Acer 500L User Manual

AcerAltos 500LUser’s Guide

xInstalling a Pentium II Processor... 2-11Removing a Pentium II Processor... 2-13Memory

xiSerial Port 2 ...3-7Parallel Port ...

xiiNum Lock After Boot...3-25Memory Test ...

Chapter 1 System Housing 1-1Chapter 1 System HousingThis chapter describes the features of the system housing and tellsyou how to install the basic

1-2 AcerAltos 500L User’s GuideFeaturesFront PanelKeylockPanel Door

Chapter 1 System Housing 1-3Rear PanelPower SupplyPower SocketCOM portslotsExpansion PortSlotsExpansion SlotsSCSI ExpansionSlotsHousing FanSystem Boa

1-4 AcerAltos 500L User’s GuideInternal StructureThe figure below shows the housing internal structure and some of thebasic system components.Power Su

Chapter 1 System Housing 1-5Opening the Housing PanelsFront PanelUnlock the housing with the key and then pull the panel to access thedrive trays.Key

1-6 AcerAltos 500L User’s GuideLeft PanelTo remove the left panel:1. Use a screw driver to remove the two screws securing it to therear panel.2. Pul

Chapter 1 System Housing 1-7Installing Disk DrivesTurn off the power switch and unplug thepower cord before installing or removing diskdrives.3.5-inc

iiCopyrightCopyright  1999 by Acer Incorporated. All rights reserved. No partof this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, sto

1-8 AcerAltos 500L User’s Guide5.25-inch DrivesTo install a CD-ROM or other 5.25-inch drives:1. Open the front panel and remove the left panel of the

Chapter 1 System Housing 1-9Hard Disk DrivesTo install a 3.5-inch hard disk drive or other 3.5-inch drives to the 5.25-inch drive bay:1. Open the fr

1-10 AcerAltos 500L User’s Guide4. Insert the drive tray into the drive bay and secure it with twoscrews.5. Connect the signal and power cables to the

Chapter 1 System Housing 1-112. Insert an PCI, ISA, or AGP card into the slot. Make sure that thecard is properly seated.3. Secure the PCI card to

Chapter 2 System Board 2-1Chapter 2 System BoardThis high-performance system board supports the Intel Pentium IICPU running at speeds ranging from

2-2 AcerAltos 500L User’s GuideMajor ComponentsThe system board has the following major components:• Exclusive slot for Intel Pentium II processor• Th

Chapter 2 System Board 2-3System Board Layout 1 PS/2 mouse port 2 PS/2 keyboard port 3 USB connectors 4 Serial port 2 5 Parallel port 6 Serial

2-4 AcerAltos 500L User’s GuideJumpers and ConnectorsJumper and Connector LocationsThe blackened pin of a jumper or connectorrepresents pin 1.

Chapter 2 System Board 2-5Jumper SettingsJumper Setting FunctionPassword SecurityJP3 1-22-3*Check passwordBypass passwordBIOSJP4 1-2*2-3AcerOEMConnec

iiiIMPORTANT SAFETYINSTRUCTIONS1. Read these instructions carefully. Save these instructions forfuture reference.2. Follow all warnings and instructi

2-6 AcerAltos 500L User’s GuideConnector FunctionCN16 Power switchCN19 Housing fan connectorCN20 Audio line-in connector (reserved*)CN21 Modem Ring-In

Chapter 2 System Board 2-7ESD PrecautionsAlways observe the following ESD (electrostatic discharge)precautions before installing any system component

2-8 AcerAltos 500L User’s GuideInstalling the Pentium II ProcessorThe following section will briefly explain and illustrate how to install thePentium

Chapter 2 System Board 2-9Follow these steps when installing the fan sink and fan into thePentium II processor module:1. Remove the thermal tape pr

2-10 AcerAltos 500L User’s Guide3b. Using your fingers, push down the metal brackets until they clickinto the CPU cartridge and then push the metal br

Chapter 2 System Board 2-11Installing a Pentium II ProcessorFollow these steps to install a Pentium II processor into the socket onthe CPU board.1a.

2-12 AcerAltos 500L User’s Guide2. With the processor module golden fingers pointing downward,align the processor to the posts of the retention mechan

Chapter 2 System Board 2-134. Press the latches on the sides to lock the processor module intoplace.Removing a Pentium II ProcessorFollow these steps

2-14 AcerAltos 500L User’s Guide2. Firmly hold the processor module and pull it out of the socket.

Chapter 2 System Board 2-15Memory UpgradeThe three 168-pin sockets onboard support SDRAM-type DIMMs only.You may install 16-MB, 32-MB, 64-MB, or 128-

iv9. Do not allow anything to rest on the power cord. Do not locatethis product where persons will walk on the cord.10. If an extension cord is used

2-16 AcerAltos 500L User’s GuideBank 0 Bank 1 Bank 2 Total Memory128 MB 128 MB 256 MB128 MB 128 MB 128 MB 384 MBInstalling a DIMMTo install a DIMM, al

Chapter 2 System Board 2-17Removing a DIMMTo remove a DIMM, press the holding clips on both sides of the socketoutward to release the DIMM.Place your

2-18 AcerAltos 500L User’s GuideReconfiguring the SystemReconfigure the system after installing or removing DIMMs.Follow these steps to reconfigure th

Chapter 2 System Board 2-19Error MessagesDo not continue using the computer if you receive an error message ofany type. Note the message and take co

2-20 AcerAltos 500L User’s GuideMessage ActionDiskette Drive Error Check the CMOS settings inSetup and the diskette drive cableconnections.Diskette Dr

Chapter 2 System Board 2-21Message ActionMemory Size MismatchCPU Clock MismatchCheck the memory size based onthe system specifications. Checkthe int

2-22 AcerAltos 500L User’s GuideCorrecting Error ConditionsAs a general rule, if an error message says "Press F1 to continue," it iscaused b

Chapter 3 BIOS Utility 3-1Chapter 3 BIOS UtilityMost systems are already configured by the manufacturer or thedealer. There is no need to run Setu

3-2 AcerAltos 500L User’s GuideEntering SetupTo enter Setup, simultaneously press the key combination+ + .You must press + + while thesystem is booti

Chapter 3 BIOS Utility 3-3• System Information• Product Information• Disk Drives• Onboard Peripherals• Power Management• Boot Options• Date and Time•

v15. Warning! Battery may explode if not handled properly. Do notrecharge, disassemble or dispose of in fire. Keep away fromchildren and dispose of

3-4 AcerAltos 500L User’s GuideSystem InformationThe following screen appears if you select System Information fromthe Main menu: System Information

Chapter 3 BIOS Utility 3-5ProcessorThe Processor parameter specifies the type of processor currentlyinstalled in your system. The system supports Int

3-6 AcerAltos 500L User’s GuideIDE Primary Channel MasterThis parameter specifies the current configuration of the IDE deviceconnected to the master p

Chapter 3 BIOS Utility 3-7Serial Port 1This parameter shows the serial port 1 address and IRQ setting.Serial Port 2This parameter shows the serial po

3-8 AcerAltos 500L User’s GuideProduct InformationThe Product Information contains the general data about the system,such as the product name, serial

Chapter 3 BIOS Utility 3-9Main Board S/NThis parameter specifies the system board’s serial number.System BIOS VersionThis parameter specifies the ver

3-10 AcerAltos 500L User’s GuideDisk DrivesSelect Disk Drives to input configuration values for disk drives.The following screen shows the Disk Drives

Chapter 3 BIOS Utility 3-11LS-120 Drive Compatible AsThis parameter allows you not only to enable the LS-120 deviceinstalled in your system, but also

3-12 AcerAltos 500L User’s GuideIDE Primary Channel SlaveThis parameter lets you configure the hard disk drive connected to theslave port of IDE chann

Chapter 3 BIOS Utility 3-13This parameter lets you specify the type of hard disk installed in yoursystem. If you want BIOS to automatically configur

viFCC Class B Radio FrequencyInterference StatementNote:This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits fora Class B digital device

3-14 AcerAltos 500L User’s GuideHard Disk Block ModeThis function enhances disk performance depending on the hard diskin use. If you set this paramet

Chapter 3 BIOS Utility 3-15Set this parameter to Enabled to enable the DMA mode for the CD-ROM drive. This improves the system performance since it

3-16 AcerAltos 500L User’s GuideOnboard PeripheralsThe Onboard Peripheral Configuration allows you to configure theonboard communication ports and the

Chapter 3 BIOS Utility 3-17The Base Address and IRQ parameters foreach port are configurable only if the port isenabled.Parallel PortThis parameter a

3-18 AcerAltos 500L User’s GuideSetting FunctionStandard andBidirectionalAllows normal speed operation in a two-way modeEnhanced Parallel Port(EPP)All

Chapter 3 BIOS Utility 3-19Onboard Device SettingsFloppy Disk Controller ... [Enabled ]IDE Controller ... [Both ]PS/

3-20 AcerAltos 500L User’s GuideSMBus Interrupt (IRQ9)The System Management Bus (SMBus) is used for controlling andgetting information from devices on

Chapter 3 BIOS Utility 3-21Power ManagementThe Power Management menu allows you to configure the systempower-management feature.The following screen

3-22 AcerAltos 500L User’s GuideSystem Sleep TimerThis parameter sets the system to the lowest power-saving mode aftera specified period of inactivity

Chapter 3 BIOS Utility 3-23Boot OptionsThis option allows you to specify your preferred setting for bootup.The following screen appears if you select

viiAbout this ManualGetting StartedThis user’s guide aims to give you all the necessary information toenable you to operate the AcerAltos 500L system.

3-24 AcerAltos 500L User’s Guide• 3rd. If the 1st and 2nd searches fail then it boots from this drive.BIOS will display an error message if the drive

Chapter 3 BIOS Utility 3-25Num Lock After BootThis parameter allows you to activate the Num Lock function uponbooting. The default setting is Enable

3-26 AcerAltos 500L User’s GuideDate and TimeThe real-time clock keeps the system date and time. After setting thedate and time, you do not need to e

Chapter 3 BIOS Utility 3-27TimeHighlight the items in the Time parameter and press or to setthe time following the hour-minute-second format.Vali

3-28 AcerAltos 500L User’s GuideSystem SecurityThe Setup program has a number of security features to preventunauthorized access to the system and its

Chapter 3 BIOS Utility 3-29Setup PasswordEnter your new Setup Password twice. Setup Passwordmay be up to 7 characters long.Enter Password ...

3-30 AcerAltos 500L User’s Guide1. Turn off and unplug the computer.2. Open the computer housing and set JP3 to 1-2 (check password)to check the pa

Chapter 3 BIOS Utility 3-312. Open the computer housing and set JP3 to 2-3 (Bypass password)to bypass the password function. See Jumpers and Connec

3-32 AcerAltos 500L User’s Guide Power-on PasswordEnter your new Power-on Password twice. Power-onPassword may be up to 7 characters long.Enter Pas

Chapter 3 BIOS Utility 3-33Normal Hard disk drive functionsnormallyWrite Protect All Sectors Disables the write function on allsectorsWrite Protect B

viiiConventionsThe following are the conventions used in this manual:Text entered by userRepresents text input by the user.Option ItemsRepresents opti

3-34 AcerAltos 500L User’s GuideAdvanced Options Advanced Options configuration is availableonly in the Advanced Level. The Advanced Options configur

Chapter 3 BIOS Utility 3-35Memory/Cache OptionsInternal Cache(CPU Cache) ... [Enabled ]External Cache ... [Enabled ] Cach

3-36 AcerAltos 500L User’s GuideMemory Parity ModeThis parameter allows you to enable or disable the ECC (ErrorChecking and Correction) feature. The E

Chapter 3 BIOS Utility 3-37PCI SlotsWhen you set the PCI IRQ Setting parameter to Auto, theseparameters specify the auto-assigned interrupt for each

3-38 AcerAltos 500L User’s GuideSome VGA cards have required settings forthis feature. Check your VGA card manualbefore setting this parameter.Graphi

Chapter 3 BIOS Utility 3-39CPU FrequencyBus Frequency ... 66/100 MHzCPU Multiple ... [3]Processor Speed ... xxx

3-40 AcerAltos 500L User’s GuideLoad Default SettingsUse this option to load the default settings for the optimized systemconfiguration. When you loa

Chapter 3 BIOS Utility 3-41Abort Settings ChangeUse this option to disregard your changes to the BIOS and reload yourprevious settings.The following

3-42 AcerAltos 500L User’s GuideExit SetupExamine the system configuration values. When you are satisfied thatall the values are correct, write them

Chapter 4 SCSI/VGA Combo Card 3-1

ixTable of ContentsChapter 1 System HousingStandalone System...1-1Features...

LCD Module Event Log List A-1