Aspire 1690 Series User's Guide Copyright © 2004. Acer Incorporated. All Rights Reserved. Aspire 1690 Series User's Guide Original Issue: December 2004 Changes may be made periodically to the information in this publication without obligation to notify any person of such revision 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, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Acer Incorporated. Aspire 1690 Series Notebook Computer Model Number : __________________________________ Serial Number: ___________________________________ Purchase Date: ___________________________________ Place of Purchase: ________________________________ Acer and the Acer logo are registered trademarks of Acer Incorporated. Other company's 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 Aspsire series of notebook computers your choice for your mobile computing needs. English 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 User's guide introduces you to the many ways your computer can help you be more productive. This guide provides clear and concise information about the computer, so read it thoroughly. If you ever need to print out a copy, this User's guide is also available in Portable Document Format (PDF). Follow these steps: 1 Click on Start, All Programs, AcerSystem. 2 Click on AcerSystem User's guide. Note: Viewing the file requires Adobe Acrobat Reader be installed. For instructions on how to use Adobe Acrobat Reader, access the Help and Support menu. iv English 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 launch keys. 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. Use the power button Note: You can also use the power button to perform power management functions. See "Moving around with your Notebook PC" on page 29. · Use the customized functions for power management You can also shut down the computer by closing the display cover, or by pressing the sleep hot key (Fn-F4). See "Moving around with your Notebook PC" on page 29. 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 0ºC (32ºF) or above 50ºC (122ºF). 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 and vibration. v · · · · Do not expose the computer to dust and dirt. Never place objects on top of the computer to avoid damaging the computer. Do not slam the computer display when you close it. Never place the computer on uneven surfaces. English 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 personal traffic. When unplugging the power cord, do not pull on the cord itself but pull on the plug. 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 at all possible. vi English Cleaning and servicing When cleaning the computer, follow these steps: 1 2 3 Power off the computer and remove the battery pack. Disconnect the AC adapter. Use a soft cloth moistened with water. 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 any of the following occurs: · · Please refer to "Frequently-asked questions" on page 63. 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 on wireless option devices that are included in the user's manual of each RF option device. An improper installation or unauthorised 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/. vii First things first Your guides Basic care and tips for using your computer 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 An Aspire tour Front view Closed front view Left view Right view Rear view Bottom view Specifications Indicators Using the keyboard Lock keys Embedded numeric keypad Windows keys Hot keys The Euro Symbol The US dollar sign Launch keys Touchpad Touchpad basics Ejecting the optical (CD or DVD) drive tray Using a computer security lock Audio Adjusting the volume Using system utilities Acer eManager Launch Manager Acer GridVista Moving around with your Notebook PC Disconnecting from the desktop Moving around Preparing the computer What to take to short meetings What to bring to long meetings Taking the computer home Preparing the computer What to take with you iii iii iv iv iv v v vi 1 1 3 5 6 7 8 9 12 14 14 15 16 17 19 19 20 21 21 23 24 25 25 26 26 27 28 29 29 29 29 30 30 30 30 31 viii Special considerations Setting up a home office Traveling with the computer Preparing the computer What to take with you Special considerations Traveling internationally with the computer Preparing the computer What to bring with you Special considerations Securing your computer Using a computer security lock Using passwords Entering passwords Setting passwords Expanding through options Connectivity options Fax/Data modem Built-in network feature Fast Infrared Universal Serial Bus IEEE 1394 port PC Card slot BIOS Utility Boot sequence Disc to Disc Recovery enable Password Using software Playing DVD movies Power management Windows Arcade Arcade Hot keys Finding and playing content Advanced Settings Arcade controls Navigation controls Player controls Cinema DVD settings Album Video Playing a video file Editing a video file Music 31 32 32 32 32 32 33 33 33 33 34 34 34 35 35 37 37 37 38 38 39 39 40 42 42 42 42 43 43 44 45 46 47 47 48 48 48 49 49 51 53 53 53 54 ix Burner Copy - backup your CD/DVD collection Audio - create your own greatest hits CDs Data - store files simply and easily Video - your world in pictures Acer eRecovery Create backup Restore from backup Create factory default image CD Re-install bundled software without CD Change password Acer disc-to-disc recovery Multilingual operating system installation Restore without a Recovery CD 54 54 55 55 55 56 56 57 57 58 58 59 59 59 Troubleshooting my computer Frequently-asked questions Troubleshooting tips Error messages Requesting service International Traveler's Warranty (ITW) Before you call 61 63 66 66 67 67 68 Appendix A Regulation & safety notices 69 x 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 Item Display screen Description Also called Liquid-Crystal Display (LCD), displaying computer output. Internal microphone for sound recording. 2 Microphone 2 English # 3 4 Item Keyboard Palmrest Description Inputs data into your computer. 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 4-way scroll button. Touch-sensitive pointing device which functions like a computer mouse. Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) that turn on and off to show the status of the computer's functions and components. Buttons for launching frequently used programs. See "Launch keys" on page 20 for more details Turns the computer on and off. 5 Click buttons (Left, center and right) 6 Touchpad 7 Status indicators 8 Launch keys 9 Power button 3 Closed front view English # 1 Item Speakers Description Left and right speakers deliver stereo audio output. Interfaces with infrared devices (e.g., infrared printer and IR-aware computer). 2 Infrared port 3 Power indicator Lights when the computer is on. 4 Battery indicator Lights when the battery is being charged. 5 Bluetooth communication button/indicator (for selected models) Press to enable/disable Bluetooth function. Lights to indicate the status of Bluetooth communications. 4 English # 6 Item Wireless communication button/indicator Description Press to enable/disable Wireless function. Lights to indicate the status of wireless LAN communications. (manufacturing option) 7 Line-in jack Accepts audio line-in devices (e.g., audio CD player, stereo walkman). 8 Mic-in jack Accepts inputs from external microphone. 9 Speaker/Line-Out/ Headphone jack Connects to audio line-out devices (e.g., speakers, headphones). 10 USB 2.0 port Connects to Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0 devices (e.g., USB mouse, USB camera). Locks and releases the lid. 11 Latch 5 Left view English 5 # 1 Item Optical drive Description Internal optical drive; accepts CDs or DVDs depending on the optical drive type. Lights up when the optical drive is active. Ejects the optical drive tray when the computer is turned off Ejects the optical drive tray from the drive. 2 LED indicator 3 Emergency eject hole 4 Optical drive eject button Note: The positions of the AcerMedia indicator, eject button and emergency eject hole may differ depending on the optical drive module installed. 6 English Right view # 1 Item IEEE 1394 port Description Connects to IEEE 1394 devices. 2 3 PC Card slot eject button PC Card slot Ejects the PC Card from the slot. Connects to one Type II CardBus PC Card. 4 4-in-1 card reader (for selected models) Accepts MS, MS PRO, MMC and SD card. Note: The 4-in-1 card reader is a manufacturing option, subject to configuration. Only one card can operate at any given time. Connect to Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0 devices (e.g., USB mouse, USB camera). Connects to a television or display device with S-video input. 5 Two USB 2.0 ports 6 S-video port 7 Network jack Connects to an Ethernet 10/100/1000based network (for selected models). 8 Modem jack Connects to a phone line. 9 Ventilation slots Enable the computer to stay cool, even after prolonged use. 7 Rear vi ...