MAINTENANCE & SERVICE GUIDE

PROSIGNIA NOTEBOOK 190

INDEX PAGE

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

LEGAL NOTICE

HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE

REMOVAL & REPLACEMENT

ILLUSTRATED PARTS CATALOG

TROUBLESHOOTING

SPECIFICATIONS

Power Management Continued

Storing a Battery Pack

CAUTION: to prevent damage to a battery pack, do not expose it to high temperatures for extended periods of time.

If the computer will be unused and unplugged from an external power source for more than two weeks, remove and store the battery packs.

Maximizing Battery Pack Life

Battery pack operating time varies depending on the system components, options, and applications used. Battery operating time can increase by as much as 50% by controlling the energy used by the computer and the energy stored in the battery pack.

To maximize battery pack life, use the following guidelines:

Initiate Suspend or Hibernation or turn the computer off when you are not using it.

Reduce the display brightness and select a shorter screen save timeout.

Keep a battery pack in the computer when you are using the computer with external power.

Disconnect external equipment that does not have its own power source (external equipment connected to the computer drains the battery pack).

Exit modem programs when you are not using them.

Remove a PC Card when you are not using it.

When storing the computer for more than two weeks, remove battery packs and store them separately to reduce the discharge rate and increase battery life.

Store the battery pack in a cool, dry place when it is not in use. High temperatures cause a battery pack to lose its charge more quickly and reduce battery pack life.

Format diskettes while using external power when possible (formatting diskettes increases the drain on a battery pack).

System Beeps

Beeps with a Blinking Battery Charge Light

When the computer beeps while the battery charge light is blinking, the computer has entered a low battery condition.

CAUTION: When you are alerted of a low battery condition, very little battery charge remains. Save your information and take immediate action to resolve the low battery condition.

Selecting a Power Source

NOTE: If your external monitor is not Energy Star compliant, enabling monitor energy-saving features may cause video distortion when the screen save timeout occurs.

Resolving Low-Battery Conditions

If external power is available, do one of the following:

Connect the computer to an electrical outlet with the AC adapter.

Dock the computer in a docking base that is connected to external power.

Plug an optional automobile power adapter/charger into the power connector on the computer and into a vehicle

Page 46
Image 46
Compaq 190 manual Storing a Battery Pack, Maximizing Battery Pack Life, System Beeps, Selecting a Power Source

190 specifications

The Compaq 190, a significant player in the evolution of portable computing, was unveiled in the early 1990s at a time when the demand for mobility in technology was surging. As a member of Compaq's renowned line of portable PCs, the Compaq 190 was a bridge between desktop power and laptop convenience, offering an impressive array of features and technologies that appealed to both business professionals and technology enthusiasts.

One of the main features of the Compaq 190 was its compact size. Weighing under 10 pounds, it was designed for easy transport, allowing users to work remotely without sacrificing performance. The device was equipped with a 10.4-inch LCD display, providing a balance between portability and screen real estate. This display was notable for its clarity, allowing users to engage with applications effectively, whether in an office setting or on the go.

Under the hood, the Compaq 190 was powered by an Intel CPU, commonly featuring early generations of the Intel 386 processor. This gave the laptop the capability to run various software applications efficiently, making it suitable for word processing, spreadsheets, and basic graphical tasks. Furthermore, the inclusion of a built-in hard drive, typically around 40 MB, provided ample storage for documents and applications of that era.

In terms of connectivity, the Compaq 190 was equipped with standard ports of the time, including serial and parallel ports, allowing users to connect external devices such as printers and modems. The addition of a PCMCIA slot supported expansion, enabling users to enhance functionality with network cards, additional storage, or even modems for internet connectivity.

Battery life was another essential characteristic of the Compaq 190, with options available for extended use. Users could expect several hours of operation away from an electrical outlet, a crucial feature for professionals frequently traveling for work.

Overall, the Compaq 190 represented a pivotal moment in portable computing technology. With its combination of portability, processing power, and essential features, it offered solutions for a generation that valued both functionality and mobility. The legacy of the Compaq 190 continues to influence the design and capabilities of modern laptops, reminding us of the early advancements that paved the way for today’s computing devices.