Epson EL 486UC+ Dimensions

EPSON AMERICA, INC.

EPSON

Product Support Bulletin

Subject:

EL 4S/33+ and EL 486UC+ OS/2 2.0 and 2.1 Display Drivers

Date: 04/06/94

Page(s): 1 of 2

PSB No: S-0173

Originator: JAM

This bulletin announces the availability of enhanced display drivers for the Epson EL

4S/33+ and EL 486UC+ computers running IBM’s OS/2 2.0 or 2.1. The 32-bit

Service Pack for version 2.0 from IBM must be installed before installing the new

display drivers. Also, the current system configuration must be VGA or SVGA.

These drivers can be downloaded from the Epson Bulletin Board System (BBS) that

can be reached at (310) 782-4531. They are located in one self-extracting file

(OS2_20.EXE for Version 2.0) or

(OS2_21.EXE

for Version 2.1) in file library

DRIVERS.

Once downloaded, extract the files to a high-density diskette (1.44MB)

by entering the command:

OS2_20 A:

or OS2_20

OS2_21 A:

or OS2_21

depending on which disk drive is being used. The diskette must have the volume

label OS2

DRVS.

To install a driver, place the Display Drivers diskette into drive A:. Open an OS/2

session, either full-screen or window, and enter the following command:

A:INSTALL A: C:

INSTALL.CMD on the driver diskette copies files to the hard drive and starts the

OS/2 Display Driver Install utility DSPINSTL, which prompts the user.

When the Display Driver Install main panel appears, the Primary Display should

indicate Video Graphics Array. If so, click OK and proceed. If VGA is not selected,

select Primary Display and click OK.

Highlight the Driver/Resolution desired and click OK.

When the Source Directory panel appears, choose the floppy drive ( A: ) which

contains the Driver diskette and click on Install.

When the main panel appears again, click on Cancel.

The new driver has been installed. You must shutdown and then re-boot your

system for the changes to take effect.

PSB No: S-0173

Page: 2 of 2

For any future driver changes, INSTALL.CMD on the driver diskette is not required.

To change to a new driver, or return to VGA driver, simply type DSPINSTL on the

command line in an OS/2 full-screen or window session.

If you are selecting a different resolution, make sure that the Display Driver diskette

is in the floppy drive.

Finally, only the beta version of OS/2 2.1 was tested. According to IBM the 32-bit

graphics engine is the same as in the Service Pack, so these drivers should work

correctly.

EPSON AMERICA, INC.

Product Support Bulletin

Subject:

Common Questions and Answers for the Epson EL 486UC Computer

Date: 10/8/93 PSB No: S-0168

Page(s): 1 of 9Originator: SLS

GENERAL

Q1. What is the Epson EL 486UC computer?

The EL 486UC is Epson’s new entry-level computer sold exclusively through Epson

Direct (800-374-7300). Along with an affordable price, the new EL 486UC offers Intel’”

i486SX/25™ processing power and upgrade solutions for a wide range of computing

applications. In addition to the performance that this system offers, users will

appreciate the convenience of a small footprint and complete system integration. Key

features include:

l Intel i486SX/25 processor upgradable to i486SX/33, i486DX/33, i486DX2/50 or

i486DX2/66

l Intel OverDriveTM CPU Support (i486DX2/50 or i486DX2/66)

l 8KB internal cache (built-in CPU)

l OK external cache; upgradeable to either 32KB or 128KB

l Small-footprint case incorporates

- Five ISA option slots; three 16-bit full-length and two 8-bit half-length

- two externally accessible drive bays and one internal drive bay

- built-in Super VGA video adapter

- built-in parallel, PS/2 keyboard, game and two serial ports

- built-in floppy and IDE hard drive controller/interface

l 4MB of system RAM; upgradeable to 32MB via SlMMs

l 512KB video memory; upgradeable to 1 MB providing 1024 x 768 with 256 color

support

l ROM based system “SETUP” program

l Password security

PSB No: S-0168

Page: 2 of 9

Q1. What is the Epson EL 486UC computer? (continued)

l System and video BIOS can be relocated in shadow RAM for increased

system performance

l Built-in rechargeable NiCad battery to maintain CMOS settings

l 3.5” 1.44MB (High density) Floppy disk drive

l 120MB IDE Hard disk drive

l Bundled with MS-DOS® 6.0, Microsoft® WindowsTM 3.1 pre-loaded on

the hard disk drive and a serial mouse

Q2. What is the target market for this computer?

The Epson Equity EL 486UC computer is targeted at the following markets.

l Home office and small-business users seeking maximum performance

at today’s low prices.

l Work at home users who need an efficient and cost-effective system

that’s compatible with all their business software.

l Businesses in search of a low-cost network node that can handle

current and future applications.

Q3. What interfaces and controllers are integrated on the motherboard?

The Epson EL 486UC computer comes standard with a built-in IDE hard

disk drive interface, a floppy disk drive controller, a super VGA video

adapter, two serial interfaces, a uni-directional parallel interface, a PS/2

style keyboard port and a game port all integrated on the main system

board (motherboard).

Q4. What type of password security does the Epson EL 486UC computer

provide?

The EL 486UC computer provides system access security that may be

enabled via the computer’s SETUP program. This feature is helpful by

essentially limiting unauthorized access to the computer.

PSB No: S-0168

Page: 3 of 9

CPU

Q5. What microprocessor comes standard with the Epson EL 486UC

computer?

The EL 486UC comes standard with an Intel i486SX microprocessor (CPU)

running at 25MHz. This microprocessor provides backward compatibility

with the Intel 8088, 8086, 80286, and 80386 CPUs and includes a built-in

8KB cache. For system flexibility, the built-in CPU cache can be disabled

via SETUP.

Q6. What microprocessor upgrades are available for the Epson EL 486UC

computer?

The Intel i486SX/25 microprocessor that comes standard with the

EL 486UC computer may be upgraded to an Intel i486SX/33, i486DX/33,

Overdrive i486DX2/50 or Overdrive i486DX2/66.

The DX and DX2 CPUs contain an on-chip numeric coprocessor to

increase the speed of floating point operations. This coprocessor is

backward compatible with the 387DX and 387SX math coprocessors and

complies to ANSI/IEEE standard 754-1985.

The Intel Overdrive DX2 CPUs also increase system performance by

doubling the microprocessor’s internal speed.

Please note that the EL 486UC computer does not support the Weitek

math co-processor.

BIOS

Q7. What BIOS comes with the Epson EL 486UC computer?

The EL 486UC computer incorporates a Phoenix/Seiko Epson BIOS that

contains both the system and video BIOS. This BIOS is contained in a

single EPROM device that is installed in a pluggable socket on the

computer’s main system board.

PSB No: S-0168

Page: 4 of 9

Q8. How is the computer’s SETUP program accessed and what information

is contained in setup?

To access the computer’s SETUP program, press CTRL, ALT and “S” while

at a DOS prompt or during the computer’s boot process. There are two

pages of setup information.

STANDARD SYSTEM PARAMETERS

- System Time and Date

- Floppy Drive Type Selection A: B:

(5.25” 360KB, 5.25” 1.2MB, 3.5” 720KB, 3.5” 1.44MB and Not Installed)

HDD Drive Type Selection 1: 2: (Type Number or User-Defined)

- Base Memory

- Extended Memory

- Video Type (VGA/EGA, CGA40, CGA80, Mono and Not Installed)

- Keyboard (Installed/Not Installed)

- CPU Speed (Fast/Slow)

- NumLock on at Boot (Yes/No)

CHIPSET FEATURE CONTROL

- Password (Set/Not Set)

Boot Sequence (A: > C: or C: > A:)

- External Cache (Enabled/Disabled)

Shadow BIOS ROM (WP-Shadow, Cacheable or Disabled)

Shadow Video ROM (WP-Shadow, Cacheable or Disabled)

- Memory Remapping (Enabled/Disabled)

- Shadow 16K at C0000h: (Disabled/Enabled)

- Shadow 16K at C4000h: (Disabled/Enabled)

- Shadow 16K at C8000h: (Disabled/Enabled)

- Shadow 16K at CC000h: (Disabled/Enabled)

- Shadow 16K at D0000h: (Disabled/Enabled)

- Shadow 16K at D4000h: (Disabled/Enabled)

- Shadow 16K at D8000h: (Disabled/Enabled)

- Shadow 16K at DC000h: (Disabled/Enabled)

PSB No: S-0168

Page: 5 of 9

VIDEO

Q9. What video adapter comes standard (built-in) with the Epson

Q10.

Q11.

486UC computer?

The EL 486UC computer utilizes a Trident TVGA8900C SVGA graphics

controller as its built-in video adapter. This system includes 512KB of

video memory which may be upgraded to a full 1 MB of memory by

installing four (4) pluggable DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory)

chips.

The Trident SVGA graphics controller is 100% hardware and BIOS-

compatible with IBM® VGA display standards.

What type of RAM chips are used to upgrade the video memory to a

full 1MB on the EL 486UC computer?

To increase the EL 486 computer’s video memory requires four pieces of a

256KB x 4 bit, 70 or 80ns, DRAM in a 20-pin DIP (Dual In-line Package)

package. These chips install on the computer’s main logic board in

sockets U25, U31, U47 and U53.

What video modes are supported by the Epson EL 486UC computer?

List below is a table that shows the Epson EL 486UC computer’s

supported video modes and the memory requirements to obtain each

mode:

Mode

VGA

Resolution

Colors

640 x 480

640 x 480 256

800 x 600

800 x 600 256

1024

x 768

1024

x 768 256

Memory

Required

512KB

1MB

PSB No: S-0168

Page: 6 of 9

Q12.

What software video drivers are provided with the Epson EL 486UC

computer?

There are three diskettes included that feature video drivers for many

popular software programs and also include video utilities. The key drivers

included are:

AutoCAD/AutoShade Rel 9/Rel 10, P-CAD 4.01, Framework II, Framework

III 1 .x,

CADKEY 3.0,

VersaCAD/286 5.4, MS Word 5.0, AutoCAD/386 Rel

10/Rel

11, WordStar 3.3 and above, WordPerfect 4.0, WordPerfect 5.0,

WordPerfect 5.1, Quattro Pro 2.x, MS Windows 3.x, GEM 3.xx, Lotus 1-2-3

2.xx, Symphony 2.xx, Ventura 2.x/3.x and PM 2.0.

The VGA video utilities included are:

TVGABIO, TANSI, VESA, SVM,

MODETEST, SMONITOR, RIXFIX, PMFIX and TVGACRTC. These

utilities are useful when customizing system settings such as video modes

or to correct problems with application programs. (See the “README” file

on driver diskette #1 for more detailed information)

MEMORY

Q13.

What is the standard memory configuration and maximum amount of

system memory that can be used in the Epson EL 486UC computer?

The Epson EL 486UC computer comes standard with 4MB of system

memory. This memory is provided by a 4MB (1 MB x 32-bit) SIMM installed

in SIMM socket U46 on the main system board.

There is a total of two SIMM sockets on the main system board. These

sockets accept 1 MB (256KB x 32 or 36-bit), 4MB (1 MB x 32 or 36-bit), 8MB

(2MB x 32 or 36-bit) or 16MB (4MB x 32 or 36-bit) SIMMs. Optional SlMMs

may be purchased to increase the computer’s memory up to a maximum of

32MB.

NOTE: The SlMMs used must be tin-plated, 70ns or faster, 32 or 36-bit, 72-

pin, fast page mode type.

PSB No: S-0168

Page: 7 of 9

Q14.

What are the valid system memory configurations for the Epson

EL 486UC computer?

Listed in the table below shows all valid system memory configurations for

the Epson EL 486UC computer:

SOCKET U46 SOCKET U45 Total Memory

4MB

4MB *

1MB

4MB 5MB

4MB 4MB 8MB

8MB 4MB

12MB

8MB 8MB

16MB

16MB 16MB

32MB

Note

” * ” = Factory default memory configuration

Q15.

Does the Epson EL 486UC computer provide parity checking for the

main system memory?

To keep the system cost as low as possible, the EL 486UC computer was

designed not to perform parity checking on the main system memory.

This decision was also made due to the fact that the SlMMs available today

are much more reliable then they were in the past and that the lack of

parity checking on this system should not be a major concern to the

majority of users.

CACHE MEMORY

Q16.

Can the Epson EL 486UC computer be upgraded to support an

optional external secondary cache?

Yes, the Epson EL 486UC computer can be upgraded to support an

optional external secondary cache of either 32KB or 128KB. This cache is

provided by installing optional Static RAM (SRAM) memory chips on the

computer’s main system board. A external secondary cache is a good

method to increase system performance.

PSB No: S-0168

Page: 8 of 9

Q17.

What type of SRAM chips and how many do I need to upgrade the

Epson EL 486UC computer’s optional external secondary cache?

To upgrade the Epson EL 486UC computer’s external secondary cache to

32KB requires five pieces of a 8KB x 8 Bit, 20ns SRAM in a 28 Pin DIP

package.

To upgrade the Epson EL 486UC computer’s external secondary cache to

128KB requires five pieces of a 32KB x 8 Bit, 20ns SRAM in a 28 Pin DIP

package.

These SRAM chips are installed in locations U34, U44, U51, U59 and U63

on the computer’s main system board. In addition to adding the SRAM

chips, jumpers J7, J10, J11, J13 and J14 on the computer’s main system

board must be set as shown below*.

Cache size

J10

J11

J13 J14

32KB Off

1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2

128KB

2-3 2-3 2-3 2-3

* If you have not installed optional SRAM memory chips, the position of

these jumpers does not matter.

MASS STORAGE

Q18.

What factory floppy and hard disk drive configurations are offered

with the EL 486UC computer?

The Epson EL 486UC computer is shipped in a single configuration that

includes a 3.5” 1.44MB (high density) floppy disk drive and a 120MB IDE

hard disk drive.

Other manuals for EL 486UC+

This manual suits for next models

Table of contents

Other Epson Desktop manuals

Epson

Epson EQUITY 3865X/20 PLUS User manual

Epson

Epson ExpressStation Installation and operation manual

Epson

Epson Equity Ie Dimensions

Epson

Epson Powerspan User manual

Epson

Epson Equity 4 User manual

Epson

Epson ActionPC 5000 User manual

Epson

Epson PC AX User manual

Epson

Epson ActionTower 8000 Dimensions

Epson

Epson Endeavor Dimensions

Epson

Epson Equity Ie Installation and operation manual

Epson

Epson Equity 386SX/16 PLUS Installation and operation manual

Epson

Epson Equity 386SX/20 PLUS User manual

Epson

Epson ExpressStation User manual

Epson

Epson EQUITY II+ Dimensions

Epson

Epson Equity 386SX/20 PLUS Dimensions

Epson

Epson EL 486UC+ User manual

Epson

Epson Powerspan Installation and operation manual

Epson

Epson QX-10 User manual

Epson

Epson Endeavor P60 Dimensions

Epson

Epson Equity IIe Dimensions

Epson

Epson Printer User manual

Epson

Epson ActionTower 8000 User manual

Epson

Epson Equity 386SX PLUS Installation and operation manual

Epson

Epson 3865X Plus User manual

Popular Desktop manuals by other brands

HP m9060n - Pavilion - Elite Quick setup

Asus

Asus E210 Series user guide

Dell

Dell Inspiron 600m quick start

Dell

Dell Inspiron 3662 Service manual

TotalFlow

TotalFlow uFLO user manual

HP Presario SV7000 - Desktop PC manual

HP ProDesk 400 G5 Maintenance and service guide

Logitech

Logitech MK320 quick start guide

Dell

Dell XPS 730 H2C Service manual

Sony

Sony Vaio Series operating instructions

Sony

Sony VGC-LT32E - Vaio All-in-one Desktop Computer quick start

Alto

Alto MD 250 instruction manual

Lenovo

Lenovo ThinkCentre Edge 72 Manual

Lenovo

Lenovo ThinkStation D20 Manual

Arbor Technology

Arbor Technology FPC-7800 Series user manual

Sony

Sony VAIO VGX-TP1 Series user guide

Asus

Asus Eee Box B204 user manual

Dell

Dell Optiplex 9010 All In One owner's manual