ChemBook2600 Series

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For more information, please go to General FAQ.

BIOS

CPU

Video

Audio

Storage

PCMCIA

Hot Key

Miscellaneous


 

What's new in the latest BIOS Update?

The newest BIOS versions for ChemBook™ 2600 is version R1.14.

Version:R1.14 Date:January 7, 1998

This version has been released to fix the following problems:

  • Added Year 2000 compliant routine

  • Fixed the problem that display appears abnormal when pressing hot keys to adjust brightness, followed by a warm boot.

  •  

    Version:R1.13 Date:November 22, 1997

    This version has been released to fix the following problems:
    (Note: This version was NOT released to ChemBook™ Customers.

    1. VGA display problems are fixed with IBM SVGA TFT LCD Panel.

    Version:R1.10 Date:July 8, 1997

    This version has been released to fix the following problems:

    1. Windows NT and Windows 95 now recognizes memory up to 128MB.

    2. To prevent External CRT display flickering problems, Fn+F5 can no longer be used to switch to CRT display.

    3. The floppy drive is now automatically detected.

    Version:R1.08 Date:March 26, 1997

    This version has been released to fix the following problems:

    1. Identification for Intel® Pentium® processor with MMX™ Technology is corrected.

    2. A maximum of 128MB of RAM is supported with the use of memory extension board.

    3. Memory type (None/FP DRAM/EDO DRAM) is displayed.

    4. Fn+F8/F9 (Contrast controls) are disabled for TFT panel.

    5. Enabled Full Duplex mode in ASK IR Mode.

    6. System BIOS version display is moved to ROM setup main menu.

    7. Modified maximum year from 2030 to 2300 for ROM setup system date item.

    Version R1.04 Date: December 26, 1996

    This version has been released to fix the following problems:

    1. Extended memory will now display correctly after the CMOS is clear via hardware.

    2. The system can now get the parameter of the MO device under ROM setup.

    3. Brightness adjustment changed to 7 levels.

    Version R1.03 Date : December 18, 1996

    This version has been released to fix the following problems:

    1. Added support for GoldStar TFT panel.

    2. Modified the battery low warning threshold to 10%.

    3. Added LPT Port ROM-setup item so that it can be enabled or disabled.

    Version R1.00 Date : August 29, 1996

     

    How do I update the BIOS on the 2600?

    To update the BIOS on the 2600 to the newest version, follow this procedure :

    1. Download the BIOS update file from the 2600 FTP download page.

    2. Run the downloaded executable to extract the files in the archive.

    3. Boot up from a system disk. Make certain that no memory manager was loaded.

    4. From the directory where the extracted files are located, type "flash x.x", where x.x is the file name of the BIOS file.

    5. The flash program will start to load the file. After it is loaded, press B to begin.

    6. Make certain that the program is not interrupted for any reason. Restart the computer when prompted.

     

    Where can I find the BIOS version number on my system?

    You can find the correct BIOS version number only by pressing F2 upon boot up to enter SCU. The BIOS version is the number displayed on the first page of the SCU Setup. The System BIOS version which is displayed outside the SCU BIOS Setup will always show version 1.01 regardless of the BIOS update revision.

     

    Where can I find the jumper settings for the ChemBook™ 2600?

    The CPU jumper settings for the 2600 is not included in the manual, but should appear on an addendum to the manual. Here are the jumper settings.

    SW502 1 2 6 7
    P-75 Off Off Off On
    P-90 Off Off On Off
    P-100 Off Off Off Off
    P-120 Off On On Off
    P-133 Off On Off Off
    P-150 On On On Off
    P-166 On On Off Off
    P-200 On Off Off Off
    P-233 Off Off Off Off
    SW501 3.3 3.1 2.9 2.8 2.5 2.2 2.0 1.8
    1 On On On Off On Off Off Off
    2 On Off On On On Off On Off
    3 On On Off Off On On Off Off
    4 On On On On Off Off Off Off

    SW502-8 : On for Reset RTC, Off (default) for Normal

     

    Why does the characters on my SVGA screen look jagged?

    All ChemBook™ 2600 have SVGA screens, which displays at 800 by 600. Since the display mode for both Windows Graphics Mode and DOS mode is standard VGA, displaying at 640 by 480, you will see either one of two conditions.

    • The display covers the entire screen, and the characters seem jagged, not smooth.

    • The display covers only part of the screen, leaving about 1/2 inch border around the display.

    To switch between the two modes, you have to enable / disable the VGA Expansion Mode in the BIOS/Advanced menu.

    To display normal characters and graphics at full screen, you will need to install the device drivers and change the display resolution to 800 by 600. Follow the Installation Procedures to install the drivers.

     

    Why can't I set up the Audio Driver and PCMCIA drivers in Windows 3.x?

    If you encounter problems using the different built-in devices on the ChemBook™ 2600 in Windows 3.x, please disable the Plug and Play O/S setting in the BIOS / Advanced menu.

     

    How do I set up the 2600 to support a second hard disk?

    To use 2 or 3 hard drives simultaneously on the 2600, you must be aware of the following:

    • You must purchase an optional 2nd Hard Drive Case for each hard drive in addition to the original hard drive.

    • The Hard drive in the Left Smart Bay has to be set to Slave via a jumper on the hard drive. It will be the Secondary Slave IDE Device in the BIOS.

    • The Hard drive in the Right Smart Bay has to be set to Master. It will be the Secondary Master IDE device in the BIOS.

     

    Why does MIDISK show me that it is allocating more than the normal 18 cylinders?

    If you are running the MIDISK program and it shows that it is allocating more than 18 cylinders, please enter BIOS Setup, and set the Large Disk Access Mode to DOS.

     

    Why don't the PCMCIA slots work under Windows NT 4.0?

    To activate the PCMCIA slots for the 2600 under Windows NT 4.0, please download Cardwizard for Windows NT 4.0 from the 2600 FTP Download Page. You will need to contact CHEM USA Technical Support for the download password. For the type of Services to install, be sure to select CL-6832.

     

    Why don't the PCMCIA slots work under Windows 95 or Windows 95 a?

    Since the 2600 has 2 Cardbus Slots, and Cardbus slots requires Windows 95B for support, you will not be able to use the PCMCIA slots if you have any earlier version, i.e., Windows 95 or Windows 95a (with Service Pack 1). You can only enable the Cardbus PCMCIA slots in Windows 95 B (OSR2).

     

    Why doesn't Windows 95 B (OSR2) boot up with a Cardbus Ethernet Card inserted?

    If you are experiencing trouble booting Windows 95B with a Cardbus Ethernet Card inserted in the PCMCIA slot, please download the Cardwizard PCMCIA driver for Windows 95 from the 2600 FTP Download Page.

    To install, follow the PCMCIA device driver installation, and run Cardwizard Setup.

     

    What are the functions of the Hot Keys?

    Hot Keys System Features Remark
    Fn + F3 Decrease Audio Volume
    Fn + F4 Increase Audio Volume
    Fn + F5 Toggles between LCD/CRT/Simultaneous Display/TV
    Fn + F6 Decrease LCD Brightness
    Fn + F7 Increase LCD Brightness
    Fn + F10 Toggles Battery Low Beep Must Setup in BIOS
    Fn + F11 Toggles LCD on and Off
    Fn + F12 Activates the Suspend to Disk or Suspend to RAM mode.

    Where is the device driver for the internal fax modem?

    You can find the driver for the optional internal fax modem on Utility Diskette Disk #1, in a directory called "modem". You can also find the device driver installation procedure in the same directory as a .doc file.

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