The following is the Read Me file for the PowerBook 190 Series computers.

Important Information About Your Macintosh PowerBook 190 Series Computer

Congratulations on purchasing your Macintosh PowerBook 190 series computer. This document adds to and updates the information in the manuals that came with your computer. It is a good idea to read this document now, and keep a copy handy for future reference.

If your PowerBook is connected to a printer, choose Print from the File menu to print a copy of this document. When you are finished reading and printing, choose Quit from the File menu to quit the SimpleText application program.

Contents

Tips
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- Charging your battery
- Using the Battery Monitor in the Control Strip
- Using the trackpad
- Using a modem
- Using expansion bay modules
- Using PC Cards
- Using a DOS-formatted PC Card
- Using your PowerBook in SCSI disk mode
- Using Apple IR File Exchange
- Using the Password Security control panel
- Printing

Troubleshooting
---------------
- Issues starting your PowerBook
- Resetting the parameter RAM (PRAM)
- Using Drive Setup

- Using Acrobat Reader after installing QuickDraw GX
- Using Apple Remote Access
- Incorrect Guide File Balloons
- Using a DigiSign Signature Card with PowerTalk
- AppleShare Displays Incorrect Information for Large Drives
- AppleShare Server Software Version 4.1
- Application Programs Using Sound
- Using QuickDraw GX with a Fax Modem
- Using the Japanese Language Kit
- Using the Chinese Language Kit


Tips

Charging your battery

You should connect the power adapter to your computer and let the battery charge overnight when you first unpack your computer. (The battery may have been depleted between the time it was charged at the factory and the time you purchased the computer.)

Using the Battery Monitor in the Control Strip

The estimated time remaining that is displayed in the Battery Monitor portion of the Control Strip depends on the charge remaining and the battery consumption rate. The battery consumption rate depends on the software and hardware features you are using.

Using The Trackpad

If the trackpad seems unresponsive, try the following in the order listed:

1. Put your PowerBook to sleep (by closing the display) and then wake it up (by pressing any key on the keyboard).

2. Press the reset button on the back of the computer.

3. Reset the parameter RAM (PRAM) (see the section in Troubleshooting below for instructions).

4. Attach an external mouse.

* If you are using the LocalTalk or IRTalk, turn off AppleTalk in the Chooser to improve modem performance.

* Modem connection files for various PC Card modems that will work with Apple Remote Access (ARA) are included on your computer*s hard disk. The modem files for ARA are in the Extensions folder. If a file for your modem is not included, please contact your communications software manufacturer to see if your modem is supported. See the user*s manual that came with your computer for more information on using PC Card modems.

* When accessing the internet using the InterSLIP protocol, use the 14.4K baud rate rather than the 28.8K baud rate for better performance. The actual throughput at 14.4K baud is higher than at 28.8K baud.

Using Expansion Bay Modules

Never remove a floppy disk from the expansion bay module while the PowerBook is in sleep. You may damage the disk or lose data.

Using PC Cards

* For best results, purchase only cards that have been qualified for use on a Macintosh computer. If you are in the United States, you can receive a faxed list of currently available PC Cards by calling 1-800-462-4396 and requesting document 10307. You can call this number anytime. In Canada, call 1-800-263-3394 and request document 10307. Outside the United States and Canada, please consult your Apple-authorized dealer.

* Do not use an SRAM storage card as a startup disk on your PowerBook. Use SRAM cards for extra storage only.

* If you are using a mass storage PC Card, you can only eject the card using the eject buttons when the computer is shut down. The eject buttons will not work with storage PC Cards when the computer is turned on.

* Never eject a PC Card manually (with a paper clip) while the PowerBook is in sleep. You may damage the card or lose data.

Using a DOS-formatted PC Card

If your PowerBook has the Macintosh PC Exchange control panel installed and PC Exchange is turned on, you can use a PC Card that has been preformatted in a DOS format in your PowerBook. However, you cannot start up your computer using the DOS-formatted PC Card; you can only start up your computer using a Mac OS formatted PC Card.

If you want to reformat your DOS-formatted PC Card as a Mac OS formatted PC Card, you need to turn PC Exchange off, and then format the card as you would any non-Mac OS formatted disk. Follow these steps:

1. Choose Control Panels from the Apple menu.

2. Open the PC Exchange control panel.

3. Click the Off button and close the PC Exchange control panel.

4. Insert your PC Card. A window appears asking if you want to initialize (format) the disk.

5. Click Initialize to format the PC Card. Once the PC Card is reformatted, you can turn Macintosh PC Exchange back on in the PC Exchange control panel.

Using Your PowerBook In SCSI Disk Mode

* Using Norton Utilities Speed Disk or Disk Doctor from a desktop computer on your PowerBook while it is in SCSI disk mode may cause the desktop computer to crash or freeze. To avoid this issue, create an emergency startup floppy disk using Norton Utilities and then use that disk to startup your PowerBook.

* You cannot use password protection on your PowerBook while the PowerBook is in SCSI disk mode. Turn off password protection in the Password Security control panel before connecting your PowerBook in SCSI disk mode.

Using Apple IR File Exchange

Apple IR File Exchange provides a very simple way to exchange files with another IR-equipped Macintosh user. You need to upgrade your computer with the PowerBook Infrared Upgrade Card before you can use Apple IR File Exchange.

* If you use Apple IR File Exchange with a computer that is equipped with a third-party IR device and is also connected to a wired network (for example, a LocalTalk or Ethernet network), you may see other Apple IR File Exchange users that are beyond your local IR network. If you want to prevent this from happening, select IRTalk in the Network control panel on the computer that is connected to the wired network. (This will have the effect of disconnecting that computer from the wired network. See the manufacturer*s manual for more details.)

* If you see a dialog box telling you there is a broken connection, make sure that both you and the other Apple IR File Exchange user select the same option (either "break connection" or "continue"). If the other user breaks the connection and you try to continue, your computer may appear to hang for 2 minutes while it tries unsuccessfully to reestablish the connection.

* When you select IRTalk in the Network control panel, your computer chooses a random network address. Occasionally, you may come within range of another computer using the same network address and experience difficulty communicating with it.

When this occurs, you'll see a dialog box telling you that a duplicate AppleTalk address has been detected. Click OK in the dialog box, then open the Network control panel and select IRTalk again. This will give your computer a new network address and will correct the issue. (Alternately, you can activate and inactivate AppleTalk from the Control Strip or the Chooser.)

Using the Password Security Control Panel

The Password Security control panel provides security for information stored on your hard disk. To use this feature, you must enter a password and turn it on. If you forget or lose your password, you will not be able to access your hard disk. Should you lose your password, you may be charged for assistance.

You cannot use your PowerBook in SCSI disk mode with password protection turned on in the Password Security control panel. You must turn it off before using your PowerBook in SCSI disk mode.

Information stored on PC Cards is not protected by password security. Password security is designed to prevent casual access to your hard drive. It does not provide encryption.

Printing

If you are printing on a network printer, make sure you have the same version of printer software as others on the network. If you are using a StyleWriter II on a network, make sure you use the StyleWriter 2.0 printer driver. (Printer drivers are found in the Extensions folder).

Troubleshooting

Issues Starting Your PowerBook

If you have issues starting your PowerBook immediately after you shut it down (for instance, you see the "Sad Mac" icon on the screen), wait several seconds after shutting down, and then press the Power key to turn the computer on again.

Resetting the parameter RAM (PRAM)

When you need to reset your PowerBook's PRAM, follow the steps below. Note that resetting the PRAM erases the contents of your RAM disk, if you have one. Resetting the PRAM also restores the default settings in most control panels. After you reset the PRAM, be sure to check any custom settings you made for the desktop pattern, memory, network, AppleTalk, trackpad, power conservation, and so forth. Resetting the PRAM also resets the power manager.

Follow these steps to reset the PRAM:

1. Locate the keys Command, Option, P, and R.

2. Make sure the Caps Lock key is not down.

3. Restart your Macintosh. Immediately after hearing the startup sound, press the Command, Option, P, and R keys simultaneously. If you do not hold down the key combination within 5-10 seconds after you restart, you may need to repeat steps 1-3.

4. Hold down the keys until you hear the startup sound. Then release the keys.

5. If the computer shuts itself off, press the Reset key on the back of your computer to turn it back on.

6. When the computer has finished starting up, you may need to restore control panel settings as well as network and printer settings in the Chooser.

Make sure you only use the Drive Setup application program that comes with your PowerBook to update and partition hard disks. If you use an earlier version of Drive Setup (called HD SC Setup) you could damage your computer.

Using Acrobat Reader After Installing QuickDraw GX

Once you install QuickDraw GX, you need to reinstall Acrobat Reader on your computer in order to use it. Double-click the Acrobat Reader Installer icon in the Adobe Acrobat Reader folder (inside the Applications folder).

Using Apple Remote Access

Make sure you use only Apple Remote Access Client version 2.0.1 on your PowerBook. Earlier versions will not work.

Incorrect Guide File Balloons

Your system software includes Apple Guide documents which provide on screen instructions and other information to help you use your computer. However, if you turn on Balloon Help (by choosing Show Balloons from the Guide menu) and point to a Guide file icon on the hard disk, the balloon may give you the wrong information about where the file belongs or what you can do with it. To avoid being misled by incorrect balloons, follow the guidelines below:

* Leave Guide files where they are. Some Guide files (for example, the Guide file named "Macintosh Guide") belong in the Extensions folder. Others will not work if they are put into the Extensions folder.

* Keep application programs that have Guide files in the same folder as the Guide file. For example, keep the file named "File Assistant Guide" in the same folder as the File Assistant program. If you move a Guide file that belongs with an application program, you will not be able to get help while using the program.

Using A DigiSign Signature Card With PowerTalk

To use the Apple DigiSign Utility with PowerTalk, follow these steps:

1. Turn off processor cycling in the PowerBook control panel. To see the option for processor cycling, hold down the option key while you select Custom in the PowerBook control panel.

2. Follow the steps for creating a Signer file. If you need help, select "How do I obtain a valid Signer file?" in the Digital Signatures topic of the PowerTalk Guide.

3. Turn processor cycling back on in the PowerBook control panel.

If you use file sharing to connect to a disk attached to another computer, and the shared disk is larger than 2 gigabytes (GB), the Get Info box for that disk shows an incorrect size. (Get Info reports the disk to be 2 GB in size, even if it is larger.)

AppleShare Server Software Version 4.1

If you purchase AppleShare server software version 4.1, make sure to choose Custom Install (instead of Easy Install) when you install it.

NOTE: This note is not part of the original Read Me, it is being added to correct information presented here. AppleShare 4.1 or later is not sold separately and is available when purchasing a Workgroup Server. Also AppleShare v 4.1 or 4.2 is not supported on these computers.

Application Programs Using Sound

If you have application programs that make extensive use of sound, you should turn off virtual memory while using those programs. When virtual memory is turned on, it can compromise the programs' sound quality.

Some older versions of programs, especially games, may generate sounds that seem too slow or too fast. For best results with these programs, open the Sound control panel, choose Sound Out from the pop-up menu, and set the sample rate to 22.050 kHz.

Using QuickDraw GX With A Fax Modem

If you installed QuickDraw GX and you have a fax modem, you need a QuickDraw GX modem driver in order to send faxes. Contact the fax software manufacturer to obtain the QuickDraw GX driver.

If you have installed QuickDraw GX and do not yet have the QuickDraw GX modem driver, you can temporarily turn off QuickDraw GX and use your previous fax modem driver. To turn off QuickDraw GX:

1. Hold down the Space bar while you choose Restart from the Special menu to restart your PowerBook. Continue to hold down the Space bar until the Extensions Manager appears on the screen.

2. Click the QuickDraw GX extension to remove the check beside it. This prevents the QuickDraw GX software from loading.

3. Click the close box in the Extensions Manager window to resume startup. Your fax modem should work normally. You will not be able to use any QuickDraw GX features until you turn the extension back on again.

To use the Japanese Language Kit with your Macintosh PowerBook, make sure you use version 1.2 or later. Customers outside of the United States should contact their local Apple-authorized dealer.

After you install the Japanese Language Kit 1.2, you need to replace an extension that gets installed with the software. Follow these steps:

1. Follow the instructions for installing the Japanese Language Kit 1.2 that came with the software.

2. After you see that the installation was successful, restart the computer with the Extensions off. To do this, hold down the shift key while you press the Restart button in the installer screen (or as you choose Restart from the Special menu).

3. Double-click the Apple Extras folder to open it.

4. Double-click the JLK 1.2 Update folder to open it.

5. Drag the file called "Font Extension 3" to the Extensions folder (inside the System folder) on your hard disk. Click OK if you see a dialog box asking if it is ok to replace this file.

6. Choose Restart from the Special menu.

To use the Chinese Language Kit with your Macintosh, make sure you use version 1.1.1 or later. To install the Chinese Language Kit version 1.1.1, first install the World Script Updater 1.0. Then install the Chinese Language Kit version 1.1. Finally, install the Chinese Language Kit Updater to update your software to version 1.1.1.

To install the World Script Updater, follow these steps:

1. Double-click the Apple Extras folder to open it.

2. Double-click the World Script Install folder to open it.

3. Double-click the World Script Installer icon. Follow the instructions on the screen.

4. Follow the instructions that came with the language kit to install the language kit software.