User manual ACER TRAVELMATE 2400

TravelMate 2400/3210 Series User's Guide Copyright © 2005. Acer Incorporated. All Rights Reserved. TravelMate 2400/3210 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. TravelMate 2400/3210 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 TravelMate series of notebook computers your choice for meeting your mobile computing needs. Your guides To help you use your TravelMate, 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 adaptor Here are some ways to take care of your AC adaptor: · · · Do not connect the adaptor 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 adaptor. 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 adaptor 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 A TravelMate tour 1 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 1 2 3 4 4 5 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 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 27 27 27 27 28 28 28 29 29 29 29 30 30 30 30 31 Taking the computer home 28 Traveling with the computer 29 Traveling internationally with the computer30 Securing your computer Entering passwords Setting passwords 31 31 31 32 32 Using a computer security lock Using passwords Expanding through options Connectivity options Fax/data modem Built-in network feature Fast Infrared (on selected models) Universal Serial Bus (USB) IEEE 1394 port PC Card slot Boot sequence Enable disk-to-disk recovery Password Playing DVD movies 33 33 33 34 34 35 35 36 BIOS utility 37 37 38 38 38 Using software 38 Power management 39 Acer eRecovery Create backup Restore from backup Create factory default image CD Re-install bundled software without CD Change password Troubleshooting tips Error messages 40 40 41 41 41 42 43 43 Troubleshooting 43 45 Regulations and safety notices ENERGY STAR guidelines compliance FCC notice Modem notices Important safety instructions 45 45 47 50 1 A TravelMate tour After setting up your computer as illustrated in the Just for Starters... poster, let us show you around your new TravelMate computer. English Front view # 1 2 3 4 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. 2 English # 5 Item Status indicators Palmrest 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. 6 7 8 9 Click buttons The left and right buttons function like the left and (Left and right) right mouse buttons. Touchpad Keyboard Touch-sensitive pointing device which functions like a computer mouse. For entering data into your computer. 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 Bluetooth function. Lights to indicate the status of Bluetooth communications (option only available for TravelMate 3210). Press to enable/disable the wireless function. Indicates the status of wireless LAN communication. Lights when the computer is on. 5 6 3 # 7 Icon Item Battery indicator Description Lights 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. (on selected models) Connects to an Ethernet 10/100/ 1000-based network (depends on model). Connects to a phone line. Connect to USB 2.0 devices (e.g., USB mouse, USB camera). Connects to IEEE 1394 devices. (on selected models) Accepts one Type II PC Card. Accepts an MS, MS PRO, MMC, SD, xD-Picture card (on selected models). Note: Only one card can operate at any given time. Interfaces with infrared devices (e.g., infrared printer and IR-aware computer) (on selected models). Ejects the PC Card from the slot. 3 Network jack 4 5 6 7 8 Modem jack Two USB 2.0 ports IEEE 1394 port PC Card slot 5-in-1 card reader 9 Infrared port 10 PC Card slot eject button 4 English Right view # 1 2 3 4 5 6 Icon Item Optical drive Description Internal optical drive; accepts CDs or DVDs depending on the optical drive type. Ejects the optical drive tray from the drive. Ejects the optical drive tray when the computer is turned off. Enable the computer to stay cool, even after prolonged use. Connects to a Kensington-compatible computer security lock. LED indicator Lights up when the optical drive is active. Optical drive eject button Emergency eject hole Ventilation slots Security keylock Rear view # 1 2 3 Icon Item Battery bay Power jack USB 2.0 ports Description Houses the computer's battery pack. Connects to an AC adaptor. Connect to USB 2.0 devices (e.g., USB mouse, USB camera). 5 Base view English # 1 2 3 4 5 6 Item Battery bay Battery lock Cooling fan Memory compartment Hard disk bay Battery release latch Description Houses the computer's battery pack. Locks the battery in place. Helps keep the computer cool. Note: Do not cover or obstruct the opening of the fan. Houses the computer's main memory and mini PCI Card. Houses the computer's hard disk (secured by a screw). Releases the battery for removal. 6 English Specifications Operating system Platform Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition (Service Pack 2) Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional (Service Pack 2) TravelMate 3210: Intel® CentrinoTM Mobile Technology, featuring: · · · · Intel® Pentium® M Processor 730/740/750/760/770 (2 MB L2 cache, 1.60/1.73/1.86/2/2.13 GHz, 533 MHz FSB) Intel® Pentium® M Processor 725 (2 MB L2 cache, 1.60 GHz, 400 MHz FSB) Intel® 915GM/PM Express chipset Wireless solution: integrated Intel® PRO/Wireless 2200BG network connection (dual-band 802.11b/g) Wi-Fi® CERTIFIEDTM solution, supporting Acer SignalUp wireless technology TravelMate 2400: Intel® Pentium® M Processor 725 (2 MB L2 cache, 1.60 GHz, 400 MHz FSB) Intel® Celeron® M Processor 350/360/370 or higher (1 MB L2 cache, 1.30/1.40/1.50 GHz, 400 MHz FSB) Intel® 910GML Express chipset Integrated 802.11b/g Wi-Fi® CERTIFIEDTM solution, supporting Acer SignalUp wireless technology System memory 256/512 MB of DDR2 400/533 MHz memory, upgradeable to 2 GB using two soDIMM modules (dual-channel support) 14.1" WXGA color TFT LCD, 1280 x 800 resolution; 16:10 viewing ratio, supporting simultaneous multi-window viewing on dual displays via Acer GridVista 16.7 million colors Intel® 915GM (TravelMate 3210)/ Intel® 910GML (TravelMate 2400) integrated 3D graphics, featuring Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 900 and up to 128 MB of VRAM, supporting Microsoft® DirectX® 9.0 and dual independent display ATI MOBILITYTM RADEON® X700 with 64 MB or higher of dedicated VRAM, supporting ATI POWERPLAYTM 5.0, PCI ExpressTM, Microsoft® DirectX® 9.0 and DualViewTM (TravelMate 3210 only) MPEG-2/DVD hardware-assisted capability S-video/TV-out (NTSC/PAL) support (TravelMate 3210 only) Display and graphics 7 Storage subsystem 40/60/80 GB ATA/100 hard disk drive Optical drive options: · DVD-Super Multi double layer (TravelMate 3210) · DVD-Dual double layer (TravelMate 2400) · DVD/CD-RW combo 5-in-1 card reader supporting Secure Digital (SD), MultiMediaCard (MMC), xD-Picture CardTM (XD), Memory Stick® (MS) and Memory Stick PROTM (MS-Pro) Dimensions and weight Power subsystem 335 (W) x 240 (D) x 31.9/34.1 (H) mm (13.2 x 9.45 x 1.26/1.34 inches) 2.38 kg (5.25 lbs.) ACPI 1.0b power management standard: supports Standby and Hibernation power-saving modes 53.6 W (6-cell) and 80.3 W (9-cell) Li-ion battery packs (for TravelMate 3210) English · · 3-hour battery life for models using ATI MOBILITYTM RADEON® X700 (6-cell battery) 4.5-hours battery life for models using Intel® 915GM integrated graphics (6-cell battery) 44.6 W (6-cell) Li-ion battery pack (for TravelMate 2400) 4-hour battery life 2.5-hour rapid charge system-off; 3.5-hour charge-in-use 3-pin 65 W AC adaptor · Input devices 84-/85-key Acer FineTouchTM keyboard Touchpad with 4-way scroll button Four easy-launch buttons Two front-access LED-buttons: WLAN and Bluetooth® Audio system with built-in speakers and microphone Intel® AC'97 audio support Sound Blaster ProTM and MS-Sound compatible S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface) support for digital speakers Audio Communication Modem: 56K ITU V.92 with PTT approval; Wake-on-Ring ready LAN: 10/100 Mbps (TravelMate 2400) or gigabit (TravelMate 3210) Ethernet; Wake-on-LAN ready WLAN: integrated 802.11b/g Wi-Fi® CERTIFIEDTM solution (TravelMate 2400) or Intel® PRO/Wireless 2200BG network connection (dual-band 802.11b/g) Wi-Fi® CERTIFIEDTM solution (TravelMate 3210) Acer SignalUp wireless technology support WPAN: integrated Bluetooth® 8 I/O interface Three USB 2.0 ports 5-in-1 card reader (MS/MS-PRO/MMC/SD/XD) PC Card slot (one Type II) IEEE 1394 port (TravelMate 3210 only) Fast infrared (FIR) port (TravelMate 3210 only) External display (VGA) port S-video/TV-out (NTSC/PAL) port (TravelMate 3210 only) Headphones/speaker/line-out port Microphone/line-in jack Ethernet (RJ-45) port Modem (RJ-11) port DC-in jack for AC adaptor Kensington lock slot BIOS user and supervisor passwords Acer eManager (ePowerManagement/ePresentation/eRecovery/eSettings) Acer GridVista Acer Launch Manager Acer System Recovery CD Norton AntiVirusTM Adobe® Reader® CyberLink® PowerDVDTM NTI CD-MakerTM Options and accessories 512 MB or 1 GB DDR2 533 MHz soDIMM memory modules External USB floppy disk drive 9-cell Li-ion battery pack 3-pin 65 W AC adaptor 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% Cisco Compatible Extensions (CCX) Wi-Fi® Mobile PC 2001 ACPI 1.0b DMI 2.0 One-year International Travelers Warranty (ITW) English Security Software Environment System compliance Warranty Note: The specifications listed above are for reference only. The exact configuration of your PC depends on the model purchased. 9 Indicators The computer has three easy-to-read status indicators on the upper-left above the keyboard, and 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 Media activity Bluetooth Wireless LAN Power Battery Description Lights up when Caps Lock is activated. Lights up when Num Lock is activated. Indicates when the hard disk or optical drive is active. Indicates the status of Bluetooth communication. Indicates the status of wireless LAN communication. Lights up when the computer is on. Lights up when the battery is being charged. 1. Charging: The light shows amber when the battery is charging. 2. Fully charged: The light shows green when in AC mode. 10 English Easy-launch buttons Located at the upper-left, above the keyboard are four buttons. These buttons are called easy-launch buttons. They are: mail, Web browser, Acer Empowering Key " " and one user-programmable button. Press " " to run the Acer eManager. Please see "Acer eManager" on page 19. The mail and Web buttons are pre-set to email and Internet programs, but can be reset by users. To set the Web browser, mail and programmable keys, run the Acer Launch Manager. See "Launch Manager" on page 21. Easy-launch button Mail Web browser Default application Email application (user-programmable) Internet browser (user-programmable) Acer eManager (user-programmable) P User-programmable 11 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: · · 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. · 12 English Function Execute Left button (1) Quickly click twice. Click once. Click and hold, then use finger on the touchpad to drag the cursor. Right button (4) 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. Center button (3) Select Drag Access context menu Scroll Click once. Click and hold to move up/down/ left/right. Note: Keep your fingers dry and clean when using the touchpad. Also keep the touchpad 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. 13 Using the keyboard The keyboard has full-sized keys and an embedded keypad, separate cursor keys, two Windows keys and 12 function 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 on Hold while using embedded keypad cursor-control keys. Main keyboard keys Hold while typing Type the letters in a letters on embedded keypad. normal manner. 14 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. Opens the Find: All Files dialog box. Opens the Run dialog box. Minimizes all windows. > + + < Undoes the minimize all windows action. Application This key has the same effect as clicking the right mouse key 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. 15 English Hotkey + + Icon Function Hotkey help Acer eSettings Description Displays help on hotkeys. Launches Acer eSettings in Acer eManager. See "Acer eManager" on page 19. + Launches Acer ePowerManagement in Acer ePowerMana- Acer eManager. See "Acer eManager" on page 19. gement Sleep Display toggle Screen blank Touchpad toggle Speaker toggle Volume up 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. + + + + + + <> + <> + <> + <> Volume down Decreases the sound volume. Brightness up Increases the screen brightness. Brightness down Decreases the screen brightness. 16 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. To type: The Euro symbol 1 2 Open a text editor or word processor. Either directly press the key 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 directly press the key 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. 17 Ejecting the optical (CD or DVD) drive tray To eject the optical drive tray when the computer is turned on, press the drive eject button. English When the power is off, you can eject the drive tray by using the emergency eject hole. Using a computer security lock A security keylock notch, located on the left hand side of the computer, lets you connect a Kensington-compatible computer security lock. 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. 18 English Audio The computer comes with 16-bit high-fidelity AC'97 stereo audio, and dual stereo speakers. Adjusting the volume Adjusting the volume on the computer is as easy as pressing some buttons. See "Hotkeys" on page 14 for more information on adjusting the speaker volume. 19 Using the system utilities Acer eManager The innovative Acer eManager software is designed for easy access to frequently used functions. Press " " to launch the Acer eManager user interface, which features four main settings: Acer ePowerManagement, Acer ePresentation, Acer eRecovery and Acer eSettings. English To set the " " key, see "Easy-launch buttons" on page 10. Acer ePowerManagement Provides a central location from which to control all your PC's power schemes and maximize battery life. Acer ePresentation Simplifies resolution settings when connecting to a projector. Acer eRecovery Creates backups and recovers system configurations reliably. Acer eSettings Makes managing system settings and security easy. For more information, open Acer eManager, click on the appropriate application and select the Help function. Note: When recovering your system using a CD or Acer eRecovery, detach all peripherals, including your Acer ezDock, to ensure the best results. 20 English Acer GridVista (dual-display compatible) Note: This feature is only available on certain models. To enable the dual monitor feature of your notebook, first ensure that the second monitor is connected, then, select Start, Control Panel, Display and click on Settings. Select the secondary monitor (2) icon in the display box and then click the check box Extend my windows desktop onto this monitor. Finally, click Apply to confirm the new settings and click OK to complete the process. Acer GridVista is a handy utility that offers four pre-defined display settings so you can view multiple windows on the same screen. To access this function, please go to Start, All Programs and click on Acer GridVista. You may choose any one of the four display settings indicated below: Double (vertical), Triple (primary at left), Triple (primary at right), or Quad Acer Gridvista is dual-display compatible, allowing two displays to be partitioned independently. Acer GridVista is simple to set up: 1 2 Run Acer GridVista and select your preferred screen configuration for each display from the taskbar. Drag and drop each window into the appropriate grid. 21 3 Enjoy the convenience of a well-organized desktop. English Note: Please ensure that the resolution setting of your second monitor is set to the manufacturer's recommended value. Launch Manager Launch Manager allows you to set the four easy-launch buttons located above the keyboard. "Easy-launch buttons" on page 10 for the location of the easylaunch buttons. You can access the Launch Manager by clicking on Start, All Programs, and then Launch Manager to start the application. 22 English Frequently asked questions The following is a list of possible situations that may arise during the use of your computer. Easy solutions are provided for each one. I pressed the power button and opened the display, but the computer does not start or boot-up. Look at the power indicator: · If it is not lit, no power is being supplied to the computer. Check the following: · · · If you are using on the battery, it may be low and unable to power the computer. Connect the AC adaptor to recharge the battery pack. Make sure that the AC adaptor is properly plugged into the computer and to the power outlet. Is a non-bootable (non-system) disk in the external USB floppy drive? Remove or replace it with a system disk and press + + to restart the system. If it is lit, check the following: · Nothing appears on the screen. The computer's power management system automatically blanks the screen to save power. Press any key to turn the display back on. If pressing a key does not turn the display back on, three things might be the cause: · · · The brightness level might be too low. Press + <> (increase) to adjust the brightness level. The display device might be set to an external monitor. Press the display toggle hotkey + to toggle the display back to the computer. If the Sleep indicator is lit, the computer is in Sleep mode. Press and release the power button to resume. Image is not full-screen. Each computer display has a different native resolution depending on the screen. If you set the resolution lower than this native resoution, the screen expands to fill the computer display. Right-click on your Windows desktop and select Properties to bring up the "Display Properties" dialog box. Then click on the Settings tab to make sure that the resolution is set to the appropriate resolution. Resolutions lower than the specified resolution are not full-screen on the computer or on an external monitor. 23 No audio is heard from the computer. Check the following: English · The volume may be muted. In Windows, look at the volume control (speaker) icon on the taskbar. If it is crossed-out, click on the icon and deselect the Mute option. The volume level may be too low. In Windows, look at the volume control icon on the taskbar. You can also use the volume control buttons to adjust the volume. See "Hotkeys" on page 14 for more detail. If headphones, earphones or external speakers are connected to the lineout port on the computer, the internal speakers automatically turn off. · · I want to eject the optical drive tray without turning on the power. I cannot eject the optical drive tray. There is a mechanical eject hole on the optical drive. Simply insert the tip of a pen or paperclip and push to eject the tray. The keyboard does not respond. Try attaching an external keyboard to a USB 2.0 port on the computer. If it works, contact your dealer or an authorized service center as the internal keyboard cable may be loose. The infrared port does not work (on selected models) Check the following: · · · Make sure that the infrared ports of the two devices are facing each other (+/- 15 degrees) a maximum of 1 meter apart. Make sure there is a clear path between the two infrared ports. Nothing should be blocking the ports. Make sure you have the appropriate software running on both devices (for file transfers) or you have the appropriate drivers (for printing to an infrared printer). During the POST, press to access the BIOS utility and verify that the infrared port is enabled. Make sure both devices are IrDA-compliant. · · The printer does not work. Check the following: · Make sure that the printer is connected to a power outlet and that it is turned on. 24 English · Make sure that the printer cable is connected securely to the computer's parallel port or a USB port and the corresponding port on the printer. I want to set up my location to use the internal modem. To properly use your communication software (e.g. HyperTerminal), you need to set up your location: 1 2 3 Click on Start, Settings, Control Panel. Double-click on Modems. Click on Dialing Properties and begin setting up your location. Refer to the Windows manual. Note: Please note, on first booting your notebook, that you can skip the Internet Connection setup, as it is not necessary to complete the installation of your Operating System. After the Operating System is set up, you can proceed with the Internet Connection setup. I want to restore my computer to its original settings without recovery CDs. Note: If your system is the multilingual version, the operating system and language you choose when you first turn on the system will be the only option for future recovery operations. This recovery process helps you restore the C: drive with the original software content that is installed when you purchase your notebook. Follow the steps below to rebuild your C: drive. (Your C: drive will be reformatted and all data will be erased.) It is important to back up all data files before using this option. Before performing a restore operation, please check the BIOS settings. 1 2 3 Check to see if Acer disk-to-disk recovery is enabled or not. Make sure the D2D Recovery setting in Main is Enabled. Exit the BIOS setup utility and save changes. The system will reboot. Note: To activate the BIOS setup utility, press during POST. 25 To start the recovery process: 1 2 3 Restart the system. While the Acer logo is showing, press + at the same time to enter the recovery process. Refer to the on-screen instructions to perform system recovery. English Important: This feature occupies 2 to 3 GB in a hidden partition on your hard drive. Requesting service International Travelers Warranty (ITW) Your computer is backed by an International Travelers Warranty (ITW) that gives you security and peace of mind when traveling. Our worldwide network of service centers are there to give you a helping hand. An ITW passport comes with your computer. This passport contains all you need to know about the ITW program. A list of available, authorized service centers is in this handy booklet. Read this passport thoroughly. Always have your ITW passport on hand, especially when you travel, to receive the benefits from our support centers. Place your proof-of-purchase in the flap located inside the front cover of the ITW passport. If the country you are traveling in does not have an Acer-authorized ITW service site, you can still get in contact with our offices worldwide. Please consult http://global.acer.com. Before you call Please have the following information available when you call Acer for online service, and please be at your computer when you call. With your support, we can reduce the amount of time a call takes and help solve your problems efficiently. If there are error messages or beeps reported by your computer, write them down as they appear on the screen (or the number and sequence in the case of beeps). 26 You are required to provide the following information: Name: _____________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________ Telephone number: _________________________________ Machine and model type: ____________________________ Serial number: ______________________________________ Date of purchase: ___________________________________ English 27 Taking your notebook PC with you This section gives you tips and hints to consider when moving around or traveling with your computer. English Disconnecting from the desktop Follow these steps to disconnect your computer from external accessories: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Save any open files. Remove any media, floppy disks or compact disks from the drive(s). Shut down the computer. Close the display cover. Disconnect the cord from the AC adaptor. Disconnect the keyboard, pointing device, printer, external monitor and other external devices. Disconnect the Kensington lock if you are using one to secure the computer. Moving around When you are just moving within short distances, for example, from your office desk to a meeting room. Preparing the computer Before moving the computer, close and latch the display cover to place it in Sleep mode. You can now safely take the computer anywhere you go within the building. To bring the computer out of Sleep mode, open the display; then press and release the power button. If you are taking the computer to a client's office or a different building, you may choose to shut down the computer: Click on Start, Turn Off Computer, then click on Turn Off (Windows XP). Or: You can put the computer in Sleep mode by pressing + . Then close and latch the display. When you are ready to use the computer again, unlatch and open the display; then press and release the power button. 28 English Note: If the Sleep indicator is off, the computer has entered Hibernation mode and is turned off. If the power indicator is off but the Sleep indicator is on, the computer has entered Sleep mode. In both cases, press and release the power button to turn the computer back on. Note that the computer may enter Hibernation mode after being in Sleep mode for a period of time. What to take to short meetings A fully charged battery runs the computer for about 2.5 hours. If your meeting is shorter than that, you probably do not need to take anything with you other than the computer. What to take to long meetings If your meeting lasts longer than 2.5 hours, or if your battery is not fully charged, you may want to take the AC adaptor with you to plug in your computer while in the meeting room. If the meeting room does not have an electrical outlet, reduce the drain on the battery by putting the computer in Sleep mode. Press + or close the display cover whenever you are not actively using the computer. To resume, open the display (if closed); then press and release the power button. Taking the computer home When you are moving from your office to your home or vice versa. Preparing the computer After disconnecting the computer from your desktop, follow these steps to prepare the computer for the trip home: · · Check that you have removed all media and compact disks from the drive(s). Failure to remove the media can damage the drive head. Pack the computer in a protective case that can prevent the computer from sliding around and cushion it if it should fall. Caution: Avoid packing items next to the top cover of the computer. Pressure against the top cover can damage the screen. 29 What to take with you Unless you have some items at home, take the following items with you: English · · AC adaptor and power cord The printed User's Guide Special considerations Follow these guidelines to protect your computer while traveling to and from work: · · Minimize the effects of temperature changes by keeping the computer with you. If you need to stop for an extended period of time and cannot carry the computer with you, leave the computer in the trunk of the car to avoid exposing the computer to excessive heat. Changes in temperature and humidity can cause condensation. Allow the computer to return to room temperature, and inspect the screen for condensation before turning on the computer. If the temperature change is greater than 10 °C (18 °F), allow the computer to come to room temperature slowly. If possible, leave the computer for 30 minutes in an environment with a temperature between outside and room temperature. · Setting up a home office If you frequently work on your computer at home, you may want to purchase a second AC adaptor for use at home. With a second AC adaptor, you can avoid carrying the extra weight to and from home. If you use your computer at home for significant periods of time, you might also want to add an external keyboard, monitor or mouse. Traveling with the computer When you are moving within a larger distance, for instance, from your office building to a client's office building or traveling locally. Preparing the computer Prepare the computer as if you were taking it home. Make sure that the battery in the computer is charged. Airport security may require you to turn on your computer when carrying it into the gate area. 30 English What to take with you Take the following items with you: · · · AC adaptor Spare, fully-charged battery pack(s) Additional printer driver files if you plan to use another printer Special considerations In addition to the guidelines for taking the computer home, follow these guidelines to protect your computer while traveling: · · · Always take the computer as carry-on luggage. If possible, have the computer inspected by hand. Airport security X-ray machines are safe, but do not put the computer through a metal detector. Avoid exposing floppy disks to hand-held metal detectors. Traveling internationally with the computer When you are moving from country to country. Preparing the computer Prepare the computer as you would normally prepare it for traveling. What to bring with you Bring the following items with you: · · · · · · AC adaptor Power cords that are appropriate for the country to which you are traveling Spare, fully-charged battery packs Additional printer driver files if you plan to use another printer Proof of purchase, in case you need to show it to customs officials International Travelers Warranty passport 31 Special considerations Follow the same special considerations as when traveling with the computer. In addition, these tips are useful when traveling internationally: English · When traveling in another country, check that the local AC voltage and the AC adaptor power cord specifications are compatible. If not, purchase a power cord that is compatible with the local AC voltage. Do not use converter kits sold for appliances to power the computer. If you are using the modem, check if the modem and connector is compatible with the telecommunications system of the country you are traveling in. · Securing your computer Your computer is a valuable investment that you need to take care of. Learn how to protect and take care of your computer. Security features include hardware and software locks -- a security notch and passwords. Using a computer security lock A security keylock notch, located on the rear of the computer, lets you connect a Kensington-compatible computer security lock. Wrap a 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. Using passwords Passwords protect your computer from unauthorized access. Setting these passwords creates several different levels of protection for your computer and data: · Supervisor Password prevents unauthorized entry into the BIOS utility. Once set, you must enter this password to gain access to the BIOS utility. See "BIOS utility" on page 37. User Password secures your computer against unauthorized use. Combine the use of this password with password checkpoints on boot-up and resume from Hibernation for maximum security. · 32