting Advanced in the legend bar.
Advanced Menu options are available by selecting submenus. Use the arrow
keys to select an Advanced Menu option. Press Enter to display the submenu.
Settings of the Advanced Menu options and suboptions appear in the following
tables.

! CAUTION
Setting items on this menu to incorrect values can cause
your system to malfunction.

Advanced Menu - Advanced CMOS Setup
Menu Item

Settings (default is bold)

Event Log Capacity

Status only. Press Enter to view the capacity.

Event Log Validity

Status only. Press Enter to view the validity of events.

View DMI Event Log

Status only. Press Enter to view the DMI log.

Clear all DMI Events
Logs

No, Yes
Selecting No prevents clearing out the DMI events logs.

Event Logging

Enabled, Disabled
Selecting Enabled permits event logging.

ECC Event Logging

Enabled, Disabled
Selecting Enabled permits ECC event logging.

Quick Boot

Enabled, Disabled
When Enabled, the BIOS does not test system memory above 1 MB or
wait for ready signals, allowing a quick boot.

st

1 Boot Device

Disabled, IDE-0, IDE-1, IDE-2, IDE-3, Floppy, LS-120, ATAPI Zip,
CDROM, SCSI, Network
Sets the hard drive as the first boot device.

nd

2

Boot Device

Disabled, IDE-0, IDE-1, IDE-2, IDE-3, Floppy, LS-120, ATAPI Zip,
CDROM, SCSI, Network
Sets the diskette drive as the second boot device.

rd

3 Boot Device

Disabled, IDE-0, IDE-1, IDE-2, IDE-3, Floppy, LS-120, ATAPI Zip,
CDROM, SCSI, Network
Sets the CD-ROM drive as the third boot device.

System Configuration 2-13

Advanced Menu - Advanced CMOS Setup
Menu Item

Settings (default is bold)

Quiet Boot

Enabled, Disabled
When Enabled, displays the NEC splash screen, with settings for
displaying POST or entering the BIOS setup.

S.M.A.R.T. for Hard
Disks

Disabled, Enabled
Select Enabled to use the Self Monitoring Analysis and Reporting
Technology (S.M.A.R.T.) for reporting server system information over
a network.

PS/2 Mouse Support

Enabled, Disabled
Select Enabled to allow use of a PS/2 mouse.

CPU Serial Number

Disabled, Enabled

Advanced Menu - Advanced Chipset Setup
Menu Item

Settings (default is bold)

Graphics Aperture
Size

4 MB, 8 MB, 16 MB, 32 MB, 64 MB, 128 MB, 256 MB
Determines the effective size of the graphics aperture used in the
particular PAC configuration.

USB Keybd/Mouse
Legacy Support

Disabled, Enabled
Select Enabled to enable the BIOS USB functions for legacy keyboards
and mice.

Advanced Menu - Power Management Setup
Menu Item

Settings (default is bold)

Power
Management/APM

Enabled, Disabled
The Enabled setting enables Power Management and Advanced Power
Management (APM).

Video Power Down
Mode

Disabled, Standby, Suspend
Specifies the power conserving state that the VESA VGA video
subsystem enters after a specified period of display inactivity has
expired.

Hard Disk Power
Down Mode

Disabled, Standby, Suspend
Specifies the power conserving state that the hard disk drive enters
after a specified period of inactivity has expired.

Standby Time Out
(Minutes)

Disabled, 1, 2, 4, 8, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60
Specifies the length of time of system inactivity while in full power on
state before entering Standby state.

2-14 System Configuration

Advanced Menu - Power Management Setup
Menu Item

Settings (default is bold)

Suspend Time Out
(Minutes)

Disabled, 1, 2, 4, 8, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60
Specifies the length of time of system inactivity while in Standby state
before entering Suspend power state.

Power Button
Function

Sleep/Suspend
Sleep/Suspend sets the power switch for Suspend (Sleep) mode. With
power on, pressing the switch once places the system in sleep mode.
Pressing and holding the switch in for 4 seconds turns power off.

Restore on
AC/Power Loss

Stay Off, Power On, Last State
The Power On setting turns power on after a power loss. Jumper JP1
must be set for Power On (see “Setting System Board Jumpers” for
procedures on setting JP1).

Ring Resume from
Soft Off

Disabled, Enabled
The Disabled setting causes the system to ignore any incoming call
from a modem. Enabled allows the system to boot up on an incoming
telephone call. Not supported on Windows 98 systems.

LAN Resume from
Soft Off

Disabled, Enabled
The Disabled setting causes the system to ignore any incoming signal
from the LAN network board. Enabled allows the system to boot up on
an incoming LAN signal from the network board.

RTC Alarm
Resume from Soft
Off

Disabled, Enabled

RTC Alarm Date

Sets the day that the system boots up (RTC Alarm Resume Enabled).

RTC Alarm Hour

Sets real time clock alarm hour (RTC Alarm Resume Enabled).

RTC Alarm Minute

Sets real time clock alarm minute (RTC Alarm Resume Enabled).

RTC Alarm Second

Sets real time clock alarm second (RTC Alarm Resume Enabled).

When Enabled, you can choose the date and time the system boots up
(see the following date and time settings).

System Configuration 2-15

Advanced Menu - PCI/Plug and Play Setup
Menu Item

Settings (default is bold)

Plug and Play
Aware O/S

No for Win NT, Yes for Win 9x
Select Yes if the system’s operating system is Plug and Play compliant.

Primary Graphics
Adapter

PCI, AGP
Select AGP if the graphics board is AGP. Select PCI if the graphics
board is PCI.

PCI VGA Palette
Snoop

Disabled, Enabled
Set to Enabled if an ISA adapter board requires VGA palette snooping.

PCI IDE Bus
Master

Disabled, Enabled
Set to Enabled to specify that the IDE controller on the PCI local bus
includes a bus mastering device.

Advanced Menu - Peripheral Setup
Menu Item

Settings (default is bold)

Onboard Sound
Chip

Disabled, Enabled
The Enabled setting allows use of onboard sound.

Onboard FDC

Auto, Disabled, Enabled
Select Auto to automatically detect FDC devices.

Onboard Serial
Port A

Auto, Disabled, 3F8h, 2F8h, 3E8h, eE8h

Onboard Serial
Port B

Auto, Disabled, 3F8h, 2F8h, 3E8h, eE8h

IR I/O Pin Location
Select

SINB/SOUTB, IRRX/IRTX

Serial Port B Mode

Normal, IrDA, ASK IR
Selecting Normal sets the port for normal use, not for IR use.

IR Duplex Mode

N/A

IrDa Protocol

N/A

Onboard Parallel
Port

Auto, Disabled, 378, 3BC
Select Auto to allow the BIOS to automatically assign the parallel port to
an available parallel port IRQ.

Parallel Port Mode

Normal, Bi-Dir, EPP, ECP
Use this mode to choose the operating mode of the onboard parallel
port.

EPP Version

2-16 System Configuration

Use this setting (1.7 or 1.9) to select the EPP version.

Advanced Menu - Peripheral Setup
Menu Item

Settings (default is bold)

Parallel Port IRQ

Parallel port 7
Setting depends on setting of Parallel Port Mode. If not set at auto, you
can select the interrupt line for the onboard parallel port.

Parallel Port DMA
Channel

This option allows you to choose DMA channel 1 to 3 for the onboard
parallel port in ECP mode.

Onboard IDE

Disabled, Primary, Secondary, Both
The Both setting enables both the primary and secondary IDE
controllers.

Hard Disk Delay
Time

Disabled, 3 sec., 6 sec., 9 sec., 12 sec., 15 sec., 21 sec., 30 sec.
The hard disk delay time gives the hard disk time to spin up before the
system boots.

Advanced Menu - Change Language Setting
Menu Item

Settings (default is bold)

Language

English

Security Menu
The Security Menu is a top-level menu in the BIOS Setup utility. Choose the
Security Menu by selecting Security in the legend bar.
Security Menu options are available by selecting submenus. Use the arrow keys
to select a Security Menu option. Press Enter to display the submenu. Settings
of the Security Menu options and suboptions appear in the following table.
Security Menu Items
Menu Item

Settings (default is bold)

Password Check

Setup, Always

Set Supervisor
Password

[Enter]
Use this field to set or change the supervisor password. Press Enter to
bring up a dialog box where the password can be entered and
confirmed.

Set User Password

[Enter]
Use this field to set or change the user password. Press Enter to bring
up a dialog box where the password can be entered and confirmed.

System Configuration 2-17

Exit Menu
The Exit Menu is a top-level menu in the BIOS Setup utility. Choose the Exit
Menu by selecting Exit in the legend bar.
Exit Menu options are available by selecting submenus. Use the arrow keys to
select an Exit Menu option. Press Enter to display the submenu. Explanations of
the Exit Menu options and suboptions appear in the following table.
Exit Menu Items
Menu Item

Settings (default is bold)

Exit Saving Changes

Implements the changes just made, and exits BIOS.

Exit Discarding
Changes

Reverts to the settings from before the BIOS session.

Load Optimal
Settings

Reverts to the factory set optimal settings.

Load Fail Safe
Settings

Reverts to the factory set fail safe settings.

Load Original Values

Reverts to the factory-shipped settings.

FLASH Utility
The system BIOS resides on a ROM chip in the system and is updated using the
following procedure. Before starting the BIOS update, NEC recommends that
you first contact NEC CSD for assistance (see Section 8 for contacts).
Update the Flash ROM with a BIOS flash diskette. You can get the diskette
from NEC CSD or download the BIOS from the NEC CSD website or Bulletin
Board System (BBS). See Section 8 for download, website, and bulletin board
system information.
Update the BIOS from the BIOS flash diskette as follows.
1. Write down the BIOS Setup parameters currently set on your system, then
turn off the system.
2. Put the flash diskette in drive A and turn on the system.
3. At the flash upgrade menu, type Y (without parenthesis) when prompted to
save the existing BIOS.

„ When asked for a file name for the existing BIOS, choose a name easily
recognized and with no more than eight characters. An extension is not
required but, if desired, you can use .rom (without parenthesis).

„ Press Enter to save the existing BIOS file.
4. At the prompt asking for a file name for the BIOS update:

„ Use the form biosname.rom where biosname represents the BIOS
filename of the BIOS update on the diskette.
2-18 System Configuration

„ Press Enter.
5. At the message EPROM programming is ready to start, type Y (without
parenthesis) to continue. After the upgrade completes, remove the diskette.
6. Reboot the system and start the Setup program. Press F5 to reset the BIOS
defaults. Use the recorded Setup selections you made at the beginning of this
procedure to set the parameters.
If you receive the message “CMOS Setting Wrong”, with options to run
Setup or load default settings, press F1 to load default settings.

NEC OS Restore CD
The following procedures describe how to use the NEC OS Restore CD that
ships with the system.
Read the following subsections in their entirety before using the NEC OS
Restore CD to restore the Windows operating system or factory-installed drivers
on the system.

Introducing OS Restore Options
The NEC OS Restore CD contains the Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows
NT operating system and device drivers for the hardware that was factoryinstalled in the system. Use this CD to restore the system to its working state if a
problem occurs that causes data loss or corruption.
After restoring the operating system, use the NEC Application and Driver CD to
install applications, optional drivers, and online documents.
Note: Use the NEC Application and Driver CD to install or
restore applications, optional drivers, and online documents (see
“NEC Application and Driver CD” later in this section).

Choosing a Restore Program
The OS Restore program allows you to reinstall the Windows 95, Windows 98,
or Windows NT operating system. Restore can be done in the following ways:

„ Auto, which reformats and repartitions the hard drive before restoring the
Windows OS and factory-shipped drivers (see “Auto Rebuild and
Restore”)

„

Custom, which reformats the hard drive with the option to repartition

before restoring the Windows OS and factory-shipped drivers (see
“Custom Rebuild and Restore”)

„

Fix OS for Windows 95 and Windows 98 systems, which reinstalls the

Windows OS while leaving data files intact. This restores the system to
where you can back up data files. This option is intended as a precursor to
a full format and restore (see “Fixing the Operating System”).

System Configuration 2-19

The operating system and factory-shipped drivers are always restored regardless
of which program was chosen.
See “NEC Application and Driver CD” for instructions on installing any of the
applications or online documents, or to install device drivers that did not come
with the system.

Launching the NEC OS Restore CD
Launch the NEC OS Restore CD as follows.

! CAUTION
The OS Restore program deletes all the data on the hard
drive. If possible, back up all data before performing an OS
restore.

1. Power on or restart the system and immediately insert the NEC OS Restore
CD into the CD-ROM drive. The Operating System Restore Welcome
screen appears (see the following figure).
Welcome screen

2. Click Continue to continue (or Exit to exit the program).
A License Agreement screen appears with three options: Back, Reject, and
Accept.
3. Read the license agreement and click Accept to continue.
The Restore Mode screen appears with four options: Back, Auto, Custom,
and Fix OS.

2-20 System Configuration

See one of the following sections to continue with the restore.

„ “Auto Rebuild and Restore”
„ “Custom Rebuild and Restore”
„ “Fixing the Operating System”
Auto Rebuild and Restore
Reformat and repartition the hard drive as follows.

! CAUTION
The OS Restore program deletes all the data on your hard
drive. If possible, back up all data before performing an OS
restore.

1. Launch the NEC OS Restore CD and follow the prompts to get to the
Restore Mode screen (see “Launching the OS Restore CD”).
2. Click Auto to repartition and reformat the hard drive.

„ If running Windows NT 4.0, go to step 4.
„ If running Windows 95 or Windows 98, the Partition Information screen
appears.
3. The Partition Information screen that appears in Windows 95 or Windows
98 has three options (Back, FAT 16, and FAT 32) and lets you select the File
Allocation Table (FAT) type you want to use for the operating system
restore.

„ Click Back to return to the Operating Mode screen.
„ Click FAT 16 to select the FAT 16 allocation table (current FAT type).
„ Click FAT 32 to select the FAT 32 allocation table (available for
Windows 95 or Windows 98 systems only).
Note: Some older software may not work in a Windows
95 or Windows 98 system configured for FAT 32. In addition,
select FAT16 if a dual-boot system (with Windows 95 or
Windows 98 and Windows NT 4.0) is desired.

4. A FAT 16 or FAT 32 Partition warning screen appears indicating that the
system is about to partition and format the hard drive using the FDISK
program. This warning screen contains three options: Back, Exit, and
Continue.

System Configuration 2-21

5. Click Continue. The following steps should take place.

„
„
„
„

System performs FDISK.
System reboots.
Partitions are formatted.
OS and drivers load from the CD.

The “Operating System Restore Completed” screen appears when all files
have been restored.
6. Remove the CD from the CD tray.
7. Click OK to reboot.
This completes the Auto Rebuild and Restore procedure.
See “NEC Application and Driver CD” for instructions on installing any of the
applications or online documents, or to install device drivers that did not come
with the system.
Restore any application or driver that was not provided by NEC by using the
vendor diskette(s) or CD-ROM(s) included in its original packaging.

Custom Rebuild and Restore
Format the hard drive with choices on repartitioning the drive as follows.
1. Launch the NEC OS Restore CD and follow the prompts to get to the
Restore Mode screen (see “Launching the OS Restore CD”).
2. Click Custom to repartition and/or reformat the hard drive before
reinstalling the operating system.
After clicking Custom, the integrity of the system’s existing FAT table is
verified.

„ If the table is functional, a Partitioning the Hard Drive screen appears
with options allowing you to retain the present partition structure or
partition the hard disk using FAT16 or FAT32.

„ If the existing partition table is not functional, the system performs an
“Auto” restore as described in “Auto Rebuild and Restore.”
3. If partitioning and reformatting the hard drive, go to step 6. Otherwise, click
Skip to retain the present partition structure on the hard drive.
The Format Mode screen appears with four options: Back, Quick, Full, and
Exit.

„ Click Back to return to the Partition Information screen.
„ Click Quick to do a quick hard drive format.

2-22 System Configuration

„ Click Full to do a full hard drive format.
„ Click Exit to terminate the restore process.
4. After you select the type of hard drive format you want to do (Quick or
Full), the Formatting Drive(s) screen appears with a status bar showing the
progress of the formatting.
After the drive is reformatted, the Installing Applications screen appears,
indicating the status as the operating system loads from the CD.
The drivers and other software components required for the operating
system are also loaded from the CD.
After the OS finishes loading, the “Operating System Restore Completed”
screen appears. Go to step 6.
5. To partition the hard drive, click Continue on the Partitioning the Hard
Drive screen. The Partition Information screen appears (in Windows 95 and
Windows 98 systems; in Windows NT 4.0 systems, the FAT16 Partition
warning appears as described in step 7).
6. The Partition Information screen has three options and lets you select the
File Allocation Table (FAT) type to use for the operating system restore.

„ Click Back to return to the Operating Mode screen.
„ Click FAT 16 to select the FAT16 allocation table (current FAT type).
„ Click FAT 32 to select the FAT32 allocation table (available for
Windows 95 and Windows 98 systems only).
Note: Some older software may not work in a Windows
95 or Windows 98 system configured for FAT 32.

Note: In Windows NT 4.0 systems, the Partition
Information screen does not appear. Instead, the FAT16
Partition warning appears. This screen is described in the
following paragraph.

7. After selecting the FAT type, a FAT 16 or FAT 32 Partition warning screen
appears indicating that the system is about to partition and format the hard
drive using the FDISK program. This warning screen contains three options:
Back, Exit, and Continue.
8. Click Continue. The following steps should take place.

„ System performs FDISK using the FAT type selected.
„ System reboots.

System Configuration 2-23

„ Partitions are formatted.
„ OS and drivers load from the CD.
The “Operating System Restore Completed” screen appears when all files
have been restored.
9. Remove the CD from the CD tray.
10. Click OK to reboot.
This completes the Custom Rebuild and Restore procedure.
See “NEC Application and Driver CD” for instructions on installing any of the
applications or online documents, or to install device drivers that did not come
with your system.
Restore any application or driver that was not provided by NEC by using the
vendor diskette(s) or CD-ROM(s) included in its original packaging.

Fixing the Operating System
Follow these steps to restore the operating system to a state for retrieving and
backing up data without repartitioning or reformatting the hard drive. Once all
data is backed up, perform another NEC OS Restore using the Auto or Custom
mode.

! CAUTION
The Auto and OS Restore programs delete all the data on
your hard drive. If possible, back up your data before
performing an OS restore with these options.

1. Launch the NEC OS Restore CD and follow the prompts to get to the
Restore Mode screen (see “Launching the OS Restore CD”).
2. Click Fix OS to do a basic operating system restore. The Fix OS screen
appears and displays two options (Back and Continue).
3. Click Continue. The Installing Applications screen appears, showing the
status of the restore. It also displays the version of Windows OS being
installed. The installation can take from 5 to 10 minutes.
Note: The drivers and other software components
required for the operating system are also loaded from the
CD.

After the OS finishes loading, the “Operating System Restore Completed”
screen appears.
4. Remove the CD from the CD tray.
5. Click OK to reboot.
2-24 System Configuration

This completes the OS Restore (or “Fix OS”) procedure. The system is now in a
state where data can be backed up. System settings previously located in the
C:\WINDOWS directory are now in a backup directory C:\WINDOWS.ORG.

! CAUTION
Some or all applications might not exhibit full functionality
after the Fix OS is performed. To restore the system to its
factory-installed state, perform another OS Restore using
the Auto or Custom option.

! CAUTION
Using the Fix OS option repetitively without using the Auto
or Custom option afterward might cause unpredictable
results.

To restore the system to its factory-installed state, perform another NEC OS
Restore using the Auto or Custom option (see “Launching the OS Restore
CD”).

NEC Application and Driver CD
The system comes with an NEC Application and Driver CD. Use this CD to
install any or all of the software that comes with your system, including

„
„
„
„

applications
utilities device drivers
NEC Help Center (online documentation)
Healthy Environment online brochure.
Note: If you restore the operating system, the drivers
that were factory-shipped are automatically installed.

Should a problem occur that causes data loss or corruption, you can restore these
files to the computer using one of the programs on the CD.

System Configuration 2-25

Launching the Application and Driver CD
Use the Application and Driver CD to install applications, drivers, utilities,
Internet browsers, and the online NEC Help Center.

! CAUTION
Do not select and install drivers for any hardware that is not
currently installed on the system. Doing so can damage the
operating system.

In Windows, launch the Application and Driver CD by inserting the CD into the
CD-ROM drive.
The Application and Driver Installation Utility dialog box appears. See
“Installing Software” for further instructions.

Installing Software
The Application and Driver Installation Utility dialog box consists of the
following components:

„ Selection Tabs — Located just below the title bar, each tab represents a
software category. The selection tabs include applications, drivers,
utilities, Internet browsers, and the online NEC Help Center.

„ Description — Located in the bottom portion of the dialog box, the text
describes the selected or highlighted software category or application,
driver, etc.

„ Install — Clicking the Install button installs the selected software.
„ Exit — Clicking the Exit button closes the Application and Driver
Installation Utility dialog box.
Once the Application and Driver Installation Utility dialog box appears, follow
these steps to install the desired software.
1. Click the selection tab of your choice.
2. Click the desired application, driver, or utility.

! CAUTION
Do not select and install drivers for any hardware that is not
currently installed on the system. Doing so can damage the
operating system.

2-26 System Configuration

3. Click Install to install the selection.
Follow the on-screen instructions to install the selection.
4. Click Exit to close the Application and Driver Installation Utility dialog box.
Remove the CD from the CD-ROM drive when the installation is complete.

NEC Help Center
NEC CSD provides an online NEC Help Center. The Help Center comes on the
NEC Application and Driver CD. It’s easy to install and it provides an overview
of the computer.
To install the NEC Help Center, see the following section “Installing the NEC
Help Center.” To uninstall the NEC Help Center, follow the instructions in
“Uninstalling the NEC Help Center.”

Installing the NEC Help Center
Install Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 on the system before installing the NEC
Help Center. The Help Center requires Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 to run
and it cannot be installed using the NEC OS Restore program unless Internet
Explorer 4.01 has already been installed.
Note: Install Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE) 4.01 on the
system before installing the NEC Help Center. The Help
Center requires IE 4.01 to run and it cannot be installed
unless IE 4.01 has already been installed.
Internet Explorer 4.01 comes preinstalled on systems with
the Windows 98 operating system.

Follow the instructions in the previous section, “Installing Applications,” to
install the NEC Help Center online documentation. The NEC Help Center is in
the list of applications that appear when the NEC Application and Driver CD is
started. Install it in the same manner as the applications and drivers in the list.

Uninstalling the NEC Help Center
Uninstall the NEC Help Center as follows.
1. Access the C:\Program Files\nechlpct directory.
2. Double click the Unwise.exe icon. All files related to the NEC Help Center
and the C:\Program Files\nechlpct directory are removed from the system.
To reinstall the NEC Help Center, use the NEC Application and Driver CD and
follow the instructions in “Installing the NEC Help Center.”

System Configuration 2-27

Resolutions for NEC VistaScan USB Monitors
The following table lists the supported resolutions for NEC PowerMate Series
systems with 15-inch and 17-inch NEC VistaScan™ USB monitors.

! CAUTION
Setting resolutions other than the rates listed in the following
table generates a “black" monitor screen.

Resolutions for 15 and 17 Inch NEC VistaScan USB Monitors
Mode

Resolution

Horizontal
Frequency (KHz)

Vertical
Frequency (Hz)

1

720 x 400

31.47

70

2

640 x 480

31.47

60

3

800 x 600

35.16

56

4

1024 x 768

35.52

87

5

640 x 480

37.50

75

6

800 x 600

37.88

60

7

640 x 480

43.3

85

8

800 x 600

46.88

75

9

1024 x 768

48.36

60

10

800 x 600

53.67

85

11

1024 x 768

60.02

75

12

1280 x 1024

63.98

60

13

1024 x 768

68.68

85

Cheyenne Backup
Cheyenne Backup is a data management and backup program, available on
systems running the Windows 95 operating system. If hard drive performance
degrades due to bad sectors or other internal problems, the Smart Hard Drive
utility automatically invokes the Cheyenne Backup program and backs up the
entire file system to a Zip drive or to a network drive.
Note: Cheyenne Backup does not work in conjunction
with an ATAPI tape drive.

Cheyenne Backup can also do regularly scheduled backups and scan files for
viruses during a backup operation.

2-28 System Configuration

Intel Processor Serial Number Control Utility
The Intel Processor Serial Number Control utility is a Windows program that
enables or disables the reading of the Pentium III processor serial number by
software. This function lets you control which software programs or websites
have permission to read the processor serial number. When installed, the utility
runs automatically each time the system powers on.
Note: The Intel Processor Serial Number Control Utility
is for use with systems shipping with the Intel Pentium III
processor. Installing this utility on a system which does not
contain a Pentium III processor generates an error message.

This utility places an icon in the Windows system tray. The icon provides a
visual status of the processor serial number. You have the option of hiding the
system tray icon. You can disable the processor serial number at any time.
However, enabling the serial number requires restarting the system.
The following information describes:

„
„
„
„
„
„

system requirements
installation procedures
processor serial number features
FAQs
errata
technical support.

System Requirements
The Intel Processor Serial Number Control utility requires:

„ Pentium III processor-based system
„ Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows NT® 4.0 (or later)
„ 2 megabytes of hard drive space.
Installation
The Intel Processor Serial Number Control Utility (version 1.0) comes on the
NEC Application and Driver CD. See the user’s guide for information about
using the NEC Application and Driver CD. Run setup.exe from the directory
where you unzip the file.

System Configuration 2-29

Processor Serial Number
The Intel processor serial number, a new feature of the Pentium III processor, is
an identifier for the processor. The processor serial number is designed to be
unique, and when used in conjunction with other identification methods, can be
used to identify the system or user. This number can be used in a wide variety of
applications which benefit from stronger forms of system and user
identification.
The processor serial number is analogous to a conventional serial number, with
these important differences:

„ A software application can read the processor serial number.
„ You can disable the reading of the serial number via utility programs
such as this one, or via the BIOS, depending on the system configuration.
For additional information about the Pentium III processor and the processor
serial number, please visit www.intel.com/pentiumiii.

FAQs
What are the benefits of the processor serial number?

You can use the processor serial number in applications which benefit from
stronger forms of system and user identification.
Why would I want to turn off my processor serial number?

Intel believes the processor serial number can provide compelling benefits to
users. They are developing features in conjunction with the processor serial
number to allow responsible service providers to provide services which
maintain your privacy. However, if you are concerned that a given
application/service using your processor number might impact your privacy, you
can turn off the processor serial number using the utility.
What is the default state of the processor serial number?

The default state of the processor serial number is on, until the Processor Serial
Number Control utility is installed. Once the Processor Serial Number Control
utility is installed, it turns the processor serial number off by default. You can
use the utility to turn on the processor serial number.
Can a website read my serial number without my knowledge?

No, generally not. Websites cannot read serial numbers unless you allow them
to download a program which can read the processor serial number. Almost all
browsers are configured to warn users whenever they download executable
software. Unless you disable the warning in the browser, you should receive a
notification.

2-30 System Configuration

Does Intel track serial numbers?

Generally not, other than related to the manufacturing process. Intel does not, in
the absences of advance and express consent of a user, collect serial number
data which is otherwise identified with a user.
Which programs and/or websites currently use the processor serial
number?

You can find a complete list of programs which can take advantage of the
processor serial number and other new capabilities of the Pentium III processor
at http://www.intel.com/pentiumiii/utility.htm.
How can I tell if my processor serial number is turned on?

The vast majority of Pentium III processor-based systems ship with the
processor serial number enabled. The control utility allows you to check the
status by:

„ Viewing the icon itself. The disabled icon shows a red circle with a
white “x.”

„ Clicking the task tray icon and selecting the “Status” menu item. Or you
can select the menu from the tool tip shown when you position the mouse
over the task tray icon.

Technical Support
For world wide 7 days a week, 24 hours a day technical support, please visit the
Intel support website at http://support.intel.com.
Email: support@intel.com.
In the United States, call 800-628-8686 from 5:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific
Standard Time.
For world wide phone contacts, please see
http://support.intel.com/support/feedback.htm.

System Configuration 2-31

3
Disassembly and Reassembly
„ System Unit Cover Removal
„ Expansion Board Removal
„ AGP Board Removal
„ Front Panel Removal
„ Blank Panel and Metal Shield Removal
„ DIMM Module Removal
„ Processor Cartridge Removal
„ 5 1/4-Inch Device Removal
„ 3 1/2-Inch Hard Drive Removal
„ 3 1/2-Inch Diskette Drive Removal
„ Power Supply Removal
„ System Board Removal
„ CMOS Battery Removal

This section contains step-by-step disassembly procedures for the system unit. A
simplified disassembly illustration is provided with most procedures. Section 5
includes a parts list and an illustrated parts breakdown showing an exploded
view of the system.
A Phillips-head screwdriver is the only required tool. For complete disassembly
of the system unit, follow the disassembly order listed in the following table. To
reassemble, follow the table and procedures in reverse order. Where reassembly
is not readily apparent, reassembly procedures are provided.
PowerMate VT 300i Series Disassembly Sequence
Sequence

Part Name

See Page

1

System unit covers

3-3

2

Expansion board

3-8

3

AGP Board

3-9

4

Front panel

3-9

5

Blank panel and metal shield

3-10

6

DIMM memory module

3-11

7

Processor cartridge

3-11

8

5 1/4-inch device

3-18

9

3 1/2-inch hard drive

3-19

10

3 1/2-inch diskette drive

3-19

11

Power supply

3-21

12

System board

3-22

13

CMOS battery

3-23

When disassembling the system unit, follow these general rules.

„ Before opening the system or handling boards or chips, touch the frame
to discharge static.

„
„
„
„

Disconnect all peripherals before disassembling the system unit.
Do not disassemble parts other than those specified in the procedure.
All screws are Phillips-head, unless otherwise specified.
Label any connector before removing it. Note where the connector goes
and in what position it was installed.

On completion of any reassembly, perform a power-on test. If a fault occurs,
verify that the reassembly was performed correctly.

3-2 Disassembly and Reassembly

! CAUTION
Before handling boards or chips, ground yourself to release
static.

System Unit Cover Removal
The following subsections describe how to remove and replace the system unit
left side cover and right side cover.

! CAUTION
Electrostatic discharge can damage computer components.
Discharge static electricity by touching a metal object before
removing the left side cover.

Removing the Left Side Cover
Remove the left side cover as follows.

! WARNING
Before removing the left side cover, turn off the power and
unplug the system power cable. Power is removed only
when the power cable is unplugged.

1. Turn off and unplug the system unit.
2. Unplug the keyboard, mouse, monitor, and any other device (such as a
printer) connected to the back of the system.
3. If a padlock is installed in the chassis locking tab on the back of the chassis,
remove it.
4. Remove the two thumb screws holding the left side cover to the rear of the
chassis (see the following figure).
5. Grasp the handle on the left side cover and slide the cover towards the rear
of the chassis about an inch.
6. Pull the top of the side cover away from the chassis about one-half inch,
then lift the cover up and off the system.

Disassembly and Reassembly

3-3

Removing the Left Side Cover

A – Left Side Cover
B – Thumb Screws

C – Handle
D – Lock Tab

Replacing the Left Side Cover
Replace the left side cover as follows.
Note: To prevent damage to system cables, carefully
position the cables out of the path of the cover.

1. Position the left side cover over the side of the chassis so that the back edge
of the cover is about an inch beyond the back edge of the chassis (see the
following figure).
2. Fit the flange on the bottom of the cover over the rail along the bottom edge
of the chassis.
3. Align the lock tab slot at the bottom rear of the cover with the lock tab.
4. Align the tabs on the top of the cover with the top slots on the chassis.
5. Firmly press the cover against the chassis and slide the cover towards the
front of the chassis until it locks in place.
Note: If the left side cover does not slide all the way to
the front of the chassis, check that the cover tabs at the front
of the cover are properly inserted into their slots in the
chassis.

3-4 Disassembly and Reassembly

Replacing the Left Side Cover

A – Tab Slots
B – Left Side Cover

C – Chassis Rail
D – Lock Tab

6. Replace the two thumb screws, and install the security lock (if used).
7. Reconnect all external peripherals.
8. Plug in all power cords.

Disassembly and Reassembly

3-5

Removing the Right Side Cover
Remove the right side cover as follows.

! WARNING
Before removing the right side cover, turn off the power and
unplug the system power cable. Power is removed only
when the power cable is unplugged.

1. Turn off and unplug the system unit.
2. Unplug the keyboard, mouse, monitor, and any other device (such as a
printer) connected to the back of the system.
3. Remove the left side cover as previously described.
4. Remove the three screws holding the right side cover to the rear of the
chassis.
5. Grasp the handle on the right side cover and slide the cover towards the rear
of the chassis about one-half inch.
Removing the Right Side Cover

A – Screws
B – Handle

C – Right Side Cover

6. Pull out the bottom of the cover and tilt the cover towards the left side of the
chassis until it releases from the chassis.
7. Remove the cover from the chassis.

3-6 Disassembly and Reassembly

Replacing the Right Side Cover
Replace the right side cover as follows.
1. Position the right side cover over the chassis, about a half-inch from the
front panel.
2. Align the tabs on the inside of the top of the cover with the tab slots on the
left side of the chassis.
3. Fit the flange along the bottom of the cover over the rail along the bottom
edge of the chassis.
Replacing the Right Side Cover

A – Right Side Cover
B – Flange
C – Rail

D – Tabs
E – Tab Slots

4. Firmly press the cover against the chassis and slide the cover towards the
front of the chassis until it locks in place.
Note: If the right side cover does not slide all the way to
the front of the chassis, check that the cover tabs at the front
of the cover are properly inserted into their slots in the
chassis.

5. Replace the three previously removed screws.
6. Replace the left side cover as previously described.
7. Reconnect all external peripherals.
8. Plug in all power cables.
Disassembly and Reassembly

3-7

Expansion Board Removal
Remove any installed expansion board(s) as follows.
1. Remove the left side cover (see “Removing the Left Side Cover” earlier in
this section).
2. Label and disconnect any cables connected to the expansion board.
3. Remove and save the screw securing the board to the support bracket.
4. Pull the expansion board out of its connector and expansion slot. Set the
board on an antistatic surface or store in an antistatic bag.
Removing an Expansion Board

A – Screw
B – Expansion Board

C – System Board

5. Install a new board or, if not installing a board, install the previously
removed slot cover.
6. Place the slot cover over the slot and secure it with the slot cover screw.
7. Replace the left side cover (see “Replacing the Left Side Cover” earlier in
this section).

3-8 Disassembly and Reassembly

AGP Board Removal
Remove the AGP board as follows.
1. Remove the left side cover (see “Removing the Left Side Cover” earlier in
this section).
2. Remove the screw holding the AGP board in its expansion slot.
3. Pull the AGP board out of its connector on the system board and out of the
system.
4. If not replacing the AGP board, install the previously removed slot cover.

Front Panel Removal
Remove the front panel from the chassis as follows.
1. Remove the left side cover (see “Removing the Left Side Cover” earlier in
this section).
2. Remove the front panel from the chassis by grasping the edges at the bottom
of the panel and evenly pulling out on the panel until its locking plugs
release.
Removing the Front Panel

A – Metal Shield
B – Plugs

C – Front Panel

Disassembly and Reassembly

3-9

Blank Panel and Metal Shield Removal
Remove the blank panel from the front panel and the metal shield covering the
accessible device bay as follows.
1. Remove the front panel (see “Front Panel Removal” earlier in this section).
2. Remove the blank panel from the selected slot in the front panel by pressing
the blank panel tabs and pushing the blank panel out.
Removing the Blank Panel

A – Blank Panel Tabs

3. Remove the metal shield from the accessible bay on the front of the chassis.
(See the previous figure “Removing the Front Panel” for location of the
metal shield.)

„ Insert a screwdriver into one of the holes in the metal shield.
„ Twist the shield with the screwdriver until the shield comes loose.

3-10 Disassembly and Reassembly

DIMM Module Removal
Remove a DIMM module from the system board as follows.
1. Remove the left side cover (see “Removing the Left Side Cover” earlier in
this section).
2. Locate the DIMM module sockets on the system board.
3. Eject the DIMM module by pressing the plastic clips at the outer edges of
the DIMM socket away from the module.
Removing a DIMM Module

A – Plastic Clips

Processor Cartridge Removal/Replacing
The system board has a Slot 1 connector and a universal retention mechanism
for securing in place a Celeron, Pentium II, or Pentium III processor cartridge
(depending on system model).
To remove or replace a processor cartridge, refer to the appropriate procedure in
the following subsections:

„
„
„
„

“Removing the Celeron or Pentium III Processor Cartridge”
“Replacing the Celeron or Pentium III Processor Cartridge”
“Removing the Pentium II Processor Cartridge”
“Replacing the Pentium II Processor Cartridge.”

Disassembly and Reassembly

3-11

Removing the Celeron or Pentium III Processor Cartridge
Remove the Celeron processor cartridge or the Pentium III processor cartridge
from the universal retention mechanism and system board as follows.

! CAUTION
Before handling components, reduce static discharge by
touching the chassis.

1. Power off the system.
2. Remove the left side cover (see “Removing the Left Side Cover” earlier in
this section).
3. Position the system on its right side for easier access to the system board and
processor cartridge.

! WARNING
If the system was just running, the processor and heat sink
on the system board are hot. To avoid a burn, let the
components cool for 10 minutes before continuing.

4. Locate the processor cartridge on the system board. If necessary, remove
any expansion board(s) blocking access to the processor cartridge.
5. If the processor cartridge has an attached cooling fan, tag and unplug the fan
cable from its connector (CPUFAN) on the system board.
6. At one end of the processor cartridge (see the following figure), carefully
pull the locking lever away from the cartridge approximately 1/4-inch. The
lever requires a strong steady pull to release the cartridge.
7. While holding the locking lever out, carefully pull up on the end of the
processor cartridge to release it from the lever.
8. Repeat steps 6 and 7 for the locking lever on the opposite end of the
cartridge.
9. Pull the cartridge straight up and out of the socket and universal retention
mechanism. Store the cartridge in an antistatic bag.

3-12 Disassembly and Reassembly

Removing the Celeron or Pentium III Processor Cartridge

A – Locking Lever
B – Universal Retention Mechanism

C – Processor Cartridge

10. Install the replacement processor cartridge (see “Installing the Celeron or
Pentium III Processor Cartridge” in the following subsection).

Installing the Celeron or Pentium III Processor Cartridge
Install the Celeron cartridge or the Pentium III processor cartridge in the
universal retention mechanism and system board as follows.

! CAUTION
Before handling components, reduce static discharge by
touching the chassis.

1. Remove the processor currently in the system (see “Removing the Celeron
or Pentium III Processor Cartridge” earlier in this section).

! CAUTION
Using the wrong heat sink or no heat sink can damage the
processor, system board, or both. Ensure that the
replacement processor cartridge has the correct heat sink
(refer to the documentation that comes with the processor).
Do not use the heat sink from the removed processor
cartridge.
Additional installation information can be obtained from NEC
CSD (see Section 8, “NEC CSD Information Services” for
information on contacting NEC CSD).

Disassembly and Reassembly

3-13

2. Align the replacement cartridge with the top of the retention mechanism so
that the notch in the cartridge connector aligns with the key in the Slot 1
connector.
Installing the Celeron or Pentium III Processor Cartridge

A – Processor Cartridge
B – Retention Mechanism

C – Slot 1 Connector
D – Key

3. Insert the cartridge into the retention mechanism and evenly press down on
the cartridge until it fully seats in the Slot 1 connector.
4. If the processor cartridge has an attached cooling fan, plug the fan cable into
its connector (CPUFAN) on the system board.
5. Set the processor jumpers on the system board for the processor type
installed (see “Processor Jumper Settings” in Section 2).
6. Reinstall any expansion boards that may have been removed.
7. Replace the left side cover (see “Replacing the Left Side Cover” earlier in
this section).
8. Connect any peripherals and power cords, and power up the system.

3-14 Disassembly and Reassembly

Removing the Pentium II Processor Cartridge
Remove the Pentium II processor cartridge from its Slot 1 socket and universal
retention mechanism on the system board as follows.

! CAUTION
Before handling components, reduce static discharge by
touching the chassis.

1. Remove the left side cover (see “Removing the Left Side Cover” earlier in
this section).
2. Position the system on its right side for easier access to the system board and
processor cartridge.

! WARNING
If the system was just running, the processor and heat sink
on the system board are hot. To avoid a burn, let the
components cool for 10 minutes before continuing.

3. Locate the processor cartridge on the system board. If necessary, remove
any expansion board(s) blocking access to the processor cartridge.
4. If the processor cartridge has an attached cooling fan, tag and unplug the fan
cable from its connector (CPUFAN) on the system board.
5. If the system has a plastic “top” bar holding the processor and heat sink in
place, remove the bar as follows (see the following figure). If the system
does not have the top bar, go to step 6.

„ Remove the DIMM memory module from DIMM socket 1 and place it
on an antistatic surface (see “Removing a DIMM” earlier in this
section).

„ Squeeze each end of the top bar and lift it out of the processor heat sink
and retention mechanism.

„ Continue to step 6 to remove the cartridge processor.
6. Press the two locking levers in as far as they go to release the processor
cartridge from the retention mechanism.
7. Carefully pull the cartridge straight up and out of the connector and retention
mechanism.

Disassembly and Reassembly

3-15

Removing the Pentium II Processor Cartridge

A – Locking Lever
B – Processor Cartridge
C – Locking Lever

D – Retention Mechanism
E – System Board
F – Top Bar

8. Store the processor cartridge in an antistatic bag.
9. Install the replacement Pentium II processor cartridge (see “Installing the
Pentium II Processor Cartridge,” next).

Installing the Pentium II Processor Cartridge
Install the Pentium II cartridge in the universal retention mechanism and system
board as follows.

! CAUTION
Before handling components, reduce static discharge by
touching the chassis.

1. Remove the processor cartridge currently in the system (see “Removing the
Pentium II Processor Cartridge” earlier in this section).

3-16 Disassembly and Reassembly

! CAUTION
Using the wrong heat sink or no heat sink can damage the
processor, system board, or both. Ensure that the
replacement processor cartridge has the correct heat sink
(refer to the documentation that comes with the processor).
Do not use the heat sink from the removed processor
cartridge.
Additional installation information can be obtained from NEC
CSD (see Section 8, “NEC CSD Information Services” for
information on contacting NEC CSD).

2. Align the replacement cartridge with the top of the retention mechanism so
that the notch in the cartridge connector aligns with the key in the Slot 1
connector.
3. Insert the cartridge into the retention mechanism and evenly press down on
the cartridge until it is fully seated in the Slot 1 connector.
4. Lock the cartridge in place by pressing out on the two locking levers.
Installing the Pentium II Processor Cartridge

A – Locking Levers
B – Processor Cartridge
C – Retention Mechanism

D – System Board
E – Bottom Bar
F – Top Bar

Disassembly and Reassembly

3-17

5. For systems using the top bar, install it as follows.

! CAUTION
Use caution when inserting the top bar to prevent damage to
the plastic clips on the DIMM socket.

„ Insert the bar into its pins on the retention mechanism and the heat sink.
The flat side of the bar goes against the flat side of the bottom bar (see
the above figure).

„ Install the previously removed DIMM module.
6. If the processor cartridge has an attached cooling fan, plug the fan cable into
its connector (CPUFAN) on the system board.
7. Set the processor jumpers on the system board for the processor type
installed (see “Processor Jumper Settings” in Section 2).
8. Install the left side cover (see “Replacing the Left Side Cover” earlier in this
section).
9. Connect any peripherals and power cords, and power up the system.

5 1/4-Inch Device Removal
Remove a 5 1/4-inch device from the system unit as follows.
1. Remove the system left side cover, right side cover, and front panel. (See
“Removing the Left Side Cover,” “Removing the Right Side Cover,” and
“Removing the Front Panel” earlier in this section.)
2. Label and unplug all signal and power cables from the 5 1/4-inch device to
be removed.
If the device is a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM and the system is equipped with
audio, also unplug the audio cable from the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM.
3. Remove the single screw on the right side of the chassis that secures the
device to the chassis.
4. Remove the two screws on the left side that secure the device to the chassis
(see the following figure).
5. Slide the device out of the front of the system unit.

3-18 Disassembly and Reassembly

Removing a 5 1/4-Inch Device

A – Screws

B – Device

3 1/2-Inch Hard Drive Removal
Remove a 3 1/2-inch hard drive as follows.
1. Remove the left side cover and front panel (see “Removing the Left Side
Cover” and “Front Panel Removal” earlier in this section).
2. While holding the hard drive, remove the four screws securing the drive to
the chassis (see the following figure).
3. Remove the hard drive from the top (or bottom) bracket of the chassis and
unplug the power and signal cables from the drive.
Note: When reinstalling the drive, note that all power
cables are keyed to fit only in the correct position.

Disassembly and Reassembly

3-19

Removing the Hard Drive

A – Screws

B – Top Bracket

3 1/2-Inch Diskette Drive Removal
Remove the 3 1/2-inch diskette drive as follows.
1. Remove the left side cover and the front panel (see “Removing the Left Side
Cover” and “Front Panel Removal” earlier in this section).
2. Label and unplug the signal and power cables from the back of the diskette
drive.
Note: When reinstalling the diskette drive, note that all
power cables are keyed to fit only in the correct position.

3. Remove the two screws holding the diskette drive to the diskette drive
bracket.
4. Slide the diskette drive out of the chassis.

3-20 Disassembly and Reassembly

Power Supply Removal
Remove the power supply as follows.

! WARNING
Before removing the system unit covers, turn off the power
and unplug the system power cable. Power is removed only
when the power cable is unplugged.

1. Remove the left side cover and the right side cover (see “Removing the Left
Side Cover” and “Removing the Right Side Cover” earlier in this section).
2. Tag and unplug the power cables from all installed devices.
3. Cut any tie wraps that may be securing the power cables to the system unit.
4. Remove the four screws securing the power supply to the back of the system
unit (see the following figure).
5. Slide the power supply towards the front of the chassis enough to clear the
top rail (about an inch), then lift the power supply out of the chassis.
Removing the Power Supply

A – Top Rail
B – Power Supply

C – Screws

Disassembly and Reassembly

3-21

System Board Removal
Remove the system board as follows.
1. Ensure that all external cables are disconnected from the rear of the system.
2. Remove the left side cover (see “Removing the Left Side Cover” earlier in
this section).
3. Remove all expansion boards and the AGP board (see “Expansion Board
Removal” and “AGP Board Removal” earlier in this section).
4. Tag and unplug all cables from the system board.
5. Remove the seven screws securing the system board to the chassis.
Removing the System Board

A – Screws

6. If the system board is being replaced, remove the processor cartridge and the
DIMM module(s) from the board and install them on the new board.

3-22 Disassembly and Reassembly

CMOS Battery Removal
Remove the 3-volt lithium battery from the system board as follows.
1. Turn off and unplug the system unit and any external options connected to
the system.

! CAUTION
Removing the battery from the system board causes the
computer to lose system configuration information. If
possible, run Setup and record the system configuration
settings before removing the battery. Use that information to
restore the system after replacing the battery.

2. Remove the left side cover (see “Removing the Left Side Cover” earlier in
this section).
3. Locate the battery on the system board.
Locating the Battery

A – Battery

Disassembly and Reassembly

3-23

4. Press down on the battery clip to release the battery from its socket.
Removing the Battery

A – Battery

B – Clip

5. Remove the battery and discard in accordance with the manufacturer’s
instructions.

! WARNING
The battery can explode if it is incorrectly replaced or
improperly discarded. Use only the same battery or an
equivalent type recommended by the manufacturer when
replacing the battery.
Lithium acts as a catalyst when exposed to water and
causes spontaneous combustion on contact. Discard used
batteries according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

6. With the positive (+) side facing up, press the new battery into the socket.
7. Replace the left side cover (see “Replacing the Left Side Cover” earlier in
this section).
8. Connect external peripherals and power cables.
9. Run Setup to reconfigure system parameters (see Section 2, “System
Configuration”).

3-24 Disassembly and Reassembly

4
System Board
„ Connectors, Jumpers, and Sockets
„ Components
„ Resources

This section describes the locations of connectors, jumpers, and sockets on the
system board, including external cable connectors, internal board connectors,
jumper locations, and upgrade sockets.
Included in this section are procedures for setting jumpers on the system board
and a DIMM memory upgrade path for the DIMM sockets. Also included are
descriptions of system board components, system memory map, and I/O
addresses.

Connectors, Jumpers, and Sockets
The following paragraphs describe the system board external cable connector
locations, internal board connector locations, jumper locations, and upgrade
sockets. Included are procedures for setting jumpers on the system board and a
table showing the upgrade path for the DIMM sockets.

External Cable Connectors
Locations of the external cable connectors on the system board at the back of the
system unit are shown in the following figure. For descriptions of the
connectors, see Section 1, “System Overview.”
System Board External Cable Connector Locations

A – Mouse Port
B – Keyboard Port
C – USB Port
D – Serial Port 1
E – Serial Port 2

4-2 System Board

F – Line Out Jack
G – Line In Jack
H – Microphone In Jack
I – Printer Port
J – MIDI Port

Internal Connectors and Sockets
Locations of the internal connectors and sockets on the system board are shown
in the following figure.
System Board Internal Connector and Socket Locations

A – AGP Board Connector
B – PCI Connectors
C – ISA Connector
D – Processor Socket

E – Memory Sockets 1 and 2
F – Diskette Drive Connector
G – Secondary IDE Connector
H – Primary IDE Connector

System Board Jumpers
The system board contains four configuration jumper blocks:

„
„
„
„

Processor/Bus Speed jumper block SW1
Power On Mode jumper block JP1
Clear CMOS jumper block JBAT1
Wake-Up on LAN jumper block JWOL.

The following figure shows the location of the jumper blocks on the system
board. To reset the jumper blocks, see the following paragraphs. (The factoryset jumper settings are included in Section 2, “System Configuration.”)

System Board 4-3

Locating System Board Jumpers

A – Power On Mode Jumper JP1
B – Processor/Bus Speed Jumpers SW1

C – Clear CMOS Jumper JBAT1
D – Wake-On LAN Jumper JWOL

Changing Processor Speed
To change processor speed, the system must be jumpered for the correct
processor/bus speed. Use the following steps to change the processor/bus speed
after installing an upgrade processor.

! CAUTION
Jumpers are set correctly at the factory for the system
configuration. Only change (or check) the appropriate
jumper setting if upgrading the processor.

1. Power off and unplug the system and any external options.

! WARNING
System power must be off before changing a jumper setting.

2. Remove the left side cover (see “Removing the Left Side Cover” in
Section 3).
3. Locate jumper block SW1 on the system board.
4. Use needle nose pliers to move the jumpers according to the settings shown
in the following figure.

4-4 System Board

Processor Jumper Settings
233 MHz/66 MHz
350 MHz/100 MHz

366 MHz/66 MHz

266 MHz/66 MHz
400 MHz/100 MHz

400 MHz/66 MHz

300 MHz/66 MHz
450 MHz/100 MHz

433 MHz/66 MHz

333 MHz/66 MHz
500 MHz/100 MHz

5. Replace the left side cover (see “Replacing the Left Side Cover” in
Section 3).
6. Connect system power cables and external options.
7. Power on the system and run the BIOS Setup utility to check the
configuration of the system.

Setting the Power On Mode
The system can be jumpered to start up in one of the following modes:

„ when the power button is pressed or
„ when the power cord is plugged in (“Immediate Boot Up”).
Set Power On Mode jumper JP1 as follows.
1. Power off and unplug the system and any peripherals.

! WARNING
The system power must be off before removing the cover
and changing a jumper setting.

2. Remove the left side cover (see “Removing the Left Side Cover” in
Section 3).
3. Locate jumper block JP1 on the system board.

System Board 4-5

4. Set jumper JP1 as follows.

„ Set the jumper on pins 1 and 2 to allow system boot up when the power
button is pressed.

„ Remove the jumper from pins 1 and 2 for immediate system boot up
when the power cord is plugged into a power source. Park the jumper on
one pin to prevent loss.
5. Replace the left side cover (see “Replacing the Left Side Cover” in
Section 3).
6. Connect any peripherals and power cords and power up the system.
7. Press F2 to open the BIOS Setup utility.
8. Set the BIOS for the power option you jumpered (see “Advanced Menu Power Management Setup” in this section).

Clearing the CMOS and Password
If the CMOS needs to be restored to its factory state or the password needs to be
cleared and reset, set jumper block JBAT1 as follows.

! CAUTION
Jumpers are set correctly at the factory for the system
configuration. Only change (or check) the appropriate
jumper setting if you forgot your password or want to change
the password.

1. Access the BIOS Setup utility and record any customized settings. See
“BIOS Setup” in Section 2.
2. Power off and unplug the system and any peripherals.

! WARNING
The system power must be off before removing the cover
and changing a jumper setting.

3. Remove the left side cover (see “Removing the Left Side Cover” in
Section 3).
4. Locate jumper block JBAT1 on the system board.
5. Move the jumper from pins 1 and 2 to pins 2 and 3 to clear the CMOS and
password settings.
6. Move the jumper back to pins 1 and 2.
7. Replace the left side cover (see Section 3, “Replacing the Left Side Cover”).

4-6 System Board

8. Connect system power cables and external options.
9. Power on the system.
10. Run the BIOS Setup utility to check the configuration or to set a new
password (see Section 2).

Setting Wake-On LAN
Wake-On LAN jumper JWOL can be set to enable the onboard Wake-On LAN
function or to disable the function. Set jumper JWOL as follows.

! CAUTION
Jumpers are set correctly at the factory for the system
configuration. Only change (or check) the appropriate
jumper setting for your application.

1. Power off and unplug the system and any peripherals.

! WARNING
The system power must be off before removing the cover
and changing a jumper setting.

2. Remove the left side cover (see “Removing the Left Side Cover” in
Section 3).
3. Locate jumper JWOL on the system board.
4. Set jumper JWOL as follows.

„ Set the jumper on pins 1 and 2 to enable the Wake-On WAN function.
„ Set the jumper on pins 2 and 3 to disable the Wake-On WAN function.
5. Replace the left side cover (see “Replacing the Left Side Cover” in
Section 3).
6. Connect any peripherals and power cords and power up the system.
7. Press F2 to open the BIOS Setup utility, navigate to Power Management
Setup, and enable the “Resume By Ring” function (see Section 2, “System
Configuration”).
8. Save and close the BIOS Setup utility.

System Board 4-7

Upgrade Sockets
The system board has the following upgrade sockets:

„ processor socket
„ DIMM sockets.
See the following paragraphs for socket descriptions.

Processor Socket
The processor Slot 1 socket is designed for easy processor upgradeability
through use of a Single Edge Contact (S.E.C.) cartridge and a universal
retention mechanism. The cartridge contains the processor, second level cache,
thermal plate, back cover, and heatsink.
The 242-pin edge connector Slot 1 socket on the system board holds the
processor cartridge. The cartridge is held in place in the socket by the universal
retention mechanism.
To remove or install a processor cartridge, see Section 3, “Disassembly and
Reassembly.”

DIMM Sockets
The system board has two, 168-pin, gold-plated DIMM sockets (locations are
shown on the figure at the beginning of this section). The sockets support up to
256 MB of high-speed SDRAM memory. The sockets support DIMM modules
in 16-, 32-, 64-, and 128-MB unbuffered non-ECC memory configurations.
The DIMM modules

„
„
„
„

can be installed in one or two sockets
size can vary between sockets
speed must match the processor bus speed (66 MHz or 100 MHz)
can be single- and double-sided.

See the following tables for supported DIMMs and for sample DIMM upgrade
paths. To determine the memory needed for a memory upgrade, see “Checking
System Memory” in this section. To remove or install a DIMM, see Section 3,
“Disassembly and Reassembly.”

4-8 System Board

Supported DIMMs
DIMM Size

Non-ECC Configuration

16 MB

2 Mbit x 64

32 MB

4 Mbit x 64

64 MB

8 Mbit x 64

128 MB

16 Mbit x 64

Sample DIMM Upgrade Paths*
Total Memory

DIMM 1

32 MB

32 MB

64 MB

32 MB

64 MB

64 MB

128 MB

64 MB

128 MB

128 MB

256 MB

128 MB

DIMM 2
-32 MB
-64 MB
-128 MB

* The information in this table shows sample DIMM upgrade paths. It does not represent every combination
of DIMMs supported in the system.

Checking System Memory
If you do not know how much memory is installed in the system, check the
amount as follows.
1. On the Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows NT 4.0 desktop, point to My
Computer and click the right mouse button.
2. With the left mouse button, click Properties. Select the General tab to
show the amount of random access memory (RAM) in the computer. For
Windows 95 and Windows 98, you can also select the Performance tab to
show the RAM memory.
Note: If a discrepancy is found in the amount of memory
displayed at the Power-On Self-Test or in Windows with the
amount of memory installed, check that the memory
modules were installed correctly.

System Board 4-9

Components
The system board has the following features:

„ Intel 82443ZX AGPset used for AGP, PCI/ISA, memory, and peripheral
control

„ Winbond® W83977TF I/O controller (integrates standard PC I/O
functions: two serial ports, one EPP/ECP-capable parallel port, floppy
disk interface, real time clock, keyboard and mouse controller, and
support for two USB ports)

„ two dual in-line memory module (DIMM) sockets with support for up to
256 MB of SDRAM using DIMMs

„ American Megatrends Inc. (AMI) BIOS in a flash memory device
supporting system setup and PCI auto-configuration

„
„
„
„

32-KB internal dual write-back cache integrated on the processor
pipelined 32-bit addressing
64-bit data
32 MB to 256 MB of SDRAM upgradeable with 32-MB, 64-MB, or
128-MB increments through DIMM sockets on the system board

„ 512-KB (128 KB for Celeron processor) write-back secondary cache
memory on processor

„
„
„
„
„
„

System Setup utility built into the BIOS
2-Mb Flash ROM for fast economical BIOS upgrades
PCI local bus for fast data transfer
integrated sound (Creative® ES1371/ES1373 audio system)
power management with power saving mode, featuring inactivity timer
external connectors for connecting the following external devices:

 VGA-compatible monitor (standard, super, high-resolution VGA) to
AGP port on graphics board

 personal system/2 (PS/2®)-style mouse
 PS/2-style keyboard
 bi-directional Enhanced Parallel Port (EPP) and Enhanced
Capabilities Port (ECP) support for a parallel printer

 serial devices through two buffered 16C550 UART serial ports,
supporting up to 115.2 KB per second

 two USB devices
 speaker and microphone connectors (line in, line out, microphone in).
4-10 System Board

The following table lists the major components on the system board.
System Board Components
Component

Function

Processor (mounted in a S.E.C.
cartridge)

Celeron
300-, 333-, 366-, 400-, or 433-MHz processor
Pentium II
350-, 400-, or 450-MHz processor
Pentium III
450- or 500-MHz processor

Intel 82440ZX AGPSet:
82443ZX AGP Host Bridge
Controller (PAC)

Provides bus control signals, address paths, and data paths for
transfers between the processor’s host bus, PCI bus, AGP
connector, and system memory. The PAC comes in a 492-pin
BGA package on the system board.
Features include processor interface control (32-bit addressing,
optimized for 100-MHz host bus frequency, supports 66 MHz
bus frequency), an integrated DRAM controller (synchronous
DRAM, 64/72-bit path-to-memory, auto detection of memory
type) and an AGP interface (compliant with AGP specification
with data transfer rates up to 133 MHz), fully synchronous
minimum latency PCI bus interface (compliant with PCI
specification with PCI-to-DRAM access greater than 100 MB
per second).

82371EB PCI ISA/IDE Xcelerator
(PIIX4)

Winbond Multi Super I/O W83977TF
controller

®

Creative ES1371/ES1373 PCI chip

Functions as a PCI to ISA bridge; PCI IDE functionality; a USB
controller; integrated dual channel enhanced IDE interface with
support for Ultra DMA/33; enhanced DMA controller; interrupt
controller based on 82C59, with support for 15 interrupts; power
management logic (sleep/resume and remote wake on LAN);
real-time clock with 256-byte, battery-backed CMOS static RAM
(SRAM); and 16-bit counters based on 82C54. The chip comes
in a 324-pin BGA package on the system board.
The controller provides the following features:
Multimode parallel port
Centronics compatible (standard mode)
Enhanced capabilities port (ECP)
Enhanced parallel port (EPP)
Two RS-232C serial ports
Integrated 8042A keyboard controller
Supports industry-standard floppy controller
Provides audio on system board.

System Board 4-11

Processor and Secondary Cache
The system uses an Intel Celeron, Pentium II, or Pentium III processor with an
internal clock speed of 300 MHz, 333 MHz, 350 MHz, 366 MHz, 400 MHz,
433 MHz, 450 MHz, or 500 MHz (depending on type of processor and model).
The processor is an advanced pipelined 32-bit addressing, 64-bit data processor
designed to optimize multitasking operating systems. The 64-bit registers and
data paths support 64-bit addresses and data types.
To use the processor’s power, the system features an optimized 64-bit memory
interface and 512 KB (128 KB for Celeron) of secondary write-back cache on
the processor.
The processor is compatible with 8-, 16-, and 32-bit software written for the
Intel386™, Intel486™, Pentium, and Pentium Pro processors. The processor is
mounted in S.E.C. cartridge with an attaching heatsink that installs as a unit in
Slot 1 on the system board.

System BIOS
The ISA- and PCI-compatible BIOS is contained in a flash memory device on
the system board. The BIOS provides the Power-On Self-Test (POST), the
system Setup program, a PCI and IDE auto-configuration utility, and BIOS
recovery code.
The system BIOS is always shadowed. Shadowing allows any BIOS routine to
be executed from fast 32-bit DRAM on the system board, instead of from the
slower 8-bit flash device.
The Flash ROM allows fast, economical BIOS upgrades. The Flash ROM is a
reprogrammable EPROM containing both the system and video BIOS. Using
the Flash ROM to change the ROM BIOS provides the following advantages:

„ the BIOS upgrade is performed quickly and easily
„ the expense of replacing ROM BIOS chips is eliminated, so system
maintenance costs are reduced

„ there is less chance of inadvertently damaging the system board than
when physically replacing ROMs

„ new technology can be incorporated while maintaining corporate
standards

„ network administrators can exercise company-wide control of BIOS
revisions.
The BIOS programs execute the Power-On Self-Test, initialize processor
controllers, and interact with the display, diskette drive, hard drives,
communication devices, and peripherals. The system BIOS also contains the
Setup utility. The POST copies the ROM BIOS into RAM (shadowing) for
maximum performance.

4-12 System Board

The Flash ROM allows the system and video BIOS to be upgraded with the
BIOS Update utility, without having to physically remove the ROM (see
Section 2 for further information on the BIOS Update utility). The Flash ROM
supports the reprogramming of the system BIOS and the video BIOS.

System Memory
The system comes with between 32 MB and 256 MB of SDRAM installed in
DIMM sockets on the system board.
The memory configuration consists of two sockets. The DIMM sockets accept
168-pin, 64-bit (non-ECC) 16-, 32-, 64-, and 128-MB DIMMs. See “DIMM
Sockets” for a list of supported DIMMs.

Plug and Play
The system comes with a Plug and Play BIOS in support of Plug and Play
technology. Plug and Play simplifies setup procedures for installing Plug and
Play expansion boards. With Plug and Play, adding a Plug and Play expansion
board is done by turning off the system, installing the board, and turning on the
system. There are no jumpers to set and no system resource conflicts to resolve.
Plug and Play automatically configures the board. (Some Plug and Play devices
may need to be jumpered if used in a system running the Windows NT 
operating system.)

ISA Bus
The system board uses the ISA bus for transferring data between the processor
and some I/O peripherals and expansion boards. The ISA bus supports 16-bit
data transfers and typically operates at 8 MHz.

PCI Local Bus
The 32-bit PCI local bus is the primary I/O bus for the system. The PCI bus is a
highly integrated I/O interface that offers the highest performance local bus
available for the Celeron or Pentium processor. The bus supports burst modes
that send large amounts of data across the bus, allowing fast displays of highresolution images.
The PCI local bus is a high-performance bus that provides a processorindependent data path between the CPU and high-speed peripherals. The PCI
bus is a robust interconnect mechanism designed specifically to accommodate
multiple high performance peripherals for graphics and full motion video.
The PCI local bus supports memory transfer rates of over 100 MB per second
for reads and over 120 MB per second for writes, depending on processor
configuration.

System Board 4-13

PCI/IDE Ports
The system board supports two high-performance PCI/IDE ports: a primary port
and a secondary port on the system board. Each port supports up to two devices
for a total of four IDE devices. The primary PCI/IDE port has an enhanced IDE
interface that supports PIO Mode 4 devices with 16 MB per second 32-bit wide
data transfers on the high-performance PCI local bus. Each port supports Ultra
DMA/33.
The installed hard drive is connected to the primary PCI/IDE connector with a
three-connector cable. If a CD-ROM drive is included in the system, it is
connected to the secondary PCI/IDE port with a three-connector cable. A second
device can be added to the primary PCI/IDE port.

Parallel Interface
The system has a 25-pin bidirectional parallel port on the system board. Port
specifications conform to the IBM-PC standards. The port supports Enhanced
Capabilities Port (ECP) and Enhanced Parallel Port (EPP) modes for devices
that require ECP or EPP protocols. The protocols allow high-speed bidirectional transfer over a parallel port and increase parallel port functionality
by supporting more devices.
The BIOS has automatic ISA printer port sensing that works with most devices.
If the BIOS detects an ISA printer port mapped to the same address, the built-in
printer port is disabled. (Verify in the BIOS Setup that printer ports mapped to
the same address are enabled or disabled appropriately.) The BIOS also sets the
first parallel interface port it finds as LPT1 and the second port it finds as LPT2.
The interrupt is set at IRQ7 via the BIOS Setup utility. Software-selectable base
addresses are 228h, 378h, and 278h.
Sets of I/O addresses for the parallel port are given in the following table (see
Section 2, “System Configuration,” for interrupt levels). This is a list of all
possible configurations; the parallel port uses only one set.
Parallel Port Addresses
Starting I/O Address

Port

378

LPT1

278

LPT2

228

LPT3

378

LPT1

278

LPT2

228

LPT3

Parallel interface signals are output through the system board’s 25-pin,
D-subconnector. The connector is located at the back of the system unit.

4-14 System Board

Serial Interface
The system has two 16C550 UART compatible serial ports (COM1 and COM2)
integrated on the I/O controller. The serial ports support the standard RS-232C
interface. The buffered high-speed serial ports support transfer rates up to
115.2 KB. These ports allow the installation of high-speed serial devices for
faster data transfer rates.
Sets of I/O addresses for the two channels are given in the following table (see
Section 2, “System Configuration,” for interrupt levels). Soft-selectable base
addresses are 3F8h, 2F8h, 3E8h, and 2E8h.
Serial Port 1 and Serial Port 2 I/O Addresses
Starting I/O Address

Port

3F8

COM1

2F8

COM2

3E8

COM3

2E8

COM4

3F8

COM1

2F8

COM2

3E8

COM3

2E8

COM4

See Section 2, “System Configuration,” for information on resetting the port
through the BIOS Setup utility. See Section 9, “Specifications,” for the serial
interface specifications.
Serial interface signals are output through the system board’s 9-pin,
D-subconnectors. The connectors are located at the back of the system unit.

USB Interface
The Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports allow new Plug and Play serial devices to
be added without having to open the system. One USB device may be plugged
into each USB port for direct system connection. With a hub and the proper
cabling, up to 127 USB devices per port can be addressed by the system. The
USB determines system resources for each peripheral and assigns them without
user intervention. Boot support for a USB keyboard is present so the system can
be booted with a USB keyboard instead of a standard keyboard.

Graphics Capabilities
The system supports AGP boards and PCI graphics boards. A PCI graphics
board installs in one of the computer’s PCI expansion slots. An AGP board
installs in the system board’s AGP slot.

System Board 4-15

The following graphics boards are available from NEC CSD:

„ ATI Minden (Rage IIC) 4-MB AGP board
This board contains 4 MB of SDRAM.

„ ATI XPERT98 (RagePRO) 4-MB AGP board with 4-MB upgrade
This board contains 8 MB of SDRAM.

„ Diamond Viper V550 TnT 16 MB AGP graphics board
This board contains 16 MB of video memory.
To view photorealistic images, enhance presentation graphics, and view
TV-quality MPEG video, connect a standard VGA-compatible monitor to the
AGP board external VGA monitor connector.

Accelerated Graphics Port
The system board contains a 132-pin accelerated graphics port (AGP) slot on the
system board that supports graphics-intensive, 3D applications. The AGP
operates independently of the PCI bus and supports 133-MHz data transfer rates,
allowing 500 MB of data to be transmitted per second.
The AGP is Plug and Play compatible and supports the ATI Minden AGP, ATI
XPERT AGP, and Diamond Viper graphics boards available from NEC CSD.
With the graphics board installed in the AGP slot, attach the display monitor to
the board’s VGA-compatible connector on the rear panel.

Graphics Controller
The graphics controller is specifically designed for graphics-intensive
operations, including 3D and 2D effects, texture mapping, text and color pixel
amplification, and video acceleration. The controller minimizes bus traffic by
off-loading the tasks normally performed by the processor, providing 64-bit,
high resolution performance for demanding True Color displays and other
sophisticated graphics functions.

Motion Video Controller
The motion video controller integrates a Windows graphical user interface
(GUI) engine and motion video playback hardware.
Support includes:

„ MPEG-1 or MPEG-2
„ Video for Windows
„ Active Movie (Windows 95 only).
MPEG is a compression/decompression standard developed by a professional
video group called the Motion Picture Experts Group. MPEG produces fullscreen, 30-frames-per-second (fps), broadcast-quality digital video.
4-16 System Board

Integrated Audio
To support the increasing number of multimedia applications, a Creative
ES1373 PCI audio chip is integrated on the system board. The chip provides
16-bit stereo, Sound Blaster Pro-compatible audio.
The sound system provides all the digital and analog mixing functions required
for playing and recording audio on personal computers. Features include stereo
analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters, analog mixing, anti-aliasing
and reconstruction filters, line and microphone level inputs, digital audio
compression, and full digital control of all mixer and volume control functions.
The sound system is standard and has the following features:

„ Creative ES1373 chip integrated on system board
„ digital audio and analog mixing functions, including stereo analog-todigital and digital-to-analog converters, analog mixing, anti-aliasing and
reconstruction filters, line and microphone level inputs, digital audio
compression, and full digital control of mixer and volume control
functions

„ Adlib™, Sound Blaster Pro 2.0, Windows Sound System, and MPU-401
compatibility.
The Creative ES1373 audio chip includes a full Plug and Play interface. Each
logical device is configured into the host environment using the Plug and Play
configuration methodologies. The audio subsystem requires two DMA channels
and one interrupt.

Resources
The system memory map, I/O addresses, and DMA settings are given in the
following sections. System interrupt settings, parallel interrupt settings, and
serial interrupt settings are included in Section 2, “System Configuration.”

System Board 4-17

Memory Map
The system memory map is shown in the following table.
System Memory Map
Memory Space

Size

Function

100000-18000000

383 MB

Extended memory

FC000-FFFFF

16 KB

Boot block

FA000-FBFFF

8 KB

ESCD (Plug and Play Configuration and DMI)

F9000-F9FFF

4 KB

Reserved for BIOS

F8000-F8FFF

4 KB

OEM logo or Scan User Flash

E8000-E7FFF

64 KB

POST BIOS

E0000-E7FFF

32 KB

POST BIOS (currently available as UMB)

C8000-D7FFF

96 KB

Available HI DOS memory (open to ISA and PCI bus)

A0000-C7FFF

160 KB

Video memory and BIOS

9FC00-9FFFF

1 KB

80000-9FBFF

127 KB

Extended conventional memory

00000-7FFFF

512 KB

Conventional memory

Extended BIOS data (movable by memory manager software)

I/O Addresses
The processor communicates with I/O devices by I/O mapping. The
hexadecimal (hex) addresses of I/O devices are listed in the following table.
Note: In Plug and Play systems, these addresses are
typical but may vary by configuration.
I/O Address Map
Address (Hex)

I/O Device Name

0000-000F

PIIX4 - DMA controller 1 (channel 0-3)

0020-0021

PIIX4 - interrupt controller 1

002E-002F

Super I/O controller configuration registers

0040-0043

PIIX4 - counter/timer 1

0048-004B

PIIX4 - counter/timer 2

0060

Keyboard controller byte - reset IRQ

0061

PIIX4 - NMI, speaker control

0064

Keyboard controller, command/status byte

4-18 System Board

I/O Address Map
Address (Hex)

I/O Device Name

0070, bit 7

PIIX4 - enable NMI

0070, bits 6 through 0

PIIX4 - real time clock, address

0071

PIIX4 - real time clock, data

0078-0079

Reserved - board configuration

0080-008F

PIIX4 - DMA page registers

00A0-00A1

PIIX4 - interrupt controller 2

00B2-00B3

APM control

00C0-00DE

PIIX4 - DMA controller 2

00F0

Reset numeric error (numeric data processor)

0170-0177

Secondary IDE channel

01F0-01F7

Primary IDE channel

0200-0207

Audio/game port

0220-022F

Audio (Sound Blaster compatible)

0240-024F

Audio (Sound Blaster compatible)/alternate

0278-027F

Parallel port 2

0290-0297

Hardware monitor

02E8-02EF

COM4/video (8514A)

02F8-02FF

COM2

0300-0301

MPU-401 (MIDI)/alternate

0330-0331

MPU-401 (MIDI)/alternate

0332-0333

MPU-401 (MIDI)/alternate

0334-0335

MPU-401 (MIDI)/alternate

0376

Secondary IDE channel command port

0377

Floppy channel 2 command

0377, bit 7

Floppy disk change, channel 2

0377, bits 6 through 0

Secondary IDE channel status port

0378-037F

Parallel port 1

0388-038D

AdLIB (FM synthesizer)

03B4-03B5

Video (VGA)

03BA

Video (VGA)

03BC-03BF

Parallel port 3

03C0-03CA

Video (VGA)

03CC

Video (VGA)

System Board 4-19

I/O Address Map
Address (Hex)

I/O Device Name

03CE-03CF

Video (VGA)

03D4-03D5

Video (VGA)

03DA

Video (VGA)

03E8-03EF

COM3

03F0-03F5

Floppy channel 1

03F6

Primary IDE channel command port

03F7 (write)

Floppy channel 1 command

03F7, bit 7

Floppy disk change channel 1

03F7, bit 6 through 0

Primary IDE channel status port

03F8-03FF

COM1

04D0-04D1

Edge/level triggered PIC

0530-0537

Windows Sound System

0604-060B

Windows Sound System

LPTn + 400h

ECP port, LPT n base address + 400h

0CF8-0CFB*

PCI configuration address register

0CF9**

Turbo and reset control register

0CFC-0CFF

PCI configuration data register

0E80-0E87

Windows sound system

0F40-0F47

Windows sound system

0F86-0F87

Creative Audio configuration

FF00-FF07

IDE bus master register

FFA0-FFA7

Primary bus master registers

FFA8-FFAF

Secondary bus master registers

* Only accessible by DWORD accesses.
** Byte access only.

4-20 System Board

DMA Settings
The system’s DMA settings are given in the following table.
DMA Settings
DMA Setting

Device

0

Audio

1

Audio/parallel port

2

Diskette drive

3

Parallel port (for ECP or EPP)/audio

4

Reserved —– cascade channel

5

Available

6

Available

7

Available

* In Plug and Play systems, these settings are typical but may vary by configuration.

System Board 4-21

5
Illustrated Parts Breakdown
„ Ordering Parts
„ Field Replaceable Unit List
„ Illustrated Parts Breakdown

This section contains the illustrated parts breakdown (IPB) and NEC CSD part
descriptions for the PowerMate VT 300i Series Build-to-Order (BTO) systems.
The following tables list

„ telephone numbers for ordering system parts and options
„ field-replaceable parts for the system.
The PowerMate VT 300i Series system illustrated parts breakdown figure is at
the end of this section.

Ordering Parts
Use the telephone numbers in the following table to order spare parts.
Ordering Parts
Items

Telephone Number

To order spare parts (Dealers)

1-800-632-4525

To order spare parts (Customers)

In the U.S. 1-800-233-6321
In Canada 1-800-727-2787

5-2 Illustrated Parts Breakdown

Field Replaceable Unit List
The following table lists the field replaceable units (FRUs) for the PowerMate
VT 300i Series of computers.
PowerMate VT 300i Series System FRU List
Item

Description

1a

Microsoft IntelliMouse

1b

Logitech 3-Button Mouse

2

Keyboard, Chicony, Ergo

3

Power Cable

4

Diskette Drive Signal Cable, 3-connector

5

IDE Hard Drive Cable, 3-connector

6

CD-ROM Signal Cable, 3-connector

7

Audio Cable

8

System Board (MS-6156) with Onboard Audio

9a
9b
9c

32-MB SDRAM (4 MB x 64) DIMM
64-MB SDRAM (8 MB x 64) DIMM
128-MB SDRAM (16 MB x 64) DIMM

10

Coin-cell Battery

11

Retention Mechanism Top Bar (Celeron/Pentium II only)

12a

CPU Assembly Retention Mechanism (Celeron and Pentium III)

12b

CPU Assembly Retention Mechanism (Pentium II)

13a
13b
13c
13d
13e

300-MHz Celeron Processor CPU Assembly
333-MHz Celeron Processor CPU Assembly
366-MHz Celeron Processor CPU Assembly
400-MHz Celeron Processor CPU Assembly
433-MHz Celeron Processor CPU Assembly

13f
13g
13h

350-MHz Pentium II Processor CPU Assembly
400-MHz Pentium II Processor CPU Assembly
450-MHz Pentium II Processor CPU Assembly

13i
13j

450-MHz Pentium III Processor CPU Assembly
500-MHz Pentium III Processor CPU Assembly

14a

ATI Minden RAGE IIC 4 MB AGP Graphics Board

14b

ATI XPERT98 RAGE PRO 8-MB AGP Graphics Board

14c

Diamond Viper V550 TnT 16-MB AGP Graphics Board

15a

3Com USR Python V.90 PCI, 56 Kbps Modem Board

15b

PCI Win 56 Kbps Modem Board (MDM100)

16a

3Com Hurricane 10/100 Network Board

16b

Intel Ethernet Pro 100 Network Board

Illustrated Parts Breakdown 5-3

PowerMate VT 300i Series System FRU List
Item

Description

16c

GVC 10/100 Network Board

17

Chassis Cover, Left Side

18

Chassis Cover, Right Side

19

Front Panel (complete assembly)

20

Plastic Blank Panel – 5-1/4 inch

21

Logo, NEC PowerMate

22

Speaker Power Adapter

23

10-Watt Speakers w/Cables and Power Adapter, Harman/Kardon

24a

Power Supply, 90 Watt

24b

Power Supply, 145 Watt

25

USB Connector Bracket

26

USB Circuit Board

27

Power Switch Assembly

28a

Lite-On 32X CD-ROM drive (LTN-301)

28b

NEC 32X Max CD-ROM Drive (CDR-3000A)

28c

Lite-On 40X CD-ROM Drive (LTN-382) (when available)

29

Diskette Drive, without Bezel

30

PCMCIA – 3.5 Inch Drive Bay Adapter

31

Iomega 100-MB Zip Drive (IDE)

32

PCMCIA – 3.5 Inch Drive

33a

Hitachi 4X DVD-ROM Drive (GD-2500)

33b

Hitachi 6X DVD-ROM Drive (when available)

34a
34b
34c

4.3-GB IDE Hard Drive, Maxtor Ultra DMA
8.4-GB IDE Hard Drive, Maxtor Ultra DMA
12.9-GB IDE Hard Drive, Seagate Ultra DMA

Not Shown

Fan Assembly

Not Shown

8-GB Tape Backup Drive, Seagate (STT8000A)

Not Shown

RJ-11 Cable

Not Shown

PowerMate VT 300i Series User’s Guide

5-4 Illustrated Parts Breakdown

Illustrated Parts Breakdown
The following figure shows the illustrated parts breakdown (IPB) for the
PowerMate VT 300i Series computers. Each FRU on the IPB is identified with a
number that cross-references the FRU list.
PowerMate VT 300i Series Computer Illustrated Parts Breakdown

Illustrated Parts Breakdown 5-5

6
Preventive Maintenance
„ System Cleaning
„ Keyboard Cleaning
„ Mouse Cleaning

This section contains general information for cleaning and checking the system,
keyboard, and monitor.
The system unit, keyboard, and monitor require cleaning and checking at least
once a year, and more often if operating in a dusty environment. No other
scheduled maintenance is required.

! WARNING
Unplug all power cords before performing any maintenance.
Voltage is present inside the system and monitor even after
the power is off. All voltage is removed only when the power
cord is unplugged.

System Cleaning
Use the following procedure for cleaning the system.
1. Power off the system and unplug all power cables.
2. Wipe the outside of the system, keyboard, mouse, and monitor with a soft,
clean cloth. Remove stains with a mild detergent. Do not use solvents or
strong, abrasive cleaners on any part of the system.
3. Clean the monitor screen with a commercial monitor screen cleaning kit. As
an alternative, use a glass cleaner, then wipe with a clean lint-free cloth.
4. Local distributors and dealers may sell diskette drive head cleaning kits.
These kits contain special diskettes and cleaning solution. Do not use the
abrasive head cleaning kits (kits without cleaning solution).
Insert the diskette immediately after powering on the system, before disk
bootup. Allow the diskette drive heads to clean for about 30 seconds.

Keyboard Cleaning
As necessary, inspect and clean the inside of the keyboard as follows.
1. Turn the keyboard over and remove the screws holding the keyboard
enclosure together.

! CAUTION
The keyboard and cable together are considered a wholeunit, field-replaceable assembly. Therefore, disassembly of
the keyboard is necessary only when cleaning the inside.

2. Separate the two halves of the enclosure.

6-2 Preventive Maintenance

3. Clean the enclosure and keys with a damp cloth. A small, soft-bristle brush
may be used to clean between the keys.
Do not wet or dampen the keyboard’s printed circuit board. If the board gets
wet, thoroughly dry it before reattaching the keyboard to the system unit.

Mouse Cleaning
The mouse has a self-cleaning mechanism that prevents a buildup of dust or lint
around the mouse ball and tracking mechanism under normal conditions.
Periodically, however, the mouse ball must be cleaned. Use the following
procedure to clean the mouse.
1. Unplug the mouse from the system.
2. Turn the mouse upside down and locate the ball cover.
3. Turn the ball cover counterclockwise and remove the cover.
Removing the Mouse Ball Cover

A – Mouse Ball Cover

4. Turn the mouse over and remove the ball.
5. Clean the mouse as follows:

„ Clean the mouse ball with tap water and a mild detergent, then dry it
with a lint-free cloth.

„ Remove any dust and lint from the mouse socket.
6. Replace the mouse ball in its socket.
7. Replace the ball cover and turn it clockwise until it locks in place.

Preventive Maintenance 6-3

7
Troubleshooting
„ Checklist
„ Diagnostics

This section provides information to help isolate and repair system malfunctions
at the field level. The system has a built-in program that automatically checks its
components when the system is powered on. If there is a problem, the system
displays an error message. If this happens, follow any instructions on the screen.
If screen messages do not help or an error message does not appear, refer to the
information in this section to help determine and correct the problem. For the
more common problems, refer to “Checklist” for assistance. If the information
in the checklist does not help, refer to “Diagnostics ” for more detailed problem
solving.
If disassembly is required, see Section 3, “Disassembly and Reassembly.”
Jumper settings are given in Section 2, “System Configuration” and in
Section 4, “System Board.”

Checklist
Check the following list for a match to the system problem and the possible
cause and solution.

System Problems

„ No power and power lamp not lit.
Check that all power switches are on.
Check that the power cable is plugged into the system power socket and
that the other end is plugged into a live, properly grounded AC power
outlet or surge protector.
Check the outlet or surge protector by plugging in a lamp.

„ Non-System Disk error message displays when the system is started.
A diskette is in the diskette drive, and the diskette drive is set before the
hard drive in boot order. Remove the diskette from drive A and restart the
system.

„ Operating system not found error message displays when the system
is started.
If a CD is left in the CD-ROM drive, the system may not be able to boot.
Try removing the CD and rebooting.
The hard drive might need more time to spin up before the system boots.
Change the “Hard Disk Pre-Delay” to a higher setting from the BIOS
Setup utility.

„

System does not boot and error message displayed on screen.

Run the Setup utility (see Section 2, “System Configuration”). Check that
the parameters are set correctly, particularly if you just installed an
option.

7-2 Troubleshooting

„

System emits continuous beeps.

Turn the system off, wait at least five seconds, and turn the system on. If
the beeps continue, call the NEC CSD Technical Support Center.

„

System does not maintain date, time, system configuration
information.

Change the battery (see “Battery Replacement” in Section 3,
“Disassembly and Reassembly”).

„

System does not boot from hard drive.

The system usually tries to start from the diskette drive before it starts
from the hard drive. Remove the diskette from the diskette drive.
Run the Setup utility (see Section 2, “System Configuration”) and set the
initial Boot parameter to Hard Drive instead of Removable Device.

„

System does not boot immediately after hard drive spins up.

The “Hard Disk Pre-Delay” in the BIOS Setup utility can be changed to a
lower setting. (If a message “operating system not found” appears after
changing the setting, the delay is set too low. Set the hard disk pre-delay
slightly higher.)

„

System performance appears sluggish.

Check that the system is set for optimal operation. See the operating
system documentation.
Check the memory requirements of the software applications. If required,
install additional DIMM memory.
If optional DIMM memory was added, check that it is correctly installed.

„

System password forgotten.

Clear the password and reset it. See “Clearing the CMOS and Password”
in Section 4, “System Board.”

„

Microsoft Windows does not recognize the Pentium III processor

Windows incorrectly identifies the Pentium III processor as a Pentium II
or Pentium Pro on the General tab of the Windows System Properties
sheet. This does not effect in any way the performance of the Pentium III
processor. The system BIOS correctly detects the Pentium III processor at
startup. A patch can be obtained to fix the identification in the General
tab. Check for the patch at Microsoft’s website (www.microsoft.com) or
the NEC CSD website (www.nec-computers.com).

Troubleshooting 7-3

Diskette Drive Problems
Check the following to see the possible cause and solution.

„

Diskette won’t load.

Check that the diskette is being loaded correctly.
Check that the system and monitor power lamps are on and the power-on
screen appears.
Check that the diskette is formatted. If not, format it. See the operating
system documentation.
Check that the diskette size is 1.44 MB.
If the diskette drive busy lamp does not light when loading the diskette,
try a different diskette. If this loads, the problem is in the software.

„

Non-System Disk or Disk Error message displayed.

If trying to boot from the diskette drive, insert a diskette with system files
into drive A.
If a bootable diskette does not boot, use the Setup utility to verify that the
initial boot parameter is set to diskette drive A and not a hard drive.

Monitor Problems
Check the following problems to see the possible cause and solution.

„

Monitor screen is dark or the display is hard to read.

Check that the monitor is on.
Check that the monitor power cable is connected to the monitor and a
power outlet, the monitor signal cable is connected to the system, and the
brightness and contrast controls are adjusted.
Press the space bar or move the mouse to take the system out of the
power management mode.

„

Distorted image appears on the monitor screen.

Adjust the monitor’s video controls. If this does not help, turn the
monitor off for several seconds, then back on.

„

There is constant movement on the screen.

A magnetic field is affecting the monitor. Move any devices (fan, motor,
another monitor) that generate magnetic fields away from the monitor.

„

The screen display is fuzzy or flickering; graphics characters or
garbage appears on the screen.

Check that the monitor is set up correctly and that all connections have
been made.

7-4 Troubleshooting

Check that the video refresh rate and video driver are correct.
Click the right mouse button anywhere on the Windows desktop and a
menu appears. Click Properties and the Display Properties window
appears.

Keyboard/Mouse Problems
Check the following problem to see the possible cause and solution.

„

Mouse or keyboard does not respond.

The mouse and keyboard may have been connected after turning on the
system. Turn the system off, make sure the mouse and keyboard are
connected, and turn the system back on.

„

Image appears on screen but nothing happens when using the
mouse or keyboard.

Make sure the keyboard or mouse cable is firmly connected to the rear of
the system.
If this does not help, turn off the system, wait five or more seconds, and
turn on the system.

CD-ROM Drive Problems
Check the following problems to see the possible cause and solution.

„

The system does not see the CD-ROM drive.

The drive designation is wrong and should be changed. The drive
designation for the CD-ROM drive depends upon the storage device
configuration in the system. To find out what drive designation letter is
assigned to the CD-ROM drive, double click My Computer on the
Windows 95 or Windows NT 4.0 desktop. The drive designation is below
the CD-ROM drive icon.
As an alternative, open Windows Explorer and scroll down the list of
folders until you locate the CD-ROM drive icon. The drive designation is
beside the icon.

„

The CD-ROM drive is not reading a disc.

Check that the disc is inserted in the CD tray with the printed label side
up.
Check that the disc is a data disc, not a music disc.
Try a different CD to see if the problem is limited to one CD.

„

The CD does not eject due to a power failure or software error.

Turn off the system and use the CD-ROM emergency eject feature. Insert
the end of a paper clip into the eject hole. Press inward on the clip to open
the door.

Troubleshooting 7-5

„

The CD-ROM drive plays music CDs but the sound is not heard.
However, .WAV and .MIDI sounds can be heard when played.

Check that the cable connecting the CD-ROM drive to the system board
CD audio connector is in place and secure.
Check the CD Audio volume setting.

Speaker Problems
Check the following problems to see the possible cause and solution.

„

No sound from the speakers.

Check that the speaker power is on. Verify that all speaker cable
connections are correct and secure.
Check that the power adapter is connected to the power source and the
speaker.

„

Speaker volume is too low.

Adjust the volume control on the speaker. If the volume is still too low,
adjust the volume through the system software. See the Windows
Multimedia online help.

„

Sound is only coming from one speaker.

Balance the speaker output by adjusting the balance in the sound
software. See the Windows Multimedia online help.

Diagnostics
One beep indicates that the system has completed its POST test. If intermittent
beeping occurs, power off the system and try again. If the beeping persists, see
the following table. The table summarizes problems that may develop during
system operation and lists (in sequential order) suggested corrective actions.
Problems and Solutions
Problem

Symptom

Solution

No power

Power lamp on computer front
panel does not light.

1. Check that the power cord is plugged
into the power socket on the computer.
Check that the other end of the cord is
plugged into a live, properly grounded AC
power outlet.
2. Check cable connections between the
power supply and system board and
between the system board and power
switch.
3. Systematically eliminate possible
shorted PCBs by removing cables and
expansion boards.

7-6 Troubleshooting

Problems and Solutions
Problem

Symptom

No power (cont’d)

Solution
4. Check +5 and +12 power supply
voltages. Measure voltages with system
board installed.
5. Replace the power switch assembly.
6. Replace the power supply.
7. Replace the system board.

Power supply
malfunction

Operating system
does not boot

Any of the following conditions
could occur:

1. Perform steps 1 through 4 listed in this
table under No Power.

Front panel lamps out, diskette
and/or hard drives do not spin,
monitor blank, interface ports not
working, and keyboard lamp out
and/or cannot input from keyboard.

2. Check power supply voltages. Voltages
should be measured with a load on them
(system board plugged in).

Intermittent beeping at power-on.
Computer beeps more than once
and is unable to complete boot-up.

1. Check system configuration (see
Section 2).

3. Replace the power supply.

2. Check all jumper settings and verify that
drives are enabled (see Section 2).
3. Reseat DIMMs and option boards in
their connectors. Inspect system board for
foreign objects such as paper clips.
4. Remove option boards and reboot.
5. Replace system board.
“Invalid Configuration” message
displayed.

1. Press F2 to run Setup and correct the
parameters.
2. Replace the CMOS battery (see
Section 3) if the date and time must be set
each time the computer is powered on.

Computer halts during loading
sequence.

1. Power the computer off. Check for
proper jumper settings (see Section 2), then
power-on the computer.
2. Check condition of selected bootload
device (diskette, disc, or hard disk) for bad
boot track or incorrect OS files.
3. Try booting OS from diskette or disc, or
recopy OS files onto hard disk.
4. Verify correct hard disk is selected.

Troubleshooting 7-7

Problems and Solutions
Problem

Symptom

Solution

Diskette drive does
not work

Lamp on drive panel does not light
when diskette is loaded.

1. Check power and signal cable
connections between diskette drive and
power supply.
2. Check diskette drive cable. Replace as
necessary.
3. Check power supply.
4. Replace diskette drive.
5. Replace system board.

Hard drive
malfunction

Hard drive lamp does not light but
hard drive can be accessed.

1. Check cable connections between lamp
and system board.

Hard drive controller failure
message displayed.

1. Check that the IDE channel and hard
drives are enabled in Setup (see Section 2).

Cannot access hard drive.

1. Check signal/power connections
between hard disk, PCB, power supply.
2. Check hard drive jumper settings.
3. Check power supply.
4. Check hard drive cable and hard drive.
Replace as necessary.
5. Replace system board (or hard drive
controller PCB if the system board
controller is not used).

Memory malfunction

Total memory not recognized.

1. Reseat DIMMs.
2. Systematically swap DIMMs.
3. Check to see if the DIMM configuration
is valid (see Section 4).
4. Replace DIMMs.
5. Replace system board.

Modem board
malfunction

No output from board.

1. Check interrupts (see Section 2).
2. Check DMA channels (see Section 4).

Keyboard or mouse
malfunction

Monitor has prompt, but cannot
input data using keyboard or
mouse.

1. Check keyboard/mouse plugged in.
2. Check password (see Section 2).
3. Disable password (see Section 2).
4. Replace keyboard (or mouse).
5. Replace system board.

7-8 Troubleshooting

Problems and Solutions
Problem

Symptom

Solution

Monitor malfunction

Unable to synchronize display.

1. Adjust the monitor’s synchronization
controls.
2. Check that the monitor’s resolution
matches the video setting or the video
driver used (see Section 2).
3. Check that the utility is not selecting a
refresh rate/resolution that is not supported
by the monitor.
4. Check that the driver used matches the
capabilities of the built-in video controller
and DRAM.

Wavy display.

1. Check that the computer and monitor
are not near motors or electric fields.

Blank display.

1. Press any key or move the mouse to
ensure power management has not blanked
the display.
2. Check that the monitor power ON/OFF
switch is ON.
3. Check that the monitor cable is attached
to the video connector at the back of the
system.
4. Check cable connections between the
AC power supply and monitor.
5. Adjust brightness and contrast controls
on the monitor.
6. Check cable connections between the
monitor connector and the graphics board.
7. Replace graphics board.
8. Replace monitor.

CD-ROM drive
malfunction

System power not on.

1. Turn system power on.

Disc tray does not open.

1. System power not on. Turn system
power on.
2. System power failed. Insert the end of a
straightened paper clip into the emergency
eject hole, then gently press inward until the
tray opens.

Troubleshooting 7-9

Problems and Solutions
Problem

Symptom

Solution

CD-ROM drive
malfunction (cont”d)

No sound from CDs.

1. Check that speaker power is on and
volume is adjusted.
2. Check audio software settings.
3. Check the CD.
4. Check the CD-ROM drive audio cable
connections.
5. Check the CD-ROM drive audio cable.
Replace as necessary.
6. Replace the CD-ROM drive.
7. Replace the optional sound board.
8. Replace the system board.

Cannot access CD-ROM drive.

1. Check that the CD-ROM driver software
is loaded and not corrupted.
2. Check signal and power connections
between the CD-ROM drive, system board,
and power supply.
3. Check the master/slave jumper settings
(see Section 2).
4. Check the IDE cable. Replace as
necessary.
5. Check the power supply. Replace as
necessary.
6. Check the system board. Replace as
necessary.
7. Check the sound board. Replace as
necessary

Communication
error

Bad data or no data when
communicating.

1. Check cable connections between
system board and device.
2. Check that the interface port is
selected.
3. Test or replace the device and
interface cable (see the device
documentation for troubleshooting).
4. Replace the system board.

7-10 Troubleshooting

8
NEC CSD Information Services
„ Service Telephone Numbers
„ Technical Support
„ Product Information

This section contains the following NEC CSD service and support information:

„ service and support telephone numbers
„ technical support
„ product information.

Service Telephone Numbers
The following table lists the telephone numbers for the NEC CSD service and
support functions.
NEC CSD Service and Support Telephone Numbers
Service

Telephone Numbers

To contact NEC CSD Technical Support Center (TSC):

In the U.S. and Canada, call 1 (800) 632-4525

To order spare parts (Dealers):

Call 1 (800) 632-4525

To order spare parts (Customers):

In the U.S., call 1 (800) 233-6321
In Canada, call 1 (800) 727-2787

To contact Customer Service about service and
contract warranty issues:

Call 1 (800) 632-4525

To log onto the NEC CSD Electronic Bulletin Board
System (BBS) to download software drivers and the
latest BIOS for ROM flashing:

Call 1 (916) 379-4499

To send technical questions by email:

tech-support@neccsd.com

To fax technical questions to customer support:

In the U.S., fax 1 (801) 981-3133

To access the NEC CSD website:

www.nec-computers.com

To access the NEC CSD FTP site:

ftp.neccsdeast.com

Technical Support
The following sections provide information for obtaining technical support from
NEC CSD. With access to a telephone, modem, and/or fax machine, you can use
these services to obtain information on a 24-hour basis.

NEC CSD Website
If you have a modem or a network board and an Internet Service Provider
account, you can access the NEC CSD website. The NEC CSD website contains
service and support information, information about NEC CSD and its products,
an online store, press releases, and reviews.
Look in the Service and Support area for the following:

„ technical documentation, including Frequently Asked Questions, service
and reference manuals, and warranty information

8-2 NEC CSD Information Services

„ BIOS updates, drivers, and setup disk files to download
„ contact information, including telephone numbers for Technical Support
and links to vendor websites

„ an automated email form for your technical support questions
„ a Reseller’s area (password accessible).
To access the NEC CSD Home Page, enter the following Internet Uniform
Resource Locator (URL) in your browser:
www.nec-computers.com

Email/Fax Technical Support Service
The NEC CSD Technical Support Center offers technical support by email over
the Internet network if you have a modem. The email address is:
tech-support@neccsd.com

You can also fax technical questions to the NEC CSD Technical Support Center
if you have access to a fax machine or fax/modem. The fax number is:
1 (801) 981-3133

When using the email or fax support service, please include one of the following
words in the subject field for prompt response from the appropriate technical
person:

„
„
„
„
„

Desktop
Monitor
CD-ROM
Printer
Notebook.

Provide as much specific information in your questions as possible. Also, if
sending a fax, please include your voice telephone number and your fax number
with the question. You will receive a response to your questions within one
business day.

Technical Support Services
NEC CSD also offers direct technical support through its Technical Support
Center. (NEC CSD technical support is for U.S. and Canadian customers only;
international customers should check with their sales provider.)

NEC CSD Information Services 8-3

Direct assistance is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call the NEC CSD
Technical Support Center, toll free, at 1 (800) 632-4525 (U.S. and Canada only)
for the following support.

„ System hardware — toll-free phone support is limited to the length of the
standard warranty.
For hardware support after the standard warranty, get system hardware
support for a fee.

„ Preinstalled software — toll-free phone support for 90 days from the time
of your first call to the NEC CSD Technical Support Center.
After the initial 90 days, get preinstalled software support for a fee.
Please have available your system’s name, model number, serial number, and as
much information as possible about your system’s problem before calling.
For callers outside the U.S. and Canada, please contact your local NEC CSD
sales provider.

Product Information
In addition to the NEC CSD website, you can find product information at the
NEC CSD FTP site and through the NEC CSD Bulletin Board Service. With
access to a telephone, modem, and/or fax machine, you can use these services to
obtain information on a 24-hour basis.

NEC CSD FTP Site
You can use the Internet to access the NEC CSD FTP (file transfer protocol) site
to download various files (video drivers, printer drivers, BIOS updates, and
setup disk files). The files are essentially the same as on the NEC CSD website
and the NEC CSD Bulletin Board Service.
To access the NEC CSD FTP site, enter the following Internet ftp address
through your Internet Provider service:
ftp.neccsdeast.com

Once in the file menu, follow the prompts to choose and download the file(s)
you want.

NEC CSD Bulletin Board Service
If you have access to a modem, you can use the NEC CSD Bulletin Board
Service (BBS) to get the latest information on hardware and software. The BBS
allows you to download files (video drivers, printer drivers, BIOS updates, etc.)
to a diskette for system enhancements and upgrades.

8-4 NEC CSD Information Services

! CAUTION
NEC CSD recommends that you download files from the
Bulletin Board Service to a diskette and not to your hard
drive.

Log onto the BBS as follows.
1. From the Windows desktop, click Start.
2. Point to Programs. Point to Accessories and then click HyperTerminal.
3. Double click the Hypertrm.exe icon. The HyperTerminal program appears.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen to set up your modem. Click the
HyperTerminal help button for information about dialing the phone number.
If you need to check communications settings, check that the settings match
the following BBS parameters.

„
„
„
„
„

Baud rate: select any baud rate that matches your modem
Parity: none
Data bits: 8
Stop bits: 1
Flow control: Xon/Xoff (select Hardware if using 14.4 Kbps or higher).

5. Following the HyperTerminal instructions, enter the BBS phone number
(916-379-4499). Your business phone system and/or location might require
a 9 1 or 1 prefix.
Note: The first time that you use the BBS, you are
requested to provide information for a new user
questionnaire.

6. Press Enter twice.
7. Enter your first name, last name, and password. Press Enter after each.
8. Follow the screen prompts until the Main Menu is displayed.
9. At the Main Menu, select J to join a conference. Select Conference 1 for
the desktop conference.
10. From the Main Menu, press F and Enter for the File menu.
11. At the File menu, select F for a list of downloadable files.

NEC CSD Information Services 8-5

„ Follow the prompts to select a file for downloading.

! CAUTION
Executable files automatically format your diskette when you
download files from the BBS. Formatting destroys any data
on the diskette. Before you download files from the BBS,
check that you do not have information on the diskette that
you need.

„ After you complete downloading your file, log off the BBS as follows.
12. Press Enter (to continue).
13. Press G (command for Goodbye/Hangup).
14. Press Enter.

8-6 NEC CSD Information Services

9
Specifications
„ System Board
„ Keyboard
„ Mouse
„ Speakers
„ System Unit
„ Diskette Drive
„ Hard Drives
„ Power Supply
„ Fax/Modem Board
„ Graphics Boards
„ CD-ROM Drives
„ PC Adapter Unit
„ Tape Backup Unit
„ Zip Drive
„ Environmental and Safety

This section contains the specifications for the various components comprising
the PowerMate VT 300i Series systems. The following table lists the
specifications and the pages where the specifications can be found.
System Specifications
Specification

Go to Page

System board

9-3

Keyboard

9-3

Mouse

9-4

Speakers

9-4

Diskette drive

9-5

Hard drives

9-6

Power supply

9-10

Fax/modem board

9-11

Graphics boards

9-12

CD-ROM drives

9-14

PC adapter device

9-15

Tape backup unit

9-16

Zip drive

9-17

Environmental and safety

9-18

9-2 Specifications

System Board Specifications
The specifications for the system board are included in the following table.
System Board Specifications
Feature

Specification

System Board

06

Processor

Celeron
300A-, 333-, 366-, 400-, or 433-MHz processor

$7; ERDUG ZLWK $*3 FRQQHFWRU DQG LQWHJUDWHG DXGLR

Pentium II
350-, 400-, or 450-MHz processor
Pentium III
450- or 500-MHz processor
Cache Memory

32 KB of primary cache (16-KB data, 16-KB instruction)
integrated in the processor
512 KB (128 KB for Celeron) of secondary cache built-in on
processor

Flash ROM

2 Mb Flash ROM

Chip Set

Intel 440ZX AGPset

I/O Controller

Winbond W83977TF Super I/O controller

System Memory

16 MB to 256 MB in two DIMM sockets on system board

Optional DIMMs

16-MB, 32-MB, 64-MB, and 128-MB (as available); 168-pin,
64-bit (non-ECC) DIMMs

Video Memory

Video Memory  4 MB to 16 MB of 100-MHz SGRAM

Audio Chip

Creative ES1371/ES1373

Battery

Replaceable coin-type battery

Keyboard Specifications
The specifications for the keyboard are included in the following table.
Keyboard Specifications
Feature

Specification

Keyboard

Chicony KB-8923

Dimensions

Width: 19.0 inches (48.3 cm)
Depth: 8.4 inches (21.3 cm)
Height: 1.6 inches (4.1 cm)

Weight

3.5 to 4.0 lb. (1.6 to 1.8 kg)

Specifications 9-3

Mouse Specifications
The specifications for the mouse are included in the following table.
Mouse Specifications
Feature

Specification

Mouse

Microsoft IntelliMouse

Features

2-button with cursor movement wheel
X & Y encoder resolution: 400 PPI opto-mechanical
Wheel Resolution: zoom resolution 18 counts per revolution

Operating Characteristics

Vin = 115 V or 230 V as appropriate Ta = 25°
Thermal stabilization - 1 hour minimum

Physical Features

Length: 4.53 inches
Width: 2.6 inches
Height: 1.52 inches
Weight: 170 grams +/1 20 grams

Temperature Range

Operating: 5° to 35° C
Storage: -20° to 60° C

Speaker Specifications
The specifications for the speaker are included in the following table.
Speaker Specification
Feature

Specification

Speakers

Harman/Kardon

Features

Magnetically shielded 10-watt stereo speakers
Power on/off/volume switch
15-volt AC power adapter

Performance

Frequency response, 90-20 kHz, 2 dB
Sensitivity, 300 mV
Output power, 4.5 watts

9-4 Specifications

System Unit Specifications
The specifications for the system unit are included in the following table.
System Unit Specifications
Feature

Specification

Dimensions

Width: 8.5 inches (21.59 cm)
Depth: 18 inches (45.72 cm)
Height: 17 inches (43.18 cm)

Weight

Starting at 28 lb. (11.78 kg) dependent upon options

Device Slots

Two 5 1/4-inch front accessible slots
One 3 1/2-inch front accessible slot
Two 3 1/2-inch internal slots

Expansion Board Slots

Four slots:
one AGP slot
two 32-bit PCI slots
one shared PCI/ISA slot

Peripheral Interface (rear panel)

PS/2-style keyboard connector
PS/2-style mouse connector
Two RS-232C serial ports
Parallel printer port
VGA monitor port
Two universal serial bus ports
Three audio connectors

Front Panel

Power/sleep button
Power/sleep indicator lamp
Hard drive busy indicator lamp

Diskette Drive Specifications
The specifications for the diskette drive are included in the following table.
Diskette Drive Specifications
Feature

Specification

Diskette Drive

Samsung Diskette Drive SFD-321B

Recording Capacity

High density mode:
Unformatted:
2.00/1.00 MB
Formatted:
1440 KB (512B 18 Sec)
720 KB (256B 18 Sec)
Normal density mode:
Unformatted:
1.00/0.50 MB
Formatted:
640 KB (256B 16 Sec)
320 KB (128B 16 Sec)

Specifications 9-5

Diskette Drive Specifications
Feature

Specification

Data Transfer Rate

High density mode:
500/250 Kbit/sec
Normal density mode:
250/125 Kbit/sec

Disk Speed

300 rpm

Number of Tracks

160 (80 tracks x 2 sides)

Temperature

Operating: 4° to 46°

Relative Humidity

20° to 80°

Dimensions (W x H x D)

25.4 mm x 101.6 mm x 146 mm

Weight

430 grams (typical)

4.3-GB Seagate Hard Drive Specifications
The specifications for the 4.3-GB Seagate hard drive are included in the
following table.
4.3-GB Seagate Hard Drive Specifications
Feature

Specification

Hard Drive

4.3-GB Seagate

Formatted Capacity
Nominal Rotational Speed
Number of Disks
Number of R/W Heads

4300 GB
5,400(rpm)
1
2

Buffer Size

512 KB

Power

+5V +/-5%; 100 mV peak-to-peak allowable ripple/noise
12V +/-10%; 250 mV peak-to-peak allowable ripple/noise

Temperature (non-condensing)

Operating: 5° to 55° C (41° to 131°F)
Non-operating: -40° to 70°C (-40° to 158°F)

Humidity (non-condensing)

Operating: 5% to 90% rh, 30°C (86°F)
Non-operating: 5% to 95% rh, 40°C (104°F)

Altitude

Operating: -122 m to 3,048 m (-400 to 10,000 ft.)
Non-operating: -122 m to 12,192 m (-400 to 40,000 ft.)

Dimensions

Height: 1.0 inches (25.4 mm)
Width: 4.0 inches (101.6 mm)
Depth: 5.75 inches (146.1 mm)

Weight

0.62 Kg

9-6 Specifications

4.3-GB Maxtor Hard Drive Specifications
The specifications for the 4.3-GB Maxtor DiamondMax™ hard drive are
included in the following table.
4.3-GB Maxtor DiamondMax Hard Drive Specifications
Feature

Specification

Hard Drive

4.3-GB Maxtor DiamondMax 88400D3

Formatted Capacity
Nominal Rotational Speed
Number of Disks
Number of R/W Heads

4320 MB
5,400 rpm
1
2

Buffer Size

256 KB

Power

+5V +/-5%; 100 mV peak-to-peak allowable ripple/noise
12V +/-5%; 250 mV peak-to-peak allowable ripple/noise

Temperature (non-condensing)

Operating: 5° to 55° C (41° to 131°F)
Non-operating: -40° to 71°C (-40° to 160°F)

Humidity (non-condensing)

Operating: 5% to 95% rh, 30°C (86°F)
Non-operating: 5% to 95% rh, 40°C (104°F)

Altitude

Operating: -200 m to 3,000 m (-650 to 10,000 ft.)
Non-operating: -200 m to 12,000 m (-650 to 40,000 ft.)

Dimensions

Height: 1.02 inches (25.9 mm)
Width: 4.02 inches (102.1 mm)
Depth: 5.77 inches (146.1 mm)

Weight

1.3 lbs (0.59 Kg)

Specifications 9-7

8.4-GB Fujitsu Hard Drive Specifications
The specifications for the 8.4-GB Fujitsu hard drive are included in the
following table.
8.4-GB Fujitsu Hard Drive Specifications
Feature

Specification

Hard Drive

8.4-GB Fujitsu

Formatted Capacity
Nominal Rotational Speed
Number of Disks
Number of R/W Heads

8450 MB
5,400 rpm
2
4

Buffer Size

512 KB EDO DRAM

Power

+5V +/-5%; 100 mV peak-to-peak allowable ripple/noise
12V +/-8%; 250 mV peak-to-peak allowable ripple/noise

Temperature (non-condensing)

Operating: 5° to 55° C (41° to 131°F)
Non-operating: -40° to 60°C (-40° to 140°F)

Humidity (non-condensing)

Operating: 8% to 80% rh
Non-operating: 5% to 85% rh

Altitude

Operating: -60 m to 3,000 m (-200 to 10,000 ft.)
Non-operating: -200 m to 12,000 m (-650 to 40,000 ft.)

Dimensions

Height: 1.0 inches (26.1 mm)
Width: 4.0 inches (101.6 mm)
Depth: 5.75 inches (146.0 mm)

Weight

1.2 lbs (0.5 Kg)

9-8 Specifications

8.4-GB Maxtor Hard Drive Specifications
The specifications for the 8.4-GB Maxtor hard drive are included in the
following table.
8.4-GB Maxtor DiamondMax Hard Drive Specifications
Feature

Specification

Hard Drive

8.4-GB Maxtor

Formatted Capacity
Nominal Rotational Speed
Number of Disks
Number of R/W Heads

8455 MB
5,400 rpm
2
4

Buffer Size

256 KB

Power

+5V +/-5%; 100 mV peak-to-peak allowable ripple/noise
12V +/-5%; 250 mV peak-to-peak allowable ripple/noise

Temperature (non-condensing)

Operating: 5° to 55° C (41° to 131°F)
Non-operating: -40° to 71°C (-40° to 160°F)

Humidity (non-condensing)

Operating: 5% to 85% rh, 30°C (86°F)
Non-operating: 5% to 95% rh, 40°C (104°F)

Altitude

Operating: -200 m to 3,000 m (-650 to 10,000 ft.)
Non-operating: -200 m to 12,000 m (-650 to 40,000 ft.)

Dimensions

Height: 1.02 inches (25.9 mm)
Width: 4.2 inches (102.1 mm)
Depth: 5.77 inches (146.6 mm)

Weight

1.3 lbs (0.59 Kg)

Specifications 9-9

12.9-GB Maxtor Hard Drive Specifications
The specifications for the 12.9-GB Maxtor hard drive are included in the
following table.
12.9-GB Maxtor DiamondMax Hard Drive Specifications
Feature

Specification

Hard Drive

12.9-GB Maxtor

Formatted Capacity
Nominal Rotational Speed
Number of Disks
Number of R/W Heads

1290 MB
5,400 rpm
3
6

Buffer Size

512 KB

Power

+5V +/-5%; 100 mV peak-to-peak allowable ripple/noise
12V +/-5%; 250 mV peak-to-peak allowable ripple/noise

Temperature (non-condensing)

Operating: 5° to 55° C (41° to 131°F)
Non-operating: -40° to 71°C (-40° to 160°F)

Humidity (non-condensing)

Operating: 5% to 85% rh, 30°C (86°F)
Non-operating: 5% to 95% rh, 40°C (104°F)

Altitude

Operating: -200 m to 3,000 m (-650 to 10,000 ft.)
Non-operating: -200 m to 12,000 m (-650 to 40,000 ft.)

Dimensions

Height: 1.02 inches (25.9 mm)
Width: 4.02 inches (102.1 mm)
Depth: 5.77 inches (146.6 mm)

Weight

1.3 lbs (0.59 Kg)

ATX Power Supply Specifications
The specifications for the ATX 90-watt and 145-watt power supplies are
included in the following table.
Power Supply Specifications
Feature

Specification

Power Supply

90-Watt and 145-Watt Power Supplies

Operating Characteristics

Vin = 115 V or 230 V as appropriate Ta = 25°
Thermal stabilization - 1 hour minimum

Temperature Range

Operating: 10° to 50° C
Storage: -40° to 70° C

9-10 Specifications

Fax/Modem Board Specifications
The specifications for the fax/modem boards are included in the following table.
Fax/Modem Board Specifications
Feature

Specification

Fax/Modem Board

U.S. Robotics Python V.90 56.6 Kbps ISA Modem
Diamond MDM100D V90 56 Kbps TTU PCI Modem
Aztech MDM100A V90 56 Kbps TTU PCI Modem
GVC MDM100G V90 56 Kbps TTU PCI Modem

Data (maximum speed)

V90 ITU 56 Kbps
ITU-T V.34+
ITU-T V.34
ITU-T V.32bis
ITU-T V.32
ITU-T V.23
ITU-T V.22bis
ITU-T V.22
Bell 212A
Bell 103

Error Control and Data Compression

ITU-T V.42
ITU-T V.42bis
MNP5

Fax Modulation Schemes

ITU-T V.17
ITU-T V.29
ITU-T V.27ter
ITU-T V.21

Fax Standards

EIA 578 Class 1 Fax
EIA 592 Class 2.0 Fax
14.4 Kbps Send and Receive

Specifications 9-11

ATI Minden AGP Board Specifications
The specifications for the ATI Minden (Rage IIC) 4 MB AGP board are
included in the following table.
ATI Minden (Rage IIC) AGP Board Specifications
Feature

Specification

AGP Board

ATI Minden (Rage IIC) AGP Board

Controller

ATI 3D Rage IIC 64 bit graphics accelerator

Bus Type

AGP 2X Compliant

Video BIOS

64 K (AGP Compliant)

Memory

4-MB SDRAM on AGP board

Vertical Refresh

75 Hz – 200 Hz

Maximum Dot (Pixel) Rate

170 MHz

Connectors

VGA DB-15 with DDC support for plug and play monitors
132-pin standard AGP bus connector
144-pin SO-DIMM connector

ATI Expert 98 AGP 8 MB Board Specifications
The specifications for the ATI Expert 98 (Rage PRO) 8 MB AGP board are
included in the following table.
ATI Expert 98 (Rage PRO) AGP Board Specifications
Feature

Specification

AGP Board

ATI Expert 98 (Rage PRO) AGP Board

Controller

ATI 2D/3D/video RagePRO Turbo 64 bit graphics accelerator
(supports DVD playback)

Bus Type

AGP 2X Compliant

Video BIOS

64 K (AGP Compliant)

Memory

8-MB SDRAM on AGP board

Vertical Refresh

75 Hz – 200 Hz

Maximum Dot (Pixel) Rate

170 MHz

Connectors

VGA DB-15 with DDC support for plug and play monitors
132-pin standard AGP bus connector
144-pin SO-DIMM connector

9-12 Specifications

Diamond Viper V550 AGP Board
Specifications
The specifications for the Diamond Viper V550 AGP 2D/3D graphics board are
included in the following table.
Diamond Viper V550 AGP Board Specifications
Feature

Specification

AGP Board

Diamond Viper V550 AGP Board

Controller

NVIDIA RIVA TNT™ chipset, true 128 bit

Resolutions

Up to 1920 by 1200

Bus Type

AGP 2X Compliant

Memory

16-MB 125 MHz SDRAM on board

Vertical Refresh

60 Hz – 200 Hz

Connectors

VGA DB-15 with DDC support for plug and play monitors
132-pin standard AGP bus connector

Lite-On 32X and 40X CD-ROM Drive
Specifications
The specifications for the Lite-On 32X and 40X CD-ROM drives are included
in the following table.
Lite-On 32X and 40X CD-ROM Drive Specifications
Feature

Specification

32X and 40 XCD-ROM Drive

Lite-On CD-ROM drive

Interface

ATAPI/EIDE
Supports PIO Mode4, DMA Mode 2, and Ultra DMA

Average Access Time

<80 ms (typical)

Applicable Disc Format

Mixed Mode (Audio and Data Combined)
ISO9660, CD-DA, Mode 1 (basic format), Mode 2 form 1 and
form 2, Photo-CD (Single and Multisession), CD-I/FMV,
CD-Extra, Video CD, CD-DA, CD-RW

Data Transfer Rate/Sustained Data
Transfer Rate
32X (24X average)
40X (30X average)

2100 - 4800 Kbytes/sec
2550 - 6000 Kbytes/sec

Voltage tolerance

+5V DC +/-5%; +12V DC +/-10%

Specifications 9-13

Lite-On 32X and 40X CD-ROM Drive Specifications
Feature

Specification

Temperature

Operating: 5 to 45
°
°
Non-operating: -20 to 60

Humidity

Operating: 20% to 80% (non-condensing)
Non-operating: 20% to 90% (non-condensing)

Physical Dimensions

H x W x L: 41.3 x 145.8 x 190.5 mm max

Weight

1.2 Kg (typical)

°

°

NEC 32X CD-ROM Drive Specifications
The specifications for the NEC 32X CD-ROM drive are included in the
following table.
NEC 32X CD-ROM Drive Specifications
Feature

Specification

32X CD-ROM Drive

NEC CDR-1900A/PBM

Data Transfer Rate

2550 - 6000 Kbytes

Memory Buffer

128 Kbytes

Supported Modes

CD-Audio, CD-ROM (Mode 1 and Mode 2), CD-XA (Mode 2,
form 1 and form 2), CD-I (FMV), Video CD, CD Extra, CW-RW,
CD-Text, Multisession Photo CD, Single Session Photo CD

Capacity

656 MB (Mode 1)
748 MB (Mode 2)

Weight

.971 Kg

Temperature

5°C to 45°C (Operating)
-20°C to +60°C (Non-operating)

Humidity

30% to 70% relative humidity (Operating)
30% to 90% relative humidity (Non-operating)

9-14 Specifications

Hitachi 4X DVD-ROM Drive Specifications
The specifications for the Hitachi 4X DVD-ROM drive are included in the
following table.
Hitachi 4X DVD-ROM Drive Specifications
Feature

Specification

4X DVD-ROM Drive

Hitachi GD-2500

Data Transfer Rate

DVD, 5.52 MB
DVD-R, 2.76 MB
CD, 3.6 MB

Interface

Enhanced IDE (ATAPI)

Memory Buffer

512 Kbytes

Supported Modes

CD-Audio, CD-ROM (Mode 1 and Mode 2), CD-XA (Mode 2,
form 1 and form 2), CD-I (FMV), Video CD, CD Extra, CW-RW,
CD-Text, Multisession Photo CD, Single Session Photo CD

Capacity

DVD, 4.7 GB (single-layer disc) or 8.5 GB (double-layer disc)
CD, 650 MB

Temperature

5°C to 45°C (Operating)
-20°C to +60°C (Non-operating)

Humidity

15% to 85% relative humidity (Operating)
10% to 90% relative humidity (Non-operating)

Weight

1 Kg (2.2 lb.)

Dimensions

146 mm wide, 41.3 mm high, 190 mm depth

PC Adapter Device Specifications
The specifications for the PC adapter device are included in the following table.
PC Adapter Device Specifications
Feature

Specification

PCMCIA device

SCM SwapBox PC Card Host SBI-D2P

Hardware

PnP 16-bit PC-AT interface card connecting to a 3.5-inch drive
bay with twin PC Card sockets

Card Sockets

2

Card Configurations

Two Type I/II cards or
One Type I/II card and one Type III

Controller

ExCA-compatible PCMCIA VG469 controller; Intel register,
step B compatible

Specifications 9-15

PC Adapter Device Specifications
Feature

Specification

Software

SwapFit Flash Filing system driver enabling full floppy disk or
hard drive emulation on flash cards; compatible with all
compression and PC-utilities software
Single drive letter designator for all memory cards
Graphical installation and formatting utilities

Functionality

Supports ISA Plug and Play
Supports mixed voltage (3V) cards
Vcc and Vpp Matrix: Micrel MTC2563

Tape Backup Unit Specifications
The specifications for the tape backup unit are included in the following table.
Tape Backup Unit Specifications
Feature

Specification

Tape Backup Unit

Seagate CTT8000 IDE Minicartridge Drive

Capacity

4.0 GB (900 Oe 740’ Travan cartridge,
uncompressed)
8.0 GB (900 Oe 740’ Travan cartridge,
compressed)

Effective Backup Rate

30 MB/min typical native
45 MB/min typical compressed

Data Transfer Rate

300/450/600 KB/second Fast Sense

Tape Speed
Read/Write
Search/Rewind

33, 51, or 77 ips
90 ips max

Recording Method

Serpentine

Recording Format

QIC-3095-MC

Recording Media

900 Oe 740’ Travan TR-4

Cartridge Size

3.2 in. x 2.4 in. x 0.4 in. (81 mm x 61 mm)

Data Density

67,733 bpi

Tracks

72 data tracks, one directory track

Synchronous Transfer Rate (Burst)

5 MBytes/sec maximum

Asynchronous Transfer Rate (Burst)

5 MBytes/sec maximum

Voltage Tolerance

+5V +/-5%; +12V +/-10%

9-16 Specifications

Tape Backup Unit Specifications
Feature

Specification

Temperature

Operating: 5° to 45°
Non-operating: -40° to 65°

Humidity

Operating: 20% to 80% (non-condensing)
Non-operating: 5% to 95% (non-condensing)

Altitude

Operating: -1,000 to 15,000 feet
Non-operating: -1,000 to 50,000 feet

Zip Drive Specifications
The specifications for the Zip drive are included in the following table.
Zip Drive Specification
Feature

Specification

Zip Drive

Iomega Zip 100 ATA Drive

Sustained Data Transfer Rate

Up to 11.2 Mbits/sec

Burst Transfer Rate

Up to 26.7 Mbits/sec

Minimum Seek

4.0 ms

Average Seek

29.0 ms

Maximum Seek

55.0 ms

Average Latency

10.2 ms

Spindle Speed

2941 rpm

Track-to-Track Access Time

5.0 ms

Average Head Switch Time

8.0 ms

Head Reload Time

200.0 ms

Average Start/Stop Time

3/2 seconds

Removable Zip Cartridge Capacity

100 MB formatted

Error Correction

Reed-Solomon

Height

1.00 in. (25.4 mm)

Width

3.99 in. (101.4 mm)

Depth

6.44 in. (163.6 mm)

Weight

13.2 ounces (374.22 grams)

Relative Humidity (Noncondensing)

10% to 80% (operating)

Operating Temperature

10°C to 32°C

Specifications 9-17

Environmental and Safety Specifications
The system environmental and safety specifications are included in the
following table.
Specifications
Feature

Specification

Recommended Operating
Environment

Temperature: 50°F to 95°F (10°C to 35°C)
Relative Humidity: 20% to 80%

Administrative Compliance

UL 1950 - safety
CSA C22.2 No. 950-m89
TUV EN60950: 1988
FCC part 15, Subpart J, Class B - emissions
FCC part 68
IEC 950 - safety
VDE 0871/6.78, Class B - emissions

Compliance
The system meets the compliance standards listed in the following table.
System Compliance
Usage

Standard

Domestic

FCC CFR 47 Part 15, Subpart B
rd
UL 1950 3 edition

Canadian

C-UL C22.2 No. 950-95
ICES-003 Issue 2, Revision 1

European

CD EMC Directive 89/336 EEC
EN55022:1993 Class B
EN50082-1:1997
CD LVD Directive 73/23 EEC
EN60950

Energy Star

All modes are Energy Star Compliant

The system meets all requirements in the European Waste Regulation Ordinance
for packaging and scrap.

9-18 Specifications

A
Release Notes
„ General Notes
„ SCSI Drive Limitations
„ LS-120 SuperDisk Copy Utility
„ NEC OS Restore CD
„ PIIX4 Limitations
„ New System Board Jumper Settings
„ Intel Processor Serial Number Control Utility
„ Windows 95 Issues
„ Windows 98 Issues
„ Windows NT Issues

The PowerMate VT 300i Series Release Notes provide up-to-date information
on installing the applications that come with your computer. These notes also
provide additional valuable information about your computer that was not
included in the printed user’s guide or online NEC Help Center.
Please read these notes in their entirety.

General Notes
The following notes describe general system behaviors and recommended
operating procedures not documented in other PowerMate VT 300i Series
documentation.

Installing Applications and Online Documentation
The system comes with the operating system preloaded. Microsoft® Internet
Explorer® 4.01 also comes preinstalled on systems with the Windows® 98
operating system. All other applications and online documentation are installed
from the NEC Application and Driver CD. Microsoft Internet Explorer also
comes on the NEC Application and Driver CD for systems with the Windows
95 or Windows NT® operating system.
Launch the NEC Application and Driver CD as follows:

„ In systems running the Windows NT operating system, insert the NEC
Application and Driver CD after the system reboots and you have chosen
the Windows NT Workstation Version 4.00 operating system. Be sure to
insert the CD before Windows NT actually completes its boot and
displays the NT logon screen.
Note: Install the optional software located on the NEC
Select Install CD after your first logon to Windows NT.

„ For systems running the Windows 95 or Windows 98 operating system,
insert the NEC Application and Driver CD after the system reboots.
The CD autorun feature loads the NEC Application and Driver Installation
Utility program.
Follow these guidelines when you install applications and the NEC Help Center
online documentation:

„ For systems with the Windows 95 or Windows NT operating system,
install Microsoft Internet Explorer first and alone, before installing any
other application from the NEC Application and Driver CD.
Internet Explorer 4.01 already comes preinstalled on systems with the
Windows 98 operating system.

A-2 NEC PowerMate VT 300i Series Release Notes

„ Once Internet Explorer is installed, other applications can be installed
during the same installation session and in any order. Internet Explorer
comes preinstalled on systems with the Windows 98 operating system.
Note: Install the NEC Help Center after installing
Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 on the system. Installation of
the NEC Help Center requires Internet Explorer 4.01
installed on the system. The Help Center cannot run without
Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01.

See “NEC Application and Driver CD” in Chapter 3 of the PowerMate VT 300i
Series User’s Guide for detailed information about installing applications from
the Application and Driver CD.

Setting Boot Order in BIOS
To use the CD-ROM drive as a boot device, the BIOS must list it as the first
device. Otherwise, the CD-ROM drive should be second in the boot order.
The system does not boot from a Zip® drive if it is listed as the first boot device.

Configuring the System for Microsoft Internet Explorer
TCP/IP must be enabled before Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 can be used.
See the next section, “Changing Network Settings,” for instructions on enabling
TCP/IP. (Internet Explorer is installed from the NEC Application and Driver
CD.)
Note: Internet Explorer 4.01 comes preinstalled on
systems with the Windows 98 operating system.

Changing Network Settings
All systems are configured with the NetBEUI and NWLink protocols enabled.
However, before you connect a system to your network you might need to:

„ enable a different network protocol
„ disable unneeded protocols for enhanced system performance
„ add or change network, domain, and gateway information.
The following procedure describes how to disable the NetBEUI and NWLink
protocols, enable TCP/IP, and provide network, domain, and gateway
information. (If a different protocol is enabled, the menu choices may differ
from those described in the procedure.)
1. From the Windows desktop, click Start on the taskbar, point to Settings,
and click Control Panel.

NEC PowerMate VT 300i Series Release Notes A-3

2. Double click the Network icon in the Control Panel window.
3. Click the Protocols tab. In the Protocols display, the following protocols
are loaded:
NetBEUI Protocol
NWLink IPXSPX-Compatible Transport
NWLink NetBIOS

4. Highlight NWLink IPXSPX-Compatible Transport and click Remove. A
warning window appears asking for confirmation to continue.
5. Click Yes. The NWLink IPXSPX-Compatible Transport and NWLink
NetBIOS lines disappear from the Protocols display.
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 to remove the NetBEUI Protocol.
7. Click Add. The Select Network Protocol window appears.
8. Highlight TCP/IP Protocol and click OK. The TCP/IP Setup window
appears. If there is a DHCP server on the network, click Yes; otherwise
click No.
9. Change the path in the window to C:\I386. Click Continue. The Network
window appears. If Yes was clicked in step 8, skip to step 16. If No was
clicked in step 8, the Windows Setup window appears.
10. Click Close. The Microsoft TCP/IP Properties Box appears.
11. Fill in the IP Address, the Subnet Mask, and the Default Gateway in the
“Specify an IP address” area.
12. Click the DNS tab and enter the host and domain name in the DNS display.
13. Click the Identification tab and change the Computer Name if appropriate.
14. Click the WINS tab and enter the WINS address if appropriate.
15. Click the Routing tab and enable IP forwarding if appropriate.
16. Click OK. When prompted to restart the system, click Yes.

Installing Cheyenne Backup
After installing the Cheyenne® Backup utility on the system and rebooting the
system, an “Unable to connect to Group” error message is displayed. This
message indicates that a backup tape unit is not installed. Installing a tape unit
or reconfiguring the Cheyenne Backup utility removes this message.
See “Using Cheyenne Backup” for issues related to using the utility in
Windows 95.

A-4 NEC PowerMate VT 300i Series Release Notes

Installing LapLink Application Not Supported
The LapLink application included on the NEC Application and Driver CD is not
supported. This version of LapLink can cause problems when installed. When
released, a new version will be available on the NEC CSD website
(http://www.nec-computers.com). On the website, select Service & Support
and then choose PowerMate.

Installing PartitionMagic
Install PartitionMagic™ files from the NEC Application and Driver CD. Select
the PartitionMagic software from the Applications tab in the Installation utility
menu. The utility loads files from the NEC Application and Driver CD to
C:\Program Files\PowerQuest\PartitionMagic4. You can find setup and
documentation files in the following folders:

„
„
„
„

Btmagic
Diskette
Setup
Userinfo.

If the PartitionMagic setup program asks you for a serial number, enter the
following number:
PM400ENOEMCD-673785

See the documentation in the Userinfo folder for information about using
PartitionMagic, BootMagic™, and the recovery diskette program. Reading the
Userinfo files requires the Adobe® Acrobat reader. Install the Adobe Acrobat
reader from the NEC Application and Driver CD. Select the Adobe Acrobat
software from the Applications tab. To load the reader, run Ar32e301.exe from
the C:\Acrobat3 folder.
Note: If you are installing BootMagic in a system with
the Windows NT operating system, see “Installing
BootMagic in a System with Windows NT” at the end of this
document.

Getting CD-ROM Support in Command Prompt Only Mode
CD-ROM support is not available when you select F8 at the “Starting Windows
9x” prompt and select the Command Prompt Only option. To initiate
CD-ROM support in the Command Prompt Only mode, run DOSSTART.BAT
which is located in the C:\WINDOWS directory.

NEC PowerMate VT 300i Series Release Notes A-5

Installing Internet Explorer 4.01 Add-On Components from the
NEC Driver CD
Choosing the Installing Internet Explorer 4.01 Add-On Components option on
the NEC Driver CD results in a file opening error message. Due to the space
these components require, the component files are not included on the NEC
Driver CD. NEC CSD recommends that you run Internet Explorer 4.01, click
the Help menu, and select Product Update. This procedure takes you to the
Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 website where you can install these
components.

Identifying the Pentium III Processor
NEC computer systems with the Intel® Pentium® III processor come equipped
with the most advanced Intel Pentium processor available.
Because the new Pentium III processor was introduced after the release of
Microsoft® Windows® 98, Windows 95, and Windows NT® operating systems,
these operating systems are not able to correctly identify the processor. These
operating systems might identify the Pentium III processor as a Pentium II or
Pentium Pro processor.
Windows identifies the processor on the General tab of the Windows System
Properties sheet. You can get to System Properties in either of the following
ways:

„ Right click the My Computer icon on the Windows desktop and select
Properties from the drop-down menu.

„ Select Settings from the Windows Start menu, click Control Panel,
double click the System icon.
The Windows System Properties processor identification does not effect in any
way the performance of the Pentium III processor. At bootup, the system BIOS
detects the Pentium III processor.
You can obtain a patch to fix the Windows processor identification once
Microsoft releases the patch. Check for the patch on the Microsoft website
(www.microsoft.com) or NEC CSD website (www.nec-computers.com).

SCSI Drive Limitations
The following procedures and operating limitations apply to systems whose only
hard drive is a SCSI device.

Booting from a CD
In systems with only a SCSI hard drive, it is not possible to boot from an IDE
CD-ROM drive.

A-6 NEC PowerMate VT 300i Series Release Notes

Using the NEC OS Restore CD with a SCSI Drive
If a situation arises in which a full operating system restore must be performed
using the NEC OS Restore CD, first boot the system from the bootable diskette.
(This might be necessary, for example, if the system does not boot from the hard
drive.) The bootable diskette comes with all systems that have a SCSI hard
drive. After the system boots, proceed with the NEC OS Restore procedure.

LS-120 SuperDisk Copy Utility
Using the LS-120 SuperDisk™ Copy utility on 1.44-MB or 120-MB media
intermittently causes system lockups and diskette eject failures. This condition
only occurs when you use the SuperDisk Copy utility supplied with the
SuperDisk Tools diskette shipped with the system.
To safely copy a 1.44-MB diskette, NEC CSD recommends using the standard
Microsoft® Disk Copy program supplied with the Microsoft Windows®
operating system. You can find the Microsoft Disk Copy program by double
clicking My Computer and right clicking the LS-120 icon. The context menu
displays Copy Disk as one of the available items. Using this Copy Disk program
allows the LS-120 SuperDisk drive to copy 1.44-MB diskettes without system
lockups and allows the drive to eject the 1.44-MB diskette. However, this utility
does not copy 120-MB media.
If you need to duplicate 120-MB media, you must use the SuperDisk Copy
utility. To avoid data loss, make sure you save all data and close all applications
before you attempt to copy 120-MB diskettes with the SuperDisk Copy utility.
To recover from a diskette eject failure or a system lockup after completing the
SuperDisk Copy, restart the system by pressing the power button to turn off the
system. Then press the power button again to turn on system power.
LS-120 SuperDisk Copy issues are currently under investigation and will be
fixed in the next version of the SuperDisk Utilities. Please check the NEC CSD
website below for updates.
http://support.neccsdeast.com/products/PowerMate/index.asp

NEC PowerMate VT 300i Series Release Notes A-7

NEC OS Restore CD
The following sections provide information about the “Fix OS” Restore option
on the NEC OS Restore CD. Please use this information in place of the Fix OS
information in the Chapter 3 “NEC OS Restore” sections of your
PowerMate VT 300i Series User’s Guide.

Using the Fix OS Restore Option
“Fix OS” is a Restore option on the NEC OS Restore CD for Windows 95 and
Windows 98 systems. The Fix OS restore option reinstalls the Windows
operating system while leaving data files intact. It allows you to restore your
system to the point where you can back up your data files. This option is
intended as a precursor to a full format and restore. See the next section, “Fixing
the Operating System,” to perform this restore procedure.

Fixing the Operating System
Use the following procedure to restore the operating system to a state for
retrieving and backing up data without repartitioning or reformatting the hard
drive. Once all data is backed up, perform another NEC OS Restore using the
Auto or Custom mode.

! CAUTION
The Auto and Custom OS Restore programs delete all the
data on your hard drive. If possible, back up your data
before performing an OS Restore with these options.

1. Launch the NEC OS Restore CD and follow the prompts to get to the
Restore Mode screen (see “Launching the OS Restore CD” in Chapter 3 of
the PowerMate VT 300i Series User’s Guide).
2. Click Fix OS to do a basic operating system restore. The Fix OS screen
appears and displays two options (Back and Continue).
3. Click Continue. The Installing Applications screen appears, showing the
status of the restore. It also displays the version of the Windows OS being
installed. The installation can take from 5 to 10 minutes.
Note: The drivers and other software components
required for the operating system are also loaded from the
CD.

After the OS finishes loading, the “Operating System Restore Completed”
screen appears.
4. Remove the CD from the CD tray.
5. Click OK to reboot.
A-8 NEC PowerMate VT 300i Series Release Notes

This completes the OS Restore (or “Fix OS”) procedure. The system is now in a
state where data can be backed up. System settings previously located in the
C:\WINDOWS directory are now in a backup directory C:\WINDOWS.ORG.

! CAUTION
Some or all applications might not exhibit full functionality
after the Fix OS is performed. To restore the system to its
factory-installed state, perform another OS Restore using
the Auto or Custom option.

! CAUTION
Using the Fix OS option repetitively without using the Auto
or Custom option afterward might cause unpredictable
results.

To restore the system to its factory-installed state, perform another NEC OS
Restore using the Auto or Custom option (see “Launching the OS Restore CD”
in Chapter 3 of the PowerMate VT 300i Series User’s Guide).

PIIX4 Limitations
The following operating limitations apply to PIIX4 (PCI ISA IDE Xcelerator).

Reconfiguring Ultra DMA Support
The PCI IDE interface on the PowerMate VT 300i Series system supports the
latest ATA ULTRA DMA/33 interface. In order to do so, the PIIX4 component
that was recently released from Intel Corporation was incorporated in the
system. However, standard versions of Windows® 95 were released prior to the
release of PIIX4; these versions do not recognize the PIIX4 as capable of
supporting ULTRA DMA/33.
Several information files (.INF files) need to be added to standard versions of
Windows 95 so the operating system can incorporate PIIX4 features. NEC CSD
already includes these .INF files in the preinstalled software that comes with
your system. NEC CSD recommends that customers use the version of
Windows 95 that is included with their system.
Note: NEC CSD recommends that customers use the
version of Windows 95 that is included with their system
because this version is already configured for Ultra DMA/33.

NEC PowerMate VT 300i Series Release Notes A-9

When users install their own version of Windows 95, ULTRA DMA/33 does
not function without the addition of these files. These .INF files can be added to
a new install of Windows 95 by using the NEC OS Restore CD. This results in
full ULTRA DMA/33 support.

Determining IDE Device Compatibility
The new PIIX4 component contains a small change in the IDE interface. This
change to lower voltage levels on one signal has no effect on most of the IDE
hard drives on the market. A small number of older drives fail to function with
this new setting. If you have a concern about an older drive that you would like
to use with your PowerMate VT 300i Series system, NEC CSD Technical
Support Services can help you determine if there might be a problem.

New System Board Jumper Settings
The system board configuration label attached to the system chassis does not
contain a complete listing of jumper settings for this system. See the following
figure for updated jumper setup information.

A-10 NEC PowerMate VT 300i Series Release Notes

NEC PowerMate VT 300i Series Release Notes A-11

Intel Processor Serial Number Control Utility
The Intel® Processor Serial Number Control utility is a Windows® program that
enables or disables the reading of the Pentium® III processor serial number by
software. This function lets you control which software programs or websites
have permission to read the processor serial number. When installed, the utility
runs automatically each time the system powers on.
This utility places an icon in the Windows system tray. The icon provides a
visual status of the processor serial number. You have the option of hiding the
system tray icon. You can disable the processor serial number at any time.
However, enabling the serial number requires restarting the system.
The following information describes:

„
„
„
„
„

system requirements
installation procedures
processor serial number features
answers to frequently asked questions
Intel technical support.

Identifying System Requirements
The Intel Processor Serial Number Control utility requires:

„ a Pentium III processor-based system
„ Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows NT® 4.0 (or later)
„ 2 megabytes of hard drive space.
Installing the Utility
The Intel Processor Serial Number Control Utility (version 1.0) comes on the
NEC Application and Driver CD. See your PowerMate VT 300i Series User’s
Guide for information about using the NEC Application and Driver CD.
Run setup.exe from the directory where you unzip the file.
Note: Installing this utility on a system which does not
contain a Pentium III processor generates an error message.

Looking at Serial Number Features
The Intel processor serial number, a new feature of the Pentium III processor, is
an identifier for the processor. The processor serial number is designed to be
unique, and when used in conjunction with other identification methods, can be
used to identify the system or user. This number can be used in a wide variety of
applications which benefit from stronger forms of system and user
identification.
A-12 NEC PowerMate VT 300i Series Release Notes

The processor serial number is analogous to a conventional serial number, with
these important differences:

„ A software application can read the processor serial number.
„ You can disable the reading of the serial number via utility programs
such as this one, or via the BIOS, depending on the system configuration.
For additional information about the Pentium III processor and the processor
serial number, please visit www.intel.com/pentiumiii.

Getting Answers to FAQs
See the following answers to questions about the processor serial number.
What are the benefits of the processor serial number?

You can use the processor serial number in applications which benefit from
stronger forms of system and user identification.
Why would I want to turn off my processor serial number?

Intel believes the processor serial number can provide compelling benefits to
users. They are developing features in conjunction with the processor serial
number to allow responsible service providers to provide services which
maintain your privacy. However, if you are concerned that a given
application/service using your processor number might impact your privacy, you
can turn off the processor serial number using the utility.
What is the default state of the processor serial number?

The default state of the processor serial number is on, until the Processor Serial
Number Control utility is installed. Once the Processor Serial Number Control
utility is installed, it turns the processor serial number off by default. You can
use the utility to turn on the processor serial number.
Can a website read my serial number without my knowledge?

No, generally not. Websites cannot read serial numbers unless you allow them
to download a program which can read the processor serial number. Almost all
browsers are configured to warn users whenever they download executable
software. Unless you disable the warning in the browser, you should receive a
notification.
Does Intel track serial numbers?

Generally not, other than related to the manufacturing process. Intel does not, in
the absences of advance and express consent of a user, collect serial number
data which is otherwise identified with a user.

NEC PowerMate VT 300i Series Release Notes A-13

Which programs and/or websites currently use the processor serial
number?

You can find a complete list of programs which can take advantage of the
processor serial number and other new capabilities of the Pentium III processor
at http://www.intel.com/pentiumiii/utility.htm.
How can I tell if my processor serial number is turned on?

The vast majority of Pentium III processor-based systems ship with the
processor serial number enabled. The control utility allows you to check the
status by:

„ Viewing the icon itself. The disabled icon shows a red circle with a
white “x.”

„ Clicking the task tray icon and selecting the “Status” menu item. Or you
can select the menu from the tool tip shown when you position the mouse
over the task tray icon.

Getting Intel Technical Support
For world wide 7 days a week, 24 hours a day technical support, please visit the
Intel support website at http://support.intel.com.
Email: support@intel.com.
In the United States, call 800-628-8686 from 5:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific
Standard Time.
For world wide phone contacts, please see
http://support.intel.com/support/feedback.htm.

Windows 95 Issues
The following material describes information specific to systems running the
Microsoft® Windows 95® operating system.

Controlling CD Audio
CD audio volume is not controlled by the Windows 95 taskbar Volume Control.
To control CD audio volume, access your CD player program. Move the volume
slider bars up or down to increase or decrease CD audio volume.

Using Cheyenne Backup to Back Up Large Drives
When Cheyenne Backup is set to automatically back up a drive to a network
drive, and the system drive being backed up is greater than 2.l GB, multiple
instances of the Copy program may be launched, according to how many drive
letters are assigned to the hard drive. The first instances end with an indication
that no data was transferred. The last instance completes the backup
successfully. See also “Installing Cheyenne Backup” earlier in this document.
A-14 NEC PowerMate VT 300i Series Release Notes

Restoring Software with a US Robotics 56K V.90 Modem Installed
If your system has a US Robotics 56K V.90 Modem installed and you restore
the Windows 95 operating system, the system might display a message
indicating it cannot load the Modem.inf file. If this message appears, follow the
instructions in “Installing Applications and Online Documents” in this
document. Select the US Robotics 56K modem from the appropriate Operating
System section of the NEC Application and Driver CD.

Clicking the Product Catalog Button
When a computer running the Windows 95 operating system is first booted, a
Welcome screen appears. If the Product Catalog button is clicked, the user is
prompted to insert the Windows 95 CD. Click Cancel to clear the message.

Windows 98 Issues
The following material describes information specific to systems running the
Microsoft® Windows 98® operating system.

Ejecting the NEC Application and Driver CD from a DVD-ROM
Drive
If your system has a Hitachi DVD-ROM drive (4X GD-2500) and you manually
load applications or drivers from the NEC Application and Driver CD, a dialog
box appears with the message “Reminder: Please remove CD-ROM.”
Pressing the eject button on the DVD-ROM drive displays another dialog box
with the message: “Eject request to Drive in Use: An Eject request was received
for a drive that is in use, continue with eject operation?”
Click OK to eject the CD from the DVD-ROM drive. The first dialog box is
displayed. Click OK to complete the software loading operation.

Finding Tape Device Icons
Windows 98 displays tape device detection icons in Control Panel and Device
Manager when no tape devices are installed in the system. This is normal for the
chipset used on the PowerMate VT 300i Series system board. The Windows 98
operating system indicates that support for a tape device is available.

Finding the 3Com Diagnostic Program
The 3Com Windows user diagnostic program is not available on the Windows
Start/Programs menu. If you need to run the 3Com Diagnostics program, use the
MS-DOS-based programs on the Driver CD that comes with your system.

NEC PowerMate VT 300i Series Release Notes A-15

Finding No Network Neighborhood Icon on the Desktop
The Windows 98 desktop does not display a Network Neighborhood icon when
you boot the system into Windows 98. The 3Com 3C905B-TX drivers are
preinstalled on the system and no protocols are loaded. This configuration does
not display the Network Neighborhood icon on the desktop. See “Changing
Network Settings” in this document to configure your system.

Windows NT Issues
The following material describes information specific to systems running the
Microsoft® Windows NT® operating system.

Restoring Network Card Drivers
If you are running a system with the Windows NT operating system, use the
following procedure to install either the Intel® Pro 100 or 3Com® 3C905B-TX
drivers from the NEC Application and Driver CD.
1. Locate the entire directory for the network card you are installing in your
system. Copy the entire directory to a local temporary directory.
2. In the Windows NT Control Panel, select network and click adapters.
3. Select ADD and click the HaveDisk button. A dialog box is displayed.
4. In the Path windows, type the name of the temporary directory for the
network card files you copied. Click OK. Windows NT installs the driver
files for the network card.

Installing BootMagic in a System with Windows NT
BootMagic™ is a utility included in the PowerQuest PartitionMagic™ software.
See “Installing PartitionMagic” earlier in this document for general installation
information.
If you have a Windows NT operating system, use the information in the
following section to correctly configure BootMagic.
If you already installed BootMagic and the configuration resulted in an error
message, see “Correcting the BootMagic Configuration” later in this document.

Configuring BootMagic
If you have a system with the Windows NT operating system, use the following
procedure to correctly configure BootMagic.
1. Follow the instructions in the PartitionMagic Userinfo folder to install
BootMagic. When the “BootMagic Configuration” box appears at the end of
the installation, continue to the next step.

A-16 NEC PowerMate VT 300i Series Release Notes

2. Configure BootMagic.

„ If you want to use BootMagic:
Click the ENABLE BOOTMAGIC button. The BootMagic menu appears
during the next bootup sequence and lets you select Windows NT as the
operating system.

„ If you do not want to use BootMagic:
Do not select the ENABLE BOOTMAGIC button. The BootMagic menu
does not appear at bootup.
3. Select SAVE/EXIT in the BootMagic Configuration box to complete the
configuration process. Either choice, to enable BootMagic or to not enable
BootMagic, requires the SAVE/EXIT selection.

! CAUTION
To correctly complete the BootMagic configuration, you must
select SAVE/EXIT from the BootMagic Configuration box,
even if you do not want to use BootMagic. Omitting this step
results in an error message.

Correcting the BootMagic Configuration
If you installed BootMagic in a system with the Windows NT operating system
and the installation resulted in an error message, use the following procedure to
correct the configuration information.
1. In the Windows Start menu, select Programs, PowerQuest BootMagic,
and BootMagic Configuration. The BootMagic Configuration box appears.
Nothing should be listed under the MENU NAME heading in the center of
the box.
2. Click ADD. The “Bootmagic Add OS” box appears. This is the only option
listed and it is already highlighted.
3. Click OK. Click OK again. The main BootMagic Configuration screen
appears with “Windows NT” listed under MENU NAME.
4. Check the BootMagic configuration.

„ If you want to use BootMagic:
Click the ENABLE BOOTMAGIC button. The BootMagic menu appears
during the next bootup sequence and lets you select Windows NT as the
operating system.

„ If you do not want to use BootMagic:
Do not select the ENABLE BOOTMAGIC button. The BootMagic menu
does not appear at bootup.

NEC PowerMate VT 300i Series Release Notes A-17

5. Select SAVE/EXIT in the BootMagic Configuration box. Either choice, to
enable BootMagic or to not enable BootMagic, requires the SAVE/EXIT
selection.

! CAUTION
To correctly complete the BootMagic configuration, you must
select SAVE/EXIT from the BootMagic Configuration box,
even if you do not want to use BootMagic. Omitting this step
results in an error message.

A-18 NEC PowerMate VT 300i Series Release Notes

Glossary
A
access time

The time period between the supply of an access signal and the output or
acceptance of the data by the addressed system. Examples are the access times for
DRAMs, SRAMs, hard drives, and CD-ROM drives. Hard drive access time is the
time it takes for a computer to get data from the drive. A hard drive with an 11 ms
access time is fast. A CD-ROM drive with a 280-ms access time is fast.
ACPI

Advanced Configuration and Power Interface. A power management specification
developed by Intel, Microsoft, and Toshiba. When installed on the system, ACPI
enables the operating system to control the amount of power given to each device
attached to the computer. With ACPI, the operating system can turn off peripheral
devices (such as CD-ROM drives) when they are not in use. As another example,
ACPI enables manufacturers to produce computers that automatically power up as
soon as you touch the keyboard.
adapter

An expansion board or component on the system board that communicates with
peripherals (such as the display monitor or network devices).
address

A hexadecimal number that represents a location in storage or memory. Also used
to identify communication ports. To communicate with a storage device.
AGP

Accelerated Graphics Port. A high-speed, high-performance video standard
supported by a dedicated connector on the system board. The connector allows the
connection of an AGP board to the system board’s AGP bus. AGP boards feature
64- or 128-bit graphics acceleration with an integrated digital video engine and
accelerated 3-D graphics, texture mapping, and shading functions. Fast refresh
rates, high resolution, and color depth allow for incredible graphics suitable for
multimedia and graphic intensive applications.
algorithm

Any set of instructions to be followed in order.
anti-aliasing

Making jagged edges look smoother by filling in the jags with an intermediate
color. Usually used in reference to the edges of shapes, especially letters, on a
computer screen.

Glossary 1

API

Application Programming Interface. An API is a series of functions that programs
can use to make the operating system do routine or repetitive tasks. Using Windows
APIs, for example, a program can open windows, files, and message boxes (as well
as perform more complicated tasks) by passing a single instruction. Windows has
several classes of APIs that deal with telephony, messaging, and other issues.
APM

Advanced Power Management. An API developed by Intel and Microsoft that
allows developers to include power management in the BIOS. APM defines a layer
between the hardware and the operating system that effectively shields the
programmer from hardware details.
application programs

Software designed to perform specific functions or a group of functions, like
solving business or mathematical problems. Examples of applications include word
processing, communications, or database management.
architecture

A general term for the design and construction of computer systems, particularly
hardware, but also operating systems and networks. The circuitry within a chip is
called its architecture; for example, Intel architecture can refer to a computer based
on the Intel Celeron, Pentium II, or Pentium III chips.
archive

Copying one or more files to a different location for long-term data storage,
especially for backup and security purposes. Files can then be added to or deleted
from the archive. Also refers to the location where data is stored.
ASIC

Application Specific Integrated Circuit. A chip designed for use on a particular
circuit board, or for a very narrow range of use. The digital signal processor chip on
a modem is an ASIC.
asynchronous

Refers to operations that do not require the clocks of communicating devices to be
coordinated. Instead, the devices send signals to each other indicating readiness to
receive or send. Compare synchronous.
asynchronous cache

The slowest, most inexpensive type of secondary SRAM cache, running at speeds
of 15 to 20 ns.
ATA

AT Attachment. A standard for connecting hard drives or other devices to an AT
bus; synonymous with IDE.
AT bus

The AT bus system with support chips (DMA, PIC, etc) and a 16-bit bus slot. The
AT bus is strictly defined by ISA.

2 Glossary

audio

Relating to or capable of producing sound. Multimedia computers make extensive
use of audio.
AVI

A digital movie format created by Microsoft. AVI is short for “audio/video
interleave,” a method of including a digital movie and its accompanying sound in
the same file. Files in the AVI format have the .AVI extension.

B
bad sector

Part of a hard drive or diskette drive storage medium that doesn’t hold data.
Formatting generally detects and marks these areas so they won’t be used. Certain
utility programs do, too, and it is a good idea to run this type of utility occasionally
to prevent data loss if the condition of the drive changes.
bandwidth

A measure of how much information something can carry. Specifically, data path
times frequency. For example, the ISA bus has a data path of 16 bits (it can send 16
bits at a time) and typically operates at 8.33 MHz, so it has a bandwidth of
133.28 megabits per second (Mbps).
base RAM

Area of system memory between 0 and 640 kilobytes available to the user for
operating system and application programs.
batch file

A file that contains a series of DOS commands. Batch files have the extension .bat.
If you execute a batch file, DOS attempts to carry out all the commands in the file,
in order.
baud

A unit of measure for modem speed. Literally, the number of voltage transitions per
second. Phone line limitations limit the actual baud rate of modems to 2400 baud,
although the data transmission rate (bps) may be higher because of data
compression.
BBS

Short for Bulletin Board Service. Software that serves as a communication and
information source for computers that communicate by modem.
BIOS

Basic Input/Output System. A program or set of programs permanently stored in
ROM chips installed on the system board. The BIOS contains functions that control
the real-time clock, keyboard, disk drives, video display, and other peripheral
devices. For example, the BIOS Setup utility program is contained in the BIOS, and
when you change the drive type, you change the BIOS.

Glossary 3

bit

Binary digit. The smallest unit of computer data. A single digital piece of
information, generally represented by the numeral 0 or 1. Usually the transition
between the states of +5V and -5V within a computer, the charge of a transistor in
an integrated circuit, or the change in polarity of a magnetic region on a disk. See
byte. Data compression schemes can enable the transmission of more than one bit
per voltage transition.
bit block transfer

Moving part of a screen image as a single block rather than moving a pixel at a
time. Bit block transfers are much faster than moving the same pixels individually,
and it is common in accelerated video cards.
bitBLT

Bit Block Transfer.
bitmap

Any occurrence where a single location in memory and a single pixel correspond.
Usually applies to screen or printer output. .BMP files are bitmapped graphics files.
bits per second

(bps) A unit of transmission. Also called baud rate.
block

A contiguous section of bits considered as a whole, especially in memory. On a
disk, the data in one sector; in modem data transfer, the bits between checksums.
board

Printed circuit board. Board onto which computer components are soldered and thin
wires are printed to connect the components.
boot

To start up a computer. The computer is generally booted in one of three ways: by
turning on the power switch (cold boot), by pressing the reset switch, or by
simultaneously pressing the Ctrl, Alt, and Del keys (warm boot). Booting the
system after it has already been powered up and booted is referred to as rebooting.
Also the process of booting itself. Boot is from “bootstrap,” a reference to a
computer’s ability to set itself up, or pull itself up by its own ‘bootstraps.’ See cold
boot and warm boot.
bootable device

Any type of hardware that carries the information (software) required by the
computer to start properly. This device must also have the capacity to be
recognized by the computer in the first stages of the boot process.
boot block

The part of a disk that contains the software (such as the operating system loader)
that enables the computer to start.

4 Glossary

boot sector

The part of the boot block that contains the operating system loader, a program that
starts by itself and loads the operating system.
bps

Bits per second. The number of bits of data that can be transmitted in one second.
Because data compression schemes enable more than one bit per voltage transition,
bps is equivalent to baud only if no compression is used.
buffer

A place, especially in RAM, for the temporary storage of data for the purpose of
speeding up an operation such as printing or drive access. Data from a buffer is
available more quickly than data from where the buffer got it. Typically buffers get
data before it is needed so it is ready quickly when needed. Similar to cache.
burst mode

When a device seizes control of the bus, sends data, then relinquishes control of the
bus. Any time a device sends data without interruption instead of taking turns with
other devices.
bus

A parallel electrical pathway on the system board, connecting and shared by the
parts of a computer system (especially the CPU, its support circuitry, memory, and
expansion cards), used for transmitting data or electrical power from one device to
another. Typically the lines in a bus are dedicated to specific functions, such as
control lines, address lines, and data lines. Different bus architectures have different
numbers and arrangements of these lines, and different names (for example, ISA,
PCI). The most useful way of distinguishing bus architectures is by the number of
simultaneous data bits they can carry. The ISA is a 16-bit bus, while PCI is a 32-bit
bus.
bus master

The ability of an expansion card to control the bus without needing intervention
from the CPU.
byte

Group of eight contiguous bits. Frequently written as an eight-digit binary number
or a two-digit hexadecimal number. One letter of the alphabet in ASCII code takes
one byte.

C
cache

A special block of fast memory used for temporary storage of frequently used data
for quick retrieval. A memory cache, sometimes called a cache store or RAM
cache, is a portion of memory made of high-speed static RAM (SRAM) instead of
the slower and cheaper dynamic RAM (DRAM) used for system memory. Memory
caching is effective because most programs access the same data or instructions
over and over. By keeping as much of this information as possible in SRAM, the
computer avoids accessing the slower DRAM. See “write-back” and “writethrough.”

Glossary 5

chassis

The metal frame to which the electronic components of the computer (such as the
system board, power supply, and drive bays) are attached. The chassis goes inside
the system unit cover.
checksum

A number, calculated from a block of data, used to verify the integrity of that data.
For example, a modem could send a block of data and include the number of 1’s
that occur in the block. The receiving modem could count the number of 1’s it
receives and compare its own number with the transmitted number. If the numbers
are the same, the transmission was probably OK.
clock

Electronic timer (oscillator) used to synchronize computer operations. The
oscillator generates the timing pulses that coordinate and enable the flow of data
within a digital device. Also a circuit powered by battery that keeps track of the
date and time for human and various system requirements.
clock speed

The frequency at which a clock oscillates. In microcomputers, measured in MHz.
The faster the clock, the faster the computer can compute.
CMOS

Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor. A chip on the system board that
contains nonvolatile memory. CMOS is backed up by an internal lithium battery
that preserves clock/calendar data and system configuration parameters stored in
CMOS.
codec

Coder-decoder. Used primarily with Internet phone and video conferencing
products, this software compresses digitized data and decompresses it at the other
end, allowing for faster data transfer and less delays
cold boot

Process of starting up the computer by turning on the power. If power is already on,
the process means to turn off the computer and turn it on again. A cold boot
reinitializes all devices.
compression

Any scheme for recording data with fewer bits. For example, stating how many
times something occurs can be shorter than stating each occurrence. It is shorter to
say “print a million white pixels” than to say “print white pixel number one, print
white pixel number two . . .”

D
default

The system’s factory setting for a specific device feature or system function. A
setting that a computer uses if it has not been modified by a user.

6 Glossary

DIMM

Dual Inline Memory Module. Circuit board with pins connecting to different
memory chips on both sides of the board, which allows for wider and faster data
transfer (128-bit). See SIMMs.
DMA

Direct Memory Access. A method for transferring data, usually between memory
and a disk drive, without going through the CPU.
DMI

Desktop Management Interface. A standard for PCs that allows manipulation of PC
components over a network from a centralized location.
DRAM

Dynamic Random Access Memory. Memory used to store data in most computers.
DRAM is temporary and must be continually refreshed. It is only active when the
computer is turned on.
driver

A software program that enables peripheral devices (for example, printer, monitor,
mouse, CD-ROM drive) to work with computers.
DVD

Digital versatile disc or digital video disc. A type of CD-ROM that holds a
minimum of 4.7 GB, enough for a full-length movie. The DVD specification
supports disks with capacities of from 4.7 GB to 17 GB and access rates of 600
Kbps to 1.3 Mbps. One of the features of DVD drives is that they are backwardcompatible with CD-ROM disks. This means that DVD players can play old CDROMs, CD-I disks, and video CDs, as well as new DVD-ROMs. Newer DVD
players can also read CD-R disks. DVD uses MPEG-2 to compress video data. See
MPEG.

E
ECC memory

Error Checking and Correcting memory. Advanced type of memory that can find
and correct certain types of single-bit memory errors, providing greater data
integrity. Advanced ECC can correct some double-bit errors.
ECP

Extended Capabilities Port. A parallel-port standard for PCs that supports
bidirectional communication between the PC and attached devices (such as a
printer). ECP is about 10 times faster than the older Centronics standard. Another
modern parallel port for PCs that offers similar performance is the EPP (Enhanced
Parallel Port).
EDO memory

Extended Data Out memory. A faster type of asynchronous computer memory that
holds its last-requested data in a cache after releasing it. EDO memory is designed
for use with the Intel Pentium processors.

Glossary 7

EIDE

Extended Integrated Drive Electronics. The EIDE specification is an enhanced
version of IDE that allows for faster transfer rates and supports larger hard drive
sizes
enhanced VGA

A video interface that offers more colors or higher resolution than VGA.
EPP

Enhanced Parallel Port, a parallel port standard for PCs that supports bidirectional
communication between the PC and attached device (such as a printer). EPP is
about 10 times faster than the older Centronics standard. Another modern parallel
port for PCs that offers similar performance is the ECP (Extended Capabilities
Port).
extended RAM

The area of RAM above the first megabyte of memory in the system available for
enhancing system performance.

F
FAT

File Allocation Table. A table near the beginning of a drive that identifies the
location of everything on the drive.
flash ROM

Method in which a computer’s BIOS ROM can be upgraded without replacing the
ROM BIOS chip.
FTP

File Transfer Protocol. A method of transferring files between two computers on a
TCP/IP network (such as the Internet). “Anonymous FTP” (the most common
usage on the Internet) allows a user to download files without having an account at
the remote computer.
function key

The set of keys on the keyboard (usually F1 through F12) that let you get help and
error message information or quickly select frequently used commands.

G
graphics accelerator

A term referring to a higher end video controller that handles high-speed graphics
and usually contains several megabytes of onboard video memory.
GUI

Graphical User Interface. Method of presenting information on a computer screen
utilizing icons, pull-down menus, and a mouse.

8 Glossary

H
hertz

(Hz) A unit of frequency equal to one cycle per second.
hexadecimal

A number system that uses 16 as the base. (Place value indicates powers of 16.) It
uses the digits 0-9 and A-F. Used around computers because a byte (eight binary
digits) easily converts to a two digit hexadecimal number. Hexadecimal numbers
are often indicated with the letter H, a dollar sign, or a subscripted 16 after the
number. Compare binary, decimal.
host adapter

An expansion board that serves as a controller for SCSI devices.
hot key

Combination of two or three keys (such as Ctrl-Alt-D) that you press
simultaneously for a particular function.
hot plugging

The ability to add and remove devices to a computer while the computer is running
and have the operating system automatically recognize the change. The Universal
Serial Bus (see USB ) external bus standard supports hot plugging. This is also a
feature of PCMCIA. Hot plugging is also called hot swapping.

I
IDE

Intelligent Drive Electronics. A hard drive type that has controller electronics built
into the drive and delivers high throughput.
interface

A connection that enables two devices to communicate.
interrupt

A signal from part of a system, such as an I/O device, asking to use the CPU.
Interrupts are hierarchical, which prevents interrupts from interrupting each other.
(Whichever interrupt has higher priority makes the other interrupt wait.) When the
CPU receives an interrupt signal, it saves what it is doing, processes the routine
associated with the interrupt, then returns to what it was doing.
I/O address

Input-Output address. How the CPU sees an I/O port. It puts data into this address
or reads the data in it. The device at the other end of the I/O port gets the data from
that address or puts the data there, respectively.

Glossary 9

IRQ

Interrupt Request. A signal that, when received by the CPU, makes it stop what it is
going to do something else. An interrupt is a way in which a particular device in a
computer communicates with the CPU. PCs have 16 IRQ lines that can be assigned
to different devices (for example, printers, scanners, modems). No two devices can
have the same IRQ address. See interrupt.
ISA

Industry Standard Architecture. The bus architecture used in the IBM PC/XT and
PC/AT. The AT version of the bus is called the AT bus and has become an industry
standard. The apparent successor is the PCI local bus architecture found in most of
today’s computers. Most modern computers include both an AT bus for slower
devices and a PCI local bus for devices that need better bus performance. In 1993,
Intel and Microsoft introduced a new version of the ISA specification called Plug
and Play ISA. Plug and Play ISA enables the operating system to configure
expansion boards automatically so that users do not need to fiddle with DIP
switches and jumpers. See plug and play.
isochronous

A form of data transmission in which individual characters are only separated by a
whole number of bit-length intervals.

K
kilobyte

(KB) 1024 bytes.

L
L2 cache

Refers to “level 2” or “secondary” cache. A type of cache that resides on the
motherboard except when referring to a Pentium machine, where it resides on the
CPU module.
LAN

Local Area Network.
LPT1

Name assigned to the parallel port by the Windows operating system. A second
parallel device is assigned LPT2 (if there is another parallel port). Also called the
printer port.

M
master

Part of a two-sided communication that initiates commands (to a “slave” that
carries out the commands).
megabyte

(MB) 1,048,576 bytes.

10 Glossary

memory

Electronic storage area in a computer that retains information and programs. A
computer has two types of memory: read-only memory (ROM) and random access
memory (RAM).
microprocessor

A semiconductor central processing unit that is the principal component of a
microcomputer. Usually contained on a single chip that includes an arithmetic logic
unit, control logic, and control-memory unit.
MIDI

Musical Instrument Digital Interface. An interface for connecting suitably equipped
musical instruments to suitably equipped computers.
MIF

Management Information File. A file stored on a PC that holds system data such as
a model ID and serial number that can be manipulated over a network from a
centralized location.
MMX

A processor architecture that enhances multimedia and communications. This
technology processes multiple data elements in parallel, speeding up such things as
image processing, motion video, speech synthesis, telephony, and 3-D graphics.
modem

MOdulator-DEModulator. A device that links computers over a telephone line.
MPC

Multimedia Personal Computer, a software and hardware standard developed by a
consortium of computer firms led by Microsoft. There are three MPC standards,
called MPC, MPC2, and MPC3, respectively. Each specifies a minimum hardware
configuration for running multimedia software.
MPEG

Motion Pictures Expert Group. Audio/Video technology that allows for better than
VHS quality video and almost CD quality audio by using advanced compression
techniques. MPEG files allow for more realistic motion with a smaller file size than
earlier formats, making it a popular format for digital full-length movies. Files in
the MPEG format have an .MPG extension.

N
nonvolatile memory

Storage media that retains its data when system power is turned off. Nonvolatile
memory is a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) chip that is
backed up by an internal battery. The backup battery preserves the clock/calendar
data and system configuration parameters stored in CMOS. See volatile memory.

O
operating system

Set of programs that manage the overall operation of the computer.

Glossary 11

overwrite

Storing information at a location where information is already stored, thus
destroying the original information.

P
page

A type of message transmission in which a message is sent or received via modem
to a paging device from a computer (with paging communications software) or
telephone.
parallel interface

Interface that communicates eight bits at a time.
parallel printer

A printer with a parallel interface.
parameter

A characteristic of a device or system determined by a command or setting whose
purpose is to define or limit the characteristic.
password

A string of characters that the user must enter before the system allows access or
system privileges.
PCI

Peripheral Component Interface/Interconnect. A self-configuring personal
computer local bus designed by Intel. Most modern PCs include a PCI bus in
addition to a more general ISA expansion bus. PCI is a 32-bit bus, but supports a
64-bit extension for new processors, such as the Pentium II. It can run at clock
speeds of 33 or 66 MHz. At 32 bits and 33 MHz, it yields a throughput rate of
133 megabits per second. 64-bit implementations running at 66 MHz provide
524 Mbps. See ISA.
peripheral

Input or output device not under direct computer control. A printer is a peripheral
device.
pixels

Picture elements. Tiny dots that make up a screen image. A pixel is the smallest
spot on the screen that a computer can address.
plug and play

Refers to the ability of a computer system to automatically configure expansion
boards and other devices. This enables a user to plug in a device and use it, without
worrying about setting DIP switches, jumpers, and other configuration elements.

12 Glossary

port

Any connection by which data can enter or leave a computer or peripheral.
Provides the means for an interface between the microprocessor and external
devices. A cable connector is usually plugged into the port to attach the device to
the computer.
processor

In a computer, a functional unit that interprets and executes instructions.
prompt

A special symbol indicating the beginning of an input line. Also a message that
appears on the screen indicating that the user must take a certain action.

R
RAM

Random Access Memory. A storage device into which data is entered and from
which data is retrieved in a nonsequential manner. On the system board, RAM is
semiconductor-based memory that can be read and written to by the microprocessor
or other hardware devices. In RAM, data can be directly and randomly read or
written (with any choice for the address). It’s the storage location for data that
needs to be immediately available for every application in use on your computer.
read

To extract data from a storage device such as a diskette.
ROM

Read-Only Memory. Memory in which stored data cannot be modified by the user
except under special conditions.
reset

The process of returning a device to zero or to an initial or arbitrarily selected
condition.
resolution

The degree of screen image clarity. Video display resolution is determined by the
number of pixels on the screen. Resolution is usually specified in pixels by scan
lines, for example, 640 by 480. See pixels.
RS-232C

Standard interface for serial devices.

S
SEC

Single-Edge Contact. The SEC cartridge containing the Pentium processor. See
Slot 1.
serial interface

An interface that communicates information one bit at a time.

Glossary 13

serial printer

A printer with a serial interface.
SGRAM

Synchronous Graphic Random Access Memory. A type of DRAM used
increasingly on video adapters and graphics accelerators. Like SDRAM, SGRAM
can synchronize itself with the CPU bus clock at speeds of up to 100 MHz. In
addition, SGRAM uses several other techniques, such as masked writes and block
writes, to increase bandwidth for graphics-intensive functions. Unlike VRAM and
WRAM, SGRAM is single-ported (it can only be accessed by one device at a time).
However, it can open two memory pages at once, which simulates the dual-port
nature of other video RAM technologies (access by two different devices
simultaneously). See VRAM and WRAM.
SIMM

Single Inline Memory Module. A small circuit board holding a group of memory
chips. Typically, SIMMs hold up to nine RAM chips. On PCs, the ninth chip is for
parity error checking. Unlike memory chips, SIMMs are measured in bytes rather
than bits. In today’s SIMMs, each chip holds 2 MB, so a single SIMM holds 16
MB. SIMMs are easier to install than individual memory chips. The bus from a
SIMM to the actual memory chips is 32 bits wide. A newer technology, called dual
in-line memory module (DIMM), provides a 64-bit bus. To take advantage of the
64-bit bus on Pentium processors, use either DIMMs or pairs of SIMMs. See
DIMMs.
Slot 1

The form factor for Intel Pentium processors. The Slot 1 package replaces the
Socket 7 and Socket 8 form factors used by previous Pentium processors. Slot 1 is a
242-pin daughter card slot that accepts a processor packaged as a Single Edge
Contact (SEC) cartridge. A system board can have one or two Slot 1s. See SEC.
SMART

Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology. A hard drive feature that
works in conjunction with system software (for example, LANDesk Client
Manager, NEC Auto Backup) for identifying a potential problem on the hard drive
and automatically backing up system files to a user-specified device, such as a tape
or Zip drive.
sound card

An expansion card designed for sound input and output. Sound cards can record
and play back digital audio. Most also have a MIDI synthesizer, which means they
can play MIDI files; some also have MIDI inputs and outputs.
super video graphics array (SVGA)

A color bit-mapped graphics display standard that provides a resolution of 1024x
768 with up to 256 colors displayed simultaneously.
synchronous

Refers to protocols that require the clocks of the communicating machines to be
coordinated.

14 Glossary

system board

The main printed circuit board inside the system unit into which other boards and
major chip components, such as the system microprocessor, are connected.

T
tpi

Tracks per inch.
track

Any of many concentric circular regions on a disk for storing data. Tracks are
divided into sectors. One measure of storage density of a disk is tpi.

U
Ultra DMA

A protocol developed by Quantum Corporation and Intel that supports burst mode
data transfer rates of 33.3 MBps. This is twice as fast as the previous disk drive
standard for PCs, and is necessary to take advantage of new, faster Ultra ATA disk
drives. The official name for the protocol is Ultra DMA/33.
USB

Universal Serial Bus. An external bus standard that supports data transfer rates of
12 Mbps (12 million bits per second). A single USB port can be used to connect up
to 127 peripheral devices, such as mice, modems, and keyboards. USB also
supports Plug-and-Play installation and hot plugging. It is expected to eventually
replace serial and parallel ports.

V
VESA

Video Electronics Standards Association. The source of a SuperVGA standard used
on many video boards.
virus

Software that copies itself onto hard drives and diskettes without user intervention,
usually when a diskette is placed into the drive of a computer. Viruses usually
trigger a harmless or destructive occurrence on the system, activated by some preset
condition. Viruses are frequently written with antisocial intent.
VGA

Video Graphics Array. Graphics technology that supports up to 256 K colors and a
graphics resolution of 640 by 480 pixels.
volatile memory

Storage media that loses its data when system power is turned off. Standard
memory and memory added to the system are volatile memory. See nonvolatile
memory.

Glossary 15

VRAM

Video RAM. VRAM is special-purpose memory used by video adapters. Unlike
conventional RAM, VRAM can be accessed by two different devices
simultaneously. This enables a video adapter to access the VRAM for screen
updates at the same time that the CPU provides new data. VRAM yields better
graphics performance but is more expensive than normal RAM. A special type of
VRAM, called Windows RAM (WRAM), yields even better performance than
conventional VRAM. See SGRAM and WRAM.

W
warm boot

Process of resetting the computer without turning off the power through keyboard
input (pressing Ctrl, Alt, and Del keys simultaneously) or the reset button. The
system returns to an initial or arbitrarily selected condition.
WRAM

Windows RAM. A type of RAM that supports two ports. This enables a video
adapter to fetch the contents of memory for display at the same time that new bytes
are being pumped into memory. This results in much faster display than is possible
with conventional single-port RAM. WRAM is similar to VRAM, but achieves
even faster performance at less cost because it supports addressing of large blocks
(windows) of video memory. See VRAM and SGRAM.
write

To record or store information to a storage device.
write-back

Also called copy back. A cache strategy where write operations to data stored in the
internal microprocessor L1 cache aren’t copied to system memory until absolutely
necessary. In contrast, a write-through cache performs all write operations in
parallel; data is written to system memory and the L1 cache simultaneously. Writeback caching yields somewhat better performance than write-through caching
because it reduces the number of write operations to main memory. See cache and
write-through.
write-through

Also write-thru. Write-through characterizes a cache strategy where data is always
written into system memory when data is written by the CPU. See cache and write
back.

16 Glossary

Index
A
Addresses
parallel port, 2-3
Advanced menu (BIOS), 2-13
AGP board, 1-11
features, 4-16
removal, 3-9
Application and Driver CD
using, 2-26
Audio
features, 4-17

B
Battery
removal, 3-23
BBS, 8-4
BIOS
features, 4-12
BIOS Setup utility
Advanced menu, 2-13
Exit menu, 2-18
Main menu, 2-9, 2-10
navigation keys, 2-10
Security menu, 2-17
starting, 2-9
uses, 2-10
BIOS updates, 2-18
Blank panel
removal, 3-10
Bulletin board service, 8-4

C
Cables
external connector locations, 4-2
internal connector and socket locations, 4-3
Cache
secondary, 4-12
CD-ROM drive jumpers
Lite-On CD-ROM, 2-8
NEC CD-ROM, 2-7
CD-ROM drives
cabling, 1-11
features, 1-11
Lite-On 32X/40X specifications, 9-13
NEC 32X specifications, 9-14
Cheyenne Backup, 2-28
CMOS battery
removal, 3-23

CMOS clear
setting jumper, 4-6
Components, 1-9
AGP board, 1-11
CD-ROM drive, 1-11
fax/modem board, 1-12
hard drive, 1-10
keyboard, 1-10
local area network, 1-12
mouse, 1-11
pc adapter device, 1-12
power supply, 1-10
speakers, 1-11
system board, 1-9
tape backup unit, 1-12
Zip drive, 1-13
Configuration
BIOS Setup utility, 2-9
FLASH utility, 2-18
Configuration jumper
settings, 2-5
Configurations, 1-2, 1-3

D
Device removal
3 1/2-inch diskette drive, 3-20
3 1/2-inch hard disk, 3-19
5 1/4-inch device, 3-18
DIMM module
removal, 3-11
Disassembly
3 1/2-inch diskette drive, 3-20
3 1/2-inch hard drive, 3-19
5 1/4-inch device, 3-18
AGP board, 3-9
blank panel, 3-10
CMOS battery, 3-23
DIMM module, 3-11
expansion board, 3-8
front panel, 3-9
general rules, 3-2
left side cover, 3-3
metal slot cover, 3-10
power supply, 3-21
right side cover, 3-6
system board, 3-22
Diskette
flash, 2-18

Index-1

Diskette drive, 1-10
removal, 3-20
specifications, 9-5
DMA settings
functions, 4-21
Documentation, online
NEC Help Center, 2-27
DVD-ROM drives
Hitachi 4X specifications, 9-15

E
Email/fax technical support, 8-3
Environmental and safety
specifications, 9-18
Exit menu (BIOS), 2-18
Expansion board
removal, 3-8

F
Fax/modem board, 1-12
specifications, 9-11
Features
back, 1-5
security, 1-8
system board, 4-10
Field replaceable units list, 5-3
FLASH diskette, 2-18
Front features, 1-4
Front panel
removal, 3-9
FRU list, 5-3
FTP site, 8-4
Fujitsu hard drive
8.4-GB hard drive specifications, 9-8

G
Graphics
AGP board, 1-11
ATI Expert 98 AGP board specifications,
9-12
ATI Minden AGP board specifications,
9-12
Diamond Viper board specifications, 9-13
Graphics boards
features, 4-15
Graphics controller
features, 4-16

I
I/O addresses
map, 4-18
Illustrated parts breakdown
IPB, 5-5
parts lists, 5-2
Inside features, 1-7
Installing
NEC Help Center, 2-27
Integrated audio
features, 4-17
Intel processor serial number control utility,
2-29
Interrupts
parallel port, 2-3
serial port, 2-4
system IRQs, 2-2
IPB, 5-5
IRQs, 2-2
ISA bus
features, 4-13

J
Jumpers
clear CMOS, 4-3
configuration select, 2-5
Lite-On CD-ROM, 2-8
Maxtor IDE hard drive, 2-7
NEC CD-ROM, 2-7
power on mode, 4-3
processor speed, 4-3
Seagate IDE hard drive, 2-7
settings, 2-4
system board, 4-3
tape backup unit, 2-8
Zip drive, 2-8

K
Keyboard, 1-10
cleaning, 6-2
specifications, 9-3

L
Left side cover
disassembly, 3-3
replacing, 3-4
Lite-On CD-ROM drive jumpers, 2-8

H

M

Hard drive, 1-10
removal, 3-19
Hard drive jumpers
Maxtor hard drive, 2-7
Seagate hard drive, 2-7

Main menu (BIOS), 2-9, 2-10
Maintenance
keyboard cleaning, 6-2
mouse cleaning, 6-3
system cleaning, 6-2

Index-2

Maxtor hard drive
12.9-GB hard drive specifications, 9-10
4.3-GB hard drive specifications, 9-7
8.4-GB hard drive specifications, 9-9
Memory
checking system, 4-9
features, 4-13
upgrade sockets, 4-8
Memory map
functions, 4-18
Metal slot cover
removal, 3-10
Motion video controller
features, 4-16
Mouse, 1-11
cleaning, 6-3
specifications, 9-4

N
NEC CD-ROM drive jumpers, 2-7
NEC CSD service and support
bulletin board service (BBS), 8-4
email/fax technical support, 8-3
FTP site, 8-4
product information, 8-4
technical support services, 8-3
telephone numbers, 8-2
website, 8-2
NEC CSD service and support information,
8-2
NEC Help Center, 2-27
installing, 2-27
uninstalling, 2-27
Network, 1-12

O
Online documentation
NEC Help Center, 2-27
OS Restore CD, 2-19

P
Parallel interface
features, 4-14
Parallel port
addresses, 2-3
interrupts, 2-3
Parts
FRU list, 5-3
ordering, 5-2
Password
clear and reset, 4-6
security, 1-8

PC adapter device, 1-12
specifications, 9-15
PCI local bus
features, 4-13
PCI/IDE ports
features, 4-14
Plug and play
features, 4-13
Power on mode
setting jumper, 4-5
Power supply, 1-10
removal, 3-21
specifications, 9-10
Preventive maintenance
keyboard cleaning, 6-2
mouse cleaning, 6-3
system cleaning, 6-2
Problems
diagnosing and solving, 7-6
Processor
Celeron installation, 3-13
Celeron removal, 3-12
features, 4-12
Pentium II installation, 3-16
Pentium II removal, 3-15
Pentium III installation, 3-13
Pentium III removal, 3-12
removal/replacing, 3-11
setting speed, 4-4
upgrade socket, 4-8
Product information, 8-4

R
Reassembly
left side cover replacement, 3-4
right side cover replacement, 3-7
Release notes
general notes, A-2
Intel processor serial number control utility,
A-12
LS-120 SuperDisk Copy, A-7
NEC OS Restore CD, A-8
new system board jumper settings, A-10
PIIX4 limitations, A-9
SCSI drive limitations, A-6
Windows 95 issues, A-14
Windows 98 issues, A-15
Windows NT issues, A-16
Resources
DMA settings, 4-21
I/O addresses, 4-18
memory map, 4-18

Index-3

Right side cover
disassembly, 3-6
replacing, 3-7

S
Seagate IDE hard drive
4.3-GB drive specifications, 9-6
Security
features, 1-8
locking tab, 1-8
Security menu (BIOS), 2-17
Serial interface
features, 4-15
Serial port
addresses, 2-4
interrupts, 2-4
Sockets
processor and memory upgrade, 4-8
Speakers
set, 1-11
specifications, 9-4
Specifications
12.9-GB Maxtor hard drive, 9-10
4.3-GB Maxtor hard drive, 9-7
4.3-GB Seagate hard drive, 9-6
8.4-GB Fujitsu hard drive, 9-8
8.4-GB Maxtor hard drive, 9-9
ATI Expert 98 AGP board, 9-12
ATI Minden AGP board, 9-12
Diamond Viper graphics board, 9-13
diskette drive, 9-5
environmental and safety, 9-18
fax/modem board, 9-11
Hitachi 4X DVD-ROM, 9-15
keyboard, 9-3
Lite-On 32X/40X CD-ROM, 9-13
mouse, 9-4
NEC 32X CD-ROM, 9-14
PC adapter device, 9-15
power supply, 9-10
speaker, 9-4
system, 9-2
system board, 9-3
system unit, 9-5
tape backup unit, 9-16
Zip drive, 9-17
Starting BIOS Setup utility, 2-9
System
cleaning, 6-2
System board, 1-9
features, 4-10
major components, 4-11
removal, 3-22

Index-4

specifications, 9-3
System components, 1-9
AGP board, 1-11
CD-ROM drive, 1-11
diskette drive, 1-10
fax/modem board, 1-12
hard drive, 1-10
keyboard, 1-10
local area network, 1-12
mouse, 1-11
pc adapter device, 1-12
power supply, 1-10
speakers, 1-11
system board, 1-9
tape backup unit, 1-12
Zip drive, 1-13
System configuration
interrupt requests, 2-2
jumper settings, 2-4
System configurations, 1-2, 1-3
System features
back, 1-5
inside features, 1-7
security, 1-8
System interrupts, 2-2
System overview, 1-2
configurations, 1-2, 1-3
front features, 1-4
System specifications, 9-2
System unit specifications, 9-5

T
Tape backup unit
features, 1-12
jumpers, 2-8
specifications, 9-16
Technical support services, 8-3
Telephone numbers
service and support, 8-2
Troubleshooting, 7-2
CD-ROM drive, 7-5
diskette drive, 7-4
keyboard/mouse, 7-5
monitor, 7-4
problem checklist, 7-2
problem diagnostics, 7-6
speakers, 7-6

U
Uninstalling, NEC Help Center, 2-27
Upgrading
BIOS, 2-18

USB interface
features, 4-15
Utilities
Cheyenne Backup, 2-28

W
Wake-On Lan
setting jumper JWOL, 4-7
Website, 8-2
Windows network security, 1-8

Z
Zip drive, 1-13
jumpers, 2-8
specifications, 9-17

Index-5

Regulatory Statements
„ FCC Statement
„ Note for Canada
„ Battery Replacement
„ Battery Disposal

The following regulatory statements provide information about use of the
PowerMate VT 300i Series computer:

„
„
„
„

FCC Statement (For United States Only)
Note for Canada
Battery Replacement
Battery Disposal.

Regulatory Statements-2

FCC Statement (For United States Use Only)
WARNING: Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly approved by
the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate
the equipment.
NOTE: 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
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 to an outlet on a circuit different from the one to
which the receiver is connected.
Use shielded and properly grounded I/O cables and power cable to ensure
compliance of this unit to the specified limits of the rules.

Regulatory Statements-3

Note for Canada
This Class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian
Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B repecte toutes les exigences du Règlement
sur le matériel brouilleur du Canada.

Regulatory Statements-4

Battery Replacement
A lithium battery in some computers maintains system configuration
information. In the event that the battery fails to maintain system configuration
information, NEC recommends that you replace the battery. For battery
replacement information, see “CMOS Battery Removal” in Section 3 of this
manual or call your NEC CSD dealer or the NEC CSD Technical Support
Center.
WARNING: There is a danger of explosion if the battery is incorrectly
replaced. Replace only with the same or equivalent type recommended by the
manufacturer. Discard used batteries according to the manufacturer’s
instructions.
ATTENTION: Il y a danger d’explosion s’il y a replacement incorrect de la
batterie. Remplacer uniquement avec une batterie du même type ou d’un type
recommandé par le constructeur. Mettre au rébut les batteries usagées
conformément aux instructions du fabricant.

Regulatory Statements-5

Battery Disposal
Do not place used batteries in your regular trash.
The nickel-cadmium or nickel metal-hydride batteries must be collected,
recycled, or disposed of in an environmentally-approved manner.
The incineration, landfilling, or mixing of batteries with the municipal solid
waste stream is prohibited by law in most areas.
Return batteries to a federal or state approved battery recycler. This may be
where your purchased the battery or a local seller of automotive batteries.
Contact your local waste management officials for other information regarding
the environmentally sound collection, recycling, and disposal of the batteries.

Regulatory Statements-6

NEC Computer Systems Division
Packard Bell NEC, Inc.
1 Packard Bell Way
Sacramento, CA 95828-0903
www.nec-computers.com

456-00050-000SRV
5/99



---

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Modify Date                     : 1999:05:03 13:31:09
Author                          : Mel Tuttle
Title                           : NEC PowerMate VT 300i Series
Create Date                     : 1999:04:30 11:50:23
Subject                         : Service and Reference Manual
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