Acer ASPIRE 1450 User Manual

Acer Aspire 1450 series

User’s guide

Copyright © 2003
All Rights Reserved

Acer Aspire 1450 Series Notebook Computer User's Guide
Original Issue: September 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 correspondense 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.

Acer Aspire 1450 series Notebook computer

Model Number : _________________________________

Serial Number: ___________________________________

Purchase Date: ___________________________________

Place of Purchase: ________________________________

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

iii

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 support, 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.

iv

English

Note: If you are unable to shut down the computer in the usual
way, press and hold the power button 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.

v

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:

• Turn off the computer and remove the battery.

• Disconnect the AC adapter.

• Clean with a soft cloth moistened with a little water. Do not use
liquid or aerosol cleaners.

Refer to the chapter entitled “Frequently asked questions” on page 67
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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vi

First things first iii

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

Getting familiar with

your computer 1

A tour of your computer 3

Front open view 3
Front view 4
Left view 6
Right view 7
Rear view 8

Bottom view 9
Features 11
Indicators 13
Using the Keyboard 14

Special keys 14
Touchpad 21

Touchpad basics 21
Launch Keys 23

24

Storage 25

Hard disk 25

Optical drive 25

Emergency ejection of the optical drive tray 26
Audio 27

Adjusting the volume 27
Connectivity options 28

Ethernet and LAN 28

Fax/data modem 29

Fast infrared 30
Securing your computer 31

Using a computer security lock 31

Using passwords 31

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Contents

Operating on

battery power 33

Battery pack 35

Battery pack characteristics 35

Installing and removing the battery pack 36

Charging the battery 37

Checking the battery level 37

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Optimizing battery life 37
Battery-low warning 38

Power management 39

Peripherals and options 41

External display devices 43
External input devices 43

External keyboard 43
External keypad 43
External pointing device 43
USB devices 44

IEEE 1394 Port 45
Printer 46
Audio devices 46
Expansion devices 47

PC Card 47
Miscellaneous options 49

Battery pack 49

AC adapter 49
Key component upgrades 50

Memory upgrade 50

Hard disk upgrade 51

Moving with your computer 53

Disconnecting from the desktop 55
Moving around 56

Preparing the computer 56

What to bring to short meetings 56

What to bring to long meetings 56
Taking the computer home 57

Preparing the computer 57

What to bring with you 57

Special considerations 57

Setting up a home office 58
Traveling with the computer 59

Preparing the computer 59

What to take with you 59

Special considerations 59
Traveling internationally with your computer 60

Preparing the computer 60

What to take with you 60

Special considerations 60

Software 61

System software 63

Launch Manager 63

BIOS Setup Utility 64

Troubleshooting 65

Frequently asked questions 67
Requesting service 70

International Travelers Warranty (ITW) 70
Before you call 70

72

Appendix A Specifications 73

Appendix B Notices 79

Index 87

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Getting familiar with

your computer

Your Aspire 1450 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.

3

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 open view

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# Item Description

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

2 Power button Turns on the computer.

3 Touchpad Touch-sensitive pointing device which

displays computer output.

functions like a computer mouse.

4

# Item Description

Getting familiar with your computer

English

4 Click buttons (left, center

and right)

5 Palmrest Comfortable support area for your

6 Keyboard Inputs data into your computer.

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

8 Microphone Internal microphone for sound

9 Launch keys Special keys for launching internet

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

hands when you use the computer.

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

recording.

browser, email program and frequently
used programs. See “Launch Keys” on
page 23 for more details.

Front view

# Item Description

1 Speaker Outputs sound.

5

# Item Description

2

4-in-1 card reader

1

Reads cards from Smart Media,
Memory Stick, MultiMedia, and Secure
Digital cards.

3

4-in-1 card reader

1

Displays activity of 4-in-1 card reader.

indicator

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

infrared printer, IR-aware computer).

5

Bluetooth button

6

Bluetooth indicator

7

InviLink button

8

InviLink indicator

2

Enables or disables Bluetooth
functionality.

Indicates that (optional) Bluetooth is

2

3

enabled.

Enables or disables wireless LAN
feature.

Indicates status of wireless LAN

3

communication.

9 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 card can operate at any given time.

2.Bluetooth button and indicator work on models with Bluetooth
only.
3 .I nv iL in k b ut to n a nd in d ic at or wo rk o n m od el s w ith wi re le ss
LAN only.

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6

Getting familiar with your computer

Left view

# Item Description

1 Four USB 2.0 ports Connect to Universal Serial Bus devices

(e.g., USB mouse, USB camera).

2 IEEE 1394 port Connects to IEEE 1394 devices.

3 PC Card slot The slot supports a standard Type II

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

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

6

Microphone jack

7 Headphone/ Speaker/

Line-out jack

CardBus PC Card.

CD player, stereo walkman).

Accepts input from external
microphones.

Connect to headphones or other line­out audio devices (speakers).

7

Right view

# Item Description

1 Optical drive Depending on your model, the optical

drive is one of the following:

• DVD-ROM drive for reading CDs and
DVDs.

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

• DVD dual for reading both DVD+/­RWs and writing to DVD+/-RWs.

2 Optical disc access

indicator

3 Optical drive eject

button

LED that indicates when an optical disc is
being read or written.

Press the eject button to remove a disc
from the optical drive.

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4 Optical drive

emergency eject hole

5 Power jack Connects to an AC adapter.

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

English

8

Getting familiar with your computer

Rear view

# Item Description

1 Modem jack Connects to a phone line.

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

network.

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

printer).

4 External display port Connects to a display device (e.g., external

monitor, LCD projector) .

5 S-video Connects to a television or display device

with S-video input.

6 Security keylock Connects to a Kensington-compatible

computer security lock.

9

Bottom view

# Item Description

1 Battery bay Houses the computer's battery pack.

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2 Battery release latch Unlatches the battery to remove the

battery pack.

3 Battery lock Locks the battery in place.

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

5 Hard disk protector Protects the hard disk from accidental

bumps and vibration.

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

by a screw).

7 Memory compartment Houses the computer’s main memory.

10

# Item Description

Getting familiar with your computer

English

8 Cooling fan Helps keep the computer cool.

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

9 Personal identification

slot

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

11

Features

Performance

• AMD AthlonTM XP-M processor at available in 1800+~2400+ and
higher.

• Memory upgradeable up to 2 GB with 2 slots (Only one slot for
user accessible)

• High-capacity, Enhanced-IDE hard disk

• Li-ion main battery pack

• Microsoft Windows XP operating system

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”

• 3D graphics engine

• 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

• DualView

TM

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Multimedia

• AC’97 stereo audio

• Built-in dual speakers.

• Built-in microphone.

• High-speed optical drive

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

• 14.1” or 15.0” TFT XGA(1024x768 resolution) panel.

• Audio input and output jacks.

Connectivity

• High-speed fax/data modem port

• Ethernet/Fast Ethernet port

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12

• Fast infrared wireless communication

• Four USB 2.0 (Universal Serial Bus) ports

• IEEE 1394 port

• InviLink 802.11g wireless LAN (manufacturing optional)

• Bluetooth ready (manufacturing optional)

• SD/MMC/SM/MS memory slot (manufacturing optional)

Getting familiar with your computer

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

13

Indicators

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

The Power and Battery status indicators are visible even when the dis­play is closed.

Icon Function Description

Caps lock Lights when Caps Lock is activated.

Num lock Lights when Num Lock is activated.

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Media Activity Lights when the disc or optical drive is

activated.

Power Lights green when the power is on and

orange when the computer is in
standby mode.

Battery Lights orange when the battery is

charging.

14

Using the Keyboard

Getting familiar with your computer

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 are typed in

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

Num Lock When Num Lock is on, the embedded numeric keypad can be

used. Toggle on and off by pressing the Fn + F11 keys
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.

15

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

Type numbers in a
normal manner.

Hold Shift while using
cursor-control keys.

Hold Fn while using
cursor-control keys.

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Main keyboard keys Hold Fn while typing

letters on embedded
keypad.

Type the letters in a
normal manner.

English

16

Getting familiar with your computer

Windows keys

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

Key Description

Windows logo
key

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

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.

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)

17

Hot keys

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:

Hot key Icon Function Description

Fn-F1 Hot key help Displays help on hot keys.

Fn-F2 Setup Accesses the computer’s

configuration utility.

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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 “Connectivity options” on
page 28.

mode.
See “Connectivity options” on

page 28.

18

Hot key Icon Function Description

Getting familiar with your computer

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.

19

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 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.
4 Verify that the keyboard layout used for "En English (United

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

International and click on OK.

5 Click on OK.

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To type the Euro symbol:
1 Locate the Euro symbol on your keyboard.
2 Open a text editor or word processor.
3Hold Alt Gr and press the Euro symbol.

English

20

Getting familiar with your computer

Note: Some fonts and software do not support the Euro symbol.
Please refer to www.microsoft.com/typography/faq/faq12.htm
more information.

for