Epson ActionNote Using the VGA Utilities

Chapter 6

Using the VGA Utilities

The Reference diskette included with your system contains special VGA (video graphics array) drivers and utilities for your computer’s built-in VGA adapter. This chapter describes how to install and use these drivers and utilities.

Note

You need to install these drivers only if you plan to use an external VGA or SVGA monitor. Your LCD screen, which provides a VGA resolution of 640 x 480 with 64 shades of gray, does not require a driver.

Because software programs can run on different types of display adapters with different types of monitors, the VGA drivers identify your display adapter and monitor for the software. These drivers are files your software uses to communicate with your display adapter and monitor.

A utility is a program that supports the processes of a computer. The utilities on your VGA diskette allow you to change the system’s default graphic configuration and enhance your system operation by setting various video modes.

The ActionNote’s built-in VGA adapter is 100% compatible with IBM® VGA. This adapter allows you to use the computer with Epson VGA monitors, other brands of VGA monitors, and VGA-compatible, multifrequency monitors that use analog input. The drivers and utilities described in this chapter work with any of these monitors.

Using the VGA Utilities 6-1

Contents

Page Page Page Important Safety Instructions Page Instructions Importantes de Séurité Page Contents Using Your Computer Powering the Computer Appendix A Troubleshooting Appendix B Specifications Introduction Where to Get Help What This Manual Covers Conventions Used in This Manual Setting Up the Computer Opening the Screen Identifying the System Parts Brightness switch Contrast switch Trackball Power switch This switch turns the computer on and off Indicator lights Rear Panel and Left Side PC card slot EXT KB (external keyboard/mouse port) PRINTER (parallel port) COM 1 (serial port) VIDEO (external VGA port) DC input port Connecting the AC Adapter Page Connecting an External Diskette Drive Turning On the Computer Press Delete to run SETUP You may also see an error message followed by this prompt: Press <F1 to resume or Delete to run SETUP Running SETUP Starting the SETUP Program Page Setting the Date and Time Setting the Diskette Drive or Printer Setting the Trackball Setting the Self Test (Halt On) Error Level Setting the Shadow RAM Setting the Password (Security) Options Changing or Deleting a Password Setting the Hard Disk Drive(s) Defining Your Own Drive Type Checking System Memory Setting the Booting Sequence Setting the Virus Warning Setting the Default Speed Setting the Power Management Options Saving Your Settings and Exiting SETUP Post-SETUPProcedures Using Your Computer Taking Care of the Computer Using the Password Function Typing the Password Using the Keyboard The embedded numeric keypad Special Keys Using F11 and F12 The and keys perform special functions within Display Key Combinations Using the Embedded Numeric Keypad by pressing Stopping a Command or Program Resetting the Computer Caution Turning Off the Computer Changing the CPU Speed Adjusting the LCD Screen Using the Trackball Using Diskettes Inserting and Removing Diskettes Write-protectingDiskettes Making Backup Copies Using a Single Diskette Drive System Using a Hard Disk Backing Up the Hard Disk Removing and Insetting the Hard Disk Saving Battery Power Using PC Cards Inserting a PC Card 1.Open the PCMCIA slot cover on the right side of the Using Memory Certain operating systems, such as OS/2 Some MS-DOSinterfaces, such as Windows Some RAM disk programs, such as VDISK Some hard disk caching programs, such as SMARTDRV Certain specially-written MS-DOSapplications Powering the Computer Using the AC Adapter Using the Battery Replacing the Battery Page Recharging the Battery Page Low Battery Indicator Using the Suspend Mode Using SETUP to Conserve Battery Power Connecting Optional Devices Connecting an External Monitor 5.Connect the monitor’s power cable to a grounded (earthed) electrical socket Connecting a Parallel Printer Connecting a Serial Device 2. Connect the serial cable to the COM 1 port 3.If the connector has retaining screws, tighten them 4.Connect the other end of the cable to the serial device Checking the Serial Port Settings Using the EXT KB Port Connecting an External Keyboard or Keypad Connecting a Mouse or Other Pointing Device 2.Connect the pointing device plug to the lower connector on the adapter Installing a Memory Module or a Numeric Coprocessor Removing the Access Cover Installing a Memory Module Page Page Page Installing a Numeric Coprocessor Replacing the Access Cover Using the VGA Utilities Page Lotus 1-2-3,Version Microsoft Windows, Version Note Even though this driver specific to Windows 3.0, you can WordPerfect, Version Using the VGACONF Utility Program Display Status Select Option Standby Timer Quit Using VGACONF from the Command fine Page NOI W295 Select RGB weighting 2:9:5 VGACONF SIMUL VGACONF SIM Troubleshooting Identifying Your System Error Messages The Computer Won’t Start Battery Problems AC Adapter Problems The LCD Screen Is Blank The External Monitor Screen is Blank The Computer Locks Up Password Problems Diskette Problems External Diskette Drive Problems Hard Disk Problems Software Problems Problems Printer Problems PC Card Problems Mouse or Pointing Device Problems External Keyboard Problems Memory Module Problems Numeric Coprocessor Problems CMOS Battery Problems Appendix B Main Unit CPU 486SLC microprocessor; 33 MHz (and simulated 8 MHz) clock speed; 1 MHz in Controllers Pointing device or external keyboard AC adapter Physical Dimensions Environmental Requirements Temperature Humidity Acoustical no&e Power Source Requirements Plug type Glossary BIOS CMOS RAM Command prompt CONFIG.SYS file Configuration Control code CPU speed Disk Diskette Driver File See Diskette Frame buffer Input/Output (I/O) port See Port Interface Memory The embedded numerickeypad in the keyboard, which you can key Operating speed Parallel Partition Pathname Text Prompt Read Reset ROM ROM BIOS Root directory RS-232C Subdirectory Suspend mode Switch System disk Timeout period Write To record data on a disk Write-protect 14 Glossary I n d e Page Page Page supply, B-4 diskette drive, 3-14 PC card Release latch, 1-3 Removable battery, 4-2-6Removing access cover, 5-11-12battery, 4-2-4diskettes, 3-14-15hard disk drive Replacing 6-1-2, B-3 Standby timer, VGACONF, 6-9 Stopping command or program Suspend light Suspend mode, Intro-1, 3-19, 4-7 SVGA monitor SysReq key, 3-6 System configuration, 1-12, 2-1—16features, Intro-1 identifying, A-2 Epson Overseas Marketing locations