Aspire 3600/5500 Series User's Guide Copyright © 2005. Acer Incorporated. All Rights Reserved. Aspire 3600/5500 Series User's Guide Original Issue: May 2005 Changes may be made periodically to the information in this publication without obligation to notify any person of such revisions or changes. Such changes will be incorporated in new editions of this manual or supplementary documents and publications. This company makes no representations or warranties, either expressed or implied, with respect to the contents hereof and specifically disclaims the implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Record the model number, serial number, purchase date, and place of purchase information in the space provided below. The serial number and model number are recorded on the label affixed to your computer. All correspondence concerning your unit should include the serial number, model number, and purchase information. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronically, mechanically, by photocopy, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Acer Incorporated. Aspire 3600/5500 Series Notebook Computer Model number: __________________________________ Serial number: ___________________________________ Purchase date: ___________________________________ Place of purchase: ________________________________ Acer and the Acer logo are registered trademarks of Acer Incorporated. Other companies' product names or trademarks are used herein for identification purposes only and belong to their respective companies. iii First things first We would like to thank you for making the Aspire series of notebook computers your choice for meeting your mobile computing needs. Your guides To help you use your Aspire, we have designed a set of guides: First off, the Just for Starters... poster helps you get started with setting up your computer. The printed User's Guide introduces you to the basic features and functions of your new computer. For more on how your computer can help you to be more productive, please refer to the AcerSystem User's Guide. This guide contains detailed information on such subjects as system utilities, data recovery, expansion options, and troubleshooting. In addition it contains warranty information and the general regulations and safety notices for your notebook. It is available in Portable Document Format (PDF) and comes preloaded on your notebook. Follow these steps to access it: 1 Click on Start, All Programs, AcerSystem. 2 Click on AcerSystem User's Guide. Note: Viewing the file requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. If Adobe Acrobat Reader is not installed on your computer, clicking on AcerSystem User's Guide will run the Acrobat Reader setup program first. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation. For instructions on how to use Adobe Acrobat Reader, access the Help and Support menu. Basic care and tips for using your computer Turning your computer on and off To turn on the computer, simply press and release the power button below the LCD screen beside the Easy-launch buttons. See "Front view" on page 1 for the location of the power button. To turn the power off, do any of the following: · Use the Windows shutdown command Click on Start, Turn Off Computer, then click on Turn Off. iv · Use the power button Note: You can also use the power button to perform power management functions. · Use the customized functions for power management You can also shut down the computer by closing the display cover, or by pressing the sleep hotkey + . Note: If you cannot power off the computer normally, press and hold the power button for more than four seconds to shut down the computer. If you turn off the computer and want to turn it on again, wait at least two seconds before powering up. Taking care of your computer Your computer will serve you well if you take care of it. · · · · · · · · · · Do not expose the computer to direct sunlight. Do not place it near sources of heat, such as a radiator. Do not expose the computer to temperatures below 0 ºC (32 ºF) or above 50 ºC (122 ºF). Do not subject the computer to magnetic fields. Do not expose the computer to rain or moisture. Do not spill water or any liquid on the computer. Do not subject the computer to heavy shock or vibration. Do not expose the computer to dust or dirt. Never place objects on top of the computer. Do not slam the computer display when you close it. Never place the computer on uneven surfaces. Taking care of your AC adapter Here are some ways to take care of your AC adapter: · · · Do not connect the adapter to any other device. Do not step on the power cord or place heavy objects on top of it. Carefully route the power cord and any cables away from foot traffic. When unplugging the power cord, do not pull on the cord itself but pull on the plug. v · The total ampere ratings of the equipment plugged in should not exceed the ampere rating of the cord if you are using an extension cord. Also, the total current rating of all equipment plugged into a single wall outlet should not exceed the fuse rating. Taking care of your battery pack Here are some ways to take care of your battery pack: · · · Use only batteries of the same kind as replacements. Turn the power off before removing or replacing batteries. Do not tamper with batteries. Keep them away from children. Dispose of used batteries according to local regulations. Recycle if possible. Cleaning and servicing When cleaning the computer, follow these steps: 1 2 3 Turn off the computer and remove the battery pack. Disconnect the AC adapter. Use a soft, moist cloth. Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners. the computer has been dropped or the body has been damaged; the computer does not operate normally If either of the following occurs: · · please refer to "Frequently asked questions" on page 22. Caution Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the manufacturer could void the user's authority, which is granted by the Federal Communications Commission, to operate this computer. Operation conditions This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following 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. Users are requested to follow the RF safety instructions for wireless option devices that are included in the user's manual of each RF option device. An improper installation or unauthorized use may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Also, any tampering of the internal antenna will void the FCC certification and your warranty. To prevent radio interference to the licensed service, this device is intended to be operated indoors, and installation outdoors is subject to licensing. For more information about our products, services, and support information, please visit our website: http://global.acer.com. Contents First things first Turning your computer on and off Taking care of your computer Taking care of your AC adapter Taking care of your battery pack Cleaning and servicing iii iii iv iv v v Your guides iii Basic care and tips for using your computer iii An Aspire tour 1 1 2 3 4 4 5 Specifications Indicators Easy-launch buttons Touchpad Using the keyboard Lock keys and embedded numeric keypad Windows keys Hotkeys Special keys Touchpad basics Front view Closed front view Left view Right view Rear view Base view 6 9 10 11 13 11 13 14 14 16 Ejecting the optical (CD or DVD) drive tray 17 Using a computer security lock 17 Audio 18 Using the system utilities Acer eManager Acer GridVista (dual-display compatible) Launch Manager Requesting service International Travelers Warranty (ITW) Before you call Adjusting the volume 19 18 Frequently asked questions 22 19 20 21 25 25 25 Acer Arcade (for selected models) Arcade hotkeys Finding and playing content Arcade controls Cinema Album Video Navigation controls Player controls DVD settings Slideshow settings Playing a video file Video authoring Settings 27 28 29 29 30 32 33 34 35 33 34 33 31 30 30 29 Music Burner Taking your notebook PC with you Disconnecting from the desktop Moving around Preparing the computer What to take to short meetings What to take to long meetings Preparing the computer What to take with you Special considerations Setting up a home office Preparing the computer What to take with you Special considerations Preparing the computer What to bring with you Special considerations Copy -- Back up your CD/DVD collection 35 Audio -- Create your own greatest hits CDs 35 Data -- Store files simply and easily 35 Video -- Your world in pictures 35 36 36 36 36 37 37 37 38 38 38 38 39 39 39 39 40 Taking the computer home 37 Traveling with the computer 38 Traveling internationally with the computer39 Securing your computer Using a computer security lock Using passwords Entering passwords Setting passwords 40 40 40 41 41 Expanding through options Connectivity options Fax/data modem Built-in network feature Fast Infrared (selected models only) Universal Serial Bus (USB) IEEE 1394 port (selected models only) PC Card slot Boot sequence Enable disk-to-disk recovery Password Playing DVD movies 42 42 42 43 43 44 44 45 BIOS utility 46 46 47 47 47 Using software 47 Power management Acer eRecovery 48 49 49 50 50 50 51 52 52 Troubleshooting Create backup Restore from backup Create factory default image CD Re-install bundled software without CD Change password Troubleshooting tips Error messages 52 54 Regulations and safety notices ENERGY STAR guidelines compliance FCC notice Modem notices Important safety instructions 54 54 56 59 1 An Aspire tour After setting up your computer as illustrated in the Just for Starters... poster, let us show you around your new Aspire computer. English Front view # 1 2 3 Item Display screen Power button Easy-launch buttons Microphone Description Also called Liquid-Crystal Display (LCD), displays computer output. Turns the computer on and off. Buttons for launching frequently used programs. See "Easy-launch buttons" on page 10 for more details. Internal microphone for sound recording. 4 2 English # 5 Item Status indicators Description Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) that turn on and off to show the status of the computer's functions and components. Comfortable support area for your hands when you use the computer. The left and right buttons function like the left and right mouse buttons, the center button serves as a 4way scroll button. Touch-sensitive pointing device which functions like a computer mouse. For entering data into your computer. 6 7 Palmrest Click buttons (Left, center, and right) Touchpad Keyboard 8 9 Closed front view # 1 2 3 4 Icon Item Speaker-out/line-out/ Headphone jack Mic-in jack Speakers Bluetooth communication button/indicator Wireless communication button/indicator Power indicator Description Connects to audio line-out devices (e.g., speakers, headphones). Accepts inputs from external microphone. Left and right speakers deliver stereo audio output. Press to enable/disable the Bluetooth function. Indicates the status of Bluetooth communication (optional). Press to enable/disable the wireless function. Indicates the status of wireless LAN communication. Lights up when the computer is on. 5 6 3 # 7 Icon Item Battery indicator Description Lights up when the battery is being charged. English Left view # 1 2 Icon Item External display port S-video out port Description Connects to a display device (e.g., external monitor, LCD projector). Connects to a television or display device with S-video input. (selected models only) Connects to an Ethernet 10/100/1000 based network (depending on model). Connects to a phone line. 3 Network jack 4 5 6 7 8 Modem jack Two USB 2.0 ports Connect to USB 2.0 devices (e.g., USB mouse, USB camera). IEEE 1394 port PC Card slot Connects to IEEE 1394 devices. (selected models only) Accepts one Type II PC Card. (selected models only) 5-in-1 card reader Accepts an MS, MS PRO, MMC, SD, or xD-Picture card (selected models only). Note: Only one card can operate at any given time. (selected models only) Infrared port Interfaces with infrared devices e.g., infrared printer and IR-aware computer. (selected models only) 9 4 English # 10 Icon Item PC Card slot eject button Description Ejects the PC Card from the slot. Right view # 1 2 3 Icon Item Optical drive eject button Optical drive Description Ejects the optical drive tray from the drive. Internal optical drive; accepts CDs or DVDs depending on the optical drive type. (slot or tray design, depending on model) Enable the computer to stay cool, even after prolonged use. Connects to a Kensington-compa ...