M U L T I M E D I A
5/1
5
MULTIMEDIA
This chapter is designed to give you basic information on a few of
the multimedia features that may be fitted to your computer. It is a
catch-all term that covers audio, CD-ROM, communications,
education, fax, games, Internet, modem, movies, networking, photo-
editing, publishing, radio, scanners. television, voice-mail and more,
as it is an area under continuous development.
This Apricot computer
is supplied fitted with on board audio in the
form of a Soundblaster 16 bit sound system (with an integral
Yamaha OPL3 synthesiser) and a Quad speed CD-ROM drive. In
addition there is also an installed multipurpose Infra-red receiver
interface for the remote control handset.
Software and Drivers
All of the Multimedia aspects are controlled by software drivers that
are loaded by the operating system, Windows 95 and its internal
control files. These files are read by your computer when it boots up
on switch on and the software initialises the CD-ROM drive, the
Sound system, plus any other devices that may be installed.
All of the software should have been installed, either by our factory
or your supplier. You should not initially attempt to reinstall any of
the device drivers as it may lead to conflicts in the computer as it
tries to boot up, causing the software to believe, for example, that
there may be
two
CD drives, when it can only physically detect one.
If you have any difficulties contact your supplier or authorised
maintainer. If you are making changes or adding expansion cards
yourself, some useful information is in the chapter ‘
System
Expansion’.
The CD-ROM drive
The drive specification is detailed in appendix A ‘The system unit’
and its basic operation in the chapter ‘System drives’. There are few
controls for the CD-ROM drive, the most important being on the
bottom right - the ‘open drive’ or
eject
button.