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EK-P100E-OM-001

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Document:	Rainbow 100 Owner's Manual-Nov-1982
Order Number:	EK-P100E-OM
Revision:	001
Pages:	117
Original Filename:	https://people.freebsd.org/~imp/EK-P100E-OM-001_Rainbow_100_Owner's_Manual-Nov-1982.pdf

OCR Text

EK-PlOOE-OM-001

Rainbow

T M

lOO
Owner's Manual

digital equipment corporation

First Edition, November 1982

The Information In this document Is subject to change without notice and should
not be construed as a commitment by Digital Equipment Corporation. Digital
Equipment Corporation assumes no responsibility for any errors that may
appear In this document.

WARNING: The Rainbow 100 computer has been certified to comply with the
limits for a Class B computing device, pursuant to Subpart J of Part 15 of FCC
rules. Only peripherals (computer Input/output devices, terminals, printers, etc.)
certified to comply with the Class 8 limits may be attached to this computer.
Operation with ncncertified peripherals Is likely to result In Interference to radio
and television reception.
p

CP/M®, CP/M®-80 and CP/M®-86 are registered trademarks of Digital
Research Inc.
pmm

ZBO® Is a registered trademark of Zilog, Inc.
8088® Is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation.
The manuscript for this book was created using a DIGITAL Word Processing

i p m

System and, via a translation program, was automatically typeset on DIGITAL'S
DECset Integrated Publishing System. Book production was done by
Educational Services Development and Publishing in Marlboro and
Bedford, MA.

The following are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation:

DEC
DECmate

MASSBUS
PDP

DECsystem-10

P/OS

DECSYSTEM-20
Professional
DECUS
Rainbow
Work
DECwriter

RSTS

DIBOL

RSX

UNIBUS
VA X

VMS
VT
Processor

m m

Printed in U.S.A.

Contents

Chapter 1. Your Rainbow 100 Computer 1
Ttie Rainbow 100 Computer 1
Human Engineering in Design of Components 2
Ttie Monitor 4

Ttie Keyboard 6
Ttie System Unit 7
Ttie RX50 D u a l -D i sk D ri ve 9

Chapter 2. Set-Up 11
Introduction

Help 13

Tabs Major Heading 14
Parameter Settings Major Heading 15
Modem Major Heading 25
Printer Major Heading 28
Misc Major Heading 30
Memory Major Heading 31
Saving Set-Up Values 31
iii

Contents

Recalling Set-Up Values 32
Default Set-Up Values 32

Executing System Reset 32

Chapter 3. Connecting a Printer to Your
Rainbow 100 Computer 33

Introduction 33

Connecting a Printer to Your Rainbow 100 Computer 34
Printer Set-Up Selections 35
Printer Connector Signals 39

Chapter 4. Communications 41
Introduction 41

Connecting Your Rainbow 100 Computer
to a Remote Computer 41
Communications Set-Up Parameters 46
Modem Protocol 46
Tr a n s m i t B r e a k 4 9

Auto-XON/XOFF 49
Communications Connector Signals 50

Chapters. System Tests 53
Diagnostic Tests 53
Extended Selftest 56

Diskette Diagnostic Test 61

Chapter 6. Troubleshooting 67
Introduction 67

Troubleshooting Procedure 67

Appendix A. Rainbow 100 Computer Specifications 73
Rainbow 100 Computer System Specifications 73
Monitor Specifications 75

Keyboard Specifications 75
System Unit and Power Supply Specifications 76
RX50 Dual-Disk Drive Specifications 77

Contents

Appendix B. Rainbow 100 Error Messages 79
Internal Diagnostic Test Error Messages 79
Diskette Diagnostic Test Error Messages 79

Appendix C. Rainbow 100 Parts List and
Reference Manuals 89
Rainbow 100 Ports List 89
Reference

Manuals

Ordering Information 89

Glossary 93
Index 107

Preface

This manual briefly describes the hardware components of your Rainbow
100 computer, and presents the Set-Up features that allow you to adapt the
computer to your needs. Special emphasis is given to two important proce
dures that expand the computer's capabilities: adding a printer and connecting
a communications line.

The manual also describes how to test your computer by using its internal
diagnostic test and its diskette diagnostic tests. With these tests you can iso
late problems that may occur in the computer's components.

Before reading this manual, use the Rainbow^^ 100 Installation Guide to help
you install the computer.
The manual is divided into the following chapters and appendices, each per
taining to a specific subject area concerning your Rainbow 100 computer.
• Chapter 1, Your Rainbow 100 Computer, describes the basic com
ponents of the Rainbow 100 computer.
• Chapter 2, Set-Up, describes the features in your Rainbow 100 compu
ter that enable you to match its communications signals to those of your
printer and communications line.
Vii

Preface

• Chapter 3, Connecting a Printer to Your Rainbow 100 Computer,
describes the connections, Set-Up selections, and signals used in the
procedure.
• Chapter 4, Communications, describes how to connect a telephone
line to your Rainbow 100 computer by use of a modem, and the signals
involved.

• Chapter 5, System Tests, discusses the internal diagnostic tests and
the diskette diagnostic tests that verify that the system is working
correctly.
• Chapter 6, Troubleshooting, lists symptoms of problems that may
occur, their possible causes, and the actions you can take to correct
them.

• Appendix A, Rainbow 100 Computer Specifications, summarizes
the Rainbow 100 computer's hardware specifications.
• Appendix B, Rainbow 100 Error Messages, lists the error messages
that may appear during system and disk drive diagnostic testing and the
actions you can take to correct their causes.
• Appendix C, Rainbow 100 Parts List and Reference Manuals,
lists user-replaceable parts of the Rainbow 100 computer and other man
uals that refer to the Rainbow 100 computer.

At the end of the manual you will find a Glossary of important terms and an
Index.

The keys on the Rainbow 100 keyboard that are mentioned in text appear in
boldface (for example, "press the Shift key," or "press <Shift>"). Note that
<Ret> represents the Return key, and to press <Shift/A> means to hold
down the Shift key and press the A key at the same time. User responses are
in color when they appear in computer dialog.

viii

Your Rainbow 100 Computer

The Rainbow 100 Computer
The Rainbow 100 computer, shown in Figure 1-1, has a dual-processor design

that uses a Z80A® 8-bit processor coupled with an 8088® 16-bit processor.
The computer's CP/M®-86/80 operating system detects whether you have
selected an 8-bit or a 16-bit application program and automatically selects the
correct processor. This allows you to use software packages available from a
wide range of independent suppliers.
The Rainbow 100 computer's system functions are divided between the two
processors, as shown in the block diagram Figure 1-2. The Z80A processor
controls the dual-disk drive's reading and writing of data, while the 8088 pro
cessor controls the monitor, the keyboard, the communications connector, and
all options added to the system.
The Rainbow 100 computer comes with 64K (65,536) bytes of main memory.
(A byte represents one character position.) This memory can be expanded to
256K bytes with the addition of a memory extension option. The computer
also comes with a dual-disk drive that holds 800K bytes of auxiliary memory on
two 5V4 inch diskettes. You can add a second dual-disk drive to the system to
bring the total auxiliary memory to 1.6 million bytes.
1

Your Rainbow 100 Computer

The Rainbow 100 computer's communications connector can be connected to
a telephone modem or connected directly to another computer. (A modem is
used to communicate with another computer over a telephone line.) Chapter 4
gives you information on communications connections.
The Rainbow 100 computer also has a printer connector you can use to con
nect one of the following printers available from Digital Equipment Corpora
tion for its personal computers.
• LA50 Personal Printer

• LAIOO Letterprinter 100
• LQP02 Letter-Quality Printer
You may also use any other serial printer with the same FCC classification.

Human Engineering in Design of
Components
The Rainbow 100 computer's design makes it easy to install, comfortable to
operate, and easy to repair. Human engineering considers the total relation
ship between you and the computer. Digital has made the system comfortable

Your Rainbow 100 Computer

SHARED
Z80

8-BIT
D A T A

64K BYTE
RANDOM-

PROCESSOR

BUS

ACCESS
MEMORY

8-BIT
D ATA
BUS

KEYBOARD
24K BYTE READ
O N LY M E M O RY

2K BYTE
DEDICATED

MODEM
CONNECTOR

RANDOMACCESS
MEMORY

r
I

OPTIONAL

1
I

PRINTER
CONNECTOR

I 64K BYTE OR 192K

I BYTE RANDOM- |
RX50
DISK DRIVE

I ACCESS MEMORY I
I
J

COLOR/

—I GRAPHICS

INTERFACE

OPTION

24x80 OR 132
V I D E O D I S P L AY

RX50
DISK DRIVE
4K BYTE
ATTRIBUTE
R A M

BYTE

SCREEN
RAM

Figure 1-2. Rainbow 100 Computer, Block Diagram

Your Rainbow 100 Computer
to operate by minimizing conditions that might lead to strain and fatigue. Digi
tal has also made the system flexible so that you have the freedom to adapt it
to your needs.

The 3-component structure of the Rainbow 100 computer allows you to place
the components in many locations. You can use the optional floor stand to hold
the system unit and keep your work surfaces free. The components are light,
compact, and portable. The keyboard comes with a 1.8 m (6 ft) cord that lets
you place it anywhere comfortable, even on your lap.

See Appendix A for a summary of the Rainbow 100 computer's specifications.
The Monitor
The Rainbow 100 computer's monitor contains a video screen whose diagonal
dimension is 30.5 cm (12 inches). The screen is coated to reduce glare. (Do not

touch the screen since fingerprints show up very easily. When necessary, clean
the monitor with the cleaner provided.)

The monitor supplies you video information, but also provides the internal con
nection for the keyboard. (The video control system resides on the system
module inside the system unit.) The monitor has the following features.
• 24-line X 80- or 132-column display
• Jump or smooth scrolling
• Double-height characters (by line)
• Double-width characters (by line)
• Normal and reverse video (by character)

• Boldface, blinking, and underlined characters (by character)
• Dark or light screen background
• Auto-screen blanking

Also, two adjustments on the monitor's back side let you adjust the screen's
brightness and contrast levels as you would on a television set.

Your Rainbow 100 Computer

The Keyboard
The Rainbow 100 computer uses a low-profile keyboard that has 105 keys, as
shown in Figure 1-3. The standard keys at the center and left provide the

uppercase and lowercase alphabets, numbers, and punctuation. To the right of
these keys are the basic editor keys (Insert/Here, Remove, Find, Select,
Prev Screen, and Next Screen) and the cursor control keys (t, J,,, —»). On
the far right is the numeric keypad.

i B B B fi

isfe

iipdiiiiig

Figure 1-3. Keyboard

Across the top of the keyboard are the special function keys. Included in these
keys are the Set-Up key, the Help key (which calls a help message to the
screen in Set-Up mode only), and the Do key. (The Do key separates the
"execute" function from the "carriage return" function within an application
program that can distinguish these functions.) Also included in the top row are
the special function keys for different types of applications - word processing,
electronic mail, accounting spreadsheets, etc. These keys can be custom
labeled with a removable strip for each application.

Keyboard Features
The keyboard has the following features.

A low profile that allows access to the dual-disk drive in the system unit,
should you want to place the two components on the same table or desk.

Keyclick sounds as the keys are pressed. You can adjust the keyclick vol
ume or turn it off.
5

Your Rainbow 100 Computer

• A keyboard tone generator that produces a margin bell. The tone volume
is also adjustable.
• Auto-repeat of all keys on the main keypad array, the numeric keypad,
and the function keys (including Space, Del Char, and Tab).

The keys are arranged in an electrical matrix, which is scanned for keys that

are pressed. A single-chip, 8-bit processor detects whenever a key is pressed
and transmits the event to the system module.
A click sounds when a key is pressed. You can turn the keyclick feature on or

off or adjust its volume through a Set-Up feature. Keyclicks will not sound
when the keyboard is turned off by the system. (The Wait light is on when this
is so.)

Keyboard Lights
The keyboard has four lights that can be turned on and off by the system.
These lights are assigned specific functions during normal system operation,
but are also used to signal error conditions should the power-up selftest fail (in
which case all four lights flash). The lights have the following meanings when
they are on.

Meaning
Hold Screen The Hold Screen key has been pressed. New data will not be added
to the monitor's screen until you press Hold Screen again.

Lock The Lock key has been pressed, enabling caps lock mode.
Compose The Compose key has been pressed (for special applications only).
(CP/M-86/80 does not support this key.)
Wait Keyboard transmission has been temporarily stopped by the system.

Your Rainbow 100 Computer

The System Unit
The system unit, shown in Figure 1-4, contains the power supply, the system
module, a dual-disk drive, a fan, and the system power switch. This unit can be
placed horizontally on a desk or vertically in the optional floor stand.
Placing the system unit in the floor stand decreases the amount of desk space
needed by the personal computer. The floor stand also keeps the unit fixed and
allows it enough airflow.
The components of the system unit are designed to make installation of
options and maintenance of components easy. The system unit's cover is
secured by sliding latches under its left and right sides. The disk drives and
power supply can be removed by disconnecting their cables and releasing their
latches. The system module slides out the back of the system unit. This mod
ule has connectors on it for mounting the disk controller, a memory extension
option, and other options as they become available.
The connectors for power and peripheral devices are at the back of the system
unit, as shown in Figure 1-5. They are unique in design to prevent misconnections and are labeled in English: COMM (for an optional communications line),
PRINTER, and VIDEO (for the monitor cable).

Seven lights at the back of the system unit indicate the source of any problem
with the computer. These lights provide a backup to error messages and are
especially useful should the monitor fail.
POWER SWITCH

MR-SS69

Figure 1-4. System Unit, Front View

Your Rainbow 100 Computer

Figure 1-6. System Unit, Back View

The System Module
The system module, located inside the system unit, is made up of electrical
components and circuits. Its major components are the two processors (Z80A
and 8088), memory chips, and communications hardware. Mounted on the sys
tem module is the RX50 controller module, as shown in Figure 1-6. It controls
reading and writing on the disk drives. The system module has other connec
tors for mounting a memory extension option and other options as they
become available.

Your Rainbow 100 Computer
You can expand the system module's memory by adding a 64K byte or a 192K
byte memory extension option. The system module also has a 24K byte ROM,
which contains diagnostic tests, a bootstrap program, and the terminal mode
program.

The Z80A processor has sole access to the RX50 controller module. Available

to the processor are 64K bytes of RAM, which is divided into 62K bytes of
shared memory and 2K bytes of unshared memory. The 62K bsrtes are shared
with the 8088 processor.

The 8088 processor controls the monitor, the keyboard, the printer, and the
communications line. It also controls any additional options that may be added
to the system module.

The 8088 processor also has a screen and attribute memory, which allows it to
control the information on the monitor.

The RX50 Dual-Disk Drive
The Rainbow 100 computer uses a compact disk subsystem that consists of a
disk controller module and a dual-disk drive, which controls two SVt inch disk
ettes on a single spindle. The diskettes provide mass storage, data exchange,
and file backup capabilities. Each diskette stores 400K bytes of information.
The dual-disk drive has two spindles that are turned by the same drive motor.
The drive accesses its two diskettes by a single-head carriage assembly, which
is moved by one stepper motor/lead screw combination.
Each disk drive has two sensors that detect when a diskette is installed in it.

These sensors also look for the notch on the side of the diskette's protective
cover to see if the diskette is write protected. If this notch is covered, the disk
drive cannot write on the diskette.

CAUTION: The dual-disk drive comes with a carriage restraint card

installed to keep its carriage stable during shipment. Make sure you remove
this card, shown in Figure 1-7, before turning on your computer. However,
save the card and reinstall it every time you move the system unit or pack it
for shipment. Install the carriage restraint in the following way.
9

Your Rainbow 100 Computer
L Open the door of drive A (and drive C, if present).
2. Remove the diskette from the drive(s).

3. Turn on the power and wait for the hell tone.
4. Turn off the power.

5. Insert the carriage restraint card into drive A (and drive C, if present).
6. Close the door of the drive(s).
Refer to Appendix A for a summary of the dual-disk drive's specifications.

Figure 1-7. Carriage Restraint Card
10

2
Set-Up

Introduction
Pressing the Set-Up key, shown in Figure 2-1, causes the system to enter
Set-Up and place the Set-Up display on the monitor, as shown in Figure 2-2.

When entering Set-Up, the text on your screen will be temporarily replaced by
the Set-Up display. This will not cause any of your text to be erased unlessyoM
perform one of the following procedures while in Set-Up.
S E T- U P

innuLJi

,.V

i:tt

' " i n

P
h pP
1

n n r
r r tr
r ir II',
I' r r.
r
i

Figure 2-1. Set-Up Key Location

SET-UP
T O E X I T P R E S S " S E T- U P "
PRESS "HELPTO RESET TYPE

<CTRI-/SET-UP>

01.01.05A

T
1234567890

2345678901^

BBBll 234567890

234567890

Figure 2-2. Set-Up Display - Tabs
• Change screen width
• Use default Set-Up values
• Recall Set-Up values

Set-Up allows you to change the following Rainbow 100 computer features.
• Tab stops
• Settings to match those of your printer
• Settings to match those of any communications device attached to the
computer

• Number of characters displayed across the monitor (screen width)
• Cursor style to block or underline
• Screen background to dark or light
Set-Up also allows you to do the following.

Set-Up
• Select automatic repeating of keyboard keys
• Enable the margin bell and change its volume
• Enable the keyclick feature and change its volume
• Enter a 20-character message for identification on a communications line

These features are divided into areas of common usability called major head
ings. Each major heading has a specific display associated with it that appears
on the monitor. There are six major headings in the Rainbow 100 computer,
each having a number of selections that can be changed. These selections are
also called minor headings. The major headings and the number of selections in
each are as follows.

Number of Selections

Major Heeding

(Minor Headings)

Ta b s

Param(eter) Set(tings)
Modem
Printer
Misc(ellaneous)

Memory

Once you press the Set-Up key, you can move from one major heading to
another by using the Next Screen or Prev Screen key. Once you select a
major heading, you can step through its minor headings, parameters, or tab
settings by using the —♦ or«— key.

The minor heading selected is displayed in reverse video; a tab setting is dis
played by a cursor position. You can step through the values of each selection
by using the | or | key.

Help
While in Set-Up, pressing the Help key causes a help message to appear on
the monitor. This help message is a quick reminder on how to change the set
tings in Set-Up. Pressing the Help key again returns you to your current
major heading.
13

Set-Up

Tabs Major Heading
When you enter Set-Up, you are immediately in the Tabs major heading, as
shown in Figure 2-2. In this heading you can change the tab stop settings and
switch the computer between line and local operations. You can move to the
next major heading by pressing the Next Screen key and return to the Tabs
major heading by pressing the Prev Screen key.
NOTE: The number OL01.05A, shown in Figure 2-2, is the revision of the
computer's firmware, which in your computer may be different.
Tab Stops
When entering Set-Up, the numbers across the middle of the monitor repre
sent the columns on the monitor in which you can place characters. There are

either 80 or 132 possible character positions, depending on the screen-width
setting. The Ts indicate the current tab stop settings. For information on set
ting tab stops, refer to the Rainbow^^ 100 User's Guide.
Local and Line Modes

The Rainbow ICQ computer must be set to LINE in order for it to communi
cate with its disk drives and any external device (a printer or a telephone line).
When you place the computer in Set-Up, either LINE or LOCAL is displayed
on the monitor to indicate the computer's current mode. It will stay in this

mode unless you change it. If you place the computer in local mode and exit
Set-Up, the keys you press on the keyboard will echo their characters on the
monitor. (Normally, you would leave this feature on LINE.) While in Set-Up
you can change this feature by typing L.
If you want to return to your Main System Menu at this time, press the SetUp key. If not, press <Next Screen> to select the Parameter Settings major
heading.

Parameter Settings Major Heading
The Parameter Settings major heading is shown in Figure 2-3. The current
selections (Os or Is) of all the settings in this major heading are printed on a
line across the middle of the monitor. Each selection's name is also printed on
the monitor. Below the name is the meaning of each value you select. Figure
2-4 summarizes the selections possible and shows their default values. Table
2-1 lists the selections in the order in which they are displayed on the monitor.

SET-UP
TO EXIT PRESS "SET-UP"
PRESS "HELP"
TO RESET TYPE <CTRL/SET-UP
01.01.05A

PA R A M S E T

I* loiBBBlioooniiilioioiBBH
SCROLL
0
1

JUMP
SMOOTH

• CURSOR

Figure 2-3. Set-Up Display - Param(eter) Set(tlngs)
Certain selections have meaning only when the Rainbow 100 computer is

being used as a terminal (in terminal mode). These selections are identified by
an asterisk in Table 2-1.

To change the value of the current selection, press the T or i key. To proceed
to the next selection, press the —♦ key. To return to a previous selection, press
the ♦— key. To return to the first selection shown in Figure 2-4, press the
Return key.
15

Set-Up

AUTO-XON/XOFF {'

kevcl,CK{;:sj'
CORRESPONDENCE fO

0
( =OFF

DATA PROC KYBD I '
-SCREEN

NEW

WIDTH

LINE

XMTBREAK

D E FA U LT
CHARACTER

AUTO-SCREEN f O-OFF
BLANK
ll-ON

auto-repeat{;;°^'

ro=
SET

MODEM

P R I N T

f 0 - OFF

TERM

fO=iBiT

STOP BITS 11 = 2 bits

CHAR PARITY I I = CHECK

A U T O - A N S B K

screen{;;S
MARGIN BELLj , . QN

MODE 11 -NL

pCRSOR

E M U L AT I O N

rO=

LOCAL ECHO

"ON

r O " O F F

1 1 = ON

DISCONNECT fO-OFF
CHAR
rO

SCROLL

REGION

DISCONNECT fO - 60MS (UKl

EXTENT U = FULL SCREEN

Figure 2-4. Summary of Parameter Settings

The CP/M-86/80 operating system needs certain selections set to specific val
ues. Table 2-2 lists these selections.

The following paragraphs describe the selections you should check when you
add a communications line or a printer to your Rainbow 100 computer. The
selections meant primarily for the operator are described in the Rainbow
100 User's Guide.

Scroll

This parameter applies to the upward and downward movement of lines of text
on the monitor to make room for new lines. With jump scroll, the characters on
the monitor advance upward a full line of characters at a time, and new lines of

characters are added at the bottom of the monitor. If auto-XON/XOFF is off,
use jump scroll.
With smooth scroll, the characters on the monitor advance one-tenth of a line

(one scan line) at a time. Smooth scrolling increases your ability to read new
data as you receive it. You can set a limit on the smooth scroll rate in the Misc

major heading. A scroll rate setting of 1, 2, or 3 represents 3, 6, or 12 lines per
second, respectively. If auto-XON/XOFF is on, you may wish to use smooth
scroll.
16

Set-Up
Table 2-1. Parameter Settings Major Heading
Selection (Minor Heading)

Values t
0=Jump
1 = Smooth

Correspondence/
Data Processing keyboard

0 = DP (data processing)
1 = Corr. (correspondence)

Screen width

0 = 80 (columns)
1 = 132 (columns)

Cursor

0 = Underline
1 = Block

Emulation

0 = VT52
1=ANSI

Auto-repeat

0 = 0ff
1 = On

Screen

0 = Dark

1 = Light
Margin bell

0 = 0ff
1 = On

Keyclick

O = 0ff
l = O n

Auto-wrap

0 = 0ff
1 = On

New line mode

0 = LF (line feed)
1 = NL (new line)

Default character set

0 = U.S. ASCII (#)
1 = U.K.(£)

Auto-screen blank

0 = 0ff
l = O n

0 = 60 Hz
1 = 50 Hz
Print termination character*

0 = None

1 = FF (form feed)
*This selection has meaning only in terminal mode,
fValues in boldface are the default settings.

Set-Up
Table 2-1. Parameter Settings Major Heading (Cont)
Selection (Minor Heading)

Values t

Print extent*

0 = Scroll region
1 = Full screen
O = 0ff

Auto-XON/XOFF*

l = O n

Local echo*

0 = 0ff
1 = On

Transmit break*

0 = Disable
1 = Enable

Modem stop bits*

0 = 1 (bit)
1 = 2 (bits)

Received character parity*

0 = Ignore
1 = Check

Auto-answerback*

0 = Disable
1 = Enable

Disconnect character use*

0 = Disable
1 = Enable

Disconnect delay*

0 = 60 ms
l = 2 s

*This selection has meaning only in terminal
tValues in boldface are the default settings.

Table 2-2. Parameters Set for CP/M-86/80 Compatibility
Parameter

Selection

LINE/LOCAL
Emulation (ANS1/VT52)
Auto-wrap
New line mode

LF (Line feed)

Set-Up

Correspondence/Data Processing
Keyboard
This parameter allows you to select character printing in a language other than
English. (Note that this feature is not available on the LK201-AA keyboard,
which is used in the United States.) With the correspondence setting, accents
and other language-specific marks appear with the characters. However, such
characters are not acceptable for entrance into a computer program. To enter
them, enable the data processing setting, which eliminates the accents and
language-specific marks.
Screen Width

This parameter allows you to select the monitor's screen width, either 80 or
132 columns. The number of characters that can be displayed in each screen
width are as follows.

Screen Width

Single-Width

Double-Width

Characters

CAUTION: Changing the screen width will erase the data you had displayed
on the monitor before you entered Set-Up.
Emulation

With VT52 selected, the Rainbow 100 computer uses functions that you
enable by pressing <ESC> (marked on the keyboard label strip) in a format
compatible with Digital's early video terminal, the VT52 DECscope. With
ANSI selected, the Rainbow 100 computer uses functions enabled by <ESC>
according to the format of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI),
the standard currently being used popularly.

Set-Up

Auto-Wrap
With auto-wrap enabled, any displayable character received when the cursor is

at the right margin is automatically placed at the beginning of the next line,
scrolling up if needed. With auto-wrap disabled, any character trying to print

past the right margin writes over the last character position on that line. The
auto-wrap feature should be off for the CP/M-86/80 operating system. In ter
minal mode, this feature should be set to match the remote computer.
New Line Mode

In line feed (LF) mode, a received line feed will perform a cursor index to the
same character position on the next line. Pressing <Ret> sends the carriage
return code only.
In new line (NL) mode, a received line feed will cause the cursor to move to

the beginning of the next line. Pressing <Ret> causes the transmission of
both a carriage return and a line feed code. New line mode should be off for the
CP/M-86/80 operating system.
Default Character Set

When you set this parameter to 0, the computer transmits codes that agree
with the American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII). These
codes are standard for printers and communications devices so they can trans
fer information using a common data pattern. When you set this parameter to

1, the code for the # symbol on reception only is switched to that of the British
pound Sterling character (£).
Auto-Screen Blank

With this feature on (the default condition), the output to the monitor will be
turned off after about 30 minutes of not receiving characters. A blinking

"phantom" cursor will appear on the monitor, as shown in Figure 2-5, to indi
cate that the system is still on. To bring back the data you had on the monitor,

press the Shift key and the display on the monitor will be restored. The Shift
key has no meaning to a program (important here since the program may have
been waiting for a response from you before the screen went blank).
20

Set-Up

Figure 2-5. Auto-Screen Blank "Phantom" Cursor
Power

This feature sets the monitor's scan rate to match the power line frequency in
order to maintain correct screen height and prevent display jitter. You should
set this parameter to 0 for 60 Hz (common in the U.S.) or to 1 for 50 Hz (com
mon in Europe).
P r i n t Te r m i n a t i o n C t i o r o c t e r

This setting determines if a form feed (FF) character is to be sent automatical

ly to the printer at the end of every print screen function.
Print Extent

This selection applies only to terminal mode. It determines the characters that

will be printed during a print screen operation. When you set the feature to full
screen, all characters on the screen print. When you set the feature to scroll

region, only the characters in the scroll region print. The scroll region is the
21

Set-Up
screen area between the top and bottom margins. Normally, the remote com
puter selects the margins; if it does not, all characters on the screen print.

Auto-XON/XOFF
This selection applies only to terminal mode. When auto-XON/XOFF is on, the
Rainbow 100 computer will automatically be synchronized to a remote compu
ter that uses XON and XOFF control signals. When the Rainbow 100 computer
receives more characters than it can handle, it automatically sends an XOFF
control character to the remote computer, which tells it to stop sending data.

When the Rainbow 100 computer can accept more data, it sends an XON con
trol character to tell the remote computer to resume data transmission.
Local Echo

This feature applies only to terminal mode. When on (except in Set-Up), all
keys typed are echoed (displayed) on the monitor and are transmitted to the
remote computer. Enable this feature if the remote computer is not echoing
the characters you type. When this feature is off, all keys typed are transmit
ted to the remote computer without their being echoed on the monitor.
When not in terminal mode, the operating system of the Rainbow 100 compu
ter echoes on the monitor the characters you type.
Tr a n s m i t B r e a k

When this selection is enabled, pressing the Break key places a space signal
on the transmit data line. If the terminal is not transmitting, no signal will be

sent. Also, no space signal will be sent if this selection is disabled.
NOTE: Disabling the transmit break function does not affect a <Shift/
Break>, which causes the modem line to disconnect, or a <Ctrl/Break>, ^

which sends the answerback message on the transmit data line.

Set-Up

Modem Stop Bits
This setting applies only to terminal mode. The selection places 1 or 2 stop
bits at the end of each character's data pattern. Normally, 1 stop bit is used
with baud rates higher than 110, and 2 stop bits are used with baud rates of
110 and lower.

Received Ctiaracter Parity
This selection applies only to terminal mode. When set to "check," this selec
tion allows the computer to check for errors in the data patterns of received
characters. For example, suppose the remote computer has sent an even num
ber of data pulses for even parity. If the Rainbow 100 computer does not
receive an even number of pulses, it does not display the character; instead, it
displays the substitution character.

When this selection is set to "ignore," the Rainbow 100 computer does not
check for parity errors in received characters.
Auto-Answerbock

With this feature enabled, the Rainbow 100 computer automatically transmits
its answerback message when a telephone connection is made. (See "Answer
back Message" below.) When this feature is disabled, no message is sent.
Disconnect Character Use

When this selection is enabled and the Rainbow 100 computer receives a dis
connect character, it will disconnect the telephone line. (See Chapter 4 for
additional information.) Pressing <Shift/Break> sends a disconnect charac
ter on the transmit data line.

Disconnect Delay
This selection allows either a 60 ms delay (typical in the United Kingdom) or a
2 second delay (typical in the United States and other countries) before discon
necting the telephone line.
23

Set-Up
NOTE: Disconnect delay is active only for FDXB and FDXC modem protocols.

This selection is ignored by FDXA modem protocol.
Answerback Message
You can store an answerback message in the computer while in any of the

major headings. (The computer remembers your current major heading.) Start
by typing <Shift/A>. The terminal responds by displaying AUTO-ANSBK
and A = on the monitor, as shown in Figure 2-6. Next, type a delimiter, which
may be any character, followed by your message of up to 20 characters. (The
delimiter is not sent as part of the message.)

SET-UP
TO EXIT PRESS "SET-UP"
PRESS "HELPTO
RESET TYPE
<CTRL/SET-UP>

Figure 2-6. Set-Up Display - Auto-Answerback

NOTE: You may use control characters, such as<Ret>, in the message. A
control character is echoed on the monitor as a reverse-video-associated ASCII

character. For example, a bell is a reverse-video Gfor<Ctrl/G>; a <Ret> is a
reverse-video M.

Set-Up
The message automatically terminates after you enter the 20th character. You
may also end the message early by typing the same delimiter you started with.

This will also return you to your current major heading.
Example:

A = \HELLO @ PLEASE LOGIN\

delimiter

delimiter
control code

You can correct an error in your message only by exiting answerback, reenter
ing, and retyping the message. Beginning a message with two identical charac
ters causes the message to be erased. To save the answerback message along
with the other parameters, type <Shift/S>.

The saved answerback message cannot be displayed once it is stored in mem
ory. The answerback message is transmitted to the remote computer when
your Rainbow 100 computer receives an ENQ control code from the remote

computer or an application. You can also transmit the message by typing
<Ctrl/Break>.

Modem Major Heading
This major heading allows you to set the features of the communications

(COMM) connector, which is on the back of the system unit. This connector
allows you to attach a communications cable to a telephone modem or to
another computer. Select the Modem major heading by pressing <Next
Screen>.

A typical Modem major heading is shown in Figure 2-7. You can change the
selection by pressing the —»or«— key, and change the value of that selection
by pressing the T or ]. key.

Changing Modem Dote Bits and Parity
This selection determines two separate but related communications features -

data bits and parity. Information travels on the communications line according
25

Set-Up

SET-UP
TO EXIT PRESS "SET-UP"
PRESS "HELP"
TO
RESET TYPE
<CTRL/SET-UP>
01.01.05A

MODEM
■a g M
9600

=
=

D ATA B / P
XMT BAUD

9600 = RCV BAUD
FDXA = PROTOCOL

Figure 2-7. Set-Up Display - Modem

to a data pattern. The pattern begins with a start bit, uses 7 data bits (common
in the United States) or 8 data bits (common in Europe), adds a parity bit, and

terminates with 1 or 2 stop bits. This selection determines if the computer is
to use 7 or 8 data bits for each character and the type of parity to be used, as

listed in Table 2-3. Press the T or i key to change the value to the selection
needed.

Setting ttie Transmit Baud Rate
Press the —»key to select the transmit baud rate, shown in Figure 2-7. This
selection enables the speed (baud rate) at which characters are transmitted by
the Rainbow 100 computer in terminal mode. (The current speed is shown in
reverse video on the monitor.) This setting must match the receive speed of
the remote computer. Press the t or i key to cycle through the following trans
mit baud rates. Stop when the baud rate needed is displayed.
50, 75. 110, 134.5, 150, 200, 300, 1200, 1800,
2000, 2400, 3600, 4800, 9600, 19200

Set-Up
Table 2-3. Modem Dote Bits and Parity Selection
Characters

Data Bits

Displayed

per Character

Type of Parity
upon Transmission

Action on Parity
upon Reception
Checked
Checked

No parity

Ignored
Ignored
Ignored
Checked
Checked

No parity

Ignored

Setting ttre Receive Baud Rote
Press the —»key to select the receive baud rate, shown in Figure 2-7. The
receive baud rate feature selects the speed of the characters coming from the
communications line as expected by the Rainbow 100 computer. This speed
must be set to match the transmit speed of the remote computer. Press the t
or J. key to cycle through the available receive baud rates, which are the same
as the choices listed above for the transmit baud rate. You can set a receive

baud rate different from the transmit baud rate as long as the remote compu
ter is set to match these different rates.

Setting Modem Protocol
This selection applies only to terminal mode. The rules for communications,
the signals used, and how the signals are interpreted all form the communica
tions protocol. Press the —»key to select the modem selection parameter
shown in Figure 2-7. The protocol selected determines the method used to

disconnect a telephone line. Press the T or 1 key to cycle through the available
modem protocols, listed in Table 2-4. The modem protocols are explained in
more detail in Chapter 4.

Set-Up
Ta b l e 2 - 4 . M o d e m P r o t o c o l s
Characters

Displayed

Modem Protocol Selected
Full-duplex, no modem (data leads only) with or without auto-XON/XOFF
control

Full-duplex, full modem control with or without auto-XON/XOFF control
Asymmetrical full-duplex with modem control (requires a special cable)

Printer Major Heading
The Printer major heading, shown in Figure 2-8, allows you to set the commu
nications settings for the PRINTER connector, which is on the back of the sys
tem unit. This connector allows you to connect a printer, such as Digital's
LA50 Personal Printer, LAIOO Letterprinter 100, or LQP02 Letter-Quality

Printer, to your Rainbow 100 computer. The communications settings of the
printer connector must be set to match the settings on your printer. The Print
er major heading has two minor headings:
• Data bits/parity
• Transmit/receive baud rate

The minor heading selected is shown in reverse video on the monitor. You can
change the minor heading by pressing the —»orkey, and the values of each
minor heading by pressing the T or J. key.

Setting Printer Data Bits and Parity
This minor heading selects the data bits per character for the printer, and also
selects the parity of the data pattern. When selected, the current setting of
this minor heading is shown in reverse video. Press the t or j key to cycle
through the available selections, listed in Table 2-3. Stop when the selection
needed is displayed. Your selection must be set to match the settings of your
printer.

Set-Up

SET-UP
T O E X I T P R E S S " S E T- U P "
PRESS "HELP-

TO R E S E T T Y P E < C T R I - / S E T- U P >
01.01.05A

PRINTER

HS = DATA B/P

4800 = XMT/RCV BAUD

Figure 2-8. Set-Up Display - Printer

Setting Printer Transmit/Receive Baud Rote

Press the —»key to select the transmit/receive baud rate minor heading,
shown in Figure 2-8. When selected, the current setting of the baud rate
(speed) is shown in reverse video. Press the f or J. key to cycle through the
following baud rates. Stop when the displayed baud rate matches the baud rate
set on your printer.

Baud Rote

Stop Bits

Table 2-5 lists the range of baud rates for the printers referred to above.
29

Set-Up
Table 2-5. Baud Rates for Digital's Personal Printers
Factory Set

Available

Printer

Baud Rate

Range

LA50 Personal Printer

4800

110 to 4800

LAIOO Letterprinter 100

4800

50 to 9600

LQP02 Letter-Quality Printer

4800

110 to 9600

Misc Major Heeding
Press <Next Screen> to select the Misc major heading, shown in Figure 2-9.

Use this heading to select the scroll rate for smooth scrolling, the keyboard
bell volume, and the keyclick volume. Set each of these to your own prefer
ence. These features are further described in the Rainbow^^ 100 User's
Guide.

SET-UP
TO

EXIT

PDPQQ

PRESS

"WPI

"SET-UP"

TO R E S E T " T Y P E < C T R L / S E T- U P >
01.01.05A

0= SCROLL RATE
7 = BELL VOL
7 = CLICK VOL

Figure 2-9. Set-Up Display - Misc(eilaneous)

(■"■I

Set-Up

Memory Major Heading
Press <Next Screen> to select the Memory major heading, shown in Figure

2-10. Use this heading when you install the Rainbow ICQ memory extension
option to let the computer know you have changed the size of its memory.

SET-UP
TO EXIT PRESS
PRESS "HELP-

"SET-UP"

TO R E S E T T Y P E < C T R I - / S E T- U P >
01.01.05A

MEMORY
=

RAM

Figure 2-10. Set-Up Display - Memory

The Rainbow 100 computer has a standard memory size of 64K bytes. (The K
stands for 1024; a byte represents 1 character position.) Adding the 64K
memory extension option makes the total memory equal to 128K bytes. Add
ing the 192K memory extension option makes the total memory equal to 256K
bytes.

Saving Set-Up Vaiues
To save the values you have selected in Set-Up, hold down the Shift key and
type S. This action places the values you have selected in a nonvolatile mem
ory that preserves them for the computer when the power is turned off and on.
31

Set-Up
Recalling Set-Up Values
When you change one or more Set-Up features, the computer uses the new

values even if you have not saved them by pressing <Shift/S>. However, the
values previously saved will be recalled when you turn off the power, or when
you recall the Set-Up values by pressing <Shi£t/R>.
CAUTION: The recall action erases any text you may have had on the monitor
before you entered Set-Up.

Default Set-Up Values
When your computer was delivered from the factory, its Set-Up features were
set to specific values called default values. The Parameter Settings default val
ues are shown in Figure 2-4. To recall these default values, press <Shift/D>.
The default values are not saved, they are just loaded into the operating
m e m o r y.

NOTE: Recalling the default Set-Up values also recalls the default communi
cations baud rates, data bits, and parity for both the COMM connector and the
P R I N T E R c o n n e c t o r.

CAUTION: Recalling the default Set-Up values erases any text you may have
had on the monitor before you entered Set-Up.

Executing System Reset
While in Set-Up, press <Ctrl> and <Set-Up> at the same time to execute a
system reset. The computer performs a brief selftest of its main memory,
recalls its Set-Up features, and displays its Main System Menu.
If an error is found and you can still operate the system in one of its operating
modes, either as a terminal or as a personal computer (but not both), an error
message appears on the monitor above the Main System Menu.
If an error message appears but no menu is displayed, you must find and cor
rect the error before continuing. See Appendix B for a list of the error mes
sages and their corrective actions.

Connecting a Printer to Your
Rainbow 100 Computer

Introduction
Digital Equipment Corporation offers you a choice of three printers for your
Rainbow 100 computer:
• LA50 Personal Printer

• LA 100 Letterprinter 100
• LQP02 Letter-Quality Printer
Each printer, shown in Figure 3-1, will accept various types of paper, including
fan-fold paper, multipart forms, roll paper, labels, and your own office
stationery.
Each of these printers is easily connected to your Rainbow 100 computer.
Other of Digital's serial printers with the same FCC rating may also be con

nected to your Rainbow 100 computer. (See the notice on this manual's copy
right page.)

1*1

Connecting a Printer to Your Rainbow 100 Computer

Connecting a Printer to Your
Rainbow 100 Computer
The printer connector is a D-type, 25-pin, female connector on the back of the
Rainbow 100 system unit, as shown in Figure 3-2. Use the following procedure
to connect a printer to your system unit.

Vw
LA50 PERSONAL PRINTER

LQP02
LETTER QUALITY PRINTER

LA 100
LETTERPRINTER 100

Figure 3-1. Digital's Personal Printers

PRINTER
1

Figure 3-2. Printer Connector on the System Unit
3 4

• - I

Connecting a Printer to Your Rainbow 100 Computer
1.

Set the power switch (marked 1/0) on the front of your system unit to 0
(off).

p » l

If your system unit is installed in the optional floor stand, open the door
on the back of the floor stand to access the back of the system unit.

Connect the male plug of a BCC09 printer cable to the female connector

on the back of the system unit. Refer to Figure 3-3 if you are not using

the optional floor stand, or Figure 3-4 if you are. Tighten the cable's holddown screws.
H

■ M

Close the door on the floor stand (if applicable).

Connect the other end of the BCC09 printer cable to the back of the
printer and tighten the cable's hold-down screws.

At this point, to complete installation of the printer, its ribbon, and paper,
refer to the printer's installation manual.

Plug one end of the printer's power cord into the back of the printer and
the other end into a wall receptacle.

Turn on the printer.

Turn on the Rainbow 100 computer.

Printer Set-Up Selections
You can change the following selections in the Rainbow 100 computer for dif
ferent types of printers.
Number of data bits per character - 7 or 8

Changing Dote Bits and Parity

Turn on the Rainbow 100 computer and wait for the Main System Menu to

•

Parity - odd, even, mark, space, or none

•

Transmit/receive speed (baud rate)

appear. Press <Set-Up>. Then press <Next Screen> until the Printer major
heading appears, as shown in Figure 3-5.

35
m

Connecting a Printer to Your Rainbow 100 Computer

Figure 3-3. Connecting a Printer to the System Unit
(without Floor Stand)

Connecting a Printer to Your Rainbow 100 Computer

MALE PLUG OF
PRINTER CABLE

LOP 02

PRINTER
CONNECTOR

PRINTER
CABLE
BCC09

Figure 3-4. Connecting a Printer to thie System Unit
In the Floor Stand

Connecting a Printer to Your Rainbow 100 Computer

SET-UP
TO EXIT PRESS "SET-UP"
PRESS •HELPTO RESET TYPE <CTRL SET-UP
01.01.05A

PRINTER

4800 = XMT RCV BAUD

Figure 3-5. Printer Major Heading in Set-Up
The current setting of the data bits and parity is shown in reverse video. If
needed, press the t or 1 key to change this setting to match that of the printer.

Digital's personal printers are sent enabled for 8 data bits and no parity. Other
possible settings are listed in Table 3-1.
If 8-bit characters are selected, the last data bit is forced to a space (0) condi
tion and is ignored when received.

Changing Transmit/Receive Speed (Baud Rate)
Press the —> key on the Rainbow 100 keyboard to select the transmit/receive
baud rate. When selected, the rate's current setting is shown in reverse video
on the monitor. If you are using a printer other than one mentioned in this
manual, check the printer's user's guide to find its standard transmit and
receive speed.

Connecting a Printer to Your Rainbow 100 Computer
Table 3-1. Printer Data Bits and Parity Selections
Setting Dote Bits Parity

Press the | or J. key to change this setting on the Rainbow 100 computer to
match that of the printer. The following baud rates are supported.
75, 150, 300, 600, 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600

Exit Set-Up by pressing <Set-Up>.

Printer Connector Signals
The printer connector signals meet the following standards.
• Electronic Industry Association (EIA) standard RS-423 and RS-232-C
• International Telegraph and Telephone Consultative Committee
(CCITT) recommendation V.28

The printer connector signals and their pin assignments are listed in Table 3-2.
Signals and pins not listed are not used by the Rainbow 100 computer.

f w n

Connecting a Printer to Your Rainbow 100 Computer
Table 3-2. Printer Connector SIgnols
Pin Signal
1 Protective Ground

2 Transmitted Data

Name

CCin/EIA

Description

PROT
GND

101/AA

Chassis ground; ac power cord

TXD

103/BA

ground.
Data transmitted from the Rain

bow 100 computer to the print
er. This signal is asserted high
(mark state) when not
transmitting.
3 Received Data

RXD

104/BB

Received XON/XOFF control

signals from the printer. All

other characters are ignored.
5 Clear to Send

GTS

106/CB

Always asserted high (mark
state).

6 Data Set Ready

DSR

107/CC

This signal is used to indicate
printer status. The Rainbow 100

computer receives Data Termi
nal Ready (DTR)* from the

printer on this conductor. If the
printer is not on when the Rain

bow 100 computer is turned on,

it ignores all print requests. If
the printer turns off DTR, it
cannot receive characters.

When DTR is turned on again,
the print operation resumes.
7 Signal Ground
20 Data Terminal Ready

SGND

102/AB

Common ground for all signals.

DTR

108.2/CD

Upon power-up, the Rainbow
100 computer turns this signal
on. The signal is usually
received by the printer as Data
Set Ready (DSR) and is required
by the printer before a print
operation begins.

*The printer's DTR signal (on pin 6) has a higher priority than XON/XOFF control characters
(on pin 3).

Communications

introduction
This chapter describes how the Rainbow 100 computer communicates with a
remote computer either by a telephone line (and modem) or by direct connec
tion, as shown in Figure 4-1. In either case, the conmiunications connector

(labeled COMM) on the back of the system unit is used. This chapter defines
the signals transmitted through this connector and how in the case of a tele
phone connection each modem protocol (as selected in Chapter 2) uses these
signals.

Connecting Your Rainbow 100 Computer
to o Remote Computer

When using a telephone line, a modem (data set) is needed. The modem

changes the signals produced by the Rainbow 100 computer into signals that
can be transmitted over the telephone line. Many types of modems are avail
able, but the modems on both ends of the telephone line must be compatible
with each other.

Communications

REMOTE COMPUTER

RAINBOW 100 COMPUTER

REMOTE COMPUTER

T"
r
MODEM

Figure 4-1. Connecting the Rainbow 100 Computer
to o Remote Computer

M O D E M

Communications
Cables

Cables used to connect the communications connector with most asynchro
nous, Bell System-tjrpe modems must be asynchronous modem cables with an
RS-232 female connector on one end and a corresponding male connector on
the other. Digital's BCC04 modem cable meets these requirements.
Cables used to connect the communications connector with most synchronous,
Bell System-tjrpe modems must be s5mchronous modem cables with an RS-232

female connector on one end and a corresponding male connector on the other.
Digital's BC22C modem cable meets these requirements. (Synchronous com
munications requires a special application program.)
Different cables may be required by other serial devices. Check with the
devices' vendors for more information.

Connection

Use the following procedure to connect the Rainbow 100 computer to a
modem.

1. Set the power switch (marked 1/0) on the front of your system unit to 0
(ofD.

2. If your system unit is installed in the optional floor stand, open the door
on the back of the floor stand to access the back of the system unit.
3. Connect the female connector of the modem cable to the communications

connector (COMM) on the back of the system unit. Refer to Figure 4-2 if
you are not using the optional floor stand, or Figure 4-3 if you are. Tight
en the cable's hold-down screws.

4. Connect the other end of the modem cable to the modem and tighten the
cable's hold-down screws.

5. Close the door on the floor stand (if apphcable).

6. Connect the modem's ac power cord to a wall receptacle. If the modem
has a power on/off switch, turn on the modem.
7. Turn on the Rainbow 100 computer.

4 3

Communications

Figure 4-2. Connecting a Communications Coble to the System Unit

(without Floor Stand)

4 4

Communications

Communications Set-Up Parameters
You can change the following communications parameters on the Rainbow 100
computer.

• Data bits per character
• Parity
• Transmit speed (baud rate)
• Receive speed (baud rate)
• Protocol

• Auto-XON/XOFF
• Transmit break

• Modem stop bits
• Received character parity
• Disconnect delay
Refer to Chapter 2 for directions on setting these parameters.

Modem Protocoi
The Rainbow 100 computer uses a full-duplex modem. A full-duplex modem
transmits and receives characters at the same time.

The rules for conmiunications, the signals used, and how the signals are inter
preted all form the communications protocol. In the Rainbow 100 computer
you can select one of three communications protocols, listed in Table 4-1.

Full-Duplex with No Modem Control (FDXA)
The FDXA selection allows the Rainbow 100 computer to communicate with
out using modem control signals. The computer is ready to transmit or receive
when its power is turned on and it is on-line.

Communications
Ta b l e 4 - 1 . C o m m u n i c a t i o n s P r o t o c o l s
Selection Description

Usual Application

FDXA Full-duplex with no modem control
(data leads only)

Full-duplex communications with
direct connection to a remote compu
ter or with a modem that does not use

modem control signals.
FDXB Full-duplex with modem control

Full-duplex communications with a
modem that uses modem control

signals.
FDXC Asymmetrical full-duplex with
modem control

Full-duplex communications with a
half-duplex modem using the secon

dary channel. FDXC requires a special
cable.

FDXA Connect Conditions. When the Rainbow 100 computer is turned on,
it enables Data Terminal Ready and Request to Send. Communication is then
allowed.

FDXA Disconnect Conditions. The Rainbow 100 computer disconnects the
telephone line by turning off Data Terminal Ready. This signal is turned off
when either of the following occurs.
• The Rainbow 100 computer is placed off-line.
• A recall or system reset is executed.

Full-Duplex with Modem Control (FDXB)
The FDXB selection allows the Rainbow 100 computer to communicate with a
modem that uses modem control signals (such as Clear to Send and Data Set
Ready). These control signals make sure that a connection occurs and is main
tained before and during the communication process. Communication stops if
the connection is not maintained.

FDXB Connect Conditions. The signals shown in Table 4-2 must be
enabled before communication is allowed.

Communications
Ta b l e 4 - 2 . M o d e m C o n n e c t C o n d i t i o n s
Name Signal

Source

CTS Clear to Send

Modem

DSR Data Set Ready

Modem

RLSD Receive Line Signal Detector
(Carrier Detect)

Modem

DTR Data Terminal Ready

Rainbow 100 Computer

FDXB Disconnect Conditions. The Rainbow 100 computer disconnects the
telephone line by turning off Data Terminal Ready. This signal is turned off

when any one of the following occurs.
• The Rainbow 100 computer is placed off-line.
• A recall or system reset is executed.
• A long-break-disconnect <Shift/Break> is enabled.
• A disconnect character is received, and the disconnect character enable
Set-Up selection is on.
• Data Set Ready is turned off.
• There is a loss of RLSD for a time more than allowed by the disconnect
delay Set-Up selection.
• RLSD is not turned on within 30 seconds after DSR is turned on.

Asymmetrical Full-Duplex (FDXC)
The FDXC selection allows the Rainbow 100 computer to use full-duplex com
munications on a half-duplex modem. The Rainbow 100 computer receives
characters on the primary channel at 600 or 1200 baud and transmits charac
ters on the secondary channel at 75 baud. The Secondary Clear to Send and
Secondary Request to Send signals are used instead of Clear to Send and
Request to Send, respectively.

The modem must support a secondary channel to use this protocol, and a spe
cial cable is required.
48

Communications
FDXC Connect Conditions. The signals shown in Table 4-2 must be
enabled before communication is allowed.

FDXC Disconnect Conditions. The Rainbow 100 computer disconnects
the telephone line by turning off Data Terminal Ready. This signal is turned
off under the same conditions specified above for FDXB.

Transmit Break
You can enable or disable the Break key by using the transmit break Set-Up
selection. A Break signal is a transmitted space (0) condition that lasts 0.275

seconds (±10%) on the transmit data line. The remote computer's response to
the Break signal depends on the type of computer and its software.

A long-break-disconnect <Shift/Break> can always be performed when the
Rainbow 100 computer is in terminal mode and on-line. A long-breakdisconnect is a transmitted space condition that lasts 3.5 seconds (±10%). It

turns off the Data Terminal Ready (DTR) and Request to Send (RTS) signals.
When the disconnect character enable Set-Up selection is on, the Rainbow 100
computer transmits the disconnect character before it turns off the DTR and
RTS signals.

Typing <Shift/Break> is the usual way to disconnect the Rainbow 100 com
puter from its communications line.

Auto-XON/XOFF
It is recommended that you have the auto-XON/XOFF Set-Up feature on. With
this feature, the Rainbow 100 computer automatically sends an XOFF control
character when it receives more characters than it can handle. The XOFF con

trol character tells the remote computer to stop sending data. When the Rain
bow 100 computer can accept more data, it sends an XON control character to
the remote computer to tell it to continue transmitting data.

Communications

Communications Connector Signals
The communications connector signals meet the following standards.
• EIA RS-423 and RS-232-C

• CCITT recommendations V.21. V.22, V.23, V.24, and V.28
The communications connector's pin numbers are shown in Figure 4-4. The

signals on each pin are listed in Table 4-3. This table also lists the signals used
by each modem protocol. Signals and pins not listed are not used by the Rain
bow 100 computer.

COMM
13

MH-S566

Figure 4-4. Communications Connector Pin Numbers

Communications
Table 4-3. Communications Connector Signals
Pin Signal

Nome CCin/EIA FDXA FDXB FDXC Description

1 Protective
Ground

PROT 101/AA X

2 Transmitted
Data

TXD

X X Chassis ground; ac power
cord ground.

GND

103/BA

Data

transmitted

from

the Rainbow 100 compu
ter; asserted high (mark
state) when not

transmitting.
3 Received Data RXD 104/BB X

Characters

received

from

the remote computer.
4 Request to Send RTS 105/CA X

when

the

Rainbow

100 computer is on-line,
and off when off-line.

5 Clear to Send GTS 106/CB X

Indicates

the

modem

ready for transmission.
6 Data Set Ready DSR 107/CC X

X X Indicates the modem is in
data mode.

7 Signal Ground SGND 102/AB X

X X Common ground for
internal circuits (except
protective ground).

8 Receive Line RLSD 109/CF

Signal Detector
(Carrier Detect)

12 Speed Indicator SI 112/CI

13 Secondary Clear SCTS 121/SCB
to Send*

The

modem

turns

this

signal on when the carrier
signal is of sufficient
quality and magnitude.
X - When on, the transmit
and receive speeds are
1200 baud; when off,
these speeds are as
established in Set-Up.
X When on, the modem is

ready for the Rainbow
100 computer to trans
mit data; when off, the

modem is not ready.
X = Used with this protocol selection.

♦These signals are supported by using a special cable for FDXC modem protocol.

Communications

Table 4-3. Communications Connector Signals (Cont)
P - i

Pin Signal

Nome CCin/EIA FDXA FDXB FDXC

Description

14 Secondary

STXD

Transmits secondary
channel information, such
as Break signals; mark

11 8 / S B A

Tr a n s m i t D a t a *

state when no characters
are transmitted.
15 Transmitter
Clock

TSET

11 4 / D B

17 Receiver Clock

RSET

11 5 / D D

19 Secondary
Request to Send

SRTS

120/SCA

External clock from the
modem.

When on, the Rainbow
ICQ computer is ready to

receive characters; when

off, the computer is
ready to transmit
characters.
2 0 D a t a Te r m i n a l

DTR

108.2/CD

XXX

Ready

When on, the Rainbow
100 computer is ready to
receive data; when off,
this signal causes the
modem to disconnect and
not answer calls.

22 Ring Indicator

125/CE

Ignored; used by the
modem.

23 Speed Select

SPDS

111 / C H

When on, the Rainbow
100 computer's receive
speed is greater than 600
baud; when off, the com
puter's receive speed is
equal to or less than 600

baud.

X = Used with this protocol selection.

*These signals are supported by using a special cable for FDXC modem protocol.

5
System Tests

Diagnostic Tests
The Rainbow 100 computer runs two types of diagnostic tests that detect and
isolate problems that may occur in the system.
1. An internal diagnostic test runs upon power-up, reset, or self test.

2. A diskette diagnostic test runs a series of test programs that reside on a
diskette.

The internal diagnostic test runs automatically upon power-up and checks the
internal logic of the system. If this test runs successfully, the Main System
Menu appears on the monitor, as shown in Figure 5-1, and the system bell tone
sounds once.

If two bell tones sound, and an error message appears in flashing reverse video
above the Main System Menu, as shown in Figure 5-2, only one of the compu
ter's operational modes is working. For example, if a disk drive fails, you can
still operate the Rainbow 100 computer as a terminal connected to a remote
computer. If the communications line fails, you can still operate the Rainbow
100 computer as a personal computer. A complete Hst of error messages that
can occur when you turn on the computer is found in Appendix B.
53

System Tests

Rainbow 100
Ve r s i o n 0 1 . 0 1 . 0 5 A

Copyright © Digital Equipment Corporation 1982
All Rights Reserved
Press A, B. C, D. S. or T
A = start from Drive A
8 = start from Drive B
C = start from Drive C
D = start from Drive D
S = e x e c u t e S e l f Te s t
T = e n t e r Te r m i n a l M o d e

Rgure5-1. Main System Menu
CONSULT USER'S GUIDE FOR ASSISTANCE - DRIVE A - not ready

Rainbow 100
Ve r s i o n 0 1 . 0 1 . 0 5 A

Copyright © Digital Equipment Corporation 1982
All Rights Reserved
Press A. B. C, D, S. or T
A = start from Drive A
B = start from Drive B
C = start from Drive C
D = start from Drive D
S = e x e c u t e S e l f Te s t
T = e n t e r Te r m i n a l M o d e

Figure 5-2. Main System Menu with Error Message

System Tests
If three bell tones sound, an error message appears but the Main System
Menu does not. In this case you must find the cause of the error before you can
continue. Refer to Chapter 6 and Appendix B and try to isolate the cause of the

problem before calling for service. The error message will also be reported by
the lights on the back of the system unit. An example is shown in Figure 5-3.

Figure 5-3. Example of on Error Message Displayed on the Lights
at the Back of the System Unit
5 5

System Tests
Extended Selftest
The extended selftest runs a more extensive internal diagnostic than that

which is run upon power-up or reset. The extended selftest runs for 90 sec
onds. Run the extended selftest when you suspect a problem in the disk drive,
a diskette, or any option added to the system module. Use the following proce
dure to run the extended selftest.

1. Turn on the Rainbow 100 computer. The Main System Menu appears on
t h e m o n i t o r.

2. Open disk drive A and, if desired, disk drive B. Refer to Figure 5-4 if you
are not using the optional floor stand, or Figure 5-5 if you are.
3. Load a blank or "scratch" diskette into disk drive A, as shown in Figure
5-6, and close its door. (A scratch diskette is simply one that has data on

it that you do not care to save. The blank diskette's part number, BLN402A-BK, is printed on the diskette's label.)
NOTE: Since this extended selftest only reads data from the diskette, the
data is not destroyed.
4. If you wish, load a blank or scratch diskette into disk drive B, as shown in
Figure 5-7, and close its door.

NOTE: When inserting a diskette into drive B (and D for an optional
disk drive), make sure the diskette's label faces down (or to the right
when using the floor stand).
5. Press the S key on the keyboard.
•TESTING. . ."

is displayed in reverse video on the monitor during the test. ^
If the extended selftest is successful, the Main System Menu will appear
on
the
monitor,
as
shown
in
Figure

5-1.

System Tests

PUSH TO OPEN
DRIVE

Figure 5-5. Opening the Disk Drive Doors When Using
the Fioor Stand

If you did not install a diskette into drive A, the following message appears,
followed by the Main System Menu, as shown in Figure 5-2.
CONSULT USER'S GUIDE FOR ASSiSTANCE - DRiVE A - not ready

Other errors that can occur during the extended selftest and the actions you
must take to correct them are found in Appendix B.

System Tests

Figure 6-7. Loading a Diskette into Disk Drive B
60

System Tests

Diskette Diagnostic Test
The Rainbow 100 diskette diagnostic test resides on one diskette. The diag
nostic runs the following four programs.
1. Floppy tests - These tests check each disk drive.

2. Extended test - This test runs the floppy test above, a memory test, and
a basic communications test.

3. Individual test selection - This selection allows you to run the previous
tests one at a time. In addition, it allows you to run tests that check the
communications connector and the printer connector. This selection is

meant to help a Field Service engineer isolate a problem to a specific
device.

4. Install new diagnostic test - This selection allows you to add new diagnos
tic tests to the diskette when you add new options to your system. Type
4, and follow the directions that appear on the monitor.
The following paragraphs describe how to load the diagnostic diskette and
select the desired test mode. The error messages for this diagnostic test are
listed in Appendix B.

Loading the Diagnostic Diskette
After turning on the system and the Main System Menu (shown in Figure 5-1)
appears on the monitor, insert the diagnostic diskette into drive A and close its
d o o r.

Type A on the keyboard. The Main Diagnostic Menu, shown in Figure 5-8,
appears on the monitor.

Floppy Test
Select the Floppy Tests by typing 1. The messages shown in Figure 5-9 begin
to appear on the monitor. Type the response printed in color below.
FLOPPY

TESTS

—

DRIVES A AND

NUMBER OF DRIVES TO BE TESTED? select 2 or 4 (or) 2 <ret>
REMOVE DIAGNOSTIC DISK AND INSERT FORMATTED DISK (or)
61

System Tests

Rainbow 100 DIAGNOSTIC DISKETTE

VERSION 0.1 mo/da/yr

FLOPPY TESTS FOR DRIVES A AND B
EXTENDED TEST
INDIVIDUAL TEST SELECTION
I N S TA L L N E W D I A G N O S T I C T E S T

•TYPE SELECTION NUMBER AND <RET>:
OR
* T Y P E S E T- U P < C T R L / S E T- U P > TO R E B O O T S Y S T E M .

Figure 5-8. Main Diagnostic Menu

FLOPPY TESTS - DRIVES A AND B

NUMBER OF DRIVES TO BE TESTED? select 2 or 4<cr>
R E M O V E D I A G N O S T I C D I S K A N D I N S E RT F O R M AT E D D I S K S < c r >
WARNING CONTENTS OF DISKETTES ARE DESTROYED!!!!<cr>
N U M B E R O F T E S T S - 11
TEST 1 - INTERNAL REGISTER TEST
RUNTIME
MESSAGES
THIS
AREA
SCROLLS
AS

NEW

MESSAGES
ARE ADDED

TEST 2

HEAD

TEST

LOOPBACK

TEST

RESTORE

TEST

5-STEP

TEST

6-MOTOR

TEST

SEEK

LOAD TEST
TEST
TEST

TEST
TEST
TEST

TEST 8 - FORCED WRITE ERRORS TEST
TEST 9 - WRITE SECTORS TEST
TEST 10 - FORCED READ ERRORS TEST
T E S T 11 - R E A D S E C TO R S T E S T
REWRITING SECTORS USED IN TEST 9
END OF TESTS. INSERT DIAGNOSTIC DISK.<cr;-

ERROR
MESSAGE

RX50 CONTROLLER BOARD - HEAD LOAD TIMING FAILURE

A N D S TAT U S

ENTER P TO PROCEED OR L TO LOOP ON ERROR (P L]:

Figure 5-9. Floppy Test Messages

System Tests
Remove the diagnostic diskette and insert blank or scratch diskettes into
drives A and B. Press <Ret>.

NOTE: When inserting the diskette into drive B (or D for an optional disk
drive), make sure the diskette's label faces down (or to the right when using
the floor stand).
The following message prints on the monitor.
WARNING CONTENTS OF DISKETTES ARE DESTROYED!!Il(cr)
Type <Ret> if you want to continue.
The test runs automatically, first testing drive A and then testing drive B. If
you selected a 4-drive system, the program will halt after testing drive B and

instruct you to move the scratch diskettes to drives C and D.
E x t e n d e d Te s t

Select the Extended Test by t5rping 2. The messages shown in Figure 5-10

begin to appear on the monitor. The test being executed is shown in reverse
video.

The extended test checks each disk drive, tests the memory, and checks the

communications and printer connectors. If a test takes more than 1.5 minutes,
a time-to-completion message appears after the test name. The message PASS
is displayed on the monitor as each test is completed without error, as shown
in Figure 5-10.
After successful completion of the extended test, the message TEST PASSED,
followed by the Main Diagnostic Menu, appears on the monitor.
If you have a printer installed on your Rainbow 100 computer, continue with
the Individual Test selection. If not, reset the system by pressing <Set-Up>,
then <CtrI/Set-Up>.

System Tests
TEST BEING EXECUTED

PA S S / FA I L

IS SHOWN IN REVERSE VIDEO

I N D I C ATO R
COMM PORT TEST

RAM

TESTS

Z80

RAM

NVM

TEST
TEST

PA S !

R A M A R B I T R AT I O N

PA S !

SYSTEM TEST

PA S !

KEYBOARD SELF TEST

VIDEO TEST
NUMBER OF DRIVES TO BE TESTED? select 2 or 4<cr>
RUNTIME

R E M O V E D I A G N O S T I C D I S K A N D I N S E R T F O R M AT E D D I S K S < c r :

MESSAGES

WARNING CONTENTS OF DISKETTES ARE DESTROYED!!!!<cr>
N U M B E R O F T E S T S - 11

THIS AREA

TEST

HEAD

LOAD

TEST

SCROLLS

TEST

LOOPBACK

TEST

RESTORE

TEST 1 - INTERNAL REGISTER TEST

ACTIVE

TEST

TIME

TEST

6-MOTOR

BLINKS

TEST

7-SEEK

5-STEP

TEST

TEST
TEST
TEST

TEST 8 - FORCED WRITE ERRORS TEST
TEST

WRITE

SECTORS

TEST

TEST 10 - FORCED READ ERRORS TEST
ERROR

E R R O R : D R I V E A , I N D E X P U L S E FA I L U R E

MESSAGES
A N D

S TAT U S :

S TAT U S

WAITING ON ERROR - TYPE "P' TO PROCEED OR
TYPE "L " TO LOOP ON ERROR

Figure 5-10. Extended Test Messages

Proceeding from an Error
If an error is detected during a diagnostic test, the following message appears
after the error message.
WA I T I N G O N E R R O R

TYPE P TO PROCEED OR TYPE L TO LOOP ON ERROR
FROM ERROR

If you type L, the message
LOOPING ON ERROR
P E R C E N T FA I L U R E X X X %

replaces the previous message. After the test is performed 10 times, the per
cent failure is updated. Type P to exit the loop, and proceed with the next test.

System Tests
Typing P causes the WAITING ON ERROR message to disappear and the
next subtest runs. If you have proceeded from an error, at the completion of all
tests only the Main Diagnostic Menu appears, as shown in Figure 5-1. TEST
PASSED is not displayed.
I n d i v i d u a l Te s t S e l e c t i o n

Selecting 3 from the Main Diagnostic Menu displays the Individual Test Selec
tion Menu on the monitor, as shown in Figure 5-11.
If you have a printer installed on your computer, select the Printer Confidence
test from the menu. Type the number of the test needed, and follow the
instructions printed on the monitor for that test.

INDIVIDUAL TEST SELECTION

1.RAM TEST
2 . R A M A R B I T R AT I O N T E S T
3. VIDEO CONTROLLER TEST
4. FLOPPY DIAGNOSTIC TEST

1 2 . z e e P R I VAT E R A M T E S T
13. KEYBOARD TEST

5. COMM PORT TEST (NO LOOPBACK PLUG)
6. COMM PORT TEST (LOOPBACK PLUG)

7. PRINTER PORT TEST (LOOPBACK PLUG)
8.
9.
10.
11 .

PRINTER CONFIDENCE TEST
SYNCHRONOUS COMM TEST
SYSTEM TEST
V I D E O A L I G N M E N T PAT T E R N

*TYPE SELECTION NUMBER AND <RET>:
OR
• T Y P E S E T- U P < C T R L / S E T- U P > TO R E B O O T S Y S T E M .

Figure 5-11. Individual Test Selection Menu

System Tests
P r i n t e r C o n fi d e n c e Te s t

This test allows you to send a message to the printer and verify that the print
er received your message. The test needs you to input the following informa
tion. (Check this information in Set-Up under the Printer major heading and
make a note of the values selected before nmning this test.)
• Baud rate

• Number of stop bits (1 or 2)
• Number of bits per character (7 or 8)
• Parity enabled/disabled, even/odd
After you enter the information above, the test requests that you input your

message. The message may be of any length. End the message by pressing the
Escape key (<ESC> on the keyboard label strip). The message is then sent to
the printer.

6 6

6
Troubleshooting

Introduction
This chapter gives troubleshooting information that will help you isolate and
solve some problems in your Rainbow 100 computer. Use the following proce
dure if the computer does not respond correctly after you install it or if it
reports an error message.

Troubleshooting Procedure
Refer to Table 6-1 to find a symptom of the problem. Listed with each symp
tom are one or more of its possible causes and the corrective actions you can
take to fix them.

If an error message occurs during power-up, refer to Appendix B to determine
a corrective action.

Troubleshooting
Table 6-1. Troubleshooting Procedure

Symptom

Probable Cause

Corrective Action

No response when the power

The system unit is not
plugged in; no power from
the wall receptacle.

Plug the power cord into the
back of the system unit and the
wall receptacle. Use a different

switch is set to the on (1)

position.

socket to check if there is no

Circuit breaker

Push in the circuit breaker on

the back of the system unit. If
the circuit breaker comes out

again, there is a possible short
circuit in the system. Call Digi
tal Field Service.
Power cord

Check the power cord for possi
ble damage. Replace the power
cord if necessary.

The system has a nonfatal
error; one of its operational
modes is not working.

Check the error message in
Appendbc B for its corrective

Reset the system and try again.
If 3 bell tones sound again,

sage may or may not appear

The system uncovered an
error during its power-up
sequence, and the error

o n t h e m o n i t o r.

must be found before

The system powers up and
sounds 2 bell tones. An error

message appears on the
monitor, followed by the
Main System Menu.
System powers up and
sounds 3 bell tones. A mes

continuing.

action.

check the monitor for an error

message. If no message
appears, check the lights at the
back of the system unit. They
may point to the location of the
problem. (See Appendix B.)
NOTE: Refer to the Rainbow ™
100 User's Guide for errors

that occur with the operating
system.

Wrong characters appear on The following Set-Up feathe monitor while typing on tures may be set incorrectly,
the keyboard.
• ANSI/VT52
• US/UK character set

Check these Set-Up features.

Troubleshooting
Table 6-1. Troubleshooting Procedure (Cont)

Symptom

Probable Cause Corrective Action

Wrong characters are being
received by the Rainbow 100

The following communica- Check these Set-Up features,
tions Set-Up features, which
are to match incoming data,
may be set incorrectly.

c o m p u t e r.

• Modem receive baud rate

• Data bits/parity
• Modem protocol
• Modem stop bits
• ANSI/VT52
• Auto-wrap
• New line mode

• Received parity check
The substitution character Parity
Parity Set-l
Set-Up feature is set Check these Set-Up features.

(g;) is displayed on the moni- incorrectly,
tor instead of the character

expected (or as typed on-line XON/XOFF
XON/XOFF is not supported
with a remote computer). bybythe
the remc
remote computer or is
not turned on.
Transmit or receive baud

rate is set incorrectly.

A
Rainbow 100 Computer
Specifications

Rainbow 100 Computer System
Specifications
Standard system:

System unit, keyboard, monitor, and
operating system

System unit:
Processors

Z80A and 8088 processors

Memory

64K b5d;es

Printer connector

Serial, RS-423

Communications connector

Speeds up to 19,200 baud with modem
control

Storage

Dual-disk drive (2 X 400K bytes)
Monochromatic, RS-170 compatible

Rainbow 100 Computer Specifications
Operating system:

CP/M-86/80

Environment:

Class A: Air-conditioned office or light
assembly area

Operating*

15°Cto32°C(59°Fto90°F)

Not operating

-34 ° C to 60 ° C (-29 ° F to 140 ° F)

Temperature

Relative humidity
Operating

Not operating

20% to 80% with maximum wet bulb 25 °

C (77 ° F) and minimum dew point 2 ° C
(36 °F)

5% to 95% (noncondensing)

Altitude (maximum)

Operating

2.4 km (8,000 ft)

Not operating

9.1 km (30,000 ft)

Magnetic field

The RX50 diskette may lose data when

exposed to a magnetic field strength of

50 oersteds or more.

System expansion:

Three dedicated spaces for option mod
ules that are user-installable

Hardware options:

—

Additional memory - 64K or 192K bytes
Second dual-disk drive (2 X 400K bjrtes)

^Maximum allowable temperature is reduced by 1.8 ° C per 1000 m (1 ° F per 1000 ft) above
sea level. Example: At 2.4 km (8000 ft), the maximum temperature is 27.5 ® C (82 ° F).
74

Rainbow 100 Computer Specifications
Any Digital printer with the same FCC classification as the Rainbow 100

computer, such as the LA50 Personal Printer, LAIOO Letterprinter 100, or
LQP02 Letter-Quality Printer
Optional floor stand for vertical mounting of the system unit

Monitor Specifications

Characters:

7 X 9 dot matrix; includes 2-dot
descenders

Format:

p - t

Physical description:

Depth
Weight

29.2 cm (11.5 in)
34.9 cm (13.75 in)
31.1 cm (12.25 in)
6.4 kg (14 lb)

Cord

1.9 m (6 ft)

Height
Width

P P I

24 lines X 80 or 132 characters

Adjustable tilt:

+5 to -25 degrees

—

Video format:

Monochromatic, composite

Keyboard Specificotions

Audio and visual indicators:

4 lights and bell tone generator

Cord:

1.9 m (6 ft) coiled cord;
4-pin, telephone-type modular connec
tors; plugs into back of monitor

Physical description:

Low-profile, detachable

Height
Length

5 cm (2.0 in) at highest point
53.3 cm (21 in)

Width

17.1 cm (6.75 in)

Weight

4 kg (4.5 lb)

Rainbow 100 Computer Specifications
Keypad:

Sculptured key array

Home row key height:

3 cm (1.2 in) above desktop

Keys:

105 keys; matte, textured-finished, con

cave surface

Size (each)

1.27 cm (0.50 in) square

Spacing

1.9 cm (0.75 in) center-to-center (singlewidth keys)

Wobble

Less than 0.5 mm (0.020 in)

Force to activate

53 g to 79 g (1.8 oz to 2.7 oz);

—

space bar is double this amount
Tr a v e l t o a c t i v a t e

Less than 0.3 cm (0.12 in)

Numeric keypad:

18 keys

Function keys:

36 keys; firmware- and software-driven;
20 function keys horizontally positioned
below label strip

Power:

+12 V ± 5% @ 400 mA, 4.8 W maximum

System Unit and Power Supply
Specifications
Physical description:

Width

16.5 cm (6.5 in)
48.3 cm (19 in)
36.3 cm (14.3 in)

Weight (maximum)

13.6 kg (30 lb)

Height
Length

Power supply type:

Transistor, switching-type AC-to-DC
converter

Rainbow 100 Computer Specifications
AC input:
115 V (nominal)

230 V (nominal)

Switch-selectable

Single-phase, 3-wire, 90 V to 128 V rms;
47 Hz to 63 Hz line frequency
Single-phase, 3-wire, 174 V to 256 V

rms; 47 Hz to 63 Hz line frequency
Line current:

3 A@ 115 Vac
1.5 A (2) 230 Vac

AC power consumption:

218 W

Regulated voltages

+5.1 V ±5%
+12.1 V ±5%
-12 V ±7%

Circuit protection:

Circuit breaker, externally accessible

RX50 Dual-Disk Drive Specifications
Performance:

fl H I

Diskettes per dual-disk drive

Number of recording surfaces
per diskette

Storage capacity
per diskette (80 tracks)

409.5K bytes

per track (10 sectors)

5.12Kbytes

per sector

512 bytes

Tr a n s f e r r a t e

250K hytes/s

Average access time

290 ms

77
m

Rainbow 100 Computer Specifications
Functional Specifications:
Rotational

Density

speed

300

tracks

r/min

per

inch

Physical Specifications:

8.4

(3.3

in)

Width

Height

14.7

(5.8

in)

Depth
Weight

21.6
1.7

cm
kg

(8.5
(3.8

in)
lb)

mrni

78
m

B
Rainbow 100 Error Messages

Internal Diagnostic Test Error
Messages
Table B-1 lists the Rainbow ICQ error messages that may occur during powerMi up, reset, or selftest. It also shows the light display on the back of the system
unit for each error message. (See Figure B-1 for an example.) The replacement procedures for the computer's components are found in the Rainbow
100 User's Service Guide.

To order parts contact your dealer or your local Digital service center.

Diskette Diagnostic Test Error
Messages
Table B-2 lists the error messages that may occur while running the Rainbow
100 diskette diagnostic test and the possible sources of the problems they indi
cate. More than one possible source is given in some cases.

Ye s

Replace system module.

••

Ye s

Replace system module.

Ye s

Replace system module.

0«

Ye s

Replace system module.

Ye s

Replace system module.

0«

Ye s

Replace system module.

•00

Replace memory extension
option.

Ye s

Replace system module.

•

N o

Enter Set-up and recall
default settings by pressing
<Shift/D>. Save these set

MAIN BOARD, rom crc, rom #1

Ye s

•

MAIN BOARD, rom crc, rom #2

Ye s

N o

Ye s

•

0«

MAIN BOARD, video ram

Ye s

•

0«

MAIN BOARD, video vfr

Ye s

N o

Ye s

•

MAIN BOARD, video

Ye s

o«

MAIN BOARD, ram 0-64K

Ye s

RAM OPTION

Cond.

MAIN BOARD, ram arbitration

Ye s

•

MAIN BOARD, nvm data

Ye s

•

tings by pressing <Shift/S>.

Turn power off then on; if this
error still occurs, replace
system module.
MAIN BOARD, comm. port

Ye s

0«

•

Replace system module.

No, but
terminal

mode is not

operational.

MAIN BOARD, printer port

Ye s

•

0«

No, but you
cannot

Replace system module.

use

the printer.
MAIN BOARD, keyboard port

Ye s

KEYBOARD

Ye s

•

RX50 CONTROLLER BOARD

Ye s

•

0«

•

Ye s

Replace system module.

•

Ye s

Replace keyboard or its cable.

•

00*

•

No, but you
cannot boot

Replace RX50 controller
module mounted on system

a diskette:

module.

use terminal

mode only.
DRIVE X, restore

Ye s

•

No, but you
cannot boot

Replace disk drive unit
assembly.

from Drive X.

DRIVE X. step

d"
Ye s

Ye s

•

0«

o«

•

Replace disk drive unit
assembly.

a
o

$
o
o

NOTES:

• = On, 0 = Off, - = On or Off;

Cond. = Conditional if connection is made.

Drive X = Drive A, B, C, or D.
CO

tProcedures to remove and replace the field-replaceable units are found in the Rainbow ™ 100 User's Service Guide.

(D
t o
C O

Q
(Q
CD
C O

test; make sure disk drive

door is closed; check diskette,
it may be upside down.
DRIVE X. motor

N o

Ye s

•

Try a new diskette; if
error still occurs, replace

N o

disk drive.

DRIVE X. seek

Ye s

•

Diskette may be unformatted;
try a new diskette; if error
still occurs, replace disk

•

drive.

DRIVE X. read

Ye s

•

Diskette bad; try a new

•

diskette.

DRIVE X, not ready
o

Ye s

N o

O 0 • •

Carriage restraint card should
not be in disk drive. Make sure

drive not ready

a diskette is installed in
Drive X and its door is closed.

MAIN BOARD, contention

Ye s

0 0 * 0

Ye s

Replace system module.

MAIN BOARD, Z80 ore

Ye s

•

Ye s

Replace system module.

MAIN BOARD, Z80 response*

Ye s

•

• 0 0 0

Ye s

Replace system module.

MAIN BOARD, unsolicited

Ye s

•

Ye s

Replace system module.

interrupt''

MAIN BOARD, unsolicited

Ye s

•

Ye s

•

Ye s

Replace system module.

Cond.

If this error occurs during
power-up or selftest, replace
system module; if this error
occurs during an application
program, the error can be a
program "bug" (in either the
operating system or the
application program) that turns
off the interrupts for an

interrupt. Z80*
MAIN BOARD, interrupts off*

•

excessive time.

remove card or diskette

Ye s

Remove carriage restraint
card or check diskette.
Q

Set-Up defaults stored

Ye s

N o

N o
OOO

OGGO

Check Set-Up selections.

Test passed.

c r
o

$
NOTES:

• = On, o = Off, - = On or Off;

o
o

Cond. = Conditional if connection is made.

Drive X = Drive A, B, C, or D.

*These errors can occur at any time because their circuits are tested constantly.
tProcedures to remove and replace the field-replaceable units are found in the Rainbow 100 User's Service Guide.

CD
Co

Q
(Q
CD
c

Rainbow 100 Error Messages

Rainbow 100 Error Messages
Table B-2. Diskette Diagnostic Test Error Messages
Possible Source/
Error Messages

Corrective Action

Diagnostic Executive Messages
SYSTEM ERROR #10; NO FREE MEMORY

Operating system diskette or
system module.

SYSTEM ERROR #11 (#12, #14) TEST EXECUTIVE

Operating system diskette or
system module.

DOES NOT FUNCTION
S Y S T E M E R R OR # 1 3 : C A N N OT L OA D TE S T E X E C U TIV E

Diagnostic diskette, disk drive,
operating system diskette or
system module.

SYSTEM ERROR #15: CANNOT LOAD TEST FILE

Diagnostic diskette.

SYSTEM ERROR #16: CANNOT LOAD TEST MESSAGE
FILE

Diagnostic diskette.

RAM Test Messages
ERROR: RAM ERROR

System module.

ERROR: SET-UP ERROR FOR RAM SPACE

System module.

ERROR: OPTION MEMORY PRESENT - SET-UP FOR
M E M O RY = 6 4 K

Set-Up display for memory size

E R R O R : O P T I O N M E M O RY I N D I C AT E D N O T P R E S E N T

is incorrect.

Set-Up display for memory size
is incorrect.

SYSTEM ERROR: NO FREE MEMORY

Operating system diskette.

SYSTEM ERROR: CANNOT GET VFR INTERRUPT

System module.

S Y S T E M E R R O R : C A N N O T A L L O C AT E B U F F E R

Operating system diskette.

ERROR: SET-UP FOR MEMORY NOT EQUAL TO
M E M O R Y S PA C E AVA I L A B L E

Set-Up display for memory size
is incorrect or memory exten
sion option is bad.

S Y S T E M E R R O R : B A D I N T E R N A L D ATA

Diagnostic diskette.

RAM Arbitration Test Messages
ERROR: RAM ERROR

System module.

ERROR: BANK 0 ERROR

System module.

—

Rainbow 100 Error Messages
Table B-2. Diskette Diagnostic Test Error Messages (Cent)
Possible Source/
Error Messages

Corrective Action

SYSTEM ERROR: NO FREE MEMORY

Operating system diskette.

SYSTEM ERROR: CANNOT GET VFR INTERRUPT

System module.

S Y S T E M E R R O R : C A N N O T A L L O C AT E B U F F E R

Operating system diskette.
~

Floppy Test Error Messages
ILLEGAL INTERRUPT TO Z80

Z80 FILE NOT FOUND

Z80 RESPONSE FAILURE

I N S U F F I C I E N T S PA C E F O R T R A C K B U F F E R

Not a test, just a catch; repeat
test; if error persists, replace
system module.
Cannot find file on diskette; try
another diagnostic diskette.
Repeat test; if error persists,
replace system module.

Repeat test; if error persists,
replace system module.

RX50 CONTROLLER BOARD I N T E R N A L R E G I S T E R FA I L U R E
H E A D L O A D T I M I N G FA I L U R E
L O O P B A C K R E A D FA I L U R E
R E S T O R E FA I L U R E
M O T O R S H U T O F F FA I L U R E
F O R C E D S E E K FA I L U R E

Bad connection between sys

tem module and RX50 control

ler module; remove and reseat
controller module. Run test

again; if error persists, replace
RX50 controller module.

SEEK FAILURE (with no verify)
FORCED RECORD NOT FOUND FAILURE (read)

FORCED LOST DATA FAILURE (read)
NO TRACK GREATER THAN 43 SIGNAL

FORCED RECORD NOT FOUND FAILURE (write)
FORCED LOST DATA FAILURE (write)
W R I T E S E C T O R FA I L U R E
RX50 CONTROLLER BOARD W R I T E S E C T O R FA I L U R E

Could be a bad diskette; try
another diskette and run test

again. If error persists, remove
and reseat RX50 controller

module; if error still persists,
replace RX50 controller
module.

m m

Rainbow 100 Error Messages
Table B-2. Diskette Diagnostic Test Error Messages (Cent)
Possible Source/

Error Messages
DRIVE X (where X = A, B, C. or D)
DRIVE NOT READY

Corrective Action
Diskette is not inserted or is

upside down; disk drive door is
open.

I N D E X P U L S E FA I L U R E

Diskette may be upside down
or is not spinning.

SEEK FAILURE (with verify)

Could be a bad diskette; rerun
test using another diskette.

R E A D S E C T O R FA I L U R E

May occur after a write sector
failure. Could be a bad diskette;
try another diskette.

W R I T E S E C T O R FA I L U R E

Could be a bad diskette; try
another diskette.

DISK WRITE PROTECTED

Write-protect tab is on
diskette.

NOTE: The following disk drive error messages may occur from poor connection between the
RX50 controller module and the disk drive. Reseat cables and rerun tests. If any of these errors

persist, remove and replace the disk drive.
DRIVE X (where X = A, B, C, or D)
R E S T O R E FA I L U R E

S T E P FA I L U R E

No track 0 signal coming from
drive; replace disk drive.
Head did not move in correct

amount of time; replace disk
drive.
M O T O R S P E E D FA I L U R E

Disk drive motor is turning too
fast or too slow; replace disk
drive.

S T E P I N FA I L U R E

Head did not move toward

spindle correctly; replace disk
drive.
S T E P O U T FA I L U R E

Head did not move away from
spindle correctly; replace disk
drive.

—

Rainbow 100 Error Messages
Table B-2. Diskette Diagnostic Test Error Messages (Cent)
Posslbie Source/
Error Messages
M U LT I - T R A C K T I M I N G F A I L U R E

Corrective Action

P - .

Head did not move away from
spindle correctly; replace disk
drive.

Video Alignment Error Message

ERROR: CP/M-86 CANT FIND ANY FREE MEMORY

Operating system diskette.

Z80 Private RAM Test Error Messages
-

SYSTEM ERROR: CANNOT LOAD Z80 TEST FILE

Diagnostic diskette.

SYSTEM ERROR: CANNOT POSITION Z80 TEST FILE

Operating system diskette or
system module.

ERROR: Z80 FAILED TO START PRIVATE RAM TEST

System module.

E R R O R : Z 8 0 FA I L E D TO C O M P L E T E P R I VAT E
RAM TEST

System module.

ERROR: Z80 PRIVATE RAM ERROR

System module.

E R R O R : C A N N O T S AV E P R I VAT E R A M C O D E

System module.

ERROR: CANNOT RESTORE PRIVATE RAM CODE REBOOT SYSTEM

Reboot system and try again;
if error persists, replace sys

tem module.
E R R O R : P R I VAT E R A M T E S T FA I L U R E I N VA L I D S TAT U S C O D E

Diagnostic diskette or
system module.

1
I1
I

c
Rainbow 100 Ports List and
Reference Manuals

Rainbow 100 Ports List
Table C-1 lists the user-replaceable parts of the Rainbow 100 computer and
their part numbers. For a more detailed parts list and description, refer to the
Rainbow ™ 100 Illustrated Parts Breakdown.

Reference Monuois
Table C-2 lists reference manuals that may be helpful to you.

Ordering Information
Digital's customers may purchase manuals by forwarding a purchase order to:
Digital Equipment Corporation
Accessories and Supplies Group
P. O . B o x C S 2 0 0 8

Nashua, New Hampshire 03061

Rainbow 100 Ports List and Reference Manuals
Table C-1. Rainbow 100 Parts List

System module

70-19974

RX50 controller module

54-15482

64K-byte memory extension option, PCIXX-AA

54-15490-AA

192K-byte memory extension option, PCIXX-AB

54-15490-AB

Power supply

H7842-A

RX50 dual-disk drive

RX50-AA

RX50 diskettes (pack of 10)

30-19448-02

Keyboard, U.S.

LK201-AA

Keyboard label strip

36-20220-12

Video monitor assembly (white phosphor)

VR201-AA

Cable, power supply to system module, 7.6 cm (3 in)

17-00318-01

Cable, RX50 shielded, 20.3 cm (8 in)

17-00317-03

Cable, RX50 shielded, 36.8 cm (14.5 in)

17-00317-04

Line cord, 115 Vac

17-00083-09

Line cord, 220 Vac

17-00083-10

Cable, keyboard

BCCOl

Cable, dc power, 10.2 cm (4 in)

17-00342-01

Cable, printer, 3 m (10 ft), BCC09-10

17-00368-01

Cable, printer, 9.4 m (25 ft), BCC09-25

17-00368-02

Standoffs

12-19857-01

COMM connector loopback plug

12-15336-01

Rainbow 100 Parts List and Reference Manuais
Ta b l e C - 2 . R e f e r e n c e M a n u a l s

Digital
Part Number

Rainbow ™ 100 Installation Guide

EK-PIOOE-IN

Rainbow ™ 100 User's Service Guide

EK-PIOOE-SV

Rainbow 100 Illustrated Parts Breakdown

EK-PCIOO-IP

Rainbow 100 Pocket Service Guide

EK-PCIOO-PS

Rainbow ™ 100 Memory Extension Option

EK-PCMXE-IN

Installation Guide

Rainbow 100 Getting Started

AA-N575A-TV

Rainbow 100 User's Guide

AA-P300A-TV

Rainbow ™ 100 Introductory Catalog

AA-N577A-TV

Contact your local Digital sales office or call Digital's Direct Catalog Sales tollfree (800) 258-1710 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. eastern standard time (U.S.
customers only). In New Hampshire, Alaska, and Hawaii call (603) 884-6660.
Terms and conditions include net 30 days and FOB from the Digital shipping

point. Freight charges are prepaid by Digital and added to the invoice. (Orders
placed against an open line of credit require the customer to pay the shipment
charge.)
Shipment charges for all cash orders (that is, pajrment by check, MasterCard

Visa®, or American Express®) are paid by Digital for shipment within the
continental United States.

The payment of state and local taxes, duties, and levies is the responsibility of
the buyer.

The minimum order is $35.00, but this minimum does not apply when full pay
ment is sent with the order. Make checks and money orders payable to Digital
Equipment Corporation.

Glossary

American National Standards Institute, 1430 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10018.
The Rainbow 100 computer responds to certain control functions standardized
by ANSI.
Answerback message
A short message of up to 20 characters that the Rainbow 100 computer trans
mits upon receipt of an enquiry (ENQ) control character; generated by a <CtrI/
Break> from a remote computer or (optionally) upon first starting communica
tions in terminal mode.

Arbitration

A circuit in the Rainbow 100 computer that decides which event has priority.

American Standard Code for Information Interchange, in which each character is
represented by a 7- or 8-bit code; included are numbers, letters, punctuation,
and special control characters.

Glossary
Asymmetrical

Pertaining to a communications protocol in the Rainbow 100 computer that uses
the secondary channel of a half-duplex modem to provide full-duplex operation.
(The modem requires a special cable.)
Asynchronous

Pertaining to a communications method in which the data has its own synchroniz
ing information in start and stop signals.
Attribute

A characteristic assigned to a character or a word, such as boldface, underlined,
or blinking.

Auto-Answerbock

A feature in the Rainbow 100 computer that allows it to send its answerback
message to a remote computer when communication is established between
them.

Auto-Screen Bionk

A feature in the Rainbow 100 computer that turns off the display on the monitor
after 30 minutes, leaving only a "phantom" blinking cursor.
Auto-Wrop
A feature in the Rainbow 100 computer that prevents characters from printing
over the last character on a line; instead, they continue printing on the next line.
Auto-XON/XOFF
A feature in the Rainbow 100 computer that automatically synchronizes it to a
remote computer so as not to lose data.
Baud rate

The speed at which data bits are transmitted; for example, bits per second.

Glossary
Bell System-type modem

A communications data set that translates computer signals to standard tele
phone transmission signals, and vice versa.
Binary

Two-valued arithmetic or logic, using values 1 and 0. All computer programs use
the binary form.

A binary digit; the smallest unit of information in a binary form, represented as
either a 1 or a 0.

Block diagram

A simplified drawing that uses boxes and interconnecting lines to represent the
components of a system and their relationships.

Boot (Bootstrap)
1) A small program executed when the computer is turned on whose purpose is
to load and start a larger program or the operating system. 2) To start such a
program.

Break

1) To open. 2) A signal to stop transmission. 3) A space (0) on the transmit data

line if transmission is enabled. 4) The key used to generate such a signal.
Buffer

A storage area meant to temporarily hold data being transferred between two
devices.

An instruction or sequence of instructions in a program that causes unexpected
results.

Glossary
Bus

A conductor through which signals are transmitted between a source and a
destination.

Byte
One character position; eight bits of binary data.
c c i n

Comite Consultatif International Telegraphique et Telephoniques
(International Telegraph and Telephone Consultative Committee),which
sets international communications standards.

Channel

A path for electrical transmission between two points.

Character

A single letter, number, or symbol of information.
Character set

One of several groups of characters that can be generated by a keyboard.

C o m m a n d

An instruction to a computer program, entered by typing on the keyboard.
Contention

A conflict between the two processors in the Rainbow 100 computer over a sig
nal's validity.
Control function

An action that affects the processing, transmission, or interpretation of data.
Control (Ctrl)
The key used to start a control function.
9 6

Glossary
Controller

An electronic unit that acts as a link between the processor and a peripheral
device.

1) Cyclic redundancy check for errors. 2) The circuit that performs this check.

The blinking marker on the monitor that indicates where the next character
typed will be placed.

A general term for information (numbers, letters, and symbols), stored, for
example, on a diskette.

The value of a selection assumed by the computer when a specific value is not
supplied by the user.

A character that terminates a character string or message, or separates it from
surrounding text.
Diagnostic program
A program that detects and isolates malfunctions.

Disk

A platter on which data is recorded magnetically. It features random access and
faster access time than magnetic tape.

Disk drive

A peripheral device that reads and writes on a disk or diskette.
IMMH

Glossary
Diskette

A flexible, removable, magnetic disk; also known as a "floppy disk.
Duplex

In communications, pertaining to simultaneous, 2-way, independent transmission
in both directions; also called "full-duplex."

1) Electronic Industry Association, 2001 Eye Street N.W., Washington, D.C.
20006. 2) A communications standard set by the EIA. 3) A signal that conforms
to EIA standards.

8088 processor

A single-chip, 16-bit, parallel, central processing unit manufactured by Intel
Corporation.
Emulation
A Rainbow 100 feature that enables control functions similar to those of the

VT52 DECscope or those that agree with current ANSI standards.
EOT

End-of-transmission control character, created by typing <Ctri/D>.
Escape (ESC)
The key that provides supplementary characters or codes to the computer when
typed before such characters or codes.
FCC

Federal Communications Commission, Washington, D.C.
FDXA

A full-duplex communications protocol that does not use modem control signals.

Glossary

A full-duplex communications protocol that uses modem control signals.
FDXC

A full-duplex communications protocol that uses modem control signals on a halfduplex modem; requires a special cable.
Firmware

A program of instructions that is in read-only memory (ROM) so it will not be
changed. The Rainbow 100 computer's firmware includes a selftest program
that runs when you turn the computer on and displays the Main System Menu.
Floppy disk
A diskette.

Formatted diskette

A diskette that has its data track pattern already recorded on its surface. The
Rainbow 100 computer uses diskettes that are formatted at the factory.
Form feed

A nonprinting character that causes a printer to advance its paper to the begin
ning of the next page.
Full-duplex
A communications method that allows transmit and receive data at the same
time.

Hardware

Physical computer equipment; mechanical, electrical, or electronic devices.
Hertz (Hz)
A unit of frequency equal to one cycle per second.

Glossary
Index

To move the cursor down to the same character position on the next line.

Interrupt

1) To break the normal operation of a program being executed. 2) The signal
that causes such a break.

Key
A single button on the keyboard that, when pressed, sends a letter, number,
symbol, or function code to the keyboard's electronic circuitry.
Keyboard
The typing device that causes characters and commands to be generated when
its keys are pressed.

Keycllck
An audible sound made by the tone generator inside the keyboard when a key is
pressed. In the Rainbow 100 computer the keyclick volume is adjustable in SetUp.
Lead screw

The screw that guides the read/write heads of the RX50 dual-disk drive to the
correct track on a diskette.

Load
To insert a diskette into the disk drive and close its door.

Long-break-dlsconnect

A command used in the Rainbow 100 computer, made by pressing <Shift/
Break>; a 3.5 second space on the transmit data line in order to disconnect the
telephone line.

100

Glossary
Main memory
The main storage area in a computer from which instructions are taken and
executed.

Mark state

The presence of a signal, or logical 1 condition, on the communications line.
Moss storage medium
A product, such as a diskette, on which large amounts of data can be stored for
ready access by a processor.
M e n u

A list of services or functions displayed on the monitor from which you select one
for the computer to do.

M o d e

A state, such as line or local mode, or method of operation, such as terminal
mode.

M o d e m

A telephone modulator-demodulator; a device that modulates signals for trans
mission over communications lines and demodulates them for reception.

Modulation

The process of changing some feature (amplitude, frequency, or phase) of a car
rier signal to transmit the computer's data signals.

Monitor

1) The device that contains the video screen. 2) The video screen itself.
Monochiromatlc

Having only one color.

Glossary
New line mode

A feature in the Rainbow 100 computer that, when in effect, causes the cursor to

move to the beginning of the next line when the Return key is pressed.
Nonvolatile memory (NVM)
A memory whose contents are not destroyed when power is turned off.
Parameter

1) A variable that you give a specific value in order to set a feature of the Rain
bow 100 computer. 2) A selection in Set-Up.
Parity
1) A method of checking for correct data that involves counting the 1 bits in each
character's data pattern, and then making the sum either even or odd. 2) The
choice in Set-Up for the method of checking parity, whether even, odd, Mark,
Space, or no parity.
Perlplieral device
An active device of a computer system, such as a disk drive or a printer, that
extends the system's capacity or functionality.

Port

A connector on the back of the system unit that allows you to connect a periph
eral device to the computer.

Processor

The functional part of the computer that uses instructions to perform computa
tion or manipulation of data. The 8088 and the Z80A processor chips in the Rain
bow ICQ computer are examples.

Protocol

The format the computer uses to transmit and receive communications signals.

102

Glossary

Random-access memory; a computer's main memory to which data is written
and from which data is read. This memory can be expanded in the Rainbow 100
computer by adding the memory extension option.
RS-232-C

EIA standard for communications equipment. Off or Mark signals can be -3 V to
-25 V; On or Space signals can be -1-3 V to -1-25 V.
RS-423

EIA standard for digital interface circuits. Signals for a binary 1 state can be -4
V to -6 V; signals for a binary 0 state can be -1-4 V to 4-6 V.
ROM

1) Read-only memory; the memory in the Rainbow 100 computer that contains
the instructions for the power-up and reset sequences, the selftest, and the pro

gram that interprets the keyboard's keys. 2) Firmware.
Scratch diskette

A diskette used for temporary storage of data. It may contain data you do not
care to save, or be a blank, formatted diskette.

Screen width

1) The maximum number of characters that can be displayed across the monitor
on one line. 2) The setting in Set-Up that allows you to select 80 or 132 columns
o n t h e m o n i t o r.

Secondary channel
The communications line for control signals on a half-duplex modem.

Sector

One-tenth of a track on a diskette; it holds 512 data characters.

103

Glossary
Serial transmission

A method of transferring data in which the bits of the characters are sent
sequentially on a single path.
Set-Up
The state of the Rainbow 100 computer that allows you to change the settings of
its variable features.

Space
The absence of a signal on the communications line; a logical 0 condition.
Specifications
The physical dimensions and functional features of a product.
Stepper motor
A motor that moves and stops in precise increments rather than spins freely.

Stop bit(s)
One or two pulses at the end of a character's data pattern that signal(s) the end
of that pattern.

Synctironizotion
1) Operation in exact coincidence in time or rate. 2) Timing.
Synctironous
1) Having identical time periods. 2) Pertaining to a communications format in
which each data character uses the same time period. The data, including blank
time, is controlled by an external clock device or modem.
System
A combination of hardware and software that performs specific processing
operations.

104

Glossary
System module

The main circuit board where the processors and main memory reside.
System unit

The enclosure that holds the system module and the disk drives.
Te r m i n a l m o d e

1) An operational mode in the Rainbow 100 computer that allows it to act like a
terminal, such as a VT102 video terminal. 2) Selection T on the Main System
Menu.

Track

A path on a diskette that holds data. There are 80 tracks on each diskette.

Troubleshooting
Isolating a problem to a specific cause.

1) The VT52 DECscope; a video terminal manufactured by Digital Equipment
Corporation. 2) A Set-Up feature in the Rainbow 100 computer that allows the
computer to use control functions similar to those of the VT52 DECscope.
XON/XOFF

1) The control characters that synchronize the Rainbow 100 computer to a
remote computer so that data transmitted between them is not lost. XON starts
data transmission, XOFF stops it. 2) The Set-Up feature that enables these char
acters automatically. (See Auto-XON/XOFF.)
Z80A processor

A single-chip, 8-bit, parallel central processing unit manufactured by Zilog, Inc.

105

Index
-

■

ANSI (American National Standards
Institute), 19, 93
ANSI/VT52, 16, 17, 19
Answerback message, 24, 93
ASCII, 20, 93
Asymmetrical protocol, 48, 94

Carriage restraint card, 9, 10
CCITT, 39, 51, 96

Auto-answerback

enabling feature, 16, 18, 23
entering message, 24
Auto-screen blank, 16, 17, 20, 21, 94
Auto-wrap, 16, 17, 19, 24
Auto-XON/XOFF
role in communication, 16, 22, 49,

COMM connector

location, 7, 8, 44, 45
loopback plug, 90
signal and pin assignments, 50, 51
Compose key, 6

Correspondence/Data processing key
board, 16, 17, 19
CP/M-86/80, 1, 18, 19
Cursor

control keys, 5
phantom, 20, 21
selection, 16, 17

105

selection, 16, 18, 22

|MM|

D
r >

Data Terminal Ready (DTK), 40,47,48,

Baud rate

communication, 26, 27, 52

printer, 29, 30
Bell System-type modem, 95
Block diagram, 1, 3, 95
Break, 16,18, 22, 23, 25, 48, 49, 52, 95
—

Default, 16, 17, 18, 20, 32, 97
Diagnostic, 53, 79
Disconnect

character use enable, 16, 18, 23
delay, 16, 18, 23, 24
107

Index

Diskette diagnostic test
error messages, 79
extended test, 61, 63, 64

floppy test, 61, 62, 86

Help key, 5, 13
Hold screen, 6

individual test selection, 61, 65

install diagnostic tests, 61
loading the diskette, 59, 61
printer confidence test, 65, 66

8088 processor, 1, 3, 8, 9, 73, 98
Emulation VT52/ANSI. 16, 17, 19, 98
Environment, 74

Error messages
diskette diagnostic, 85
internal diagnostic, 80
with Main System Menu, 32, 54
Expansion memory option (see Memory
extension option)

Keyboard
features, 5
label strip, 5
lights, 6
Keyclick
off and on, 16, 17
volume adjustment, 30

LA50 Personal Printer, 2, 28, 30, 33,
34, 36, 37, 75

LAIOO Letterprinter 100, 2, 28, 30, 33,
34, 36, 37, 75

Light display, 55, 79, 80-84
Local and line modes, 14
FCC, (copyright page), 2, 33, 75
FDXA

connect conditions, 47
defined, 46, 98

disconnect conditions, 47

Local echo, 16, 18, 22
Lock, 6

Long-break-disconnect, 48, 49, 100
LQP02 Letter-Quality Printer, 2, 28,
30, 33, 34, 36, 37, 75

selection, 47
FDXB

connect conditions, 47, 48
defined, 47, 99
disconnect conditions, 48

selection, 47
FDXC

connect conditions, 48, 49

defined, 48, 99
disconnect conditions, 49
selection, 47
Firmware, 99

Full-duplex, 46-49, 99
108

Manuals

reference, 89, 91
ordering, 89, 91
Margin bell
changing volume, 30
selecting, 16, 17
Memory extension option, 1, 8, 9, 31
Memory major heading, 31
Miscellaneous major heading, 30
Modem major heading, 25

Index

changing data bits and parity, 25, 26,

RLSD (receive line signal detector),

48, 51

connection, 43
defined, 2
end-of-transmission character, 98
full-duplex, 46
half-duplex, 47
protocol, 27, 41, 46
setting receive baud rate, 27
setting transmit baud rate, 26
stop bits, 16, 18, 23

RS-232-C standard, 39, 41, 103
RS-423 standard, 39, 41, 103
RX50 controller module, 8, 9, 86, 87,

Monitor

cleaning, 4
description, 4

RX50 dual-disk drive, 3, 9, 90

Screen width, 16, 17, 19, 103
Scroll

jump/smooth, 16, 17
rate, 16, 30

region, 21, 22
Self-test

New line mode, 16, 17, 20, 102

Para(meter) Set(tings) major heading,
15

defined, 102
Parity
changing, 25
defined, 102
received character, 16, 18, 23
Parts list, 89, 90
Power Set-Up feature, 16, 17, 21
Power supply, 76, 77, 90
Printer

connector signals, 39, 40
data bits and parity, 28, 35, 39
transmit and receive speed, 29, 38
Print extent, 16, 18, 21
Print termination character, 16, 17, 21

Received character parity, 16, 18, 23
Reset, 32, 47, 48

error messages, 79
extended, 56
power-up, 53
selection, 53
Set-Up
auto-answerback, 16, 18
auto-repeat, 16, 17

auto-screen blank, 16, 17, 20, 21
auto-wrap, 16, 17, 19

auto-XON/XOFF, 16, 18, 22, 46
bell volume, 30
correspondence/data processing, 16,
17, 19
cursor, 16, 17

default character set, 16, 17, 20
default values, 12, 32
disconnect character use, 16, 18, 23

disconnect delay, 16, 18, 23, 24, 46
emulation, 16, 17, 19
help, 13
keyclick, 16, 17
keyclick volume, 30
local echo, 16, 18, 22
local/line, 14
margin bell, 16, 17
Misc major heading, 30
109

Index

memory, 31
Modem major heading, 25
modem stop bits, 16, 18, 23, 46
new line mode, 16, 17, 20

parameter settings, 15, 16,17, 18
power, 16, 17, 21
printer, 28, 35, 38
print extent, 16, 18, 21
print termination character, 16, 17,

System module, 8, 90, 105
System unit, 7, 34, 44, 45, 76, 105

T
Terminal mode, 15, 105

Testing
diskette diagnostic, 53
error messages, 79-88
internal diagnostic, 53

recall values, 12, 32

Transmit break, 16, 18, 22, 46

receive character parity, 16, 18, 23,
46

save values, 31
screen background, 16, 17
screen width, 12, 16, 17, 19, 103
scroll, 16, 17

scroll rate, 16, 30
tabs, 12, 13, 14

transmit break, 16, 18, 22, 46
Specifications
environment, 74

keyboard, 75
monitor, 75
power supply, 76, 77
Rainbow 100 computer, 73
RX50 dual-disk drive, 77
system unit, 76
Stop bits
printer, 29
modem, 16, 18, 22

11 0

Troubleshooting, 67, 68, 69, 105
V
VT52 DECscope
defined, 19, 105
selection, 16, 17
w
Wait light, 6
X
XON/XOFF (see Auto-XON/XOFF)
Z
Z80A processor, 1, 3, 8, 9, 73, 105

Rainbow 100 Owner's Manual
EK-PlOOE-OM-001

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