Acer Aspire 390 User Manual

Extensa™ 390 Series
Notebook Computers
User’s Guide

49.43A01.001
Printed in Taiwan

Copyright © 1997 Acer Incorporated

All Rights Reserved — Printed in Taiwan

Extensa™ 390 Series Notebook Computer User’s Guide
Part No. 49.43A01.001
Original Issue: August 1997
First Revision: September 1997

Changes may be made periodically to the information
in this publication. Such changes will be incorporated
in new editions of this manual.

Record the serial number, purchase date, and model
number in the space provided below. The serial
number and model number are recorded on the label
affixed to the case. All correspondence concer ning
your unit should include the serial number, model
number, and date of purchase.

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.

Extensa Notebook Computer

Model_______Serial No.____________Purchase Date________

This is a product of Acer Incorporated developed to TI
specifications. Texas Instruments, TI and the TI logo are registered
trademarks of Texas Instruments Inc. Acer and the Acer logo are
registered trademarks and Extensa is a trademark of Acer
Incorporated and Acer America Corporation.
IBM, AT and PS/2 are registered trademarks and OS/2 is a
trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.
Microsoft, MS-DOS and Windows are registered trademarks of
Microsoft Corporation.
Ethernet is a registered trademark of Xerox Corporation.
Kensington is a registered trademark of Kensington Microware, Inc.
Synaptics is registered trademark of Synaptics, Inc.
SimulSCAN is a trademark of Cirrus Logic, Inc.
IrDA is a trademark of Infra Red Data Association.

Notices

FCC Notice

This device has been tested and found to comply with the limits
for a Class B digital device pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection a ga inst
harmful interference in a residential installation. This device
generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if
not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may
cause harmful interference to radio communications.

However, there is no guarantee that inter ference will not occur in
a particular installation. If this device does cause harmful
interference to radio or television reception, which can be
determined by turning the device off and on, the user is
encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the
following measures:



Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna



Increase the separation between the device and receiver



Connect the device into an outlet on a circuit different from

that to which the receiver is connected



Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/television

technician for help

Notice: Shield Cables

All connections to other computing devices must be made using
shielded cables to maintain compliance with FCC regulations.

Notice: Peripheral Devices

Only peripherals (input/output devices, terminals, printer s, etc.)
certified to comply with the Class B limits may be attached to this
equipment. Operation with non-certified periphera ls is likely to
result in interference to radio and TV reception.

iii

Notices

Caution

Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the
manufacturer could void the user’s authority, which is granted by
the Federal Communications Commission, to opera te this
computer.

Use Conditions

This part complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is
subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not
cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any
interference received, including interference tha t may cause
undesired operation.

Notice: Canadian Users

This Class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the
Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations.

Remarque à l’intention des utilisateurs canadiens

Cet appareil numérique de la classe B respected toutes les
exigences du Règlement sur le matériel brouilleur du Cana da .

iv

Notices

Important Safety Instructions

1. Read these instructions carefully. Save these instructions for
future reference.

2. Follow all warnings and instructions marked on the product.

3. Unplug this product from the wall outlet before cleaning. Do
not use liquid cleaners or aerosol cleaners . Use a damp cloth
for cleaning.

4. Do not use this product near water.

5. Do not place this product on an unstable cart, stand, or
table. The product may fall, causing serious damage to the
product.

6. Slots and openings in the cabinet and the back or bottom are
provided for ventilation; to ensure reliable operation of the
product and to protect it from overheating, these openings
must not be blocked or covered. The openings should never
be blocked by placing the product on a bed, sofa, rug, or
other similar surface. This pr oduct should never be pla ced
near or over a radiator or heat register, or in a built-in
installation unless proper ventilation is provided.

7. This product should be operated from the type of power
indicated on the marking label. If you are not sure of the
type of power available, consult your dealer or local power
company.

8. Do not allow anything to rest on the power cord. Do not
locate this product where persons will walk on the cord.

v

Notices

9. If an extension cord is used with this product, make sure
that the total ampere rating of the equipment plugged into
the extension cord does not exceed the extension cord
ampere rating. Also, make sure that the total rating of all
products plugged into the wall outlet does not exceed the
fuse rating.

10. Never push objects of any kind into this product through
cabinet slots as they may touch dangerous voltage points or
short out parts that could result in a fire or electr ic shock.
Never spill liquid of any kind on the product.

11. Do not attempt to service this product yourself, as opening or
removing covers may expose you to dangerous voltage points
or other risks. Refer all ser vicing to q ua lified service
personnel.

12. Unplug this product from the wall outlet and refer servicing
to qualified service personnel under the following conditions:

a. When the power cord or plug is damaged or frayed
b. If liquid has been spilled into the product
c. If the product has been exposed to rain or water
d. If the product does not operate normally when the

operating instructions are followed. Adjust only those
controls that are covered by the operating instructions
since improper adjustment of other controls may result
in damage and will often require extensive work by a
qualified technician to restore the product to normal
condition.

e. If the product has been dropped or the cabinet has been

damaged

f. If the product exhibits a distinct change in performance,

indicating a need for service.

vi

Notices

13. Replace battery with the same type as the product's battery
we recommend. Use of another battery may present a risk of
fire or explosion. Refer battery replacement to a qualified
serviceman.

14. Warning! Battery may explode if not handled properly. Do
not disassemble or dispose of in fire. Keep away f r om
children and dispose of used battery promptly.

15. Use only the proper type of power supply cord set (provided
in your accessories box) for this unit. It should be a
detachable type: UL listed/CSA certified, type SPT-2, rated
7A 125V minimum, VDE approved or its equivalent.
Maximum length is 15 feet (4.6 meters).

Laser Compliance Statement

The CD-ROM drive in this computer is a laser product. The
CD-ROM drive’s classification label (shown below) is located on
the drive.

CLASS 1 LASER
PRODUCT

APPAREIL A LASER
DE CLASSE 1
PRODUIT LASER

LUOKAN 1
LASERLAITE LASER
KLASSE 1

PRODUCTO LÁSER
DE LA CLASE I

CAUTION:

INVISIBLE LASER RADIATION WHEN OPEN.
AVOID EXPOSURE TO BEAM

ATTENTION:

RADIATION DU FAISCEAU LASER INVISIBLE
EN CAS D’OUVERTURE. EVITTER TOUTE
EXPOSITION AUX RAYONS.

VORSICHT:

UNSICHTBARE LASERSTRAHLUNG, WENN
ABDECKUNG GEÖFFNET NICHT DEM
STRAHLL AUSSETZEN

ADVERTENCIA:

RADIACIÓN LÁSER INVISIBLE AL SER
ABIERTO. EVITE EXPONERSE A LOS RAYOS.

vii

Notices

Lithium Battery Statement

CAUTION

Danger of explosion if battery is incorrectly r eplaced. Replace only with
the same or equivalent type recommended by the manuf acturer.
Discard used batteries according to the manufact urer’s instructions.

ADVARSEL!

Lithiumbatteri - Eksplosionsfare ved fejlagtig håndter i ng. Udskif tning
må kun ske med batteri af samme fabrikat og t y pe. Léver det brugte
batteri tilbage til leverandøren.

ADVARSEL

Eksplosjonsfare ved feilaktig skifte av batter i . Benytt samme batteritype
eller en tilsvarende type anbefalt av apparat f abrikanten. Brukte
batterier kasseres i henhold til fabrikantens inst r uksjoner .

VARNING

Explosionsfara vid fel aktigt batteriby te. Anvãnd samma batter i typ eller
en ekvivalent typ som rekommenderas av apparattillver kar en. Kassera
anvãnt batteri enligt fabrikantens instruktion.

VAROITUS

Päristo voi räjähtää, jos se on virheellisesti asennett u. Vaihda par i st o
ainoastaan laitevalmistajan suosittelemaan tyyppiin. Hävitä käytet t y
paristo valmistajan ohjeiden mukaisesti.

VORSICHT!

Explosionsgefahr bei unsachgemäßen Austausch der Batterie Ersatz nur
durch denselben oder einem vom Hersteller empfohle n em ähnlichen Typ.
Entsorgung gebrauchter Batterien nach Angaben des Herstellers.

viii

Notices

Taking Care of Your Computer

Your computer will serve you well if you take car e of it.



Do not expose the notebook

to direct sunlight. Do not
place near sources of heat,
such as a radiator.



Do not expose to

temperatures below 0ºC
(32ºF)

or



above 50ºC (122ºF).



Do not subject the

notebook to magnetic f i el ds.

ix

Notices



Do not expose the notebook

to rain or moisture.



Do not spill water or any

liquid on the note book.



Do not subject the

computer to heavy shock
and vibration.



Do not expose the notebook

to dust and dirt.



Never place objects on top

of the notebook to avoid
damaging the notebook.

x

Notices



Never place the notebook

on uneven surfaces.

Taking Care of Your AC Adapter and Battery Pack

Here are some ways of taking care of your AC adapter.



Do not connect the adapter to any other device.



Do not step on the power cord or place heavy objects on top of

it. Carefully route the power cord and any cables away from
personal traffic.



When unplugging the power cord, do not pull on the cord

itself but pull on the plug.



The total ampere ratings of the equipment plugged in should

not exceed the ampere rating of the cord if you are using an
extension cord. Also, the total current rating of all equipment
plugged into a single wall outlet should not exceed the fuse
rating.

Here are some ways of taking care of your battery pack.



Use only batteries of the same kind as replacements. Turn

the power off before removing or replacing batteries.



Do not tamper with batteries. Keep them away from children.



Dispose of used batteries according to loca l regulations.

Recycle if at all possible.

xi

Notices

Cleaning and Ser vicing

When cleaning the notebook, follow these steps:

1. Power off the notebook and remove the battery pack.

2. Disconnect the AC adapter.

3. Use a soft cloth moistened with water. Do not use liquid or

aerosol cleaners.

Contact your dealer or see your service technicia n if any of the
following occurs:



Notebook has been dropped or the body has been damaged.



Liquid has been spilled into the product.



The notebook does not operate normally.

xii

Contents

Preface
Chapter 1 Getting Familiar with Your Computer

1.1 Features....................................................... 1-2

1.2 Display ........................................................1-4

1.3 Indicators..................................................... 1-6

1.4 Keyboard...................................................... 1-8

1.4.1 Special Keys................................... 1-8

1.4.2 Keyboard Ergonomics .................. 1-14

1.5 Touchpad................................................... 1-15

1.6 Storage ......................................................1-17

1.6.1 Hard Disk .................................... 1-17

1.6.2 Internal Drive............................... 1-17

1.7 Ports.......................................................... 1-19

1.7.1 Left Ports ..................................... 1-19

1.7.2 Rear Ports....................................1-23

1.8 Audio......................................................... 1-25

1.9 Securing your Computer ............................ 1-26

1.9.1 Security Notch ............................. 1-26

1.9.2 Passwords.................................... 1-26

Chapter 2 Operating on Battery Power

2.1 Battery Pack ................................................2-2

2.1.1 Battery Pack Characteristics ..........2-2

2.1.2 Installing and Removing the

Battery Pack .................................. 2-3

2.1.3 Charging the Battery...................... 2-4

2.1.4 Checking the Battery Level............. 2-6

2.1.5 Optimizing Battery Life................... 2-6

2.1.6 Battery-low Warning ...................... 2-8

2.2 Power Management.................................... 2-10

2.2.1 Power Management Modes ........... 2-11

2.2.2 Advanced Power Management ...... 2-16

xiii

Contents

Chapter 3 Options

3.1 External Monitor..........................................3-2

3.2 External Keyboard........................................ 3-3

3.3 External Keypad........................................... 3-4

3.4 External Pointing Device ..............................3-5

3.5 Printer .........................................................3-7

3.6 Audio Devices ..............................................3-8

3.7 Port Replicator .............................................3-9

3.8 PC Cards.................................................... 3-10

3.9 USB Devices............................................... 3-11

3.10 Miscellaneous Options ............................... 3-12

3.10.1 Additional Power Packs ................ 3-12

3.10.2 Cables.......................................... 3-12

3.11 Key Component Upgrades .......................... 3-14

3.11.1 Memory Upgrade.......................... 3-14

3.11.2 Hard Disk Upgrade ...................... 3-16

Chapter 4 Moving with your Computer

4.1 Disconnecting from the Desktop................... 4-2

4.2 Moving Around............................................. 4-3

4.2.1 Preparing the Computer.................4-3

4.2.2 What To Bring to Short Meetings.... 4-3

4.2.3 What To Bring to Long Meetings..... 4-3

4.3 Taking the Computer Home.......................... 4-4

4.3.1 Preparing the Computer.................4-4

4.3.2 What To Bring with You .................4-4

4.3.3 Special Considerations...................4-4

4.3.4 Setting Up a Home Office ...............4-5

4.4 Traveling with the Computer........................ 4-6

4.4.1 Preparing the Computer.................4-6

4.4.2 What To Bring with You .................4-6

4.4.3 Special Considerations...................4-6

xiv

4.5 Traveling Internationally with the

Computer..................................................... 4-8

4.5.1 Preparing the Computer.................4-8

4.5.2 What To Bring with You .................4-8

4.5.3 Special Considerations...................4-9

Chapter 5 System Utilities

5.1 Sleep Manager .............................................5-2

5.1.1 Accessing the Sleep Manager.......... 5-3

5.1.2 Sleep Manager Functions...............5-6

5.2 SafeOff.......................................................5-10

5.3 Setup Utility............................................... 5-11

5.3.1 Basic System Settings.................. 5-13

5.3.2 Startup Configuration.................. 5-15

5.3.3 Onboard Devices Configuration....5-18

5.3.4 System Security........................... 5-21

5.3.5 Power Management Settings......... 5-23

5.3.6 Load Default Settings...................5-27

Contents

Chapter 6 Troubleshooting

6.1 Q & A........................................................... 6-2

6.2 Error Messages ............................................ 6-6

Appendix A Specifications
Appendix B Where to Get Help
Index

xv

xvi

Preface

This manual describes features of the Extensa™
390 Series notebook computers. The Extensa
series computers incorporate such features as
CardBus, 16-bit stereo audio, Fast Infrared and
internal pointing device.

This manual should answer most of the questions
you have about the day-to-day operation of your
Extensa notebook computer.

Use the Just for Starters… instructions that came
with your computer to get your computer running
for the first time.

You should also take advantage of the online help
files that are available with almost all of the
programs shipped with your computer.

We hope you enjoy your Extensa computer. With
proper care, your computer will provide you with
years of productive service.

xvii

Preface

Connecting the Notebook

Connecting the computer is as easy is 1-2-3.

1. Insert the battery pack into the battery

Note: When using a battery pack for the first time,

fully recharge the battery, then disconnect the
adapter to use up the battery before recharging
again. You only need to do this once with a new
battery.

2. Connect one end of the AC adapter to the DC-in

compartment and slide the battery
compartment cover in place. The battery pack
has a pull loop at the end for easy removal.

port on the notebook’s rear panel and the other
end to a properly grounded power outlet.

xviii

3. Slide the display cover latch to the left to open

the display. Then press the power switch
turn on the power. The POST (Power On Self­Test) routine executes and Windows begins
loading.

Note:

more than four seconds. If you are using Windows
95, we recommend you use the Shutdown
command to turn off the computer.

If you turn off the computer and want to turn it on
again, wait at least 2 seconds before powering up.

To turn off power, press the power switch for

to

1

2

Preface

3

xix

Preface

Getting Help Online

This user’s guide provides clear and concise
information about the notebook, so read it
thoroughly. To provide you with help when
traveling, the notebook has a comprehensive
online help.

Accessing Online Help

Follow these steps to access the online
documentation:

1. Press the Windows logo button or Click on the

2. Select Programs.

Start button.

xx

3. Click on Extensa Online.

The online help is easy to navigate with hypertext
and hypergraphics. Clear illustrations help
describe notebook operation as well.

Getting Online

If you are connected to the Internet and have
World Wide Web access, visit our home page
(http://www.acer.com/) and get the latest
information about our products.