Acer 800 User Manual

TravelMate 800 series

User’s guide

TravelMate 800 series User’s guide Original Issue: February 2003

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 800 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.

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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 PDF (Portable Document Format). Follow these steps:

1 Click on Start, Programs, TravelMate. 2 Click on TravelMate 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 menu.

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For more information about our products, services, and support information, please visit our Web site (global.acer.com

Basic care and tips for using your computer

English

Turning your computer on and off

To turn on the computer, simply press the power button, the button left of the launch keys found above your TravelMate’s standard keyboard. See “Front open 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 For Windows 2000:

down; then click on OK.

- or For Windows XP:

Tur n O ff.

• Use the power button

Note: You can also use the power button to perform power

management functions. See Windows help for more information.

• 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 the online guide for details.

Click on Start, Shut Down..., and select Shut

Click on Start, Turn off Computer; then click

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.

• 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.

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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: 1 Power off the computer and remove the battery pack.

English

2 Disconnect the AC adapter. 3 Use a soft cloth moistened with water. Do not use liquid or aerosol

cleaners.

4 To clean the display screen, use an LCD cleaning kit.

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 55.

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 open view 3 Front view Left view 5 Rear view 8

Bottom view 9 Features 11 Indicators 13 Using the keyboard 14

Special keys 14 Touchpad 22

Touchpad basics 22 Storage 24

Hard disk 24

AcerMedia bay 24

Using software 25 Audio 27

Adjusting the volume 27 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

Using the Smart Card 34

Using passwords 40

Contents

2 Customizing my computer 43

Expanding through options 45

Connectivity options 45

Upgrade options 50 Using system utilities 53

Notebook Manager 53

Launch Manager 54

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BIOS Utility 54

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3 Troubleshooting my computer 55

Frequently-asked questions 57 Troubleshooting tips 60 Error messages 61 Requesting service 62

International Traveler’s Warranty (ITW) 62 Before you call 62

Appendix A Specifications 65

Appendix B Notices 71

Index 79

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.

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 open view

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# Item Description

1 Display screen Also called LCD (liquid-crystal display),

displays computer output.

2 Power button Turns on the computer.

3 Touchpad Touch-sensitive pointing device which

functions like a computer mouse.

4 Click buttons (left,

center and right)

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

# Item Description

1 Getting to know your TravelMate4

English

5 Palmrest Comfortable support area for your hands

when you use the computer.

6 Keyboard Inputs data into your computer.

7 Status indicators LEDs (light-emitting diode) that turn on and

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

8 Launch keys Special keys for launching internet browser,

email program and frequently used programs. See “Launch Keys” on page 20 for more details.

9 Microphone Internal microphone for sound recording.

Front view

# Item Description

1 Speaker Outputs sound.

2 Bluetooth button Starts (optional) Bluetooth functionality.

3 Bluetooth indicator Indicates that (optional) Bluetooth is

enabled.

4 InviLink button Opens (optional) wireless connectivity.

5 InviLink indicator Indicates status of (optional) wireless

communication.

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6 Latch Latch for opening and closing the laptop.

7 Infrared port Interfaces with infrared devices (e.g.,

infrared printer, IR-aware computer).

8 Battery indicator Lights orange when the battery is charging.

Lights green when the battery is full.

9 Power status

indicator

Lights green when the power is on and orange when the computer is in standby mode.

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1 Getting to know your TravelMate6

Left view

# Item Description

1 Four (4) USB 2.0 ports Connect to Universal Serial Bus devices

(e.g., USB mouse, USB camera). Note: The far left USB port on the

computer will be disabled when connected with a PortReplicator.

2 IEEE 1394 port Connects to IEEE 1394 devices.

3 Smart Card slot Slot for Smart Card interface with pre-

boot authentication system.

4 Line-in jack Accepts audio line-in devices (e.g., audio

CD player, stereo walkman).

5 Microphone jack

6 Headphone/ Speaker/

Line-out jack

7 PC Card eject button Ejects the PC Card from the slot.

Accepts input from external microphones.

Connect to headphones or other line-out audio devices (speakers).

# Item Description

8 PC Card slot Accepts one Type II 16-bit PC Card or 32-

bit CardBus PC Card.

Right view

# Item Description

1 AcerMedia drive Houses a removable media drive module.

2 AcerMedia indicator Lights up when the AcerMedia drive is active.

3 Eject button Ejects the drive tray.

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4 Emergency eject slot Ejects the drive tray when the computer is

turned off. See page 58 for more details.

5 Power jack Connects to an AC adapter.

Note: The positions of the AcerMedia indicator, eject button and emergency eject hole may differ depending on the optical drive module installed.

English

1 Getting to know your TravelMate8

Rear view

# Item Description

1 Modem jack Connects to a phone line.

2 Network jack Connects to an Ethernet 10/100-based

network.

3 Expansion port Connects to I/O port replicator or EasyPort

expansion devices.

4 Parallel port Connects to a parallel device (e.g., parallel

printer).

5 External display

port

6 S-video Connects to a television or display device

7 Security keylock Connects to a Kensington-compatible

Connects to a display device (e.g., external monitor, LCD projector).

with S-video input.

computer security lock.

Bottom view

# Item Description

Englis

1AcerMedia bay

release latch

2 AcerMedia bay Houses an AcerMedia drive module.

3 Battery bay Houses the computer's battery pack.

4 Battery release latch Unlatches the battery to remove the

5 Battery lock Locks the battery in place.

6 Mini-PCI slot Slot for adding mini-PCI cards.

7 Hard disk protector Protects the hard disk from accidental

Unlatches the AcerMedia drive for removing the optical drive.

battery pack.

bumps and vibration.

1 Getting to know your TravelMate10

# Item Description

English

8 Hard disk bay Houses the computer's hard disk (secured

by a screw).

9Memory

compartment

10 Cooling fan Helps keep the computer cool.

11 Personal

identification slot

Houses the computer’s memory.

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

Insert a business card or similar-sized identification card to personalize your computer.

Features

Below is a brief summary of the computer’s many features:

Performance

• Intel® Pentium® M Processor with 1024 KB level 2 cache featuring the new Enhanced Intel® SpeedStep™ technology

• Memory expandable up to 2 GB

• Internal removable optical drive (AcerMedia bay)

• High-capacity, Enhanced-IDE hard disk

• Li-Ion main battery pack

• Power management system with ACPI (Advanced Configuration

Power Interface)

• Smart Card interface with pre-boot authentication system for added security

Display

• Thin-Film Transistor (TFT) liquid crystal display (LCD) displaying 32bit high color up to 1024 x 768 eXtended Graphics Array (XGA) resolution for 14.1”/15” and 1600 x 1200 Ultra eXtended Graphics Array (UXGA) resolution for some 15” models. (specification varies depending on the model)

• 3D capabilities

• 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 that automatically decides the best settings for your display and conserves power

• Dual display capability

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Multimedia

• 16-bit high-fidelity AC’97 stereo audio

• Built-in dual speakers

• Built-in microphone

• High-speed optical drive (AcerMedia bay)

English

1 Getting to know your TravelMate12

Connectivity

• High-speed fax/data modem port

• Ethernet/Fast Ethernet port

• Fast infrared wireless communication

• Four (4) USB 2.0 (Universal Serial Bus) ports

• IEEE 1394 port

• InviLink 802.11b/802.11a+b wireless LAN mini-PCI module

(manufacturing optional)

• Bluetooth module (manufacturing optional)

Human-centric design and ergonomics

• Internet 4-way scroll button

• Sleek, smooth and stylish design

• Full-sized keyboard

• Ergonomically-centered touchpad pointing device

Expansion

• One type II CardBus PC Card slot

• Upgradeable memory

• Acer EasyPort (optional)

Indicators

The computer has three easy-to-read status indicators below the display screen, and two on the front of the computer.

The Battery and Power status indicators are visible even when you close the display.

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Icon Function Description

Caps lock Lights when Caps Lock is activated.

Num lock Lights when Num Lock is activated.

Media Activity Lights when the disc or AcerMedia is activated.

Battery Lights orange when the battery is charging.

Lights green when the battery is full.

Power Lights green when the power is on and orange

when the computer is in standby mode.

Using the keyboard

1 Getting to know your TravelMate14

English

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

Special 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)

Scroll Lock (Fn-F12)

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.

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.

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

Type numbers in a normal manner.

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Cursor-control keys on embedded keypad

Main keyboard keys Hold Fn while typing letters

Note: If an external keyboard or keypad is connected to the computer, the Num Lock feature automatically shifts from the internal keyboard to the external keyboard or keypad.

Hold Shift while using cursor-control keys.

on embedded keypad.

Hold Fn while using cursor-control keys.

Type the letters in a normal manner.

Windows keys

1 Getting to know your TravelMate16

English

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

Key Description

Windows logo key

Start button. Combinations with this key perform shortcut functions. Below are a few examples:

+ Tab (Activates next taskbar button)

+ E (Explores My Computer)

+ F (Finds Document)

+ M (Minimizes All)

Shift + + M (Undoes Minimize All)

+ R (Displays the Run... dialog box)

Application key Opens a context menu (same as a right-click).

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.

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Fn-F2 Setup Accesses the computer’s

configuration utility.

Fn-F3 Power

management scheme toggle

Fn-F4 Sleep Puts the computer in Sleep

Switches the power management scheme used by the computer (function available if supported by operating system).

See “Power management” on page 28.

mode. See “Power management” on

page 28.

1 Getting to know your TravelMate18

Hot key Icon Function Description

English

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 speaker volume.

Fn-↓ Volume down Decreases the speaker

volume.

Fn-→ Brightness up Increases the screen

brightness.

Fn-

←

Brightness down Decreases the screen

brightness.

The Euro symbol

If your keyboard layout is set to United States-International or United Kingdom or if you have a keyboard with a European layout, you can type the Euro symbol on your keyboard.

Note for US keyboard users: The keyboard layout is set when you first set up Windows. For the Euro symbol to work, the keyboard layout has to be set to United States-International.

To verify the keyboard type in Windows Millennium Edition and Windows 2000, follow the steps below:

1 Click on Start, Settings, Control Panel. 2 Double-click on Keyboard. 3 Click on the Language tab. 4 Verify that the keyboard layout used for "En English (United

States)" is set to United States-International. If not, select and click on Properties; then select United States-

International and click on OK.

5 Click on OK.

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To verify the keyboard type in Windows XP, follow the steps below: 1 Click on Start, Control Panel. 2 Double-click on Regional and Language Options. 3 Click on the Language tab and click on Details.

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