Chapter 1. Introduction

Welcome to the Indy workstation. The Indy Workstation Owner's Guide is your guide to installing, troubleshooting, and repairing your Indy workstation. Specifically, it tells you how to:

Refer to this guide to set up the system, install hardware options, or find a solution when you suspect there is a hardware problem. Basic information on installing software is also included. For more advanced information on installing software and troubleshooting, refer to the online Software Installation Administrator's Guide.

The system and all the procedures in this guide are designed so that you may maintain and repair the system without the help of a trained technician. However, do not feel that you must work with the hardware yourself. You can always contact your maintenance provider to have an authorized service provider work with the hardware instead.

Finding the Information You Need

The Indy workstation ships with the following sources of information, as shown in Figure 1-1:

  • Indy Workstation Owner's Guide and pictorial setup poster

  • online System Tour

  • IRIS InSight online documentation and help (includes a catalog of all documentation)

  • IRIX Release Notes (on the CD)

    Figure 1-1. Sources of Information for the Indy Workstation


The following sections contain information on options that can help you get your workstation up and running and help you become productive as soon as possible.

Indy Workstation Owner's Guide

Refer to the Indy Workstation Owner's Guide (this manual) to set up the system and install hardware options, or find solutions when you suspect there is a hardware problem. In addition, it contains basic information on installing or removing optional software using the installation tool, Inst. For information on using the Software Manager to install software, see Chapter 4 of the online Personal System Administration Guide. For advanced information on software installation and troubleshooting, refer to the online Software Installation Administrator's Guide.

Figure 1-2. Indy Workstation Owner's Guide


IRIS InSight Online Documentation and Help

The online documentation package is called IRIS InSight. The InSight icon is shown in Figure 1-3. To view the manuals, from the Help toolchest, choose “Online Books.” You see bookshelves for end-user, developer, and administration manuals that ship online with the system. Double-click on a book to open it.

Figure 1-3. IRIS InSight Icon


For a description of the manuals and a listing of manuals that are available to purchase in hard copy, double-click on the Documentation Catalog.

System Tour

The online System Tour introduces you to the features and functionality of Silicon Graphics, Inc.'s Indigo Magic User Environment. This environment combines a unique desktop management system with digital media tools in one “Media User Interface” that uses audio, video, and graphics.

Figure 1-4. System Tour Icon


Additionally, the System Tour teaches you how to use many of the tools available in the environment. To view the System Tour, double-click the System Tour icon (shown in Figure 1-4) on the desktop.

Conventions Used in This Manual

This Indy Workstation Owner's Guide uses these conventions:

  • References to documents are in italics.

  • References to other chapters and sections within this guide are in quotation marks.

  • Names of onscreen buttons are in italics.

  • Names of menu choices are in quotation marks.

  • Numbered sentences are steps that you follow to complete a task. Below a step, sentences preceded by a box describe in detail how to do the step. For example:

  1. Connect the Ethernet AUI cable to the Ethernet AUI port on the back of the Indy workstation.

    • Make sure the sliding bracket on the Ethernet port on the system is pushed all the way left.

    • Plug the cable into the port.

Where to Go from Here

To set up the Indy workstation, use the poster you received with the system, and then see Chapter 2, “Getting Started.” This chapter tells you how to put all the pieces together, turn the system on, and set up your login account and network connection software.

To install extra SIMMs, see Chapter 3, “Installing Memory.”

To install GIO option boards, see Chapter 4, “Installing GIO Option Boards.”

To install peripherals, see Chapter 5, “Installing Peripherals: Internal and External Devices.” This chapter tells you how to install internal and external drives, serial devices, and audio peripherals.

To install or remove Silicon Graphics software, see Chapter 6, “Installing and Removing Software.”

If you have a problem while powering on or using your Indy workstation, see Chapter 7, “Troubleshooting.”

To order and replace parts, see Chapter 8, “Ordering, Removing, and Installing Replacement Parts.”

For information on maintenance and some tips on making your work environment comfortable, see Chapter 9, “Safety, Maintenance, and Regulatory Information.”

In addition to this manual, the Indy workstation ships with an online documentation package called IRIS Insight. To open IRIS InSight, choose “Online Books” from the Help toolchest.