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Introducing the
AMIGA’ 500°

OMUTIOcCarre’
INTRODUCING THE COMMODORE®-AMIGA® 300™
FIRST PRINTING NOVEMBER 1991
Copyright © 1991 by Commodore-Amiga Incorporated.. All Rights Reserved. This docu-
ment may not, in whole or in part, be copied, photocopied, reproduced, translated or
reduced to any electronic medium or machine readable form without prior consent, in
writing, from Commodore.
Commodore and the Commodore logo are registered trademarks of Commodore Electron-
ics Limited. Amiga is a registered trademark of Commodore-Amiga. CDTV, CDTV/P,
AmigaDOS, Amiga 500 and Workbench are trademarks of Commodore-Amiga.All other
trademarks are the property of the respective trademark owners.
Commodore makes no warranties or guarantees, either expressed, or implied, with respect
to the products described in this document, their functionality, compatibility or availabil-
ity. Further, Commodore assumes no responsibility or liability for statements or represen-
tations made by itself or by third party vendors or in the publications reproduced herein.
IN NO EVENT WILL COMMODORE BE LIABLE FOR DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDEN-
TAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM ANY CLAIM ARISING
OUT OF THE REPRESENTATIONS MADE HEREIN, EVEN IF IT HAS BEEN ADVISED
OF THE POSSIBILITIES OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE
EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF SUCH WARRANTIES OR DAMAGES, SO THE
ABOVE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATIONS MAY NOT APPLY.
Information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a
commitment on the part of Commodore.
NOTICE: If this product is being acquired for or on behalf of the United States of America
its agencies and/or instrumentalities, it is provided with RESTRICTED RIGHTS, and all
use, duplication, or disclosure with respect to the included software and documentation is
subject. to the restrictions set forth in the Rights in Technical Data and Computer
Software clause at 252.227-7013 of the DOD FAR and the Rights in Data—General clause
at 52.227-14 of the FAR. Unless otherwise indicated, the manufacturer/integrator is
Commodore Business Machines, Inc., 1200 Wilson Drive, West Chester, PA 19380.

FCC USER’S MANUAL STATEMENT

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules and Standard C108.8-M1983 of the
Canadian Standards Association’s Regulations. Operation is subject to two conditions: (1)
This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any
interference received including interference that may cause undesired operation. If you
suspect this device is causing interference, you can test this device by turning it off and
on. If this equipment does cause interference, the user is encouraged to correct inference
by one of the following means:
e@ Reorient the receiving antenna or AC plug.
e Change the relative positions of the computer with respect to the receiver.
e@ Plug the computer into a different outlet so the computer and receiver are in different
branch circuits.
CAUTION: Only peripherals with shielded-ground cables (computer, input-outlet de-
vices, terminals, printers, etc.}, certified to comply with Class B limits can be attached to
this device. Operation with non-certified equipment may result in communications
interference. Chae or modifications to this device not expressly approved by the party
responsible for the compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
Your house AC wall receptacle must be three-pronged type (AC ground). If it is not,
contact an electrician to install the alt receptacle. If a multi-connector box is used to
connect the computer and peripherals to AC, the ground must be common to all units.
If necessary, the user should consult the dealer or an experienced radio-television techni-
cian for additional suggestions. The user may find the following booklet helpful prepared
by the Federal Communication Commission: “How to Identify and Resolve Radio-TV
Interference Problems.” This booklet is available from the U.S Government Printing
Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, stock no. 004-000-00345-4.
 WARNING

Installation information in this

document is for reference only. All
installation of internal optional devices
or equipment, including third-party
optional devices or equipment, must be
performed by an authorized
Commodore dealer/service center. Also,
all servicing or upgrading of original or
optional devices or equipment, including
third-party optional devices or equipment,
must be performed by an authorized
Commodore dealer/service center.
UNAUTHORIZED INSTALLATION OR
SERVICING WILL VOID YOUR
WARRANTIES.
 Contents

Contents

Setup Guide
BEFORE YOU START...
Choosing a Location for Your Computer
About Electrical Requirements
LOCATION OF CONNECTORS AND
INDICATOR LIGHTS
Rear of the Computer
Top of the Computer
Right Side of the Computer
Left Side of the Computer
Bottom of the Computer
CONNECTING THE BASIC EQUIPMENT
Connecting the Mouse
Connecting the Power Supply
CONNECTING A DISPLAY DEVICE
Connecting a Monitor
Connecting a Television Set
Audio Connections —"WH
HWY
OO
TH
NDNDWDWB
we
ON

CONNECTING PERIPHERAL EQUIPMENT

Connecting a Parallel Device |
peed
f—t

Connecting a Serial Device

Connecting an External Floppy Disk Drive ethrm
pthw}

TURNING ON YOUR SYSTEM

Turning on the Monitor/TV and Other Equipment
Turing on the Computer fe
-—t
et
WwW
Ww
W
Contents

About Your Computer

1. OVERVIEW
THE PARTS OF YOUR COMPUTER
ABOUT SOFTWARE
FEATURES
2. THE KEYBOARD
MAIN KEYBOARD AREA
CURSOR KEYPAD
FUNCTION KEYS

APPENDICES
A. SPECIFICATIONS
B. CARING FOR YOUR SYSTEM
SETUP GUIDE
2k
2 : | “SetupGuide e

8 FOifeou TART . LOCATIONOF

we BEFORE YOU ATTEMPT 10 0 SETuPTHE oe
~ COMPUTER OR CONNECT ANYTHING |
“TOR, MAKE SURE THAT THE POWER
S\ ITCH =O |
OFF AND THAT THE POWER CABLES ARE
NOT CONNECTED TO
D ELECTRICAL
OUTLETS. ©
000000000000
Vee YO)
000000000000
OK 90000000000

@ When roenconna cables| tothe

featioa: |
make sure you are pluggingg the correct
cable into the proper connector. Do nottry
to force acable into a connector. | | |
e If you have a problem, always check the
instructions, cspecaly theORATION

CHOOSING A LOCATIONFORsetae
cOmrui | REAR OF THE COMPUTER
When you set upyour Sornpuitee equipment. |
pick a location away from heat, dust, smoke, | 1. DISK DRIVE
vibration oriBdacdilees interference. =
eo | eee ee. i 2. SERIAL

ABOUT ELECT : ICAL REQUIREMENT af 3. PARALLEL

lf possible, plug your Amiga equipment into a 4. RIGHT AUDIO
separate circuit to avoid electrical problems
like power line interference and voltage ts 5. LEFT AUDIO
surges or drops, which may occurifthe =
circuit is shared with devices such as air 6. RGB VIDEO
conditioners, fans, vacuum cleaners, etc.
These problems can cause einai foyour 7. COLOR COMPOSITE VIDEO
computer. | |
8. RF MODULATOR
CAUTION: BE SURE THATYOUR COMPUTER AND |
ANY PERIPHERAL EQUIPMENT MATCH THE =—s ssj—=S 9. CHANNEL SELECT SWITCH
ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COUNTRY |
IN WHICH YOU ARE USING THE COMPUTER. FOR | 10. POWER
EXAMPLE, YOU CANNOT USEA 110/120 VOLT |
MODEL IN COUNTRIES HAVING 220/240 VOLT ©
SYSTEMS. IF IN DOUBT ABOUT ELECTRICAL |
HOOKUP REQUIREMENTS, CONSULT YOUR
DEALER.
 Setup Guide 3

CONNECTORS AND INDICATOR LIGHTS

HL Hei =

TOP OF THE COMPUTER

1. POWER LIGHT 2. FLOPPY DISK LIGHT 3. KEYBOARD
 Setup Guide

1. MOUSE PORT (1 MOUSE)

2. GAME PORT (2 GAME)
3. 3.5 INCH FLOPPY DISK DRIVE

LEFT SIDE OF THE COMPUTER

4. “CREDIT CARD’ CONNECTOR (PCMCIA)

 Setup Guide 5

BOTTOM OF THE COMPUTER

O UU UUUUUUUUUUOU 6 JUUUUUUUUUUOUUGUE

3. EXPANSION SLOT
 Setup Guide

CONNECTING THE BASIC EQUIPMENT

CAUTION: BEFORE CONNECTING ANYTHING

(MONITOR, PRINTER, ETC.) TO THE COMPUTER,
TURN OFF ALL POWER!

CONNECTING THE MOUSE

Before attaching the mouse, make sure you
turn the mouse upside down and remove the
piece of foam that holds the mouse ball in
place. If you have a problem, see Cleaning the
Mouse in Appendix B of this manual to find
out how to uncover and clean the mouse ball.

To attach the mouse, plug the end of the

mouse cable into the connector marked
1 MOUSE. The connector fits tightly; this
helps keep the plug in place. Press firmly but
do not force.
To use the mouse, you will need a clean, flat
space that is at least 12 inches square (30
centimeters by 30 centimeters).

CONNECTING THE POWER SUPPLY

The power supply has two cables
permanently attached to it. One cable has a
special square connector at the end; this
connector plugs into the rear of the
computer. The other cable has a power
connector that plugs into an electrical
receptacle. The design of this connector will
match the electrical requirements for the
country in which you purchased the
computer.
 Setup Guide

Insert the cable with the square connector

into the connector marked POWER on the
rear of the computer. Insert the other cable
into an electrical outlet.

CAUTION: THE ON/OFF SWITCH IS LOCATED ON

THE POWER SUPPLY. MAKE SURE THE ON/OFF
SWITCH IS OFF BEFORE MAKING ANY
CONNECTIONS.

CONNECTING A DISPLAY DEVICE

some type of viewing device will be required

for your system. Generally, a video monitor is
recommended for this purpose. Depending
on the country of purchase, the monitor may
be included or may be optional equipment.
You can also connect your computer to a
television set through the use of the built-in
RF Modulator on the rear of the computer.

TYPES OF MONITORS YOU CAN USE

The monitor can be one of a number of types,

including:

e Analog RGB

@ Color Composite

@ Multifrequency

e Digital RGBI

See your dealer for details on monitor types.

 Setup Guide

CONNECTING A MONITOR
The connection between the Amiga and the
monitor depends on what type of monitor you
are using (See monitor list above).

RGB Monitor en) 25

Gay

For an RGB monitor you will need a cable with

a 23-pin D female connector on one end. This
connector is inserted into the monitor output
socket marked RGB VIDEO on the rear of the
Amiga. Fasten down the 23-pin D female
connector with two screws. Insert the other OOON00000000

end of the video cable into the connector on

the back of the RGB monitor.

Multifrequency Monitor
If you are using a multifrequency monitor,
you will need to attach a 23-pin female
adapter to the 15-pin connector on the end of
the monitor input cable. Insert the 23-pin
female adapter into the VIDEO connector on
the back of the computer. Fasten down the
connector with two screws. The other end of
the video cable must be connected to the
monitor.

Color Composite Monitor

For a color composite monitor, you connect
the monitor to the RCA type jack marked
COMP, located on the rear of the computer,
next to the RGB VIDEO connector.

When connecting a monitor, follow the

instructions in your monitor manual.
 Setup Guide 9

CONNECTING A TELEVISION SET

The following procedure assumes that your
television set uses flat 300-ohm wire
connections.

1. DISCONNECT THE VHF ANTENNA WIRES

FROM THE VHF TERMINAL OF THE TV.
2. INSERT THESE WIRES UNDER THE
SCREWS MARKED CONNECT TO
ANTENNA, AT THE BOTTOM OF THE TV
SWITCH BOX.
3. LOCATE THE SHORT WIRE THAT COMES
FROM THE SIDE OF THE TV SWITCH BOX
AND IS MARKED TV VHF. CONNECT THIS
WIRE TO THE VHF TERMINAL OF THE TV
SET.
NOTE: If your antenna cable is the round
75-ohm type, you will need to use a 75-ohm to 300-
ohm adapter to attach your VHF antenna cable to the
screws at the bottom of the switch box. You will also
need to use a 300-ohm to 75-ohm adapter to attach
the switch box antenna wire to your set’s VHF
terminals (adapters not supplied).

4. SLIDE THE SELECTOR SWITCH ON THE

SWITCH BOX TO THE POSITION MARKED
COMPUTER.
9. PLUG ONE END OF THE TV CONNECTOR
CABLE (this is a long coaxial cable with a
phono plug at each end) INTO THE PORT
MARKED RF MODULATOR ON THE REAR
OF THE COMPUTER. SET CHANNEL
SELECT SWITCH TO LEFT OR RIGHT
POSITION (WHICHEVER PROVIDES BEST
PICTURE).

6. PLUG THE OTHER END OF THE TV

CONNECTOR CABLE INTO THE JACK
MARKED GOMPUTER AT THE TOP OF THE
SWITCH BOX.
10 Setup Guide

AUDIO CONNECTIONS
There are left and right audio connectors on
the back of the computer for connecting the
audio output to a monitor, a monitor-style TV
Or audio equipment.

Audio Connections for Monitors and

Monitor-Style TV Sets
lf you have an Amiga stereo monitor, the
monitor should come with a set of stereo
cables, for the left and right audio channels.
To connect the Amiga sound to the monitor,
insert the ends of the cables into the right and
left audio outputs on the back of the Amiga.
Then insert the other ends into the
corresponding audio inputs of the monitor.

lf your monitor has only a monophonic

speaker, you can convert the two stereo
channels from the Amiga to a single channel
by using an optional cable called a ‘‘Y’’
adapter. This adapter can be purchased at
electronics stores and in the electronics or
hardware departments of many large
consumer stores. Just insert the two phono
plugs at one end of the “‘Y’’ adapter into the
two audio outputs on the back of the Amiga.
Then insert the single plug at the other end of
the “Yinto the monitor's audio input jack.

Audio Connections for a Stereo

System
lf your stereo system has a set of RCA-type
audio input connectors (labeled Auxiliary,
Aux, CD, Tape, VCR Audio, TV/Aux, etc.),
 Setup Guide 11

you can use these connectors to attach a set

of RCA-type audio output cables from the
Amiga. You can obtain these cables in
electronics stores and in the electronics or
hardware departments of many large
consumer chains.

To connect the Amiga to your stereo system,

insert the cables into the Amiga’s right and
left audio output connectors. Then insert the
other ends of the cables into the
corresponding audio input jacks of the stereo
system.

lf you have a non-standard (i.e., non-RCA)

type of connector on your stereo equipment,
there is probably an adapter that will enable
you to make the audio connection. See your
dealer for information.

CONNECTING PERIPHERAL EQUIPMENT

CONNECTING A PARALLEL DEVICE

You connect a parallel (Centronics
compatible) device (e.g., a printer) through
the PARALLEL PORT (a 25-pin female D
connector) on the rear of the computer.
0000000000000
| OOOCOO0000000 ©)

IMPORTANT: When you are adding an

item to the computer, be sure to follow
the specific instructions supplied with
that item and/or consult your dealer.
12 Setup Guide

CONNECTING A SERIAL DEVICE

You connect a serial (RS232C) device (e.g., a

printer or modem) through the SERIAL PORT
(a 25-pin male D connector) on the rear of the
computer.
0000000000000
(O} OOO0000000000 4)

NOTE: You can connect a variety of serial

devices (e.g., serial printer, a modem, MIDI
adapter) to the serial port. However, only one
device can be connected at a time.

CONNECTING AN EXTERNAL FLOPPY DISK DRIVE

You can add an external Amiga-compatible

floppy drive through the DISK DRIVE
connector on the rear of the computer.

GapsapanDeeoD

OO000000000
 Setup Guide 13

TURNING ON YOUR SYSTEM

TURNING ON THE MONITOR/TV AND OTHER EQUIPMENT

Included with most monitors/TVs and

peripheral equipment (like printers) is a
power cable. These cables may be
permanently attached to the equipment, or
they may be free cables—that is, cables that
are entirely separate from the equipment.

NOTE: Different countries may use different

cable designs. Remember that your
computer and any peripheral equipment
must match the electrical requirements of
the country in which you are using the
computer. If in doubt about electrical
connection requirements, consult your
dealer.

If you have not already attachedthe power

cords to your monitor/TV and peripheral
equipment, do it now. Then turn on the
monitor and peripheral equipment.

TURNING ON THE COMPUTER

Press the ON/OFF switch on the power supply
to turn on your computer. You should now be
ready to begin using your system.

CAUTION: ALWAYS USE THE ON/OFF SWITCH ON

THE POWER SUPPLY TO TURN OFF THE
COMPUTER. NEVER TURN OFF THE COMPUTER
BY PULLING THE CORD FROM THE ELECTRICAL
RECEPTACLE. DOING SO COULD DAMAGE THE
POWER SUPPLY.
ABOUT YOUR COMPUTER
 Overview 1-1

Chapter 1. Overview

The Amiga 300 computer is a compact, advanced and powerful

personal computer. Incorporating the unique features of the
Amiga line of computers, the A300 offers a Motorola®
microprocessor plus sophisticated custom sound and graphics
chips for énhanced computing speed and versatility. The A300
computer is easy to use — even a computer novice can be up
and running with a minimum of effort.
The A300 model’s random access memory (RAM] can be easily
expanded with a memory cartridge that installs into the
underside of the unit. This cartridge also teatures a battery-
backed-up real time clock. The A300 also includes a PCMCIA
connector (sometimes referred to as a “credit card” connector).
Your computer comes with a new and improved AmigaDOS
operating system.
1-2 Overview

The Parts Of
Your Computer System

Your computer includes:

@ The Main Unit — Houses the 68000 CPU (central processing
unit}, the “brain’’ of your computer.

The main unit also contains:

® system RAM
® sound and graphics chips
® floppy disk drive
@ built-in PCMCIA “credit-card’”’ connector
® connectors for optional peripheral equipment, such as
printers, modems, disk drive, video equipment and audio
equipment
 Overview

® The Keyboard — Provides a full alphanumeric layout, cursor

keys, and a set of program-activated function keys. The
keyboard is used to communicate information and
instructions to the computer and to respond to messages
from the computer. The keyboard is built into the top of the
computer.

PP |
a a SE PTET
Er ie
PERU DP 0 EE De =
jaa) ak i ia idialial) iealana
je yA NAY

@ The Mouse — Controls the

movement of a small, arrow-shaped
pointer on the display screen. When
you move the mouse over a flat
surface like a desk, the pointer on
the screen moves accordingly. You
transmit instructions to the Amiga
by clicking on the mouse buttons.
The mouse connects to the mouse
port (labelled 1 Mouse} on the right
side of the computer.
Overview

® Floppy Disks — Thin, square, hard plastic devices

containing a circular piece of magnetically coated material.
Floppy disks are used to store information and programs that
tell the computer what to do. Amiga floppy disks are 3.5
inches across and can hold approximately 880,000 characters
of information. :

® Floppy Disk Drive{s} — When a floppy disk is inserted into

the floppy disk drive, the computer can be instructed to
obtain (read) information from the disk, or send (write}
information to it. The A300 includes one 3.5 inch floppy
disk drive on the right side of the computer . A connector for
an external floppy disk drive is located on the rear of the

am

ie
>
=a» /
>
 Overview

@ The Power Supply — The power supply has two cables

attached to it. The cable with the square connector on the
- end is inserted into the rear of the computer. The other cable
is connected to an electrical outlet. The power supply also
contains the On/Off switch for the computer.

@ Monitor — Displays.information generated by the

computer’s operating system and your programs. The
monitor may be one of several types, and may or may not be
included as part of the Amiga 300 package, depending on the
country of purchase. Depending on its type, the monitor
connects to the RGB or color composite port on the rear of
the computer.

NOTE: You can also connect a TV set using the RF Modulator

port.
1-6 Overview

® Peripherals — As shown in the Setup Guide at the beginning

of this manual, external peripherals (e.g., printers, modems,
disk drives) can be added to your computer.

About Software

Software is a set of instructions (often called a program) that

tells your computer what to do. There are many kinds of
software, including:
® application programs, such as word processors, video
titlers, spreadsheets, databases, games, drawing
programs, music programs, etc.
® programming languages, such as BASIC, C, AREXX, etc.
® utilities, such as file management programs or font
editors
® operating systems, such as AmigaDOS, which controls
how your Amiga interacts with you and with the
equipment in your system
Software is contained on some form of storage medium, like a
floppy disk.
 Overview 1-7

Features

68000 Microprocessor
The central processing unit of your computer is a Motorola
68000 microprocessor running at a clock speed of 7 megahertz
(Mhz). (Clock speed, given in Mhz, is one measure of how fast a
computer’s microprocessor can perform tasks.]

PCMCIA Card Interface

Your computer also includes a PCMCIA interface that accepts
optional “credit card’’ type expansion cards. See your dealer for
more information.

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

Processing
A Graphical User Interface (GUI) allows you to tell the
computer what to do by selecting symbols, rather than having
to type in words or commands. The symbols are in the form of
small pictures or symbols known as icons. The icons are
displayed automatically by the computer, so you do not have
to memorize a long list of commands or keystrokes to get the
computer to respond correctly to your instructions. This
makes a GUI easy to use.
Amiga computers provide a versatile GUI known as the Amiga
Workbench. |
1-8 Overview

Multitasking
Multitasking is the ability of a computer to handle a number of
tasks or programs operating simultaneously. With an Amiga,
this concurrent activity does not depend on optional added
software or special programming techniques. The Amiga
multitasking capabilities allow you to open several programs
at one time.

Text-to-Speech Conversion
The Amiga has the ability to convert text input directly to
speech. There are controls for rate, pitch, volume, inflection,
and even type of voice (male, female, computer}.

Stereo Sound
The Amiga has four independent sound channels, normally
configured as two stereo channels. For high-quality sound, the
Amiga can be connected to a stereo monitor or TV set, or to a
stereo system.
 The Keyboard 2-1

Chapter 2. The Keyboard

The A300 keyboard includes:

® The Main Keyboard
@ The Cursor Keypad
@ The Function Keys
When using the keyboard, keep the following points in mind:
@ Keys can be program-controlled—that is, their use can be
defined by the software being used (e.g., an application
program, such as a word processor or spreadsheet}. For
specific information on the program control of keys, refer to
the manual for the particular software package you are
using.
@ The keys on the keyboard usually repeat for as long as they
are held down.
@ You cannot interchange the numeral 0 and the upper case
letter O, or the numeral 1 and the lower case letter I.
@ In some cases several keys may be used together, either
simultaneously or in a special sequence.
You can use the keyboard as well as the mouse to move around
the screen and select icons, gadgets, etc. In many programs you
use the keyboard to enter information. You can use the keys to
tell the computer what you want it to do, and to reply to
messages or questions the computer displays on the screen.
These messages and questions are sometimes called “system
requesters” or simply “‘requesters”’.
alae :

oralae ala
‘ie
 The Keyboard 2-3

@ Esc
@ Tab
@ Ctrl
@ Caps Lock

AMIGA
@ Left Shift
@ Left Alt
@ Left Amiga
@ Function Keys

et =
| ©
(F1/F 10)
Help

oe
@ Backspace
Taal le @ Del
@ Enter

am
® Indicator Lights
® Right Shift
@® Right Amiga
@ Right Alt
@ Left Cursor
@ Up Cursor
® Down Cursor

‘Tella
@) Right Cursor
@) Space Bar
€ Alphanumeric
Keys
2-4 The Keyboard

NOTE: As illustrated below, there are two keys on the main

keyboard, located near the Shift key positions, that are not
used on the USA and UK (United Kingdom) keyboards. The
specific characters associated with these keys depend on the
national keymap in use.

Ai
Jy)
eC
 The Keyboard 2-5

Main Keyboard Area

The main keyboard area (see keyboard illustration) provides a

standard alphanumeric keyboard plus additional keys with
special uses and capabilities.

Special Keys

Esc

The Esc (Escape) key, located at the top left of the keyboard, is
a program-controlled key, often used to expedite leaving or
entering a program or a program function.

| |

Tab.
The Tab key, located two rows below the Esc key, can be
program-controlled to perform tab functions. The Tab key is
used extensively in word processing and desktop publishing
programs.
2-6 The Keyboard

i
Ctrl
The Ctrl (Control) key, located at the left of the keyboard, just
above the left Shift key, is a program-controlled key that is
often used with other keys to perform special functions. The
Ctrl key modifies other keys in a way similar to the way that
the Shift key does.

O
Caps
Lock

Caps Lock
The Caps Lock key is located next to the Ctrl key. When the
Caps Lock key is active a light on that key is illuminated. The
alphabetic characters (A through Z} will produce upper case
letters as long as the light is on. However, the upper characters
on the numeric row at the top of the main keyboard area |!,”",#
through /) are not affected by the Caps Lock key. To type these
characters, you must hold down one of the Shift keys and press
the key for the desired character. To release the Caps Lock key,
press it again so that its light goes out.

fo
Shift
There are two Shift keys, marked with an upward arrow and
located on either side of the bottom row of letters. These keys
can perform the same function as the shift keys on a
 The Keyboard 2-7

typewriter—that is, depressing either Shift key simultaneously

with any alphabetic key or with any dual- symbol key on the
top row of the main keyboard causes the upper character on
that key to be displayed. In addition, the Shift keys are often
used with other keys to perform program-controlled functions.

Alt
There are two Alt {Alternate} keys, located at the left and right
of the space bar at the bottom row of the keyboard. These keys
are also often used with other keys to perform program-
controlled functions. These keys may modify other keys in
a way similar to the way the Shift key does.

This key, known as the left Amiga key, is located on the

bottom row of the keyboard, just to the left of the space bar.
The lett Amiga key is also used with other keys to perform
special functions. This key may modify other keys in a way
similar to the way the Shift key does.

This key, known as the right Amiga key, is located on the

bottom row of the keyboard, just to the right of the space bar.
The right Amiga key is also used with other keys to perform
2-8 The Keyboard

special functions. This key may modify other keys in a way

similar to the way the Shift key does.
NOTE: Simultaneously depressing the Ctrl key and the left
and right Amiga keys resets your computer.

TEES
Help
The Help key, located to the right of the Function keys, is a
program-controlled key that can be used to provide additional
information or user assistance.

Backspace
The Backspace key is the key second from right on the top row
of the main keyboard area. Pressing the Backspace key deletes
any characters to the left of the cursor and causes the cursor,
and any characters to the right of it, to move to the left.

ial
Del
The Del (Delete) key is the first key on the right in the top row
of the main keyboard area. Pressing the Del key deletes the
character at the cursor position. Any characters to the right of
the cursor move to the left.
 The Keyboard 2-9

Enter

The Enter key is located on the right side of the main keyboard
area, in the. third and fourth rows from the bottom. You use
this key to transmit a command or information to the
computer. In manuals, you may see this key referred to by
the arrow symbol on the keycap or by the word Return.

Cursor Keypad

The four cursor keys are grouped in a small keypad located on

the bottom right side of the keyboard.
These keys control the movement of the cursor (up, down, left,
right) on the screen display. The direction in which each key
moves the cursor is indicated by the direction of the arrow
displayed on the top of the individual key. These keys may also
have special functions, depending on the software application.
2-10 The Keyboard

Function Keys

FEE WEFWEFye ed
The Function Keys, located at the top of the keyboard and
numbered F1 through F10, are program-controlled keys. These
keys may have special functions, depending on the software
application. |
Appendices
 Appendix A A-1

Appendix A
Specifications

Motorola 68000, 16 Bit |

Clock Speed 7.16 MHz NTSC, 7.09 MHz PAL

Coprocessors Multi-chip coprocessor system for
DMA, video, graphics and sound

Memory 512 KB RAM standard; expandable

internally

Interfaces Internal:
Floppy Disk Drive
External:
Floppy Disk Drive
Mouse/Joystick (2]
Serial (RS232, PC-compatible]
Parallel (Centronics, PC-compatible]
Video
RGB Analog: DB23 15 KHz
Color Composite: RCA type
connector
RF Modulator
PCMCIA-compatible connector
Stereo Audio

Power Supply Switching, 23 Watts

A-2 Appendix A

A300 Model

Keyboard Integral, 78 keys

Disk Drive(s) Standard: built-in 3.5-inch floppy drive

(capacity: 880 KB formatted}

External Disk One optional Amiga-compatible floppy

Drives disk drive
Video Display Complies with:
North America: RGB NTSC
International: RGB PAL
4096 Colors

Environmental Operating: 0-45°C (32 to 113°F|

Specification Storage/Shipping: 0-60°C (32 to 140°F}

Four independent sound channels

configured as two stereo channels

Text-to-speech Built-in .
conversion

Clock/ Optional with battery back-up

Calendar

System Multitasking; includes AmigaDOS,

Software Workbench, and various utilities
 Appendix B B-1

Appendix B
Caring For
Your Computer
Your computer needs very little care to keep it working at its
best. Observe the following precautions to keep your computer
in top shape.
© Keep the computer dry. Keep liquids away from the
computer. An accidental spill can seriously damage
disks or the computer itself.
© Keep the computer out of temperature extremes.
Working temperature range is 0 to 45 degrees C
(32 to 113 degrees F). Storage temperature range is
0 to 60 degrees C (32 to 140 degrees F). If the system
experiences excessive heat or cold, the Amiga may not
function reliably.
© Keep connectors and the ends of cables clean. Any
substance that adheres to connectors or the ends of
cables can prevent a good electrical connection or
damage the connector.
® Keep magnets away from all components of the
computer setup. Although magnets will not damage the
components, they can distort the video display and
they can damage disks. In addition to more obvious
magnets, beware of magnets in telephones, electronics
equipment (especially loudspeakers), and electric ©
motors.
® Do not attempt to service then computer yourself. If
your computer needs service, take it to an authorized
Amiga Service Center. Attempting to service the
computer on your own will void the warranty on your
Amiga.
B-2 Appendix B

Cleaning the Mouse

Use the mouse on a clean surface. The ball on the bottom of

the mouse must be clean to work properly. If the mouse
behaves erratically, it may need cleaning. To clean the mouse,
you will need:
® asoft, dry, lint-free cloth
@ isopropyl alcohol, or head cleaning fluid for tape
recorders
@ cotton swabs

Here’s how to clean the mouse:

® Turn the mouse upside down with its cable toward

you. Hold the mouse in both hands and put your
thumbs on the ridged panels on either side of the ball.
® With your thumbs, firmly turn the ball cover to the
open position. With the mouse upside down, lift off the
cover. |
 Appendix B B-3

@ Put your hand over the opening, turn the mouse right
_ side up, and catch the ball.

® In the opening, you will see small rollers. Moisten a

cotton swab with isopropyl alcohol or tape head
cleaning fluid and gently swab the surface of each
roller. Turn each roller as you swab to clean it all the
way around.

@ Use the cloth to wipe off the mouse ball. (Do not use
any liquid when cleaning the mouse ball.) When you
are done, blow gently into the opening to remove any
dust, replace the ball, and replace the cover for the ball.
B-4 Appendix B

Taking Care of Floppy Disks

To protect the information on your floppy disks, observe these

precautions:
® Make copies (working disks) of important disks. Work
with the copies and keep the originals in a safe place
for use as backups if the copies become damaged. See
Chapter 3 of this manual for details on copying disks.
® Never remove a disk from a drive when the drive light
is on. The disk drive light tells you that the Amiga is
using a disk.
® Don’t touch the surface of the disk. The metal shutter
on a floppy disk closes automatically whenever you
remove the disk from a disk drive. Do not touch the
surface of the disk underneath the cover.
® Keep disks away from magnets. Disks store
information magnetically. Magnets can ruin the
information on a disk.
Keep disks away from extreme heat or cold. Do not
leave disks in direct sunlight, near heat sources, or in
cars parked in the sun.
 this document
was generously
contributed by

rancdell
jesup

scanned by:
commodore international historical society
www.commodore.international
 Tit)

ERT MARMOT