Manual for PC-A100

Manual for PC-A100

Brand: SHARP

Category: Office Equipment

Document Type: Manual

Language: EN

Available Languages: EN , ES

Uploaded: Nov. 21, 2025, 7:16 p.m.

Manual Publish Date: 1998-09-01

Warranty Information

Information regarding warranty is not explicitly stated as a period in the provided text.

Quick Setup

Turning Power On

Your computer is powered with either the rechargeable battery or AC power. Before using the computer for the first time:

  1. Remove the battery protection sheet on the bottom of the computer.
  2. Plug the AC adapter cable into the computer's AC adapter jack.
  3. Plug the AC power cord into the AC adapter.
  4. Plug the AC power cord into a wall outlet.
  5. Slide the display lock latch until the screen cover releases, and raise the cover.
  6. Tilt the cover to a comfortable viewing position.
  7. Slide the power switch to the rear and release it.

When you turn on the computer, the power indicator turns green, the computer goes through a self test to detect any problems, and Windows 98 starts. When using the computer for the first time, a dialog box called the Windows 98 Setup Wizard appears to guide you through the Windows 98 setup.

Troubleshooting and error codes

Question Troubleshooting Steps
Why doesn't the power switch function?
  • Make sure the AC power cable is correctly connected to a live wall outlet.
  • If the computer is operating with batteries, batteries may be discharged. Connect the computer to a wall outlet.
Why doesn't Windows start?
  • Check whether the external floppy disk drive unit contains a non-system disk. Remove the floppy disk from the drive, and press any key.
  • If you are attempting to boot from the external floppy disk drive, check to make sure the disk is fully inserted and seated into the drive.
  • If you attempt to boot from the external floppy disk drive, check whether the Diskette Drive is set to the first in Boot Sequence in the Main menu of the Setup Utility.
Why do I get a non-system disk or disk error message?
  • You may have inserted a non-bootable disk in the external floppy disk drive unit (either a defective disk or one without an installed operating system). Remove the disk.
  • If this message is issued when you attempt to boot from your hard disk drive, insert a bootable disk into the external floppy disk drive unit and check the status of your hard disk drive.
  • Check whether the items Diskette A: and Hard Disk Type: are correctly set in the Main menu of the Setup Utility.
Why do I get the message Operating system not found?
  • If you get this message when starting from the hard disk, insert the boot up disk into the external floppy disk drive unit; then check the condition of the hard disk.
  • Enter the Setup Utility and check the status of the hard disk. Check the size of the hard disk and make sure the item Hard Disk Type of Main menu is set to Auto.
Why is the screen blank?
  • Press any key to see if any power management feature has turned off the screen to save power.
  • See the power indicator to check whether the computer is powered.
  • If you are using a standard battery pack, make sure it has a charge remaining. If you are using an external battery pack, make sure it is connected correctly and has a charge remaining.
  • Make sure the LCD screen is selected as the display by pressing Fn+F5.
  • Check the brightness controls for your display by pressing Fn+F7.
  • Check whether the back light is on by pressing Fn+F11.
  • If you still have the problem after trying the above, slide and hold the power switch for more than five seconds to turn off the system. Five seconds later, turn the computer on.
  • If you cannot power off the system with above procedure, slide the reset switch on the bottom of your computer and turn off the system. Wait five seconds and turn the computer back on.
Why does the external monitor display nothing?
  • Confirm the monitor is turned on.
  • Confirm the monitor is connected correctly.
  • Make sure an external monitor is selected as the display by pressing Fn+F5.
Why is the image on an external monitor display distorted?
  • Confirm the monitor is connected correctly.
  • Make sure the CRT is not near any electric devices having strong magnetic fields such as a TV set or radio.
  • Do not share an outlet with a TV set or radio.
  • Make sure the value of the Screen area in the Display Properties is lower than the resolution of the CRT monitor.
Why can't I read or write data to/from the hard disk?
  • Confirm the drive and file names are correct.
  • Confirm the hard disk has sufficient free space.
  • The hard disk in your computer is formatted with FAT32. You cannot read or write data formatted in other operating systems, which are not FAT 32 compatible. Applications that are not compliant with FAT32 may not work properly.
  • If you cannot re-install Windows 98 correctly, check whether the item Fixed disk boot sector: in the Security menu of the Setup Utility is Normal.
Why can't I use a floppy disk?
  • Confirm the external floppy disk drive unit is correctly connected.
  • Confirm the floppy disk is inserted correctly.
  • The floppy disk may not be formatted or could be corrupted.
  • If you cannot write to a floppy disk, the disk may be write-protected. Eject the disk and ensure that the write-protect tab covers the detection hole.
  • If you cannot write to a floppy disk, the disk may be full. Use another disk.
  • Confirm the item Diskette A: is 1.44MB, 3 ½ in the Main menu of the Setup Utility.
  • Check whether the supervisor has set a password prohibiting access to the floppy disk drive in the Security menu of the Setup Utility.
Why doesn't the keyboard or the glide pad function?
  • Perform a software reset by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete.
  • If you cannot perform a software reset, slide and hold the power switch for more than five seconds to turn off the system. Five seconds later, turn the computer on.
  • If you still cannot turn off the system with the power switch, slide the reset switch on the bottom of your computer to turn off the system(refer to page 2-3). Five seconds later, turn on the computer by sliding the power switch.
Why doesn't the glide pad function correctly?
  • Confirm the surface of the glide pad is completely dry and free from dirt and grease.
  • Confirm the item Internal Pointing Device in the Advanced menu of the Setup Utility is enabled.
Why don't expansion or peripheral devices function?
  • Confirm they are correctly connected to your computer or the external floppy disk drive.
  • Confirm the external floppy disk drive is connected correctly to the computer if peripheral devices are connected to the external floppy disk drive.
  • Confirm drivers necessary for operating ports on the devices are installed.
  • There may not be a free IRQ (Interrupt). Free up an IRQ from a built-in device.
Why can't I print?
  • Make sure the printer is turned on.
  • Check whether the external floppy disk drive and the printer are connected correctly.
  • Check whether the printer has enough paper.
  • Check whether the printer driver is installed.
  • Make sure LPT Port in the Advanced menu of the Setup Utility is set correctly.
  • From the Start menu, select Settings - Printers to confirm your printer is installed here. If not, click Add Printer to install your printer.
  • See also the Windows Help.
Why doesn't the device connected to the RS-232C serial port function?
  • Confirm the device is correctly connected to the external floppy disk drive with an appropriate cable.
  • Confirm the external floppy disk drive unit is connected correctly.
  • Confirm the application program is compliant with the RS-232C standard interface.
  • Confirm the COM1 port is not disabled using the following procedure. 1. In the System Properties dialog box, select Device Manager. 2. Double-click Ports(COM&LPT); then, Communications Port (COM1). 3. Make sure the item Disable in this hardware profile is unchecked.
  • Confirm the COM 1 port is not used by another applications.
  • Confirm the item Serial Port is set appropriately in the Advanced menu of the Setup Utility.
Why can't I communicate through the built-in IR port?
  • Confirm the IR port of your computer is lined up with the IR port of the other device. These ports should be no more than 20 inches (50 cm) apart without any obstacles.
  • Confirm that IR communication is not turned off in the Sharp IR dialog box.
  • Confirm the item Mode of IR Port is set to IrDA in the Advanced menu of the Setup Utility.
  • Turn off power management both in the Windows and the Setup Utility.
  • Do not use the IR port under intense fluorescent light or near cellular phones.
Why can't I communicate through the built-in modem?
  • Confirm the item Modem is set to Enabled or Auto in the Advanced menu of the Setup Utility.
  • Confirm the telephone line is properly connected to the modem jack.
  • Confirm the dial settings of Windows 98 or communication software are matched with the telephone line (Example: To access an outside line, first dial "7" for local, "1" for long distance).
  • Confirm the network configuration is appropriate.
  • Confirm the user name or password is correct.
  • Confirm the COM port in the communication software is set appropriately.
  • Turn off the power management both in the Windows and the Setup Utility.
Why is the date and/or time incorrect?
  • Correct the date and time using the Date/Time icon in the Windows Control Panel or the Main menu of the Setup Utility.
Why can't I produce sound?
  • Check the volume control on the right side of your computer.
  • Click the speaker symbol on the taskbar and check the Windows volume control.
Why can't I use a hardware device?
  • Make sure the hardware device is not crossed out with an X mark using the following procedure. 1. In the System Properties dialog box, select Device Manager. 2. Select the device you cannot use. 3. Click Properties, and uncheck Disable in this hardware profile.
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