.i.multiscan monitor;, make sure to set the monitor's switch to analog (not
TTL).
.i.monitor cables;Monitors that can be used are VGA-compatible monitors (i.e.,
those compatible with the IBM PS/2 and with PC VGA add-in cards) and multiscan
(multifrequency or "multisync") monitors. If you cannot mate your monitor to
the EPC-2 because you have a cable with a 9-pin connector, either (1) you have a
TTL monitor that is not compatible with VGA or (2) you have a multisync monitor
(which are usually shipped with 9- and 15-pin cables or adapters) and are using
the wrong cable.
To ensure a reliable connection, the monitor's cable should be screwed into the
EPC-2's connector.
Connecting a monitor is not absolutely necessary; its presence or absence does
not affect the operation of the system. Also, the monitor can usually be safely
connected and/or disconnected during operation.
The EPC-2 VGA controller supports some video modes beyond the standard IBM
.i.VGA modes;, most importantly the 800 ´ 600 ´ 16-color mode. Use of this mode
requires a .i.multiscan monitor;, as well as special software drivers. If
.i.Windows 3.0; was purchased with your EPC-2, a special driver for this higher-
resolution mode is provided on a separate diskette. Follow the installation
instructions in the "readme" file on this diskette.
Flat-Panel Display
Use of certain VGA .i.flat-panel display;s requires access to more than the
standard VGA signals, in particular to some signals provided on the .i.auxiliary
video extension; or ".i.feature connector;" in the IBM PS/2. Installation of
the three flat-panel .i.jumpers; as shown in the diagram earlier in this chapter
brings three additional signals out to three normally unconnected pins on the
15-pin .i.VGA connector;. Two of these signals are the two low-order digital
color signals, which are of use to flat panels supporting four shades of gray.
The third is the logical AND of the dot clock and the alternate blanking signal.
These three specific signals allow use of the .i.Fujitsu FPF8060;HRUK .i.plasma
display;. Other flat-panel displays may or may not work with the EPC-2,
depending on what video signals they require.
Note that gaining access to these signals requires construction of a custom
cable; for more details, see Chapter 6.
.i.monitor problemsUse of a flat-panel display may require a special software
driver; for instance Fujitsu distributes an .i.MS-DOS; driver with their FPF8060
display. For such displays that require software drivers, the EPC-2's BIOS
selftest screen may appear garbled or may not appear at all, because it is
displayed before the BIOS has booted the operating system.
Keyboard
The front panel contains a standard 5-pin PC/AT keyboard connector.
.i.keyboard errors;If the BIOS produces the message "KEYBOARD ERROR OR NO
KEYBOARD PRESENT" at time of power-on or reset, either no keyboard is present,
the keyboard cable is not firmly connected, a key was pressed, or the keyboard
is not a PC/AT compatible keyboard.
If you wish to operate your system without a keyboard, you must start with a
keyboard and invoke the BIOS .i.setup screen; to change the .i.configuration
errors; field to "ignore .i.keyboard errors;." The system can then be booted
with or without a keyboard.
Serial Ports
The front panel contains one or two DB-9 serial-port connectors. They are
identical to the .i.serial port;s labelled .i.COM1; and .i.COM2; in the PC/AT
and compatibles. They may be used for connecting a mouse, modem, serial
printer, .i.RS-232; link, etc. On the EPC-2x, only one serial port - COM1 -
exists.
The software drivers for most types of mouse detect the presence of the
.i.mouse; dynamically, so it usually doesn't matter to which port the mouse is
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