How to Build a Clone Computer The Clone Building Seminar (The Computer BBS downloadable version) by Graeme E. B. Gibson, C.D.P. Thanks for downloading this file HOWBUILD.ZIP or the uncompressed version HOWBUILD.TXT. This is the entire text from my book How To Build A Clone Computer. It was completly revised at the end of 1993 and includes coverage for the Pentium processor. This file is distributed as Shareware. It is our hope that you will enjoy this information and order the complete course including the video tape, or attend one of our Clone Building or Repair Seminars. Complete information is at the end of the file. The Price of this file is that you Upload it to another BBS, in unmodified form, or send a contribution to the TV show Computers Today of $10.00 or more. We kept it resonable please help us out. Our Address is: Graeme Gibson, Producer Computers Today on Television P. O. Box 147, Independence, MO 64051 Other than that you may give it away, share it or use it as a premium at computer shows, trade shows or fund rasing events for users groups or schools. To order the full package (49.95) or video tape ($29.95) call 800-329-0911 Seminars, Books and Tapes published by Computer Training Corporation, 610 West Maple Ave., Independence MO 64050. (816) 252-4080 Fax (816) 252-5545 How to Build a Clone Computer The first Instruction: READ THE ENTIRE DOCUMENT PRIOR TO STARTING YOUR CONSTRUCTION STEPS. The first rule of repair: Always be able to put it back the way it was. This means backups and careful disassembly notes if you take anything apart. The second rule of repair: Tag everything. The third rule of repair: Don't Shock Yourself. The fourth rule of repair: Backup religiously and follow that religion fanatically. Authors Note: This is a major rewrite of my 1985 book. It has been completely updated and covers all IBM style clone designs. The accompanying video tape is highly recommended. Workbook and Videotape Copyright 1993 by: Computer Training Corporation, and Graeme E. B. Gibson, C.D.P. Earlier copyright 1985 by Graeme E. B. Gibson, C.D.P. All rights reserved. No portion of this manual or the included audio visual materials can be reproduced in whole or part without the express written permission of the author or publisher. All Pan American copyright conventions apply. See the detailed copyright information in the notices section. Computer Training Corporation Independence, Missouri 64050 U.S.A. Second Edition: December 1993 - Made in the U.S.A. This file revised with anotations 4/24/94 For : GAIL, Who makes life full, and My Children, who make it interesting. Library of Congress Catalog-in-Publication Data Gibson, Graeme. How to Build a Clone Computer 100 p cm Includes Index. ISBN Number 0-916161-11-0 Manual only $29.99 + Video $49.95 1. Computer Hardware 2. Electronic construction computers. Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 93-90977 CIP This manual was produced using a 486-33 DX computer with 20 MB of memory, a LaserMaster WinPrinter, HP Scanner and the following Software: Q&A Write, Word Perfect for Windows, Ventura for Windows, Pagemaker for Windows, Corel Draw, KI/Composer and supporting software. It was imaged at 800 dpi for proofs and typeset using PostScript Typesetting Equipment. The video tape was produced at American Cablevision as part of the TV show Computers Today, with additional tape shot at two seminar sites. The original book on which it was based was produced in 1985 using a 640 K IBM XT and Diablo printer by Xerox, on Wordstar by MicroPro. This file has been formatted for 24 line computer displays. If you want the product formatted for 8.5 by 11 paper please order the book. Note to begginers: An excellent starting point for those wishing a quick overview on PC computers is found in section five. Note on the Table of Contents: The Table that follows is as it is in the original book. Page references here and in the index are set for the printed version but are included for completness. Table of Contents Copyright and Disclaimer Notices v Forward viii Revision Notes ix Notes on the Seminar for Live Observers & Builders x Acknowledgments xi Part One - Preparation Basic Concepts 1-2 Parts Identification 1-2 Processor Selection 1-3 Motherboard, Bus and Cabinet Selection 1-3 Disk Drive Subsystems 1-5 Options and Features 1-6 Memory Sizing and Management Issues 1-6 Operating System Selection 1-6 Communications and Networking Considerations 1-6 Video Subsystems 1-7 Part Two - Purchasing Components Bare Bones Systems 2-1 Starting From Scratch 2-1 Vendor Selection 2-2 Warranties, Services and Returns 2-2 Part Three - Construction Construction Site Preparation 3-1 Tools & Supplies Required 3-2 Static Precautions 3-2 Documentation Review 3-2 Case Assembly 3-3 Power Supply Installation 3-3 Mounting Motherboard Components 3-4 Setting Switches and Jumpers 3-4 Installing the Motherboard 3-5 Power Supply Connections 3-6 Installing the Minimum Card Complement 3-6 The First Smoke Test 3-7 Installing the Input Output Cards 3-7 Installing The Floppy Drives 3-8 Running the POST, Setup and Boot 3-8 Installing The Fixed Disks 3-9 Installing CD/ROM's and Optical Drives 3-10 Part Four - Advanced Components Installation How The Computer Addresses Advanced Features 4-1 Installing Tape Backup and Removable Drives 4-1 Installing Modems and Fax Cards 4-1 Installing Scanners 4-2 Installing Music and Sound Cards 4-2 Installing Network Cards 4-2 Part Five - Computer Usage and Software Computer Usage 5-2 Machine Usage 5-4 The POST 5-5 The Prompt 5-5 Starting Programs 5-6 The Man-Machine Compromise 5-6 Common Errors & Problems 5-7 Keyboard Commands 5-7 Syntax Problems 5-8 Color Screen Problems 5-8 How to Reset 5-8 Care of Floppy Disks 5-10 Accidental Erasures 5-10 Hard Disks and Sub Directories 5-10 DOS 6 Considerations 5-15 Device Drivers 5-15 Network Considerations 5-15 Adding Applications Programs 5-15 Menuing Systems 5-16 Disk Compression Software 5-16 Windows 5-16 Installing Other Packages 5-16 Part Six - Getting Help What To Do When It Doesn't Work 6-1 What To Do If It Stops Working 6-1 Trobleshooting 6-1 Trobleshooting for Disk Drives 6-3 Repairs 6-3 How To Call For Tech Support 6-4 Manufactures Names and Phone Numbers 6-4 How To Get Help From The Author 6-5 Part Seven - Appendix Diagnostic Software A-1 Reference Section B-1 Glossary G-1 Index I-1 File continues below, you can skip ahead 10 screens to get to the core material, much of what follows in the next 10 screens is called front matter and is included for completeness. Copyrights Copyrights, Trademarks, and Notices Copyright 1993 by Computer Training Corporation, Inc. This entire manual is copyrighted by Computer Training Corporation with sections in whole or part earlier copyrighted by Computer Training Corporation or Graeme E. B. Gibson, C. D. P. and used with permission. This publication has been provided pursuant to an educational agreement containing restrictions on its use. This publication is also protected by federal copyright law, and international law. Except as expressly granted here, no part of this publication may be copied or distributed, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system not licensed by Computer Training Corporation or translated into any language in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, magnetic, manual or otherwise, or disclosed to third parties without the express written permission of Computer Training Corporation, 610 West Maple Avenue, Suite C, Independence, MO 64050-2645. A limited non-exclusive grant of reproduction of small sections, of less than 500 words of the manual only, is made to published reviewers who quote brief passages for the purpose of review of this work, and of not more than 15 pages to educators who give full and complete credit as to source. All such reproductions must credit Computer Training Corporation and the author listed above. No such use diminishes our retained rights in any way whatsoever. All worldwide rights reserved. All Pan-American rights reserved. ISBN 0-916161-11-0. Trademarks and Notices Aldus and Aldus Pagemaker are registered trademarks of Aldus Corporation. Apple, Apple Macintosh, and AppleTalk are trademarks or registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. AIX, RISC 6000, IBM, IBM PC, IBM AT, PS/2, Netbios, Micro-Channel & PC-DOS are trademarks or registered trademarks of International Business Machines. AutoCAD is a registered trademark of Autodesk, Inc. Centronics is a trademark of Centronics Data Computer Corporation. Compaq is a registered trademark of Compaq Computer Corporation. The Clone Building Seminar, Documents on Demand, FaxNews, Fax-Script, The Digital Desktop, The Desktop Mainframe, Wordlister, Computers Today on Television, Cards on Disk, and Books on Disk are trademarks or registered trademarks of Computer Training Corporation. Ethernet is a registered trademark of Xerox Corporation. Hayes is a registered trademark of Hayes Microcomputer Products, Inc. Hewlett Packard, HP/GL, HP Scan Jet and Scan Jet +, HP Laserjet, HP II, and HP III SI are trademarks or registered trademarks of Hewlett Packard Corporation. Intel, 286i, 386i, 486i, Pentium, Satisfaction and Above Board are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation. Kofax is a registered trademark of Kofax Corporation. Logitech is a trademark of Logitech, Inc. 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All other products are trademarked by their respective companies. Disclaimer: Computer Training Corporation makes no representation or warranties with respect to the contents hereof, and specifically disclaims any implied warranties, or merchantability, or fitness for any particular purpose. Further changes of a substantive or minor nature are periodically made to the information in this publication. These changes may be incorporated into new editions of this publication. Computer Training Corporation and its agents may make improvements and or changes in the products and/or programs, and/or publications here described at any time, and without prior announcement or need to supply such changes to users of this publication or others that have not specifically contracted for and paid fees for these reproduction rights. The absolute limit of liability for this and other claims about products and programs listed herein is limited to the amount paid individually for this product only. A product comment form is included in this publication. If it is removed, address your comments to: Computer Training Corporation (816) 252-4080 610 West Maple Avenue, Suite C Independence, MO 64050-2645 U.S.A. Thank you for your purchase of this product. Contained Software Licenses: Parts of this seminar and publication may refer to software or software - hardware combinations. See the license agreement attached to the packages involved. All rights not reserved by the owners of rights to those programs are reserved to this publication where applicable. Software and hardware products are mentioned in this work, but such mention does not constitute a recommendation to purchase the products involved. Companies, names, and data used in examples herein are fictitious unless otherwise noted. Forward Clone building is one of the most satisfying things I know of, but like computer use in general it is also one of the most frustrating. With more than 70 million computers in use you would think that information about building clones would be found on every street corner. But this is not the case. In 1985 I wrote and self-published the first version of How to Build a Clone Computer. It was basically a collection of notes I had assembled to teach my own staff how to build these machines. In November of 1985, I was in Boston at the Interface Group's Northwest Computer Fair and delivered a speech on how to build clones. Little did I know that David Wessel a staff writer for the Wall Street Journal, was in the audience. He subsequently mentioned my work, very favorably, in a front page feature story titled All Thumbs?, Don't Worry, Even a Klutz Can Build a Computer. Shortly after that story came out, I sold about 7000 copies. Over the next year and a half I finished selling the original press run of 10,000. By that time the book was well out of date, and I had gone on to work on the NASA office automation project. Every few weeks I would get a request for a reprint, but the work involved in reprinting the whole book just didn't seem to justify the cost of a re-write. But, by 1992 I had moved to Kansas City and started the TV show Computers Today. One of the things we did on the show was answer viewer's questions. Many of those questions were on building clone computers, so it seemed like a good time to re-write the book. In 1993, ComputerUser Magazine of Kansas City and my publisher, Computer Training Corporation, decided to produce a clone building seminar that the TV show would tape and sell for revenue to help fund the show. Naturally the seminar needed a workbook, and the obvious choice was to re-write the clone building book. So here it is, the newly re-written How to Build A Clone Computer. But don't wait to buy it, because I might get another call from NASA, and it will be gone. To make the package more complete, and because the many steps require visualization, the new revision is sold either as a live seminar or with a video tape. By producing the book this way we can eliminate the need for detailed illustrations, as they are found in the visual presentation. I certainly hope you enjoy the new form of: How to Build a Clone Computer. Graeme E. B. Gibson, C.D.P., Independence, Missouri, 1993 Revision Notes This revision of How to Build A Clone Computer includes information needed to build any popular ISA (Industry Standard Architecture) or extended bus version, such as Local Bus, of the basic IBM design. This design was brought into popularity as the clone XT computer and it's descendent machines: The AT, 386, 486 and Pentium based machines. A real effort has been made to bring the original book up to date, including coverage of the new features of DOS 6 and comments on the Pentium Processor. It is important to note that some information is presented here and some on the included video tape. Both are required to fully realize the value of the course. Some of you may want just the book, or the video. They are available separately at $29.95 each. This course will constantly evolve. That is why we have packaged it in a notebook, to make revisions and additional notes easy for you to enter. Even before revisions may be needed, you can plan to fill the margins of this book with many, many notes. Be prepared to continue your education; it is required if you plan to keep up with the ever changing world of computers. Readers, please note again that this book is in loose leaf form. We designed it that way so it would be easy to update. Please fax or mail the comment and response page (in the back) to us so that we may keep you updated as to changes. Questions and comments are welcome. A Final Word If, after reviewing this seminar or the book and video, you have additional questions, suggestions or comments, please take time to fill out the response page or write us. If this class or product does not meet your needs or expectations, we urge you to call for return authorization information. Naturally, restrictions apply, but we want your input in order to improve the product and to make sure it is understood. We want you to be happy with this product and the task you purchased the product for, done on time and in budget. We realize it is the building task that is important to you -- your design of your own computer. We can speak in English rather than techno-speak, and understand the language of business as well as technology. We want to earn our money by providing you value. Thank you again for your purchase of How to Build a Clone Computer and the The Clone Building Seminar. The Staff and Management of: Computer Training Corporation - Publisher 610 West Maple Avenue, Suite C Independence, MO 64050 U.S.A. Notes on the Seminar for Live Observers & Builders When you take advantage of one of the traveling seminar presentations of this course, there are some housekeeping notes for us to go over: 1. Times of the presentation. 2. Where are the restrooms and phones? 3. Where are local restaurants? 4. Where can you get parts locally? 5. Inventory of seminar materials. 6. Notes as to future classes. 7. How you can get a video copy of this program. If you want a schedule of live sessions or would like to schedule a presentation for groups of 18 or more please call: (800) 329-0911* or fax us at: 816-252-5545. * Important Note: Our 800 line is for book and seminar orders only and not technical support. If you need technical support, please read the section on contacting the author. We can not handle tech support issues on the 800 line. How To Build A Clone Computer by Graeme E. B. Gibson, C.D.P. Part One - Preparation Basic Concepts Computers are built from building blocks that are very complex machines, but the process of putting one together is basically very simple. You find the right parts and connect them in a way that brings about the desired system. You then install and configure the software for your tasks. No part of this process is intrinsically difficult, but the volume of information can seem to be overwhelming at times. Here are some important things to remember: 1. You can do it. I have taught kids as young as 12 and oldsters as old as 89 to build computers. 2. It is not hard. It just requires some care and planning. All the hard work has been done for you by the manufacturers; they don't want machines that are hard to put together either. 3. If it doesn't work the first time, the information you need to make it work is found in this course, or is available from the books and manuals supplied with the system, or from various manufacturer's technical support departments. 4. Have fun. Remember not everyone can say they built their own computer. In a way it is the ultimate electronic kit - until robots are to be found, kit built, of course. By the way, I plan to have out one of the first books on that subject as well. Parts Identification Computers are assembled from the following sub assemblies: 1. A case and mounting hardware. 2. A power supply. 3. A mother board or backplane. 4. One or more processor(s). 5. Memory or memory groups. 6. A storage subsystem(s) (hard and floppy disk drives). 7. Video, accessory and I/O cards. 8. Cabling. 9. Out of case components: Keyboard, Monitor, Mouse, & Documentation. 10. Software: Systems programs and application programs. These can be commercial, provided by the integrator or VAR, and/or shareware. On the video tape we will cover how to do detailed identification of these parts and precautions to take when handling them. Processor Selection You will need a processor chip to run your computer. These chips are manufactured by a number of vendors, but most are derived from original designs by Intel Corporation. We will cover the following chips: Chip#, CPU width, bus width, address range, max. memory addressable. 1. 8086 16 bit CPU, 16 bit bus, 20 address lines. 1MEG. 2. 8088 16 bit CPU, 8 bit bus, 20 address lines. 1MEG. 3. 80286 16 bit CPU, 16 bit bus, 24 address lines. 16MEG. 4. 80386 SX (16 bit) (16MEG) and DX (32 bit) designs. Up to 4GB. 5. 80486 SX (32 bit) and DX (32 bit) designs. Up to 4GB. 6. The Pentium<190> Processor. (32 bit CPU, 64 bit bus on PCI). Note: the SX chip will normally only address up to 16 Megs of memory, although some have been modified to use 24 or 32 megs. Most DX designs are logically able to address 4 gigabytes, but rarely will that much be addressable on the motherboard. Most motherboards max out at 32 to 64 MB on the board. 486DX and Pentium chips have an 8K internal processor cache. The Pentium also has, in addition, a 256 bit wide internal chip bus, branch prediction, a second 8K cache area, and superscaler architecture. Processor choice is dictated by the software to be run. I recommend at least a 386 SX as a minimum selection. Faster processors or math co-processors are dictated by networks, desktop publishing, and CAD/CAM. Note: Programmers need all the horsepower they can get for program compilation. You are not working while you are waiting for your program to compile. Get the fastest machine you can afford. Other chips that are widely used are made by AMD and TI. These 386 and 486 clone chips work fine, but the TI 486 chip made for Cyrex has no math co-processor built in and only a 1K cache. AMD makes an excellent 40 Mhz 386 chip. Motherboard, Bus and Cabinet Selection The following busses are widely used: 1. The ISA (Industry Standard Architecture) 8 bit and 16 bit implementations. 2. The EISA (Extended ISA) 16 and 32 bit implementations. 3. The IBM MCA (Micro Channel Architecture) 32 bit bus (64 bit burst). 4. The various Local Bus systems (mostly 32 bit). 5. The PCI bus (Intel and IBM 64 bit). Cabinets Break down into 12 basic groups: 1. The IBM PC case. * 2. The IBM XT case. * 3. The original copycat design. * (desktop and fliptop). 4. The full size IBM AT case. * 5. The desktop case. 6. The low profile case (pizza box). 7. The brick case. 8. The tower case. 9. The mini tower. 10. The IBM PS/2 designs. 11. The original luggable case * (i.e.: Compaq). Large and small. 12. The lunch box case. Each case may have a different power supply PS, (about 6 are popular) and different case mounting hardware. Some of these supplies and hardware are somewhat interchangeable, but you should check with the case manufacturer for different hardware requirements. Naturally, we have not detailed laptops here, because at this time no practical laptops are home assembly projects. Try to get your power supply from the case vendor; that way you will know they are compatible. Make sure your PS/Case or at least your PS is UL and/or SA approved. The selection of your case is very much one of a personal preference, or it will be driven by your intended use. Obviously if you need a ``Portable'' then you would have to choose between types 7, 11 or 12. I recommend that a ``first timer'' choose a mini tower. These make good looking computers that are small enough to be easy while big enough to hold most systems well. The model 601 mini tower, shown first in the video tape, is an excellent choice for the first time builder. This is particularly true since the accessories and hardware package that will come with this case includes all the hardware required. Also, this case has the LED, speaker, turbo, reset, and key lock leads silk screened, so it is easy to identify what connector goes to what set of pins on the motherboard. * The cases marked with the `` * '' are considered out of date but may still be available. The tower case is the biggest case. You can select it if you need a lot of drive bays or if you are setting up a file server for a network. Desktop cases are good for kit projects as they are normally big and easy to work in. You will note in the list above, the old flip top design. These are generally no longer available as the FCC found that they did not meet class B certification standards. Flip tops were easy to work on but they were also easy to take cards from, which is a security risk. The brick is also a security risk in that it is so easy to move. The advantage to the brick is that if you have a monitor and keyboard at both home and office it is possible to move a powerful computer between two sites. If you do have to build a portable computer, the old Compaq design is best for CRTs and the lunch box style best for LED displays. Both will come with a matching keyboard; most other cases do not. I recommend you don't select the low profile or PS/2 style cases. They are generally smaller, and often use non standard parts, particularly motherboards and power supplies. Being smaller they are just a little harder to work on and normally don't allow as much flexibility in setup. Important Note: The case defines the overall level of quality of your project. It is usually a mistake to select a cheaper case. You will see in the video tape that cheap cases are risky in more ways than one. I strongly urge you to consider bare bones systems as a starting point, as you will find the case, motherboard and power supply will then meet FCC class B requirements and not just the less stringent class A requirements. Disk Drive Subsystems Disk drives break down into the following sub classifications: 1. Low density floppy drives. 2. High density floppy drives. 3. Magnetic hard drives. 4. Removable magnetic cartridge drives. 5. Magno-optical drives 6. Optical drives. Disk drive selection is mission driven, and hard drive sizing should accommodate all programs contemplated, with twice the capacity for data and a 30% growth factor. Plan for three years. You won't make it, but try anyway. Remember, new programs are not tightly written and are getting quite large. 20 to 30 per cent size growth per revision is typical. In 1983 ten megs were considered plenty; by 1990 it was 40 as a minimum. Now I wouldn't consider anything below 120 megs. Every 18 months, double this amount. Options and Features Options such as fax cards, modems, sound cards and the like are almost always driven by software selection. The primary consideration here is being able to have unique addresses for all devices without interrupt conflicts. Memory Sizing and Management Issues Memory or RAM (Random Access Memory) is used to store programs. For most early DOS programs (prior to 1987) 384 K of memory was plenty of space. After that date, 640 K was minimum. With Windows I recommend 4 MB as minimum, and with OS/2 - 8 MB. If you use Unix or Windows NT plan 24 MB as minimum. More memory will always help accelerate your system. Buy as much as you can afford, and always size your system to allow a doubling of the amount you select. Memory pricing has been volatile lately; check with your vendors to get the best deal. I recommend checking with several, since wide swings in prices have been reported. Operating System Selection These are the primary operating systems used on clones at this time: 1. DOS (versions 1 to 6) 2. DRDOS (versions 4, 5 & 6) & Novell DOS 7 3. OS/2 (versions 1.3, 2.0, 2.1) 4. Unix flavors (various) 5. Multitasking (Theos, Concurrent Controls, PC-MOS and others) The choice of operating system will be dependent on processor selection (many require 386 and above) and the software you plan to use. Be aware that not all programs are well behaved under all operating systems, even if advertised to work. An operational recommendation from a current user is always recommended. Communications and Networking Considerations. Networking extends beyond the scope of this course and is the subject of another planned program. But any system that is contemplated for network use should be sized with an additional 50% capacity over a stand alone system. Cabinets should have large power supplies (at least 250 watts) and plenty of room for drives and cards. Video Subsystems Video Subsystems consist of one of the following interface cards and a compatible monitor: 1. Mono. (MDA) (original PC) 720 x 348 (no graphics) LPT1 is 3BC H. 2. Monographics. (MGA) (Hercules) 720 x 348 LPT1 is 378 H. 3. Color Graphics Adapter (CGA) 320 or 640 x 200. 4. Extended Graphics Adapter (EGA) 640 x 350 (emulates MDA or CGA). 5. Mono-Color Graphics Adapter (MCGA) (all modes to 720 x 348). 6. Video Graphics Array (VGA) (Mono only 720 x 400) (480 x 640). 7. Super VGA (SVGA) 600 x 800 and 768 x 1024 memory dependent. 8. Very high resolution and specialty cards (PGA, XGA, 8514A etc.). Note: An 8514 A also requires a VGA card to display images from programs that don't know how to talk to the 8514A. XGA is IBM's new proposed standard for a ``universal'' industry graphics standard. The XGA standard also supports 1024 x 768 with hardware implemented ``sprites'' and MCA bus mastering with VGA emulation. Minimum recommended standard for video cards is now VGA. Anything less will restrict the range and scope of the software you can run. If you plan a lot of Windows use of an accelerated video card is highly recommended. It is a requirement for desktop publishing, CAD/CAM and desktop video or multimedia. SVGA is beginning to be the high resolution standard of choice outside IBM. Video Memory Considerations The more memory you have on your machine the more colors or the higher the resolution you can develop. At VGA resolutions you are essentially limited to 16 colors at 256 K. If you can get at least 512 K this will allow a broad selection of colors or resolutions, up to 800 by 600 (SVGA), and give you more flexibility. Monitor Selection The smallest monitor you should consider in color is 14 inches and in mono 12 inches. Try to get at least a .28 dot pitch monitor, and if you are going to spend a lot of time at it get a low radiation unit as well. Dot pitch is a figure that will get smaller as quality and resolution go up. At the time this is written (1993) the .28 dot pitch monitor is considered a quality unit. Low radiation units are becoming the norm in Europe. Try to help make them the norm here too. Insist that new monitors be low radiation types. Part Two - Purchasing Components When you buy your parts, I recommend quality over price. Remember, you are the manufacturer of your machine, and you will have to rely largely on yourself for service. To quiet the nerves of you new clone builders in the world, many computer dealerships will help you with clone repairs should you require them. But, by careful reading and use of the diagnostic software now available, you will be able to fix most of your own problems. It is beyond the scope of this course to provide detailed purchase information, but the computer parts firms listed in the phone book are one source as are the products listed in Computer User, Computer Shopper and Computer Sources magazines. Throughout the course we will be naming well known and generally reputable manufacturers, but we are not specifically recommending them to you. You need to make your own choices on parts purchases. Bare Bones Systems To bring some peace of mind to the beginner and others of you who want a faster start, consider a bare bones system. A bare bones system consists of at least a case, power supply and motherboard. Everything else may be an option. However, many firms advertise bare bones systems that have at least the following: 1. The items mentioned above: Case, PS, and MB. 2. Minimum memory. 3. A single floppy drive, or one of each size. 4. An IO card supporting at least a single parallel port and often two serial ports and a game port. (I/O cards like the MIO 400 - 550 have it all). Be very sure what you are buying. Most bare bones systems do not have a monitor or card (the video subsystem). All bare bones systems should be FCC class B and UL approved. Do this if you plan to use the machine at trade shows or in public places. This will rescue you from causing RF interference. Important Note: Your insurance company may not insure a non UL system! For strictly business systems, FCC class A is fine. Starting From Scratch Do this if you need a configuration that no one else makes. This can be a great deal of fun, but remember you are the manufacturer and bear the manufacturers' responsibilities. You may save a couple of per cent this way, not a lot on a system less than $2000.00, but it may be enough for you to make a difference. Vendor Selection Always go to vendors that have been in business at least 2 years or more. The shake out rate in this business is incredible and you can save yourself a lot of trouble buying from someone that has been around for a while. Also older firms will normally be in Better Business Bureau and Chamber of Commerce files, so you can see how they treat their other customers. When buying from mail order, go to the library and find an old issue of Computer Shopper. Most of the mail order firms that are any good have been advertising here for a long time. Computer Shopper is a good way to develop some street smarts on the cost of products. Important Note on Costs: be aware that computer parts costs are very volatile; that is why many ads say CALL where the price should be listed. Always ask for a lower price; they may give it to you. The line I often use is: Can you do any better on that, or should I keep looking ? (You can always call them back). Don't keep pressing, take the first offered reduction. This is now a commodity business and the margins are already painfully thin. If buying from a retail store, go to the manager; the sales people don't have the authority to lower your price. If you can't get them to lower the price try to get them to throw something in, like a surge strip or a printer cable. This will usually work at even the toughest minded stores; again talk to the manager. Important Note: Everything in the computer industry is an option; if it is not on the invoice, it is not included. The classic example is the systems purchaser who finds out that the optional cables needed to run the system are not at hand and cost another $39.95 plus tax. And to add insult to injury, the salesperson makes it your fault that you didn't ask for a cable. While you are specifying the options DON'T FORGET THE BACKUP DISKS OR TAPES. Warranties, Services, and Returns Never ever buy from any vendor that will not allow returns. At various times, in this industry, return rates have been as high as 20%. It is better now; my recent experience is better than 7% overall and less than 3% from my prime vendor, largely because they know me. They know I send back marginal parts too ! Warranties are the responsibility of the manufacturer, not the vendor. But good vendors will assist you with replacement exchanges, or help with the manufacture, as far as follow through. Many firms that sell bare bones systems now offer technical support; always ask for the tech support phone number. If they don't have one go someplace else. Don't be surprised if they give you a number in a different area code. Selling support contracts is a big third party business; I do service like this for a number of clients. Part Three - Construction Ok, we finally get to the point where we are going to make something. It's about time. Lets consider what has to be done now to have our best chance of a successful first time boot up. Construction Site Preparation Make sure you have a good steady level table. A dining table, or a 30" by 60" folding table works well. Do not use a card table. They are not strong enough. As a rule of thumb, if you can't sit on it, then it is not strong enough. Be sure the floor is clean. If you drop something you want to be able to find it again. If the table has a surface that can be scratched find something to protect it with. A vinyl table cloth is minimum. Find a spot that is well lighted. More damage has been done because the builder could not see a simple mistake than from any other single cause. If you don't have good lighting then get good flashlights, or mini lamps. Plan a place that you will not be disturbed for a while, at least four hours; that is the minimum time to reserve. I recommend working during daylight hours and when you are not tired. You need to be careful when building a machine. And I like to work during a time that technical help is available by phone. Send the kids packing, or make them part of the process. Both approaches work, and the kids will respect the machine more if they help put it together. By the way, it makes a world class ``show and tell'' project. This is your call, but I recommend kids be at least 12 years of age if they are to help. Tasks to assign them are to help hold parts such as tools and flashlights, but; no hard drives, or memory, or motherboards period. Tools & Supplies Required A small 11 piece tool kit (like the ones presented to builders at our seminars) is all that is required. It contains both types of screwdrivers in various sizes, a couple of nut drivers, a chip puller, and parts grabber. It also has a tube for loose parts storage (a very important item, but you can improvise with any sturdy dish). The last thing, is a dollar bill, to clean board contacts with (bills of all denominations have just the right roughness). Try to use a fresh one. Here are other tools that I highly recommend: 1. A needle nose pliers, with a cutter. 2. A storage bin. 3. Tweezers. 4. A good flashlight. 5. A mat knife. 6. A static leash. (Not required for humid locations; see text.) 7. Torx<190> T-10 & T-15 fitted screwdrivers. One each. 8. A multimeter Many other tools will make your job more convenient, like power screwdrivers, or give you more flexibility when working on machines. Choose high quality tools and build up a lifetime collection. Your investment will pay off many times over. The following supplies should be available: 1. Alcohol and glass cleaner for clean up. 2. Silicon Glue (super glue is also handy). 3. Paper towels and other cleaning supplies. 4. Anti static spray. (For all dry areas of the country; see text). Static Precautions Electronic parts are subject to damage by static electricity. It is important that you keep yourself at the same potential charge as your parts. For very dry locations, I strongly recommend a static leash. Take care not to generate static charges by considering carefully your clothing selection, and avoiding static generating movements like walking on dry rugs without picking up your feet. Generally manmade fibers produce less static than natural fibers. Regularly ground yourself to discharge any static build-up. I recommend always touching bare metal on the case before reaching for any parts. Documentation Review Very carefully read all documentation that came with the parts. If you didn't get documentation with the parts (and you often won't unless you ask for it) call your vendor and ask them to fax or mail it to you. Note: I suggest you have some place to have faxes sent; they can really make your life easy when you need a parts reference or diagram. Most office supply stores and quick printers will receive faxes for you at a reasonable fee. So will hotels and motels, but the fees tend to be much higher. Also read over this entire manual and review the tape before starting. Your objective is to be able to find very quickly any reference information that you need. Keep all the documentation in one place. Do not throw any packaging away until you are done. Sometimes the information you need is printed on the side of the box. Don't panic if you need to go hunting for some information. Just get on the phone and keep asking until you get what you need. But don't call me or anybody else if you are just trying to save yourself looking it up. After all, you are taking this course to learn, so be willing to do the homework. By the way, do not be surprised if the folks that you call want to make sure you are a customer first, or they may want to charge you for information. The margins in the business are very thin, and many firms (including mine) charge non clients. Note: Buying this course does not include support services. I do offer support services to purchasers of this course at the discount rate of $60.00 per hour, one half my normal billing rate. Case Assembly When you remove the case from the box do so carefully, and locate a small box of hardware that is almost always shipped inside. Do not open the poly bags until you need to do so. Always keep the parts together in your tubes or trays or dishes until needed. Never mix parts from different packages together; it will just make finding the right hardware more difficult. Next, if the rubber feet for your case are not pre attached, find the feet (in the parts box) and your alcohol. Carefully wipe and dry the case where the feet are to go, about 2 inches in from the edge (the spot is often marked by a score line on the case.) Remove the backing from the rubber feet and firmly press them into place. Note: if you don't clean the case, the feet are going to fall off, if not in 5 minutes in five years, but they will fall off ! Look on your motherboard or it's documentation and see if you have speaker connections. If you do then check to see if the speaker is mounted. Most speakers are premounted in the case, but you sometimes need to install them. They will normally go in the forward left corner as you look at the front. Some cases have the speaker mount in the card guides which are on the front of the case. Most of the mounts are pressure or friction fit. If the speaker is very loose, put a small dab of silicon glue on the mount to hold it in place. Power Supply Installation First see if the power supply has a 110 - 220 volt switch on it. If so switch it for the right voltage. Most U.S. sold supplies come preset at 110-117 volts, so this range should be all right. Some cheaper supplies do not have a switch, but they should have a label that you can check. Be sure that the supply will provide enough power for your design. Do not use less than 150 watts in any modern design. Most desktop and mini tower designs will be well served by a 200 watt design. Never use less than 250 watts for a full size tower case, or use a 230 watt supply only with low power consumption components in your design, if you can't use a 250 watt or bigger supply. Before installing the supply, record the serial number or any model number information with your documentation. Save the box panel that says what the power leads supply and the other technical information. I recommend saving all boxes and packing until everything checks out and has been running for at least 48 hours. Most power supplies are held in place by one or two tabs on the floor of the case or by four mounting screws, or both. Engage the tab, if there is one, before you use the screws. Note: power supply screws are often a different thread, or a metric thread, so be sure you use the right screws. Important Note: If you are mounting a new XT power supply in an old PC or XT case, you may have to connect the cables for the disk drives before screwing the power supply in place as there is not enough clearance between the supply and the drive to slip the cables on later. Mounting Motherboard Components On the motherboard you will have to install at least the memory, and perhaps the processor chip or a math co-processor if you have one. Note that 486 DX chips have an on-board math co-processor; it is not separately mounted. All chips have a pin one location and often an orientation mark. This mark is sometimes a dot, sometimes a scooped out place on the chip, and sometimes a diagonally cut corner. Most motherboard books give you the detail needed to find pin one. Also you can see this detail in our video tape. Be sure to review the video tape as to how to mount memory. Memory chips on SIMM's and SiPP's are keyed. Be careful if the motherboard used plastic mounts for SIMM's, because they break easily. For SIMM's you press the memory gently into place and rock up; it will then lock with a click. As a rule on 386 designs and later, memory must be in two banks (say banks 0 & 1) for the machine to work. XT's and AT's will generally work with only one bank filled. Memory in bank pairs must be of the same size, say all 1MB or all 4MB chips. Setting Switches and Jumpers Very Important Note: Never change anything if you don't write down the old setting first. You should be able to undo any change you make. Having a few notes along as you go will save you much grief later so do it ! 1. Switches - All PC and XT (8086-88) motherboards have configuration dip switches. If you do not have the documentation you can try the following. Look on the motherboard; if there are two rows of eight switches, and five ISA slots, you have a PC based motherboard, and you can use the program Dipask (with the shareware software) to set the switches (sorry you will need a working computer to run this program). If there are seven or eight ISA slots, and one dip switch try the following: SW1, leave alone, (on the original PC it was used to set floppy or cassette); SW2 ON, for no math chip, OFF if you have a math chip; SW 3&4, leave alone, and if this doesn't work set both on, (they were used for setting memory); SW 5, for mono screens and 40x25 color - OFF, for 80x25 color ON; SW6, for color ON; SW7, OFF, for any even number of floppy drives, ON for odd numbers; SW 8, turn OFF, if more than two drives, ON if one or two drives. On older AT's there is a switch for color monitor use. It is a single switch located back by the keyboard connector. Try ON for color monitors, OFF for mono, if you have no documentation. Newer mother boards have jumpers. The jumper should usually be set ON if a color monitor is used, but again check the documentation if it is available. Newer motherboards do not use switches for most settings. It is done through a setup program, that comes on a disk or is stored in Read Only Memory (ROM). Newer motherboards setups are mostly stored in ROM and can be accessed by hitting a key (or key combination) during the post test or just after it, but before the boot record is read in from the boot disk. We will use this set up this program later. Often times this setup procedure is called ``setting'' the CMOS. 2. Jumpers - Almost all motherboards, except some PS/2 designs have small wire jumpers on them. These are to set the board, however they look just like some of the jacks used to attach LED's, speakers and remote switches. Generally speaking the modern designs will work without anything set, so if you have no documentation, you can try it without hooking up anything. Nothing destructive will happen, but it may not work. I do however strongly recommend the speaker be attached, so you can hear the beep codes. You will need the motherboard documentation to set the jumpers (JP) and jacks (J). Demand it from the motherboard supplier and get a return authorization, or a great price, if they can't supply it. If you don't have documentation, or, if your board is an orphan, take a clear picture, or Xerox photocopy of the board, and fax it around until you find someone with a motherboard library who can identify it for you. Review the video tape for information on hooking up jumpers and jacks. You can go back later and make changes as long as the motherboard mounting in the case doesn't block your access. Installing The Motherboard Once you have the jumpers and jacks identified, then you will mount the motherboard. First without mounting the plastic or metal stand-offs, slide the board into place and make note of the mounting holes that will be used. Most cases are drilled for a variety of boards, and not every hole will be used. In the back right corner (as you face the machine) there will be a place for a brass grounding stand-off (it may be in the hardware package that came in the case box). If not installed, install it now. It goes in with the tread extension down, (use an insulating spacer on the top side) and is held in place with a nut. Use another insulating spacer (fiber washer) on the bottom only if you have problems (won't boot) with your board. If not, let the nut form a ground. Some cases have the brass stand off screw into the case; in this situation do not use a fiber washer. Note: Most motherboards work fine when grounded to the case and should be. But a limited number of older boards need an isolated ground, and should use the fiber spacers. The rule is try it grounded, then try it floating if you have problems booting or having the POST start. Power Supply Connections Here is one of the few places you can do real damage by making a mistake, so don't make one. There are two power supply connections for the motherboard labeled P8 and P9. P8 will go to the back of the case, and the black wires go together. If the connector is placed sideways on the board (an alarming trend on compact board designs) then you must find out which side P8 goes to. Some boards show the color of the wires printed on the board. Always, the black wires will go together. Please check this carefully; your flashlight will be handy here. Some power supplies have remotely located switches, either operated by a push rod or the remote switch will need to be wired. Most connections are double pole single throw. See the video tape for information on connecting these remote switches. Remember too, keep the wire diagram which is usually found on the side of the power supply box. Important Note: do not turn on the power supply to test it unless you have at least a motherboard or a floppy drive attached. These are switching supplies and must have an electrical load, at least the load of a 5.25 floppy to test them. Note: Some 3.5 inch drives do not load 12 volts; use an older drive or a 5.25 drive only. Let us for the moment keep everything off. Installing the Minimum Card Complement When first testing a machine you want to start up a minimum configuration, as it would be a big mistake to destroy everything in the machine because of a bad power supply or a hook up error. As such you should first test the motherboard, power supply, keyboard, and a video card. At this point you should have installed the power supply, hooked it to the motherboard, have at least 2 banks of memory installed, and have the motherboard hooked up to at least a speaker and keyboard. Note: The keyboard must be set on the ``AT'' setting for all newer designs. If the keyboard has no switch then it may auto recognize or be pre-wired to the AT setting. Now remove two of the blank back plane plates for the case and insert a video card and a disk controller. Clean the card contacts by lightly rubbing them with your dollar bill first. Be sure that the video card is in a slot that makes a 16 bit contact if it is a 16 bit card. If you are using a local bus design be sure you are in the local bus slot. Also place the disk controller, or multi IO disk card (like the MIO 500), in the closest slot to the drive bay that will make all the contacts. Important Note: Do not use the slot closest to the power supply in an original IBM XT design; it has insufficient power to run all cards. This design defect was corrected in later models. Use this slot only for IBM's serial card or a modem that says it can go there. The First Smoke Test Hook up a compatible monitor. Make sure that no loose parts are in the case. Check your power supply connections again, and be sure the black wires are together again. Try and connect the power LED if not already done, and clear the area around the machine. This is a good time to clean up some; we don't want any tools or loose screws in the case. You should have no drives mounted yet ! Make sure the power supply switch is in the OFF position. Hook up to a good power strip, say a short prayer, and turn the power ON. Look for smoke or sparks, listen for zapping sounds. If you see or hear any, turn it OFF fast! We are looking for the following; to see that the fan is working (or hear that it is), to see a power LED light come on (don't panic if it doesn't) and to see at least a cursor on the screen. You may hear a series of beeps. One is great, two OK, and more we can correct. If you have these things, congratulations, you have crossed your first major hurdle. If not go to the trouble shooting section. Now, working or not, turn the unit off. Installing The Input Output Cards If everything was OK during the smoke test, you can now install the I/O cards and the floppy & hard drive interface cards. Do not be startled if all these features: Line printer ports, communication ports, game ports, floppy and hard disk ports are now all on one card. These multi I/O cards, like the Diamond Flower MIO 500 are inexpensive ways to get everything you need in one card. Older machines may have the multi I/O and the drive controllers separate. Do not install more cards than you have addresses or slots for; see the next section on addressing for more information. As a rule machines today have 1 LPT, 2 COM, and 1 game port, and a drive controller set on just one card. Once these card(s) are installed try another smoke test, following the same procedure as before. You may have a connector backplane filler with a set of jacks and wires coming out of it in addition to your multi I/O. This is to provide the rest of the connectors, those that wouldn't fit on the backplane of the original card. If you have one of these hook it up and install it now. Note: Most cases have knock-out areas for these connectors if you need all the backplane slots for active cards. Installing The Floppy Drives If you had everything work, proceed with installing the floppy drives. First inspect your drive. Check that the drive addressing jumper is on the second (position) address. IF your drive has D0 then use D1, if your drive starts with D1, use D2. Note: Early Tandy Machines and Olivetti didn't use a twisted cable. If the floppy cable is straight design then use the first jumper position on drive A and the second position on drive B. Most cases will support at least four drives. Place drives in convenient locations, keeping in mind the cable lengths and power lead lengths. Use your dollar bill to polish the edge contacts prior to mounting. Drives should be mounted with motors down. Do not tighten the mounting screws entirely; keep the drive somewhat loose until you are finished. Note: some drives will use two different threads on the mounting frame. Try a course thread first and if it doesn't go in easy, then try a fine thread screw. Attach the 34 pin ribbon cable ( for data), stripe side of the cable oriented to pin one on the drive. Examine the cable; you will note that the wires will twist before the end-most connector. Use the end of the cable with a twist (between the ninth and tenth wires) for drive A: Attach the power cable. Power leads are keyed, and only go in one way. Attach the other end of the data cable to the controller card, making careful note of pin one being on the striped side of the cable. Critical Note: You must be able to determine pin one on almost all connections. Better manufacturers will note pin one with a printed reference on the card. The few that only supply this information on the documentation (which will become separated from the card in time) should lose our business, until they print on the card too. If the card is not marked look very carefully on the circuit side (no parts, just traces) and find the pin with a square mounting pad. That pin is pin one. Use your flashlight if you need to. Important note: Some hard drives (ST-506 interface and ESDI interface) also use a 34 pin ribbon cable to supply control signals. If there is a twist it will be on the high side of this cable, 5 wires from the end. Do not use this cable by mistake. Important Note: If you are doing upgrades, before you unhook anything, make careful notes as to all the cable orientations and connection points. The orientation of the cables is crucial to a successful upgrade project. Running the POST, Setup and Boot When you first turn your machine on, it will run the POST (Power On Self Test). This test checks internal operations in the machine, the CPU, BIOS and main memory. Successful conclusion usually results in the installed device reporting to the screen and a counter showing installed memory as it is tested. Normally if everything is OK, and properly set, then you will hear one beep tone out of the speaker. These beeps are the motherboard's way of reporting status if the screen is not working. A list of the beep codes is found in the reference section for several popular BIOS chip manufacturers. It is rare to hear only one beep when you first power up, as you have not yet set the CMOS, with the setup program. So that is your next step. Now you should run the setup program on machines that use 286 or later chips. The setup routine should be told about the memory size, date, time, keyboard, and monitor type. Do not yet tell the machine about the hard drive; we need to do some detective work first. Also we want to boot the machine from a floppy. If your setup program is not stored in the motherboard BIOS, you will need to boot and run one from a floppy. Put your DOS disk in drive A:, close the door and turn on the power. If you get a message TO RUN SETUP DO... then do what it says; if not wait up to two minutes, and hope that the machine will boot up to an A: prompt (or an A>> prompt). If it doesn't do this, go to the trouble shooting section. If it does boot, then you can run the setup program supplied on disk with your motherboard or the one downloaded from our BBS computer test area. Use your dollar bill to polish the edge contacts first. See how to contact us for more information on our BBS (section 6). Remember: If you could run setup from the BIOS then skip this step. Note: Our setup program from the BBS will set up most systems that have BIOS based setup programs too. You can usually use this program for everything but setting type 47 hard drives and machine special or advanced features If the machine does boot run any of the diagnostics programs described later. At least run DOS check disk (CHKDSK) and see if the drive and memory report properly. If not go to the trouble shooting section. Installing The Fixed Disks Fixed disks, or hard disks are of three different interface standards and use two different recording techniques. The interfaces are: 1. ST-506, an interface developed by Seagate and widely adopted. This is what most machines that predate 1988 use. You can recognize it by drives that have a 20 pin data and 34 pin control cable. It supports up to two drives. ESDI drives are usually ST 506 derived, but use advanced controllers. We will not cover ESDI drives as they are normally only used in servers and special use machines. Please refer to the manufacturer's supplied documentation if you are using ESDI. 2. IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) or AT interface. The most widely used interface on designs from 1989 to date. You can recognize IDE by the 40 pin single combined cable. It supports up to two drives. 3. SCSI or Small Computer System Interface. Used extensively in Macintosh and UNIX workstations. Recognize it by a 50 pin cable. It supports up to seven drives. Note: some few SCSI cables are 25 pin. The two common recording techniques are MFM (Media Frequency Modulation) and RLL (Run Length Limited). RLL provides a faster data rate and roughly 50 % more capacity than MFM. RLL requires a certified surface and is generally more expensive to manufacturer. Some few drives can use either technique, but most are one or the other. You need to have an appropriate controller to do the job. Note: IDE tends to hide the recording technique from the user. IDE drives are pre-low level formatted. Do not low level format these drives again. This is also true for some hard cards. Read the documentation supplied with the drive. The last drive on the system should have a terminator resistor. This resistor absorbs excess current in the cable and keeps it from bouncing back down the cable. Read the drive documentation to see how to install or remove terminator resistors. Note: Some drives use switches to control the resisters rather than installing or removing them. SCSI devices will need to have the address (0-7 or 1-8) set. Read the drive documentation to see how to do this. Note: The computer itself most often uses the first address, so set the first drive at the second address, and so on. The other interfaces have drive mounted address shunts like the one described for floppies. Some also have a twist in the cable. (See earlier notes). Installing CD/ROM's and Optical Disks CD/ROM's and optical disks normally have a SCSI or a proprietary interface. I recommend SCSI. Some are hooked to sound cards carrying a SCSI interface and allowing the use of up to seven drives. Please note that the SCSI interface itself supports up to eight devices but the computer itself often uses one of the SCSI addresses. As is the case with any set of drives on a single cable, only install terminating resisters on the last drive on the cable. Each SCSI drive will have a SCSI address (0-7) or (1-8), and each drive in the system must be set to a unique value. You do not need to start with drive 1 although there is no compelling reason not to. Check with the documentation that came with your system and follow the procedures listed. Note that you may have to set an IRQ level for the interface card, although many will work with just a Hex address set. Other optical drives such as the Floptical or Worm drives are also usually SCSI based but may have a different controller. Try to get all the SCSI devices and the interface from the same vendor at the same time. This will reduce headaches trying to get multiple SCSI controllers to work. If you do have to pick a controller on your own try the unit produced by Corel Software the makers of Corel Draw; they make an excellent and flexible SCSI controller that will work with many drive types. Part Four - Advanced Components Advanced components, anything outside of the basics: CPU, memory, I/O, video, and disk drives are generally covered in this section. When you have the basics all working you can start to install these items. Be sure to select an appropriate 8 or 16 bit slot for the addition of these cards. All other cards in the system will have an address. Be sure to note the address (and interrupts if known) when installing each device. Use the diagnostic software supplied with the course to check these addresses. Do your best at the outset to avoid conflicts. Check each board you are installing in turn, and test it before putting in the next. See the video tape for more details. How The Computer Addresses Features Computers use Hexadecimal addresses (like post office box numbers) to find components in the system. Each card will have an address. Most will also have an interrupt, to get the computers attention, although some interrupts can be shared. Here are some of the common values. For LPT1, address 3BC and IRQ 7 or address 378 and IRQ 7. For LPT2, address 278 and IRQ 5. For COM1, address 3F8 and IRQ 4. For COM2, address 2F8 and IRQ 3. COM3 address is 3E8, and COM4 address is 2E8. These will use IRQ's 2-5 depending on what is free or can be shared. Most other special feature cards (scanners, plotters, networks, non com based faxes) use address ranges from 220H to 340H and interrupts (IRQ's) 10, 11 and 15. You will have to juggle addresses in some instances for everything to work. Important Note: Remember all cards must have a unique address, but may be able to share an interrupt. Installing Tape Backup and Removable Drives Tape backup units and removable hard drives will ether have a controller card or be addressed as a floppy device. Many are now using the floppy ports. Most machines will only support two floppy drives. If you need a four drive controller (the maximum in most designs) then be sure to specify that when ordering your controller cards. Be prepared to do some careful integration work, or you will have a system that does not work properly. For instance the floptical drive (a 20 MB removable disk) will not work with version 2 of OS/2 but works fine with DOS. Installing Modems and Fax cards The important thing when installing modems and fax cards is to make sure that each gets a unique address that the software you are using can also use. Read the documentation that comes with the software carefully and juggle your interrupts and addresses accordingly. If you have all your serial ports tied up, try the Intel Satisfaction 200 or 400 card, or The CAM from The Complete PC. Both of these cards use a hex address and can use IRQ 10 (often free unless a network is installed). Most other fax cards (particularly the cheap ones) use COM1 to COM4 but require a dedicated interrupt. The Boca Fax and The Complete FAX-Modem from Complete PC are reliable units and come with good software. Installing Scanners Scanners usually will have an interface card and require a software driver. HP, a popular brand tends to use the LPT2 address and interrupt. Do not use it unless you have no second LPT port. Note: Some tape backup units also use IRQ5 and don't work well with the HP card. If you have to put an HP on one of these systems, use the KOFAX card instead of the HP interface. Installing Music and Sound Cards Most of the music and sound cards out today are interrupt hogs; some of them want as many as three IRQ's. Many of them default to IRQ 7 as the primary IRQ because DOS usually doesn't need it to service the LPT1 port. However OS/2 and some other operating systems do. Before installing (or buying) a sound card, check to see that you have the needed IRQ's available. These cards may also sit on a hex address, and you need to determine if there are any conflicts there as well. One further note: Many software programs will only allow the setting of a particular selection of the IRQ's available to some sound cards. Be prepared to have to juggle IRQ assignments to get everything to work! Installing Network Cards Most network cards install in the address range 220 H to 360H and use IRQ 10 or IRQ 15. I recommend the Intel Ether Express 16 which installs and auto-configures itself for a free address and interrupt. Install it last. This is because cards like the Intel configure themselves, and you want all the other things working first so they don't hog the address space of a less flexible card. Installing Other Specialty Cards Computers are so wonderful because of the staggering range of things they can do. Literally hundreds of other cards might have to be considered during the potential life of your machine. All cards should include documentation as to installation. Most will require changes to the Config.sys file and perhaps changes to the Autoexec.bat file as well. Most specialty cards will have a dedicated hex address, and may require an interrupt as well. Note: These cards may cause problems with the operation of other specialty cards; unfortunately you may be on your own as to these marriage conflicts. Carefully question the vendors as to compatibility issues before investing in these specialty cards. I had one machine with a voice I/O card, video printer interface, and MIDI card in addition to all the standards above. It took almost a week to get everything working together. Keep at it; you can usually get everything to work. Part Five - Usage and Software Computer Usage Copyright 1985, 1987 By Graeme E. B. Gibson, C.D.P. Copyright 1985, 1986, 1992, 1993 By Computer Training Corporation If you don't know where the power switch is, read this section before you have someone else turn it on... Computer Usage No area of computer manuals or books, in recent years, has been more neglected than computer usage, it being widely assumed that after a decade into the micro-computer revolution all end-users are literate in this area. After all, they teach this stuff in grade school now. However, we will not make that assumption, Naturally, if you are an experienced user you can skip over this section, but consider reading it anyway; you may pick up on some good practice or review something forgotten. Here are the fundamental issues for understanding computers, the basics of understanding, but not yet of use. I feel so strongly about these next four items, that I have labeled them computer laws: 1. Computers are stupid but not lazy 2. Computers are both productivity and frustration machines. 3. Automate those things you do most often first. 4. Back up religiously and follow that religion fanatically. I say the computers are stupid, but not lazy, because as of yet they are not very good at figuring out from context, or by English instructions, what to do, so we use a set of carefully written instructions called programs (Software). Once the computer understands what to do, it will do it as long as it is told to (not lazy). Computers are also very patient. They will wait as long as they need to until the next instruction comes. Many layers of programs need to work together for the system to function, and these programs were all written by different people at different times. The first of these programs had to work on very simple early machines that had very little memory. As such, they used many short abbreviations as commands, and these commands were placed in a very careful order, (syntax). This established the command line type in interface. Commands were often followed by additional instructions (arguments, flags, switches, or passed parameters). Early machines even had to be told how to turn on by a set of programs called a bootstrap loader. Because computer professionals like to shorten everything (lazy, but not stupid) this term has been shortened to ``boot.'' ``Boot'' does not mean to kick the disk around the desk. It has come to mean the full process of getting the computer going - and in many cases to load a particular program, although this usage of the term is not entirely correct. These ``boot'' programs are most often now stored in a Read Only Memory (ROM) chip, and are self-starting when the machine turns on. The least that these Basic Input Output System (BIOS) programs in ROM do is to instruct the computer to read in additional instructions, most often from a disk drive using a further set of programs that are operation in most computer systems. In any case, the use of abbreviations and short cryptic commands (often put in an order to make them easy to use by the machine rather than by people) established the rules of early usage. To make matters more complex, proprietary schemes by individual manufactures and their competitors attempting to get around one another make it a very confusing world. This was made even more interesting as market forces and hype established the winners and the losers in the game. The winner's rules came into widespread use whether they were better or not. This confusion, coupled with the computers ``stupidity,'' has provided enough frustration to establish the second law. Happily, the fact is that the machines are not lazy. Once told, they will do what they are told forever - power glitches not withstanding. This is what makes them very productive tools. The trick is to get productivity out faster than the frustration. If not, the machine may end up going through a window. Almost everyone in the industry is taking advantage of improvements in design and vast increases in the speed and power of the computer to make the use of the machine easier. Very few standards of an official nature have emerged by design, but systems that were functional, or early, or widely published were adopted (un-officially) to get the job done. Also, the habits of users and programmers have been accommodated in later program design, so conventions have emerged. It is for this reason that commands that worked on early programs sometimes work on later ones, even if they are not documented. As someone trying to get the most out of a system (a collection of hardware and software put together in a particular way) you should try and automate those tasks that you do the most often (assuming they lend themselves to automation). For example, if you spend six hours a day writing, then do word processing first. But if your activities include six hours of accounting automate the accounts receivable. Remember for low volume things that your manual systems are probably fine. In some cases, computerizing your checkbook is like jumping in your car to get the mail, which is fine if the post box is a mile away, but not if it is right at the door. The last law is to reinforce the important and absolute need to copy your programs and data. Computers, for the most part, store information as magnetic charges (patterns). These patterns are reliable but erasable. Also, we humans are all too prone to error. To protect against lost data, the entire computer industry, without exception, recommended that copies, called back-ups (or backups,) be made. Unfortunately, I have seen many desperate clients who despite this warning didn't have backups, or if they did they were hopelessly old or incomplete. Companies have gone bankrupt over data loss, and there are altogether too many stories of finger pointing and needless lawsuits when a new program was loaded without a backup being made first. Weeks or months or years of data have been lost. The most frequent statement when data has been lost is most often ``I thought I had a back up'' referring to original distribution disks. Being without a backup is like driving with no auto insurance. The odds of data loss are much higher than that of an automobile accident. Having a backup includes knowing how to reload your hard drive. If you don't know how, find out! HAVE A GOOD BACKUP PROCEDURE AND USE IT! Machine Usage Now we come to the basics of machine use. These comments, by necessity, are generalizations and if your computer manual or other authority recommends other procedures, follow them instead. I assume you are using a DOS-based machine, based on the initial design of the IBM PC/AT. If you have some other computer, the advice given here is still germane. It is the commands and syntax that may be substantially different. The broad concept, such as the ``laws'' above, apply to most systems regardless of manufacture or operating system. After someone has put all the pieces together (system integration), the first task is to get the thing turned on. It is best to use a power strip that provides surge and radio frequency interference (RFI) suppression. By using the surge strip, you have only one switch to switch everything on. These strips are inexpensive and will give you protection for the expensive devices hooked to it. Power Swich Locations Most machines based on the PC/XT/AT designs have the power switch in the right back corner as you face the machine. The newer PS/2 designs have a switch in the right front panel. Switches are also often found near the point that the power cord enters the machine. The numbers 0 to 1 are often used, as they are in BInary digiT (BIT) notation to indicate off and on, respectively. Note: You will often encounter situations where numbers in computer products start with zero instead of one, often with no consistency. For example, the lowly floppy disk is numbered with sides 0 and 1, tracks 0 to 39 or 79, and sectors from 1 to 8 or 9 or 15, and other variations. How's that for confusion? The rule of thumb, start at 0, and if that doesn't work then start at 1. The POST Once the computer is on, a self-test will run. These self-tests called a POST (Power On Self Test) may show a list of installed options and display memory figures while running. On better machine designs, there is a way to bypass the memory tests, as they can take up to 3 minutes to run. Many systems allow you to press the Esc key to bypass the memory test. The Prompt The next trick is to get a prompt. This ``prompt'' tells you that you can now enter a command and that the computer is waiting for you to do so. Prompts can look like anything (these are under program control) but most often show the disk drive that is currently the default drive. A default is a choice made when nothing else was specified. This default is usually A: or A in floppy machines and C: or C in machines that have a hard drive (also called fixed drive, hard disk, DASD or Winchester). Additional information may be available at the prompt. It is a common practice of the systems integrator to show what directory is active as well. C:\> is a very common prompt. The \(backslash) is used both as a divider between sub-directories and files, and (alone) as notation to indicate the root (first) directory. The / (slash or oblique stroke) is used in the same way in UNIX. However, in DOS, the / is used for passed parameters or switches. So the backslash \ was pressed into service instead. Config.sys and Autoexec.bat At this point we need to discuss two special files that, if in the root directory of the booting disk, will be loaded and executed (RUN) as part of the startup or as an extension of the boot. The first is CONFIG.SYS (configure system). The commands or statements in this file are made part of the operating system and are used to enhance or modify it. The statements in the CONFIG.SYS file are so crucial to the operation of some programs that they will not run without them. This file must also be on the disk that booted the system in order to be interpreted. If you make changes to this file you must reboot the computer. The batch program loads and executes as would a series of typed instructions made at the keyboard. Care must be taken when loading or copying programs so that these two files (different for each program) don't overlay one another, thus erasing the previous file of the same name. I recommend if you have a very complicated AUTOEXEC.BAT that you rename it, and then have the AUTOEXEC.BAT call the new file name. That way, if you cobble or erase the autoexec, you can still start up using the new name. Starting Programs Programs are usually started by typing its name or an abbreviation of its name. Whatever is typed to start the program along with any ``switches'' or ``passed parameters'' is the program ``call.'' Often a menu will be loaded that will integrate the calling and starting of many programs. It is common for consultants, systems integrators and dealers to either write menu programs or package up commercial ones. These frequently are loaded by the AUTOEXEC.BAT, and establish the user interface for the machine. If not, you are left with DOS at this point. Many versions of DOS are out and you should know what version you are running. Type the command ``VER'' and press ENTER at a prompt and the computer will display the version number for you. Note: It is best and safest to use only one version of DOS if you have several computers, particularly if they share files. The Man - Machine compromise Computer usage is an area marked by a compromise between man and machine. We compromise with the machine by our learning rules of use (syntax). The machine compromises with us by letting us communicate with it in something close to natural language (a high-level language) rather than in binary numbers alone. We meet in a middle ground, made more pleasant for our use by giving the machine a set of programming tools with a strong and understandable human interface. Programs with excellent ``user interface'' have prospered and are normally said to be user-friendly (unfortunately an overworked expression.) Alternatives to the Command Line Interface Most of the application programs have satisfactory user interfaces. Unfortunately, the disk operating system (DOS) does not. A very limited collection of programs, commonly referred to as DOS ``Shell(s)'' or ``Masks'' have tried to address this area. After DOS version 4 Microsoft has included a DOSSHELL that allows for a Graphically User Interface (GUI). Windows, another Microsoft product was designed to also give a GUI interface and make programs easy to launch or start by using a mouse and program icons. These pictures (icons) are easy to start by moving the mouse pointer to the icon and clicking one of the mouse buttons (usually twice). Normally the left button is used if more than one is present. The other alternative to a GUI type of interface is to represent complex program calls with a simpler choice that will launch the program. Many such menu programs are found commercially and will make the computer easier to use. If you need help installing some sort of ``menu control,'' call your systems integrator, or check with a software shop. Due to the command line interface found in DOS, most program integrators will offer some kind of menu structure, to simplify their use. The use of menus is one way to simplify use of the computer. Another is to simplify the syntax of the commands that we regularly employ. Your system integrator (the person who makes all the products work together) can write simplifying syntax. These are often called batch programs, and many millions of them are in use today. Syntax and meaning are elaborated on in the glossary, and it covers both DOS and the computer. Please review the vocabulary provided if you find yourself wondering what a term means. Enjoy the educational experience as you explore the power these systems make available to you. Computers are ``Time Machines.'' The input of your valuable time in learning them will pay rich dividends in productivity gained and time saved. Gains of many times the original investment are not only possible, they are probable. Even so, as a teacher of computer science and application, I understand very well the frustration these machines can generate. The ``stupid'' issue. Common Errors and Problems The most common error to occur in the use of a computer, is the assumption that a command learned for one program applies to the system in general. For example, to get a list of files in the BASIC language you would request ``FILES,'' not ``DIR,'' as is the case when the computer is under the control of the disk operating system. Keyboard Command Problems Many programs use ``Q'' for quit rather than ``X'' for exit. Other alternatives include the use of zero or the ESC key. Happily, the better programs will tell you what each key means. Function keys are constantly being reassigned by programs as they run. Don't ever assume you know what a function key does unless the program tells you. Some programs will supply templates for the function keys, but these are subject to loss or require changes as you move from program to program. There is one small point of consistency. Many programs use F1 for Help and F10 to Exit. Note: Many programs don't use the function keys at all. They retain the functions assigned to them in DOS. Please check your manual for each program as to how it handles the keyboard and function keys. The use of the escape (ESC) key is another point of interest and common error. Several programs use ESCape as a way to abandon the last command, or to undo or escape from a processing step. Others use it in connection with other keys to issue commands for communications or printer control. Still others use it as a short cut key. The control key, used with other keys, is another area where program changes make a world of difference to the use of a key. Wordstar(tm) uses control C to scroll through text, whereas DOS uses it to stop BAT files (or other DOS functions) and return control to you. Note: Although you must use it with caution, control and C (shortcut^C), or control and the Break key pressed together, will frequently rescue you if nothing else will help. Try an escape or return first. A ^C will stop most BAT files and return you to a prompt, although you may be asked whether you want to stop the Bat file and the machine will wait for a yes/no answer. Syntax Problems The next big area of problems is that of syntax. You know the command, but not the order in which it must be given, This means many trips to the manual or much trial and error. Batch files can be designed to simplify the syntax of commands by putting the correct commands in BAT files, which execute as if they were entered from the keyboard. Also, simple cheat sheets can be written to help you remember these points of syntax. Some better programs have a question switch. By entering a ? or /? after the program call, a help screen will appear. A few programs will give you help screens if you enter the call without arguments, particularly if they require them. Color Screen Problems Here are some other common problems. Some programs check to see if you have a color card in your system, and switch to it even if you only have a monochrome monitor. This can make the display very hard to read. Many of these programs can be run in black and white mode by entering a switch called BW, or /BW, or /B&W, or /MONO, after the program call. Also, some color programs will let you change the colors used. By using high contrast colors, the readability is improved. In the more complicated machines another area of concern is memory allocation. Care must be taken to load some programs (particularly Terminate and Stay Resident ``TSR'') in the correct order. How to Reset The last resort. If your system will not respond (locks up) and if all else fails, you can reset on IBM or compatible systems with a ConTRoL ALT and DEL (Press all three keys together). In the really desperate hang ups, you turn the power off, then wait 10 seconds, then back on. This may cause data loss, so it is always the last resort. Some clones have reset buttons that can be used instead of turning the power off. Always allow a short wait before turning a computer back on (ten seconds is enough). This is particularly true of early Compaq computers. Many machines have power sequences to reset after a power re-cycle. As power supplies (particularly fast switching supplies) become better there is less need of this practice, but it can't hurt. Uninterruptable Power Supplies One more comment about power. If you have a mission critical need (you can't afford to go down or even minor data losses are intolerable) then get a UPS. The UPS (uninterruptable power supply) is not a brown truck that delivers computers and other packages. It is a device to keep your computer running if the power company fails or glitches. Get one big enough for a computer. Add up the wattage requirements of everything to be supported, and multiply by 1.3 for a safety factor. I don't normally worry about the printer, as it is a heavy load device that rarely needs fault tolerance. By the way, when turning off the machine, normally you should be at a DOS prompt, or machines with hard disks should be ``parked.'' A ``Park'' program is used to position the heads of the hard drive in a safe (non-data) area, so that if the machine takes a bump in moving, the data under the heads is not damaged. Some drives are auto parking, but when in doubt park it before you move it. Usually you type the command PARK, but it may be PARKIDE, IDEPARK, HDPARK or SHIPDISK instead. Check with your vendor. Go ahead and USE it... The last common problem incurred is by people who won't try to fully use their system because they think they may hurt it or erase something. Don't worry about these erasures and other things because you WILL DO THEM. Avoid the hurt and data loss by backup of all your data and programs. Then go ahead and play; learn the system by use. For such a powerful tool, regular use is the only satisfactory way. Preventive Maintenance and Operations Now a word about keeping the hardware working. First, make sure good surge suppressers are used for both power and the modem line. Lightning strikes are no fun. If you network with remote terminals that draw from a different power leg make sure that no ground faults exist and that the grounds are reliable. Keep the machines clean. They should be routinely cleaned every six months to a year, more often if you smoke, or have a printer within four feet of the computer. Watch out for paper chaff build-up in your computer. It can be explosive. Heat is the great enemy of hardware, so make sure that ventilation is provided. If you operate in a hot environment, then provide an extra fan for the hardware. With exception of screens it is best to leave systems on, for they experience less power stress that way. Screens can have images burned into them, so use a SCREEN SAVER program, or turn down the brightness when not in use. Looking things up... Now that we have everything working, let us again consider the user interface issues. Many users find themselves quite comfortable using primary applications, be it word processing, spreadsheets, DBMS or any of the other fifteen or so primary tools. But they find it difficult to remember commands they use infrequently. Because of this, disks are backed up infrequently, or accidentally reformatted, and the redirection of a printer output to another port is a nightmare not easily forgotten. Most of the books on the subject are reference manuals and not much help. You can, however, do what computer consultants have been doing for years. They write batch files to accomplish these tasks. Also contrary to popular belief, even the best computer professionals don't remember all the commands. They look them up, too. Please don't be afraid to do the same thing. If you are buying a new program, please remember to make a copy of your original (master) disks. These copies are called ``working'' disks. Additional backups of the same disk might be referred to as ``archive'' disks. For non-copy-protected programs, the diskcopy program (or command) on your DOS disk will work fine. Copy-protected programs will have a procedure to make backups or supply one to you. To install a program on your hard disk, most commercial programs use an install or setup program, or the vendor will provide explicit instructions. Never install a new program onto a hard disk without a backup made first. Again, if you don't know how, find out. The syntax of the DOS backup command is BACKUP C:\*.* A: / s Remember to copy the originals in addition to having the hard drive backup. Many third-party companies make copy programs that will copy the so-called copy protected disks. This is for your backup use, not piracy. Care of Floppy Disks Now some comments on the floppy disks themselves. They are fragile and subject to being erased. The industry recommends that you don't touch the surface of the unprotected disks (the part inside the jacket.) Keep the environment clean don't fold - spindle - or mutilate, and watch out for stray magnetic fields like magnetized paper clips. I recommend all the above, but most of all be sure to have copies. By the way, give all those magnetized paper clip holders to your non-computerized friends. They are an accident waiting to happen. The 3.5 inch disks widely used in most portable computers and IBM PS/2's are somewhat tougher, but the same precautions apply. Accidental Erasures If you do erase a disk or a file, call your system consultant immediately. They can often recover the data. The same applies to an accidental re-format of a hard drive. Most are recoverable in the hands of an expert when given immediate notice of the situation. If you do need to recover an erased file do not turn off the machine and do not copy anything to the hard drive until the file recovery has been attempted. Programs like Norton Unerase and now the DOS Unerase command in DOS 6 have made it possible for end users to recover these accidents. Be sure to read the documentation provided carefully if you need to attempt this. Hard Disks and Sub directories If you have a hard disk (and you should, as the price has dropped drastically) plan to learn about sub directories. Many users of DOS machines are fine as long as each program is on a separate disk. They even learn to use DOS well. But when the hard disk comes, they fall into what I call the ``sub directory pit.'' Sub directories are nothing more than a division on the disk to keep things organized, and to avoid the problem of programs interacting with each other in strange ways. All programs that can be isolated into logical groups should be loaded in sub directories. You make sub directories with the ``MD'' command, and change to it with ``CD'' command. Each of these commands must be followed by the name of a sub directory. By the way, IBM, in their infinite wisdom, did not document ``MD'' and ``CD,'' the shorthand commands everyone uses. You have to look them up under ``MKDIR'' and ``CHDIR.'' Reprogramming the PROMPT Because of the growing use of sub directories, the sub directories you are in can be seen by typing the commands CD and ENTER, or by issuing the prompt command PROMPT=$P$G to change the prompt line to show the sub directory. Using PROMPT alone will change it (the prompt) back. Remember that after the various DOS commands, it is necessary to press the enter key, or carriage return key, depending on how your keyboard is marked. When to use the Enter Key The use of the ENTER (shorthand CR) key confuses some people in that some programs will ``hot key'' their single letter responses. In these programs, the menus require only a single keystroke to activate some part of the program. The computer is told to monitor the keyboard and respond immediately to a keystroke. Some badly-designed programs mix hot key action with choices requiring the ENTER key's use, and are therefore very confusing. Here is my rule of thumb: When using one-character keystroke commands, press the key, and wait; if nothing happens, then press ENTER. By doing this on new programs, you get to learn their action before you get a strange result due to mixing the keystrokes or getting ahead of yourself. The Path... The DOS ``path'' statement is quite important to any program on a hard disk. Should any routine not work, check the path statement. You do this by typing PATH and ENTER at a system prompt. In the last few years, some programmers have suffered myopia (short-sightedness) by believing that theirs were the only files that mattered and were insensitive about clobbering (erasing by overwriting) other programs, particularly on hard disk systems. While we are on the question of clobbering other files, I should mention again two that get clobbered most often. These are AUTOEXEC.BAT (which is run when you boot the disk in question), and CONFIG.SYS (which is an important system file). Type the command TYPE CONFIG.SYS and see if it contains a statement BUFFERS= and a number. Any number between 12 and 24 on a PC or XT is acceptable. AT's may have values in the 40 range. If it does not have this statement, then use your text processor to change it - unless a disk cache program is being used and they tell you not to. Note: EDLIN, an editing program on your DOS disk, is quite suitable to do this. Note: EDIT is now supplied with DOS or EDITOR for DRDOS. These are better edit programs. Many folks like to use Sidekick<191> or Wordstars<191> non-document mode as other satisfactory ASCII editors. Program Compatibility On questions of compatibility, you should find no trouble on any true IBM compatible. You may find that you need a different copy of BASIC or GWBASIC in clones, however. Also a few early programs only worked on a particular version or model of computer. But this is now the rare exception rather than the rule. Most programs will run in a family of machines such as IBM or Mac. A few programs will run on both platforms, for example PageMaker. Even more rare are programs that run on many different computers under different operating systems and maintain file compatibility. Comments on Apple Computers The Apple Macintosh (Mac) does not run DOS, but files can be transferred by special cables or disk translation programs. The Mac uses an ICON (picture or symbol) based user interface, and programmers that write for it have to agree to use this common user interface. I generally find Apple products more expensive than the DOS world, particularly for color, but they are easier to learn. Note, conformity brings standards and control, but stifles innovation and competition. I vote for open standards and have a leaning away from Mac for this reason. Products like WINDOWS on IBM make them very Mac-like in the user interface. To their credit, Apple is opening their standards and architecture on later product releases. I am pleased to see progress here. To the DOS world's credit, they are improving the user interface and making programs easier to use. Competition is a good thing; products get better. Now let's see if we can't learn to use DOS. How To Use Dos To really understand the IBM DOS world, you will need to learn more about Disk Operating System (DOS). The Disk Operating System is an operating system (control program) written for use on computers with disk storage devices. You can think of the DOS as the common sense of your computer. You expect people to have common sense and be able to walk and talk, etc. Well, the DOS allows your computer to function in much the same way as basic education does for a person. The disk operating system is the program that controls and coordinates the resources of your computer. It is also the primary user interface between you and the computer. Some of the features of DOS are always present (internal), and some are separate programs that are read in as needed (external). A partial list of the most-used commands and features will follow. DOS is divided into three parts: BIOS, the basic input output system; BDOS, the basic disk operating system; and COMMAND.COM, the command process interpreter. The first two, BIOS and BDOS, are hidden files and do not show on the directory. COMMAND.COM will be shown in the directory. Examples above are for MS-DOS or PC-DOS. This difference in names is due to IBM's use of PC. See the Glossary for information on common DOS commands. DOS commands are internal or external. Internal commands function whenever COMMAND.COM is loaded, and external commands only work when the file associated with the command is available to the system. The files of these commands must be on your disk to work. Or they can be in the path that is searched by DOS, which you can see by typing PATH or SET. All commands covering drive operations include a colon after the drive letter, except the ASSIGN command. The command process interpreter (in the file COMMAND.COM) will look at keystrokes followed by an ENTER key press and compare the keystrokes (keystroke string) in the following way. First, the interpreter compares the keystrokes sent to a list of internal commands. If no match is found, then the interpreter will search the active directory, and then the path for a file of the same name followed by a .COM, then by an .EXE and then by a .BAT extension. The first match is run. If no match is found, then the error message ``Bad command or file name*'' will be displayed. Again, it may be a perfectly good file name, but you may be logged onto the wrong drive, or the path may not be ``set.'' Note: Many people believe that if you type a command, followed by the full extension (.COM, .EXE, .BAT), that they can get around the execution order. This is not true. For example, if both PARK.EXE and PARK.COM are in the directory and you type PARK.EXE - PARK.COM will still be the file that will run. So be careful of name overlaps. The .BAT (batch) files are a way of sending a large series of keystrokes as if they were sent from the keyboard. A limited programming capability is part of the batch language and the commands that follow may be found in batch files to control the execution of these files. Batch files may also have many internal and external DOS commands, as well as other program ``calls'' in them. * Note: Newer versions of DOS will issue the statement ``Command or filename not recognized.'' This is slightly better wording, but the same cautions apply. Computer Backup and Utility Programs Many excellent third-party back-up programs have made the process faster and easier than doing it in DOS. I recommend that you consider programs like FASTBACK, PC-TOOLS, and FULLBACK. I have used all three and prefer any of them to the DOS way. Some systems will have streaming tape drives to back up with, and these are very easy to use. Video tape is another way to backup, but whatever way you do it, DO IT. There are other third-party programs that you should know about. Everyone, at sometime or another, will erase or delete a file they need, and many good programs exist to recover such files. Two of the best are NORTON UTILITIES and PC-TOOLS. You should have one or the other. Be sure that the one you have works on your drives (very important if you have a drive bigger than 32 megabytes.) Another very useful disk is the CTC test disk, a collection of the best public domain test software, available from us at $19.95 a disk or downloadable from our BBS system - One Crossroads Place<191> A special 700 number is used to access this board; call from AT&T only to 0-(700) BBS-BANK. By using this number you can call from anywhere outside Missouri and it will cost only 15 cents a minute at night. You must dial 0 not 1. Missouri residents and non AT&T customers call (816) 254-5340; normal long distance rates apply. Always have a copy of the correct version of DOS handy, as well as the program needed to reload your back ups. I make up a special boot disk that has the CONFIG. SYS, and all the drivers and programs needed to rebuild the system, including the program to reload the backup. I call this disk ``REBUILDER'' and put it in the backup set as ``Disk Zero.'' It is also a good idea to have a file list of all the programs in the system (you can get such a list with the following DOS command, (TREE /F > A:FILELIST.LOG'). You need a disk in the A: drive (that is formatted) and have the drive door closed. If you forgot to close the door on the A:, you would get an error message about drive or device failure and a request to Abort, Retry or Ignore (in some versions Fail). Close the door and hit R for retry. This is a hot key. You don't need to press ENTER. This illustrates the fact that some error messages that say something is not working are really just due to operator error. Before you decide that the machine is broken, please recheck for such minor errors as drive doors not closed and switches properly set. About Customization of Batch Files Batch files are designed to be modified, should you require, and it is even encouraged. It is strongly suggested that you read the DOS manual sections on batch processing and have a suitable text editor or word processor that will create ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) files. Only modify copies, NOT the originals! Review the batch commands already listed. See if you can follow the flow of control in the batch files already on your system. Again, batch files on DOS computers all end in the extension .BAT and you can use the TYPE command to see them. DOS 6 Considerations Microsoft with DOS 6 added several commercial 3rd party programs to the DOS standards. Notable among these were the Undelete, Defragment, and Anti-virus programs of Symantic / Peter Norton. I applaud the inclusion of these high quality 3rd party packages to add what DOS should have had all along. I have reservations however, about the disk compression product bundled with DOS 6. I recommend if you use it that you keep rididly to your backup procedures and be prepared for a full reload. I urge Microsoft to include a way to reverse the use of the Double Space utility. At this point I recommend that disk compression not be used, if at all avoidable. Update: DOS 6.2 is much better upgrade. Microsoft lost a court case with Stac Electronics and can not at the moment sell the doublespace utility. Try the Stacker version instead. Device Drivers Almost all devices added to computer systems in the last few years will use some sort of device driver to have DOS (written before many of these devices were invented) recognize that the device exists. These device drivers loaded in the correct order are crucial to the effective operation of the computer. This is particuly true with device drivers for so called ``stacked'' drives. Be very careful to note the correct load order so that each device is recognized and available before it is called on by some other program. A device driver is nothing more than a translation program that explains to DOS how the new device works. Many printer problems are nothing more than the wrong drive being loaded. Network Considerations Whenever a network is operational be careful about the length of the path statement. Network drives should be included in the path statement with drive tokens rather than the long drive statements. All systems should have a way to join and/or to leave the network without the system coming to a grinding halt because some of the resources can't be found. Adding Applications Programs When you go to add a new program the most important thing you can do is to backup the drive prior to adding the new program. If for some reason you can't backup then at the very least make copies of the Autoexec.bat and config.sys files in the root directory. Put a blank formatted floppy in the A: drive and issue the following commands. Copy C:\autoexec.bat A: Copy C:\config.sys A: By having copies of these two files (which are often modified by new programs installing themselves) you can often recover from some changes that might impair your system operation. If you are installing Windows based programs copy the .ini files as well. Menuing Systems If you need to simplify your system, add one of the many commercial or shareware menuing systems. We have one called Batchwork Quilt that will replace complex command line syntax with simple one and two letter commands. Any computer consultant can offer you some sort of menu that is inexpensive and effective. Disk Compression Software I have made some comments on disk compression programs in regard to DOS 6's double-space. Generally I recommend that you avoid these programs if you can; however they do offer substantial gains in disk space by more efficiently using the space you have. I myself used DOS 5 and Stac Electronics Stacker 3.0 and 4.0, until I helped rescue several clients from DOS 6 compression problems. I used the revenue and bought a bigger drive. In time I am sure that these programs will become totally reliable, but I have mild reservations about them now. Windows Windows 3.1 now has sold many millions of copies. Windows is a very useful program and many new products are now found because the software developers could take advantage of the Windows interface. I wish that Windows was better documented, and gave you more information when errors occur. Before installing a new program into Windows, copy your .ini and .grp files. Windows tends to always grow in size and if you find the new program you just installed does not meet your needs it can be very difficult to remove them. Even if you get rid of the program and the sub directories involved changes to the .ini files are very hard to reverse. I urge all software manufacturers including Microsoft to include an ``uninstall'' routine to undo the changes they have made. Thanks to Microsoft for a start in this, in allowing the reversal of the DOS 6 installation. Windows 3.1 is a memory hog (a failing common to many new programs). I recommend a minimum of 4 megabytes if you are going to run windows. Don't even think of running it with only the 2 megs they call for as a minimum. Windows programs are consistent in the use of the word SETUP as a command to begin an install routine. Installing Other Packages Most other software packages use the word INSTALL for the self-install routine. The comments about making copies of the config.sys and autoexec.bat should be followed. Don't forget to backup if at all possible. Naturally the documentation that comes with the package should be followed if it conflicts with these instructions. So there you have it, the Basics of computer usage.... This section - Section five, can be used by companies needing to get their employees up to speed in DOS and basic usage. If it is removed from this file full credit, our copyright notice and our address must be included in the file. Graeme Gibson 816-252-4080 Voice Computer Training Corporation 816-252-5545 Fax 610 West Maple Avenue 800-329-0911 Orders Independence, MO 64050 graeme@tyrell.net Internet HOST33A Prodigy ID (Text file continues below) Part Six - Getting Help - Trouble shooting and Repairs. What to do when it doesn't work First - Don't panic. We will be able to fix it. Don't turn it off, unless the thing is making dreadful noises or pouring out smoke or sparks. We want to take care of software issues before the hardware. What to do if it stops working First we have to decide whether we have to fix hardware, or software, or users. As you may guess it is often the user, or builder that is broken. Our objective is to identify what is wrong, and take action to rectify it. Important Notes For This Section: 1. Never change a jumper setting or a DIP switch setting with the power on. 2. Avoid the chance that the machine will be turned on by another person while you are working on it. When in doubt unplug it. 3. Be very careful about dropping tools or parts (particularly screws) into the case. 4. Watch having power supply wires short against anything. Trobleshooting The first area I will touch on is general trouble shooting what to do if it hasn't booted or has suddenly failed. Then I will go on to disk drive problems and general repairs. IF THE MACHINE IS SMOKING OR SPARKING, OR SCREAMING, GET IT OFF FAST; EVERY SECOND YOU WAIT ANOTHER PRECIOUS SUBSYSTEM IS DYING. YOU BLEW THE CONNECTIONS ON P8 or P9. Or you have a bad part or a short. Go over the power supply connection section again, and have someone check your work. Look for any shorts. If all else is good get return authorizations on the PS and MB. 1. If you did get a boot, try to attach a drive and controller. If one isn't installed already, then run the diagnostic software* from a floppy and learn what it tells you. If a hard drive with data on it is involved try and back it up. If not go to step two. 2. If you didn't get a first screen, or the power supply fan did not come on, stay at or go back to a minimum configuration. 3. Test the power source; be sure it is good. Plug some other appliance into it and see if it works. Be sure the power switches on the unit and on the power strips were on. * See the section on our BBS to get some diagnostic software if you don't have a commercial program such as MSD, Check-it or QA-Plus. 4. Plug only one 5.25" floppy disk drive into the power supply, and disconnect the PS from everything else. Check again to insure you are on the right voltage. Try it now, and if you get a fan running, then start adding devices one at a time. If the power supply fails when a device is added, that device is shorting the supply. If you get no fan, change the single floppy and try again. If you still have no fan exchange the supply. 5. Once you have the power supply tested and running, try again reconnecting the motherboard. Use great care in connecting P8 and P9. Check again for metal objects shorting the motherboard. Power up again and see if you have a power LED, or five volts at the power LED connector. Note: do not short the connector while measuring the voltage. You must be careful. If you have a power LED or five volts (3.3 volts on low power motherboards,) then go on to reseating chips. If not, replace the motherboard. Note: if you have five volts but no LED light, then turn around the LED connector; you have it reverse biased. Still no light? Try the HDD (hard disk drive) LED; it is identical except for color. Always try cycling (pressing) the reset button; some machines just have to get hit with a few NMI's (non maskable interrupt) before they will start. 6. Reseat all the chips. With gentle finger pressure push down on all the chips with a very gentle rocking motion. Never use more than gentle finger pressure. No tools ! Go over the motherboard documentation; read the trouble shooting sections of all your manuals; check everything again, then, test again. 7. Remove and remount memory, swapping banks, if they are the same. Be very careful with the SIMM's mounts. They are fragile, especially the plastic ones. Check pin one orientation on everything. Test again. 8. Remove and reseat all the cards. Remove and reseat all cables. Try the video card first. IF you still have no luck, but you are getting power and the turbo light is working, try exchanging cards. You may have a bad one; start with the video card. Note: Before you give up on the video card, try turning the contrast and brightness on the monitor all the way up. You should see a dot or a line on the monitor if you pull the video cable with the monitor and computer on. Remember that the monitor can take 30 seconds or so to warm up so give it that time, as long as you are not hearing strange noises from it. 9. Have someone else check over your work (some simple errors turn up this way) and repeat the steps to yourself. Confirm that your minimum configuration has at least a PS, MB, at least two rows (banks) of memory, a CPU, a BIOS chip (normally premounted on the motherboard), and a keyboard. Note: Check the key lock. Some boards will not come up without the keyboard attached, and having it turned off is just like having it disconnected. 10. Get professional help. Call the manufacturer's tech support, or me, or a local dealer for help. Trouble shooting for Disk Drives 1. The biggest area of failure on drives is cable errors. Check again for pin one and stripe orientation. 2. Reset power supply connections. 3. Be sure drive selector jumpers are in the right place, If you moved them try putting them back and seeing if it works. 4. If you get a steady drive light, the cable is backwards. Reverse it. 5. Check the setup or dip switch settings again. Be sure they are right. Remember the twisted ends of the cable are for the first drive letters, i.e. A: and C: 6. Not all C: drives used a twist; some used a drive selector. Try a straight through cable. Repairs The last area I will touch on is the area of repairs. Problems with computers break down into these areas: Operator error, dirt, loose cables or connections, magnetic contamination, heat build-up problems, voltage spikes, true hardware failure, and software failure. More than 50% of the problems are of the first three types. Before you call the repair person, check your steps. Make sure you keep the computer clean, and check that the cables are plugged in tightly. If your system is mission critical, have extra cables on hand. They are often the problem. If you have a ``gut'' feeling that there is a problem, save that file, start a new backup on new media (disk or tape,) and report your suspicions. Examine very carefully what may have changed. Then try and undo that change. Most computer systems that have been working will keep on working as long as they are kept clean. For non technical end users here are some tips that will help. Often a repair person can lead you through some simple testing, such as testing the printer in ``self test mode.'' This will help isolate problems between the computer and the printer. Do a self-test before you call repair about a printer problem. It is one of the first things the person on the other end is going to ask you if you did. Unless the machine is producing sparks, making noise that you have never heard, or making smoke, leave it ON until help arrives or you are told to turn it off. Many a file could have been saved if the operator had not turned off the machine. If any error messages were displayed, please write them down and tell the repair technician. Also tell them any sequence of events that led to the failure, and what program was active when the unit failed. Now get in there and work (or play) with that computer. Make backups, then have fun. Remember the four laws. And know that you are going to get the productivity out before the frustration. Be good natured about learning your lessons. Almost everyone who uses a computer has a dandy of a story to tell about operator error. One of my favorites is the story of a professional investor who had an upgrade done on his monitor, and then called, all frantic, because he couldn't get it to come on. When I went out to his site, I started it right up. He had forgotten that the screen also had a power switch, which he didn't use because he used the computer switch. The installing technician had naturally turned off all the devices when the unit was returned. The user was just sure that the shop had missed something. So please check even the obvious, like my other favorite ``is it plugged in?'' Important Note: Techies, don't give up. I tell all of my repair students that many problems have been solved with what I call ``futzing.'' Keep trying whatever you can think of including talking to it nicely. You would be surprised at what a resource the intuitive leap is and how you can suddenly solve long-standing problems by using your imagination. Persistence pays off. How to call for tech support Collect and keep in your computer file the phone numbers and names of everyone you have ever called for help. When you finally reach a technician ask for their fax numbers and direct line numbers if you are cut off. Having the tech support's fax number can be the fastest way to get help. These people are swamped, and having a fax with your problem and contact numbers and times can save a lot of phone tag. Always have your computer file at hand, have all the addresses you have discovered, and if calling about software, a copy of your config.sys and autoexec.bat files as well. Manufactures Names and Phone Numbers The manufacturer's names and phone numbers are available for a small fee by request. Call our fax back phone service at 816-461-4466, from your fax machine, for details. How to Use Our BBS Another way you can get names and addresses or diagnostic software is to call our full time BBS (Bulletin Board System.) This BBS system - One Crossroads Place is free but calls are on your dime. We do have a special 700 number that can be used to access this board; call from AT&T lines only to 0-(700) BBS-BANK. By using this number you can call from anywhere outside Missouri and it will cost only 15 cents a minute at night. The maximum day rate is 28 cents a minute. Missouri residents and non AT&T customers call (816) 254-5340; normal long distance rates apply. How to get help from The Author I almost hate to tell you that virtually everything you need to know I have in my head. It got there because I spent $125,000+ on my education and spend a month, or so, out of each year keeping up with the changes. I love to talk about computers, but because of the TV show, I get support calls and conversation requests all the time. Please try and solve your own problem before you call, but know that I am happy to help when available. I strongly recommend you fax me your problem, then follow up with a call a little while later. My strongest suit is the IBM micro world but I can deal with most other problems as well. My phone number is 816-252-4080 and the fax is 816-252-5545. I am going to charge you sixty dollars per hour, a substantial discount on my normal rate of $120.00, so mention that you have the course. Do not for any reason call in on the 800 line. We don't do tech support calls that way, and can not help if you call in on this line. Historically we have had a real problem with this. One of the reasons that I have not re-issued the course until this time is that the first book swamped me with phone calls. I am happy to help, but we will be billing you. Always try the manufacturers and vendors first; they are your least expensive help. Thank you for your understanding about the limitations of my resources and my time. Graeme Gibson You may also contact me through the BBS previously listed, or by means of Prodigy (my account ID is HOST33A) or through the Internet: graeme@tyrell.net We will try to keep you posted as to changes in this contact information if you send in your reader responce form found on the next page. To keep your book intact you may fax in the page or make a photocopy to mail to us. Part Seven - Appendix Diagnostic Software See the comments on the BBS in the previous section, also many fine commercial diagnostic programs are available from Touchstone Software and QA - Plus. These are available from retail outlets like Egghead Software and Babbages. Many times your vendor will also have diagnostic software that they will make available on request. Reference Section The next section is full of those things that you need to look up as you go along. Consider it a supplement to the documentation that should accompany the parts you buy. I strongly recommend that you photocopy your manuals and notes and add them to this section. FLIE VERSION NOTES: SEE THE NOTE BELOW REGARDING THE REFERENCE SECTION AND THE GLOSSARY FOR THIS COURSE. Glossary A detailed glossary is found at the conclusion of this section. It is derived of excerpts from my soon to be released book ``All The Alphabet Soup.'' I am happy to say more than 350 terms are listed and explained, including brief comments on the DOS commands. Index Authors Note: Not every reference is linked in the index; I find it more valuable to follow indexes to primary areas. The glossary carries substantial additional information. However, since it is already in alphabetical order glossary references are omitted for brevity. A Acknowledgements xi AMD 1-3 B-2 AMI B-8 Appendix A-1 ASCII 5-12, B-11, B-13 AT 3-5 Autoexec.bat 5-5, 5-15 Award Bios B-8 B Backup 5-14 Bare Bones 2-1 Basic Concepts 1-2 Basic Computer Language 5-12 Batch Files 5-14 BBS 6-4 Beep Codes B-8 Binary Values B-12 BDOS 5-13 BIOS 5-3, 5-13 Boot 3-8 BIT 5-4 C Cases 1-4, 3-3 CD 5-11 CD/ROM's 3-10 CMOS 3-9 Com Ports 4-1 Command.com 5-13 Command Line 5-6 Config.sys 5-5, 5-15 Connectors (Pinouts) B-10 Cyrex 1-3, B-2 D Debug B-6 Device Drivers 5-15 Disk Drives 1-5 Documentation 3-2 DOS 5-12, 5-15 E Edlin 5-12 EISA 3-9 Enter Key 5-11 ESCape 5-7 ESDI 3-8, 3-9, 5-12 F Fax Cards 4-1 FCC 1-5, 2-1 Fdisk B-6 Floppy Drives 3-8, 5-10 Fixed Disks 3-9 G Glossary G-1 Graphics Resolutions 1-7, B-4 GUI 5-6 H Hard Drives 3-9, 5-10 Hexadecimal 4-1, B-13 I IDE 3-9 ISA 1-3 I/O 3-7 Index I-1 Intel 1-3, B-2 Interrupt (IRQ) 3-10, 4-1, B-5 J Jumpers 3-5 K Keyboards 5-7 L Local Bus 1-3 M Macintosh 5-12, B-16 MCA 1-3 MD 5-11 Memory 1-6, B-14 MFM 3-10, B-6 MIDI 4-2 Mini Tower 1-4 MIO 500 2-1 Modems 4-1 Monitor Selection 1-7 Motherboards 1-3, 3-4 Multitasking 1-6 N Networking 1-6 Network Cards 4-2 O Operating