AST RESEARCH 9000 Series User manual
®
High-Performance, Upgradable,
Minitower Computer
D:\WORKING\ADV-UM.CDR
Tue Nov 19 09:55:12 1996
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Advantage!
9000 Series
User’s Manual
003694-001 A
January, 1997
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First Edition (January 1997)
Copyright 1997 AST Research, Inc. All rights are reserved, including those to reproduce
this book or parts thereof in any form without permission in writing from AST Research,
Inc.
AST Research periodically changes the information in this manual; changes are
incorporated into new editions. AST Research reserves the right to change product
specifications without notice.
AST Research, Inc. shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions
contained herein; nor for incidental or consequential damages resulting from the
furnishing, performance, or use of this material.
AST, AST Research, Advantage!, and ASTVision are registered trademarks of AST
Research, Inc.
Microsoft, MS-DOS, and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
IBM and PS/2 are registered trademarks of IBM Corp.
Iomega is a registered trademark and Zip is a trademark of Iomega Corporation.
All other product or service names mentioned herein may be trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective owners.
AST Research, Inc.
16215 Alton Parkway
P.O. Box 57005
Irvine, CA 92619-7005
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Contents
Introduction ......................................................................................... 1
About Your Computer .......................................................................... 1
Unpacking Your Computer .................................................................. 2
Using Your Computer Safely ............................................................... 3
Setting Up Your Computer ............................................................ 5
Connecting a Monitor .......................................................................... 5
Connecting the Keyboard, Mouse, and Peripheral Devices ................ 6
Connecting the Power Cord ................................................................ 8
Turning the Computer On .................................................................... 8
Using Your Computer’s Power Management Features ..................... 10
Some Considerations on Using Power Management ................. 10
Disabling Power Management .................................................... 11
For the First-Time User ................................................................. 12
Using the Keyboard ........................................................................... 12
Using the Mouse ............................................................................... 13
Using Disks ....................................................................................... 13
Using Floppy Disks ..................................................................... 13
Using Hard Disks ........................................................................ 15
Using Zip Disks ........................................................................... 16
Using Compact Discs .................................................................. 16
Restarting the Computer ............................................................. 16
Upgrading Your Computer .......................................................... 18
Removing the System Cover ............................................................. 19
Removing the Front Panel ................................................................. 20
Replacing the System Cover ............................................................. 21
Installing Add-in Boards .................................................................... 21
Removing the Bottom Panel .............................................................. 21
Board Installation ........................................................................ 22
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ii Advantage! 9000 Series User’s Manual
Configuring Add-in Parallel Ports and Sound Cards ................... 25
Installing Drives ................................................................................. 25
Preparations for Installing Drives ................................................ 27
Installing a Drive in the Front Drive Bay ...................................... 27
Installing a Drive in the Rear Drive Bay ...................................... 32
Adding System Memory .................................................................... 34
Memory Configurations ............................................................... 34
Adding and Removing SIMMs .................................................... 35
Upgrading the Microprocessor .......................................................... 37
Adding Video Memory ....................................................................... 39
Configuring Your Computer ........................................................ 41
Setting Jumpers ................................................................................ 41
Jumper Settings .......................................................................... 41
Setting Microprocessor Jumpers ................................................ 42
System Setup .................................................................................... 43
Starting System Setup ................................................................ 43
Using System Setup .......................................................................... 43
System Setup Fields ......................................................................... 44
Main Menu .................................................................................. 45
Advanced Menu .......................................................................... 48
Security Menu ................................................................................... 51
Exiting System Setup .................................................................. 52
Using Passwords ............................................................................... 52
Creating or Changing a Password .............................................. 52
Canceling a Password ................................................................ 53
Setting the Password Jumper ..................................................... 54
Updating the System BIOS ............................................................... 54
Performing the BIOS Update ...................................................... 55
Troubleshooting the BIOS Update .............................................. 55
Troubleshooting ............................................................................... 57
Replacing the Computer Battery ....................................................... 58
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Contents iii
Abbreviations .................................................................................... 60
Glossary .............................................................................................. 62
Appendix A: Regulatory Information ....................................... 69
FCC Class-B Warning ....................................................................... 69
DOC Notice ....................................................................................... 69
Warning ............................................................................................. 70
Avertissement .................................................................................... 70
Advarsel ............................................................................................ 70
CE Compliance ................................................................................. 71
CLASS 1 LASER PRODUCT ............................................................ 72
CAUTION .................................................................................... 72
WARNING .................................................................................. 72
ADVARSEL ................................................................................. 72
ADVARSEL ................................................................................. 72
LUOKAN 1 LASERLAITE .................................................................. 72
VAROITUS ................................................................................. 72
KLASS 1 LASERAPPARAT .............................................................. 73
VARNING ................................................................................... 73
Index ..................................................................................................... 75
System Board .................................................................................... 78
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Introduction 1
Introduction
This manual explains how to set up, use, upgrade, and
troubleshoot the hardware that comes with your AST®
Advantage!®9000 Series computer.
For a list of abbreviations used throughout this guide, see the
section “Abbreviations” on page 60.
For clarity, some illustrations may not show all components of
your system. For example, your modem and Zip drive are
included in the appropriate illustrations in your Getting Started
guide, but may not be included in system illustrations
throughout this user manual.
About Your Computer
Your AST computer provides the following features:
•Upgradable microprocessor. You can upgrade to a faster
processor with an Intel OverDrive®microprocessor (see
“Upgrading the Microprocessor” on page 37).
•Four SIMM sockets for system RAM memory. You can
upgrade memory to 128 MB (see “Adding System
Memory” on page 34).
•Local-bus video, which improves video performance by
providing a high-speed, 64-bit data path for video
signals. Your system comes with 1 MB of video memory
installed: you can upgrade to 2 MB (see “Adding Video
Memory” on page 39).
•Integrated 16-bit audio and speakers.
•Wavetable audio capability (available on selected
models).
•One 3.5-inch high-density floppy drive. The system
holds up to seven drives (see “Installing Drives” on page
25). The system board has a floppy controller that
supports up to two floppy drives (one comes installed in
your system) and two IDE interface connectors that
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2 Advantage! 9000 Series User’s Manual
support up to two IDE devices each (three come installed
in your system).
•Seven expansion slots: five slots that accept up to full-
length, 8- or 16-bit, ISA-compatible add-in boards; two
slots that accept up to full-length 32-bit PCI-compatible
add-in boards (see “Installing Add-in Boards” on page
21).
•Flash BIOS, which enables you to update the BIOS easily
from a floppy disk (see “Updating the System BIOS” on
page 54).
•Power-conservation features that can reduce power
consumption while the system is not in use. For more
information about using power management, see “Using
Your Computer’s Power Management Features” on page
10.
•Plug and Play (PnP) support.
•Security features.
•A Windows®95 keyboard and a PS/2®-type mouse.
•A keyboard connector, a mouse port, a 25-pin parallel
port, and a video connector.
•Two 9-pin serial ports.
•Audio interface connectors: line-in and line out.
•A fax/data/voice modem with microphone connection.
Unpacking Your Computer
Unpack and unwrap the contents of the computer package and
examine them before setting up the computer.
Contact your authorized AST reseller immediately if any
component is damaged or missing.
Save the packing materials. Should you ever need to
ship the computer, pack it in these shock-absorbing
materials.
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Introduction 3
Using Your Computer Safely
To avoid possible injury to yourself or damage to your
computer, do not install or remove any component, or
alter switch or jumper settings, while your computer is
on. If you install a modem, disconnect its phone cord
every time you remove the computer cover.
To avoid accidental discharge of static electricity, which
could damage computer components, you can use a
grounding wrist strap.
As you set up and use the computer, take the following
precautions:
•The monitor screen should be at eye level as you sit at the
computer. Adjust lighting in the room to reduce glare on
the screen. Use the controls on the monitor to adjust the
brightness and contrast to comfortable levels.
•If you plan to use the keyboard or mouse for several
hours at a time, consider purchasing and using wrist-
support padding. Take occasional breaks from using the
computer.
•Use a flat, stable work surface with enough space around
it for proper air circulation. These are the minimum
clearances:
Rear of system: 3 in (7.6 cm)
Left side of system: 6 in (15.2 cm)
Right side of system: 6 in (15.2 cm)
Top of monitor: 6 in (15.2 cm)
•Use the system in an environment where the air
temperature is more than 41 F °(5° C) and less than 104° F
(40° C). For nonoperating systems, such as systems in
storage, the acceptable temperature range is -4° F (-20° C)
to 149° F (65° C).
•Choose a work surface large enough to accommodate the
entire system.
•Protect the equipment from wet weather and liquids.
•Avoid dropping, jarring, or shaking the equipment.
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