Acer ASPIRE 2420 User Manual

Aspire 3620/TravelMate 2420 Series

Service Guide

Service guide files and updates are available

on the ACER/CSD web; for more information,

please refer to http://csd.acer.com.tw

PRINTED IN TAIWAN

Revision History

Please refer to the table below for the updates made on Aspire 3620/TravelMate 2420 service guide.

Date Chapter Updates

2006/01/13 Chapter 1

Add Intel cache, 1.73GHz, 533 MHz FSB) to page 1.

Pentium® M 730/740 Processor (2 MB L2

Copyright

Copyright © 2005 by Acer Incorporated. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language or computer language, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, magnetic, optical, chemical, manual or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Acer Incorporated.

Disclaimer

The information in this guide is subject to change without notice.

Acer Incorporated makes no representations or warranties, either expressed or implied, with respect to the contents hereof and specifically disclaims any warranties of merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose. Any Acer Incorporated software described in this manual is sold or licensed "as is". Should the programs prove defective following their purchase, the buyer (and not Acer Incorporated, its distributor, or its dealer) assumes the entire cost of all necessary servicing, repair, and any incidental or consequential damages resulting from any defect in the software.

Acer is a registered trademark of Acer Corporation. Intel is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation. Pentium and Pentium II/III are trademarks of Intel Corporation. Other brand and product names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

III

Conventions

The following conventions are used in this manual:

SCREEN MESSAGES Denotes actual messages that appear

on screen.

NOTE Gives bits and pieces of additional

information related to the current topic.

WARNING Alerts you to any damage that might

result from doing or not doing specific actions.

CAUTION Gives precautionary measures to

avoid possible hardware or software problems.

IMPORTANT Reminds you to do specific actions

relevant to the accomplishment of procedures.

Preface

Before using this information and the product it supports, please read the following general information.

1. This Service Guide provides you with all technical information relating to the BASIC CONFIGURATION decided for Acer's "global" product offering. To better fit local market requirements and enhance product competitiveness, your regional office MAY have decided to extend the functionality of a machine (e.g. add-on card, modem, or extra memory capability). These LOCALIZED FEATURES will NOT be covered in this generic service guide. In such cases, please contact your regional offices or the responsible personnel/channel to provide you with further technical details.

2. Please note WHEN ORDERING FRU PARTS, that you should check the most up-to-date information available on your regional web or channel. If, for whatever reason, a part number change is made, it will not be noted in the printed Service Guide. For ACER-AUTHORIZED SERVICE PROVIDERS, your Acer office may have a DIFFERENT part number code to those given in the FRU list of this printed Service Guide. You MUST use the list provided by your regional Acer office to order FRU parts for repair and service of customer machines.

Chapter 1 System Specifications 1

Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

System Block Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Board Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Top View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Bottom View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Your Acer Notebook tour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Aspire 3620 front View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

TravelMate 2420 front view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Closed Front View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Left View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Right View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Rear Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Bottom Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Easy-Launch Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Touchpad Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Using the Keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Lock Keys and embedded numeric keypad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Windows Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Hot Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Special Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Acer Empowering Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Acer eDataSecurity Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Acer eLock Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Acer ePerformance Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Acer eRecovery Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Acer eSettings Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Acer ePower Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Hardware Specifications and Configurations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

Chapter 2 System Utilities 37

BIOS Setup Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

Navigating the BIOS Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39

Main . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42

Boot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46

Exit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47

BIOS Flash Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48

Chapter 3 Machine Disassembly and Replacement 49

General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50

Before You Begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50

Disassembly Procedure Flowchart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51

Removing the Battery Pack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53

Removing the Wireless LAN Card/the HDD Module/the Memory/

the ODD Module and the LCD Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54

Removing the Memory and the HDD Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54

Removing the ODD Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55

Removing the LCD Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55

Disassembling the Main Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58

Table of Contents

Separate the Main Unit Into the Upper and the Lower Case Assembly . . . . . . .58

Disassembling the Lower Case Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58

Disassembling the Upper Case Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60

Disassembling the LCD Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62

Disassembling the External Modules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64

Disassembling the HDD Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64

Disassembling the ODD Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64

Chapter 4 Troubleshooting 65

System Check Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66

External Diskette Drive Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66

External CD-ROM Drive Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66

Keyboard or Auxiliary Input Device Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66

Memory check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67

Power System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67

Touchpad Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69

Power-On Self-Test (POST) Error Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70

Index of Error Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71

Phoenix BIOS Beep Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74

Index of Symptom-to-FRU Error Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78

Intermittent Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81

Undetermined Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82

Chapter 5 Jumper and Connector Locations 83

Top View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83

Bottom View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84

Chapter 6 FRU (Field Replaceable Unit) List 85

Aspire 3620/TravelMate 2420 Exploded Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86

System Specifications

Features

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

Platform and memroy

T Intel

T Two DIMM slots support 128MB to 2GB system memory

Display and graphics

T 14.1” WXGA color TFT LCD, 1280 x 800 pixel resolution, supporting simultaneous multi-window

T 16.7 million colors

T Intel

T Simultaneous LCD and CRT display, with LCD panel refresh rate at 70 Hz

T MPEG-2/DVD hardware-assisted capability

Pentium® M 725 Processor (2 MB L2 cache, 1.6GHz, 400 MHz FSB) or Intel® Pentium® M

730/740Processor (2 MB L2 cache, 1.73GHz, 533 MHz FSB)

Celeron M 370/380/390 Processor (1 MB L2 cache, 1.50/1.60/1.70GHz, 400MHz FSB)

910GML+ICH6M

viewing on dual display via Acer DridVista

GMA 900 integrated 3D graphics, with up to 128 MB of VRAM, supporting Microsoft®

directX

9.0 and dual independent display

Chapter 1

Storage subsystem

T 40/60/80/100/120 GB ATA/100 hard disk drive

T Optical drive options:

tDVD-Dual double layer drive

tDVD/CD-RW combo drive

Input devices

T 88/89-key keyboard

T Built-in touchpad with 4-way integrated scroll button

T Four easy-launch buttons

T Two front-access buttons: WLAN LED-button and Bluetooth

Audio

T Audio system with two built-in speakers and microphone

T Intel High-Definition audio support

T Sound Blaster Pro

T S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface) support for digital speakers

Communication

T Modem: 56K ITU V.92 modem with PTT approval; wake-on ring ready

T LAN: 10/100 Mbps Fast Ethernet; wake-on-LAN ready

T WLAN: integrated Acer InviLink

technology support

and MS-Sound compatible

802.11b/g WI-Fi® CERTIFIEDTM solution; Acer SignalUpTM

LED-button

Chapter 1 1

T WPAN: integrated Bluetooth

Human-centric design and ergonomics

T Rugged, yet extremely portable design

T Stylish appearance

T Full-size keyboard with four programmable launch keys

T Ergonomically-centered touchpad pointing device

T Internet 4-way scroll button

I/O Ports

T Three USB 2.0 ports

T PC Card slot (one type II)

T External display (VGA) port

T Headphones/speaker/line-out jack with S/PDIF

T Microphone-in jack

T Line-in jack

T Ethernet (RJ-45) port

T Modem (RJ-11) port

T DC-in jack for AC adaptor

Environment

T Temperature:

toperating: 5 C to 35 C

°°

tNon-operating: -20 C to 65 C

T Humidity (non-condensing):

toperating: 20%~80%

tNon-operating: 20%~80%

°°

2 Chapter 1

System Block Diagram

DDR II

400 MHz

DDR II

400 MHz

Line In

Int. MIC In

Line Out

INT.SPKR

PCB Layer Stackup

L1: Signal 1 L2:VCC L3: Signal 2 L4: Signal 3 L5: GND L6: Signal 4

CLK GEN.

IDT CV125

11,12

Codec

ALC655

OP AMP

G1421B

MODEM

MDC Card

Mobile CPU

Dothan

3 4, 5

HOST BUS

400MHz

Intel 910GML

400MHz

DMI I/F

ACLINK

ICH6-M

PATA

HDD

CD ROM

400MHz

6,7,8,9,10

100MHz

15,16,17,18

MINI USB Blue-tooth

USB

4 PORT

G792

PCI BUS

LPC BUS

RGB

LVDS

ENE CB1410

10/100 RTL8110CL

LAN

CRT CONN

LCD

XGA

24,25

22, 23

Mini-PCI

802.11A/B/G

KBC

ENE KB3910

Pad

30 30

PWR SW

CP2211

TXFM

Xbus

INT_KBTouch

RJ45

BIOS ROM

4M BITS

PM39LV040-70JCE

PCMCIA

ONE SLOT

3129

Chapter 1 3

Board Layout

Top View

1 SW1 Switch 7 BLUE1 Bluetooth Cable Connector

2 LEDB1 LED Board Cable Connector 8 U39 LAN Connector: RTL8100CL

3 KB1 Keyboard Connector 9 RTC1 RTC Battery Connector

4 TPAD1 Touchpad Cable Connector 10 U40 Keyboard Controller: ENE CB-

1410QF

5 LCD1 LCD Cable Connector 11 SPKR1 Speaker Set Cable Connector

6 LAUNCH1 Launch Board Cable Connector

4 Chapter 1

Bottom View

NOTE: This is engineering sample. The image above may not be exactly the same as the real main board you

get.

1 USB2 USB port 13 ODD1 ODD Connector

2 USB3 USB port 14 WIN1 Wireless LAN Card Slotr

3 USB4 USB port 15 DM1 DIMM Slot1

4 LAN1 RJ11+RJ45 (Modem Port+ Ethernet

Port)

5MDCW1Modem Cable Connector 17 U44 Keyboard Controller (ENE KB3910SF)

6 CRT1 External Display Port 18 U49 BIOS ROM

7 MDC Modem Board Connector 19 U32 Audio Codec (Realtek ACL)

8 U41 CPU Socket 20 LIN1 Line-in Jack

9 U38 North Bridge () 21 MIC2 Headphones/Speakers/Line-Out Jack

10 FAN1 System Fan Cable Connector 22 LOUT1 Line-in Jack

11 BAT1 Battery Connector 23 PC1 PC Card Slot

12 U South Bridge () 24 HDD1 HDD Connector

16 DM3 DIMM Slot2

Chapter 1 5

Jumper Settings

PIN Description

Pin1-Pin8 Clear Password

Pin2-Pin7 No Function

Pin3-Pin6 No Function

Pin4-Pin5 No Function

6 Chapter 1

Your Acer Notebook tour

After knowing your computer features, let us show you around your new TravelMate computer.

Aspire 3620 front View

Chapter 1 7

TravelMate 2420 front view

# Icon Item Description

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

displays computer output.

2 Status indicators Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) that light up

to show the status of the computer’s functions and components.

3 Keyboard For entering data into your computer.

4 Touchpad Touch-sensitive pointing device which

functions like a computer mouse.

5 Click buttons (left,

center and right)

6 Palmrest Comfortable support area for our hands

7 Microphone Internal microphone for sound recording.

8 Power button Turns the computer on and off.

9 Easy-launch Buttons Buttons for launching frequently used

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

when you use the computer.

programs.

8 Chapter 1

Closed Front View

"Easy-launch buttons" on page 18

# Icon Item Description

2 Wireless

Bluetooth communication button/ indicator

communication button/ indicator

Press to enable/disable Bluetooth function. Lights to indicate the status of Bluetoothcommunications.

Press to enable/disable Wireless function. Lights to indicate the status of wireless LAN communications.

3 Speakers Left and right speakers deliver stereo audio

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

5 Microphone-in jack Accepts input from external microphones.

6 Headphones/

7 Battery indicator

speakers/line-out jack with S/PDIF support

output.

CD player, stereo walkman).

Connects to audio line-out devices (e.g., speakers, headphones).

Indicates the computer’s battery status.

8 Power indicator Indicates the computer’s power status

9 Latch Locks and release the lid.

Chapter 1 9

Left View

# Icon Item Description

1 Kensington lock slot Connects to a Kensington-compatible

2 Optical drive Internal optical drive; accepts CDs or

3 Optical disk access

4 Optical drive eject

5 Emergency eject hole Ejects the optical drive tray when the

6 PC Card slot eject

7 PC Card slot Accepts on Type II PC Card.

computer security lock.

DVDs.

Lights up when the optical drive is active.

indicator

Ejects the optical disk from the drive.

button

computer is turned off.

Ejects the PC Card from the slot.

button

Right View

# Icon Item Description

1 Three USB 2.0 ports Connect to USB 2.0 devices (e.g., USB

mouse, USB camera).

2 Ventilation slots Enable the computer to stay cool, even

after prolong use.

3 Modem (RJ-11) port Connects to a phone line.

10 Chapter 1

4 Ethernet (RJ-45) Connects to an Ethernet 10/100/1000-

based network.

Rear Panel

# Icon Item Description

1 DC-in jack Connects to an AC adapter.

Bottom Panel

External display (VGA) port

Battery Powers the computer

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

# Item Description

1 Battery lock Locks the battery in position.

2 Cooling fan Helps keep the computer cool.

Note: Do not cover or obstruct the opening of the fan.

Chapter 1 11

3 Hard disk bay Houses the computer’s hard disk (secured

with screws)

4 Memory compartment Houses the computer’s main memory.

5 Battery release latch Release the battery for removal.

6 Battery bay Houses the computer’s battery pack.

Indicators

The computer has four easy-to-read status indicators on the upper-right above the keyboard, and four on the front panel.

Aspire 3620:

TravelMate 2420:

The power, battery and wireless communication status indicators are visible even when the LCD display is closed.

12 Chapter 1

Icon Function Description

Cap lock Lights when Cap Lock is activated

Num lock Lights when Num Lock is activated.

HDD Indicates when the hard disc or optical

drive is active.

Bluetooth Indicates the status of Bluetooth

communication.

Wireless LAN Indicates the status of wireless LAN

communication.

Battery Lights up when the battery is being

charged.

Power Lights up when the computer is on.

NOTE: 1. Charging: The light shows amber when the battery is charging. 2. Fully charged: The light shows

green when in AC mode.

Easy-Launch Buttons

Located above the keyboard are four buttons. These buttons are called easy-launch buttons. They are: mail

Web browser, Empowering Key “ “and one user-programmable button.

Press “ “ to run the Acer Empowering Technology. The mail and Web browser buttons are pre-set to email and Internet programs, but can be reset by users. To set the Web browser, mail and programmable buttons, run the Acer Launch Manager.

Chapter 1 13

Launch key Default application

P User-programmable

Acer Empowering Technology (user-programmable)

Web browser Internet browser (user-programmable)

Mail Email application (user-programmable)

Touchpad Basics

The following teaches you how to use the touchpad:

Aspire 3620:

TravelMate 2420:

14 Chapter 1

T Move your finger across the touchpad (2) to move the cursor.

T Press the left (1) and right (4) buttons located beneath the touchpad to perform selection and

execution functions. These two buttons are similar to the left and right buttons on a mouse. Tapping on the touchpad is the same as clicking the left button.

T Use the 4-way scroll (3) button to scroll up or down and move left or right a page. This button

mimics your cursor pressing on the right scroll bar of Windows applications.

Function Left Button (1)

Execute Click twice

quickly

Select Click once Tap once

Drag Click and hold,

then use finger to drag the cursor on the touchpad

Access context menu

Scroll Click and hold to move

Right Button

(4)

Click once

Main touchpad

(2)

Tap twice (at the same speed as doubleclicking the mouse button)

Tap twice (at the same speed as doubleclicking a mouse button) then hold finger to the touchpad on the second tap to drag the cursor.

Center button (3)

up/down/left/right.

NOTE: Keep your fingers dry and clean when using the touchpad. Also keep the touchpad dry and clean. The

touchpad is sensitive to finger movements. Hence, the lighter the touch, the better the response. Tapping too hard will not increase the touchpad’s responsiveness.

Chapter 1 15

Using the Keyboard

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

Lock Keys and embedded numeric keypad

The keyboard has three lock keys which you can toggle on and off.

Aspire 3620:

TravelMate 2420:

Lock Key Description

Caps Lock When Caps Lock is on, all alphabetic characters typed

Num lock

Scroll lock

are in uppercase.

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.

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.

16 Chapter 1

Desired Access Num Lock On Num Lock Off

Main keyboard keys Hold <Fn> while typing

letters on embedded keypad.

Type the letters in a normal manner.

Windows Keys

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

Key Icon 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 function:

+ <Tab> Activates next taskbar button.

+ <E> Opens the My Computer window

+ <F1> Opens Help and Support.

+ <F> Opens the Find: All Files dialog box.

+ <R> Opens the Run dialog box.

+ M Minimizes all windows.

<Shift>+ + <M> Undoes the minimize all windows action.

This key has the same effect as clicking the right

Applicati

on key

mouse button; it opens the application’s context menu.

Hot Keys

The computer employs hotkeys or key combinations to access most of the computer’s controls like sreen brightness, volume output and the BIOS utility.

To activate hot keys, press and hold the <Fn> key before pressing the other key in the hotkey combination.

Aspire 3620:

TravelMate 2420:

Chapter 1 17

Hot Key Icon Function Description

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

Fn-F2 Acer eSetting Launches the Acer eSettings in Acer eManager.

Fn-F3 Acer

ePowerManagement

Fn-F4 Sleep Puts the computer in Sleep mode.

Fn-F5 Display toggle Switches display output between the display screen,

Fn-F6 Screen blank Turns the display screen backlight off to save power.

Fn-F7 Touchpad toggle Turns the internal touchpad on and off.

Fn-F8 Speaker toggle Turns the speakers on and off.

Fn-w Volume up Increases the speaker volume.

Launches the Acer ePowerManagement in Acer eManager.

external monitor (if connected) and both.

Press any key to return.

Fn-y Volume down Decreases the speaker volume.

Fn-x Brightness up Increases the screen brightness.

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Hot Key Icon Function Description

Fn-z Brightness down Decreases the screen brightness

Special Key

You can locate the Euro symbol and US dollar sign at the upper-center and/or bottom-right of your keyboard. To t y pe :

Aspire 3620:

TravelMate 2420:

The Euro symbol

1. Open a text editor or word processor.

2. Either directly press the <Euro> symbol at the bottom-right of the keyboard, or hold <Alt Gr> and then press the<5> symbol at the upper-center of the keyboard.

The US dollar sign

1. Open a text editor or word processor.

2. Either directly press the <Dollar> key at the bottom-right of the keyboard, or hold <Shift> and then press the <4> key at the upper-center of the keyboard.

NOTE: This function varies by the operating system version.

NOTE: Some fonts and software do not support the Euro symbol. Please refer to www.microsoft.com/

typography/faq/faq12.htm for more information.

Chapter 1 19

Acer Empowering Technology

Acer’s innovative Empowering Technology makes it easy for you to access frequently used functions and manage your new Acer notebook. It features the following handy utilities:

T Acer eDataSecurity Management protects data with passwords and advanced encryption algorithms. T Acer eLock Management limits access to external storage media. T Acer ePerformance Management improves system performance by optimizing disk space, memory and

registry settings.

T Acer eRecovery Management backs up/recovers data flexibly, reliably and completely. T Acer eSettings Management accesses system information and adjusts settings easily. T Acer ePower Management extends battery power via versatile usage profiles. T Acer ePresentation Management connects to a projector and adjusts display settings conveniently.

For more information, press the < > key to launch the Empowering Technology menu, then click on the appropriate utility and select the Help function.

Acer eDataSecurity Management

Acer eDataSecurity Management is handy file encryption utility that protexts your files from being accessed by unauthorized persons. It is conveniently integrated with Windows explorer as a shell extension for quick and

20 Chapter 1

easy data encryption/decryption and also supports on-the-fly file encryption for MSN Messager and Microsoft Outlook.

There are two passwords that can be used to encrypt/decrypt a file; the supervisor passowrd and the filespecific password. The supervisor passwork is a “master” password that cna decrypt any file on your system; the file-specific password will be used to encrypt files by default, or you cna choose to enter your own filespecific password when encrypting a file.

NOTE: The password used encrypt a file is the unique key that the system needs to decrypt it. If you lose the

password, the supervisor password is the only other key capable of decrypting the file. If you lose both passwords, there will be no way to decrypt your encryped file! Be sure to safeguard all related

passwords!

Chapter 1 21

Acer eLock Management

Acer eLock Management is a security utility that allows you to lock up your removable data, optical and floppy drives to ensure that data can’t be stolen while your notebook is unattended.

T Removable data devices - includes USB disk drives, USB pen drives, USB flash drives, USB MP3 drives,

USB memory card readers, IEEE 1394 disk drives and any other removable disk drives that can be mounted as a file system when plugged into the system.

T Optical drive deivces - includes any kind of CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drives. T Floppy disk drives - 3.5-inch disks only.

To activate Acer eLock Management, a password must be set first. Once set, you may apply lock to any of the three kinds of devices. Lock(s) will immediately be set without any reboot necessary, and will remain locked after rebooting, until unlocked.

If you do not set a password, Acer eLock Management will reset back to the initial status with all locks removed.

NOTE: If you lose your password, there is no method to reset it except by reformatting your notebook or taking

your notebook to anAcer Customer Serivce Center. Be sure to remember or write down your password.

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