Acer ASPIRE 1300 User Manual

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Acer Aspire 1300 series

User’s guide

Acer Aspire 1300 Series Notebook Computer User's Guide

Original Issue: May 2002

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 correspondense 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.

Acer Aspire 1300 series Notebook computer

Model Number : _________________________________

Serial Number: ___________________________________

Purchase Date: ___________________________________

Place of Purchase: ________________________________

All trademarks and registered trademarks are the properties of their respective companies.

First things first	vii
Your guides	vii
Basic care and tips for using your computer	vii

Getting familiar with your computer	1
A tour of your computer	3
Front view	3
Left view	5
Right view	6
Rear view	7
Bottom view	8
Features	9
Display	10
Indicators	11
Keyboard	13
Special keys	13
Keyboard ergonomics	17
Touchpad	18
Touchpad basics	18
Launch keys	20
Storage	21
Inserting and ejecting a diskette	21
Ejecting the optical drive tray	21
Emergency ejection of the optical drive tray	22
Connectivity options	23
Ethernet and LAN	23
Fax/data modem	23
Audio	25
Securing your computer	26
Security slot	26
Passwords	26

Operating on battery power	27
Battery pack	29
Battery pack characteristics	29
Installing and removing the battery pack	30
Charging the battery	31
Checking the battery level	31
Optimizing battery life	31
Battery-low warning	31
Power management	33

Contents

English

Peripherals and options	35
External display devices	37
External input devices	38
External keyboard	38
External keypad	38
External pointing device	39
Printer	40
Audio devices	41
Expansion devices	42
PC Card	42
USB devices	44
Miscellaneous options	45
Battery pack	45
AC adapter	45
Key component upgrades	46
Memory upgrade	46
Hard disk upgrade	47

Moving with your computer	49
Disconnecting from the desktop	51
Moving around	52
Preparing the computer	52
What to bring to short meetings	52
What to bring to long meetings	52
Taking the computer home	53
Preparing the computer	53
What to bring with you	53
Special considerations	53
Setting up a home office	54
Traveling with the computer	55
Preparing the computer	55
What to take with you	55
Special considerations	55
Traveling internationally with your computer	56
Preparing the computer	56
What to take with you	56
Special considerations	56

Software	57
System software	59
Launch Manager	59
BIOS Setup Utility	60

Troubleshooting	65
Frequently asked questions	67
Appendix A Specifications	71
Appendix B Notices	75
Index	83

English

vii

First things first

Your guides

A set of guides is provided to help you set up and use your Aspire computer.:

The Just for starters… poster shows you how to set up your computer.

This User's Guide provides clear and concise information on using your computer productively. You are advised to read it thoroughly and keep it handy for future reference.

For more information on our products, services, and support, please visit our web site www.global.acer.com.

Basic care and tips for using your computer

Turning your computer on and off

To turn on your computer, open the lid and press the power button above the keyboard.

To turn the power off, you can do any of the following:

•Click on the Start button in Windows, and then select Shut Down on the popup menu.

•Push the power button.

To use this method, you must first click on the Power Management icon in Windows Control Panel, and then check that the power button is set to shut down the computer when pressed. See Windows Help for more information.

English

viii

Note: if you are unable to shut down the computer in the usual way, press and hold the power switch for more than four seconds. You should then wait at least two seconds before turning the computer on again.

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°C (32°F), or above 50°C (122°F).

•Do not expose 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.

•Do not place objects on top of the computer.

•Do not slam the lid shut. Close the computer gently.

•Do not place the computer on unstable or uneven surfaces.

Taking care of your AC adapter

It is important that you look after your AC adapter.

•Do not connect the adapter to any other device.

•Do not step on the power cord or place heavy objects on it. Route the power cord away from areas where people might walk on it or trip over it.

•Do not pull on the power cord when disconnecting from the mains power socket. Grasp and pull the plug instead.

•The total ampere ratings of equipment plugged into a power strip should not exceed the ampere rating for that power strip.

Taking care of your battery pack

It is also important that you look after your computer's battery pack.

•Use the correct battery model for your computer. Do not use other kinds of batteries.

•Turn the power off before removing or replacing the battery.

•Do not tamper with the battery. Keep the battery away from children.

•Dispose of batteries according to local regulations. Recycle if possible.

Cleaning and servicing

When cleaning your computer, it is important that you follow these steps:

1Turn off the computer and remove the battery.

2Disconnect the AC adapter.

3Clean with a soft cloth moistened with a little water. Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners.

Refer to the chapter entitled Troubleshooting my computer if any of the following occurs:

•You drop the computer or damage the case.

•You spill liquid on the computer.

•The computer does not operate normally.

English

Getting familiar with

your computer

Your Aspire 1300 series notebook computer combines solid performance, versatility, multimedia capabilities and portability with a stylish design. Increase your productivity by working wherever you are.

This chapter provides an in-depth "tour" of your computer's features.

A tour of your computer

After setting up your new Aspire notebook computer, as illustrated in the Just for starters… poster, take a few minutes to explore the unit.

Front view

English

4 Getting familiar with your computer

English
English		#	Item	Description
		#	Item	Description

	1		Display	Large liquid crystal display (LCD) provides visual output.

	2		Launch keys	4 buttons that can be programmed to start frequently used
				applications.

	3		Power button	Turns the computer on and off.

	4		Touchpad	Touch sensitive pad that functions like a computer mouse.

	5		Click buttons &	Right and left buttons that provide the same functions as the
			scroll key	buttons on a computer mouse. The scroll key scrolls the
				contents of a window up and down.

	6		Speakers	Left and right speakers deliver stereo audio output.

	7		Palm rest	Provides a comfortable platform for your hands when typing
				on the keyboard.

	8		Keyboard	Full-size keyboard for inputting typed data.

	9		Status indicators	Light emitting diodes (LED) that show the status of the
				computer and its components.

	10		Latch	Locks and releases the lid.

Left view

English

#	Item	Description

1	Modem jack	Connects the built-in fax/data modem to a
		phone line.

2	Network jack	Connects the computer to an Ethernet 10/100-
		based network.

3	Microphone-in jack	Connects an external microphone for audio
		input.

4	Headphone jack	Connects headphones for audio output.

5	PC card eject button	Press the eject button to remove a PC card from
		the PC card slot.

6	PC card slot	The slot supports a standard Type II or Type III
		PC card (PCMCIA or CardBus).

7	Floppy disk drive	Supports a standard 3.5" diskette.

8	Floppy disk eject button	Press the eject button to remove a diskette from
		the floppy disk drive.

English

6	Getting familiar with your computer

Right view

#	Item	Description

1	Optical drive	Depending on your model, the optical drive is one
		of the following:
		•	CD-ROM drive for reading CDs.
		•	DVD-ROM drive for reading CDs and DVDs.
		•	DVD/CD-RW combo drive for reading CDs
			and DVDs, and writing to CD-Rs and CD-RWs.

2	Optical drive emergency	Used to eject an optical disc when the computer is
	eject hole	turned off.

3	Optical drive eject button	Press the eject button to remove a disc from the
		optical drive.

4	Optical disc read indicator	Light emitting diode (LED) that indicates when an
		optical disc is being read.

Rear view

#	Item	Description

1	Kensington lock slot	For attaching a security connector.

2	DC-in jack	Connects the AC adapter.

3	USB ports	2 ports for connecting USB devices.

4	External display port	Connects an external (VGA) display monitor.

5	Parallel port	Connects a parallel device, such as a printer.

6	Ventilation slots	Enables the computer to stay cool, even after
		prolonged use.

English

8	Getting familiar with your computer

Bottom view

#	Item	Description

1	Ventilation slots	Enables the computer to stay cool, even after
		prolonged use.

2	Battery	The computer's removable battery.

3	Battery release latch	Slide and hold the latch, and then pull the battery to
		remove it from the unit.

4	Hard disk bay	Removable cover provides access to the computer's
		hard drive.

5	Memory compartment	Removable cover provides access to the memory
		slots for upgrading the computer's memory.

Features

Performance

•Mobile AMD Athlon XP1400+, XP1600+, or higher processor.

•VIA ProSavage KN133 chipset.

•2 memory slots supporting 133MHz SDRAM (PC-133), upgradeable to 1GB.

•20GB Enhanced-IDE hard disk.

•Microsoft Windows XP operating system.

Multimedia

•Built-in optical drive (CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or DVD/CD-RW combo drive).

•14.1” or 15.0” XGA TFT LCD panel.

•Built-in stereo speakers.

•Audio input and output jacks.

Connectivity

•Integrated 10/100Mbps Ethernet connection.

•Built-in 56Kbps fax/data modem.

•2 universal serial bus (USB) ports.

Human-centric design and ergonomics

•All-in-one design (incorporating hard drive, optical drive and floppy disk drive).

•Rugged, yet extremely portable, construction.

•Stylish appearance.

•Full-size keyboard with 4 programmable launch keys.

•Comfortable palm rest area with well-positioned touchpad.

Expansion

•PC card slot enables a range of add-on options.

•Upgradeable hard disk and memory modules.

English

10	Getting familiar with your computer

Display

The 14.1” or 15.0” display panel provides a large viewing area for maximum efficiency and ease-of-use. The thin-film transistor (TFT) liquid crystal display (LCD) supports extended graphics array (XGA) resolution, enabling 16.7 million colors at 1024 x 768.

Video performance

Your Aspire 1300 series notebook computer features an accelerated graphics port (AGP) video system integrated in the VIA ProSavage KN133 chipset. This provides a robust solution, while enabling high quality video output.

Simultaneous display

Your computer's large display, combined with its multimedia capabilities, makes it ideally suited to delivering presentations.

You can also connect an external monitor or projector, and then choose to use the computer's LCD panel only, the external device only, or the LCD panel and external device simultaneously.

Simultaneous display allows you to manage a presentation on your computer, while your audience watches the monitor or projector screen.

Indicators

Your computer provides an array of six indicators located above the keyboard, in addition to two indicators positioned at the front of the palm rest area. These indicators show the status of the computer and its components.

The six indicators located above the keyboard provide the following status

information:

#Description

1			Caps Lock active.
1			Caps Lock active.

2			Num Lock active. (Note: the keypad lock must be turned on to use the
2			embedded numeric keypad.)
			embedded numeric keypad.)

3			Scroll Lock active.
3

4			Floppy disk drive activity.
			Floppy disk drive activity.


5			Hard disk drive activity.

6			Optical drive activity.

English

12	Getting familiar with your computer

The two indicators located at the front of the unit provide the following status

information:

#Description

1	Battery charge:
	Battery charge:
	Green	the AC adapter is connected and the battery is fully charged.
	Green
	Amber	the AC adapter is connected and the battery is charging.
	Red	the AC adapter is connected and the battery has a fault.
	Off	the AC adapter is not connected, or the battery is not installed.

2	Power mode:
2
	Steady green		the computer is on (even if the display is turned off).
	Flashing green		the computer is in standby mode.
	Off		the computer is turned off, or in hibernation mode.

Keyboard

The keyboard features full-size keys with an embedded keypad, separate cursor control keys, two Windows keys, and twelve function keys (hot keys).

Special keys

Lock keys

F9 F10

NumLK

Scr LK

Caps Lock

The computer features three lock keys, each with its own status indicator light.

Lock Key	Description

Caps Lock	When Caps Lock is on, all alphabetic characters are typed in uppercase.
	Toggle on and off by pressing the Caps Lock key on the left side of the
	keyboard.

Num Lock	When Num Lock is on, the embedded numeric keypad can be used. Toggle
	on and off by pressing the Fn + F9 keys simultaneously.

Scroll Lock	When Scroll Lock is on, the screen toggles up or down one line at a time
	when the up and down cursor control keys are pressed. Note: Scroll Lock
	doesn't work in all applications. Toggle on and off by pressing the Fn + F10
	keys simultaneously.

English

14	Getting familiar with your computer

Embedded keypad

The embedded keypad functions like a desktop numeric keypad. It is indicated by small blue numbers and characters on the applicable keys.

7	8	9	*
4	5	6	-
1	2	3	+
	0	.	/

To use the embedded numeric keys, toggle the Num Lk on by pressing the Fn + F9 keys simultaneously.

With the embedded keypad turned on, the following actions are possible:

Desired Access	Num lock On	Num lock Off

Number keys on embedded	Type numbers using
keypad.	embedded keypad in the
	normal way.

Cursor control keys on	Hold down the Shift key	Hold Fn key while using
embedded keypad.	while using the cursor keys	cursor-control keys.
	on the embedded keypad.

Main keyboard keys.	Hold down the Fn key while	Type letters in the normal
	typing letters using the	way.
	embedded keypad keys.
	Simultaneously press the
	Shift key for capital letters.

Windows keys

The keyboard features two keys that provide Windows-specific functions.

English



Key	Description

Windows key	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:
	á + Tab activates the next Taskbar button.
	á + E opens the My Computer window.
	á + F1 opens Help and Support.
	á + F opens the Find: All Files dialog box.
	á + M minimizes all windows.
	Shift + á + M undoes the minimize all windows ( á + M) action.
	á + R opens the Run dialog box.

Applications key	This key has the same effect as clicking the right mouse button; it
	opens the application's context menu.

English

16	Getting familiar with your computer

Hotkeys

Using the Fn key with another key creates a hot key, providing a quick and convenient method for controlling various functions.

To use a hot key, first hold down the Fn key. Next, press the second key in the combination. Finally, release both keys.

Your computer provides the following hot keys:

HotKey	Function

Fn + F1	Decreases the display panel brightness.

Fn + F2	Increases the display panel brightness.

Fn + F5	Toggles the display setting between (1) the computer's LCD panel, (2)
	an external display device connected to the external display port, and
	(3) simultaneous display on the computer's LCD panel and an external
	display device.

Fn + F9	Toggles Num Lk on and off. (See "Special keys").

Fn + F10	Toggles the keyboard's Scroll Lock on and off. (See "Special keys").

Fn + Home	Toggles the sound on and off. (Mute.)

Fn + Page Up	Increases the sound volume. (Doesn't work for an external keyboard.)

Fn + Page Down	Decreases the sound volume. (Doesn't work for an external keyboard.)

Euro key

Your computer supports the new Euro currency character. First, hold down the Alt Gr key, and then press the Euro key..

English

Alt Gr

Keyboard ergonomics

The wide palm rest area provides a comfortable platform for your hands when typing on the keyboard. The ergonomic design enables you to adopt a relaxed, yet very efficient, typing style.

English

18	Getting familiar with your computer

Touchpad

The built-in touchpad is a PS/2- compatible pointing device that senses movement on its surface. The cursor responds to your finger movements on the touchpad. In addition, the two click buttons provide the same functionality as a computer mouse, while the scroll key enables easy up and down scrolling in documents and web pages.

The touchpad is located in the middle of the palm rest area, providing maximum comfort and efficiency.

Touchpad basics

Use the touchpad as follows:

•Slide your finger over the surface of the touchpad to control the movement of the cursor. Tap the touchpad to perform selection and execution functions.

•Press the left (1) and right (3) click buttons to perform selection and execution functions, just as you would use the buttons on a computer mouse.

•Use the scroll key (2) to scroll through long documents and web pages. Press the

top of the key to scroll up, and the bottom to scroll down.			English

Function	Left Button	Right
Function	Left Button	Tap
		Button

Execute	Click twice quickly.	Tap twice quickly.

Select	Click once.	Tap once.

Drag	Click and hold.	Tap twice quickly. On the second tap,
	Then, slide your	slide your finger across the touchpad
	finger across the	to drag the cursor over the selection.
	touchpad to drag
	the cursor over the
	selection.

Access		Click once.
content
menu

Note: keep your fingers, as well as the surface of the touchpad, clean and dry. The touchpad is sensitive to your finger movements: the lighter your touch, the better the response. Tapping hard will not increase the touchpad's responsiveness.

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