Acer 2300, 4000, 4500 User Manual
TravelMate
2300/4000/4500 Series
User’s Guide
Copyright © 2004. Acer Incorporated.
All Rights Reserved.
TravelMate 2300/4000/4500 Series User’s Guide
Original Issue: July 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 2300/4000/4500 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
First things first
We would like to thank you for making the TravelMate series of
notebook computers your choice for your mobile computing needs.
We hope you will be happy with your TravelMate as much as we
enjoyed making it for you.
Your guides
To help you use your TravelMate, we have designed a set of guides:
First off, the Just for starters... poster helps you get started
with setting up your computer.
This 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:
1 Click on Start, All Programs, AcerSystem.
2 Click on AcerSystem User’s guide.
Note: Viewing the file requires Adobe Acrobat Reader
installed. If Adobe Acrobat Reader is not installed on your
computer, clicking on TravelMate User’s guide will run the
Acrobat Reader setup program first. Follow the instructions
on the screen to complete the installation. For instructions
on how to use Adobe Acrobat Reader, access the Help and
Support menu.
English
iv
Basic care and tips for using your computer
English
Turning your computer on and off
To turn on the computer, simply press and release the power switch
below the LCD screen beside the launch keys. See “Front view” on
page 3 for the location of the power switch.
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 switch
Note: You can also use the power switch to perform power
management functions. See “Power management” on page 28.
• 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 “Power management”
on page 28.
Note: If you cannot power off the computer normally, press and
hold the power switch 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.
• Do not expose the computer to dust and dirt.
v
• Never place objects on top of the computer to avoid damaging the
computer.
• Do not slam the computer display when you close it.
• Never place the computer on uneven surfaces.
Taking care of your AC adapter
Here are some ways to take care of your AC adapter:
• 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.
English
Cleaning and servicing
When cleaning the computer, follow these steps:
1 Power off the computer and remove the battery pack.
2 Disconnect the AC adapter.
3 Use a soft cloth moistened with water. Do not use liquid or
aerosol cleaners.
English
vi
If any of the following occurs:
• The computer has been dropped or the body has been damaged.
• Liquid has been spilled into the product.
• The computer does not operate normally.
Please refer to "Troubleshooting my computer" on page 53.
First things first iii
Your guides iii
Basic care and tips for using your computer iv
1 Getting to know your TravelMate 1
A TravelMate tour 3
Front view 3
Closed front view 5
Left view 7
Right view 8
Rear view 9
Bottom view 10
Features 11
Indicators 13
Using the keyboard 15
Lock keys 15
Embedded numeric keypad 16
Windows keys 17
Hot keys 18
Special Key 20
Launch keys 21
Touchpad 23
Touchpad basics 23
Storage 25
Hard disk 25
Optical drive 25
AcerMedia bay (only in TravelMate 4500) 26
Audio 28
Adjusting the volume 28
Power management 28
Moving around with your TravelMate 29
Disconnecting from the desktop 29
Moving around 29
Taking the computer home 30
Traveling with the computer 32
Traveling internationally with the computer 32
Securing your computer 34
Using a computer security lock 34
Contents
2 Customizing my computer 37
Expanding through options 39
Connectivity options 39
Upgrade options 45
Using system utilities 48
Acer eManager 48
Launch Manager 49
BIOS Utility 49
D to D Recovery (Disc to Disc) 50
Multilingual operating system installation 50
Restore without a Recovery CD 50
Setup password and exit 51
3 Troubleshooting my computer 53
Frequently-asked questions 55
Troubleshooting tips 58
Error messages 59
Requesting service 60
ITW 60
Before you call 61
Appendix A Specifications 63
Appendix B Regulation & safety notices 69
Index 85
1 Getting to know your
TravelMate
Your TravelMate computer combines highperformance, versatility, power management
features and multimedia capabilities with a
unique style and ergonomic design. Work with
unmatched productivity and reliability with
your new power computing partner.
3
A TravelMate tour
After setting up your computer as illustrated in the Just for starters...
poster, let us show you around your new TravelMate computer.
Front view
English
# Item Description
1 Display screen Also called Liquid-Crystal Display (LCD),
displaying computer output.
1 Getting to know your TravelMate4
# Item Description
English
2 Microphone Internal microphone for sound recording.
3 Keyboard Inputs data into your computer.
4 Palmrest Comfortable support area for your hands
5 Click buttons
(Left, center and right)
6 Touchpad Touch-sensitive pointing device which
7 Status indicators Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) that turn on
8 Launch keys Buttons for launching frequently used
9 Power button Turns the computer on and off.
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.
functions like a computer mouse.
and off to show the status of the
computer’s functions and components.
programs. See“Launch keys” on page 21
for more details.
5
Closed front view
# Item Description
1 Speakers Left and right speakers deliver stereo audio
2 Infrared port
(Manufacturing option)
3 Power indicator Lights when the computer is on.
output.
Interfaces with infrared devices
(e.g., infrared printer and IR-aware
computer).
English
4 Battery indicator Lights when the battery is being charged.
5 Bluetooth
communications
6 Wireless
communications
Lights to indicate the status of Bluetooth
(optional) communications.
Lights to indicate the status of wireless LAN
(optional) communications.
# Item Description
1 Getting to know your TravelMate6
English
7 Line-in/Mic-in jack Accepts audio line-in devices (e.g., audio CD
player, stereo walkman).
8 Line-in/Mic-in jack Accepts audio line-in devices (e.g., audio CD
9 Speaker/Line-Out/
Headphone jack
10 USB 2.0 port Connects to Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0
11 Latch Locks and releases the lid.
player, stereo walkman).
Connects to audio line-out devices (e.g.,
speakers, headphones).
devices (e.g., USB mouse, USB camera).
7
Left view
5
# Item Description
1 Optical drive Internal optical drive; accepts CDs or
DVDs depending on the optical drive
type.
2 LED indicator Lights up when the optical drive is
active.
3 Emergency eject hole Ejects the optical drive tray when the
computer is turned off. See page 56
for more details.
English
4 Optical drive eject button Ejects the optical drive tray from the
drive.
5AcerMedia bay
(Manufacturing option)
Note: The positions of the AcerMedia indicator, eject button and
emergency eject hole may differ depending on the optical drive
module installed.
Houses an AcerMedia drive module.
English
1 Getting to know your TravelMate8
Right view
# Item Description
1 IEEE 1394 port
(Manufacturing option)
2 PC Card slot eject button Ejects the PC Card from the slot.
3 PC Card slot Connects to one Type II CardBus PC Card.
4 3-in-1 card reader Accepts MS, MMC and SD card.
5 Two USB 2.0 ports Connect to Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0
6 S-video port
(Manufacturing option)
7 Network jack Connects to an Ethernet 10/100/1000-
Connects to IEEE 1394 devices.
Note: The 3-in-1 card reader is a
manufacturing option, subject to
configuration. Only one card can operate
at any given time.
devices (e.g., USB mouse, USB camera).
Connects to a television or display device
with S-video input.
based network (manufacturing option).
8 Modem jack Connects to a phone line.
9 Ventilation slots Enable the computer to stay cool, even
after prolonged use.
9
Rear view
# Item Description
1 Power jack Connects to an AC adapter.
2 External display port Connects to a display device (e.g., external
monitor, LCD projector).
3 100-pin port replicator
connector
(Manufacturing option)
Connects to an I/O port replicator, or
Acer EasyPort expansion devices.
English
4 Security keylock Connects to a Kensington-compatible
computer security lock.
English
1 Getting to know your TravelMate10
Bottom view
# Item Description
1 Cooling fan Helps keep the computer cool.
Note: Do not cover or obstruct the
opening of the fan.
2 Battery lock Locks the battery in place.
3 Memory compartment Houses the computer's main memory.
4 Hard disk bay Houses the computer's hard disk
5AcerMedia bay
release latch
6 AcerMedia bay Houses an AcerMedia drive module.
7 Battery release latch Unlatches the battery to remove the
8 Battery bay Houses the computer's battery pack.
(secured by a screw).
Unlatches the AcerMedia drive for
removing the optical drive.
(Only in TravelMate 4500)
battery pack.
11
Features
Below is a brief summary of the computer’s many features:
Performance
• Intel® Pentium® M Processor 705, 715, 725, 735, 745, 755, or
Intel® Celeron® M Processor 320, 330
• Intel® 855GME or 852GM chipset (manufacturing option)
• 256/512 MB of DDR333 SDRAM standard, 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
• Internal removable optical drive (AcerMedia bay)
• Li-ion main battery pack
Display
• The TFT LCD panel providing a large viewing area for maximum
efficiency and ease-of-use:
- 14.1” XGA (1024x768) resolution
- 15.0” XGA (1024x768) or SXGA+ (1400x1050) resolution
- 15.4” WXGA (1280x800) or WSXGA+ (1680x1050) resolution
• ATI MOBILITY ™ RADEON™ 9700 with 64MB of video memory
(manufacturing option)
• 3D graphics support
• Simultaneous LCD and CRT monitor, and other display devices like
projector support
• "Automatic LCD dim" feature that automatically deciding the best
settings for your display and conserves power
• Dual independent display
English
Multimedia
• High-speed drive:
DVD/CD-RW Combo, DVD-Dual or DVD-Super Multi
• 16-bit high-fidelity AC’97 stereo audio
• Built-in microphone and dual speakers
English
1 Getting to know your TravelMate12
Connectivity
• Integrated 10/100/1000 Mbps Fast Ethernet connection
(manufacturing option)
• Built-in 56Kbps fax/data modem
• Fast infrared wireless communication (manufacturing option)
• IEEE 1394 port (manufacturing option)
• Three Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0 ports
• InviLink™ 802.11b/g or 802.11a/b/g dual-band tri-mode Wireless
LAN (manufacturing option)
• Bluetooth® (manufacturing option)
• 100-pin port replicator connector (manufacturing option)
• SD/MMC/MS memory card reader (manufacturing option)
Human-centric design and ergonomics
• Rugged, yet extremely portable design
• Stylish appearance
• Full-size keyboard with four programmable launch keys
• Ergonomically-centered touchpad pointing device
• Acer FineTouch™ keyboard with a 5-degree curve
• Internet 4-way scroll button
Expansion
• One Tpye II CardBus PC Card slot
• Upgradeable memory modules
• Acer EasyPort (only in TravelMate 4500)
13
Indicators
The computer has three easy-to-read status icons on the upper-right
above the keyboard.
Icon Function Description
Caps Lock Lights when Caps Lock is activated.
English
Num Lock Lights when Num Lock is activated.
Media activity Lights when the hard disk or optical drive is active.
English
1 Getting to know your TravelMate14
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
Power Lights when the computer is on.
Battery indicator Lights when the battery is being charged.
15
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
Num Lock
(Fn-F11)
uppercase.
When Num Lock is on, the embedded keypad is in numeric
mode. The keys function as a calculator (complete with the
arithmetic operators +, -, *, and /). Use this mode when you
need to do a lot of numeric data entry. A better solution
would be to connect an external keypad.
English
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
1 Getting to know your TravelMate16
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.
17
Windows keys
The keyboard has two keys that perform Windows-specific functions.
Key Description
Windows key Pressed alone, this key has the same effect as clicking
on the Windows Start button; it launches the Start
menu. It can also be used with other keys to provide a
variety of functions:
+ 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.
English
Application key This key has the same effect as clicking the right mouse
button; it opens the application's context menu.
English
1 Getting to know your TravelMate18
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
in the Acer eManager set by
the Acer Empowering Key.
See “Acer eManager” on
page 48.
Fn-F3 Acer
ePowerManagement
Fn-F4 Sleep Puts the computer in Sleep
Launches the Acer
ePowerManagement in the
Acer eManager set by the
Acer Empowering Key. See
“Acer eManager” on page
48.
mode.
19
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.
English
Fn-
←
Alt Gr-$ US dollar Types the US dollar sign.
Alt GrEuro
Brightness down Decreases the screen
brightness.
Euro Types the Euro symbol.
English
1 Getting to know your TravelMate20
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.
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 48. 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 49.
English
No. Description Default Application
1 Mail Email application (User-programmable)
2 Web browser Internet browser application
(User-programmable)
3 e Acer eManager application (User-programmable)
4 P User-programmable
Loading...