Acorn Archimedes Operating and safety instructions
Copyright © Acorn Computers Limited 1988
Neither the whole nor any part of the information contained in, nor the
product described in this Guide may be adapted or reproduced in any
material form except with the prior written approval of Acorn Computers
Limited.
The products described in this manual are subject to continuous development
and improvement. All information of a technical nature and particulars of the
products and their use (including the information and particulars in this
Guide) are given by Acorn Computers Limited in good faith. However, Acorn
Computers Limited cannot accept any liability for any loss or damage arising
from the use of any information or particulars in this manual, or any incorrect
use of the products. All maintenance and service on the products must be
carried out by Acorn Computers' authorised dealers. Acorn Computers
Limited can accept no liability whatsoever for any loss or damage caused by
service, maintenance or repair by unauthorised personnel.
All correspondence should be addressed to:
Customer Support and Service
Acorn Computers Limited
Fulbourn Road
Cherry Hinton
Cambridge CB1 4JN
Information can also be obtained from the Acorn Support Information
Database (SID). This is a direct dial viewdata system available to registered
SID users. Initially, access SID on Cambridge (0223) 243642: this will allow
you to inspect the system and use a response frame for registration.
ACORN, ARCHIMEDES and ECONET are trademarks of Acorn Computers
Limited.
Within this publication, the term 'BBC' is used as an abbreviation for 'British
Broadcasting Corporation'.
Edition 2
First published 1988
Published by Acorn Computers Limited
ISBN 1 85250 055 7
Part number 0483,000
Issue 1
1
2
Welcome to the Archimedes
personal workstation
This guide introduces your new Archimedes personal workstation.
It explains how to connect it together and how to start using it.
It doesn't matter if you've never used a computer before - the
Archimedes system is easy to use, and you need learn only a few
simple techniques and terms to get going. You can pick up the
details as you go along.
Once you've set up the sytem and mastered the techniques
described in this guide, the User Guide will help you to get the best
out of your Archimedes system and answer many other questions
you may have.
Welcome to Archimedes 3
About this Guide
This Guide is an introduction to the Archimedes personal workstation for the first-time user, and is
divided into the following chapters:
Unpacking Describes the parts which make up the Archimedes computer. 5
Check the contents of the box to make sure you have everything.
Setting up the computer Explains how to connect everything together. 7
Getting started Tells you how to turn the computer on and describes the display 11
on the screen.
The Archimedes desktop Introduces the desktop facilities, explained in greater detail in 13
later chapters.
Using the mouse Describes what the mouse does and how you use it. 17
Disc drives Tells you about the floppy and hard discs used with Archimedes 23
computers.
Windows Explains the special features of the screen display. 27
Menus Explains how to select items from lists (menus) displayed on the 37
screen.
Using the keyboard Introduces the keyboard and some of its features. 41
Files & directories Introduces the Archimedes desktop filing system. 45
Outside the desktop Tells you how to enter *commands direct to the
operating
51
system
(this chapter will be of interest to computer users with some
experience).
If things go wrong Offers solutions to some common problems you might encounter. 53
Glossary Lists computer jargon used in the Welcome Guide and explains 55
its meaning. Each term in the Glossary is highlighted in
italics
the first
time it is used in the text.
If you want to know more about any particular part of the
Archimedes system, turn to the
User Guide.
About this guide 4
Unpacking
This section tells you about unpacking your Archimedes system, lists the items which should be in
the box when
you
receive it, and helps you choose a spot where you can set it up.
Unpacking Unpack your Archimedes system on a flat surface - a large table where there's plenty of
room for the box as well as for the computer is best. Take all the pieces out of the box,
making sure you don't break the foam packing material, as you may need this later.
Checklist Check that you have all these components, and that they've arrived in good condition:
Unpacking 5
You'll probably have bought a monitor (with mains lead) and connecting cable at the
same time.
If you don't have all of these parts, or if any of them is damaged, notify your supplier
immediately.
Fill in the registration form and post it back to Acorn Computers, so that you can be
informed of developments and updates to your Archimedes computer. This will help
us to ensure that you get the best from your computer in the future.
Put all the packing back into the box and put it away somewhere safe. If you ever
want to transport your Archimedes system, it is best to use the box, even if you only
take it a short distance in a car. If you ever have to take it back to your dealer, too,
you'll have to pack it back into the original box.
Choosing where to put You'll probably want to put your computer on a table or a desk. Bear the
your computer following points in mind when deciding exactly where to situate it:
• you'll need a firm, flat surface with enough space at one side to move the mouse
around, and space at the other side for manuals and papers you may be working
on.
• don't place the computer where it will be exposed to direct sunlight, or any other
source of heat, such as a radiator.
• if you have any peripheral equipment (such as a printer) you'll need space nearby
for that too.
• sunlight or reflections from a window might make the screen difficult to see.
There must also be an accessible 13 amp power point within 1.5 metres of the
computer.
Unpacking 6
Setting up the computer
This chapter describes how to connect the components of the computer together and set it up ready for use.
Before you start
connecting it up, please
read
the
Guidelines for safe operation in
the front of
the
User Guide.
After you've checked the components against the checklist in the last section, you can
connect them together and begin to use your Archimedes computer.
Follow these simple steps to set up your computer:
1. Connect mouse to Take the mouse and the keyboard out of
keyboard their plastic bags. The mouse has a straight
cable with a plug on the end of it. This goes
into the socket at the back of the keyboard. The
plug has an arrow moulded into it. This should
be uppermost when you push it in. The plug
won't go in any other way, so don't try to force
it in.
2. Connect keyboard The keyboard has a curly cable with a
to computer plug on the end of it. Plug this into the socket
on the front right hand side of the computer
unit (just below the disc drive slot), with the
arrow uppermost: don't force it. Place the
keyboard in front of the computer.
Setting up the computer
7
3. Connect monitor to Put the monitor on top of the computer
computer (unless it weighs 15 kg or more, like the 19-
inch high-resolution monitor which can be
used for 400-series machines, in which case it
will have to go alongside, or on a strong shelf
above).
Colour monitors If you have a colour monitor, it will have a
cable with different connectors at either end.
Push the big plug into the back of the monitor,
and the small plug into the socket on the back
of the computer marked ANALOGUE RGB.
Both plugs and sockets are wider at the top
than at the bottom, so it isn't possible to put
them in the wrong way up. Secure the
connector to the computer with a small flat-
bladed screwdriver.
Standard-resolution If you have a standard-resolution
monochrome monochrome monitor for a 300-series
machine, it will have a cable with round plugs
on either end. Push one plug into the socket on
the back of the computer unit marked MONO
VIDEO, and the other into the socket marked
VIDEO IN on the back of the monitor.
Note - if you want to connect anything else to
your computer (like a monochrome monitor to
a 400-series machine, a printer or Econet
network), go to the end of this chapter now.
Setting up the computer
Table of contents
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