Installing PC Cards

2 Installing PC Cards

This chapter describes the installation procedures for both types of PC cards. Please follow the relevant section for your card.

Remember to check the README file on the software disc for details of changes to the installation procedure.

2.1 Installing Risc PC second processor cards

The PC second processor card fits in the vacant processor slot inside your computer. If you are not confident about installing the card please contact your supplier for assistance. Note that neither Aleph One nor Acorn Computers accept any liability for damage done to your computer during the installation of internal upgrades.

Switch off the computer and unplug it from the electricity supply at the wall before starting the installation process.

Do not reconnect the electricity supply to the computer until you have completed the installation and replaced the computer's top cover.

Once you have switched off and unplugged your computer from the electricity supply:

Remove the top cover of your computer, following the instructions in Part 3: Inside the computer in the Welcome Guide.

Remove the card from its packaging, taking care not to touch any connector pins.

Find the rear processor socket on the motherboard.

It is important that the PC card is placed in the rear socket of the two sockets, for proper cooling and fitting. If your ARM processor is in the rear slot, move it to the front slot.

Push the card down firmly until it is seated on its socket.

Replace the computer's top cover. You may now reconnect the computer to the electricity socket at the wall.

Heat and power issues

486 processor chips generate a lot of heat. Thus you should ensure that the cooling fan in your computer can do its job.

The airflow inside the computer goes from right to left (viewed from the front), so make sure that:

The sides of the computer are kept clear, so that air can circulate.

If you are using the computer in tower configuration (on its side), the feet must be fitted and the surface must be hard (ie not carpet). The computer should be right hand side down so that natural convection assists rather than opposes the airflow generated by the fan.

2.2 Installing PC Expansion Cards

The PC expansion card is a single-width expansion card which may be fitted to any vacant expansion slot in your computer. In all models except the A3000 the card fits within the computer's case; the A3000 requires an external box to contain the expansion card: please consult the fitting instructions supplied with the box.

Switch off the computer and unplug it from the electricity supply at the wall before starting the installation process.

Do not reconnect the electricity supply to the computer until you have completed the installation and replaced the computer's top cover.

To fit the card to computers other than the A3000:

Remove the computer's top cover.
Insert the card into a vacant expansion card slot. Make sure that the card is firmly seated in its backplane connector.
Once you are sure that the card is firmly connected to the backplane, fasten the card to the rear of the case with the two screws supplied.
If necessary, use the blank panel and T-piece supplied to fill any vacant space left in the back panel by fitting the card, for example if the PC expansion card is the only card fitted.
Replace the top cover and switch the computer back on.

If you are in any way unhappy about performing this task yourself then please contact your Acorn dealer for assistance.

Checking that expansion cards are correctly installed

Check that your PC expansion card is correctly installed with the following procedure:

Switch to the RISCOS command line by pressing function key F12.

Type PODULES at the Supervisor * prompt

You should see the message Podule X: Aleph One PC Card (Rev 2) where X is the number of the slot in which the card is fitted.

If this message does not appear then try the card in another slot before consulting your dealer for further instructions.

Aleph One Ltd.

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