ChemBook™ 9750 Series

• What's new in the latest BIOS Update?
• How do I update the BIOS on the 9750?

• Why does my 9750 display inaccurate CPU speeds?
• Can I upgrade my 9750 to support Intel® Pentium® processor with MMX™ technology?
• Does my 9750 support Intel® Pentium® processor with MMX™ technology 233 MHz?
• Why does the CPU fan on my 9750 turn off and on?
• Where can I find the jumper settings for the ChemBook™ 9750?

• Can I use EDO RAM on my 9750?
• What types of RAM can I use on the 9750?

• Does the 9750 LCD support True Color (24-bit)?

• How do I configure the 9750 to use Cardbus cards in Windows NT 4.0?
• Why does my 9750 freeze up when I restart Windows NT with the modem PCMCIA card inserted?

• Is my EIDE using the ISA or PCI bus?

• Can I use a serial external mouse on the 9750?
• Can I disable the built-in trackpad?
• How do I use the Video Capture Port with Camcorder and VCR?
• How do I configure the ChipsTV video capture program?
• Can I use the ChipsTV program for Windows NT 4.0?
• How do I use the TV Out Port on the Port Replicator?

• How do I determine the battery status?

• How many PCI cards can I use simultaneously on the 9750 docking station?
• Which operating systems can I use with the 9750 docking station?
• What's new in the newest Docking Station BIOS update?

• What are the differences between the different sub-models of ChemBook™ 9750?
• What is the function of the LCD switch?

What's new in the latest BIOS Update?

The newest BIOS versions for ChemBook™ 9750 is version 2.6E.

Please be aware that there are different versions of the BIOS for 256KB L2 Cache and 512KB L2 Cache. The last character in the download file name indicates whether it is for 256KB L2 cache or 512KB L2 cache. Please make sure that you are downloading the correct version.

You should download version 2.6EO only if both of the following 2 conditions are met:

1. You are using a Docking Station with your ChemBook™ 9750.
2. Your motherboard version number is F or below. This is the 3rd character in the manufacturer's serial number (A0F...).

If either of these two conditions is not met, then you should use version 2.6E.

Version:2.6E / 2.6EO Date:December 11, 1998

Version:1.38 Date:December 18, 1997

1. Change string "SystemSoft SCU Demo" to "SystemSoft SCU" in SCU

Version:1.37E Date:October 19, 1997

1. Enabled full screen display under DOS mode.
2. Solve the problem where sometimes the Intel® Pentium® processor with MMX™ technology is identified incorrectly..

Version:1.35 Date:August 12, 1997

1. The NSTL "Year 2000 Problem" Test can now be passed.

Version:1.34 Date:July 7, 1997

1. Brightness control is now enabled. (This was a problem in version 1.31 on some systems).
2. COM B default setting in the BIOS is now set to FIR, not FAX/Modem.

Version:1.31 Date:June 6, 1997

1. When shutdown from Windows 95 and select MS-DOS mode, S2D/Resume will cause system hangup and cause noisy sound.
2. When install 80MB RAM in system and 84MB S2D partition area. Solved the problem that HDD crash after S2D/Resume.
3. Solved the problem that there is no S2D partition area but system show partition found on screen. This cause HDD crash after S2D/Resume.
4. Add additional selection for LPT type in SCU - Bidirectional PS-2.
5. Joystick did not work in Windows 95 with Port Replicator.
6. Change VGA BIOS to 140G2.
7. Modified VGA BIOS to fix panel sometimes become blank during install Windows 95.
8. Added cover switch features for switching to external CRT when pressing cover switch.

How do I update the BIOS on the 9750?

To update the BIOS on the 9750 to the newest version, follow this procedure :

1. Download the BIOS update file from the 9750 FTP download page.
2. Run the downloaded executable to extract the files in the archive.
3. Connect the AC adapter.
4. Boot up from a system disk. Make certain that no memory manager was loaded.
5. From the directory where the extracted files are located, type "flash x.x", where x.x is the file name of the BIOS file.
6. The flash program will start to load the file. After it is loaded, press Enter to start.
7. Make certain that the program is not interrupted for any reason. Restart the computer when prompted.

Why does my 9750 display inaccurate CPU speeds?

If your 9750 displays inaccurate CPU speeds, such as 134Mhz, 167Mhz, 201Mhz, etc., you need to upgrade the BIOS to version 0.14 or later.

Can I upgrade my 9750 to support Intel® Pentium® processor with MMX™ technology?

If you purchased your ChemBook™ 9750 before the last week of February of 1997, it was not modified to include support for the Intel® Pentium® processor with MMX™ technology at 200MHz. You can still use 166MHz processors without any hardware modification, although you will need to upgrade the BIOS to version 0.21 or later. There will not be any upgrade services offered for using 200MHz processors on any notebooks shipped before the last week of February of 1997.

Does my 9750 support Intel® Pentium® processor with MMX™ technology 233 MHz?

Your ChemBook™ 9750 can support Intel® Pentium® processor with MMX™ technology 233MHz only if the following two conditions are met:

• Motherboard version F or later.
• BIOS version 1.31 or later.

You can determine the motherboard version from the manufacturer's serial number (NOT the serial number which starts with NB) on the bottom of the notebook computer. The third digit in that serial number is the motherboard version number. If you have already purchased a ChemBook™ 9750 which does not have motherboard version F or above, we will not be able to upgrade the motherboard to support Intel® Pentium® processor with MMX™ technology at 233MHz.

Why does the CPU fan on my 9750 turn off and on?

The CPU cooling fan assembly is equipped with temperature sensor and will start to run only if the CPU temperature rise up to 60 degrees Celsius, and will automatically turn-off if the temperature drop below 60 degrees Celsius.

Where can I find the jumper settings for the ChemBook™ 9750?

Intel® CPU: SW1-1 set to Off

Can I use EDO RAM on my 9750?

Only certain 9750s support EDO system memory. EDO memory can be added only if the on board memory is EDO also. If you have a 6X CD-ROM, then you most likely have standard Fast Page Memory on board, which will not accept EDO add-on memory modules. Likewise, if you have a 8X or 10X CD-ROM, then you most likely have EDO memory on board, which will not accept standard Fast Page memory modules. To determine which version of the 9750 you have, please click here.

What types of RAM can I use on the 9750?

The following SO-DIMM modules have been tested on the ChemBook™ 9750.

Does the 9750 LCD support True Color (24-bit)?

To use True Color on the 9750 12.1" TFT LCD, you would need to upgrade your BIOS to version 0.14 or later. Click here for the latest BIOS update.

Note : Only 12.1" TFT LCD's can support true color. The maximum color depth for the 13.3" TFT LCD and the 12.1" Dual Scan LCD is 16-bit high color.

How do I configure the 9750 to use Cardbus cards in Windows NT 4.0?

If you are trying to use Cardbus PCMCIA cards on the 9750 in Windows NT 4.0, please notice the following:

• Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 1 must be installed (Service Pack 3 is the current release and recommended).
• 16-bit PCMCIA card support (PCMCIA.SYS) will be disabled.

To allow both 16-bit PCMCIA and 32-bit Cardbus cards to be supported simultaneously, please download the Cardwizard for Windows NT from the 9750 FTP Download page. Choose to install support for TI-1130 chip.

Why does my 9750 freeze up when I restart Windows NT with the modem PCMCIA card inserted?

If you experience problems restarting Windows NT 4.0 on the 9750 with a PCMCIA modem card inserted, please download Windows NT Service Pack 3 from Microsoft.

Is my EIDE using the ISA or PCI bus?

If you purchased your Chembook™ 9750 notebook before December 1996 with a 6X CD-ROM, then your notebook most likely has an ISA Enhanced IDE bus with Fast Page system memory. Otherwise, if you have an 8X or 10X CD-ROM, then your notebook most likely has a PCI Enhanced IDE bus with EDO system memory.

To determine for certain, go into Windows 95 Device Manager, and look under the Hardware category of Hard Disk Controllers. If you see Opti Dual PCI Controllers, then you have the PCI E-IDE. Otherwise, you have ISA E-IDE.

This distinction is important because a different BIOS is used for each type of notebook. If you have an ISA E-IDE bus, you must use v.0.17a of the BIOS. If you have a PCI E-IDE bus, you must use v.1.1 or later. Click here to download the latest BIOS.

Note : A new BIOS version 1.31 has been released to unify the two versions of 9750. It should be used on both the 9750 with ISA IDE and 9750A with PCI IDE.

Can I use a serial external mouse on the 9750?

If you wish to use an external serial mouse on COM 1, you will need to install the Logitech Mouse Driver, which is supplied with the notebook computer. You will be able to use the external serial mouse and the internal trackpad at the same time. At this time it is not possible to disable the onboard trackpad.

Can I disable the built-in trackpad?

It is not possible to disable the built-in trackpad.

How do I use the Video Capture Port with Camcorder and VCR?

If you wish to use the video capture port on the 9750 in Windows 95, install the Chips TV software, restart Windows, and follow these steps.

• Connect the Camcorder to the Video Capture Port, and turn on the camera.
• In Windows 95, press Fn+1 (not Fn+F1), then open the Chips TV application.
• At this time, you should be able to see the images as seen from the lens of the camcorder.

• Connect the VCR to the Video Capture Port, and turn on the VCR.
• Start Windows 95, and press Fn+1 (not Fn+F1) BEFORE when the message "Starting Windows 95..." is displayed, and before Windows enters graphical mode.
• Start Chips TV, and you should be able to see the video as played back by the VCR.

How do I configure the ChipsTV video capture program?

You should be concerned with the configuration of the ChipsTV program only if you downloaded the file from our web site. The ChipsTV Demo program is included on the Utility CD which is shipped with your ChemBook™ 9750.

After the program has been installed,

1. Look for a file called "ctmmhw.ini" in the C:\Windows directory.
2. Open the file with a text editor such as notepad.
3. Under the section heading [I2CChips], look for a setting called DECODER. For the ChemBook™ 9750, change the value for this setting to SAA7110.

Can I use the ChipsTV program for Windows NT 4.0?

The ChipsTV demo program does not work in Windows NT 4.0. There are no plans of releasing a Windows NT 4.0 version of ChipsTV.

How do I use the TV Out Port on the Port Replicator?

If you have a port replicator and wish to use the TV-Out port, press Fn+5 to activate the NTSC port. Pressing Fn+T, which is used for switching between LCD and external CRT, does not activate the NTSC port, and will not allow you to view the display on the TV.

How do I determine the battery status?

You can determine the battery status from the arrow (<=) in the LCD status indicator.

• The arrow should blink 2 to 3 seconds when the AC adapter or battery is first inserted.
• If the arrow blinks after 2 to 3 seconds, then there is a problem with the battery.
• If the arrow disappears, then the battery is either not inserted into the system, or the battery is fully charged.
• If the arrow stays on, then the battery is being charged.

How many PCI cards can I use simultaneously on the 9750 docking station?

Although there are 3 PCI slots on the 9750 docking station, only one PCI card can be used at any single time. This is because the 9750 is designed to support the Memphis operating system (Windows 97), which supports IRQ sharing. The single PCI Card can be used in any one of the three slots.

Which operating systems can I use with the 9750 docking station?

Currently the only operating system supported is Windows 95 B (OSR 2). When the new version of Windows is released (Memphis or Windows 97), the docking station can be used also.

What's new in the newest Docking Station BIOS update?

Please be aware that there are different versions of the BIOS for 256KB L2 Cache and 512KB L2 Cache. If you have a 13.3" XGA TFT with 512KB L2 cache (i.e., 9750E), please download 97v24e5d.exe. If you have a 13.3" XGA TFT with 256KB L2 Cache, or a 12.1" DSTN or TFT Screen, please download 97v24e2d.exe.

Version:2.4E Date:December 18, 1997

1. Change string "SystemSoft SCU Demo" to "SystemSoft SCU" in SCU

Version:2.3E Date:October 13, 1997

1. When using Intel® Pentium® processors with MMX™ technology, the system sometimes identifies the processor incorrectly..
2. Now You'll be able to have a full screen under the DOS mode.
3. Fixed the problem of press cover switch lid too quick to hang up system.
4. Fixed the problem when pressing Fn+F10 can't enter suspend mode after wake up from sleep mode.
5. If you set "Shut Off Monitor" in Display Properties / Screen Saver with version 2.0, the system will shut off when the time expires.

Version:2.0 Date:August 14, 1997

What are the differences between the different sub-models of ChemBook™ 9750?

Here is a summary of the differences between the different submodels of 9750.

What is the function of the LCD switch?

The function of the LCD cover switch depends on the setting of cover switch under SCU :

• if you seelct "Panel only", pressing the cover switch will turn-off the LCD only.
• If you select "Suspend mode", pressing the cover switch will have two results, "Save-to-RAM" or "Save-to-Disk" depending whether the "Suspend-to-Disk" is ENABLE or DISABLE under Suspend Controls.