Acer ASPIRE 2000 User Manual

Acer Aspire 2000 series

User’s guide

Acer Aspire 2000 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 2000 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.acer.com.

Basic care and tips for using your computer

English

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 on the popup menu.

• Push the power button. To use this method, you must first click on the

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.

Shut Down

Power

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.

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 69 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.

English

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

Open view 3 Front view 5 Top view 6 Left view 7 Right view 8 Rear view 9

Bottom view 11 Features 12 Display 13 Indicators 14 Keyboard 16

Special keys

Lock keys 16 Touchpad 22

Touchpad basics 22 Launch keys 24 Storage 25

Ejecting the optical disc 26 Connectivity options 27

Ethernet and LAN 27

Fax/data modem 28 Audio 29 Media Control Button 30 Securing your computer 31

Security slot 31

Passwords 31

English

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

Optimizing battery life 37

Battery-low warning 38 Power management 39

Peripherals and options 41

External display devices 43

English

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 52

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 Aspire Arcade 64

LBIOS Setup Utility 65

Troubleshooting 67

Frequently asked questions 69

Appendix A Specifications 73

Appendix B Notices 79

Index 101

English

Getting familiar with

your computer

Your Aspire 2000 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.

Open view

English

# Item Description

1 Display Wide screen display provides visual

output.

2 Launch keys 4 buttons that can be programmed to

start frequently used applications.

3 Stereo Speakers Produce stereo sound

# Item Description

Getting familiar with your computer

English

4 Touchpad Touch sensitive pad that functions like

5 Click buttons & 4-way

scroll key

a computer mouse.

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, as well as right and left.

Front view

# Item Description

1 Headphone-in jack Connects headphones for audio output

2 Microphone-in jack Connects an external microphone for

audio input

3 4 in 1 Card Reader Supports MS/MMC/SD/SM kinds of memory

sticks

English

4 Latch Locks and releases the lid

5 Bluetooth Button Stares (optional) Bluetooth functionality

6 Wireless Button Turns an optional internal wireless device

on or off

Getting familiar with your computer

Top view

English

# Item Description

1 Status Indicator LEDs that turn on and off to show the

status of the computers. It’s function and components.

2 Arcade Multimedia button

3 LCM Panel Panel control display

4 Stop Button Stop the Arcade application

5 Naviagation Button Multimedia Button

Left view

# Item Description

1 PC card slot The slot supports a standard Type II PC

card (PCMCIA or CardBus).

2 PC card eject button Press the eject button to remove a PC

card from the PC card slot.

3 Eject button Ejecting a Disc

4 Slot-in Optical Support an optical disc.

English

Getting familiar with your computer

Right view

English

# Item Description

1 Infrared port Interfaces with infrared devices

2 DC-in jack Connect the AC adapter

3 Kensington lock slot For attaching a security connector.

4 Ventilation Hole Enables the computer to stay cool, even

(e.g.,infrared printer, IR-aware computer)

after prolonged use.

Rear view

# Item Description

1 S-video Connects to a television or display device

with S-video input.

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

3,4,8USB ports Three USB 2.0 ports for connecting USB

devices.

English

5 Network jack Connects the computer to an Ethernet 10/

100-based network.

# Item Description

Getting familiar with your computer

English

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

phone line.

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

9 IEEE 1394 port Connects IEEE 1394 devices.

Bottom view

# Item Description

English

1 Mini-PCI Slot Slot for adding mini-PCI cards

2 Hard disk bay Removable cover provides access to the

computer's hard drive.

3 Memory compartment Removable cover provides access to the

memory slots for upgrading the computer's memory.

4 Battery pack The computer's removable battery.

5 Sub-Woofer Speaker to output base sound

Features

Getting familiar with your computer

English

Performance

• Intel® Pentium® M Porcessor at 1.4 GHz or higher .

• 2 memory slots supporting 333 MHz DDR, upgradeable to 2GB.

• 30GB and up Enhanced-IDE hard disk drive.

Multimedia

• Built-in optical drive (Slot-in DVD/CD-RW Combo or Slot-in DVD

Rewritable Drives).

• 15.4” TFT XGA ,1280x800(WXGA)/1680x1050(WXGA+) panel.

• Built-in stereo speakers.

• Audio input and output jacks.

Connectivity

• Integrated 10/100Mbps Ethernet connection.

• Built-in 56Kbps fax/data modem.

• Three universal serial bus (USB 2.0) ports.

• One IEEE 1394 port.

• 802.11b and 802.11a/b Wireless LAN and Bluetooth

(manufacturing optional).

Human-centric design

• Rugged, yet extremely portable, construction.

• Stylish appearance.

• Standard keyboard 85 keys with four programmable launch keys.

• Comfortable palm rest area with well-positioned touchpad.

Expansion

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

• Upgradeable hard disk and memory modules.

Display

• The 15.4” display panel provides a large viewing area for maximum efficiency and ease-of-use. The Thin-Film Transistor (TFT) supports WSXGA up to resolution.

• ATI Radeon 9200 with 64MB/128MB(optional) DDR VGA Memory.

• Supports simultaneous display between LCD and CRT display.

• S-video for output to a television or display device that supports S-video input.

• One 1x16 LCM for multimedia feature and status message showing.

• Dual View support.

English

Indicators

Getting familiar with your computer

English

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

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

Icon Description

Caps Lock activity.

Num Lock activity.

Icon Description

Scroll Lock activity.

Note: The keypad lock must be turned on to use the embedded numeric keypad.

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

Icon Item Description

Power mode • Steady green -- power on

• Flashing orange -- standby mode

• Orange -- hibernation mode

Hard Disc mode • Lights to Indicate when the hard

disc drive is reading or writing data.

English

Battery mode • Blue -- fully charged

• Flashing orange -- being charged

• Orange -- low on power

Bluetooth mode Lights to indicate that Bluetooth

Wireless LAN mode Lights to Indicate status of wireless

(optional) is enabled.

LAN (optional) communication.

Keyboard

Getting familiar with your computer

English

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

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.

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

Scroll Lock When Scroll Lock is on, the screen toggles up or down one

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

line at a time when the up and down cursor control keys are pressed.

English

Note: Scroll Lock doesn't work in all applications. Toggle on and off by pressing the Fn + F12 keys simultaneously.

Embedded keypad

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

To use the embedded numeric keys, toggle the Num Lk on by pressing the Fn + F11 keys simultaneously.

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

English

Desired Access Num lock On Num lock Off

Number keys on embedded keypad

Cursor control keys on embedded keypad

Type numbers using embedded keypad in the normal way.

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

Hold Fn key while using cursor-control keys.

Desired Access Num lock On Num lock Off

Getting familiar with your computer

English

Main keyboard keys Hold down the Fn key

while typing letters using the embedded keypad keys. Simultaneously press the Shift key for capital 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 the same effect as clicking on

the Windows Start button; it launches the Start menu. It can also be used with other keys to provide a variety of functions:

+ Tab activates the next Taskbar button. + E opens the My Computer window. + F1 opens Help and Support. + F opens the Find: All Files dialog box.

+ M minimizes all windows.

Shift + + M undoes the minimize all windows ( + M) action.

+ R opens the Run dialog box.

English

Application key This key has the same effect as clicking the right mouse

button; it opens the application's context menu.

Hot keys

Getting familiar with your computer

English

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 Description

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

Fn + F2 Setup Accesses the computer’s

configuration utility.

Fn + F3 Power

management scheme toggle

Fn + F4 Sleep Puts the computer in Sleep mode.

Fn + F5 Display toggle Switches display output between

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

See “Power management” on page 39.

“Power management” on page 39.

See

the display screen, external monitor (if connected) and both the display screen and external monitor.

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