2 Choosing a Location

Before you set up your Equity 386SX, it’s important to choose a comfortable, convenient location where it can run properly. Select a location that provides the following:

A large, sturdy desk or table that can easily support the weight of your system, including all its components.

A flat, hard surface. Soft surfaces like beds and carpeted floors attract static electricity, which can erase data on your disks and damage the computer’s circuitry. Soft surfaces also prevent proper ventilation.

Good air circulation. Air must be able to move freely under the system as well as behind it. Leave several inches of space around the computer to allow ventilation.

Moderate environmental conditions. Protect your computer from extremes in temperature, humidity, dust, and smoke. Avoid direct sunlight or any other source of heat. High humidity also hinders operation, so select a cool, dry area.

Appropriate power sources. To prevent static charges, connect all your equipment to three-prong, 120-volt grounded outlets. You need one outlet for the computer, one for the monitor, and additional outlets for a printer and any other peripherals. You can plug one peripheral into the auxiliary power outlet on the back panel of the computer, reducing the number of wall outlets you need.

No electromagnetic interference. Locate your system away from any electrical device, such as a telephone, that generates an electromagnetic field.

Setting Up Your System

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