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® NEC Versa FXi Series Notebook Computers E R S A S E R V I C E A N D R E F E R E N C E M A N U A L...
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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.
CMOS Battery........................1-11 Bridge Battery ........................1-11 ChipSet............................1-11 2 System Configuration and Setup Power Sources for Your NEC Versa ....................2-2 Using the AC Adapter ......................2-2 Connecting the AC Adapter ..................... 2-3 Powering On Your System....................... 2-3 Using the Main Battery Pack....................2-4 Determining Battery Status ......................
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Enabling the BIOS Flash Switch.....................2-20 Performing the BIOS Update ....................2-21 NEC Utilities ..........................2-22 NEC Customize Utility......................2-22 NEC Customize Utility Screen..................2-22 Using the NEC Customize Utility ................2-22 HDPREPEZ Utility ........................2-23 Using the HDPREPEZ Utility..................2-23 SpeedStep Applet.........................2-23 Application and Driver CD ......................2-23 Launching the Application and Driver CD with Windows 2000..........2-24...
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8 Getting Service and Support Services and Support Contact Information ..................8-2 Web Site ............................8-2 FTP Site............................8-3 Email/Fax to Support Services....................... 8-3 NEC Computers Support Services ....................8-3 9 Specifications System Components........................9-2 Connector Locations ........................9-7 Memory Map ..........................9-8 Interrupt Controllers........................
Chapter 6, Preventive Maintenance, lists general notebook preventive maintenance procedures. Chapter 7, Troubleshooting, lists troubleshooting procedures as well as helpful servicing hints. Chapter 8, Getting Service and Support, provides information as to how to contact NEC Computers Inc. for service information, technical support, and product information.
Abbreviations ampere error checking and correction alternating current enhanced capabilities port Advanced Graphics Port extended data output advanced technology Enhanced Graphics Adapter (IBM PC) enhanced parallel port Bulletin Board Service EPROM erasable and programmable binary-coded decimal BIOS Customized Utility EVGA Enhanced Video Graphics Array BIOS...
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pound slave light-emitting diode SCSI Small Computer System Interface liquid crystal display SDRAM synchronous dynamic least-significant bit random-access memory large-scale integration signal ground mega SIMM single inline memory module milliamps standard page mode maximum Sound Retrieval System megabyte SVGA Super Video Graphics Array Monochrome Display Adapter switch modified frequency modulation...
System Overview Getting to Know the NEC Versa Around the Front of the System Around the Back of the System Around the Left Side of the System Around the Right Side of the System Around the Bottom of the System...
Read the following sections and take a tour around the system. Around the Front of the System The NEC Versa FXi is compact with features on every side. First, look at the front of the NEC Versa. The following sections describe front features, beginning with the liquid crystal display (LCD) panel.
Base Unit The base unit of your NEC Versa FXi offers the following features which are described after the figure. LCD panel and base unit A – Keyboard E – Power Button B – Stereo Speakers F – Operating Status LEDs C –...
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B – Caps Lock D – Num Lock Hard Disk Drive — Lights when the NEC Versa writes data to or retrieves data from the internal hard disk drive. Caps Lock — Lights when Caps Lock is in effect.
Hold the Power button in place for 4 or more seconds to power off the system (power override). Only use this option if you cannot power off your system using Start, Shutdown. Keyboard Panel The NEC Versa keyboard panel offers the following features, which are described after the figure. Keyboard A – Function Keys D –...
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Function keys are application-driven. See the specific application’s user guide for information about how each function key works within the application you are using. The following function key combinations are preprogrammed for the NEC Versa FXi computer. Fn-F3 — Toggles between three video modes; LCD, CRT, or both (LCD and CRT).
Microphone — A strategically positioned built-in microphone allows you to record monophonic sound directly into your notebook computer. IR Port — Use this infrared (IR) port to transfer files between your NEC Versa and an IR-equipped desktop or notebook computer or to print to an IR-capable printer.
RJ-11 Jack — Use this jack to connect the internal modem to an analog wall outlet. AC Power Port — Use the power jack to attach the NEC Versa to a DC power source, such as the AC adapter or the optional DC auto adapter.
PC card slots — Provide two slots for inserting two Type II PC cards or one Type III PC card. Around the Right Side of the System The right side of the NEC Versa offers the features, which are described after the figure. Right side features A – USB Ports C –...
Around the Bottom of the System The bottom of the NEC Versa offers the features shown next. Features are described after the figure. Bottom features A – Memory Module Bay D – Main Battery B – Battery Release Latch E – Vents C –...
The CMOS battery charges when your NEC Versa is connected to AC power. The CMOS battery may discharge completely if the NEC Versa notebook remains unused for approximately two months.
Read the following sections for specific information about using the NEC power sources. Using the AC Adapter Use the AC adapter and power cable that came with your NEC Versa to run your computer on alternating current (AC) power, or to recharge the battery pack. Use the AC adapter whenever a wall outlet is nearby.
Connect the AC adapter as follows: Connect the AC adapter cable to the power port on the left side of your NEC Versa. Plug one end of the AC power cable into the AC adapter and the other end into a properly grounded 120- or 240-volt, 50- or 60-Hz wall outlet.
Read the precautions printed on the battery. Determining Battery Status Your NEC Versa system provides tools to help you keep track of the main (and an optional) battery’s power level. If your system is configured (default setting) to display the power icon on the taskbar, an electrical plug displays when the system is connected to an AC power source or a battery icon displays when the system is not connected to an AC power source.
Power off the system, remove the battery pack and replace it with a fully charged battery. Leave the battery pack in the system and connect your NEC Versa to the AC adapter and a wall outlet. If you connect the system to AC power and keep the system within standard operating temperatures, the battery recharges in approximately 2–3 hours...
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Replace the battery pack installed in your NEC Versa system as follows. Note Use the batteries in the NEC Versa computer for which they are designed. Installing another manufacturer’s battery, or using a combination of very old and new batteries can deteriorate battery and equipment performance.
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Continue to hold the battery release latch as you slide the battery out of the system. Removing the battery A – Battery Bay Connectors C – Lithium-Ion Battery B – Battery Bay Release Latch Insert the new battery as follows: Locate the alignment groove on the edge of the battery.
Charge the main (primary) battery and secondary (optional) battery by simply connecting your NEC Versa FXi system to an AC power source. To monitor the charging activity, observe the battery charging LED on the front of the system. The battery charging LED lights as follows: Lights amber when the primary battery is charging.
System Batteries Your NEC Versa is equipped with a main, Lithium-Ion battery, and two backup batteries that help to prevent data loss. In addition, your system provides the option to attach a second Lithium-Ion battery to the connector on the bottom of the system, extending battery life when you are away from an AC power source.
If the system detects an error during POST, it prompts you with a double beep and a message: “Press <F1> to resume.” If you press , the system enters BIOS Setup automatically. If you want to fix the error, carefully read the error message that appears above the prompt (taking notes if you want), and press .
Looking at Screens BIOS setup screens have three areas as shown next. Advanced CMOS Setup AMIBIOS SETUP - ADVANCED CMOS SETUP (C) 1999 American Megatrends, Inc. All Rights Reserved Item-specific LCD Panel View Expansion help text Internal Mouse Enable appears here. ESC Exit Select PgUp/PgDn: Modify...
Boot Sector Virus Disabled Enabled Protection Date — Sets your NEC Versa’s calendar month, day and year. The calendar clock is year 2000-compliant. These settings remain in memory even after you turn off system power. 2-12 System Configuration and Setup...
To set the date use the or arrow keys to move from field to field. Use the Fn-PgUp key to change the numbers within each field. Fn-PgDn System Memory — Displays the amount of system memory currently installed in your system.
Assign Supervisor Password — Establishes password protection for entering the BIOS setup utility, booting the system, and resuming from Standby. (Resume from Standby, not applicable in Windows 98 with ACPI.) Assign User Password — Establishes a user password once a supervisor password is set. Boot Password Required —...
Power Management Under AC — Specifies whether to enable power management features when AC power is in use. When AC power is connected to your NEC Versa system, power management is usually disabled. If you enable this parameter, the system automatically activates the power management profile you set, even when AC power is used.
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Use while traveling long distances. Off — Disables power management and all device timeouts. Works well in an office environment while powering your NEC Versa with AC power. Custom — Lets you define power management levels and specific device timeouts according to your own needs and present environment.
Bootable device when set to IDE hard drive. Only one IDE device is allowed to be bootable. Quick Boot — Specifies whether the system performs all tests during system boot. Silent Boot — Specifies whether to display the NEC logo during the system boot. Boot Display Device — Specifies the display device(s) for system boot messages.
Once refreshed, your battery is conditioned to recharge to its full capacity. To recharge the battery, connect your NEC Versa to AC power. This process may take up to four hours to complete. Auto Configuration with Defaults — Loads default configuration settings.
Note You only need to update the BIOS if NEC Computers makes significant improvements or fixes to the current system BIOS. Your authorized NEC dealer or NEC Computers Support Services representative can help you determine this. To update the system BIOS you must:...
Enabling the BIOS Flash Switch Before performing the BIOS update, be sure to enable BIOS flash switch. Set switch 5 to “ON” before performing the BIOS update. Follow these steps to enable the BIOS flash switch. Make sure the system is powered off and that no peripheral devices are attached. Turn over the system and locate the memory module bay.
BIOS flash switch enabled Dip switches 2, 3, 4, and 5 set to “On Note The system memory expansion slots are also located here. Therefore, if you need to install/replace SO-DIMM modules, you might want to do so while the system is already disassembled.
Application and Driver CD — Use this option to install a variety of software applications, drivers, utilities, internet browsers, and the NEC Info Center. NEC Versa FXi Warm Connect Utility — Use this option to take advantage of warm connecting the CD-ROM drive to your NEC Versa FXi computer.
A variety of third-party software applications, drivers, utilities, internet browsers and the NEC Info Center are provided on the Application and Driver (A&D) CD for the NEC Versa FXi that ships with your system. Some of the drivers are already installed as part of your operating system environment.
Launching the Application and Driver CD with Windows 2000 Follow these procedures to launch the Application and Driver CD using NEC Customize with Windows 2000. Insert the Application and Driver CD into the CD-ROM drive. Double click the NEC Customize icon, if necessary.
Replace the battery pack installed in your NEC Versa FXi system as follows. Note Use the batteries in the NEC Versa computer for which they are designed. Installing another manufacturer’s battery, or using a combination of very old and new batteries can deteriorate battery and equipment performance.
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Slide the battery release latch toward the right side of the system and hold firmly. Locating the battery bay release latch A – Lithium-Ion Battery B – Battery Release Latch Continue to hold the battery release latch as you slide the battery out of the system. Removing the battery A –...
Memory Module and Switch Settings Use the following steps to remove the memory module and access the switch settings. Close the LCD panel. Turn over the system and locate the memory module bay. Locating the memory module bay A – Memory Module Bay Cover B –...
Switch 1, Password Override Switch — The default setting is “OFF.” If you forget your password and cannot access the data on your NEC Versa, change the setting to “ON” and your current password is erased.
Keyboard Use the following steps to remove the keyboard assembly. Make sure that the system is powered off and that no peripheral devices are attached. Open the LCD panel. Locate the three keyboard locking tabs: one on the upper left of the keyboard, one above the F8 key, and the other on the upper right of the keyboard.
VersaGlide Assembly Use the following procedure to remove the VersaGlide assembly. Remove the keyboard, close the LCD panel, and turn the system over. Locate and remove the two bottom screws securing the front cover assembly to the system. Locating/Removing the bottom screws A –...
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Slowly remove the front cover assembly by unsnapping the sides from the system base unit. Do not lift the front cover away from the system. Disconnect the two cables from connectors P9 and P10 from the main board. Slide the cables out from under the bar and lift the front cover away from the system.
Hard Disk Drive Use the following steps to remove the internal hard disk drive. Remove the keyboard and front cover assembly from the system. The hard disk drive is located in the right-side bay under the front cover. No screws secure the drive.
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Locating/Removing the six screws A – Screws (4) C – Large Screws (2) B – Small Screw (1) D – Screw (1) Turn the system over and open the LCD panel as far as it will go. Remove the keyboard and front cover assembly from the system. Locate and remove the four screws securing the top cover assembly.
Mini-PCI LAN Use the following procedure to remove the mini-PCI LAN (if installed). Remove the keyboard, front cover assembly, and top cover assembly from the system. Disconnect the mini-PCI LAN from connector P27 on the main board Locate and remove the two screws securing the mini-PCI LAN. Removing the mini-PCI LAN A –...
Removing the PC card assembly A – Screw LED Status Board Use the following steps to remove the LED status board. Remove the keyboard, front cover assembly, top cover assembly, and PC card assembly from the system. Disconnect the LED status board cable from connector P23 on the main board. 3-12 Disassembly and Reassembly...
Locate and remove the screw that secures the board to the system. Locating/Removing the LED status board screw A – Screw C – LED Status Board Cable Connector B – LED Status Board Lift the LED status board out of the system. IR/Sound Board Use the following procedure to remove the IR/sound board.
Bridge Battery Use the following steps to remove the bridge battery. Remove the keyboard, front cover assembly, top cover assembly, and PC card assembly from the system. Disconnect the battery from connector P20 on the connector board. Lift the battery out of the system. Removing the bridge battery A –...
Speakers Use the following procedure to remove the speakers. Remove the keyboard, front cover assembly, and top cover assembly from the system. Locate the two speakers in the upper left corner and upper right corner inside the system. Locating the speakers A –...
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Locate and remove the screws that secure the LCD panel to the system. Locating/Removing the LCD panel screws A – Screw Disconnect the fan/heat plate from connector P24 on the main board. Disconnecting the fan/heat plate connector A – Connector P24 3-16 Disassembly and Reassembly...
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Locate and remove the four screws that secure the main board in the system. Locate and remove the three screws that secure the fan/heat plate to the main board. Locating/Removing the main board and fan/heat plate screws A – Main Board Screw B –...
Locate the CMOS battery. Disconnect the cable from connector P15 on the main board and lift the CMOS battery off of the main board. Removing the CMOS battery A – CMOS Battery Reassembly Reassembly is the reverse of the disassembly process. Use care to ensure that all cables and screws are returned to their proper positions.
This following figures show the system boards and connector locations. LED Status Board A – Connector P40 (back side) IR/Sound Board A – Connector P41 (back side) Connector Board A – Connector P34 D – Connector P20 B – Connector P32 E –...
Video/USB Board A – Connector P35 Main Board A – Connector P18 I – Connector P29 B – Connector P2 J – Connector P9 C – Connector P24 K – Connector P25 D – Connector P22 L – Connector P10 E –...
Parts List The following table contains a listing of the field-replaceable parts and corresponding part numbers. Field-Replaceable Parts List Item Description LCD Panel Sub Assembly 12.1-inch SVGA 12.1-inch XGA Keyboard (varies by language) Top Cover Assembly Fan/Heat Plate Front Cover Assembly Without VersaGlide LED Status Board VersaGlide Assembly IR/Sound Board...
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Field-Replaceable Parts List Item Description Right Mouse Button Hard Disk Drive FPC LED Status Board FFC Modem Board Cable Memory Modules 32MB, 64MB, 128MB Diskette Drive/Parallel Port Cap External Monitor Port Cap USB Cap (1 Port) CD/DVD Drive Cap USB Cap (2-Port) Memory Module Bay Cover External Diskette Drive External Diskette Drive Cable...
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Field-Replaceable Parts List Item Description Rubber Cap Top Cover (9-Cell Battery) Bottom Base (9-Cell Battery) Coin Lock (9-Cell Battery) Coin Lock Spring (9-Cell Battery) Coin Lock Hook (9-Cell Battery) Front Bracket (9-Cell Battery) Connector Plate (9-Cell Battery) Slide Piece (9-Cell Battery) 9-Cell Battery FPC Rubber Foot (9-Cell Battery) AC Adapter...
Preventive Maintenance Cleaning the Notebook Exterior Cleaning the Notebook Interior Protecting the Disk Drive and Diskette Drive Handling the Battery Pack Maintaining the LCD Quality...
Preventive maintenance is limited to cleaning the plastic case, the keyboard, the display screen, and the diskette drive heads, as required. Note Remove the battery and disconnect the AC adapter before performing any maintenance. Voltage is present inside the system unit and LCD even after the system is turned off.
Use hard disk maintenance program like DEFRAG under DOS, or acquire Norton Utilities SPEEDISK programs. These programs reorganize your hard disk by eliminating fragmentation and improve the hard disk access time. Handling the Battery Pack The battery pack furnished with the computer requires reasonable care and handling to ensure efficient operation and maximum life.
Quick Troubleshooting This section summarizes problems that may develop during system operation and lists suggested corrective actions. Quick Troubleshooting Problem Corrective Action No power Check that the AC adapter is plugged into the power connector of the system. Also, check that the AC adapter is plugged into a properly grounded AC power outlet.
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If the PC card is a Type II card, install it in the system’s other PC card slot. Replace the PC card. Replace the main board. NEC VersaGlide does not work Check if PS/2 or Alps mouse driver is properly installed. Check VersaGlide cable inside the system if it is inserted properly.
Helpful Questions Here are some helpful questions to ask when troubleshooting the notebook: Is there any external power source connected to the computer? Is the battery fully charged? Is the computer turned on and the Power LED activated? Is the LCD display switched to the external monitor? Are all cables and devices connected properly and securely? Are all needed device drivers installed properly? Is the Suspend Mode activated? Press any key or slide the Power/Sleep button to the...
Web Site If you have a modem or a network board, you can access the NEC Computers web site. You can do this through a commercial online service or through your Internet account. The NEC Computers web site contains general information about NEC and its products, an online store, press releases, reviews, and service and support information.
(This service is for U.S. and Canadian customers only; international customers should contact their local NEC office or dealer for the support and service available in your country.) Direct assistance is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call the NEC Computers Support Services, toll free, at (U.S.
System Components The following system component specifications are standard except where noted. System Processor Intel 500-MHz Celeron CPU Intel 600-MHz Pentium III CPU with SpeedStep microprocessor Architecture 64-bit Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) Random Access Memory Standard Main Memory 64-MB SDRAM SO-DIMM Optional Expansion —...
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DC In — 1 port, for AC adapter cable USB port — 3 ports, 4 pin Modem — 1 port, 4-pin, RJ-11 modular jack Speakers Two built-in, 1 watt (W) each with a maximum 3W output 16-bit stereo, 48 Khz Sound BlasterPRO compatible MIDI Roland: MPU401, UART Mode compatible EV1938 SoundBlaster Audio PCI 64V or...
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Number of tracks — 160 Hard Disk Drive Specifications vary depending upon model: Ultra DMA/66 support Capacity — Internal 6.x, 10.x, 12.x, or 20.x GB Drive height — 9.5 mm Read/write track-to-track seek rate — 3 ms Average seek time — 12 ms – 14 ms Revolutions per minute —...
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External DVD Drive IDE interface, ANSI X3T9.2791D compliant Buffer Size — 512KB Data Format — CD-DA, CD-ROM, CD-ROM XA, CD-I Bridge, CD-I Ready, Video CD, Enhanced Music CD, DVD Disc, DVD-R Disc Capacity CD — 656MB (Mode 1), 748MB (Mode 2) ...
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Battery Pack Type — three-cell Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) Optional Batteries — six-cell Li-Ion and nine-cell Li-Ion Output Voltage — 10.8 V Capacity — 1,550 mAH Recharging Time —- Approximately 2.7 hours when the system is on or off. Bridge Battery When fully charged, backs up memory contents and system status, in Standby mode, giving you time to install a fully charged battery or connect to AC power when your battery charge becomes low.
Connector Locations The following table shows the system’s connector locations. Connector Locations Connector Location Connector Location Mini-PC LAN Board Main Board, top Main Board, top Main Board, top Main Board, bottom Main Board, top Main Board, top Main Board, top Main Board, top Main Board, top Main Board, top...
Memory Map The system supports system and video shadowing, both controlled through complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS). The system supports BIOS as a cacheable area with write protection. The following table shows the system’s memory map. System Memory Map Memory Space Size Function 0000 0000h-0009 FFFFh...
Interrupt Controllers Using interrupts, hardware can request software services. If non-Plug and Play software is being used, the interrupt may need to be moved for software application or driver compatibility. Some interrupts cannot be moved. Fifteen interrupts can be used with a cascade connection of 8259INTC x 2.
AC Adapter A device that connects an NEC Versa portable computer and an AC wall outlet to provide AC power for running the system or recharging the battery. Advanced Graphics Port is an interface specification designed for the throughput demands of 3D graphics.
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Electronic timer used to synchronize computer operations. CMOS Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor. A chip that contains nonvolatile memory in the NEC Versa. CMOS is backed up by an internal lithium battery that preserves clock/calendar data and system configuration parameters stored in CMOS. cold boot Process of starting up the computer by turning on the power.
(KB) 1024 bytes. Local Area Network. Liquid Crystal Display. An LCD consists of a thin sandwich of two glass plates with sealed edges, containing nematic liquid-crystal material that forms the screen image. The NEC Versa displays are LCD type. load To copy a program into the computer's memory from a storage device.
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Usually contained on a single chip that includes an arithmetic logic unit, control logic, and control-memory unit. mode A method of operation; for example, the NEC Versa operates in either normal or power- saving modes. modem MOdulator-DEModulator. A device that links computers over a telephone line.
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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.
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The main printed circuit board inside the system unit into which other boards and major chip components, such as the system microprocessor, are connected. Thin Film Transistor. A type of NEC Versa LCD color screen that supports 256 colors and provides exceptional screen display.
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warm boot Process of resetting the computer without turning off the power through keyboard input (pressing Ctrl, Alt, and Del keys simultaneously) or the reset button. The system returns to an initial or arbitrarily selected condition. write To record or store information to a storage device. Glossary 7...
NEC customize utility Dimensions using, 2-22 system, 9-6 NEC utilities, 2-22 Dip switch settings, 3-5 NEC Versa disassembly sequence, 3-2 Diskette drives, 2-13 NEC VersaGlide, 1-5 Numeric keypad, 1-6 Entering BIOS setup, 2-9 Panel brightness, 2-16 Handling battery pack, 6-3...
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Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), 1-2 SpeedStep applet, 2-23 Power button, 1-4, 2-15 Supervisor password, 2-14 Power management under AC, 2-15 Suspend mode, 2-16 Power Status LED, 1-7 Suspend warning tone, 2-16 Powering on, 2-3 Switch settings, 3-5 Power-on self test (POST), 2-9 System date, 2-12 System features front, 1-2...
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A lithium battery in some computers maintains system configuration information. In the event that the battery fails to maintain system configuration information, NEC Computers Inc. recommends that you replace the battery. For battery replacement information, call your NEC Computers dealer.
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This product is in conformity with the protection requirements of EC Council Directive 89/336/EEC on the approximation of laws of the Member States relating to electro-magnetic compatibility. This product satisfied the Class B limits of EN 55022. NEC Computers Inc. 15 Business Park Way Sacramento, CA 95828...
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NEC Computers Inc. 819-200668-000 15 Business Park Way 12/2000 '%&(##%(' Sacramento, CA 95828 www.neccomp.com...