Acer Aspire 1660 Series
User’s Guide
Copyright © 2004
All Rights Reserved
Acer Aspire 1660 Series Notebook Computer User's Guide
Original Issue: June 2004
Changes may be made periodically to the information in this publication without obligation to notify any person of such revision or changes. Such changes will be incorporated in new editions of this manual or supplementary documents and publications. This company makes no representations or warranties, either expressed or implied, with respect to the contents hereof and specifically disclaims the implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.
Record the model number, serial number, purchase date, and place of purchase information in the space provided below. The serial number and model number are recorded on the label affixed to your computer. All 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 1660 Series Notebook Computer
Model Number : _________________________________
Serial Number: ___________________________________
Purchase Date: ___________________________________
Place of Purchase: ________________________________
All trademarks and registered trademarks are the properties of their respective companies.
iii
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 Acer’s products, services, and support, please visit the web site: http://www.acer.com.
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 and Support for more information.
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iv
Note: If you are unable to shut down the computer in the usual way, press and hold the power button 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.
v
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:
•Turn off the computer and remove the battery.
•Disconnect the AC adapter.
•Clean with a soft cloth moistened with a little water. Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners.
Refer to the chapter entitled “Frequently asked questions” on page 63 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.
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vi
English
First things first Your guides
Basic care and tips for using your computer
Getting familiar with your computer
A tour of your computer Front view
Left view Right view Rear view Bottom view
Features
Indicators
Keyboard Lock keys
Embedded keypad Windows keys Hot keys
The Euro symbol Touchpad
Touchpad basics Launch keys
Storage
Ejecting the optical drive tray
Emergency ejection of the optical drive tray Connectivity options
Ethernet and LAN Fax/Data modem
Audio
Securing your computer Security slot
Operating on battery power
Battery pack
Battery pack characteristics
Installing and removing the battery pack Charging the battery
Checking the battery level Optimizing battery life Battery-low warning
Power management
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Contents |
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Peripherals and options |
37 |
External display devices |
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External input devices |
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External keyboard |
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External keypad |
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External pointing device |
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USB devices |
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IEEE 1394 Port |
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Printer |
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Audio devices |
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Expansion devices |
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PC Card |
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Miscellaneous options |
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Battery pack |
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AC adapter |
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Key component upgrades |
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Memory upgrade |
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Hard disk upgrade |
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Moving with your computer |
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Disconnecting from the desktop |
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Moving around |
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Preparing the computer |
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What to bring to short meetings |
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What to bring to long meetings |
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Taking the computer home |
51 |
Preparing the computer |
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What to bring with you |
51 |
Special considerations |
51 |
Setting up a home office |
52 |
Traveling with the computer |
52 |
Preparing the computer |
52 |
What to take with you |
52 |
Special considerations |
52 |
Traveling internationally with your computer |
53 |
Preparing the computer |
53 |
What to take with you |
53 |
Special considerations |
53 |
Software |
55 |
System software |
57 |
Launch Manager |
57 |
BIOS Setup Utility |
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OneButton Recovery (OBR) |
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Multilingual operating system installation |
59 |
Restore without a Recovery CD |
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Setup password and exit |
60 |
Troubleshooting |
61 |
Frequently asked questions |
63 |
Requesting service |
66 |
International Traveler’s Warranty (ITW) |
66 |
Before you call |
66 |
Appendix A Specifications |
67 |
Appendix B Regulation & safety notices |
73 |
Index |
87 |
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Getting familiar with
your computer
Your Aspire 1660 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.
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After setting up your new Aspire notebook computer, as illustrated in the Just for starters… poster, take a few minutes to explore the unit.
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Description |
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Display screen |
Liquid-Crystal Display (LCD) provides |
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Status indicators |
Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) that turn |
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Power button |
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Launch keys |
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Palmrest |
Comfortable support area for your |
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Click buttons & |
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4-way scroll key |
the left and right mouse buttons; the 4- |
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Touchpad |
Touch-sensitive pointing device which |
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Keyboard |
Inputs data into your computer. |
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Ventilation slot |
Enables the computer to stay cool, even |
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PC Card slots |
Support one Type III or two Type II |
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CardBus PC Card(s). |
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Eject buttons |
Ejects the PC Card(s) from the slots. |
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Optical drive |
Internal optical drive; accepts CDs or |
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IEEE 1394 port |
Connects to IEEE 1394 devices. |
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Infrared port |
Interfaces with infrared devices |
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computer). |
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LED indicator |
Lights up when the optical drive is |
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Eject button |
Ejects the optical drive tray from the |
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drive. |
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Emergency eject hole |
Ejects the optical drive tray when the |
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computer is turned off. |
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See page 22 for more details. |
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Speaker |
Delivers stereo audio output. |
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6 |
Getting familiar with your computer |
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Description |
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Speaker |
Delivers stereo audio output. |
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Ventilation slots |
Enable the computer to stay cool, even |
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after prolonged use. |
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Security keylock |
Connects to a Kensington-compatible |
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computer security lock. |
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Power jack |
Connects to an AC adapter. |
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Parallel port |
Connects to a parallel device |
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Ventilation slots |
Enable the computer to stay cool, even after |
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prolonged use. |
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S-video port |
Connects to a television or display device |
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with S-video input. |
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External display port |
Connects to a display device (e.g., external |
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VGA monitor and LCD projector). |
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Four USB 2.0 ports |
Connect to Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0 |
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devices (e.g., USB mouse and USB camera). |
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Network jack |
Connects to an Ethernet LAN network. |
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Modem jack |
Connects to a phone line. |
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8 |
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Getting familiar with your computer |
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Description |
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9 |
Speaker/Line-Out/ |
Connects to audio line-out devices |
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Headphone jack |
(e.g., speakers and headphones). |
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Line-in/Mic-in jack |
Accepts audio line-in devices |
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(e.g., audio CD player and stereo walkman). |
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Description |
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Battery bay |
Houses the computer's battery pack. |
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Battery release latch |
Unlatches to remove the battery pack. |
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Memory compartment |
Houses the computer's main memory. |
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9
Performance
•Intel® Pentium® 4 processors 2.80 GHz and above
•256/512 MB of DDR333 SDRAM, upgradeable to 2048 MB with dual soDIMM modules
•40 GB and above high-capacity, Enhanced-IDE hard disk
•Advanced Configuration Power Interface (ACPI) power management system
Display
•The 15.4” WXGA (1280x800 resolution) TFT LCD panel providing a large viewing area for maximum efficiency and ease-of-use
•ATI MOBILITY™ RADEON™ 9700 with 64 MB DDR video memory (manufacturing option)
•3D graphics support
•Simultaneous LCD and CRT display support
•S-video for output to a television or display device that supports S-video input
•“Automatic LCD dim” feature, automatically selecting the best setting for the display in order to conserve power
•DualView™ support
Multimedia
•High-speed built-in optical drive:
DVD/CD-RW Combo, DVD-Dual, or DVD-Super Multi
•MS DirectSound compatible
•Built-in dual speakers
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10 |
Getting familiar with your computer |
Connectivity
•Integrated 10/100 Mbps Fast Ethernet connection
•Built-in 56Kbps fax/data modem
•Four Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0 ports
•One IEEE 1394 port
•IEEE 802.11b/g Wireless LAN (manufacturing option)
•Bluetooth (manufacturing option)
Human-centric design
•Rugged, yet extremely portable design
•Stylish appearance
•Full-size keyboard with four programmable launch keys
•Comfortable palm rest area with well-positioned touchpad
Expansion
•One Type III or two Type II CardBus PC Card slots
•Upgradeable memory modules
11
Your computer provides an array of seven indicators located below the display screen, showing the status of the computer and its
components.
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Icon |
Function |
Description |
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Wireless |
Indicates status of wireless or Bluetooth |
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communications |
(optional) communications. |
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Orange--WLAN; Blue--Bluetooth |
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Power |
Lights when the computer is on. |
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Sleep |
Lights when the computer enters Standby |
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mode, and blinks when it enters into or |
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resumes from hibernation mode. |
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Media activity |
Lights when the hard disk or optical drive is |
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active. |
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Battery charge |
Lights when the battery is being charged. |
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Caps Lock |
Lights when Caps Lock is activated. |
Num Lock |
Lights when Num Lock is activated. |
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12 |
Getting familiar with your computer |
The keyboard features full-size keys with an embedded keypad, separate cursor control keys, two Windows keys, and twelve function keys (hot keys).
The keyboard has three lock keys which you can toggle on and off.
Lock Key |
Description |
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Caps Lock |
When Caps Lock is on, all alphabetic characters typed are in |
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Num Lock |
When Num Lock is on, the embedded keypad is in numeric |
(Fn+F11) |
mode. The keys function as a calculator (complete with the |
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arithmetic operators +, -, *, and /). Use this mode when you |
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need to do a lot of numeric data entry. A better solution |
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would be to connect an external keypad. |
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Scroll Lock |
When Scroll Lock is on, the screen moves one line up or down |
(Fn+F12) |
when you press the up or down arrow keys respectively. |
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Scroll Lock does not work with some applications. |
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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.
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Desired Access |
Num Lock On |
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Num Lock Off |
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Number keys on |
Type numbers using |
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embedded keypad |
embedded keypad in a |
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normal manner. |
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Cursor-control keys |
Hold Shift while using |
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Hold Fn while using |
on embedded |
cursor-control keys. |
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cursor-control keys. |
keypad |
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Main keyboard keys |
Hold Fn while typing letters |
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on embedded keypad. |
Type the letters in a normal manner.
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14 |
Getting familiar with your computer |
The keyboard features two keys that provide Windows-specific functions.
Key |
Description |
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Windows key |
Pressed alone, this key has the same effect as clicking on |
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the Windows Start button; it launches the Start menu. It |
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can also be used with other keys to provide a variety of |
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functions: |
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+ Tab |
Activates the next Taskbar button. |
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+ E |
Opens the My Computer window. |
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+ F1 |
Opens Help and Support. |
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+ F |
Opens the Find: All Files dialog box. |
+ M Minimizes all windows.
Shift + |
+ M Undoes the minimize all windows |
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+ M) action. |
+ R |
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Opens the Run dialog box. |
Application key This key has the same effect as clicking the right mouse button; it opens the application's context menu.
15
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:
Hot Key |
Icon |
Function |
Description |
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Fn-F1 |
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Hot key help |
Displays help on hot keys. |
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Fn-F2 |
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Setup |
Accesses the computer’s |
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property window. |
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Fn-F3 |
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Power |
Switches the power |
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Management |
management scheme used by |
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Scheme toggle |
the computer (function |
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available if supported by |
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operating system). |
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Fn-F4 |
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Sleep |
Puts the computer in Sleep |
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mode. |
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Fn-F5 |
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Display toggle |
Switches display output |
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between the display screen, |
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external monitor (if |
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display screen and external |
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monitor. |
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16 |
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Getting familiar with your computer |
Hot Key |
Icon |
Function |
Description |
Fn-F6 |
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Screen blank |
Turns the display screen |
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backlight off to save power. |
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Press any key to return. |
Fn-F7 |
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Touchpad toggle |
Turns the internal touchpad |
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on and off. |
Fn-F8 |
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Speaker toggle |
Turns the speakers on and off. |
Fn-↑ |
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Volume up |
Increases the sound volume. |
Fn-↓ |
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Volume down |
Decreases the sound volume. |
Fn-→ |
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Brightness up |
Increases the screen |
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brightness. |
Fn-← |
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Brightness down |
Decreases the screen |
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brightness. |
Fn-Pg Up |
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Home |
Functions as the Home key. |
Fn-Pg Dn |
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End |
Functions as the End key. |
Alt Gr- |
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Euro |
Types the Euro symbol. |
Euro |
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17
If your keyboard layout is set to United States-International or United Kingdom or if you have a keyboard with a European layout, you can type the Euro symbol on your keyboard.
Note for US keyboard users: The keyboard layout is set when you first set up Windows. For the Euro symbol to work, the keyboard layout has to be set to United States-International.
To verify the keyboard type:
1Click on Start, Control Panel.
2Double-click on Regional and Language Options.
3Click on the Language tab and click on Details.
4Verify that the keyboard layout used for "En English (United States)" is set to United States-International.
If not, select and click on ADD; then select United StatesInternational and click on OK.
5Click on OK.
To type the Euro symbol:
1Locate the Euro symbol on your keyboard.
2Open a text editor or word processor.
3Hold Alt Gr and press the Euro symbol.
Some fonts and software do not support the Euro symbol. Please refer to http://www.microsoft.com/typography/faq/ faq12.htm for more information.
English
English
18 |
Getting familiar with your computer |
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 4-way scrolling in documents and web pages.
The touchpad is located in the middle of the palm rest area, providing maximum comfort and efficiency.
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, bottom to scroll down; left to scroll left, and right to scroll right.
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Function |
Left Button |
Right |
4-Way |
Tap |
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Button |
Scroll Key |
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Execute |
Click twice |
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Tap twice |
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quickly. |
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quickly. |
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Select |
Click once. |
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Tap once. |
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Drag |
Click and hold. |
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Tap twice |
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Then, slide your |
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quickly. On the |
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finger across |
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second tap, |
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the touchpad to |
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slide your |
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drag the cursor |
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finger across |
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over the |
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the touchpad |
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selection. |
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to drag the |
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cursor over the |
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selection. |
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Access |
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Click |
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content |
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once. |
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menu |
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Scroll |
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Click and |
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hold the up/ |
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down/left/ |
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right button. |
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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.
English
English
20 |
Getting familiar with your computer |
Located at the top of the keyboard are six buttons. These buttons are called launch keys. They are designated as mail button, Web browser button, P1, P2, Bluetooth and Wireless buttons. The Wireless and Bluetooth buttons cannot be set by the user. To set the other four
launch keys, run the Acer Launch Manager.
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Launch Key |
Default Application |
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1 |
Launches your email application. |
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2 |
Web browser |
Launches your Internet browser. |
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3 |
P1 |
User-programmable. |
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4 |
P2 |
User-programmable. |
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5 |
Bluetooth |
Enables your Bluetooth. |
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(optional) |
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6 |
Wireless |
Enables your 802.11b/g Wireless LAN. |
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(optional) |
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Caution: It is important that the Bluetooth and Wireless LAN features are turned off before boarding an airplane.