User manual NEC VERSA 550 SERVICE MANUAL

[. . . ] PROPRIETARY NOTICE AND LIABILITY DISCLAIMER The information disclosed in this document, including all designs and related materials, is the valuable property of NEC Corporation (NEC) and/or its licensors. NEC 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 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. [. . . ] The PHDISK. EXE utility automatically calculate the size of installed system memory, excluding video memory, and create an appropriately sized partition on the hard drive. Note that save-to-disk partition must be created or reserved when you first configure the hard disk, and that PHDISK. EXE can only be run under DOS environment. PHDISK. EXE has the following syntax: PHDISK [options] where [options] include the following parameters /Create [KB] /Reformat /Delete /Info /Vram size to create and format a STD partition in KB size to reformat an existing STD partition to delete the existing STD partition to show detailed information about the STD partition to override the default video ram size of 1024KB Always reboot the system after you have created or deleted the STD partition so that the NEC Versa 550's PMU (Power Management Unit) can establish the correct suspend mode. SYSTEM UPGRADES The NEC Versa notebook is easily upgradable to a faster more powerful microprocessor and higher capacity hard drive. In addition, you can add an optional second memory module to increase the system memory to as much as 24MB. This section provides the settings needed as well as illustration in upgrading the system. Memory Upgrade Procedure The NEC Versa notebook allows you to install and expand the on-board 8MB (4MB for NEC Versa 500D1) system memory via the memory compartment found at the base of the notebook. Inside the compartment is an extra memory module socket which can accommodate any standard JEDEC 4MB, 8MB, and 16MB SIMM modules. Technical Information 1-27 For NEC Versa 500D (1) notebooks, the following memory configuration are applicable: On-Board Memory 4MB 4MB 4MB 4MB Extra Socket empty 4MB 8MB 16MB Total Memory 4MB 8MB 12MB 20MB For NEC Versa 550D(2) and NEC Versa 550D notebooks, the following memory configuration are applicable: On-Board Memory 8MB 8MB 8MB 8MB Extra Socket empty 4MB 8MB 16MB Total Memory 8MB 12MB 16MB 24MB To upgrade the memory on the notebook, follow the steps below: 1. Locate the memory compartment cover which is secured with two small retaining screws and remove them. Make sure that you are properly grounded before handling the memory module. Hold the memory module with its connector pointed towards the memory socket. Hold the module at 60-degrees (see Figure 1-19) and gently connect it to the memory socket by pushing it forward. 4. Slowly push the module downwards until the locking tabs snap into the retaining notches or holes at each corner edge of the module. 5. Power on the notebook and notice the BIOS error message informing you that the memory size stored in CMOS does not match the installed memory size. The computer will automatically adjust the memory size to match the installed one. 1-28 Technical Information NOTE: If the notebook has been configured for save-to-disk (suspend mode feature), it may be necessary to re-partition and re-format the hard drive to continue using this feature. The save-todisk partition must be of a size sufficient to store the content of whole memory size. Consult the NEC Versa user's guide for instructions on how to prepare a save-to-disk partition as well as backup and restoring data. System BIOS Upgrade Procedure The NEC Versa 550 Series supports EPROM Flash BIOS that allows you to easily update the system BIOS using the Flash Programming utility program called "FLASH. EXE". Update the system BIOS whenever you are upgrading LCD Panel or adding modifications to the computer's hardware function. Copy the FLASH. EXE BIOS utility program and the BIOS ROM file to the hard disk subdirectory. Disable EMM386 or other memory manager program before restarting the com- puter. When booting DOS, press <F5> to bypass the CONFIG. SYS and AUTOEXEC. BAT. You may also choose to boot from Drive A: with a clean DOS diskette. 3. At the DOS prompt, type "FLASH <BIOSfilename. ROM>" to activate Flash BIOS programming utility. The computer will then prompt you again before starting to update the system BIOS. [. . . ] See volatile memory. operating system Set of programs that manage the overall operation of the computer. overwrite Storing information at a location where information is already stored, thus destroying the original information. 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. 8 Glossary parallel printer A printer with a parallel interface. parameter A characteristic of a device or system. password A string of characters that the user must enter before the system allows access or system privileges. PCMCIA A credit card sized peripheral interface standard for portable devices. Types of PCMCIA cards currently offered by major vendors include fax/modems, LAN, storage cards, and wireless communications devices. peripheral Input or output device not under direct computer control. Tiny dots that make up a screen image. port 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 Glossary 9 In a computer, a functional unit that interprets and executes instructions. prompt A special symbol indicating the beginning of an input line. [. . . ]