User manual SONY VAIO VGN-P530N

[. . . ] Since implementation by customers of each product may vary, the suitability of specific product configurations and applications must be determined by the customer and is not warranted by SONY. To allow for design and specification improvements, the information in this document is subject to change at any time, without notice. Reproduction of this document or portions thereof without prior written approval of SONY is prohibited. FastFacts, and SONY SVGA, are U. S. All other product, brand, or trade names used in this publication are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective trademark owners. First Printing -- March 1996 Copyright 1996 SONY Technologies, Inc. [. . . ] The BIOS SETUP program is an easy-touse system configuration utility that sets system parameters and resides on the EPROM chip with the system BIOS. The EPROM chip also includes BIOS Power-On Self Test (POST) diagnostic and booting code that tests the system components, initializes certain data structures, and boots the operating system. System Processor The System Processor function for the notebook is implemented on the Motherboard using either the 3. 45V Cyrix 486DX4-75MHz (SONY Versa 500D) or the 3. 45V Cyrix 5x86 M1sc-100MHz (SONY Versa 550D) Processor Chip. The processor operates in conjunction with RAM and ROM memory and other system control logic (e. g. UMC 8486F) to process software instructions (BIOS, Windows, Applications). The Cyrix M1sc microprocessor is a high performance 586-class CPU which is compatible with all popular x86 operating systems including DOS, Windows, Windows NT, Windows 95, Unix, Novel, and OS/2. The superpipelined architecture of the integer unit combined with single cycle execution, branch prediction, 16-Kbyte write-back cache, and single cycle instruction decode results in true 586-class performance. These features result in a 60 to 90 percent gain in processing speed compared to the Cyrix 486DX2-50). Additionally, the M1sc CPU provides many power savings features making it ideal for power sensitive systems like notebook computers. Aside from operating at 3. 45V only, the CPU clock can also be completely stopped. Moreover, the CPU automatically powers down the FPU and other internal circuits when not in use. Fast entry into and exit from SMM mode allows frequent use of the SMM feature without noticeable performance degradation. 3-4 Hardware Functional Overview MAJOR FUNCTIONAL BLOCKS The Cyrix M1sc, in a 168-pin PGA packaging, is divided into five major functional blocks: n Integer Unit n Floating Point Unit n Cache Unit n Memory Management Unit n Bus Interface Unit Instructions are executed in the Integer Unit pipeline and in the Floating Point Unit (FPU). See Chapter 1 for more information. 3-10 Hardware Functional Overview PCMCIA CONTROLLER AND SOCKETS The PCMCIA controller is implemented on the Motherboard using UMC's UM8365F and UM8366F PCMCIA Interface Controller. The UM8365F is an Intel EXCA compatible implementation of ISA bus to PCMCIA 2. 0/JEIDA 4. 1 Interface controller. It supports two independent 68 pins PC card sockets and is register compatible with Intel's 82365SL. The UM8366F is the buffer chip designed to work with the UM8365F as well as for Intel's 82365SL. It provides Data Buffer and Address Buffer for PCMCIA socket interfaces for two sockets applications. The SONY Versa 550 Series notebook incorporates PCMCIA double deck slots that supports insertion of two Type I or II cards at the same time or one Type III card on the upper slot and one Type I or II card on the bottom slot. Feature summary of the UM8365F: n PCMCIA 2. 0/JEIDA 4. 1 compatible Interface n Cascadable up to eight sockets in the two sockets mode n 8/16 Bit ISA interface n Power Management Function that includes Individual Socket power control, Hot insertion/removal, Hardware/Software controlled power down, Modem Ring in Resume, CS Controlled Power Down, and Power Saving with Windows inactivity n Intel EXCA register compatible n Supports PCMCIA_ATA Specifications n Supports Pulse mode interrupt for I/O card n Supports two independent IC card sockets (no external buffers needed) n Selectable Interrupt Steering from PC card to System Bus HARD DISK SUBSYSTEM The hard disk subsystem, implemented on the Motherboard and on the associated built-in hard disk drive, provides disk storage for all system software and user files. The SONY Versa 550 Series notebook is equipped with high capacity hard disk drive ranging from 350MB to 1. 2GB using IDE controller with LBA (Logical Block Addressing) mode support. The I/O subsystem controller, UMC 82C863F, provides the IDE controller for the hard disk. The built-in hard drive can support any industry standard 2. 5-inch IDE hard disk drive at 19mm or 17mm height. Setting up the hard disk type is done automatically by the CMOS SETUP programs that auto-detects the installed hard disk type settings for optimized performance. Hardware Functional Overview 3-11 NOTE: Do not move the notebook when the HDD LED is activated on the LCD status bar. [. . . ] Nonvolatile memory in the Versa is a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) chip which is backed up by an internal battery. The backup battery preserves the clock/calendar data and system configuration parameters stored in CMOS. See volatile memory. operating system Set of programs that manage the overall operation of the computer. overwrite Storing information at a location where information is already stored, thus destroying the original information. page A type of message transmission in which a message is sent or received via modem to a paging device from a computer (with paging communications software) or telephone. parallel interface Interface that communicates eight bits at a time. 8 Glossary parallel printer A printer with a parallel interface. parameter A characteristic of a device or system. password A string of characters that the user must enter before the system allows access or system privileges. PCMCIA A credit card sized peripheral interface standard for portable devices. Types of PCMCIA cards currently offered by major vendors include fax/modems, LAN, storage cards, and wireless communications devices. peripheral Input or output device not under direct computer control. [. . . ]