Related Manuals for Micron Electronics MERIDIAN 850 NOTEBOOK MERIDIAN 850
Summary of Contents for Micron Electronics MERIDIAN 850 NOTEBOOK MERIDIAN 850
- Page 1 Meridian 850 ROADSIDE PORTABLE GUIDE TO MOBILE COMPUTING WITH YOUR MERIDIAN 850 NOTEBOOK User’s Guide...
- Page 2 Limitation of remedies and liabilities The vendor’s entire liability and customers’ exclusive and sole remedy for damages from any cause whatsoever (including without limitation any nonperformance, misrepresentation, or breach of warranty) shall be limited to returning the products pursuant to the thirty (30) day satisfaction guarantee, or to repair or replace specific products or services that do not comply with the limited warranty given by the vendor.
- Page 3 Customer Assurance Program Thirty (30) Day Money-Back Guarantee on Most Products. Any product (except for software, software disks, related documentation and consumables) purchased from our company may be returned within thirty days from the date it was shipped to the customer for a full refund of the purchase price excluding original shipping charges.
- Page 4 Meridian 850 One Year Limited Warranty All new Merdian 850 computer systems come with a One Year Limited Warranty which provides that the products we manufacture or assemble, other than items such as software, disks and related documentation, will remain in good working condition, free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use and service, for a period of one year from the date of shipment.
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Page 5: Fcc Compliance Statement
FCC Compliance Statement For US and Canadian Users Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment. This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15, Subpart B of the FCC Rules. - Page 6 This page intentionally left blank.
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Page 7: Table Of Contents
Contents Welcome! ... 9 1. Unpacking Your System ... 11 Do I Have Everything? ... 11 What's in the Box? ... 12 Let Your Computer Acclimate Itself ... 13 Keep the Box ... 13 Where to Work ... 14 Beware Heat, Cold, Humidity, and Glare ... 14 2. - Page 8 Contents External Video Monitor ... 48 External Keyboard ... 48 Floppy Disks ... 49 Dual PCMCIA Card Slot ... 51 5. Using SETUP ... 53 Running SETUP ... 54 Startup ... 55 Memory ... 59 Disks ... 60 Components ... 62 Power ...
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Page 9: Welcome
Welcome! Welcome! Welcome to the Meridian 850 User’s Guide! This guide is designed to help you get the most out of your system and keep it running trouble free, year after year. The User’s Guide is divided into seven chapters. Chapter 1, Unpacking Your System, explains how to safely open and set up your new system. - Page 10 Welcome! System Specifications lists technical details about your system. The Handy Cheat Sheet gives a short summary of some of the most needed or most forgotten commands. The Glossary gives definitions of common computer terms.
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Page 11: Unpacking Your System
1. Unpacking Your System Obviously, the first step towards using your new Meridian is getting it safely to your door and unpacked. Do I Have Everything? The packing slip is one of the last items sealed into your computer box. It lists everything we shipped you. -
Page 12: What's In The Box
Chapter 1 - Unpacking Your System What's in the Box? Your box contains the packing slip, this manual, a plastic bag full of cables and other manuals, a battery pack and AC adapter, and your Windows & DOS manual. This book shows you how to set up your system and keep it running. Your Windows for Workgroups and/or your MS-DOS User's Guide has introductory chapters to help you install and configure DOS and Windows. -
Page 13: Let Your Computer Acclimate Itself
Chapter 1 - Unpacking Your System Let Your Computer Acclimate Itself Although your computer system can easily stand temperature extremes, it doesn’t much like rapid changes in temperature, especially going from a cold front stoop to a warm and comfy office, or from a steamy jungle mail drop to an air-conditioned villa. -
Page 14: Where To Work
Chapter 2 - The Big Picture Where to Work Your Meridian 850 is a tough, rugged machine. Generally it will be comfortable and run well wherever you are comfortable. Extremes of heat, cold, and humidity can be challenging to your system's parts, but usually if you can take it, so can the computer. -
Page 15: The Big Picture
2. The Big Picture Your Meridian 850 is designed to give you the speed and power of a desktop system in a lightweight, portable package. System Features Every Meridian 850 includes: • Intel Pentium microprocessor running at 75 or 90MHz •... -
Page 16: Front View
Chapter 2 - The Big Picture Front View Mouse Buttons The two square buttons on top of the palm rest work just like the buttons of a conventional PC mouse. Your right thumb clicks the buttons while a finger moves the cursor with the TruePoint pointing device. TruePoint™... - Page 17 Display Latches LED indicator lights TruePoint™ Pointing Device Mouse Buttons Meridian 850, Front View Suspend/Resume Button Chapter 2 - The Big Picture Security Cable Slot Power Switch Reset Switch...
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Page 18: Side Views
Chapter 2 - The Big Picture Side Views Suspend/Resume Button (must be pressed for one second) Floppy Disk Drive Slot PCMCIA Card Compartment Cover PC Card Eject Buttons Right side view Floppy Disk Drive Eject Button Reset Switch (a ball-point pen works fine) Left side view Security... -
Page 19: Pcmcia Card Eject Buttons
Chapter 2 - The Big Picture Power Button To turn the system on or off, press and hold the power button for 1-2 seconds. When you turn the power on, the speaker beeps once (if sound is enabled). The Power Button will not work when the system is in suspend mode or when the computer is being powered by battery only and the display panel is closed. -
Page 20: Back View
Chapter 2 - The Big Picture Back View Mouse Keyboard Connector Connector DC Power Field Ground Connector Terminal Each connector at the back of the system unit is displayed below. You can configure the parallel or serial ports from the SETUP menu. See Chapter 5, Using SETUP, for detailed instructions. -
Page 21: Connector Description
Connector Parallel port 25-pin parallel port for printers or other devices. Configure the parallel port from the SETUP program , Ctrl + Alt + S at boot Serial port 9-pin connector for a mouse, modem, or other serial devices. Configure the serial port from the SETUP program, Ctrl + Alt + S at boot Video... -
Page 22: Sound Features
Chapter 2 - The Big Picture Sound Features Your Meridian 850 features 16-bit, Sound Blaster Pro and Microsoft Sound-compatible stereo sound. The system’s signal output is designed for amplified stereo speakers with 6-8ohm impedance. This sound system works automatically with Windows, but when installing DOS games or applications that use DOS Sound Blaster your software must use the following three hardware settings: I/O Address = 220, IRQ = 5, DMA = 1. - Page 23 Indicator Lights: What they mean Indicator Power/Suspend Glowing LOWBATT CHARGE Caps Lock Num Lock Scroll Lock Chapter 2 - The Big Picture Appearance Description The power is turned on. Blinking The system is in suspend mode. Slow blinking The battery power level is low.
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Page 24: Using The Keyboard
Chapter 2 - The Big Picture Using the Keyboard Escape Fn key The keyboard is your primary means of giving your computer numbers and words, and telling it what to do with them. The keyboard works much like the keys on a typewriter, but computer keyboards have several specialty keys. -
Page 25: What The Keys Do
Chapter 2 - The Big Picture What the Keys Do General Functions Alternate (Alt) - used with other keys to perform special functions defined by the application you are using. While holding down the Alt key, press the other key. Caps Lock - toggles on and off making the typewriter letter keys appear in uppercase. - Page 26 Chapter 2 - The Big Picture What the Keys Do (continued) Editing and Movement Keys Backspace - located above the Enter key. It may be labeled as Bksp or as an arrow pointing to the left. The Backspace key moves the insertion point to the left one space, erasing the characters in its path.
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Page 27: Using The Embedded Numeric Keypad
Using the Embedded Numeric Keypad A numeric keypad for entering numbers is embedded within the main keyboard. To use the numeric characters, press the Num Lock button. Keys with a number in the lower right corner will type numbers whenever Num Lock is enabled. -
Page 28: Setting The Speaker Volume
Chapter 2 - The Big Picture Special Key Combinations The following key combinations let you perform special functions without exiting your application Note: Some applications may conflict with certain special key combinations. If you press key combination without results, exit the application and try again. *Fn + F10 *Fn + F11 Fn + F12... -
Page 29: Disk Drives
Disk Drives Your system comes with a 528MB (or larger), low power consumption removable hard disk drive, and a 3.5-inch floppy disk drive. Upgrades are available. • Do not touch the connector of hard disk drive pack • Protect the disk drive from jarring or strong vibrations •... - Page 30 Chapter 2 - The Big Picture continued from last page Removable Hard Disk Drive Location 2. Remove the retaining screw with a Phillips screwdriver. This frees the drive. Removing the retaining screw 3. Turn the computer over, then place your fingers in the groove on the disk drive and pull the drive out of the socket.
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Page 31: Pcmcia Card Slot
Chapter 2 - The Big Picture PCMCIA Card Slot PC Card Ins and Outs Two Type II cards Removing the bottom card Note: the bottom slot is socket 0 (zero). Your system comes with a versatile card slot which can hold one Type-III or two Type-II expansion cards (stacked). -
Page 32: Battery And Power Management
Chapter 3 - Battery and Power Management 3. Battery and Power Management Installing the Battery for the First Time Your system operates on a rechargeable Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) battery pack. To prevent possible damage during shipment the battery pack has not been installed in your system. Before turning on the system for the first time, remove the battery pack from its package and install it. -
Page 33: Installing The Battery Pack
Installing the Battery Pack Inserting the battery pack To install the battery pack: 1. Insert the battery pack into the battery compartment. 2. Push the battery into the compartment until you hear a click. Chapter 3 - Battery and Power Management... -
Page 34: Removing The Battery Pack
Chapter 3 - Battery and Power Management Removing the Battery Pack To remove the battery pack: 1. Locate the battery pack and battery pack release locks. 2. Slide the battery pack release locks. Releasing the battery pack locks. The battery pack will pop up slightly. 3. -
Page 35: Turning On Your System
Turning On Your System After installing the battery pack, allow it to charge fully before using your system for the first time. Once the battery is fully charged, go ahead and open your system and push the power button. Hold the button down for one second to turn on the system. -
Page 36: Low Battery Conditions
Chapter 3 - Battery and Power Management Low Battery Conditions Two warnings alert you when your system’s battery is low and needs charging. The first warning is the orange battery indicator light blinking slowly. The system speaker will also beep (if system sound is enabled). The first warning gives you about five minutes to quit working, save your data, or connect the AC adapter to the system. - Page 37 Low Battery Conditions (continued) If an extra fully charged battery is available: 1. Save all necessary files. 2. Exit the application. 3. Turn off the system. 4. Remove the battery pack and replace it with a fully charged battery pack. If no AC adapter, power outlet or extra charged battery is available: 1.
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Page 38: Charging The Battery
Chapter 3 - Battery and Power Management Charging the Battery To charge the battery, plug the AC adapter into the system and an electrical outlet. The AC adapter converts alternating current (AC) into direct current (DC). When the power switch is turned on, the AC adapter supplies power to the system and recharges the battery pack only when the system in suspend mode. -
Page 39: Battery Temperature Sensor
Chapter 3 - Battery and Power Management Battery Temperature Sensor The AC adapter will not charge a battery when it is too hot or too cold. If the battery is outside normal operating temperature, the adapter will wait for the battery to warm up or cool down before it begins charging. While the system unit waits for the battery to return to normal operating temperature, the CHARGE LED will slowly flash green. -
Page 40: Power Management
Chapter 3 - Battery and Power Management Power Management Your Meridian 850 can operate in four different power modes, depending on how you’d like to use your computer. The four power modes--Normal, Power Saving, Battery Only, and Suspend--allow you to get the most performance under a variety of conditions (See Chapter 5, Using SETUP for more details). -
Page 41: Suspend Mode
Chapter 3 - Battery and Power Management Suspend Mode Deactivates one or more of Meridian’s internal components, letting you conserve power (battery or AC). You can customize Suspend Mode to save power in several ways, letting you choose what shuts down as well as when. - Page 42 Chapter 3 - Battery and Power Management Power Savings Settings These four options let you tailor the Timeouts for your system components. Low Power Savings gives you maximum performance but shortest battery life; Medium Power Saveings gives you moderate performance and moderate battery life; High Power Savings gives you minimum performance but longest battery life, and Custom Power Settings lets you manually specify Timeouts for your CPU, video, hard disk drive, and Global system components.
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Page 43: Battery Precautions
Battery Precautions 1. Do not expose the battery to fire, which can cause explosion, or allow it to become dented or deformed. 2. Do not run your system on battery power for a long time at temperatures over 95 degrees F (35C). Also, do not store the battery at high temperatures. This can significantly reduce battery life. -
Page 44: Ac Adapter Precautions
Chapter 3 - Battery and Power Management AC Adapter Precautions 1. It is extremely dangerous to use the AC adapter when it is wet. If it should become wet or damaged, immediately unplug the adapter from the power outlet and the computer. 2. -
Page 45: Using Your Meridian 850
4. Using Your Meridian 850 Opening the Lid To open the display, pull the latches at the both sides of the system backward and lift the display carefully, as illustrated. TruePoint Pointing Device Mouse Buttons Examining the Interior Features The suspend/resume button, LED indicator lights, embedded pointing device and mouse buttons are illustrated in the above picture. -
Page 46: Truepoint™ Pointing Device
Chapter 4 - How to Use Your Meridian 850 TruePoint™ Pointing Device The red button, called the TruePoint™ embedded pointing device, works like a joystick. Simply put a finger on it and tilt it the direction you want the cursor on the screen to go. The harder you tilt, the faster it moves. When you need to click on something, use the rectangular mouse buttons (on top of the wrist rest) exactly as you would use the two buttons on a mouse. -
Page 47: Ps/2 Style Mouse
Chapter 4 - How to Use Your Meridian 850 PS/2 Style Mouse Before you can use an external mouse, you must first install its device driver. This software enables your mouse to communicate with the system. See your mouse documentation for instructions how to install the mouse and mouse driver. -
Page 48: External Video Monitor
Chapter 4 - How to Use Your Meridian 850 External Video Monitor If you attach an external monitor to your Meridian, the computer will detect it on power up, initially sending send its video signal to the external monitor only. However, if you connect an external monitor during use, the LCD screen initially will remain on. -
Page 49: Floppy Disks
Floppy Disks Floppy disks are used to: • transfer information from one computer to another • install software on your system’s hard drive • make backup copies of your software and data When you insert a floppy disk into the system’s floppy disk drive, you can read the information stored on the disk and write information to the disk. -
Page 50: Care And Handling
Chapter 4 - How to Use Your Meridian 850 Care and Handling Write protect notch A few things to remember when handling floppy disks: • Handle disks carefully. • Don’t remove a disk from a drive while its platter is spinning. •... -
Page 51: Dual Pcmcia Card Slot
Dual PCMCIA Card Slot Don’t install another vendor’s card and socket services over the pre- installed SystemSoft services. Your Card & Socket Services will accomodate SRAM cards, a modem on COM2, and ATA Type III hard drives. Two Type II PCMCIA cards Your system comes with a versatile expansion slot, located on the left side of your computer. - Page 52 Chapter 4 - How to Use Your Meridian 850 Type II PCMCIA cards can provide your computer with: • Flash Memory • LAN • Fax/Modem • External Cache Memory • SCSI • Sound system Type III PCMCIA cards can provide your computer with: •...
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Page 53: Using Setup
5. Using SETUP Your computer has a SETUP utility program that allows you to observe or change the following system settings: System time and date Floppy disk drive type Hard disk drive type Video display Selection Fast Boot Mode Color Scheme Sound Chip Number lock on or off Boot Device... -
Page 54: Running Setup
Chapter 5 - Using SETUP Running SETUP Before entering SETUP, save your files and exit any applications you are running. Once you enter SETUP, you will lose all unsaved data because the system reboots when you exit SETUP. To run SETUP, press Ctrl+Alt+S either while the system is booting up or at the DOS prompt. -
Page 55: Startup
Chapter 5 - Using SETUP Startup Both your mouse and your keyboard can operate the SETUP program. With your mouse (TruePoint or external) you move the pointer to the desired menu, then single-click on the left mouse button to drop the menu down. -
Page 56: Date And Time
Chapter 5 - Using SETUP Date and Time Provides a single window for setting the system date and time. The Date and Time window lets you specify the date, month, and year as well as the Hour, Minute, and Second. Fast Boot Initializes and quickly boots the system in a few seconds by bypassing certain diagnostic tests. - Page 57 Chapter 5 - Using SETUP Password Creates passwords at bootup for accessing SETUP values or disabling current passwords. There are two kinds of password, the bootup password and SCU (SETUP) password. To create or change these passwords, run SETUP and select Password under the Startup menu. The following dialog box appears: Boot Password Creates a password to access to the system at bootup, or disables the...
- Page 58 Chapter 5 - Using SETUP SCU (SETUP) Password Lets you create or disable the current SETUP password. To create or change the password, enter 4 to 8 characters in the text box. Characters will be shown as asterisks ‘ * ‘. With the <Tab> key, highlight Enable password for SCU changes.
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Page 59: Memory
Chapter 5 - Using SETUP Memory L1 Cache Enable Enables or disables the Pentium processor’s internal cache. When enabled, system performance increases. L1 Cache Writeback Sets cache to either writeback mode (faster) or write-through mode. L2 Cache Enable Enables or disables the onboard external L2 cache. The computer is typi- cally faster with L2 cache enabled. -
Page 60: Disks
Chapter 5 - Using SETUP Disks Diskette Drive Configures the diskette drive. Settings: 1.44MB or Disabled. Fast Diskette Reduces ISA bus wait states, making the diskette drive quicker. -
Page 61: Hard Disk
Hard Disk Configures the Hard Disk Drive 1 (DOS drive C:). Options: [Disabled] If no hard drive is installed. [Standard] To select a drive type from a standard list of drives. (44 pre-defined drive types are listed). [Custom] To configure a drive not in the standard list. When selected, you must manually enter the values for cylinders, heads, sectors per track (SPT), landing zone (LZone), and write precompensation (Precomp) for the... -
Page 62: Components
Chapter 5 - Using SETUP Components COM Ports Configures the I/O address for the serial (COM) port. Available settings: COM1 (3F8), COM2 (2F8), COM3 (3E8), COM4 (2E8), or Disable. LPT Port Designates the port and the IRQ assignment for the LPT (printer) port. Available I/O addresses: LPT1 (378h) , LPT2 (278h), or Disabled. -
Page 63: Keyboard Numlock
Keyboard Numlock Specifies whether Num Lock is on or off at system bootup. Options: Enabled or disabled. Keyboard Repeat Determines how fast a character repeats when a key is held down. Also specifies the amount of time that will pass after a key is depressed before repeating begins. -
Page 64: Power
Chapter 5 - Using SETUP Power Enable Power Saving Enables or disables selected power-saving features. When enabled, your specific set of features are activated. When disabled, all power-saving features are deactivated. Battery Only Enables power savings only while running on the battery. When disabled, power saving strategies will operate even while using AC power. - Page 65 High Power Saving Sets power-savings to its highest level. Result: minimum system perfor- mance, longest battery life. Custom Power Saving Lets you choose the Timeout interval for the CPU, Video, Disk, and Global (all components turned off except memory). You can also have the system monitor Video Activity.
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Page 66: Exit
Chapter 5 - Using SETUP Exit Save and Exit Saves the current SETUP values and exits the program. The new settings will not take effect until after the system is rebooted. Save and Reboot Saves the new values and reboots the system so they can take effect. Exit (No Save) Exits SETUP without saving any changes. -
Page 67: Restore Settings
Chapter 5 - Using SETUP Restore Settings Restores the previous set of SETUP values. Version Info Displays the current BIOS version information, including version number and date. -
Page 68: How To Install Options
Chapter 6 - How to Install Options 6. How to Install Options Right out of the box, your Meridian helps you do your work faster and easier. And as your needs change, it's easy to add new components to improve the performance, power, and flexibility of your system. This section explains how to install some of the most popular computer accessories. -
Page 69: Installing More Ram
Chapter 6 - How to Install Options Installing More RAM System memory is often called RAM, for Random Access Memory. RAM is the “thinking space” available to your applications. Usually, the more system RAM you have, the faster your system will run. Many software applications simply run much faster and more efficiently when more RAM is available. - Page 70 Chapter 6 - How to Install Options Installing the RAM Board The RAM board slot is located under the memory board cover, as illustrated in the figure. Memory Board Location (cover removed) Whenever you work inside the computer, electrostatic discharge can permanently damage your equipment.
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Page 71: How To Maintain Your System
7. How to Maintain Your System Your system is designed for years of rugged, portable use. You’ll get even more service out of your Meridian by taking good care of your equipment. Travel Precautions Follow these steps to prepare the system for travel: 1. -
Page 72: System Hardware Precautions
Chapter 7 - How to Maintain Your System System Hardware Precautions • Do not expose the system to rain, liquid, or moisture. • Do not clean the system with liquid or aerosol cleaners. Wipe the system with a damp, soft cloth. •... -
Page 73: Ac Adapter Precautions
AC Adapter Precautions • Do not connect to any other device. • Connect the adapter power cord into a grounded power outlet only. • Contact an electrician if the adapter power cord does not fit into your outlet. • Do not set anything on the power cord. Carefully route the power cord and cables. -
Page 74: System Specifications
System Specifications System Specifications Cache Memory Hard drive Display Keyboard Sound Ports Environmental Specifications Operating Temperature Storage Temperature Operating Humidity Storage Humidity Intel Pentium running at 75 or 90MHz 256K external ROM: 128KB for system/video RAM: 8MB or 16MB standard expandable to 32MB Video: 1MB 2.5 inch low power consumption IDE... -
Page 75: Battery Pack Specifications
Dimensions Weight DSTN/TFT Color: Case DSTN/TFT: Battery Pack Specifications Type Voltage Capacity Ambient temperature Dimensions Weight AC Adapter Specifications Input Output Dimensions Weight DC Cable length 6.8 lbs. with battery 11.7 (w) X 8.9 (d) X 1.9 (h) inch 259 (w) X 198 (d) X 42 (h) mm 6-cell rechargeable nickel-metal hydride 7.2V DC 2600 mAh... -
Page 76: Handy Cheat Sheet
Handy Cheat Sheet Handy Cheat Sheet Here are some of the most often needed (and forgotten) notes. CTRL + ALT + DEL ... Warm Reboot Reset button, or Power button ... Cold Reboot CTRL + ALT + S ... Access SETUP CTRL + BREAK, or CTRL + C ... - Page 77 Handy Cheat Sheet Windows Shortcuts Ctrl-C ... copy to clipboard Ctrl-V ... paste or copy from the clipboard Ctrl-X ... delete and copy to clipboard Alt-Tab ... toggle between open applications Alt-Esc ... jump to next open application Wildcards - wildcards are special characters that can represent any other valid numbers, letters, or symbols in a file name.
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Page 78: Glossary
Glossary Glossary This glossary provides general definitions of key terms. For an expanded list look in standard reference books on computers. Active Matrix - Flat screen technology that controls each pixel with an individual transistor. Address (Physical) - A specific location in memory where a unit record, or sector, of data is stored. - Page 79 Glossary more files than floppy disks. IDE - Integrated Drive Electronics. An IDE drive has the controller electronics built into the drive itself and is connected directly to the mainboard or to an adapter card. Insertion point - A blinking vertical marker which shows where you can type words or numbers.
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Page 80: Index
Index Index AC Adapter Precautions 44 Battery 32 Endurance 35 how to charge 38 how to install 33 how to remove 34 precautions 43 Charging the Battery 38 Condensation 13 Connectors 21 Disk Drives 29 Commands 76 File Extensions 76 Embedded Numeric Keypad 27 External Keyboard 48 External Monitor 48... - Page 81 Index how to install 69 Removable Hard Disk Drive 29 Reset Switch 19 Serial Mouse 47 SETUP how to run 54 Power Management Parameters 64 SETUP Utility 53 Sound Chip 63 Sound Features 22 Speaker Volume 28 Suspend/Resume Button 16 System how to maintain 71 how to open 45...
- Page 82 Following is a list of changes that arrived too late for printing. p.2: Copyright now Micron Electronics. p.7-8: Updated Table of Contents. p.15: Mainboard Features now shows 75 and 90MHz for CPU; Hard disk drives now available in 1.3GB; Now Windows NT certified. p.22: Updated instructions for setting sound system parameters for games and applications.
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