User’s Guide
Copyright © 2004. Acer Incorporated.
All Rights Reserved.
TravelMate 4100 / 4600 Series User’s Guide
Original Issue: December 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 correspondence concerning your unit should include the serial number, model number, and purchase information.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Acer Incorporated.
TravelMate 4100 / 4600 Series Notebook Computer
Model Number : __________________________________
Serial Number: ___________________________________
Purchase Date: ___________________________________
Place of Purchase: ________________________________
Acer and the Acer logo are registered trademarks of Acer Incorporated. Other company's product names or trademarks are used herein for identification purposes only and belong to their respective companies.
iii
We would like to thank you for making the TravelMate series of notebook computers your choice for your mobile computing needs.
To help you use your TravelMate, we have designed a set of guides:
First off, the Just for starters... poster helps you get started with setting up your computer.
The User's guide introduces you to the many ways your computer can help you be more productive. This guide provides clear and concise information about the computer, so read it thoroughly.
If you ever need to print out a copy, this User’s guide is also available in Portable Document Format (PDF). Follow these steps:
1Click on Start, All Programs, AcerSystem.
2Click on AcerSystem User's guide.
Note: Viewing the file requires Adobe Acrobat Reader be installed. For instructions on how to use Adobe Acrobat Reader, access the Help and Support menu.
English
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Turning your computer on and off
To turn on the computer, simply press and release the power button below the LCD screen beside the launch keys. See “Front view” on page 1 for the location of the power button.
To turn the power off, do any of the following:
•Use the Windows shutdown command
Click on Start, Turn Off Computer; then click on Turn Off.
•Use the power button
Note: You can also use the power button to perform power management functions. See “Moving around with your Notebook PC” on page 29.
•Use the customized functions for power management
You can also shut down the computer by closing the display cover, or by pressing the sleep hot key (Fn-F4). See “Moving around with your Notebook PC” on page 29.
Note: If you cannot power off the computer normally, press and hold the power button for more than four seconds to shut down the computer. If you turn off the computer and want to turn it on again, wait at least two seconds before powering up.
Taking care of your computer
Your computer will serve you well if you take care of it.
•Do not expose the computer to direct sunlight. Do not place it near sources of heat, such as a radiator.
•Do not expose the computer to temperatures below 0ºC (32ºF) or above 50ºC (122ºF).
•Do not subject the computer to magnetic fields.
•Do not expose the computer to rain or moisture.
•Do not spill water or any liquid on the computer.
•Do not subject the computer to heavy shock and vibration.
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• Do not expose the computer to dust and dirt. |
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• Never place objects on top of the computer to avoid damaging the |
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computer. |
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• Do not slam the computer display when you close it. |
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• Never place the computer on uneven surfaces. |
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Taking care of your AC adapter |
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Here are some ways to take care of your AC adapter: |
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•Do not connect the adapter to any other device.
•Do not step on the power cord or place heavy objects on top of it. Carefully route the power cord and any cables away from personal traffic.
•When unplugging the power cord, do not pull on the cord itself but pull on the plug.
•The total ampere ratings of the equipment plugged in should not exceed the ampere rating of the cord if you are using an extension cord. Also, the total current rating of all equipment plugged into a single wall outlet should not exceed the fuse rating.
Taking care of your battery pack
Here are some ways to take care of your battery pack:
•Use only batteries of the same kind as replacements. Turn the power off before removing or replacing batteries.
•Do not tamper with batteries. Keep them away from children.
•Dispose of used batteries according to local regulations. Recycle if at all possible.
Cleaning and servicing
When cleaning the computer, follow these steps:
1Power off the computer and remove the battery pack.
2Disconnect the AC adapter.
3Use a soft cloth moistened with water. Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners.
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If any of the following occurs:
•The computer has been dropped or the body has been damaged.
•The computer does not operate normally.
Please refer to “Frequently-asked questions” on page 53.
Caution
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the manufacturer could void the user's authority, which is granted by the Federal Communications Commission, to operate this computer.
Operation conditions
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Users are requested to follow the RF safety instructions on wireless option devices that are included in the user's manual of each RF option device.
An improper installation or unauthorised use may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Also any tampering of the internal antenna will void the FCC certification and your warranty.
To prevent radio interference to the licensed service, this device is intended to be operated indoors and installation outdoors is subject to licensing.For more information about our products, services, and support information, please visit our website: http://global.acer.com/.
First things first |
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Your guides |
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Basic care and tips for using your computer |
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Turning your computer on and off |
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Taking care of your computer |
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Taking care of your AC adapter |
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Taking care of your battery pack |
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Cleaning and servicing |
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A TravelMate tour |
1 |
Front view |
1 |
Closed front view |
3 |
Left view |
5 |
Right view |
6 |
Rear view |
7 |
Bottom view |
8 |
Specifications |
9 |
Indicators |
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Using the keyboard |
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Lock keys |
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Embedded numeric keypad |
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Windows keys |
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Hot keys |
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Special Keys |
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The Euro symbol |
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The US dollar sign |
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Launch keys |
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Touchpad |
21 |
Touchpad basics |
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Ejecting the optical (CD or DVD) drive tray |
23 |
Using a computer security lock |
24 |
Audio |
25 |
Adjusting the volume |
25 |
Using system utilities |
26 |
Acer eManager |
26 |
Launch Manager |
27 |
Acer GridVista |
28 |
Moving around with your Notebook PC |
29 |
Disconnecting from the desktop |
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Moving around |
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Preparing the computer |
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What to take to short meetings |
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What to bring to long meetings |
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Taking the computer home |
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Preparing the computer |
30 |
What to take with you |
31 |
Special considerations |
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Setting up a home office |
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Traveling with the computer |
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Preparing the computer |
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What to take with you |
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Special considerations |
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Traveling internationally with the computer |
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Preparing the computer |
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What to bring with you |
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Special considerations |
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Securing your computer |
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Using a computer security lock |
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Using passwords |
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Entering passwords |
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Setting passwords |
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Expanding through options |
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Connectivity options |
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Fax/Data modem |
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Built-in network feature |
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Fast Infrared |
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Universal Serial Bus |
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IEEE 1394 port |
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PC Card slot |
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BIOS Utility |
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Boot sequence |
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Disc to Disc Recovery enable |
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Password |
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Using software |
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Playing DVD movies |
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Power management |
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Acer eRecovery |
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Create backup |
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Restore from backup |
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Create factory default image CD |
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Re-install bundled software without CD |
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Change password |
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Acer disc-to-disc recovery |
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Multilingual operating system installation |
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Restore without a Recovery CD |
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Troubleshooting my computer |
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Frequently-asked questions |
53 |
Troubleshooting tips |
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Error messages |
56 |
Requesting service |
57 |
International Traveler’s Warranty (ITW) |
57 |
Before you call |
58 |
Appendix A |
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Regulation & safety notices |
59 |
1
After setting up your computer as illustrated in the Just for Starters...
poster, let us show you around your new TravelMate computer.
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Description |
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Display screen |
Also called Liquid-Crystal Display (LCD), |
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displaying computer output. |
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Microphone |
Internal microphone for sound recording. |
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Item |
Description |
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Keyboard |
Inputs data into your computer. |
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Palmrest |
Comfortable support area for your hands |
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when you use the computer. |
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Click buttons |
The left and right buttons function like the |
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(Left, center and right) |
left and right mouse buttons; the center |
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button serves as a 4-way scroll button. |
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Touchpad |
Touch-sensitive pointing device which |
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functions like a computer mouse. |
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Status indicators |
Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) that turn on |
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and off to show the status of the |
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computer’s functions and components. |
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Launch keys |
Buttons for launching frequently used |
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programs. See “Launch keys” on page 20 |
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for more details. |
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Power button |
Turns the computer on and off. |
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Item |
Description |
1 |
Speakers |
Left and right speakers deliver stereo audio |
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output. |
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Infrared port |
Interfaces with infrared devices |
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(e.g., infrared printer and IR-aware computer). |
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Power indicator |
Lights when the computer is on. |
4 |
Battery indicator |
Lights when the battery is being charged. |
5 |
Bluetooth |
Press to enable/disable Bluetooth function. |
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communication |
Lights to indicate the status of Bluetooth |
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button/indicator |
communications. |
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(for selected |
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models) |
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Item |
Description |
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Wireless |
Press to enable/disable Wireless function. Lights |
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communication |
to indicate the status of wireless LAN |
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button/indicator |
communications. (manufacturing option) |
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Line-in jack |
Accepts audio line-in devices (e.g., audio CD |
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player, stereo walkman). |
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Mic-in jack |
Accepts inputs from external microphones. |
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Speaker/Line-Out/ |
Connects to audio line-out devices (e.g., |
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Headphone jack |
speakers, headphones). |
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USB 2.0 port |
Connects to Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0 |
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devices (e.g., USB mouse, USB camera). |
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Latch |
Locks and releases the lid. |
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Item |
Description |
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Optical drive |
Internal optical drive; accepts CDs or |
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DVDs depending on the optical drive |
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type. |
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LED indicator |
Lights up when the optical drive is |
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active. |
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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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Optical drive eject button |
Ejects the optical drive tray from the |
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drive. |
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AcerMedia bay |
Houses an AcerMedia drive module. |
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(for selected models) |
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Note: The positions of the AcerMedia indicator, eject button and emergency eject hole may differ depending on the optical drive module installed.
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Item |
Description |
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IEEE 1394 port |
Connects to IEEE 1394 devices. |
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PC Card slot eject button |
Ejects the PC Card from the slot. |
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3 |
PC Card slot |
Connects to one Type II CardBus PC Card. |
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4 |
4-in-1 card reader |
Accepts MS, MS PRO, MMC and SD card. |
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(for selected models) |
Note: The 4-in-1 card reader is a |
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manufacturing option, subject to |
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configuration. Only one card can operate |
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at any given time. |
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5 |
Two USB 2.0 ports |
Connect to Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0 |
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devices (e.g., USB mouse, USB camera). |
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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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7 |
Network jack |
Connects to an Ethernet 10/100/1000- |
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based network (for selected models). |
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Modem jack |
Connects to a phone line. |
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Ventilation slots |
Enable the computer to stay cool, even |
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after prolonged use. |
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Item |
Description |
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1 |
Power jack |
Connects to an AC adapter. |
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2 |
External display port |
Connects to a display device (e.g., external |
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monitor, LCD projector). |
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3 |
124-pin Acer ezDock |
Connects to Acer ezDock. |
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connector |
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(for selected models) |
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4 |
Security keylock |
Connects to a Kensington-compatible |
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computer security lock. |
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# |
Item |
Description |
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1 |
Hard disk bay |
Houses the computer's hard disk |
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(secured by a screw). |
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2 |
AcerMedia bay |
Unlatches the AcerMedia drive for |
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release latch |
removal of drive. |
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(for selected models) |
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3 |
AcerMedia bay |
Houses an AcerMedia drive module. |
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(for selected models) |
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4 |
Battery release latch |
Unlatches the battery to remove the |
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battery pack. |
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5 |
Battery bay |
Houses the computer's battery pack. |
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6 |
Battery lock |
Locks the battery in place. |
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7 |
Cooling fan |
Helps keep the computer cool. |
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Note: Do not cover or obstruct the |
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opening of the fan. |
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8 |
Memory compartment |
Houses the computer's main memory and |
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Mini PCI Card. |
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Microprocessor
•Intel® Pentium® M Processor at 1.5 ~ 2.13 GHz or higher
•Intel® Celeron® M Processor at 1.3 ~ 1.6 GHz or higher
Memory
•256/512 MB of DDR333 SDRAM standard, upgradeable to 2048 MB with dual soDIMM modules
•512 KB flash ROM BIOS
Data storage
•One 40 GB and above E-IDE hard disk (2.5”, 9.5mm, UltraDMA-100)
•One internal optical drive, or
One 5.25-inch internal removable optical drive (AcerMedia bay, for selected models)
•4-in-1 Card Reader (for selected models)
Display and video
•Thin-Film Transistor (TFT) displaying at:
-15.0” XGA (1024x768)
-15.4” WXGA (1280x800)
-15.0” SXGA+ (1400x1050)
•ATI MOBILITY™ RADEON™ X600 with 64/128 MB of video memory (for selected models)
•Simultaneous LCD and CRT display support
•Dual independent display
•"Automatic LCD dim" feature that automatically decides the best settings for your display and conserves power
Connectivity
•Integrated 10/100/1000 Mbps Fast Ethernet connection (1000Mpbs for selected models)
•Built-in 56Kbps fax/data modem
•Three Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0 ports
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• InviLink™ 802.11b/g or 802.11a/b/g dual-band tri-mode Wireless |
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LAN (for selected models) |
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• Bluetooth® (for selected models) |
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Audio |
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• 16-bit AC’97 stereo audio |
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• Dual speakers and one internal microphone |
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• Separate audio ports for headphone-out, line-in and microphone- |
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in devices |
Keyboard and pointing device
•88/89-key Windows keyboard
•Ergonomically-centered touchpad pointing device with scroll function
•Acer FineTouch™ keyboard with a 5-degree curve
I/O ports
•One Type II PC Card slot
•One RJ-11 phone jack (V.92, 56Kbps modem)
•One RJ-45 network jack
•One DC-in jack (AC adapter)
•One 124-pin Acer ezDock connector (for selected models)
•One external monitor port
•One speaker/headphone-out jack
•One audio line-in jack
•One microphone-in jack
•One Infrared (FIR) port
•One IEEE 1394 port
•One S-video TV-out port
•Three USB 2.0 ports
•4-in-1 MS/MS Pro/MMC/SD card reader (for selected models)
Weight (with battery)
•6.6 lbs (3 kg)
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Dimensions
-360 (W) x 273 (D) x27/32 (H) mm
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
System
•Microsoft® Windows® XP Home/Pro/MCE (MCE for selected models)
•ACPI 1.0b support
•DMI 2.0-compliant
•Wi-Fi®-compliant
•CCX compliant (for selected models)
Power
•8-cell (65W) or 4-cell (32W) Li-ion battery pack
•65W AC adapter 19V 3.42A
Options
•256MB/512MB/1GB memory upgrade module
•Additional 65W AC adapter
•Addition Li-ion battery pack
•Additional hard disk
•USB floppy drive
•Second hard disk (AcerMedia bay, for selected models)
•Second 6-cell battery pack (AcerMedia bay, for selected models)
•Acer ezDock (for selected models)
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Note: The specifications listed above are for reference only. The exact configuration of your PC depends on the model purchased.
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12
The computer has three easy-to-read status icons on the upper-right above the keyboard.
Icon Function |
Description |
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Caps Lock |
Lights when Caps Lock is activated. |
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Num Lock |
Lights when Num Lock is activated. |
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Media activity |
Lights when the hard disk or optical drive is active. |
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In addition, there are two indicators at the front panel. Even when the cover is closed, the state or features can still be seen.
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Icon |
Function |
Description |
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Power |
Lights when the computer is on. |
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Battery indicator |
Lights when the battery is being charged. |
1.Charging: the light shows amber when the battery is charging.
2.Fully charged: light shows green when in AC mode.
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14
The keyboard has full-sized keys and an embedded keypad, separate cursor keys, two Windows keys and twelve function 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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uppercase. |
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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 |
Num Lock Off |
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Number keys on |
Type numbers in a normal |
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embedded keypad |
manner. |
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Cursor-control keys |
Hold Shift while using |
Hold Fn while using |
on embedded |
cursor-control keys. |
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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The keyboard has two keys that perform Windows-specific functions.
Key |
Description |
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Windows key |
Pressed alone, this key has the same effect as clicking |
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on the Windows Start button; it launches the Start |
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menu. It can also be used with other keys to provide a |
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variety of 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. |
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+ M |
Minimizes all windows. |
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Shift + |
+ M Undoes the minimize all windows |
( + M) action.
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+ R |
Opens the Run dialog box. |
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Application key |
This key has the same effect as clicking the right mouse |
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button; it opens the application's context menu. |
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