Acer 1670 User Manual

Acer Aspire 1670 Series

User’s Guide

Copyright © 2004
All Rights Reserved

Acer Aspire 1670 Series Notebook Computer User's Guide
Original Issue: August 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 1670 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

First things first

Yo u r g u i d e s

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

The

Just for starters

computer.

This

User's Guide

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://

Basic care and tips for using your computer

… poster shows you how to set up your

provides clear and concise information on

www.acer.com.

English

English

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.

iv

English

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 79
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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English

vi

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First things first iii

Your guides iii
Basic care and tips for using your computer iii

Getting familiar with your computer 1

A tour of your computer 3
Front view 3

Front view 5
Left view 6
Right view 7
Rear view 8

Bottom view 9
Features 10
Indicators 12
Using the keyboard 13

Lock keys 13

Embedded numeric keypad 14

Windows keys 15

Hot keys 16

Special Key 18
Touchpad 19

Touchpad basics 19
Launch keys 21
Storage 23

Ejecting the optical drive tray 24

Emergency ejection of the optical drive tray 24
Connectivity options 25

Ethernet and LAN 25

Fax/Data modem 26

Fast infrared 27
Audio 28
Securing your computer 29

Security slot 29

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Contents

Operating on battery power 31

Battery pack 33

Battery pack characteristics 33

Installing and removing the battery pack 34

Charging the battery 35

Checking the battery level 35

Optimizing battery life 35

Battery-low warning 36
Power management 37

Peripherals and options 39

External display devices 41
External input devices 41

External keyboard 41
External keypad 41
External pointing device 41
USB devices 42

IEEE 1394 Port 43
Printer 44
Audio devices 44
Expansion devices 45

PC Card 45

5-in-1 card reader (Manufacturing Option) 46

46

Miscellaneous options 46

Battery pack 46

AC adapter 47
Key component upgrades 48

Memory upgrade 48

Hard disk upgrade 49

Moving with your computer 51

Disconnecting from the desktop 53
Moving around 54

Preparing the computer 54

What to bring to short meetings 54

What to bring to long meetings 54
Taking the computer home 55

Preparing the computer 55

What to bring with you 55

Special considerations 55

Setting up a home office 56
Traveling with the computer 56

Preparing the computer 56

What to take with you 56

Special considerations 56
Traveling internationally with your computer 57

Preparing the computer 57

What to take with you 57

Special considerations 57

Software 59

System software 61

Using system utilities 62

Acer eManager 62
Launch Manager 63
BIOS Utility 63

Windows Arcade 64

Arcade Hot keys 65
Finding and playing content 66
Arcade controls 67
Cinema 68
Album 70
Video 72
Music 73
Burner 73

Acer Disc to Disc Recovery 75

Multilingual operating system installation 75
Restore without a Recovery CD 75
Setup password and exit 76

Troubleshooting 77

Frequently asked questions 79
Requesting service 82

International Traveler’s Warranty (ITW) 82
Before you call 82

Appendix A Specifications 83

English

Appendix B

Regulation & safety notices 89

Index 105

Getting familiar with

your computer

Your Aspire 1670 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.

3

A tour of your computer

After setting up your new Aspire notebook computer, as illustrated in

Just for starters…

the

poster, take a few minutes to explore the unit.

Front view

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English

# Item Description

1 Display screen Also called Liquid-Crystal Display (LCD),

displays computer output.

4

# Item Description

Getting familiar with your computer

English

2 Launch Keys Buttons for launching frequently used

programs. See“Launch keys” on page 21
for more details.

3 Status indicators Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) that turn

4 Power button Turns on the computer power.

5 Keyboard Inputs data into your computer.

6 Touchpad Touch-sensitive pointing device which

7 Palmrest Comfortable support area for your

8 Click buttons

(left, center and right)

on and off to show the status of the
computer, its functions and
components.

functions like a computer mouse.

hands when you use the computer.

The left and right buttons function like
the left and right mouse buttons; the
center button serves as a 4-way scroll
button.

5

Front view

# Item Description

1 Speakers Left and right speakers deliver stereo

2 Power indicator Lights green when the computer is on

3 Battery indicator Lights orange when the battery is being

4

Bluetooth
communications

®

audio output.

and lights orange when the computer is
in suspend mode.

charged and lights green when the
battery is full charged.

Lights to indicate the status of
Bluetooth

® (optional) communications.

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5 Wireless

communications

6 Latch Locks and releases the lid.

Lights to indicate the status of wireless
LAN (optional) communications.

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6

Left view

# Item Description

Getting familiar with your computer

1 Security keylock Connects to a Kensington-compatible

2 Two USB 2.0 ports Connect to Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0

3 PC Card slots Support one Type II CardBus PC Card.

4 Eject button Ejects the PC Card(s) from the slot.

5 Optical drive Internal optical drive; accepts CDs or

6 Eject button Ejects the optical drive tray from the

7 LED indicator Lights up when the optical drive is

8 Emergency eject slot Ejects the optical drive tray when the

computer security lock.

devices (e.g., USB mouse and USB
camera).

DVDs depending on the optical drive
type.

drive.

active.

computer is turned off.
See page 24 for more details.

9 5-in-1 card reader Accepts SD/MMC/SM/xD/MS Pro card.

Note: The 5-in-1 card reader is a
manufacturing option, subject to
configuration. Only one card can

operate at any given time.

7

Right view

# Item Description

1 Line-in/Mic-in jack Accepts audio line-in devices

(e.g., audio CD player and stereo
walkman).

2 Speaker/Line-Out/

Headphone jack

3 Infrared port Interfaces with infrared devices

4 Ventilation slots Enable the computer to stay cool, even

Connects to audio line-out devices
(e.g., speakers and headphones).

(e.g., infrared printer and IR-aware
computer).

after prolonged use.

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5 Two USB 2.0 ports Connect to Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0

6 IEEE 1394 port Connects to IEEE 1394 devices.

7 S-video port Connects to a television or display

devices (e.g., USB mouse and USB
camera).

device with S-video input.

English

8

Getting familiar with your computer

Rear view

# Item Description

1 Power jack Connects to an AC adapter.

2 Ventilation slots Enable the computer to stay cool, even after

3 External display port Connects to a display device (e.g., external

4 Modem jack Connects to a phone line.

5 Network jack Connects to an Ethernet LAN network.

prolonged use.

VGA monitor and LCD projector).

9

Bottom view

# Item Description

1 Battery bay Houses the computer's battery pack.

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2 Battery release latch Unlatches to remove the battery pack.

3 Hard disk bay Houses the computer's hard disk.

4 Cooling fans Help keep the computer cool.

5 Memory compartment Houses the computer's main memory.

Note: Don’t cover or obstruct the opening
of the fans.

10

Features

Getting familiar with your computer

English

Performance

• Intel® Pentium® 4 processors 2.8/3.0/3.2/3.4/3.6 GHz or Intel®

Celeron® processors 2.6 GHz and above or Intel® Celeron® D
processor 330/335/340/345 or Mobile Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor
518 (2.80GHz) and above

• ATI MOBILITY™ RADEON™ 9000 IGP chipset

• 256/512 MB of DDR333 SDRAM, upgradeable to 2048 MB with

dual soDIMM modules

• 30 GB and above high-capacity, Enhanced-IDE hard disk

• Advanced Configuration Power Interface (ACPI) power

management system

• 5-in-1 card reader, supporting Multi Media Card (MMC), Secure

Digital (SD), xD-Picture Card
Pro .

TM

, Smart Media, and Memory Stick/

Display

• The TFT LCD panel providing a large viewing area for maximum

efficiency and ease-of-use:

- 15.0” XGA (1024x768) resolution

- 15.4” WXGA (1280x800) resolution

• ATI MOBILITY™ RADEON™ 9700/9500 with 64 MB DDR video

memory

• 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

11

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

• Fast infrared wireless communication (manufacturing option)

• IEEE 802.11b/g Wireless LAN (manufacturing option)

• Bluetooth® (manufacturing option)

• 5-in-1 card reader (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 II CardBus PC Card slot

• Upgradeable memory modules

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12

Indicators

Getting familiar with your computer

English

The computer has three easy-to-read status icons below the display
screen.

# Icon Function Description

1 Caps Lock Lights when Caps Lock is activated.

2 Num Lock Lights when Num Lock is activated.

3 Media activity Lights when the hard disk or optical drive

is active.

In addition, there are two indicators at the front panel. Even when the
cover is closed, the state or features can still be seen.

# Icon Function Description

4 Power Lights green when the computer is on

and lights orange when in suspend mode.

5 Battery

indicator

Lights orange when the battery is being
charged and green when the battery is
fully charged.

13

Using the keyboard

The keyboard has full-sized keys and an embedded keypad, separate
cursor keys, two Windows keys and twelve function keys.

Lock keys

The keyboard has three lock keys which you can toggle on and off.

Lock Key Description

Caps Lock When Caps Lock is on, all alphabetic characters typed are in

uppercase.

Num Lock
(Fn-F11)

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.

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Scroll Lock
(Fn-F12)

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.

English

14

Getting familiar with your computer

Embedded numeric keypad

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 Num Lock On Num Lock Off

Number keys on
embedded keypad

Cursor-control keys
on embedded
keypad

Main keyboard keys Hold Fn while typing letters

Type numbers in a normal
manner.

Hold Shift while using
cursor-control keys.

on embedded keypad.

Hold Fn while using
cursor-control keys.

Type the letters in a
normal manner.

15

Windows keys

The keyboard has two keys that perform Windows-specific functions.

Ke y 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:

+ Tab Activates the next Taskbar button.
+ E Opens the My Computer window.
+ F1 Opens Help and Support.
+ F Opens the Find: All Files dialog box.

+ M Minimizes all windows.
Shift + + M Undoes the minimize all windows
( + M) action.

+ R Opens the Run dialog box.

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English

Application 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

Hot keys

The computer employs hot keys or key combinations to access most of
the computer’s controls like screen brightness, volume output and the
BIOS Utility.

To activate hot keys, press and hold the Fn key before pressing the
other key in the hot key combination.

Hot Key Icon Function Description

Fn-F1 Hot key help Displays help on hot keys.

Fn-F2 Acer eSetting Launches the Acer eSetting

Fn-F3 Power Management Launches power options.

Fn-F4 Sleep Puts the computer in Sleep

in the Acer eManager set by
the Acer Empowering Key.
See “Acer eManager” on
page 62.

mode.

17

Hot Key Icon Function Description

Fn-F5 Display toggle Switches display output

between the display screen,
external monitor (if
connected) and both the
display screen and external
monitor.

Fn-F6 Screen blank Turns the display screen

backlight off to save power.
Press any key to return.

Fn-F7 Touchpad toggle Turns the internal touchpad

on and off.

Fn-F8 Speaker toggle Turns the speakers on and

off.

Fn-↑ Volume up Increases the sound volume.

Fn-↓ Volume down Decreases the sound volume.

Fn-→ Brightness up Increases the screen

brightness.

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English

Fn-

←

Fn­Home

Fn­Pg Up

Fn­Pg Dn

Fn-End Forward Press to skip forward to the

Brightness down Decreases the screen

brightness.

Play/Pause Press to start playing the

audio track or video file.
Press again to pause.

Stop Press to stop playing the

audio track or video file.

Backwards Press to skip backward to

the previous track or video
file and start playing.

next track or video file.

18

Getting familiar with your computer

Hot Key Icon Function Description

English

Alt Gr-$ US dollar Types the US dollar sign.

Alt Gr­Euro

Euro Types the Euro symbol.

Special Key

You can locate the Euro symbol and US dollar sign at the upper-center
and/or bottom-right of your keyboard. To type:

The Euro symbol

1 Open a text editor or word processor.
2 Either directly press the Euro symbol at the bottom-right of the

keyboard, or hold Alt Gr and then press the Euro symbol at the
upper-center of the keyboard.

The US dollar sign

1 Open a text editor or word processor.
2 Either directly press the dollar sign at the bottom-right of the

keyboard, or hold Alt Gr and then press the dollar sign at the
upper-center of the keyboard.

Note: This function varies by the operating system version.

19

To u c h p a d

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.

Touc hp a d ba si c s

Use the touchpad as follows:

English

English

• 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.

20

Getting familiar with your computer

English

Function Left Button

Execute Click twice

quickly.

Select Click once. Tap once.

Drag Click and hold.

Then, slide your
finger across
the touchpad to
drag the cursor
over the
selection.

Access
content
menu

Scroll Click and

Right
Button

Click
once.

4-Way
Scroll Key

hold the up/
down/left/
right button.

Tap

Tap twice
quickly.

Tap twice
quickly. On the
second tap,
slide your
finger across
the touchpad
to drag the
cursor over the
selection.

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.

21

Launch keys

Located at the upper-right above the keyboard are four buttons. These
buttons are called launch keys. They are designated as the mail, Web
browser, Empowering and programmable keys.

Press the Acer Empowering Key to run the Acer eManager. Please see
“Acer eManager” on page 62. The mail and Web browser are default
for Email and Internet programs, but can be reset by users. To set the
mail, Web browser and programmable keys, run the Acer Launch

Manager. See “Launch Manager” on page 63.

English

English

# Launch Key Default Application

1 Email Launches your email application.

2 Web browser Launches your Internet browser.

3 e Acer eManager application (User-programmable)

4 P User-programmable.

In addition, there are two launch keys at the front panet. Even when
the cover is closed, you can easily access the features of Wireless and

English

22

Getting familiar with your computer

Bluetooth®. However, the Wireless and Bluetooth® keys cannot be
reset by users.

# Launch Key Default Application

5

Bluetooth

6 Wireless Enables your 802.11b/g Wireless LAN.(optional)

® Enables your Bluetooth®.(optional)

Caution: It is important that the Bluetooth® and Wireless LAN
features are turned off before boarding an airplane.

23

Storage

Your computer offers a variety of data storage options:

• The high capacity Enhanced-IDE hard disk drive.
The hard drive is upgradeable, enabling you to increase your
storage capacity in the future. Consult your dealer if you need to
upgrade.

• The high speed optical drive.
Depending on your model, you have a DVD/CD-RW Combo, DVD-

Dual, or DVD-Super Multi drive. The optical drive provides
increased storage capacity, as well as offering a host of multimedia
possibilities.

See the section entitled “A tour of your computer” on page 3 for the
locations of these drives.

English

English

English

24

Getting familiar with your computer

Ejecting the optical drive tray

To eject the optical drive tray:

• With the computer turned on, press the optical drive eject button.

• The tray will be released, and partially popped open.

• Gently pull the tray out to its limit.

To load an optical disc:

• Place a CD or DVD on the open tray. Align the disc's center hole
with the tray's spindle.

• Gently push down on the disc until it clicks in place on the spindle.

• Gently push in the tray until it clicks closed.

Emergency ejection of the optical drive tray

If you need to eject the optical drive tray when the computer is turned
off, push a straightened paper clip into the optical drive emergency
eject hole. The tray will be released, and partially popped open.

25

Connectivity options

Your computer has built-in connectivity options, enabling you to hook
up to a network or communicate over a phone line.

Ethernet and LAN

The integrated network feature allows you to connect your computer
to an Ethernet-based (10/100 BASE-T) network.

To use the network feature, plug an Ethernet cable into your
computer's network jack, and then connect the other end to a network
jack or hub on your network.

English

English

See Windows Help and Support for information on setting up a
network connection.

English

26

Getting familiar with your computer

Fax/Data modem

Your computer features a built-in fax/data modem, enabling you to
communicate over a phone line. This means that you can connect to
the Internet via a dialup account with an ISP, log in to your network
from a remote location, or send faxes.

Warning: Your modem is not compatible with digital phone lines.
Plugging the computer into a digital phone system will damage
the modem.

To use the fax/data modem, plug a phone cable into your computer's
modem jack, and then connect the other end to a telephone jack.

Warning: Please use the delivered phone cable in the country of
use.

27

Fast infrared

The computer’s fast infrared (FIR) port allows you to do wireless data
transfer with other IR-aware computers and peripherals such as PDAs
(personal digital assistants), mobile phones, and infrared printers. The
infrared port can transfer data at speeds of up to four megabits per
second (Mbps) at a distance of up to one meter.

Note: The Fast Infrared feature is available on certain models only.

English

English

28

Audio

Getting familiar with your computer

English

Your computer includes an integrated stereo audio system.
Built-in stereo speakers are located at the front of the unit.

Volume is adjusted using software, such as Volume Control in
Windows, Volume Fn keys, or any other application that provides a
volume adjustment control.

Two audio ports on the right side of the computer enable external
devices to be connected. See "A tour of your computer" for the
location of the audio ports. For information on connecting external
devices, see "Audio devices" in the section entitled, "Peripherals and
options."

29

Securing your computer

Your computer features hardware and software security solutions, in
the form of a slot for a Kensington lock and a password facility.

Security slot

A slot for a Kensington slot enables you to physically protect your
computer from theft. Use this feature as follows:

• Wrap a security lock cable around a heavy or immoveable object,
such as a drawer handle on a file cabinet, or a table leg.

• Insert the lock into the slot on the computer, turn it 90°, and then
lock it in place.

Setting a password

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English

Passwords protect your computer from unauthorized access. When set,
no one can access the computer without entering the correct
password.

There are three types of passwords you can set:
1 Supervisor Password secures your computer against unauthorized

entry to and use of the BIOS Utility.

2 User Password secures your computer against unauthorized use.
3 Hard Disk Password protects your data by preventing

unauthorized access to your hard disk.

Important! Do not forget your Setup and Hard Disk passwords! If
you forget your passwords, please get in touch with your dealer
or an authorized service center.

You can set the passwords using the BIOS Utility.

English

30

Getting familiar with your computer

Operating on

battery power

Your , Aspire 1670 series notebook computer
operates on battery or AC power.

This chapter provides information for
operating on battery power, as well as
information on how your computer manages
and saves power.

33

Battery pack

The computer uses a battery pack that gives you long use between
charges.

Battery pack characteristics

The battery pack has the following characteristics:

• Employs current battery technology standards.

• Delivers a battery-low warning.

The battery is recharged whenever you connect the computer to the
mains power supply. Your computer supports charge-in-use, enabling
you to recharge the battery while you continue to operate the
computer. However, recharging with the computer turned off results
in a significantly faster charge time.

The battery will come in handy when you travel or during a power
failure. It is advisable to have an extra fully charged battery pack
available as backup. Contact your dealer for details on ordering a spare
battery pack.

Maximizing the battery's life

Like all other batteries, your computer's battery will degrade over
time. This means that the battery's performance will diminish with
time and use. To maximize your battery's life, you are advised to
adhere to the recommendations set out below.

English

English

Conditioning a new battery pack

Before you use a battery pack for the first time, there is a
"conditioning" process that you should follow:

1 Insert the new battery without turning the computer on.
2 Connect the AC adapter and fully charge the battery.
3 Disconnect the AC adapter.
4 Turn on the computer and operate using battery power.
5 Fully deplete the battery until the battery-low warning appears.
6 Reconnect the AC adapter and fully charge the battery again.

English

34

Operating on battery power

Follow these steps again until the battery has been charged and
discharged three times.

Use this conditioning process for all new batteries, or if a battery hasn't
been used for a long time. If the computer is to be stored for more
than two weeks, you are advised to remove the battery pack from the
unit.

Warning: Do not expose battery packs to temperatures below 0°C
(32°F) or above 60°C (140°F). Extreme temperatures may adversely
affect the battery pack.

By following the battery conditioning process you condition your
battery to accept the maximum possible charge. Failure to follow this
procedure will prevent you from obtaining the maximum battery
charge, and will also shorten the effective lifespan of the battery.

In addition, the useful lifespan of the battery is adversely affected by
the following usage patterns:

• Using the computer on constant AC power with the battery
inserted. If you want to use constant AC power, you are advised to
remove the battery pack after it is fully charged.

• Not discharging and recharging the battery to its extremes, as
described above.

• Frequent use; the more you use the battery, the faster it will reach
the end of its effective life. A standard computer battery has a life
span of about 500 charges.

Installing and removing the battery pack

Important! Before removing the battery from the unit, connect
the AC adapter if you want to continue using your computer.
Otherwise, turn off the computer first.

To install a battery pack:
1 Align the battery with the open battery bay; make sure that the

end with the contacts will enter first, and that the top surface of
the battery is facing up.

2 Slide the battery into the battery bay and gently push until the

battery locks in place.

35

To remove a battery pack:
1 Slide the battery release latch to release the battery.
2 Pull the battery from the battery bay.

Charging the battery

To charge the battery, first make sure that it is correctly installed in the
battery bay. Plug the AC adapter into the computer, and connect to a
mains power outlet. You can continue to operate your computer on AC
power while your battery is charging. However, charging the battery
with the computer turned off results in a significantly faster charge
time.

Note: You are advised to charge the battery before retiring for
the day. Charging the battery overnight before traveling enables
you to start the next day with a fully charged battery.

Checking the battery level

The Windows Power Meter indicates the current battery level. Rest the
cursor over the battery/power icon on the taskbar to see the battery's
present charge level.

Optimizing battery life

Optimizing battery life helps you get the most out of battery
operation, prolonging the charge/recharge cycle and improving
recharging efficiency. You are advised to follow the suggestions set
out below:

• Purchase an extra battery pack.

• Use AC power whenever possible, reserving battery for on-the-go
use.

• Eject a PC Card if it is not being used, as it will continue to draw
power.

• Store the battery pack in a cool, dry place. The recommended
temperature is 10°C to 30°C. Higher temperatures cause the
battery to self-discharge faster.

• Excessive recharging decreases the battery life.

• Look after your AC adapter and battery.

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36

Operating on battery power

Battery-low warning

When using battery power pay attention to the Windows Power
Meter.

Warning: Connect the AC adapter as soon as possible after the
battery-low warning appears. Data will be lost if the battery to
become fully depleted and the computer shuts down.

When the battery-low warning appears, the recommended course of
action depends on your situation:

Situation Recommended Action

The AC adapter
and a power
outlet are
available.

An extra fully
charged battery
pack is available.

The AC adapter or
a power outlet is
unavailable. You
have no spare
battery pack.

1. Plug the AC adapter into the computer, and then
connect to the mains power supply.

2. Save all necessary files.

3. Resume work.

Turn off the computer if you want to recharge the
battery rapidly.

1. Save all necessary files.

2. Close all applications.

3. Shut down the operating system to turn off the
computer.

4. Replace the battery pack.

5. Turn on the computer and resume work.

1. Save all necessary files.

2. Close all applications.

3. Shut down the operating system to turn off the
computer.

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Power management

Your computer features a built-in power management unit that
constantly monitors system activity. System activity refers to any
activity involving one or more of the following devices: keyboard,
touchpad/mouse, hard disk drive, optical drive, peripherals connected
to the computer, and video memory. If no activity is detected for a
period of time (the settings are controlled in Windows Power
Management), the computer turns off some, or all, of these devices in
order to conserve power.

Your computer employs a power management scheme that supports
Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI), enabling
maximum power conservation without compromising system
performance. ACPI allows Windows to control the amount of power
given to each device attached to the computer. In this way, Windows
handles all power-saving chores for your computer. Refer to Windows
Help and Support for more information.

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38

Operating on battery power

Peripherals and

options

Your , Aspire 1670 series notebook
computer offers good expansion
capabilities.

This chapter provides information on
connecting peripherals to expand your
system. It also describes how to upgrade key
components to enhance system
performance and keep your computer in
step with the latest technology.

You are advised to consult your dealer for
information on peripherals. In addition,
make sure that you read the manuals and
other documentation provided with new
hardware.

41

External display devices

You can connect an external (VGA) monitor or projector to your
computer's external display port.

Use the Fn + F5 hot key to toggle the display setting between the
computer's LCD panel and the external display device. See “Hot keys”
on page 16 for more information.

External input devices

You can connect a variety of input devices to your computer's USB
ports, providing increased functionality and greater ease-of-use. In
addition, the USB ports can be used to connect many other peripheral
devices, such as digital cameras, printers and scanners. See “Expansion
devices” on page 45 for more information on connecting PC Card
devices.

External keyboard

Your computer features a full-size keyboard. However, if you prefer,
you can connect an external keyboard to one of your computer's USB
ports. This enables you to enjoy the comfort and added features of a
full-size desktop system keyboard when inputting typed data on your
notebook computer.

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External keypad

Your computer features an embedded keypad that, when combined
with the Num Lock feature, enables you to easily input typed numeric
data. Alternatively, you can connect a 17-key numeric keypad to one of
your computer's USB ports. This enables you to enjoy the benefits of a
numeric keypad without interfering with your use of the computer's
keyboard for typing text.

External pointing device

Your computer features a sensitive touchpad pointing device with two
click buttons and a scroll key. However, if you prefer to use a
conventional mouse or other pointing device, you can connect it to
one of your computer's USB ports.

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42

Peripherals and options

USB devices

Your computer features four Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0 ports for
connecting a range of USB peripherals. See “External input devices” on
page 41, and “Printer” on page 44 for information on connecting a
USB keyboard, keypad, mouse or printer. Other common USB devices
include digital cameras, scanners, and external storage devices.

USB is plug and play, which means that you can connect and start using
a USB device without having to restart your computer. You can also
disconnect the device at any time.

A further advantage of USB is the ability to use USB hubs. This means
that several devices can share a USB port simultaneously.

43

IEEE 1394 Port

The computer’s IEEE 1394 port allows you to connect to an IEEE 1394
supported device like a digital video camera.

See your video or digital camera’s documentation for details.

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44

Printer

Peripherals and options

English

Your computer supports USB printers.
Refer to the printer's manual for information on:

• Setting up the hardware

• Installing the necessary drivers in Windows

• Operating instructions

To use a USB printer, simply connect the device to one of your
computer's USB ports, and then wait for Windows to find the new
hardware.

Audio devices

Your computer offers built-in stereo speakers. See the section entitled
“Audio” on page 28 for more information on these features. However,
in addition to the integrated devices, the two audio ports on the right
side of the unit enable you to connect external audio input and output
devices.

You can plug an external microphone into your computer's
microphone-in jack. This offers the convenience of greater freedom of
movement, as well as improved audio input quality.

Connect headphones to the headphone jack for private listening and
improved audio output quality.

45

Expansion devices

PC Card

Your computer features one PC Card slot that support one standard
Type II CardBus (PCMCIA). This greatly increases your computer's
usability and expandability. A variety of PC Cards are available, such as
flash memory, SRAM, fax/data modem, LAN, and SCSI Cards. Consult
your dealer for information on PC Card options for your computer.

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46

To remove a PC Card:
1 Close the application that is using the PC Card.
2 Double click on the PC Card icon on the taskbar, and then select

the option to safely remove the card. Wait for the message telling

you that it is now safe to remove the card.
3 Press the PC Card eject button to partially eject the card (1).
4 Pull the card from the slot (2).

Peripherals and options

5-in-1 card reader (Manufacturing Option)

There is one 5-in-1 card reader found on the left side of the computer.
See “Left view” on page 6. The reader accepts MultiMediaCard (MMC),

Secure Digital (SD), xD-Picture Card
Stick/Pro to enhance usability. To insert the card, align and push the
card into the slot. To remove, simply press on the card that will eject
automatically.

TM

, Smart Media, and Memory

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Miscellaneous options

Battery pack

It is a good idea to have a spare battery, especially when you travel
with your computer. This greatly increases your productive range when
you are on the move.

AC adapter

Having a spare AC adapter allows you to keep one in two different
places. For example, you could have one AC adapter at home and
another at work. This means that you don't have to carry an AC
adapter when traveling between your two base locations.

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Key component upgrades

Peripherals and options

English

Your computer is designed to deliver solid performance. However, in
time, you might find that your applications demand even more
computing power. For this reason, you are able to upgrade key
components.

Note: Contact your authorized dealer if you decide to perform a
key component upgrade.

Memory upgrade

Memory is expandable to 2GB, employing 256/512/1024 MB dual indus­try standard small outline Dual Inline Memory Modules (soDIMM). The
computer supports Double Data Rate (DDR) SDRAM.

Your computer has two memory slots. Upgrade memory by inserting a
higher capacity DIMM into one or both of these slots.

Installing memory:

1 Turn off the computer. Make sure that the AC adapter is

disconnected, and then remove the battery pack.
2 Turn the computer over to access the memory compartment on

the bottom of the unit. Remove all screws (1) from the memory

compartment door, and then lift the door off (2).

49

3 Insert the memory module diagonally in the slot (1), and then

press down gently until it clicks in place (2).

4 Replace the memory compartment door, and fasten the screw.

The computer automatically detects the new module and reconfigures
the memory.

Hard disk upgrade

It is possible to replace your hard disk with a higher capacity drive
when you need more storage space. Your computer uses a 9.5mm 2.5­inch Enhanced-IDE hard disk. Consult your dealer if you need to
perform a hard disk upgrade.

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Peripherals and options

Moving with your

computer

Your , Aspire 1670 series notebook computer is
ideal for taking with you when you move
around.

This chapter provides tips on things to consider
when traveling with your computer.

53

Disconnecting from the desktop

Before moving with your computer, you must turn it off and
disconnect all peripherals:

1 Save your work and close all applications.
2 Shut down Windows to turn off your computer.
3 Unplug the AC adapter from the mains outlet, and then

disconnect it from the computer.

4 Disconnect any external devices, such as a keyboard, mouse, or

printer, that are attached to your computer.

5 If you are using a security lock cable, disconnect the lock from the

computer.

6 Pack your computer in a strong, waterproof bag or case.

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Moving around

Moving with your computer

English

Sometimes you might need to move your computer a short distance.
For example, you might need to move from your office desk to a
meeting room. In these situations, you don't have to shut down the
operating system.

Preparing the computer

First, disconnect any peripherals that you don't want to take with you.
Next close the lid, placing your computer in Standby mode. You can
now safely carry it around the building with you.

When you are ready to use your computer again, open the lid and then
press the power button to bring it out of Standby mode.

What to bring to short meetings

If your battery is fully charged, you probably won't need to take
anything else with you to the meeting.

What to bring to long meetings

For longer meetings, take along the AC adapter. You can use mains
power throughout the meeting, or you can run down your battery
first, and then connect the AC adapter after receiving the battery-low
warning.

If the meeting room does not have an available power outlet, reduce
your computer's power consumption by putting it in Standby mode
during long periods of inactivity. It is advisable to take along a spare
battery if you have one.

55

Taking the computer home

When you move between your office and home you will need to
prepare your computer for the short trip.

Preparing the computer

After disconnecting your computer from the desktop, prepare the unit
as follows:

1 Remove all media from the drives. Loaded media can damage the

drive heads during transit.

2 Pack the computer in a protective case that is padded to guard

against knocks. Make sure that the unit cannot slide around inside
the case.

Caution: Avoid packing items next to the top of the computer, as
this could result in damage to the screen.

What to bring with you

If you don't have spare items at home, it is advisable to take along the
AC adapter and this User's Guide.

Special considerations

To protect your computer in transit, it is advisable to pay attention to
the following:

• Minimize the effect of temperature changes. Keep your computer
with you instead of placing it in storage holds.

• Avoid leaving your computer in a hot car.

• Changes in temperature and humidity can cause condensation to
form within your computer. Before turning the computer on,
allow it to return to room temperature, and then check the screen
for signs of condensation. If the temperature change is greater
than 10°C (18°F), allow the computer to come to room
temperature slowly by placing it in a room with a temperature
between the outside and room temperatures.

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56

Moving with your computer

Setting up a home office

If you frequently work on your computer at home, as well as at work, it
may be worthwhile purchasing a second AC adapter. This will allow
you to travel lighter, as you can keep an AC adapter in each location.

You might also find it worthwhile keeping a second set of peripherals
at home, such as a keyboard, keypad, mouse and printer.

Traveling with the computer

Sometimes you might need to make longer trips with your computer.

Preparing the computer

Prepare the computer as you would for moving between your office
and home. It is advisable to make sure that the battery is fully charged.
If you are traveling by air, you might be required to turn on the
computer during security checks.

What to take with you

It is advisable to take the following items with you:

• AC adapter.

• Spare, fully charged battery packs.

• Additional printer driver files (if you plan to use another printer).

• Phone and network cables (if you plan to use the computer's
modem and network connections).

Special considerations

In addition to the considerations for taking your computer home, keep
the following in mind:

• Always take your computer as carry-on luggage.

• If possible, have your computer manually inspected at security
checks. Although the computer can pass safely through security
X-ray machines, you should never expose it to a metal detector.

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Traveling internationally with your computer

Occasionally you might need to travel between countries with your
computer.

Preparing the computer

Prepare the computer as you would for normal travel. Remember to
take special precautions for air travel.

What to take with you

It is advisable to take the following items with you:

• AC adapter.

• Power cords that are appropriate for the countries you plan to
visit.

• Spare, fully charged battery packs.

• Additional printer driver files (if you plan to use another printer).

• Phone and network cables (if you plan to use the computer's
modem and network connections). Check that your modem is
suitable for the telephone system in the countries you plan to visit.
You might have to use a PC Card modem in some locations.

Special considerations

In addition to the considerations for normal travel with your computer,
keep the following in mind when traveling internationally:

• Check that your power cord is suitable for the local power supply.
If necessary, purchase a power cord that meets local requirements.
Avoid using converter kits.

• If you plan to connect over a phone line, check that the computer's
modem and your phone cord are suitable for the local phone
system. If necessary, purchase a PC Card modem that meets local
requirements.

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Moving with your computer

Software

Your Aspire 1670 series notebook computer
includes system utilities.

This chapter provides information on the
important software that comes with your
computer.

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System software

Your computer comes preloaded with the following software:

• Microsoft® Windows® operating system

• Hardware BIOS Setup Utility

• System utilities, drivers and application software

Note: To run software applications in Windows, first click on the
Start button. Next, select the appropriate folder, and then click on
the application icon. To learn about the software and utility,
make use of the online help provided by the software.

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Using system utilities

Software

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Acer eManager

Acer eManager is an innovative sofware designed for frequently used
functions. At the press of the Acer Empowering Key, the Acer eMan­ager user interface appears, featuring two main settings -­Acer eSetting and Acer ePresentation (selected models).

To set the Acer Empowering Key, see “Launch keys” on page 21.

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Launch Manager

The Acer Launch Manager allows you to set the programmable launch
keys, including the default mail and Web browswer keys, as well as the
Empowering and P keys. The Wireless and Bluetooth® keys cannot be
set by users. See “Launch keys” on page 21 for more information.

You can access the Launch Manager by clicking on Start, All Programs,
and then Launch Manager to start the application.

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BIOS Utility

The BIOS Utility is a hardware configuration program built into your
computer’s Basic Input/Output System (BIOS).

Your computer is already properly configured and optimized, and you
do not need to run this utility. However, if you encounter configura­tion problems, you may need to run it.

To activate the BIOS Utility, press F2 during the Power-On Self Test
(POST) while the Acer logo is being displayed.

64

Windows Arcade

Software

English

Aspire Arcade is an integrated player for music, photos, DVD movies,
and videos. To watch or listen, click a content button (e.g. Music,
Video, etc...) on the Arcade home page.

Cinema - watch DVDs or VCDs
Album - view photos stored on your hard drive or any removable

media
Video- watch and/or edit video clips
Music - listen to music files in a variety of formats
Burner - create CDs and/or DVDs to share or archive data
Advanced Settings - adjust Aspire Arcade according to your prefer-

ences

Note: While watching videos, DVDs, or slideshows your

screensaver and power-saving features are unavailable.
These functions are enabled when you listen to music.

65

Arcade Hot keys

When running in the Windows environment, the key combinations
listed below are available to control and fine-tune the features and
settings of Aspire Arcade.

Hot key Function

Fn+F1 On-line help menu

Fn+F2 System properties

Fn+F3 Power scheme

Fn+F5 Display toggle

Fn+F6 Screen blank

Fn+F8 Speaker toggle

Fn + ↑ Volume up; increases the speaker volume.

Fn + ↓ Volume down; decreases the speaker

Fn + → Brightness up; increases the screen

Fn +

←

volume

brightness

Brightness down; decreases the screen
brightness

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Fn +

Home

Fn + Pg Up Stop; press to stop playing the audio track

Fn + Pg Dn Backward; press to skip backward to the

Fn + End Forward; press to skip forward to the next

Play; press to start playing the audio track
or video file. Press again to pause.

or video file.

previous track or video file and start
playing.

track or video file.

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66

Software

Finding and playing content

Clicking a button on the Arcade home page opens the corresponding
feature’s home page. The content pages have buttons on the left and a
content browsing area on the right. If a button shows one of several
choices, such as sort order, the current setting is shown by a brightly
coloured ball on the left side.

To pick content, click and item in the content area. When there is more
than one CD or DVD drive, all drives will be shown. Pictures and videos
are shown as files (with thumbnails) and organized into folders.

To browse a folder, click to open it. To go back up to the folder above
it, click the Up one level button. If there is more content than will fit
on a page, use the buttons at the lower right to scroll through the
pages.

Advanced Settings

There are settings in the Aspire Arcade that allow you to fine tune its
performance to your machine and your personal preferences. The Set­tings page is reached by the Advanced Settings button on the Home
page.

Use the "Screen ratio" setting to choose between standard (4:3) or
widescreen (16:9) display.

Note: If your speakers are not capable of outputting low

frequency signals, it is recommended that you do not select
this option in order to avoid damaging your speakers.

"Audio output" should be set to" Stereo" if you are listening to speak­ers, or "Virtual surround sound" if you are using headphones, or “S/

PDif” if you are using digital output.
Click About Aspire Arcade to open a page with version and copyright

information.
Click Restore to factory settings to return the Aspire Arcade settings to

their default values.

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Arcade controls

When watching video clips, movies, or slideshows as full-screen visual
content two pop-up control panels are shown when you move the
mouse. They automatically disappear after several seconds. The “Navi­gation controls” panel appears at the top and the “Player controls”
panel appears at the bottom of the screen.

Navigation controls

To return to the Arcade home page, click the Home button in the
upper left corner of the window. To go up one folder level while
searching for content, click Up one level. To return to a previous
screen, click Return. The buttons in the upper right (Minimize, Maxi­mize, and Close) have standard PC behaviours.

To quit Aspire Arcade, click the Close button in the upper right corner
of the window. You can also click To PC.

Player controls

At the bottom of the window, the player controls - used for video,
slideshows, movies and music - are shown. The group on the left pro­vides standard playback controls (play, pause, stop, etc...). The group
on the right controls volume (mute and volume up/down).

Note: When playing DVDs, there are additional controls added to

the right of the volume controls. These are discussed in
more detail in the Cinema section of this guide.

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68

Software

Cinema

If your computer came with a DVD drive, you can play movies from
DVDs and Video CDs (VCDs) with the Cinema function of Aspire
Arcade. This player has the features and controls of a typical living
room DVD player.

When you insert a disc into the DVD drive, the movie begins playing
automatically. To control the movie, the pop-up player control panel
appears at the bottom of the window when you move the mouse.

If more than one optical drive contains a playable disc, click the
Cinema button on the Home page to open the Cinema content page ­then select the disc from the list on the right you’d like to watch.

When viewing DVDs, the following special controls are added to the
pop-up panel:

•DVD Menu

• Subtitle

• Language

•Angle

The currently playing disc will be shown in the area above the list of
drives. This page is also displayed when you press the “Stop” button
during a movie. The buttons on the left side allow you to resume the
movie from the point it was stopped, restart the movie from the begin­ning, jump to the DVD menu, eject the disc, or go to the DVD Settings
page.

DVD settings

There are two types of DVD settings - “Video” and “Language.” Click
the appropriate button to open its settings page.

Video

The Video settings control the video output of DVDs/VCDs.
“Use hardware acceleration” takes advantage of the special processing

power in some graphics cards to reduce CPU loading when playing
back DVDs and some video files. If you have problems with video qual­ity, try turning this option “Off.”

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Select an output type:

• 4:3 Standard or 16:9 Widescreen according to your display
preferences

•The Letterbox option displays complete widescreen movie content
in its original aspect ratio and adds black bars at the top and
bottom of the screen.

•The Pan & Scan feature is for DVD titles with a widescreen aspect
ratio.

• Cinema vision is a nonlinear video stretching technology that
produces minimal distortion in the centre of the picture.

• Stretch stretches the video display to the size of the display screen.

The “Colour profile” option allows you to select from a list of colour
configurations to change the overall colour of the video content dur­ing playback. “Original” uses the colour scheme of the disc you are
watching, while “Vivid,” “Bright,” and “Theatre” add enhanced colour
to the video display.

“Clear vision” is a video enhancement technology that detects video
content and dynamically adjusts the brightness/contrast/saturation lev­els so that you do not need to change the colour settings if the movie
you are watching contains scenes that are overly dark or too bright.

Click Restore to factory settings to return the settings to their default
values.

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Language

The Language settings control the audio and subtitle output of DVDs/
VCDs.

“Subtitle” selects the default subtitle language for DVDs when avail­able. The factory setting is “Off.”

“Closed caption” turns on the closed captions on DVDs. This function
displays captions encoded in the video signal that describe on screen
action and dialogue for the hearing impaired. the factory setting is
“Off.”

“Audio” selects the default language for DVD titles.

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Software

Album

Aspire Arcade lets you view digital photos individually or as a slide­show, from any available drive on your computer. Click Album button
on the Arcade Home page to show the Album main page.

The content area on the right shows both individual pictures and fold­ers. Click on a folder to open it.

To view a slideshow, open the folder containing the pictures you wish
to view - then click Play slideshow. The slideshow is played full-screen.
Use the pop-up control panel to control the slideshow.

To rotate a picture in full-screen, click Rotate right or Rotate left.
You can also view a single picture by clicking on it. This opens the pic-

ture full-screen.

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Slideshow settings

To change slideshow settings click the Settings button on the Album
page.

The “Slide duration” setting determines how long each slide is shown
before automatically advancing to the next picture in the slideshow.

The “Transition effects” setting sets the style of transition used
between pictures.

To add background music to a slideshow, set the “Play music during
slideshow “option to “Yes.” The select music page asks you to choose
music from your personal music library.

Click Restore to factory settings to return your settings to their default
values.

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Software

Video

To open the Video function, click Video on the Arcade Home page, to
open the Video Home page.

Note: The Video feature is designed for video file playback of

MPEG1, MPEG2 (if a DVD drive is installed), AVI, WMV, and
ASF formats. If you want to watch a DVD or VCD use the
Cinema function.

Two options are shown on the Video page - “Video Play” or “Video
Edit.”

Playing a video file

Click Video Play to watch video files. The Video page shows the video
files in the content area on the right side. They are organized by fold­ers and a thumbnail image shows the first frame of the video.

To play a video file, click on it. the video will play full-screen. The pop­up control panel will appear at the bottom of the screen when you
move the mouse. To return to the Video page, click “Stop.”

Editing a video file

Click the Video Edit to open the PowerDirector program.
PowerDirector is a digital video editing program that can help you cre-

ate professional looking movies - complete with music, special effects
and transition effects. PowerDirector provides home users with a sim­ple tool to help them do something a little more creative with their
home videos. You don’t have to be a video professional to enjoy using
PowerDirector.

The digital movie production process involves a combination of artistry
and technology, beginning with raw video footage and ending with a
movie.

Before you edit your movie using PowerDirector, you must first create
(or gather) it’s component parts - video clips, photos, and music.

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When you have your raw footage on hand, you can use PowerDirector
to perform the following tasks:

- acquire video and audio content

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Software

Audio - create your own greatest hits CDs

Create better sounding music in a snap. Burn your favourite songs to
CD so you can listen to them on any CD player. Convert songs from
your music collection to MP3 and other popular audio formats.
Even create MP3 CDs with over 100 of your favourite songs and listen
to them on you PC or MP3 CD player.

Data - store files simply and easily

Copy your computer’s hard drive files for easy recovery in the event of
a crash. archiving your data on CD/DVD eliminates the need for extra
hard drives.

Video - your world in pictures

Turn digital photos into a Slideshow VCD with background music that
can be played by most DVD players. Bring new life to your video clips
and share any event with your friends and family for playback on most
DVD players. You can even add customized menus to Video CDs and
Super Video CDs.

For Specific details about each of these options, consult the User’s
Guide or click the Help button to open NTI CD/DVD-Maker’s help
menu.

File type compatibility

Note: Auto media detection will only function under main menu.

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Acer Disc to Disc Recovery

Note: This feature is only available on certain models.

Multilingual operating system installation

Follow the instructions to choose the operating system and language
you use when you first power-on the system.

1 Turn on the system.
2 Acer multilingual operating system selection menu will pop-up

automatically.

3 Use the arrow keys to scroll to the language version you want.

Press Enter to confirm your selection.

4 The operating system and language you choose now will be the

only option for future recovery operations.

5 The system will install the operating system and language you

choose.

Restore without a Recovery CD

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 you use this option.

Before performing a restore operation, please check the BIOS settings.

a Check to see if "Acer disc-to-disc" function is enabled or not.
b Make sure the [Acer D2D Recovery] setting in [Main] is [Enabled].
c Exit the BIOS Setup Utility and save changes. The system will reboot.

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Note: To activate BIOS Setup Utility, press <F2> during POST.

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1 Restart the system.
2 The instruction "Press <F2> to Enter BIOS" is shown at the bottom

of the screen, during POST.
3 Press <Alt> + <F10> at the same time to enter the recovery process.
4 The message "The system has password protection. Please enter

000000:" is displayed.
5 Enter six 0s and continue.
6 "Acer Self-Configuration Preload" window appears.
7 Use the arrow keys to scroll through the items (operating system

versions) and press "Enter" to select.

Software

Setup password and exit

Press "F3" to setup password or press "F5" to exit the system recovery
process when "Acer Self-Configuration Preload" window appears.

If "F3" is pressed, the next screen shows "Please enter new password:"
enter one to eight alphanumeric characters. You will be asked to reen­ter your password for confirmation before continuing.

The screen will display "Password has been created. Press any key to
reboot...", hit any key to reboot your system.

If "F5" is pressed, the recovery process will be terminated and the sys­tem will reboot and start normally.

Troubleshooting

This chapter instructs you on how to deal with
common system problems. Please read it
before calling a technician.

Solutions to more serious problems may
require opening the computer. Do not
attempt to open and service the computer by
yourself. Contact your dealer or an authorized
service center for assistance.

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Frequently asked questions

This section suggests solutions to commonly encountered problems.

I press the power button, but my computer does not start or boot-up.

Look at the Power status indicator:

• If it is not lit, no power is being delivered to the computer. Check
the following:

- If you are running on battery power, the battery may be low

and unable to power the computer. Connect the AC adapter
to recharge the battery pack.

- If you are running on mains power, make sure that the AC

adapter is properly plugged in to the computer and to the
power outlet.

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, check the
following:

• The brightness level might be too low. Press Fn + → hot key to
increase the screen brightness level.

• The display device might be set to an external monitor. Press the
Fn + F5 hot key to toggle the display setting.

• The system may be in standby mode. Try pressing the power
button to resume.

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The image is not full-screen.

Make sure that the resolution is set to a resolution your

• Right click on your Windows desktop and select Properties to bring
up the Display Properties dialog box. Alternatively, click on the
Display icon in Control Panel.

• Click on the Settings tab to check the resolution setting.
Resolutions lower than the specified resolution result in a display
that is less than full-screen.

system supports:

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Troubleshooting

There is no audio coming from my computer.

Check the following:

• The volume may be muted. In Windows, look at the volume
control 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, click on the volume
control icon on the taskbar, and then use the slider control to
increase the volume level.

• If headphones are connected to the headphone jack on the
computer, your computer's built-in speakers will be turned off.

My external microphone does not work.

Check the following:

• Make sure that the external microphone is properly plugged into
the microphone-in jack on the computer.

• Make sure that the volume is not muted or set too low.

I can't eject the optical drive tray with my computer turned off.

The computer needs to be turned on for the optical drive eject button
to function. If you need to eject the optical drive tray when the
computer is turned off, push a straightened paper clip into the optical
drive emergency eject hole. See “Emergency ejection of the optical
drive tray” on page 24 for more information.

The keyboard does not respond.

Try attaching an external USB keyboard to one of your computer's USB
ports. If it works, the internal keyboard might have become
disconnected. Contact your dealer or an authorized service center.

The optical drive cannot read a disc.

Check the following:

• Make sure that the disc is supported by the drive. If your computer
has a CD-ROM drive, it can read CDs but cannot read DVDs. If your
computer has a DVD drive, it can read both CDs and DVDs.

• When placing a disc in the drive tray, make sure that it is secure on
the spindle of the drive tray.

• Make sure that the disc is free from scratches or smudges. If the
disc is dirty, clean it using a disc cleaning kit.

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• If the disc is OK, the drive head might be dirty. Clean it using a
drive head cleaning kit.

The printer does not work.

Check the following:

• Make sure that the printer is connected to a power outlet and it is
turned on.

• Check that the cable is properly connected to the appropriate
ports on both the computer and the printer.

• If you are using a printer connected to your computer's parallel
port, restart the computer. Windows needs to find the new
hardware and install the necessary drivers.

I want to set up my location to use the internal modem.

Follow these steps:

• Click on Start, and then click on Control Panel.

• Double-click on Phone and Modem Options.

•In the Dialing Rules tab, begin setting up your location.

Refer to Windows Help and Support for more information.

When the battery is 95-99% full, it won't charge to 100% capacity.

To preserve the life of the battery, the system only lets you charge the
battery when its capacity falls below 95%. It is recommended that you
run down the battery, and then fully recharge it.

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Troubleshooting

Requesting service

International Traveler’s Warranty (ITW)

Your computer is backed by an International Traveler’s 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-of­purchase 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 www.acersupport.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).

You are required to provide the following information:
Name:________________________________________
Address:______________________________________
______________________________________________
Telephone number:____________________________
Machine and model type:_______________________
Serial number:_________________________________

Date of purchase:______________________________

Appendix A

Specifications

This appendix lists the general
specifications of your computer.

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Microprocessor

• Intel® Pentium® 4 processors 2.8/3.0/3.2/3.4/3.6 GHz or Intel®
Celeron® processors 2.6 GHz and above or Intel® Celeron® D
processor 330/335/340/345 or Mobile Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor
518 (2.80GHz) and above

Memory

• 256/512 MB of DDR333 SDRAM standard, upgradeable to 2048 MB
with dual soDIMM modules

• 512 KB flash ROM BIOS

Data storage

• One 30 GB and above E-IDE hard disk (2.5", 9.5mm, UltraDMA-100)

• One internal optical drive

Display and video

• The TFT LCD panel providing a large viewing area for maximum
efficiency and ease-of-use:

- 15.0” XGA (1024x768) resolution

- 15.4” WXGA (1280x800) resolution

• Simultaneous LCD and CRT display support

• DualView™ 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

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Connectivity

• Integrated 10/100 Mbps Fast Ethernet connection

• Built-in 56Kbps fax/data modem

• IEEE 802.11b/g Wireless LAN (manufacturing option)

• Bluetooth® (manufacturing option)

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Audio

• Two built-in stereo speakers

• MS DirectSound compatible

• Audio ports for microphone-in and headphones

Keyboard and pointing device

• 84/85/88-key Windows keyboard

• Ergonomically-centered touchpad pointing device

I/O ports

• One Type II PC CardBus (PCMCIA) slot

• One IEEE 1394 port

• One RJ-11 modem jack (V.92, 56Kbps modem)

• One RJ-45 network jack (Ethernet 10/100 Base-T)

• One DC-in jack

• One Infrared (FIR) port (manufacturing option)

• One S-video port

• One external monitor port

• One microphone-in jack (3.5mm mini jack)

• One headphone jack (3.5mm mini jack)

• Four USB 2.0 ports

• One 5-in-1 memory card reader

Appendix A Specifications

Weight and dimensions

• 15.0”display model:

- 3.4 kg (7.50 lbs)

- 365(W) x 288.5(D) x 45(max. H) mm

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Environment

• Temperature:

- Operating: 5°C ~ 35°C

- Non-operating: -20°C ~ 65°C

• Humidity (non-condensing):

- Operating: 20% ~ 80% RH

- Non-operating: 20% ~ 80% RH

Operating system

• Microsoft® Windows® XP Home/Pro operating system

• ACPI 1.0b support

• DMI 2.0-compliant

Power

• 8-cell Li-ion battery pack

• 135W AC adapter 19V

Options

• 256MB/512MB/1GB memory upgrade module

• Additional 135W AC adapter

• Type No.:

HP-OW135F13 (Tech No.: 19Vdc 135W)

ADP-135DB (Tech No.: 19Vdc 135W)

PA-1131-08 (Tech No.: 19Vdc 135W)

•

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Appendix A Specifications

Appendix B

Regulation &
safety notices

This appendix lists the general notices for
your computer.