Tadpole COMET15 User Manual Download

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COMET15

User’s Guide

Summary of Contents for COMET15

Page 2: ...er Service 7 00 AM to 6 00 PM PST Tel 1 800 734 7030 Fax 760 930 0762 E mail support tadpole com Government Support Tadpole Computer Inc 21355 Ridgetop Circle Ste 150 Dulles VA 20166 Phone 703 433 115...

Page 3: ...reproduced stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic mechanical photo copying recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of Tadpole No patent...

Page 4: ...any time without notice and without obligation of Tadpole to noti fy any person of such revision or changes Environmental Statement Tadpole Computer Inc supports the concept of an envi ronmentally re...

Page 5: ...quipment generates uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions may cause harmful interference to radio and television reception Howeve...

Page 6: ...its The connection of unshielded equipment interface cable to this equipment will invalidate the FCC Certification of this device and may cause interference levels that exceed the limits established b...

Page 7: ...FCC to operate this equipment Avis Le present appareil numerique ne met pas de bruits radio electriques depassant les limites applicables aux appareils numeriques de la classe B prescrites dans le Reg...

Page 8: ...ipment do not expose the COMET notebook to rain or moisture Do not immerse the COMET notebook in water If water has entered the COMET notebook cabinet do not use the notebook until it has been inspect...

Page 9: ...Sie auf keinen Fall Ihre COMET Notebook mit Trockenbatterien Primarzellen zu betreiben oder solche mit dem Netz Ladegerat zu laden Versuche dieserArt konnen Personen oder Sachschaden zur Folge haben W...

Page 10: ...s voltage points or short out parts that could result in a fire or electrical shock Keep liquids of any kind away from the notebook 6 This notebook should only be connected to theAC power source indic...

Page 11: ...explosion s il y a remplace ment incorrect de la batterie Remplacer uniquement avec une batterie de meme type ou d un type recommande par le constructeur Mettre au rebutles batteries usagees conforme...

Page 12: ...zur Zerstorung des Gerates fuhren sich der Gefahr eines Stromschlages aussetzen oder das Gerat in Brand setzen 5 Das Gerat darf nur an vorschriftsmassige Steckdosen mit der auf dem Gerat angegebenen...

Page 13: ...igen Kundendienst bei folgen den Storungen 1 Netzkabel ist defekt oder stark abgenutzt 2 Flussigkeit ist in das Gerat gelangt 3 Das Gerat war Regen oder Leitungswasser ausgesetzt 4 Das Gerat ist herun...

Page 14: ...es xx Supplemental documentation xxii Chapter 1 Overview 1 COMET 2 COMET components 3 COMET features 4 Customer service and support 5 Chapter 2 Getting Started 7 Overview 8 First Steps 9 Identifying c...

Page 15: ...USB ports 33 Using the Ethernet port 34 Using the Wireless LAN 35 Integrated keyboard 36 Special keys 38 Modifier keys 40 Cursor control and editing keys 41 Function keys 43 Common keyboard combinati...

Page 16: ...ireless 63 Security 67 Status 69 Version 70 Power 71 Radio 72 Advanced 73 Video 73 Wireless Tunables 74 Factory Reset 75 Exit 76 Chapter 5 Maintaining COMET 77 Overview 78 Cautions 79 Cleaning COMET 8...

Page 17: ...Preface...

Page 18: ...tion that requires special attention Example NOTE For your convenience you can attach an external keyboard and mouse Warnings and cautions Warnings highlight conditions of potential personal injury Ca...

Page 19: ...creen messages Screen messages appear in Helvetica type bounded by rules Example COMET Keyboard Present Ethernet address x x xx x x xx Host ID xxxxxxxx Variables Variables appear as a lower case x For...

Page 20: ...ver 20 Figure 3 2 AC adapter connector 22 Figure 3 3 Installing the battery 24 Figure 3 4 Removing the battery 25 Figure 3 5 Smart Card slot 30 Figure 3 6 Inserting a Smart Card 31 Figure 3 7 Removing...

Page 21: ...gure 4 8 Enter WEP key hex prompt 66 Figure 4 9 The Security menu 67 Figure 4 10 The Change Password screen 68 Figure 4 11 The Status Menu screen 69 Figure 4 12 The Version screen 70 Figure 4 13 The P...

Page 22: ...b site at http www tadpolecomputer com html support You will also find additional documentation at the fol lowing url ftp ftp tadpole com support Comet Documentation Supplemental documentation is also...

Page 23: ...Chapter 1 Overview...

Page 24: ...on the thin client The Sun Ray Server With the release of Sun Ray Server Software 3 0 Sun Ray Servers can be Solaris or Linux based The Sun Ray Server manages user authentication and user sessions tha...

Page 25: ...it for damage Here are the items you should find in your shipping carton Figure 1 1 COMET components If either the shipping carton is damaged or the COMET components are missing or damaged please cont...

Page 26: ...l87 keykeyboard Touchpadwith2 wayscrollbutton SmartLithium Ion6 3Ahbatterypack offlinechargetime 2 5hrs UniversalPowerAdapter COMETisfullycompatiblewithSunRayServerSoftware2 0or later includingAuthent...

Page 27: ...may contact Tadpole s Customer Service and Support staff using the contact information found on page ii Before you call make a note of the serial number as it appears on the bottom of the COMET as sho...

Page 28: ...this page blank 6 COMET User s Guide...

Page 29: ...Chapter 2 Getting Started...

Page 30: ...l introduction to get you started The next chapter Using COMET on page 17 describes more detailed informa tion about these features A few minutes spent on these two chapters will ensure you get the mo...

Page 31: ...tage points of humidity you will need to stabilize the notebook s temperature Let your COMET adjust to room temperature before proceeding 2 Install the COMET Lithium Ion battery into the battery bay w...

Page 32: ...r adapter The battery need not be installed for AC operation For more detailed instructions on the AC adapter see Providing power on page 22 4 Open the COMET display Open the COMET display screen by s...

Page 33: ...ng components and features of the COMET 1 Case Latch 5 Keyboard 2 Display 6 Touch Pad 3 Status Indication LEDs 7 Touch Pad Left Middle and Right Buttons 4 Power button Figure 2 3 COMET components Gett...

Page 34: ...ireless button LED 2 Front panel LEDs Figure 2 4 COMET front panel Right side Identify the following ports on the right side of the COMET 1 Microphone 4 Smart card 2 Headphone 5 Ethernet 3 USB Figure...

Page 35: ...apter 3 Kensington lock Figure 2 6 COMET left side Back panel Identify the following ports on the back panel of the COMET 1 Line in 4 External monitor 2 Line out Figure 2 7 COMET back panel Getting St...

Page 36: ...bottom of the COMET 1 Air vents 5 Hard drive bay 2 DVD CD Release latch 6 DVD CD removal grip 3 Memory cover 7 DVD CD bay 4 Battery Release latch 8 Battery bay Figure 2 8 Bottom of COMET Getting Star...

Page 37: ...Server Figure 2 9 COMET power switch 2 COMET will first attempt to locate servers using the Ethernet port and then if none are found and if wireless networking is enabled it will look for servers usin...

Page 38: ...this page blank 16 COMET User s Guide...

Page 39: ...Chapter 3 Using COMET...

Page 40: ...pter provides more detailed information about the tasks described in Chapter 2 Getting Started A few minutes spent here will help you get the utmost ben efit from your COMET Using COMET Overview 18 CO...

Page 41: ...ree of obstructions allowing you to open the display screen completely without hindrance Adequate ventilation is required for the COMET Do not cover or block the ventilation fans or slots on the case...

Page 42: ...lay cover and gently raise the cover to an upright position as shown in the illustration below Figure 3 1 Opening the display cover You can adjust the screen up to 30 degrees from vertical for a bette...

Page 43: ...g in to a Sun Ray with 1024x768 resolution without logging out on the COMET15 the Sun Ray will have an oversized desktop image and you will be able to pan to see the whole desk top To reset the resolu...

Page 44: ...ed off accidentally WARNING Use only the suppliedAC adapter with the COMET Do not use anAC adapter designed for use with another product 3 Plug the connector from theAC adapter into theAC Power Jack a...

Page 45: ...the AC adapter Unplug the AC cable from the AC outlet Then slide the connector from the AC adapter out of the power input socket on the COMET Using COMET Setting up Chapter 3 Using COMET COMET User s...

Page 46: ...he backlight is described on page 73 Installing the battery To install the battery 1 Install the COMET Lithium Ion battery into the battery bay which is located on the back edge of the COMET Push it i...

Page 47: ...ut down the COMET according to the instructions in Shutting COMET down on page 28 2 Turn the COMET over 3 Toremovethebattery performthefollowingthreesteps a slidethebatterylockbuttontotheright b press...

Page 48: ...ure before powering up This is particularly important when the notebook is brought from a very cold environment into a warm room In such cases moisture can condense on and inside the notebook and caus...

Page 49: ...an IP address or use DHCP which provides automatic IP address resolution Optional information detailed may be needed for advanced settings detailed in the Chapter 4 Configuring COMET Starting the COM...

Page 50: ...to save your work and quit any open applications before shutting down Moving COMET If you want to move the COMET after shutting down perform the following procedures 1 Disconnect all cables and connec...

Page 51: ...s operational tips and other information unique to the COMET feature set For more detailed information on a listed feature refer to COMET Specifications on page 87 Using COMET Using COMET features Cha...

Page 52: ...Using Smart Cards Your COMET thin client notebook features one Smart Card slot as shown in Figure 3 5 Figure 3 5 Smart Card slot Using COMET Using COMET features 30 COMET User s Guide...

Page 53: ...e of the COMET as shown in the following illustration 2 Hold the Smart Card with the chip side up 3 Carefully slide the card into the socket 4 If you encounter too much resistance do not force the car...

Page 54: ...r to Figure 3 7 and the following instructions for removing a Smart Card 1 Grasp the exposed edge of the Smart Card 2 Pull out as shown to remove Figure 3 7 Removing a Smart Card Using COMET Using COM...

Page 55: ...to see what addi tional USB peripherals may be supported for your COMET thin client The COMET has 3 USB ports located on the right side and back panel of the system as shown in the figures below Figu...

Page 56: ...network 1 Set it on a work surface near the Ethernet twisted pair cable or transceiver MAU 2 Attach a twisted pair cable to one of the COMET s 10 100 Base T Ethernet LAN port Figure 3 9 RJ 45 Ethernet...

Page 57: ...e turned on at the factory To turn on the wireless card press the Wireless button LED Figure 3 10 Wireless button LED For more information about configuring the wireless capabilities please refer to C...

Page 58: ...102 key keyboard including an embedded keypad and a full array of special function keys This sec tion covers the COMET s keyboard and identifies several keys that are commonly used when working with...

Page 59: ...his section identifies some of these keys and dis cusses their functions when used with either the Operating System Software or other application soft ware such as word processors spread sheet applica...

Page 60: ...gnore the func tion key just press Esc Enter While using application software the purpose of this key is similar to a typewriter s return key pressing this key will position the blinking cursor to the...

Page 61: ...Lock key engaged if you want to generate the symbols and punctuation marks above the number keys you must still use the Shift key Note that when the Caps Lock key is engaged the Caps Lock indicator co...

Page 62: ...his key engages the alternate function labeled in blue on selected keys For example simultaneously pressing the Fn F2 keys decreases the display brightness Ctrl Refer to the user s manual of the softw...

Page 63: ...plications and databases In addition while using your operating system software OS several of these keys play an important role in moving the cursor or editing Refer to the user s guide of the softwar...

Page 64: ...while within a document so depending upon the software you are using you may or may not need to use this key In some applications Insert is a toggle alter nating between character insert and character...

Page 65: ...tions these keys perform vary with respect to the software in use When using an external keyboard the Fn key can be simulated by pressing the left Ctrl left Alt keys Refer to the appropriate software...

Page 66: ...Combinations Definitions Increases audio volume Decreases audio volume Mutes audio volume Increases display brightness Decreases display brightness Num lock When using an external keyboard the Fn key...

Page 67: ...ations Definitions Fn Shift Break Resets the unit Ctrl Alt Backspace 2x Kills the session Ctrl Alt Delete 2x Kills the process that has taken control of the X server Stop A Resets the COMET Stop M Ope...

Page 68: ...sensitive pointing device that provides all the features of a mouse Please refer to Figure 3 12 and the following sections for the touch pad s operating instructions Figure 3 12 The Touch Pad Using CO...

Page 69: ...tion below as a review The touch pad buttons have essentially the same function as mouse buttons Clicking these buttons makes selections drags objects or performs a variety of other functions dependin...

Page 70: ...an also be launched by using Single tapping Once the cursor has been moved to the object you want to select lightly single tap on the pressure sen sitive touch pad This single tapping will select the...

Page 71: ...m the monitor to the COMET s external 15 pin VGAvideo port Figure 3 13 External monitor port When you start your notebook with an external display device such as an external monitor or projector attac...

Page 72: ...imply connect the keyboard or pointing device to one of the USB ports on COMET You do not need to power down your COMET before connecting or disconnecting these devices when using the USB ports Figure...

Page 73: ...d on the lower left portion of the display and the upper left portion of the keyboard as shown in Figures 3 15 and 3 16 These indicators inform you of the COMET s current operating status at a glance...

Page 74: ...te how much time is left to charge the battery The shorter the duration the closer the battery is to full charge Blinking amber The battery is discharging A fully charged battery has a long duration b...

Page 75: ...ndicates the uppercase letter function is enabled disabled Caps lock 2 Indicates the numeric keypad is enabled disabled Number lock 3 Indicates the scroll lock function is enabled disabled Scroll lock...

Page 76: ...this page blank 54 COMET User s Guide...

Page 77: ...Chapter 4 Configuring COMET...

Page 78: ...Overview The COMET has a menu system built in to the firmware which allows the user or an administrator to configure an array of COMET features 56 COMET User s Guide Configuring COMET Overview...

Page 79: ...ure 4 1 On Screen Display Pressing Esc will exit the Main Menu If changes to set tings have been made the COMET will reset when exit ing the menu When the system is back up the new set tings will be a...

Page 80: ...irst accessed the default selection is Servers To go to the Servers sub menu press Enter At the Enter Server IP 1 prompt enter the IP address of the Sun Ray Server to which you want to connect and pre...

Page 81: ...red the information for your servers you are prompted with a Save Changes screen Select Yes or No as appropriate If you select Yes you are given a confirmation screen stating Changes saved as shown be...

Page 82: ...in the illustration below use the down arrow to navigate to TCP IP in the menu When it is highlighted press Enter Under TCP IP there are 2 submenus DHCP and Static Figure 4 4 TCP IP DHCP submenu 60 CO...

Page 83: ...ry is optional If you do not enter a value and press Enter the factory default of 1500 is left unchanged After you have entered the information you are prompt ed with a Save Changes screen Select Yes...

Page 84: ...are prompt ed with a Save Changes screen Select Yes or No as appropriate If you select Yes you are given a confirma tion screen stating Changes saved Selecting No at the Save Changes screen or selecti...

Page 85: ...ve been enabled the COMET will first search for an Ethernet connection for 10 seconds before switching over to wireless Which is why Ethernet cables need to be removed before trying to connect to a se...

Page 86: ...Stop Wor press Stop Mand select Wireless from the Main Menu 2 At the Enable wireless network Prompt selectYes and press Enter to navigate between selections you can use either the Tab key or the left...

Page 87: ...etwork and press Enter Figure 4 6 Enter SSID network name prompt 4 At the Enable WEP encryption Prompt answer as appropriate for your network and press Enter Figure 4 7 Enter WEP encryption prompt Cha...

Page 88: ...tion screen stating Changes saved Selecting No at the Save Changes screen or selecting Ok at the Changes saved screen returns you to the Main Menu When you exit the Main Menu via Exit or pressing the...

Page 89: ...ly be accessed with the entering of the password To go to the Security submenu as shown below use the down arrow to navigate to Security in the menu When it is highlighted press Enter Figure 4 9 The S...

Page 90: ...are prompted to repeat the password Do so and press Enter Figure 4 10 The Change Password screen At the Password changed window press Enter to return to the Main Menu The password will go into effect...

Page 91: ...the Status Menu which gives access to firmware version information battery status and wire less radio information Figure 4 11 The Status Menu screen Navigate to the selection you want and press Enter...

Page 92: ...een displays the hardware version of the COMET the firmware version of the COMET and the MAC Address You can also access this by pressing Stop V Figure 4 12 The Version screen Configuring COMET Status...

Page 93: ...n related to the battery Figure 4 13 The Power Status screen NOTE Battery status is also indicated by the Power LED The faster the Power LED flashes the lower the battery charge is Configuring COMET S...

Page 94: ...splay message will read Wireless not active If wireless is active the OSD shows the following The SSID of the access point to which the COMET has connected The bandwidth frequency and signal strength...

Page 95: ...it will not turn off the backlight If you are running on battery and the COMET is going to be inactive you will want to use the Blanking feature of the Video Settings submenu 1 Highlight Blanking and...

Page 96: ...h Wireless Tunables selected is shown below Figure 4 16 The Advanced Menu The Wireless Tunables submenu allows the user to adjust the values for Fragmentation Threshold and RTS CTS Threshold Configuri...

Page 97: ...down arrow to navigate to Factory Reset on the second page of the Main Menu When it is highlighted press Enter Figure 4 17 The Factory Reset submenu option On the Factory Reset menu the user is promp...

Page 98: ...n exit To exit the menu system use the down arrow to navigate to Exit on the second page of the Main Menu When it is highlighted press Enter Figure 4 18 The Exit option Users can also exit the menu sy...

Page 99: ...Chapter 5 Maintaining COMET...

Page 100: ...view It is important to maintain the COMET This chapter pro vides information for cleaning packing and storing the notebook and battery use and maintenance 78 COMET User s Guide Maintaining COMET Subt...

Page 101: ...ht dadurch die Garantie CAUTION Changes or modifications to the COMET not expressly approved by Tadpole could void your authority to operate COMET If the product does not operate normally adjust only...

Page 102: ...Avoid getting any liquid directly on the COMET Moisten a lint free cloth with cleaner and use the damp cloth to clean the case 5 Use cotton tipped swabs moistened with cleaner to clean key tops slots...

Page 103: ...ET in the original shipping container CAUTION Damage caused by shipping the COMET notebook in containers other than the original shipping con tainer is not covered by the warranty Keep and use the ori...

Page 104: ...e the battery see the section on Battery use and maintenance on page 84 Do not store the COMET for extended periods with the battery installed 2 Disconnect all cables and pack the COMET as described i...

Page 105: ...such cases moisture can condense on and inside the notebook and can cause problems Allow at least two hours for the notebook temperature to stabilize after bringing it from a very cold or very warm en...

Page 106: ...ower simply plug in the AC adapter and restart to resume your session in the same state as it was before shutdown NOTE Battery status is indicated by the Power LED The faster the Power LED flashes the...

Page 107: ...one that is fully charged Replacing batteries When lithium ion batteries reach the end of their service life they indicate their impending failure by providing shorter and shorter intervals of servic...

Page 108: ...86 COMET User s Guide this page blank...

Page 109: ...Chapter 6 COMET Specifications...

Page 110: ...rd Touchpad with 2 way scroll button BATTERY Internal Battery Pack Smart Lithium Ion 6 3Ah battery pack offline charge time 2 5hrs AC POWER ADAPTER Universal Power Adapter Output 19v 2 64A Input 100 2...

Page 111: ...01 4 NOM UL 1950 SAFETY CSA C22 2 No 950 Sun Ray Server Requirements SOFTWARE Sun Ray Server Software 3 is the recommended software for COMET clients however all mod els are supported on versions 2 an...

Page 112: ...90 COMET User s Guide this page blank...

Page 113: ...Index...

Page 114: ...2 4 12 15 27 34 63 88 89 92 external device 49 92 external display xv 49 92 external keyboard xv xviii 43 44 50 92 external monitor xx 3 5 13 49 92 F function keys xv 36 39 43 92 K keyboard xiv xv xv...

Page 115: ...xxi 92 Touch Pad xv xx 11 46 47 48 92 twisted pair 34 92 U USB xv xx 4 12 33 50 88 93 V ventilation x 19 93 VGA 49 93 W Warning viii xi xviii 10 22 79 93 Wireless LAN xv 35 93 Index Index COMET Produ...

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