Loading...TravelMate 8000 series
User’s Guide
Copyright © 2004 Acer Incorporated.
All Rights Reserved.
TravelMate 8000 series User’s Guide
Original Issue: Feb 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 8000 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 PDF (Portable Document Format). Follow these steps:
1Click on Start, All Programs, Acer System.
2Click on Acer System User’s guide.
Note: Viewing the file requires Adobe Acrobat Reader installed. For instructions on how to use Adobe Acrobat Reader, access the Help menu.
For more information about our products, services, and support information, please visit our Web site (www.acer.com).
English
English
iv
Basic care and tips for using your computer
Turning your computer on and off
To turn on the computer, simply press the power button on the 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 button.
To turn the power off, do any of the following:
•Use the Windows shutdown command
For Windows® 2000: Click on Start, Shut Down..., and select Shut down; then click on OK.
- or -
For Windows® XP: Click on Start, Turn off Computer; then click Turn Off.
•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.
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.
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• Do not expose the computer to rain or moisture. |
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• Do not subject the computer to heavy shock and vibration. |
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• Do not spill water or any liquid on the computer. |
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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.
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Use a soft cloth moistened with water. Do not use liquid or aerosol |
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cleaners. |
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To clean the display screen, use an LCD cleaning kit. |
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If any of the following occurs: |
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The computer has been dropped or the body has been damaged. |
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Liquid has been spilled into the product. |
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The computer does not operate normally. |
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Please refer to "Troubleshooting my computer" on page 59. |
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First things first |
iii |
Your guides |
iii |
Basic care and tips for using your computer |
iv |
A TravelMate tour |
3 |
Front open view |
3 |
Front view |
4 |
Left view |
6 |
Right view |
7 |
Rear view |
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Bottom view |
9 |
Features |
11 |
Indicators |
13 |
Using the keyboard |
15 |
Special keys |
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Launch Keys |
22 |
Touchpad |
24 |
Touchpad basics |
24 |
Storage |
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Hard disk |
26 |
AcerMedia bay |
26 |
Using software |
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Audio |
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Adjusting the volume |
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DVI(Digital Visual Interface) |
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Power management |
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Moving around with your TravelMate |
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Disconnecting from the desktop |
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Moving around |
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Taking the computer home |
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Traveling with the computer |
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Traveling internationally with the computer |
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Securing your computer |
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Using a computer security lock |
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Using the Smart Card |
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Using passwords |
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2 Customizing my computer |
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Expanding through options |
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Connectivity options |
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Upgrade options |
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Using system utilities |
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Notebook Manager |
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Launch Manager |
57 |
Contents
viii |
Contents |
BIOS Utility |
57 |
3 Troubleshooting my computer |
59 |
Frequently-asked questions |
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Troubleshooting tips |
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Error messages |
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Requesting service |
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International Traveler’s Warranty (ITW) |
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Before you call |
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Appendix A Specifications |
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Appendix B Notices |
75 |
Index |
89 |
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 open view
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Description |
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Display screen |
Also called LCD (liquid-crystal display), |
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displays computer output. |
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Power button |
Turns on the computer. |
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Touchpad |
Touch-sensitive pointing device which |
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functions like a computer mouse. |
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Click buttons (left, |
The left and right buttons function like the |
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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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Item |
Description |
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Palmrest |
Comfortable support area for your hands |
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when you use the computer. |
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Keyboard |
Inputs data into your computer. |
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Status indicators |
LEDs (light-emitting diode) that turn on and |
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off to show the status of the computer, its |
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functions and components. |
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Microphone |
Internal microphone for sound recording. |
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Launch keys |
Special keys for launching internet browser, |
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email program and frequently used |
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programs. See “Launch Keys” on page 22 for |
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more details. |
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Front view
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Description |
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Speaker |
Outputs sound. |
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4-in-1 card reader1 |
Reads cards from Smart Media, Memory |
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Stick, MultiMediaCard, and Secure Digital |
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cards. |
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4-in-1 card reader1 |
Displays activity of 4-in-1 card reader. |
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indicator |
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Description |
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Infrared port |
Interfaces with infrared devices (e.g., |
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infrared printer, IR-aware computer). |
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Bluetooth button2 |
Enables or disables Bluetooth functionality. |
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Bluetooth indicator2 |
Indicates that (optional) Bluetooth is |
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enabled. |
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InviLink button3 |
Enables or disables wireless LAN feature. |
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InviLink indicator3 |
Indicates status of wireless LAN |
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communication. |
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Latch |
Latch for opening and closing the laptop. |
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Notes:
1.Four-in-one card reader is a manufacturing option, subject to configuration. Only one media card type can be used at any given time. To avoid data loss or damage, do not shut down the system while card reader is active.
2.Bluetooth button and indicator work on models with Bluetooth only.
3.InviLink button and indicator work on models with wireless LAN only.
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Left view
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Item |
Description |
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Four USB 2.0 ports |
Connect to Universal Serial Bus devices (e.g., |
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USB mouse, USB camera). |
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IEEE 1394 port |
Connects to IEEE 1394 devices. |
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Smart Card slot |
Slot for Smart Card interface with pre-boot |
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authentication system. |
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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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Microphone jack |
Accepts input from external microphones. |
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Headphone/ |
Connect to headphones or other line-out |
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Speaker/ Line-out |
audio devices (speakers). |
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jack |
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PC Card eject button Ejects the PC Card from the slot. |
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Description |
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PC Card slot |
Accepts one Type II 16-bit PC Card or 32-bit |
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CardBus PC Card. |
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Right view
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Description |
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AcerMedia drive |
Houses a removable media drive module. |
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AcerMedia indicator |
Lights up when the AcerMedia drive is active. |
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Eject button |
Ejects the drive tray. |
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Emergency eject slot |
Ejects the drive tray when the computer is |
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turned off. See page 63 for more details. |
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Power jack |
Connects to an AC adapter. |
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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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Rear view
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Item |
Description |
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Modem jack |
Connects to a phone line. |
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Network jack |
Connects to an Ethernet 10/100/1000-based |
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network. |
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Expansion port |
Connects to I/O port replicator or EasyPort |
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expansion devices. |
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DVI-digital port |
DVI-digital(Digital visual interface) port |
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provides a better quality digital connection |
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between this computer and a display device . |
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External display |
Connects to a display device (e.g., external |
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monitor, LCD projector) and displays up to |
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16.7 million colors. |
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S-video |
Connects to a television or display device |
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with S-video input. |
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Security keylock |
Connects to a Kensington-compatible |
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computer security lock. |
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Bottom view
9
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# |
Item |
Description |
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AcerMedia bay |
Unlatches the AcerMedia drive for |
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release latch |
removing the optical drive. |
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AcerMedia bay |
Houses an AcerMedia drive module. |
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3 |
Battery bay |
Houses the computer's battery pack. |
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Battery release latch |
Unlatches the battery to remove the |
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battery pack. |
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Battery lock |
Locks the battery in place. |
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Mini-PCI slot |
Slot for adding mini-PCI cards. |
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7 |
Hard disk protector |
Acer’s patented Disc Anti-Shock Protection |
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(DASP) system. |
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8 |
Hard disk bay |
Houses the computer's hard disk (secured |
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by a screw). |
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Memory |
Houses the computer’s main memory. |
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compartment |
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Item |
Description |
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10 |
Cooling fan |
Helps keep the computer cool. |
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Note: Don’t cover or obstruct the opening |
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of the fan. |
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Personal |
Insert a business card or similar-sized |
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identification slot |
identification card to personalize your |
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computer. |
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11
Features
Below is a brief summary of the computer’s many features:
Performance
•Intel® Pentium® M Processor at 1.4~1.7 GHz with 1MB L2 Cache or 1.5~2.0 GHz with 2MB L2 Cache.
•Intel® 855GME chipset
•Memory upgradeable up to 2 GB with 2 slots
•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” or 1400 x 1050 Super eXtended Graphics Array + (SXGA+) resolution for 15” models (specification varies depending on the model)
•ATI MOBILITY RADEON 9700 64MB/128MB(Manufacturing option) with 3D graphics engine
•Simultaneous LCD ,CRT monitor or other display device like projector 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 indenpendent display
•DVI-Digital improves the quality to realistic display, the transmitting via a digital means
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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)
Connectivity
•High-speed fax/data modem port
•10/100/1000 T-based Gigabit Ethernet port
•Fast infrared wireless communication
•Four USB 2.0 (Universal Serial Bus) ports
•IEEE 1394 port
•InviLink™ 802.11a/b or 802.11b/g wireless LAN (manufacturing option)
•Bluetooth™ ready (manufacturing optional)
•SD/MMC/SM/MS memory slot (manufacturing option)
Human-centric design and ergonomics
•Internet 4-way scroll button
•Sleek, smooth and stylish design
•Acer FinTouch full-sized curved keyboard
•Ergonomically-centered touchpad pointing device
Expansion
•One type II CardBus PC Card slot
•Upgradeable memory
•Acer EasyPort
13
Indicators
The computer has three easy-to-read status indicators below the display screen, and five on the front of the computer.
The Power and Battery status indicators are visible even when the display is closed.
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 disc or AcerMedia is |
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activated. |
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Power |
Lights green when the power is on and |
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orange when the computer is in standby |
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mode. |
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Icon |
Function |
Description |
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Battery |
Lights orange when the battery is charging. |
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Four-in-one Card |
Lights when card reader is activating |
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Reader |
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Bluetooth |
Lights to indicate that Bluetooth™ is enabled |
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Wireless |
Lights to indicate status of wireless LAN |
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communication |
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15
Using the keyboard
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.
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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. Scroll |
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Lock does not work with some applications. |
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Embedded numeric keypad
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.
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.
17
Windows keys
The keyboard has two keys that perform Windows-specific functions.
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Key |
Description |
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Windows logo |
Start button. Combinations with this key perform |
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shortcut functions. Below are a few examples: |
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+ Tab (Activates next taskbar button) |
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+ E (Explores My Computer) |
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+ F (Finds Document) |
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+ M (Minimizes All) |
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Shift + |
+ M (Undoes Minimize All) |
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+ R (Displays the Run... dialog box) |
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Application key |
Opens a context menu (same as a right-click). |
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18
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 |
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Fn-F1 |
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Hot key help |
Displays help on hot keys. |
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Fn-F2 |
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Setup |
Accesses the computer’s |
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configuration utility. |
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Fn-F3 |
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Power |
Switches the power |
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management |
management scheme used by |
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scheme toggle |
the computer (function |
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available if supported by |
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operating system). |
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See “Power management” on |
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page 31. |
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Fn-F4 |
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Sleep |
Puts the computer in Sleep |
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mode. |
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See“Power management” on |
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page 31 |
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19
Hot key |
Icon |
Function |
Description |
Fn-F5 |
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Display toggle |
Switches display output |
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between the display screen, |
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external monitor (if |
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connected) and both the |
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display screen and external |
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monitor. |
Fn-F6 |
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Screen blank |
Turns the display screen |
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backlight off to save power. |
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Press any key to return. |
Fn-F7 |
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Touchpad toggle |
Turns the internal touchpad |
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enable and disable. |
Fn-F8 |
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Speaker toggle |
Turns the speakers on and off. |
Fn-↑ |
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Volume up |
Increases the speaker volume. |
Fn-↓ |
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Volume down |
Decreases the speaker |
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volume. |
Fn-→ |
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Brightness up |
Increases the screen |
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brightness. |
Fn-← |
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Brightness down |
Decreases the screen |
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brightness. |
English
English
20
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:
1Click on Start, Settings, Control Panel.
2Double-click on Keyboard.
3Click on the Language tab.
4Verify 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 StatesInternational and click on OK.
5Click on OK.
To verify the keyboard type in Windows® XP, follow the steps below:
1Click on Start, Control Panel.
2Double-click on Regional and Language Options.
3Click on the Language tab and click on Details.
4Verify that the keyboard layout used for "En English (United States)" is set to United States-International.
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If not, select and click on ADD; then select United StatesInternational and click on OK.
5 Click on OK.
To type the Euro symbol:
1Locate the Euro symbol on your keyboard.
2Open a text editor or word processor.
3Hold Alt Gr and press the Euro symbol.
Note: Some fonts and software do not support the Euro symbol. Please refer to www.microsoft.com/typography/faq/faq12.htm for more information.
English
English
22
Launch Keys
Located above the keyboard are five buttons. The left-most button is the power button. To the right of the power button are the four launch keys. They are designated as the mail button, the web browser button, and two programmable buttons (P1 and P2).
Launch key |
Default application |
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Email application(User-programmable) |
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Web browser |
Internet browser application(User-programmable) |
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P1 |
User-programmable |
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P2 |
User-programmable |
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