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TM
ASCENTIA
P e r s o n a l N o t e b o o k
User's Manual
®
M
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TM ASCENTIA P e r s o n a l N o t e b o o k User's Manual 003754-001 A July 1997 ® M
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3754-1.bk : 3754fcc.fm Page i Wednesday, July 30, 1997 2:33 PM First edition (July 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
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3754-1.bk : 3754fcc.fm Page ii Wednesday, July 30, 1997 2:33 PM CAUTION Users should not attempt to make electrical ground connections themselves but should contact the appropriate electric inspection authority or electrician. WARRANTY AND REPAIR SERVICE IN CANADA: AST Canada, Inc. 255 Matheson Boulevard West Mississauga, Ontario, L5R 3G3 Telephone: 905-507-3278 Warning: Replace the battery with an AST battery part number 503182-004, contact your authorized AST reseller for a replacement.
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3754-1.bk : 3754fcc.fm Page iii Wednesday, July 30, 1997 2:33 PM Signed Declaration of Conformity Documents Signed Declaration of Conformity documents for AST products are on file at the AST Ireland facility located at: National Technology Park Plassey Limerick Ireland This product contains a Class 1 laser product with a Class 1 laser source employing a laser diode that emits invisible laser radiation at 5mW. The wavelength of the laser radiation is 760- 800nm. CLASS 1 LASER PRODUCT. CAUTI
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3754-1.bk : 3754-1.toc Page i Wednesday, July 30, 1997 2:33 PM Contents Using Your Documentation ........................................................... 1 Opening the Online Manual ................................................................. 1 Getting Around in the Online Manual .................................................. 2 Using Hypertext Links in the Online Manual ....................................... 2 Special Features of the User’s Manual ................................
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3754-1.bk : 3754-1.toc Page ii Wednesday, July 30, 1997 2:33 PM Using the Touchpad ....................................................................... 19 Reading the System Status Lights ........................................... 21 Connecting Peripheral Devices ................................................. 23 Connecting the Floppy Drive to the Floppy Connector ...................... 25 Using the SmartBay ........................................................................ 27 Usi
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3754-1.bk : 3754-1.toc Page iii Wednesday, July 30, 1997 2:33 PM Using System Security .................................................................. 57 Creating a Password ......................................................................... 57 Deleting a Password ......................................................................... 58 Requiring a Password When the Computer Starts ............................ 58 Locking the Hard Drive Boot Sector .................................
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3754-1.bk : 3754-1.toc Page iv Wednesday, July 30, 1997 2:33 PM Troubleshooting ............................................................................... 80 Operating Problems .......................................................................... 80 Infrared Problems .............................................................................. 83 Using Options ................................................................................... 84 AC Adapter .........................
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3754-1.bk : 3754-1.fm Page 1 Wednesday, July 30, 1997 2:33 PM Using Your Documentation ® Congratulations on your purchase of an AST Ascentia™ M Series computer! Whether you are new to using a portable computer or are an experienced user, your Ascentia M Series documentation can help you get the most from your computer. To get up and running quickly, see your Ascentia M Series Quick Start. When you need more in-depth information, turn to your Ascentia M Series User’s Manual. Your computer
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3754-1.bk : 3754-1.fm Page 2 Wednesday, July 30, 1997 2:33 PM Getting Around in the Online Manual Go to the Acrobat Reader Help for tips on using the Reader toolbar buttons to get around in the online manual. To open the Help: 1. Click Help on the Acrobat Reader menu bar. 2. Click Reader Online Guide. Using Hypertext Links in the Online Manual Hypertext links are built into the online manual to take you quickly from one page of the manual to another. You can click on a hypertext link to g
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3754-1.bk : 3754-1.fm Page 3 Wednesday, July 30, 1997 2:33 PM Special Features of the User’s Manual Three types of messages with icons appear in the manual: A note informs you of special circumstances. A caution warns you of possible damage to equipment. A warning indicates the possibility of personal injury. Keys that you need to press to perform certain functions are shown in the manual enclosed in angle brackets. For example, indicates the control key (Ctrl on the computer’s key
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3754-1.bk : 3754-1.fm Page 4 Wednesday, July 30, 1997 2:33 PM Using the Software User Documentation Your computer shipped from the factory with several software programs installed. The software may include its own online or printed documentation. Refer to the documentation or the Help options in the software for more information. Visiting the AST Web Site If you have an internet connection, you can visit the AST Web site at: http://www.ast.com Updates on your computer and other AST produ
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3754-1.bk : 3754-1.fm Page 5 Wednesday, July 30, 1997 2:33 PM Introducing Your Computer Your Ascentia M computer is a lightweight portable computer that includes features to meet your computing needs at home or on the road. Figures 1 through 3 show you the features of your computer. LCD latch Mouse LCD buttons Speaker Touchpad Status Power lights button AC adapter connector SmartBay™ Fan vent (floppy drive shown) Microphone Hard drive compartment Kensington lock support Battery Speaker c
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3754-1.bk : 3754-1.fm Page 6 Wednesday, July 30, 1997 2:33 PM PS/2™ mouse and Volume control keyboard port Docking Audio-line-out jack connector Microphone and Parallel port audio-line-in jack Serial port Video USB port port Floppy connector Infrared port PC Card compartment Figure 2. Back View of Computer Memory module compartment Business card holder SmartBay latch Label showing part number and serial number Figure 3. Bottom View of Computer 6 Ascentia M Series User’s Manual
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3754-1.bk : 3754-1.fm Page 7 Wednesday, July 30, 1997 2:33 PM Using Your Computer for the First Time This section gives you detailed information on using your computer for the first time. Attaching the AC Adapter Your computer runs on power from the battery that came installed in the computer or from an electrical outlet. The first time that you use your computer, fully charge the battery by attaching the AC adapter to the computer and to an electrical outlet. All batteries lose their
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3754-1.bk : 3754-1.fm Page 8 Wednesday, July 30, 1997 2:33 PM Adapter plug Battery charge light Power cord AC adapter Figure 4. Connecting the AC Adapter The battery starts charging as soon as you plug the AC adapter into an electrical outlet. The battery charges faster if the computer is turned off during charging. If the battery is fully depleted and the computer is turned off, the battery charges in about 3 hours. If the computer is turned on, the battery charges in about 5 hours. W
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3754-1.bk : 3754-1.fm Page 9 Wednesday, July 30, 1997 2:33 PM Turning On the Computer To turn on the computer’s power for the first time: 1. Slide the LCD cover latch to the right and hold it. 2. Lift up the LCD cover. 3. Press and then release the power button (Figure 5). The power light is on when the computer’s power is on. Power button Power light Figure 5. Turning On the Computer’s Power Understanding POST When you turn on your computer, a routine called POST automatically runs to tes
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3754-1.bk : 3754-1.fm Page 10 Wednesday, July 30, 1997 2:33 PM Adjusting the LCD Display You may wish to adjust the LCD display when you begin using your computer. A TFT LCD does not require adjustment for contrast because the contrast is set to remain at maximum. You can adjust both the brightness and contrast on a DS-STN LCD. To adjust the brightness of the LCD: • Press to increase the display brightness. • Press to decrease the display brightness. • P
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3754-1.bk : 3754-1.fm Page 11 Wednesday, July 30, 1997 2:33 PM Turning Off Your Computer If your operating system is Windows 95, turn off your computer by performing the shutdown procedure described in this section. Otherwise, you may lose data. To turn off the computer in Windows 95: 1. Click the Start button on the taskbar. A pop-up menu appears. 2. Click Shut Down. 3. Select Shut down the computer? 4. Click the Yes button. The computer turns off. Restarting Your Computer You may need
