Chapter 2 System Tour This notebook combines high-performance, versatility, multimedia capabilities and a truly advanced power management system in a unique human-centric and stylish design case. Work with unmatched productivity and reliability with your new power computing partner. This chapter gives an in-depth “tour” of the notebook’s many features.
.1 Features The notebook looks as good inside as it is outside, definitely designed with the user in mind. Here are just a few of the notebook’s many features: Performance • High-end mobile Pentium microprocessor • 64-bit main memory and 256KB external (L2) cache memory • Large display in DualScan STN or active-matrix TFT • PCI local bus video with 128-bit graphics accelerator • Flexible module bay (3.
Human-Centric Design and Ergonomics • Intuitive FlashStart automatic power-on • Sleek, smooth and stylish design • Automatic tilt-up, full-sized, full-function keyboard • Wide and comfortable palm rest • Ergonomically-centered touchpad pointing device Expansion • PC Card (formerly PCMCIA) slots (two type II/I or one type III) • Mini dock option with built-in Ethernet • User-upgradeable memory System Tour 2-3
2.2 Display The large graphics display offers excellent viewing, display quality and desktop performance graphics. The notebook supports two different displays — DualScan STN or active-matrix TFT LCD. Video Performance PCI local bus video with 128-bit graphics acceleration boost your video to desktop-performance level, and allows you to run 30fps full-screen, truecolor video playback via software MPEG.
FlashStart Automatic Power-On A noticeably unique feature about this notebook is that it has no on/off switch. Instead it employs a lid switch, located near the center of the display hinge, that tells the notebook when it should wake up or go to sleep. Lid Switch Figure 2-1 Display When you close the display lid, the notebook enters suspend-to-memory or suspend-to-disk mode before turning off the power, depending on the When Lid is Closed parameter setting in Setup (see section 6.5.1).
The “Lid Closed” State When the lid is closed (i.e., the “lid closed” state), the notebook suspends its normally busy tasks to make itself electronically and mechanically more stable. When the lid is opened, the notebook briefly checks its environment and always re-initializes devices newly added in or removed from the notebook. Though the notebook allows for various hot insertion of peripherals, the “lid closed” state provides the most stable and practical means to attach and detach peripheral components.
2.3 Indicator Lights Two indicator lights are found on the display panel. Power Indicator Battery Indicator Figure 2-2 Indicator Lights These indicators and their descriptions are shown in Table 2-1.
2.4 Keyboard The full-sized keyboard includes an embedded keypad, separate cursor keys, two Windows 95 keys and twelve function keys. Special keys are highlighted in different colors. 2.4.
2.4.2 Special Keys Lock Keys The notebook has the three basic lock keys which you can toggle on and off. as part of a key combination. Some keys may require using Table 2-2 Key # - Lock Key Descriptions Description When Caps Lock is on, all alphabetical characters typed appear in uppercase. When Num Lock is on, the embedded keypad is in numeric mode. The keys function as a numeric keypad like the one found on standard PC keyboards (complete with arithmetic operators +, -, *, and /).
Embedded Keypad The embedded keypad functions like a desktop numeric keypad. It is indicated by small characters located on the upper right corner of the keycaps. To simplify the keyboard legend, the cursor-control key symbols are not printed. Table 2-3 tells how to use the embedded keypad.
Windows 95 Keys The keyboard has two keys that perform Windows 95-specific functions. Table 2-4 Windows 95 Key Descriptions Key Description Windows logo key Start button. Combinations with this key performs special functions.
Hot Keys The notebook uses hot keys (key combinations) to access most of the notebook’s controls like screen contrast and brightness, volume output and the BIOS setup utility. Some hot keys will pop-up a corresponding icon onscreen for better visuals. When activating hot keys, press and hold the first key before pressing the other keys in the combination.
Table 2-5 Hot Key System Tour Hot Key List (continued) Icon Function Description -S Display Toggle Switches display from LCD to CRT to both LCD and CRT -T Fuel Gauge On/Off Toggles battery gauge display on/off. Also shows the following: • “plug” icon if a powered AC adapter is connected to the notebook. • “speaker” icon if speaker output is on (toggled by -U). • “T” icon if turbo mode is on (toggled by - ).
Table 2-5 Hot Key Hot Key List (continued) Icon Function Description - -[ Contrast Up Increases screen contrast (DSTN only) - -] Contrast Down Decreases screen contrast (DSTN only) -Z Fuel Gauge Up With the fuel gauge onscreen, moves the fuel gauge up -\ Fuel Gauge Down With the fuel gauge onscreen, moves the fuel gauge down -] Fuel Gauge Left With the fuel gauge onscreen, moves the fuel gauge left -[ Fuel Gauge Right With the fuel gauge onscreen, moves the fuel gauge right - CD Ej
The eject menu commands allow you to perform various eject-related functions for the notebook. See the following table for details Table 2-6 Eject Menu Descriptions Select… To… Battery Change the battery. This option forces the notebook to enter suspend-to-disk mode, so that you can replace the battery with a charged one, and then return to where you left off. To resume, close the display lid and open the display lid again. CD-ROM Disc Open the CD-ROM drive.
2.4.3 Automatic Tilt Feature The keyboard has the option of automatically tilting to a six-degree angle whenever you open the lid. This automatic tilt feature brings to the notebook the comfortable typing angle provided in standard PC desktop keyboards. Together with the palm rest (discussed in the following section), these two ergonomic features help prevent repetitive strain injury to your wrists and fingers.
3. 2.4.4 Open the lid. Palm Rest Located below the keyboard, the wide and curved palm rest gives you a comfortable place to rest your hands while you type.
2.5 Touchpad The ergonomically-centered touchpad is a pointing device that senses movement on its surface. This means the cursor responds as you move your finger on the surface of the touchpad. Figure 2-5 Touchpad The touchpad works with most mouse drivers. However, the touchpad driver supports special functions that work uniquely with the touchpad. We recommend you use the touchpad driver instead of any other mouse driver.
Touchpad Basics The following two items teach you how to use the touchpad: • • Move your finger across the touchpad to move the cursor. Press the left and right buttons located on the lower edge of the touchpad to do selection and execution functions. These two buttons are similar to the left and right buttons on a mouse. Tapping on the touchpad produces similar results. See Table 2-7.
2.6 Storage 2.6.1 Hard Disk High-capacity storage comes in the form of a 2.5-inch Enhanced-IDE hard disk. The hard disk can be upgraded when you need more storage space. See section 4.9.2 for related information. 2.6.2 Module Bay The notebook’s flexible module bay accommodates either a high-speed CD-ROM drive module or a 3.5-inch, 1.44MB floppy drive. CD-ROM Drive Module Floppy Drive Module Figure 2-6 Module Bay The modules are designed to give you flexibility in the fast-moving portable platform.
Swapping Modules The proper way to cleanly swap or interchange modules is to power off the notebook without the help of any suspend modes. The notebook needs to perform a “cold boot” (Windows 95 shutdown or via the Eject menu) or “warm boot” (Ctrl-Alt-Del) to correctly detect and identify the module currently installed in the module bay. Simply closing the display lid will only put the notebook in either suspend-to-disk or suspend-to-memory. Follow these steps to swap modules: 1. Do a Windows 95 shutdown.
Ejecting a CD To eject a CD, press the eject button - , on the CD-ROM drive, press or use your software to eject the CD-ROM drive. In Windows 95, you can right-click on the CD-ROM drive icon and select the Eject command. Using the Floppy Drive Module Externally You can use the floppy drive module externally when a CD-ROM drive module is installed in the module bay. You cannot use the CD-ROM drive module externally. Only the floppy drive module can be used externally.
2.7 Ports Ports allow you to connect peripheral devices to your notebook computer as you would with a desktop PC. The ports are found on the left and rear panel. The following sections discuss these ports and their functions. See Chapter 4 on how to connect external devices to the notebook. 2.7.1 Left Panel Ports Multimedia ports and the PC card slots are found on the left panel. See Figure 2-7.
Table 2-8 describes these ports. Table 2-8 # Icon Left Panel Port Descriptions Port Connects to... 1 PC Card slots One Type III or two Type I/II PC cards 2 Microphone-in/Line-in External microphone or line input device 3 Speaker-out/Line-out Amplified speakers or headphones PC Card Slots There are two type II/I or one type III PC Card slots found on the left panel of the notebook. These slots accept credit-card-sized cards that enhance the usability and expandability of the notebook.
Ejecting a Card 1. Exit the application using the card. 2. Flip out the slot eject button of the slot where the card is inserted. 3. Press the slot eject button to eject the card. If you want to install a card, refer to your card’s user’s manual for details on how to install and use the card. Multimedia Ports Connecting external audio devices to these ports automatically shuts off the corresponding internal audio device.
2.7.2 Rear Panel Ports The rear panel includes the notebook’s main ports and connectors. See Figure 2-8.
Table 2-9 describes these ports. Table 2-9 # Port Connects to... 1 DC-in port AC adapter and power outlet 2 PS/2 port PS/2-compatible device (e.g., PS/2 keyboard, keypad, mouse) 3 Serial port (UART16650-compatible) Serial device (e.g., serial mouse) 4 Parallel port (EPP/ECP-compliant) Parallel device (e.g.
2.8 Audio Standard notebook configuration includes 16-bit stereo audio with built-in FM synthesizer. Combined with the dual, angled speaker system and built-in sensitive microphone, this notebook redefines portable audio. 2.8.1 Built-in Speakers and Microphone The dual, angled speakers found on both sides of the display hinge directs sound towards you, and its unique audio chamber design allows for better acoustics and sound reverberation resulting in excellent sound quality.
2.8.2 Controlling the Audio There are hot keys that allow you to control various aspects of the audio output.
2.9 Communications 2.9.1 Serial Infrared This notebook has an SIR (serial infrared) port located on the rear panel. Wireless communication support allows you to transfer data to SIR-”aware” machines without the aid of cables. Not only can you transfer data between two SIR-capable computers, you can also send data to SIR-”aware” peripherals like infrared printers without the need to connect cables. The infrared port is IrDA-compliant, allowing it to transfer data with speeds of up to 115.
2.9.2 Fax/Data Modem1 The notebook has an optional state-of-the-art, 28.8Kbps V.34 fax/data modem that supports V.42bis hardware compression (115.2 kilobits per second). The modem also supports DSVD (simultaneous voice over data) technology which allows you to send data and talk at the same time. Using the Modem Connect the phone line cable from the RJ11 modem port on the notebook’s rear panel to the telephone line jack. Begin your communications software program. See your software manual for instructions.
2.10 Securing your Notebook Security features include hardware and software locks — a security notch and a two-level password scheme. 2.10.1 Security Notch A security notch located on the left panel of the notebook lets you connect a standard key-based computer security lock. Circle or wrap a computer security lock cable around an immovable object such as a table or locked drawer handle. Then insert the lock into the notch and turn the key to secure the lock. 2.10.
