Epson Computer - User Manual

The EPSON Endeavor L is a personal computer designed for general use, featuring a range of configurable options for its CPU, memory, and storage. It supports various Intel 486 processors, including SX, DX, and DX2, with upgrade paths to SX2, DX4, or Pentium OverDrive processors. DX4 processors require an adapter board for voltage regulation. The system operates at either a fast speed (processor speed) or a slow speed (8 MHz), with 0 wait state memory access at fast speed. Users can switch between fast and slow speeds using Ctrl+Alt+- (slow) or Ctrl+Alt++ (fast) on the numeric keypad, and the default speed is selectable through SETUP.

CPU and Memory

The 32-bit CPU supports Intel 486SX, DX, or DX2 processors, with upgradability to faster SX2, DX4, or Pentium OverDrive processors. The system includes 4MB of RAM standard on the main system board, expandable up to 36MB using 1MB, 4MB, and 16MB 72-pin, 32-bit or 36-bit fast-page mode SIMMs with a 70ns access speed. The ISA bus speed for all processors is 8.3 MHz. Local bus video speed matches the processor speed; for DX2/50 and DX2/66, internal speeds are 50 and 66 MHz, while external speeds are 25 and 33 MHz, respectively.

The system features 128KB of system and video BIOS and SETUP code in EPROM. Video RAM (VRAM) is 512KB or 1MB DRAM standard, expandable to 1MB using a 256 x 16-bit, 40-pin SOJ DRAM chip. Shadow RAM supports shadowing of system and video BIOS ROM into RAM. An 8KB internal cache is present on the processor, with support for 32KB, 64KB, 128KB, or 256KB of external cache using 28-pin, 8x8, 20ns DIP chips or 28-pin, 32x8, 20ns DIP chips, and 28-pin, 32x8, 15ns tag chips. For SX-based systems, an 80487SX math coprocessor can be installed, while DX-based and Pentium OverDrive processors have built-in math coprocessors. A real-time clock, calendar, and CMOS RAM are socketed on the main system board with an external 3.6V battery backup.

Controllers and Interfaces

The EPSON Endeavor L integrates a Cirrus Logic CD5428 high-speed Super VGA local bus on-board controller with True Color support. The diskette controller on the main system board supports up to two diskette drives or one diskette drive and one tape drive. The hard disk interface supports up to two IDE hard disk drives with built-in controllers. A local bus SVGA interface is provided for fixed or multi-frequency monitors via a 15-pin D-shell connector.

Other interfaces include a standard 8-bit parallel uni- or bi-directional interface (25-pin D-shell, I/O address selectable via SETUP), two RS-232C programmable asynchronous serial interfaces (9-pin D-shell), a PS/2 compatible keyboard interface (6-pin mini DIN), and a PS/2 compatible mouse interface (6-pin mini DIN).

Mass Storage

The system has one 3.5-inch wide, half-height internal mount and two 5.25-inch wide, half-height externally accessible mounts. Diskette drive options include 3.5-inch (720KB or 1.44MB), 5.25-inch (360KB or 1.2MB), and combination 3.5-inch/5.25-inch drives. Hard disk drives are 3.5-inch form factor, half-height size, with the first mounted in a vertical internal bay and the second in an externally accessible horizontal bay. Other devices supported include half-height tape drives, CD-ROM drives, optical drives, or other storage devices, with 5.25-inch or 3.5-inch options using mounting frames.

Physical Characteristics and Power

The computer measures 14.8 inches (370 mm) wide, 16.5 inches (412 mm) deep, and 4.8 inches (120 mm) high. It weighs 16.7 lb (7.5 kg) with one diskette drive and one hard disk. The power supply is an 85 Watt, autosensing, UL-listed, fan-cooled unit, supporting input ranges of 100V to 125V and 200V to 240V at 50/60Hz. Maximum outputs are +5 VDC at 11 Amps, -5 VDC at 0.3 Amp, +12 VDC at 2.0 Amps, and -12 VDC at 0.3 Amp. Power cables connect to the main system board and mass storage devices.

Environmental Requirements

Operating temperature ranges from 41° to 90° F (5° to 32° C) with 20% to 90% non-condensing humidity. Altitude is -330 to 9,900 ft (-100 to 3,000 m), and maximum wet bulb temperature is 68° F (20° C). Acoustical noise is 37.5 dB. Non-operating ranges are -4° to 140° F (-20° to 60° C) with 10% to 90% humidity, -330 to 39,600 ft (-100 to 12,000 m) altitude, and 104° F (40° C) maximum wet bulb. Storage ranges are -4° to 140° F (-20° to 60° C) with 10% to 90% humidity, -330 to 39,600 ft (-100 to 12,000 m) altitude, and 134° F (57° C) maximum wet bulb.

Usage and Maintenance Features

The system includes a detachable, two-position height keyboard with 101 or 102 sculpted keys, country-dependent main typewriter keyboard, numeric/cursor control keypad, and four-key cursor control keypad, and 12 function keys. SETUP program settings are stored in ROM and accessible by pressing the Delete key during boot.

System security features include a password (up to 8 characters) for system boot and keyboard unlock, with a definable hot key combination to lock the keyboard and mouse. Virus protection includes a write protection feature for the hard disk drive's boot sector.

For hard disk installation, users must select the correct type number from the provided tables or define a user-defined type (type 47) by entering exact parameters. If a 16-bit AT-type hard disk controller is used for a drive that cannot use the embedded IDE interface, the built-in IDE interface must be disabled in SETUP.

For copy-protected software, installation at high speed is recommended, but if issues arise, switching to low speed (Ctrl+Alt+-) may resolve them. Loading the program at low speed and then switching to high speed is also an option. For software using a key disk, high speed is recommended, with low speed as an alternative if problems occur.

If the computer fails to boot from the hard disk, the booting sequence in SETUP should be set to A: then C:, and then the computer should be booted from a system diskette in drive A. If a password is forgotten, it can be disabled by setting DIP switch 4 on the main system board to OFF, then power cycling the computer, and re-enabling the password function via DIP switch 4 and entering a new password in SETUP. A hot key designation can also be set in SETUP to secure the system, locking the keyboard and mouse until the password is entered.