ACER Aspire 1300XC User Manual

Acer Aspire 1300 series

User’s guide

Acer Aspire 1300 Series Notebook Computer User's Guide Original Issue: May 2002

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 disclaim s the im plied warran ties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

Record the model number, serial number, purc hase date, and plac e of purchase information in the space provided below. The serial number and model number are recorded on the label affixed to your computer. All correspondense concerning y our unit should include the serial number, model number, and purchase information.

No part of this publication may be reprod uc ed , stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Acer Incorporated.

Acer Aspire 1300 series Notebook computer

Model Number : _________________________________ Serial Number: ___________________________________ Purchase Date: ___________________________________ Place of Purchase: ________________________________

All trademarks and registered trademarks are the properties of their respective companies.

First things first vii

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

Getting familiar with your computer 1

A tour of your computer 3

Front view 3 Left view 5 Right view 6 Rear view 7

Bottom view 8 Features 9 Display 10 Indicators 11 Keyboard 13

Special keys 13

Keyboard ergonomics 17 Touchpad 18

Touchpad basics 18 Launch keys 20 Storage 21

Inserting and ejecting a diskette 21

Ejecting the optical drive tray 21

Emergency ejection of the optical drive tray 22 Connectivity options 23

Ethernet and LAN 23

Fax/data modem 23 Audio 25 Securing your computer 26

Security slot 26

Passwords 26

Contents

Operating on battery power 27

Battery pack 29

Battery pack characteristics 29

Installing and removing the battery pack 30

Charging the battery 31

Checking the battery level 31

Optimizing battery life 31

Battery-low warning 31 Power management 33

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Peripherals and options 35

External display devices 37 External input devices 38

External keyboard 38 External keypad 38

External pointing device 39 Printer 40 Audio devices 41 Expansion devices 42

PC Card 42

USB devices 44 Miscellaneous options 45

Battery pack 45

AC adapter 45 Key component upgrades 46

Memory upgrade 46

Hard disk upgrade 47

Moving with your computer 49

Disconnecting from the desktop 51 Moving around 52

Preparing the computer 52

What to bring to short meetings 52

What to bring to long meetings 52 Taking the computer home 53

Preparing the computer 53

What to bring with you 53

Special considerations 53

Setting up a home office 54 Traveling with the computer 55

Preparing the computer 55

What to take with you 55

Special considerations 55 Traveling internationa lly with your computer 56

Preparing the computer 56

What to take with you 56

Special considerations 56

Software 57

System software 59

Launch Manager 59 BIOS Setup Utility 60

Troubleshooting 65

Frequently asked questions 67

Appendix A Specifications 71 Appendix B Notices 75 Index 83

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vii

First things first

Your guides

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

The Just for starters… poster shows you how to set up your computer.

This User's Guide provides clear and concise information on using your computer productively. You are advised to read it thoroughly and keep it handy for future reference.

For more information on our products, services, and supp ort, please visit our web site www.global.acer.com.

Basic care and tips for using your computer

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Turning your computer on and off

To turn on your computer, open the lid and press the power button above the keyboard.

To turn the power off, you can do any of the following:

• Click on the Start button in Windows, and then select Shut Down on the popup

menu.

• Push the power button.

To use this method, you must first click on the Power Management icon in Windows Control Panel, and then check that the power button is set to shut down the computer when pressed. See Windows Help for more information.

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Note: if you are unable to shut down the c omputer in the usual way, press and hold the power switch for more than four seconds. You should then wait at least two seconds before turning the computer on again.

Taking care of your computer

Your computer will serve you well if you take care of it.

• Do not expose the computer to direct sunlight. Do not place it near sources of

heat, such as a radiator.

• Do not expose the computer to temperatures below 0°C (32°F), or above 50°C

(122°F).

• Do not expose the computer to magnetic fields.

• Do not expose the computer to rain or moisture.

• Do not spill water or any liquid on the computer.

• Do not subject the computer to heavy shock or vibration.

• Do not expose the computer to dust or dirt.

• Do not place objects on top of the computer.

• Do not slam the lid shut. Close the computer gently.

Do not place the computer on unstable or uneven surfaces.

•

Taking care of your AC adapter

It is important that you look after your AC adapter.

• Do not connect the adapter to any other device.

• Do not step on the power cord or place heavy objects on it. Route the power cord

away from areas where people might walk on it or trip over it. Do not pull on the power cord when disconnecting from the mains power socket.

•

Grasp and pull the plug instead.

• The total ampere ratings of equipment plugged into a power strip should not

exceed the ampere rating for that power strip.

Taking care of your battery pack

It is also important that you look after your computer's battery pack.

• Use the correct battery model for your computer. Do not use other kinds of

batteries.

• Turn the power off before removing or replacing the battery.

• Do not tamper with the battery. Keep the battery away from children.

• Dispose of batteries according to local regulations. Recycle if possible.

Cleaning and servicing

When cleaning your computer, it is important that you follow these steps:

1 Turn off the computer and remove the battery. 2 Disconnect the AC adapter. 3 Clean with a soft cloth mo istened with a little water. Do not use liquid or aerosol

cleaners.

Refer to the chapter entitled Troubleshooting my computer if any of the following occurs:

• You drop the computer or damage the case.

• You spill liquid on the computer.

• The computer does not operate normally.

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Getting familiar with

your computer

Your Aspire 1300 series notebook computer combines solid performance, versatility, multimedia capabilities and portability with a stylish design. Increase your productivity by working wherever you are.

This chapter provides an in-depth "tour" of your computer's features.

A tour of your computer

After setting up your new Aspire notebook computer, as illustrated in the Just for starters… poster, take a few minutes to explore the unit.

Front view

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Getting familiar with your computer4

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# Item Description

1 Display Large liquid crystal display (LCD) provides visual output.

2 Launch keys 4 buttons that can be programmed to start frequently used

3 Power button T urns the computer on and off.

4 T ouchpad Touch sensitive pad that functions like a computer mouse.

5 Click buttons &

scroll key

6 Speakers Left and right speakers deliver stereo audio output.

7 Palm rest Provides a comfortable platform for your hands when typing

8 Keyboa rd Full-size keyboard for inputting typed data.

9 Status indicators Light emitting diodes (LED) that show the status of the

10 Latch Locks and releases the lid.

applications.

Right and left buttons that provide the same functions as the buttons on a computer mouse. The scroll key scrolls the contents of a window up and down.

on the keyboard.

computer and its components.

Left view

# Item Description

1 Modem jack Connects the built-in fax/data modem to a

phone line.

2 Network jack Connects the computer to an Ethernet 10/100-

based network.

3 Microphone-in jack Connects an external microphone for audio

input.

4 Headphone jack Connects headphones for audio output.

5 PC card eject button Press the eject button to remove a PC card from

the PC card slot.

6 PC card slot The slot supports a standard Type II or T ype III

PC card (PCMCIA or CardBus).

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7 Floppy disk drive Supports a standard 3.5" diskette.

8 Floppy dis k eject button Press the eject button to remove a diskette from

the floppy disk drive.

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Getting familiar with your computer6

Right view

# Item Description

1 Optical drive Depending on your model, the optical drive is one

of the following:

• CD-ROM drive for reading CDs.

• DVD-ROM drive for reading CDs and DVDs.

• DVD/CD-RW combo drive for reading CDs and DVDs, and writing to CD-Rs and CD-RWs.

2 Optical drive emergency

eject hole

3 Optical drive eject button Press the eject button to remove a disc from the

4 Optical disc read indicator Light emitting diode (LED) that indicates when an

Used to eject an optical disc when the computer is turned off.

optical drive.

optical disc is being read.

Rear vi ew

# Item Description

1 Kensington lock slot For attaching a security connector.

2 DC-in jack Connects the AC adapter.

3 USB ports 2 ports for connecting USB devices.

4 External display port Connects an external (VGA) display monitor.

5 Parallel port Connects a parallel device, such as a printer.

6 Ventilation slots Enables the computer to stay cool, even after

prolonged use.

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Getting familiar with your computer8

Bottom view

# Item Description

1 Ventilation slots Enables the computer to stay cool, even after

prolonged use.

2 Battery The computer's removable battery.

3 Battery release latc h Slide and hol d t he lat c h, and then pu ll th e batt ery t o

4 Hard disk bay Removable cover provides access to the computer's

5 Memory compartment Removable cover provides access to the memory

remove it from the unit.

hard drive.

slots for upgrading the computer's memory.

Features

Performance

• Mobile AMD Athlon XP1400+, XP1600+, or higher processor.

• VIA ProSavage KN133 chipset.

• 2 memory slots supporting 133MHz SDRAM (P C-133), upgradeable to 1GB.

• 20GB Enhanced-IDE hard disk.

• Microsoft Windows XP op erating system.

Multimedia

• Built-in optical drive (CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or DVD/CD-RW combo drive).

• 14.1” or 15.0” XGA TFT LCD panel.

• Built-in stereo speakers.

• Audio input and output jacks.

Connectivity

• Integrated 10/100Mbps Ethernet connection.

Built-in 56Kbps fax/data modem.

•

• 2 universal serial bus (USB) ports.

Human-centric design and ergonomics

• All-in-one design (incorporating hard drive, optical d rive and floppy disk drive).

• Rugged, yet extremely portable, construction.

• Stylish appearance.

• Full-size keyboard with 4 programmable launch keys.

Comfortable palm rest area with well-positioned touchpad.

•

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Expansion

• PC card slot enables a range of add-on options.

• Upgradeable hard disk and memory modules.

Display

Getting familiar with your computer10

English

The 14.1” or 15.0” display panel provides a large viewing area for maximum efficiency and ease-of-use. The thin-film transistor (TFT) liquid crystal display (LCD) supports extended graphics array (XGA) resolution, enabling 16.7 million colors at 1024 x 768.

Video performance

Your Aspire 1300 series notebook computer features an accelerated graphics port (AGP) video system integrated in the VIA ProSavage KN133 chipset. This provides a robust solution, while enabling high quality video output.

Simultaneous display

Your computer's large display, combined with its multimedia cap abilities, makes it ideally suited to delivering presentations .

You can also connect an external monitor or projector, and then cho ose to use the computer's LCD panel only, the external device only, or the LCD panel and external device simultaneously.

Simultaneous display allows you to manage a presentation on your computer, while your audience watches the monitor or projector screen.

Indicators

Your computer provides an array of six indicators located above the keyboard, in addition to two indicators positioned at the front of the palm rest area. These indicators show the status of the computer and its components.

The six indicators located above the keyboard provide the following status information:

# Description

Caps Lock active.

Num Lock active. (Note: the keypad lock must be turn ed on to use the embedded numeric keypad.)

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Scroll Lock active.

Floppy disk drive activity.

Hard disk drive activity.

Optical drive activity.

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Getting familiar with your computer12

The two indicators located at the front of the unit provide the following status information:

# Description

Battery charge: Green the AC adapter is connected and the battery is fully charged. Amber the AC adapter is connected and the battery is charging. Red the AC adapter is connected and the battery has a fault. Off the AC adapter is not connected, or the battery is not installed.

Power mode: Steady green the computer is on (even if the display is turned off). Flashing green the computer is in standby mode. Off the computer is turned off, or in hibernation mode.

Keyboar d

The keyboard features full-size keys with an embedded keypad, separate cursor control keys, two Windows keys, and twelve function keys (hot keys).

Special keys

Lock keys

F10

Scr LK

NumLK

Caps Lock

The computer features three lock keys, each with its own status indicator light.

Lock Key Description

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

Toggle on and off by pressing the Caps Lock key on the left side of the keyboard.

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Num Lock When Num Lock is on, the embedded nu meric keypad can be used. Toggle

on and off by pressing the Fn + F9 k eys simultaneously.

Scroll Lock When Scroll Lock is on, the screen toggles up or down one line at a time

when the up and down cursor control keys are pressed. Note: Scroll Lock doesn't work in all applications. T oggle o n and off by pr essing the Fn + F10 keys simultaneously.

Embedded keypad

Getting familiar with your computer14

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The embedded keypad functions like a desktop numeric keypad. It is indicated by small blue numbers and characters on the applicable keys.

7 8 9 *

4 5 6 -

1 2 3 +

0 . /

To use the embedded numeric keys, toggle the Num Lk on by pressing the Fn + F9 keys simultaneously.

With the embedded keypad turned on, the following actions are possible:

Desired Access Num lock On Num lock Off

Number keys on embedded keypad.

Cursor control keys on embedded keypad.

Type numbers using embedded keyp ad in the normal way.

Hold down the Shift key while using the cursor keys on the embedded keypad.

Hold Fn key wh ile using cursor-control keys.

Main keyboard keys. Hold down the Fn key w hile

typing letters using the embedded keypad keys. Simultaneously press the Shift key for ca pital letters.

Type letters in the normal way.

Windows keys

The keyboard features two keys that provide Windows-specific functions.

Key Description

Windows key Pressed alone, this key has t he sa me eff ect as c li ckin g o n t he 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 ( á + M) action.

+ R opens the Run dialog box.

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Applications key This key has the same effect as clicking the right mouse button; it

opens the ap plication's context menu.

Hotkeys

Getting familiar with your computer16

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Using the Fn key with another key creates a hot key, providing a quick and convenient method for controlling various functions.

To use a hot key, first hold down the Fn key. Next, press the second key in the combination. Finally, release both keys.

Your computer provides the following hot keys:

HotKey Function

Fn + F1 Decreases the display panel b rightness.

Fn + F2 Increases the di splay panel brightness.

Fn + F5 Toggles t he di s play setting between (1 ) t he c o mpu t e r's LC D pa n el, (2)

an externa l display de vice connecte d to the external display port, and (3) simultaneo us dis pla y on the c omp ut er's LC D p anel and an exte rnal display device.

Fn + F9 Toggles Num Lk on and o ff. (See "Special keys ").

Fn + F10 Toggles the keyboard's Scroll Lock on and off. (See "Special keys").

Fn + Home Toggles the sound on and off. (Mute.)

Fn + Page Up Increases the sound vo lu me. (Doesn't work for an external keyboard.)

Fn + Page Down Decreases the sound volu me. (D oesn 't w or k f o r an e xt ern al k e ybo a r d. )

Euro key

Your computer supports the new Euro currency character. First, hold down the Alt Gr key, and then press the Euro key..

Alt Gr

Keyboard ergonomics

The wide palm rest area provides a comfortable platform for your hands when typi ng on the keyboard. The ergonomic design enables you to adopt a relaxed, yet very efficient, typing style.

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To u c h p a d

Getting familiar with your computer18

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The built-in touchpad is a PS/2- compatible pointing device that senses movement on its surface. The cursor responds to your finger movements on the touchpad. In addition, the two click buttons provide the same functionality as a computer mouse, while the scroll key enables easy up and down scrolling in documents and web pages.

The touchpad is located in the middle of the palm rest area, providing maximum comfort and efficiency.

Touchpad basics

Use the touchpad as follows:

• Slide your finger over the surface of the touchpad to control the movement of the

cursor. Tap the touchpad to perform selection and execution functions.

• Press the left (1) and right (3) click buttons to perform selection and execution

functions, just as you would use the buttons on a computer mouse.

• Use the scroll key (2) to scroll through long documents and web pages . Pres s the

top of th e key to scroll up, and the bottom to scroll down.

Function Left Button

Execute Click twice quickly. Tap twice quickly.

Select Click once. Tap once.

Drag Click and hold.

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

Access content menu

Note: keep your fingers, as well as the surface of the touchpad, clean and dry. The touchpad is sensitive to your finger movements: the lighter your touch, the better the response. Tapping hard will not increase the touchpad's responsiveness.

Right Button

Click once.

Tap

Tap twice quickly. On the second tap, slide your finger acr oss the t ouc h pad to drag the cursor over the selection.

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