User manual ACER ASPIRE 3680

Aspire 5600/3680 Series User's Guide Copyright © 2006. Acer Incorporated. All Rights Reserved. Aspire 5600/3680 Series User's Guide Original Issue: February 2006 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 5600/3680 Series Notebook PC Model number: __________________________________ Serial number: ___________________________________ Date of purchase: ________________________________ 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 Information for your safety and comfort Safety instructions Read these instructions carefully. Keep this document for future reference. Follow all warnings and instructions marked on the product. Turning the product off before cleaning Unplug this product from the wall outlet before cleaning. Do not use liquid cleaners or aerosol cleaners. Use a damp cloth for cleaning. Warnings · · · Do not use this product near water. Do not place this product on an unstable cart, stand or table. If the product falls, it could be seriously damaged. Slots and openings are provided for ventilation to ensure reliable operation of the product and to protect it from overheating. These openings must not be blocked or covered. The openings should never be blocked by placing the product on a bed, sofa, rug or other similar surface. This product should never be placed near or over a radiator or heat register, or in a built-in installation unless proper ventilation is provided. Never push objects of any kind into this product through cabinet slots as they may touch dangerous voltage points or short-out parts that could result in a fire or electric shock. Never spill liquid of any kind onto or into the product. To avoid damage of internal components and to prevent battery leakage, do not place the product on a vibrating surface. · · Using electrical power · This product should be operated from the type of power indicated on the marking label. If you are not sure of the type of power available, consult your dealer or local power company. Do not allow anything to rest on the power cord. Do not locate this product where people will walk on the cord. If an extension cord is used with this product, make sure that the total ampere rating of the equipment plugged into the extension cord does not exceed the extension cord ampere rating. Also, make sure that the total rating of all products plugged into the wall outlet does not exceed the fuse rating. Do not overload a power outlet, strip or receptacle by plugging in too many devices. The overall system load must not exceed 80% of the branch circuit rating. If power strips are used, the load should not exceed 80% of the power strip's input rating. · · · iv · This product's AC adapter is equipped with a three-wire grounded plug. The plug only fits in a grounded power outlet. Make sure the power outlet is properly grounded before inserting the AC adapter plug. Do not insert the plug into a non-grounded power outlet. Contact your electrician for details. Warning! The grounding pin is a safety feature. Using a power outlet that is not properly grounded may result in electric shock and/or injury. Note: The grounding pin also provides good protection from unexpected noise produced by other nearby electrical devices that may interfere with the performance of this product. · Use the product only with the supplied power supply cord set. If you need to replace the power cord set, make sure that the new power cord meets the following requirements: detachable type, UL listed/CSA certified, type SPT-2, rated 7 A 125 V minimum, VDE approved or its equivalent, 4.6 meters (15 feet) maximum length. Product servicing Do not attempt to service this product yourself, as opening or removing covers may expose you to dangerous voltage points or other risks. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Unplug this product from the wall outlet and refer servicing to qualified service personnel when: · the power cord or plug is damaged, cut or frayed · · · · · liquid was spilled into the product the product was exposed to rain or water the product has been dropped or the case has been damaged the product exhibits a distinct change in performance, indicating a need for service the product does not operate normally after following the operating instructions Note: Adjust only those controls that are covered by the operating instructions, since improper adjustment of other controls may result in damage and will often require extensive work by a qualified technician to restore the product to normal condition. v Replacing the battery pack The notebook uses lithium batteries. Replace the battery with the same type as that which came bundled with your product. Use of another battery may present a risk of fire or explosion. Warning! Batteries may explode if not handled properly. Do not disassemble or dispose of them in fire. Keep them away from children. Follow local regulations when disposing of used batteries. Telephone line safety · · Disconnect all telephone lines from the equipment when not in use and/or before servicing. To avoid the remote risk of electric shock from lightning, do not connect the telephone line to this equipment during lightning or thunderstorms. Warning! For safety reasons, do not use non-compliant parts when adding or changing components. Consult your reseller for purchase options. Disposal instructions Do not throw this electronic device into the trash when discarding. To minimize pollution and ensure utmost protection of the global environment, please recycle. For more information on the Waste from Electrical and Electronics Equipment (WEEE) regulations, visit http://global.acer.com/about/environmental.htm. Mercury advisory For projectors or electronic products containing an LCD/CRT monitor or display: Lamp(s) inside this product contain mercury and must be recycled or disposed of according to local, state or federal laws. For more information, contact the Electronic Industries Alliance at www.eiae.org. For lamp-specific disposal information, check www.lamprecycle.org. vi Tips and information for comfortable use Computer users may complain of eyestrain and headaches after prolonged use. Users are also at risk of physical injury after long hours of working in front of a computer. Long work periods, bad posture, poor work habits, stress, inadequate working conditions, personal health and other factors greatly increase the risk of physical injury. Incorrect computer usage may lead to carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, tenosynovitis or other musculoskeletal disorders. The following symptoms may appear in the hands, wrists, arms, shoulders, neck or back: · · · · · numbness, or a burning or tingling sensation aching, soreness or tenderness pain, swelling or throbbing stiffness or tightness coldness or weakness If you have these symptoms, or any other recurring or persistent discomfort and/or pain related to computer use, consult a physician immediately and inform your company's health and safety department. The following section provides tips for more comfortable computer use. Finding your comfort zone Find your comfort zone by adjusting the viewing angle of the monitor, using a footrest, or raising your sitting height to achieve maximum comfort. Observe the following tips: · · · · · · · refrain from staying too long in one fixed posture avoid slouching forward and/or leaning backward stand up and walk around regularly to remove the strain on your leg muscles take short rests to relax your neck and shoulders avoid tensing your muscles or shrugging your shoulders install the external display, keyboard and mouse properly and within comfortable reach if you view your monitor more than your documents, place the display at the center of your desk to minimize neck strain Taking care of your vision Long viewing hours, wearing incorrect glasses or contact lenses, glare, excessive room lighting, poorly focused screens, very small typefaces and low-contrast displays could stress your eyes. The following sections provide suggestions on how to reduce eyestrain. vii Eyes · · · Rest your eyes frequently. Give your eyes regular breaks by looking away from the monitor and focusing on a distant point. Blink frequently to keep your eyes from drying out. Display · Keep your display clean. · · · Keep your head at a higher level than the top edge of the display so your eyes point downward when looking at the middle of the display. Adjust the display brightness and/or contrast to a comfortable level for enhanced text readability and graphics clarity. Eliminate glare and reflections by: · · · · · · · · placing your display in such a way that the side faces the window or any light source minimizing room light by using drapes, shades or blinds using a task light changing the display's viewing angle using a glare-reduction filter using a display visor, such as a piece of cardboard extended from the display's top front edge Avoid adjusting your display to an awkward viewing angle. Avoid looking at bright light sources, such as open windows, for extended periods of time. Developing good work habits Develop the following work habits to make your computer use more relaxing and productive: · Take short breaks regularly and often. · · · Perform some stretching exercises. Breathe fresh air as often as possible. Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy body. Warning! We do not recommend using the computer on a couch or bed. If this is unavoidable, work for only short periods, take breaks regularly, and do some stretching exercises. Note: For more information, please refer to "Regulations and safety notices" on page 76 in the AcerSystem User's Guide. viii First things first We would like to thank you for making an Acer notebook your choice for meeting your mobile computing needs. Your guides To help you use your Acer notebook, 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 Reader. If Adobe Reader is not installed on your computer, clicking on AcerSystem User's Guide will run the Adobe Reader setup program first. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation. For instructions on how to use Adobe 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 15 for the location of the power button. ix 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 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. 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. x 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 45. 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. Information for your safety and comfort iii Safety instructions iii Disposal instructions v Tips and information for comfortable use vi First things first viii Your guides viii Basic care and tips for using your computer viii Turning your computer on and off viii Taking care of your computer ix Taking care of your AC adapter ix Taking care of your battery pack x Cleaning and servicing x Acer Empowering Technology 1 Acer eDataSecurity Management 2 Acer eLock Management 3 Acer ePerformance Management 5 Acer eRecovery Management 6 Acer eSettings Management 8 Acer eNet Management 9 Acer ePower Management 11 Acer ePresentation Management 14 Your Acer notebook tour 15 Front view 15 Closed front view 16 Left view 17 Right view 18 Rear view 19 Base view 20 Specifications 21 Indicators 25 Easy-launch buttons 26 Touchpad 27 Touchpad basics 27 Using the keyboard 29 Lock keys and embedded numeric keypad 29 Windows keys 30 Hotkeys 30 Contents Special keys Ejecting the optical (CD or DVD) drive tray Using a computer security lock Audio Adjusting the volume Acer OrbiCam (for selected models) Launching the Acer OrbiCam Changing the Acer OrbiCam settings Capturing photos/videos Using the Acer OrbiCam as webcam Enabling the Acer VisageON (for selected models) Using the system utilities Acer GridVista (dual-display compatible) Launch Manager Norton AntiVirus Frequently asked questions Requesting service International Travelers Warranty (ITW) Before you call Acer Arcade Finding and playing content Settings Arcade controls Navigation controls Player controls Virtual keyboard Background mode Cinema Settings Album Editing Pictures Slide Show settings Video Playing a video file Snapshot Editing video 32 33 33 34 34 35 36 36 38 38 39 42 42 43 44 45 48 48 48 49 50 50 51 51 51 52 52 53 53 54 54 54 55 55 55 55 Music 56 Make DVDs 56 Authoring CD/DVDs 56 Taking your notebook PC with you 58 Disconnecting from the desktop 58 Moving around 58 Preparing the computer 58 What to bring to meetings 59 Taking the computer home 59 Preparing the computer 59 What to take with you 59 Special considerations 60 Setting up a home office 60 Traveling with the computer 60 Preparing the computer 60 What to take with you 60 Special considerations 61 Traveling internationally with the computer61 Preparing the computer 61 What to bring with you 61 Special considerations 61 Securing your computer 62 Using a computer security lock 62 Using passwords 62 Entering passwords 63 Setting passwords 63 Expanding through options 64 Connectivity options 64 Fax/data modem 64 Built-in network feature 65 Universal Serial Bus (USB) 65 PC Card slot 66 Installing memory 67 BIOS utility 67 Boot sequence 67 Enable disk-to-disk recovery 68 Password 68 Using software 68 Playing DVD movies 68 Power management 70 Acer eRecovery Management 70 Create backup 71 Restore from backup 71 Create factory default image CD 72 Re-install bundled software without CD 72 Change password 73 Troubleshooting 74 Troubleshooting tips 74 Error messages 74 Regulations and safety notices 76 ENERGY STAR guidelines compliance 76 FCC notice 76 Modem notices 77 Important safety instructions 80 Laser compliance statement 82 LCD pixel statement 82 Macrovision copyright protection notice 82 Radio device regulatory notice 83 General 83 European Union (EU) 83 The FCC RF safety requirement 84 Canada -- Low-power license-exempt radio communication devices (RSS-210) 85 Federal Communications Comission Declaration of Conformity 86 Declaration of Conformity for CE Marking 87 Index 88 1 Acer Empowering Technology Acer's innovative Empowering Technology makes it easy for you to access frequently used functions and manage your new Acer computer. It features the following handy utilities: Empowering Technology · · · · · · · · Acer eDataSecurity Management protects data with passwords and advanced encryption algorithms. (for selected models) Acer eLock Management limits access to external storage media. Acer ePerformance Management improves system performance by optimizing disk space, memory and registry settings. Acer eRecovery Management backs up and recovers data flexibly, reliably and completely. Acer eSettings Management accesses system information and adjusts settings easily. Acer eNet Management hooks up to location-based networks intelligently. (for selected models) Acer ePower Management extends battery power via versatile usage profiles. Acer ePresentation Management connects to a projector and adjusts display settings conveniently. For more information, press the < > key to launch the Empowering Technology menu, then click on the appropriate utility and select the Help function. Empowering Technology password Before using Acer eLock Management and Acer eRecovery Management, you must initialize the Empowering Technology password. Right-click on the Empowering Technology toolbar and select "Password Setup" to do so. If you do not initialize the Empowering Technology password, you will be prompted to do so when running Acer eLock Management or Acer eRecovery Management for the first time. If you lose your password, there is no method to reset it except by reformatting your notebook or taking your notebook to an Acer Customer Service Center. Be sure to remember or write down your password. 2 Empowering Technology Acer eDataSecurity Management Acer eDataSecurity Management is a handy file encryption utility that protects your files from being accessed by unauthorized persons. It is conveniently integrated with Windows Explorer as a shell extension for quick and easy data encryption/decryption and also supports on-the-fly file encryption for MSN Messenger and Microsoft Outlook. The Acer eDataSecurity Management setup wizard will prompt you for a supervisor password and default encryption. This encryption will be used to encrypt files by default, or you can choose to enter your own file-specific password when encrypting a file. Note: The password used to encrypt a file is the unique key that the system needs to decrypt it. If you lose the password, the supervisor password is the only other key capable of decrypting the file. If you lose both passwords, there will be no way to decrypt your encrypted file! Be sure to safeguard all related passwords! 3 Empowering Technology Acer eLock Management Acer eLock Management is a security utility that allows you to lock your removable data, optical and floppy drives to ensure that data can't be stolen while your notebook is unattended. · Removable data devices -- includes USB disk drives, USB pen drives, USB flash drives, USB MP3 drives, USB memory card readers, IEEE 1394 disk drives and any other removable disk drives that can be mounted as a file system when plugged into the system. Optical drive devices -- includes any kind of CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drives. Floppy disk drives -- 3.5-inch disks only. Interfaces -- includes serial port, parallel port, infrared (IR), and Bluetooth. · · · To activate Acer eLock Management, a password must be set first. Once set, you can apply locks to any of the devices types. Lock(s) will immediately be set without any reboot necessary, and will remain locked after rebooting, until unlocked. 4 Empowering Technology Note: If you lose your password, there is no method to reset it except by reformatting your notebook or taking your notebook to an Acer Customer Service Center. Be sure to remember or write down your password. 5 Acer ePerformance Management Acer ePerformance Management is a system optimization tool that boosts the performance of your Acer computer. It provides an express optimization method to release unused memory and disk space quickly. The user can also enable advanced options for full control over the following options: Empowering Technology · · · Memory optimization -- releases unused memory and check usage. Disk optimization -- removes unneeded items and files. Speed optimization -- improves the usability and performance of your Windows XP system. 6 Empowering Technology Acer eRecovery Management Acer eRecovery Management is a powerful utility that does away with the need for recovery disks provided by the manufacturer. The Acer eRecovery Management utility occupies space in a hidden partition on your system's hard drive. By default, user-created backups are stored on the D:\ drive. Acer eRecovery Management provides you with: Password protection. Recovery of applications and drivers. Image/data backup: · · · · · · · · · Back up to HDD (set recovery point). Back up to CD/DVD. Image/data recovery tools: Recover from a hidden partition (factory defaults). Recover from the HDD (most recent user-defined recovery point). Recover from CD/DVD. 7 Empowering Technology For more information, please refer to "Acer eRecovery Management" on page 70 in the AcerSystem User's Guide. Note: If your computer did not come with a Recovery CD or System CD, please use Acer eRecovery Management's "System backup to optical disk" feature to burn a backup image to CD or DVD. To ensure the best results when recovering your system using a CD or Acer eRecovery Management, detach all peripherals (except the external Acer ODD, if your computer has one), including your Acer ezDock. 8 Empowering Technology Acer eSettings Management Acer eSettings Management allows you to inspect hardware specifications, change BIOS passwords or other Windows settings, and to monitor the system health status. Acer eSettings Management also: · · Provides a simple graphical user interface for navigation. Displays general system status and advanced monitoring for power users on Acer computer. 9 Acer eNet Management Acer eNet Management helps you to quickly and easily connect to both wired and wireless networks in a variety of locations. To access this utility, either click on the "Acer eNet Management" icon on your notebook, or start the program from the Start menu. You also have the option to set Acer eNet Management to start automatically when you boot up your PC. Acer eNet Management automatically detects the best settings for a new location, while offering you the freedom to manually adjust the settings to match your needs. Empowering Technology Acer eNet Management can save network settings for a location to a profile, and automatically switch to the appropriate profile when you move from one location to another. Settings stored include network connection settings (IP and DNS settings, wireless AP details, etc.), as well as default printer settings. 10 Security and safety concerns mean that Acer eNet Management does not store username and password information. Empowering Technology 11 Acer ePower Management Acer ePower Management features a straightforward user interface. To launch it, select Acer ePower Management from the Empowering Technology interface. Empowering Technology AC mode (Adapter mode) The default setting is "Maximum Performance." You can adjust CPU speed, LCD brightness and other settings, or click on buttons to turn the following functions on/off: Wireless LAN, Bluetooth, CardBus, FireWire(1394), Wired LAN and Optical Device if supported. DC mode (Battery mode) There are four pre-defined profiles -- Entertainment, Presentation, Word Processing, and Battery Life. You can also define up to three of your own. To create a new power profile: 1 2 3 4 5 Change power settings as desired. Click "Save as ..." to save to a new power profile. Name the newly created profile. Select whether this profile is for Adapter or Battery mode, then click OK. The new profile will appear in the profile list. 12 Empowering Technology Battery status For real-time battery life estimates based on current usage, refer to the panel in the upper half of the window.. For additional options, click "Settings" to: · · · · · Set alarms. Re-load factory defaults. Select what actions to be taken when the cover is closed or the power button is pressed. Set passwords for accessing the system after Hibernation or Standby. View information about Acer ePower Management. Empowering Technology 13 14 Empowering Technology Acer ePresentation Management Acer ePresentation Management lets you project your computer's display to an external device or projector using the hot key: Fn + F5. If auto-detection hardware is implemented in the system, your system display will be automatically switched out when an external display is connected to the system. If the restored resolution is not correct after disconnecting a projector, or you need to use an external resolution that is not supported by Acer ePresentation Management, adjust your display settings using Display Properties or the utility provided by the graphics vendor. 15 Your Acer notebook tour After setting up your computer as illustrated in the Just for Starters... poster, let us show you around your new Acer notebook. English Front view # 1 2 Item Built-in camera Display screen Description 1.3/0.31 megapixel web camera for video communication (for selected models). Also called Liquid-Crystal Display (LCD), displays computer output. 16 # 3 4 5 6 Item Microphone Keyboard Touchpad Click buttons (left, center and right) Palmrest Power button Easy-launch buttons Status indicators Description Internal microphone for sound recording. For entering data into your computer. Touch-sensitive pointing device which functions like a computer mouse. The left and right buttons function like the left and right mouse buttons; the center button serves as a 4-way scroll button. Comfortable support area for your hands when you use the computer. Turns the computer on and off. Buttons for launching frequently used programs. See "Easy-launch buttons" on page 26 for more details. Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) that light up to show the status of the computer's functions and components. English 7 8 9 10 Closed front view # 1 2 3 4 5 Icon Item Speakers Power indicator Battery indicator Line-in jack Microphone-in jack Description Left and right speakers deliver stereo audio output. Indicates the computer's power status. Indicates the computer's batttery status. Accepts audio line-in devices (e.g., audio CD player, stereo walkman). Accepts input from external microphones. 17 # 6 Icon Item Headphones/speaker/ line-out jack with S/PDIF support 5-in-1 card reader (for selected models) Description Connects to audio line-out devices (e.g., speakers, headphones). Accepts Memory Stick (MS), Memory Stick PRO (MS PRO), MultiMediaCard (MMC), Secure Digital (SD) and xD-Picture Card (xD) . Note: Only one card can operate at any given time. Enables/disables the Bluetooth function. Indicates the status of Bluetooth communication. (for selected models) Enables/disables the wireless function. Indicates the status of wireless LAN communication. (for selected models) Locks and releases the lid (location depends on model). English 7 8 Bluetooth communication switch/indicator Wireless communication switch/indicator Latch 9 10 Left view # 1 2 3 4 Item Optical drive Optical disk access indicator Optical drive eject button Emergency eject hole Description Internal optical drive; accepts CDs or DVDs Lights up when the optical drive is active. Ejects the optical disk from the drive. Ejects the optical drive tray when the computer is turned off. 18 English Right view # 1 2 3 4 5 Icon Item PC Card slot eject button PC Card slot Two USB 2.0 ports Ventilation slots External display (VGA) port Description Ejects the PC Card from the slot. Accepts one Type II PC Card. Connect to USB 2.0 devices (e.g., USB mouse, USB camera). Enable the computer to stay cool, even after prolonged use. Connects to a display device (e.g., external monitor, LCD projector). 19 Rear view English # 1 2 3 4 5 6 Icon Item DC-in jack USB 2.0 port Ethernet (RJ-45) port Description Connects to an AC adapter. Connect to USB 2.0 devices (e.g., USB mouse, USB camera). Connects to an Ethernet 10/100/1000based network. (for selected models) Modem (RJ-11) port Connects to a phone line. Battery Powers the computer. Kensington lock slot Connects to a Kensington-compatible computer security lock. 20 English Base view # 1 2 Item Battery release latch Cooling fan Description Releases the battery for removal. Helps keep the computer cool. Note: Do not cover or obstruct the opening of the fan. Houses the computer's main memory. Houses the computer's hard disk (secured with screws). Locks the battery in position. Houses the computer's battery pack. 3 4 5 6 Memory compartment Hard disk bay Battery lock Battery bay 21 Specifications Operating system Platform English · · · Windows® VistaTM Capable Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition (Service Pack 2) Intel® Centrino® Duo mobile technology (for Aspire 5600 Series), featuring: · Intel® CoreTM Duo processor 1.66/1.83/2/2.16 GHz, 2 MB L2 cache, 667 MHz FSB · · Mobile Intel® 945GM/PM Express chipset Intel® PRO/Wireless 3945ABG network connection (dual-band tri-mode 802.11a/b/g) Wi-Fi CERTIFIEDTM solution or Intel® PRO/Wireless 3945BG network connection (dual-mode 802.11b/g) Wi-Fi CERTIFIEDTM solution, supporting Acer SignalUpTM wireless technology · · · Intel® Celeron® M processor 410/420/430 (1 MB L2 cache, 1.46/1.6/1.73 GHz, 533 MHz FSB) Mobile Intel® 940GML Express chipset Acer InviLinkTM 802.11b/g dual-mode network connection, supporting Acer SignalUpTM wireless technology (manufacturing option) System memory Up to 2 GB of DDR2 533/667 MHz memory, upgradeable to 4 GB using two soDIMM modules (dual-channel support) 22 Display and graphics English · · · 15.4" WXGA Acer CrystalBriteTM TFT LCD, 1280 x 800 pixel resolution, 16 ms response time, supporting simultaneous multi-window viewing via Acer GridVistaTM 15" XGA color TFT LCD, 1024 x 768 pixel resolution ATI MobilityTM Radeon® X1300 with up to 512 MB of HyperMemoryTM (128 MB of dedicated GDDR2 VRAM; up to 384 MB of shared system memory) supporting ATI PowerPlayTM 5.0, Microsoft® DirectX® 9.0, PCI Express® and DualViewTM Mobile Intel® 945GM Express chipset with integrated 3D graphics, featuring Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) 950, up to 224 MB of shared system memory, supporting Microsoft® DirectX® 9.0, dual independent displays Mobile Intel® 940GML Express chipset with integrated 3D graphics, featuring Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) 950, up to 224 MB of shared system memory, supporting Microsoft® DirectX® 9.0, dual independent displays (for Aspire 3680 Series) Simultaneous LCD and CRT display, with LCD panel refresh rate at 70 Hz Up to 2048 x 1536 resolution via non-interlaced CRT display MPEG-2/DVD hardware-assisted capability Acer CinemaVisionTM video technology (Acer Arcade) Acer ClearVisionTM video optimization (Acer Arcade) 40/60/80/100/120 GB PATA hard disk drive Optical drive options: · 8X DVD-Super Multi double-layer · DVD/CD-RW combo 5-in-1 card reader(for selected models), supporting Memory Stick® (MS), Memory Stick PROTM (MS PRO), MultiMediaCard (MMC), Secure Digital (SD), xD-Picture CardTM (xD) · · · · · · · · · · Storage subsystem Dimensions and weight · · · 364 (W) x 274.75 (D) x 28/36.3 (H) mm (14.33 x 10.82 x 1.10/1.43 inches) 2.95 kg (6.57 lbs.) for 15.4" WXGA LCD model 2.94 kg (6.48 lbs.) for 15" XGA LCD model 23 Power subsystem · · · ACPI 2.0 CPU power management standard: supports Standby and Hibernation power-saving modes 71 W 8-cell or 44.4 W 6-cell Li-ion battery pack Acer QuicChargeTM technology (for Aspire 5600 Series): · 80% charge in 1 hour · 2-hour rapid charge system-off · 2.5-hour charge-in-use 90/65 W AC adapter 88-/89-key keyboard Touchpad with 4-way scroll button Four easy-launch buttons Two front-access LED-switches: WLAN, Bluetooth® Audio system with two built-in speakers Intel® High-Definition audio support Sound Blaster ProTM and MS Sound compatible S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface) support for digital speakers Built-in microphone Modem: 56K ITU V.92 with PTT approval; Wake-on-Ring ready LAN: Fast Ethernet; Wake-on-LAN ready WLAN: Intel® PRO/Wireless 3945ABG network connection (dual-band tri-mode 802.11a/b/g) Wi-Fi CERTIFIEDTM solution or Intel® PRO/Wireless 3945BG network connection (dual-mode 802.11b/g) Wi-Fi CERTIFIEDTM solution, supporting Acer SignalUpTM wireless technology WLAN: Acer InviLinkTM 802.11b/g dual-mode network connection, supporting Acer SignalUpTM wireless technology (manufacturing option) WPAN: Bluetooth® 2.0+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) Acer Video Conference featuring Voice and Video over Internet Protocol (VVoIP) support via Acer OrbiCam and optional Acer Bluetooth® VoIP phone Acer Orbicam 1.3/0.31 megapixel CMOS camera (LCD panel-mounted) featuring (for selected models): · 225-degree ergonomic rotation · Acer VisageOn technology (for selected models) · Acer PrimaLite technology English Input devices Audio · · · · · · · · · · · · · Communication · · · · 24 I/O interface · · · · · · · · · · · · PC Card slot (one Type II) Three USB 2.0 ports External display (VGA) port Headphones/speaker/line-out jack with S/PDIF support Microphone-in jack Line-in jack Ethernet (RJ-45) port Modem (RJ-11) port DC-in jack for AC adapter Kensington lock slot BIOS user and supervisor passwords Acer Empowering Technology (eDataSecurity (for selected models) / eLock / ePerformance / eRecovery / eSettings / eNet (for selected models)/ ePower / ePresentation Management) Acer ArcadeTM Acer GridVistaTM Acer Launch Manager Adobe® Reader® CyberLink® PowerProducerTM Norton AntiVirusTM NTI CD-MakerTM Acer Bluetooth® VoIP phone 8-cell Li-ion battery pack 90/65 W AC adapter 512 MB,1 or 2 GB DDR2 533/667 MHz soDIMM modules External USB floppy disk drive Temperature: · Operating: 5 °C to 35 °C · Non-operating: -20 °C to 65 °C Humidity (non-condensing): · Operating: 20% to 80% · Non-operating: 20% to 80% ACPI 2.0 DMI 2.0 Mobile PC 2002 Wi-Fi® English Security Software · · · · · · · Options and accessories · · · · · · · Environment System compliance · · · · Warranty One-year International Travelers Warranty (ITW) Note: The specifications listed above are for reference only. The exact configuration of your PC depends on the model purchased. 25 Indicators The computer has seven easy-to-read status indicators, including four on the front panel. English The power, battery and wireless communication status indicators are visible even when the LCD display is closed. Icon Function Caps Lock Num Lock HDD Power Battery Bluetooth Wireless LAN Description Lights up when Caps Lock is activated. Lights up when Num Lock is activated. Indicates when the hard disk drive is active. Indicates the computer's power status. Indicates the computer's batttery status. Indicates the status of Bluetooth communication. Indicates the status of wireless LAN communication. 26 English 1. Charging: The light shows amber when the battery is charging. 2. Fully charged: The light shows green when in AC mode. Easy-launch buttons Located above the keyboard are four buttons. These buttons are called easy-launch buttons. They are: mail, Web browser, Empowering Key < one user-programmable button. > and Press < > to run the Acer Empowering Technology. Please see "Acer Empowering Technology" on page 1. The mail and Web browser buttons are pre-set to email and Internet programs, but can be reset by users. To set the Web browser, mail and programmable buttons, run the Acer Launch Manager. See "Launch Manager" on page 43. Easy-launch button Default application User-programmable Acer Empowering Technology (user-programmable) Internet browser (user-programmable) Email application (user-programmable) P 27 Touchpad The built-in touchpad is a pointing device that senses movement on its surface. This means the cursor responds as you move your finger across the surface of the touchpad. The central location on the palmrest provides optimum comfort and support. English Touchpad basics The following items show you how to use the touchpad: 28 · · Move your finger across the touchpad (2) to move the cursor. Press the left (1) and right (4) buttons located beneath the touchpad to perform selection and execution functions. These two buttons are similar to the left and right buttons on a mouse. Tapping on the touchpad is the same as clicking the left button. Use the 4-way scroll (3) button to scroll up or down and move left or right a page. This button mimics your cursor pressing on the right scroll bar of Windows applications. Right button (4) Center button (3) English · Function Execute Left button (1) Quickly click twice. Click once. Click and hold, then use finger on the touchpad to drag the cursor. Main touchpad (2) Tap twice (at the same speed as double-clicking a mouse button). Tap once. Tap twice (at the same speed as double-clicking a mouse button); rest your finger on the touchpad on the second tap and drag the cursor. Select Drag Access context menu Scroll Click once. Click and hold to move up/ down/left/ right. Note: When using the touchpad, keep it -- and your fingers -- dry and clean. The touchpad is sensitive to finger movement; hence, the lighter the touch, the better the response. Tapping harder will not increase the touchpad's responsiveness. Note: By default, vertical and horizontal scrolling is enabled on your touchpad. It can be disabled under Mouse settings in Windows Control Panel. 29 Using the keyboard The keyboard has full-sized keys and an embedded numeric keypad, separate cursor, lock, Windows, function and special keys. English Lock keys and embedded numeric keypad The keyboard has three lock keys which you can toggle on and off. Lock key Caps Lock Num Lock + Description When Caps Lock is on, all alphabetic characters typed are in uppercase. When Num Lock is on, the embedded keypad is in numeric mode. The keys function as a calculator (complete with the arithmetic operators +, -, *, and /). Use this mode when you need to do a lot of numeric data entry. A better solution would be to connect an external keypad. When Scroll Lock is on, the screen moves one line up or down when you press the up or down arrow keys respectively. Scroll Lock does not work with some applications. Scroll Lock + The embedded numeric keypad functions like a desktop numeric keypad. It is indicated by small characters located on the upper right corner of the keycaps. To simplify the keyboard legend, cursor-control key symbols are not printed on the keys. Desired access Number keys on embedded keypad Num Lock on Type numbers in a normal manner. Hold while using cursor-control keys. Num Lock off Cursor-control keys Hold while using on embedded keypad cursor-control keys. Main keyboard keys Hold while typing Type the letters in a letters on embedded keypad. normal manner. 30 English Windows keys The keyboard has two keys that perform Windows-specific functions. Key Windows key Description Pressed alone, this key has the same effect as clicking on the Windows Start button; it launches the Start menu. It can also be used with other keys to provide a variety of functions: < < < < < < > + : Activates the next Taskbar button. > + : Opens the My Computer window. > + : Opens Help and Support Center. > + : Opens the Search Results window. > + : Opens the Run dialog box. > + : Minimizes all windows. + < > + : Undoes the minimize all windows action. Application key This key has the same effect as clicking the right mouse button; it opens the application's context menu. Hotkeys The computer employs hotkeys or key combinations to access most of the computer's controls like screen brightness, volume output and the BIOS utility. To activate hotkeys, press and hold the key before pressing the other key in the hotkey combination. 31 English Hotkey + + Icon Function Hotkey help Acer eSettings Description Displays help on hotkeys. Launches Acer eSettings in Acer Empowering Technology. See "Acer Empowering Technology" on page 1. Launches Acer ePower Management in Acer Empowering Technology. See "Acer Empowering Technology" on page 1. Puts the computer in Sleep mode. Switches display output between the display screen, external monitor (if connected) and both. Turns the display screen backlight off to save power. Press any key to return. Turns the internal touchpad on and off. Turns the speakers on and off. Increases the sound volume. + Acer ePower Management + + Sleep Display toggle + Screen blank + + + <> Touchpad toggle Speaker toggle Volume up + <> Volume down Decreases the sound volume. + <> + <> Brightness up Brightness down Increases the screen brightness. Decreases the screen brightness. 32 English Special keys You can locate the Euro symbol and the US dollar sign at the upper-center and/or bottom-right of your keyboard. The Euro symbol 1 2 Open a text editor or word processor. Either press < > at the bottom-right of the keyboard, or hold and then press the <5> key at the upper-center of the keyboard. Note: Some fonts and software do not support the Euro symbol. Please refer to www.microsoft.com/typography/faq/faq12.htm for more information. The US dollar sign 1 2 Open a text editor or word processor. Either press < > at the bottom-right of the keyboard, or hold and then press the <4> key at the upper-center of the keyboard. Note: This function varies according to the language settings. 33 Ejecting the optical (CD or DVD) drive tray Press the drive eject button to eject the optical drive tray when the computer is on. English Insert a clip to the emergency eject hole to eject the optical drive tray when the computer is off. Using a computer security lock The notebook comes with a Kensington-compatible security slot for a security lock. 34 Wrap the computer security lock cable around an immovable object such as a table or handle of a locked drawer. Insert the lock into the notch and turn the key to secure the lock. Some keyless models are also available. English Audio The computer comes with 32-bit Intel High-Definition audio, and built-in stereo speakers. Adjusting the volume Adjusting the volume on the computer is as easy as pressing some buttons. See "Hotkeys" on page 30 for more information on adjusting the speaker volume. 35 Acer OrbiCam (for selected models) The Acer OrbiCam is a 1.3/0.31 megapixel CMOS camera appropriately mounted on top of the LCD panel. The camera's 225-degree ergonomic rotation allows you to capture high-resolution photos or videos up front or at the back of the LCD panel. The Acer OrbiCam fully supports the Acer Video Conference technology so you transmit the best video conference quality over an Instant Messenger service. English Getting to know your Acer OrbiCam 1 23 # 1 2 3 Item Lens Power indicator Rubber grip (selected models only) Rotating the Acer OrbiCam The Acer OrbiCam rotates 225 degrees counterclockwise to achieve the desired angle. Refer to the illustrations below. Note: DO NOT rotate the camera clockwise to prevent damage to the device. For your convenience, the camera snaps to 45 degrees to match the position of your face in front or at the back of the LCD panel. 36 English Launching the Acer OrbiCam To launch the Acer OrbiCam, double-click on the Acer OrbiCam logo in the desktop. OR Click Start > All Programs > Acer > Acer OrbiCam. The Acer OrbiCam capture window appears. Changing the Acer OrbiCam settings Resolution To change the capture resolution, click the displayed resolution at the bottom right corner of the capture window, then select the desired resolution. Note: Setting the camera resolution to 640 x 480 or larger does not change the capture window size.