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TAPI

Dell Precision™ WorkStation 530 User's Guide

The TAPI features of your computer enable Microsoft® Windows®-based applications to operate with a wide variety of telephony devices, including voice, data, fax, video, and so forth. TAPI applications require a TAPI service provider (TSP), which is a software driver that allows TAPI applications to communicate with different types of TAPI hardware.

Microsoft Windows provide a TSP called Unimodem, which is a "universal" modem service provider that supports a wide range of commonly used modems. For more information on Unimodem, see your Windows documentation. When using a TAPI device other than a modem, such as a PBX or a voice processing card, you will need a TSP provided by the manufacturer of the device.

The TAPI system-board connector uses a 4-pin cable to interface your internal TAPI-compliant expansion card with the audio system in your computer. To locate the TAPI system-board connector, see "System Board Components" or the interior service label. Your computer supports TAPI- compliant cards using the standard TAPI connector. For example, you can connect your modem to the TAPI connector and then use your audio speakers and microphone as a speakerphone. The microphone carries your voice into the computer and then through the TAPI system board connector to your modem card. The caller's voice enters through the modem card to the TAPI system board connector and then out to the speakers. You can also use this configuration to record and play sound files over the phone.

Installing a TAPI Device

CAUTION: Before you perform this procedure, see "Safety First— For You and Your Computer."

NOTICE: Before disconnecting a device from the computer, wait 10 to 20 seconds after disconnecting the computer from its electrical outlet. Before removing a component from the system board, verify that the standby power light on the system board has turned off. To locate this light, see "System Board Components" or the interior service label.

1. Turn off the computer and devices, disconnect them from their electrical outlets, and wait 10 to 20 seconds.
   
   
2. Lay the computer on its right side.
   
   
3. Open the computer cover.
   
   
4. Install the TAPI-compliant expansion card.
   
   

See the manufacturer's documentation for more information.

5. Connect the 4-pin TAPI cable to the TAPI system-board connector.
   
   

To locate the TAPI connector on the system board, see "System Board Components" or the interior service label.

6. Connect the 4-pin TAPI cable to the TAPI expansion-card connector.
   
   

To locate the TAPI connector on the expansion card, see the manufacturer's documentation.

7. Close the computer cover.
   
   
8. Stand the computer upright.
   
   
9. Reconnect the computer and devices to their electrical outlets, and turn them on.
   
   

NOTE: If enabled, the Chassis Intrusion option will cause the following message to be displayed at the next system start-up:

ALERT! Cover was previously removed.

10. Install the appropriate TSP for the TAPI device.
    
    

See the manufacturer's documentation and your Windows documentation for more information.

Installing a TAPI Sound Card

You can install a TAPI-compliant sound card that has a standard TAPI connector. For example, you can connect your modem to the TAPI sound card connector and then use the audio capabilities as a speakerphone.

CAUTION: Before you perform this procedure, see "Safety First— For You and Your Computer."

NOTICE: Before disconnecting a device from the computer, wait 10 to 20 seconds after disconnecting the computer from its electrical outlet. Before removing a component from the system board, verify that the standby power light on the system board has turned off. To locate this light, see "System Board Components" or the interior service label.

1. Turn off the computer and devices, disconnect them from their electrical outlets, and wait 10 to 20 seconds.
   
   
2. Lay the computer down on its right side.
   
   
3. Open the computer cover.
   
   
4. Install the TAPI-compliant expansion card.
   
   

See the manufacturer's documentation for more information.

5. Enter system setup, click Integrated Devices, and change the setting for Sound to Off.
   
   
6. Connect external audio devices to the sound card's connectors. Do not connect external audio devices to the microphone, speaker/headphone, or line-in connectors on the computer back panel (see "Back-Panel Features").
   
   
7. Connect the 4-pin TAPI cable to the TAPI sound-card connector.
   
   

To locate the TAPI connector on the sound card, see the manufacturer's documentation.

8. Connect the 4-pin TAPI cable to the TAPI expansion-card connector.
   
   

To locate the TAPI connector on the expansion card, see the manufacturer's documentation.

9. Close the computer cover.
   
   
10. Stand the computer upright.
    
    
11. Reconnect the computer and devices to their electrical outlets, and turn them on.
    
    

NOTE: If enabled, the Chassis Intrusion option will cause the following message to be displayed at the next system start-up:

ALERT! Cover was previously removed.

12. Install the appropriate TSP for the TAPI devices.
    
    

See the manufacturer's documentation and your Windows documentation for more information.

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