Acer Aspire 3640, Travelmate 2440 Service Manual

Aspire 3640/TravelMate 2440 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 3640/TravelMate 2440 service guide.

Date Chapter Updates

2006/05/12 Chapter 1 Add “CPU Fan True Value Table” at page 34.

II

Copyright

Copyright © 2006 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.

IV

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.

V

VI

Table of Contents

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 3640 front View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

TravelMate 2440 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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Lock Keys and embedded numeric keypad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Windows Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Hot Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Special Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Acer Empowering Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Empowering Technology password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Acer ePower Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Acer ePresentation Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Acer eLock Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Acer eRecovery Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Acer eSettings Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Acer ePerformance Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Acer OrbiCam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Using the System Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

Acer GridVista (dual-display compatible) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

Launch Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

Hardware Specifications and Configurations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

Chapter 2 System Utilities 43

BIOS Setup Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43

Navigating the BIOS Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44

Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45

Main . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46

Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48

Boot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52

Exit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53

BIOS Flash Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54

Chapter 3 Machine Disassembly and Replacement 55

General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56

Before You Begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56

Disassembly Procedure Flowchart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57

Removing the Battery Pack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59

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

VII

Table of Contents

LCD Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60

Removing the Memory and the HDD Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60

Removing the ODD Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61

Removing the LCD Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61

Disassembling the Main Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64

Separate the Main Unit Into the Upper and the Lower Case Assembly . . . . . . .64

Disassembling the Lower Case Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64

Disassembling the Upper Case Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66

Disassembling the LCD Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68

Disassembling the External Modules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70

Disassembling the HDD Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70

Disassembling the ODD Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70

Chpater 4 Troubleshooting 71

System Check Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72

External Diskette Drive Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72

External CD-ROM Drive Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72

Keyboard or Auxiliary Input Device Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72

Memory check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73

Power System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73

Touchpad Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75

Power-On Self-Test (POST) Error Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76

Index of Error Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77

Phoenix BIOS Beep Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80

Index of Symptom-to-FRU Error Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84

Intermittent Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87

Undetermined Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88

Chapter 5 Jumper and Connector Locations 89

Top View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89

Bottom View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90

Chapter 6 FRU (Field Replaceable Unit) List 93

Aspire 3640/TravelMate 2440 Exploded Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94

VIII

System Specifications

Features

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

Platform and memroy

T Intel

T ATI RC410ME+ATI SB460

T Up to 2 GB of DDR2 533/677 MHz system memory, upgradeable to 2 GB using two soDIMM

Display and graphics

T 14.1” WXGA Acer CrystalBrite

T ATI Radeon

T 16.7 million colors

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

T MPEG-2/DVD hardware-assisted capability

®

Celeron® M Processor 410/420/430 (1MB L2 cache, 1.46/1.60/1.73 GHz, 533 MHz FSB) or

higher

modules

TM

TFT LCD, 1280 x 800 pixel resolution, supporting simultaneous

multi-window viewing via AcerAcer DridVista

®

Xpress 200M chipset with integrated 3D graphics, featuring HyperMemory and up to

128 MB of shared system memory

Chapter 1

TM

Storage subsystem

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

T Optical drive options:

tDVD-Super Multi double-layer

tDVD-Dual double-layer

tDVD/CD-RW combo drive

Input devices

T 88/89-key Acer FineTouch

travel

T Touchpad with 4-way scroll button

T 12 function keys, four media keys (play/pause, stop, previous, next), four cursor keys, two

Windows

T Four easy-launch buttons: Empowering Key, Internet, email, user-programmable button

T Two front-access switches: WLAN,Bluetooth

Audio

T Audio system with two built-in 1W speakers and microphone

T Intel

T Sound Blaster Pro

TM

keyboard with inverted “T” cursor layout, 2.5 mm (minimum) key

®

keys, hotkey controls, embedded numeric keypad, international language support

®

®

High-Definition audio support

TM

and MS-Sound compatible

Communication

T Acer Video Conference featuring Voice and Video over Internet Protocol (VVoIP) support via Acer

OrbiCam

Chapter 1 1

TM

and optional Acer Bluetooth VoIP phone

T Acer OrbiCam

T WLAN: integrated Acer InviLink

T LAN: Fast Ethernet; Wake-on-LAN ready

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

I/O Ports

T PC Card slot (one Type II)

T 2 USB 2.0 ports

T External display (VGA) port

T Headphones/speaker/line-out jack

T Microphone-in jack

T External display (VGA) port

T Ethernet (RJ-45) port

T Modem (RJ-11) port

T DC-in jack for AC adapter

Environment

T Temperature:

TM

integrated 310,000 pixel CMOS camera, featuring:

t225 degree ergonomic rotation

tAcer PrimaLite

TM

technology

technology support

toperating: 5 C to 35 C

°°

TM

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

tNon-operating: -20 C to 65 C

T Humidity (non-condensing):

toperating: 20%~80%

tNon-operating: 20%~80%

°°

2 Chapter 1

System Block Diagram

(CV136 / CY28RS400)

DDR2 x 2

Line In

30

30

MIC In

INT.MIC

Line Out
(SPDIF)

30

30

INT.SPKR

RJ11

CLK GEN.

ICS951413

11,12

Codec

ALC883

OP AMP

G1421B

MODEM

MDC Card

3

533/667MHz

AZALIA

30

31

22

Mobile CPU

Yonah 478

HOST BUS

ATI RC410ME

AGTL+ CPU I/F

SINGAL DDR2 CHANNEL

INTEGRATED GRAPHICS

LVDS/TVOUT/CRT

1 X4 PCIE SB I/F

6 X1 PCIE GPP I/F

Ver.:A13, 71.RC410.D0U

DMI I/F

ATI SB460

USB2.0 8Ports

SATA II (4 PORTS)

AZALIA HD AUDIO 1.0

AC97 2.3

ATA 66/100/133

LPC I/F

ACPI 1.2

INT RTC

PCI/PCI BDGE

Ver. : A11, 71.SB460.00U

SATA

CDROM

HDD

21

PATA

667MHz

100MHz

15,16,17,18,19

USB

3 PORT

22

MINI USB
Blue-tooth

21

4, 5

6,7,8,9,10

PCIE x 1

PCIE x 1

PCI BUS

LPC BUS

22

G792

20

SVIDEO/COMP

LVDS

RGB CRT

New card

CardReader

SA-0214

32

CARDBUS
ENE
CB1410

25

RICOH
R5C832

1394

28,29

LAN

Reltek10/100
RTL8100CL

SIO

NS87381

35

FIR

35

Mini-PCI

802.11A/B/G

23

Touch
Pad

KBC

ENE

3910

34 34

TVOUT

14

14"WXGA+ LCD

CRT

14

Mini Card*1

802.11A/B/G

PWR SW

32

TPS2231

PCMCIA I/F

PWR SW

TPS2211

26

1394
CONN

29

32

TXFM RJ45

24

33

INT.
KB

TOP

VCC

13

GND

BOTTOM

27

PCMCIA
SLOT

Support
TypeII

26

MS/MS Pro/xD/
MMC/SD/SDIO

6 in 1

24

BIOS

MX29LV800

36

PCB STACKUP

S

S

29

INPUTS

DCBATOUT

LPC

DEBUG

36

CONN.

<Variant Name>

<Variant Name>

<Variant Name>

Title

Title

Title

Size Document Number Rev

Size Document Number Rev

Size Document Number Rev
A3

A3

A3

Date: Sheet

Date: Sheet

Date: Sheet

Acer Inc.

9F, 88, Sec.1, Hsin Tai Wu Rd., Hsichih,
Taipei Hsien 221, Taiwan, R.O.C.

BLOCK DIAGRAM

BLOCK DIAGRAM

BLOCK DIAGRAM

AAspire 3640/TM2440

SYSTEM DC/DC

TPS51120

INPUTS

OUTPUTS

5V_S5

DCBATOUT

3D3V_S5

SYSTEM DC/DC

TPS51124

INPUTS OUTPUTS

1D8V_S3

DCBATOUT

1D2V_S0

APL531230

3D3V_S5 1D5V_S0

APL5913

1D2V_S3 1D05V_S0

TPS51100

1D8V_S3 DDR_VREF_S0

MAXIM CHARGER

MAX8725

OUTPUTSINPUTS

CHG_PWR

18V 4.0A

DCBATOUT

UP+5V

5V 100mA

CPU DC/DC

ISL6262

39,40

OUTPUTS

VCC_CORE_S0

0~1.3V 48A

146Tuesday, February 14, 2006

146Tuesday, February 14, 2006

146Tuesday, February 14, 2006

of

of

of

41

42

43

43

43

44

Chapter 1 3

Board Layout

Top View

1 U39 LAN controller RTL8100CL 8 KB1 Keyboard FFC connector

2 U34 PCMCIA controller ENE CB1410 9 LED1 LED FFC connector

3 U29 Clock generator ICS951413 10 TPAD1 Touch pad FFC connector

4 U17 KBC ENE3910 11 WLBTN1 Wireless LAN launch button

5 MIC1 Microphone cable connector 12 BTBTN1 Bluetooth launch button

6 LCD1 LCD cable connector 13 SPKR1 Speaker cable connector

7 CVR1 LID switch 14 BT1 Bluetooth module 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 U53 CPU socket 13 MINI1 Wireless LAN Card Slot

2 U51 North bridge ATI RC410ME 14 DM1 DIMM Slot1

3 U57 South bridge ATI SB460 15 DM2 DIMM Slot2

4 Audio Codec ALC883 16 HDD1 HDD connector

5 U49 BIOS ROM MX29LV800 17 LIN1 Line-in Jack

6 USB3 USB connector 18 MIC2 Headphones/Speakers/Line-Out Jack

7~8 USB1 USB connectors 19 LOUT1 Line-in Jack

9 CRT1 External VGA display 20 RTC1 RTC battery

10 MDC1 Modem board connector 21 FAN1 System fan connector

11 TRING1 Modem board cable connector 22 RJ1 RJ11 and RJ45 ports

12 CDROM1 ODD connector 23 BAT1 System battery module connector

Chapter 1 5

Jumper Settings/Clear BIOS Password Procedures

1. Remove the DIMM cover and the lower DDR2 memory module, then find out the G70 position on the main
board. Please just the lower DDR2 memory module, you will need the upper DDR2 memory module to
boot up the system.

2. Use a tweezers or a screwdriver to short the G70 pad and remain the short status.

3. Power on the system until POST is completed. Then you can release the tweezers or screwdriver. The

BIOS password should be cleared after these steps.

6 Chapter 1

Your Acer Notebook tour

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

Aspire 3640 front View

Chapter 1 7

TravelMate 2440 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

10 Built-in camera 310,000 pixel web camera for video

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.

communication.

8 Chapter 1

Closed Front View

"Easy-launch buttons" on page 18

"Easy-launch buttons" on page 18

# Icon Item Description

1 Speakers Left and right speakers deliver stereo audio

2 USB 2.0 ports Connect to USB 2.0 devices (e.g., USB

output.

mouse, USB camera).

3

4 Wireless

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

6 Microphone-in jack Accepts input from external microphones.

7 Headphones/

8 Battery indicator Indicates the computer’s battery status.

9 Power indicator Indicates the computer’s power status

Bluetooth
communication button/
indicator

communication button/
indicator

speakers/line-out jack
with S/PDIF support

®

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.

CD player, stereo walkman).

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

10 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

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.

Right View

# Icon Item Description

1 PC Card slot Accepts on Type II PC Card.

2 PC Card slot eject

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

4 Ventilation slots Enable the computer to stay cool, even

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

button

Ejects the PC Card from the slot.

mouse, USB camera).

after prolong use.

10 Chapter 1

6 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.

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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 3640:

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.

Aspire 3640:

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TravelMate 2440:

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:

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14 Chapter 1

TravelMate 2440:

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

Right Button

(4)

Main touchpad

(2)

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

Center button (3)

Chapter 1 15

Function Left Button (1)

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 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.

16 Chapter 1

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 3640:

TravelMate 2440:

Lock Key Description

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

Num lock

<Fn>+<F11>

Scroll lock

<Fn>+<F12>

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.

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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.

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TravelMate 2440:

18 Chapter 1

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 3640:

TravelMate 2440:

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.

20 Chapter 1

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 ePower Management extends battery power via versatile usage profiles.
T Acer ePresentation Management connects to a projector and adjusts display settings conveniently.
T Acer eLock Management limits access to external storage media.
T Acer eRecovery Management backs up and recovers data flexibly, reliably and completely.
T Acer eSettings Management accesses system information and adjusts settings easily.
T Acer ePerformance Management improves system performance by optimizing disk space, memory and

registry settings.

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

Empowering Technology password

Before using Acer eLock Management and Acer eRecovery Management, you must initalize the Empowering
Technology password. Right-click on the Empowering Technology toolbard and select “Password Setup” to do
so. If you do not initialize the Empowering Technology password, you will be prompted to do so when running
Acer eLock Management or Acer eRecovery Management for the first time.

Acer ePower Management

Acer ePower Management features a straightforward user interface. To launch it, select Acer ePower
Management from the Empowering Technology interface.

AC Mode (Adapter mode)

The default setting is “Maximum Performance.” You can adjust CPU speed, LCD brightness and other
settings, or click on buttons to turn the following functions on/off: Wireless LAN, Bluetooth, CardBus, FireWire
(1394), Wired LAN and Optical Device if supported.

DC Mode (Battery mode)

There are four pre-defined profiles - Entertainment, Presentation, Word Processing, and Battery Life. You can
also define up to three of your own.

To create new power profile

1. Change power settings as desired.

2. Click “Save as...” to save to a new power profile.

3. Name the newly created profile.

4. Select whether this profile is for Adapter or Battery mode, then click OK.

5. The new profile will appear in the profile list.

Battery status

For real-time battery life estimates based on current usage, referto the panel on the lower left-hand side of the
window.

Chapter 1 21

For additional options, click “Settings” to:

T Set alarms.
T Re-load factory defaults.
T Select what actions will be taken when the cover is closed or the power button is pressed.
T View information about Acer ePower Management.

22 Chapter 1