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 MESSAGESDenotes actual messages that appear
on screen.
NOTEGives bits and pieces of additional
information related to the current
topic.
WARNINGAlerts you to any damage that might
result from doing or not doing specific
actions.
CAUTIONGives precautionary measures to
avoid possible hardware or software
problems.
IMPORTANTReminds 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.
JP16LVDS ConnectorJP36Card Reader Connector (No Card
Reader module for this model)
JP22VGA Board ConnectorIRInfrared Receiver (No FIR function
for this model)
PCN1AC-INJP40Headphone out/line-out Jack
JP13USB PortJP41Mic-in Jack
JP12Reserved for Acer ezDock. (No
JP28HDD Connector
ezDock for this model).
JP14Modem Board ConnectorJP35Wireless LAN Card Connector
JP3External Display PortU42BIOS
JP17S-Video Port (No S-Video Port for
JP26DDR2 Socket
this model)
JP19RJ11/RJ45JP31DDR2 Socket
Chapter 15
JP23Modem Cable ConnectorJP39ODD Connector
6Chapter 1
An Aspire tour
After knowing your computer features, let us show you around your new TravelMate computer.
Front View
#IconItemDescription
1Display screenAlso called LCD (liquid-crystal display),
displays computer output.
2Power buttonTurns the computer on and off.
3Easy-launch buttonsButtons for launching frequently used
programs.
4MicrophoneInternal microphone for sound recording.
5Status indicatorsLight-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) that turn on
6PalmrestComfortable support area for our hands
7Click buttons (left,
center and right)
8TouchpadTouch-sensitive pointing device which
9KeyboardFor entering data into your computer.
and off to show the status of the
computer’s functions and components.
when you use the computer.
The left and right buttons function like the
left and right mouse buttons; the center
button serves as a 4-way scroll button.
functions like a computer mouse.
Chapter 17
Closed Front View
#IconItemDescription
1Speaker-out/line-out/
2Mic-in jackAccepts inputs from external microphone.
3SpeakersLeft and right speakers deliver stereo audio
4
Headphone jack
®
Bluetooth
communication button/
indicator
Connects to audio line-out devices (e.g.,
speakers, headphones).
output.
Press to enable/disable Bluetooth function.
Lights to indicate the status of
Bluetoothcommunications (optional)
5Wireless
communication button/
indicator
6Power indicator
7Battery indicator
Press to enable/disable Wireless function.
Lights to indicate the status of wireless
LAN communications (optional).
Lights when the computer is on.
Lights when the battery is being charged
8Chapter 1
Left View
#IconItemDescription
1External display portConnects a display device (e.g., external
monitor, LCD projector).
2Network jackConnects to an Ethernet 10/100-based
3Modem jackConnects to a phone line.
4Two USB 2.0 portsConnects to USB 2.0 devices (e.g., USB
5PC Card slotConnects to one Type II PC Card.
6PC Card slot eject
Right View
network.
mouse, USB camera).
Ejects the PC Card from the slot.
button
#IconItemDescription
1Optical driveInternal optical drive; accepts CDs or DVDs
(for selected models).
2Optical disk access
indicator
Lights up when the optical drive is active
(for selected models).
Chapter 19
3Optical drive eject
4Emergency eject holeEjects the optical drive try when the
5Ventilation slotsEnable the computer to stay cool, even
6Kensington lock slotConnects to a Kensington-compatible
Rear Panel
button
Ejects the optical disk from the drive (for
selected models).
computer is turned off (for selected
models).
after prolonged use.
computer security lock.
#IconItemDescription
1BatteryPowers the computer.
2DC-in jackConnects to an AC adaptor.
3USB 2.0 portConnect to USB 2.0 devices (e.g., USB
Bottom Panel
mouse, USB camera).
10Chapter 1
#ItemDescription
1Battery bayHouses the computer’s battery pack.
2Battery lockLocks the battery in place.
3Cooling fanHelps keep the computer cool.
Note: Do not cover or obstruct the opening
of the fan.
4Memory compartmentHouses the computer’s main memory.
5Hard disk bayHouses the computer’s hard disk (secured
6Battery release latchReleases the battery for removal.
by two screws).
Indicators
The computer has three easy-to-read status indicators on the upper-left above the keyboard, and four on the
front panel.
The power, battery and wireless communication status indicators are visible even when the LCD display is
closed.
IconFunctionDescription
Cap lockLights when Cap Lock is activated
Num lockLights when Num Lock is activated.
Media ActivityIndicates when the hard disc or optical
drive is active.
BluetoothIndicates the status of Bluetooth
communication.
Chapter 111
IconFunctionDescription
Wireless LANIndicates the status of wireless LAN
communication.
PowerLights up when the computer is on.
BatteryLights up when the battery is being
charged.
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 at the upper-right, above the keyboard are four buttons. These buttons are called launch keys. The
are: mail, Web browser, Acer Empowering key “ “ and one user-programmable button.
Press “ “ to ru the Acer eManager. Please see “Acer eManager”. The mail and Web buttons are pre-set to
email and Internet programs, but can be reset by users. To set the Web browser, mail and programmable keys,
run the Acer Launch Manager.
Launch keyDefault application
MailEmail application (user-programmable)
Web browserInternet browser (user-programmable)
Acer eManager (user-programmable)
PUser-programmable
12Chapter 1
To u c h p a d
The built-in touchpad is a pointing device that senses movement on its surface. This means the cursor
responds as you move your finger across the surface of the touchpad. The central location on the palmrest
provides optimum comfort and support.
Touch pa d B asics
The following teaches you how to use the touchpad:
TMove your finger across the touchpad (2) to move the cursor.
TPress 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.
TUse 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.
FunctionLeft Button (1)
ExecuteClick twice
quickly
SelectClick onceTap once
Right Button
(4)
Main touchpad
(2)
Tap twice (at
the same speed
as doubleclicking the
mouse button)
Center button (3)
Chapter 113
FunctionLeft Button (1)
DragClick and hold,
then use finger
to drag the
cursor on the
touchpad
Access context
menu
ScrollClick 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.
14Chapter 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 mumeric keypad
The keyboard has three lock keys which you can toggle on and off.
Lock KeyDescription
Caps LockWhen Caps Lock is on, all alphabetic characters typed
are in uppercase.
Num lock
<Fn>+<F11>
Scroll lock
<Fn>+<F12>
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 AccessNum Lock OnNum Lock Off
Number keys on embedded
keypad
Cursor-control keys on
embedded keypad
Main keyboard keysHold <Fn> while typing
Type numbers in a normal
manner.
Hold <Shift> while using
cursor-control keys.
letters on embedded
keypad.
Hold <Fn> while using
cursor-control keys.
Type the letters in a normal
manner.
Windows Keys
The keyboard has two keys that perform Windows-specific functions.
Chapter 115
KeyIconDescription
Windows keyPressed alone, this key has the same effect as
Application
key
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
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.
Hot KeyIconFunctionDescription
Fn-F1Hot key helpDisplays help on hot keys.
Fn-F2Acer eSettingLaunches the Acer eSettings in Acer eManager.
Fn-F3Acer
ePowerManagement
Launches the Acer ePowerManagement in Acer
eManager.
16Chapter 1
Hot KeyIconFunctionDescription
Fn-F4SleepPuts the computer in Sleep mode.
Fn-F5Display toggleSwitches display output between the display screen,
external monitor (if connected) and both.
Fn-F6Screen blankTurns the display screen backlight off to save power.
Press any key to return.
Fn-F7Touchpad toggleTurns the internal touchpad on and off.
Fn-F8Speaker toggleTurns the speakers on and off.
Fn-wVolume upIncreases the speaker volume.
Fn-yVolume downDecreases the speaker volume.
Fn-xBrightness upIncreases the screen brightness.
Fn-zBrightness downDecreases 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 :
Chapter 117
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.
18Chapter 1
Hardware Specifications and Configurations
Processor
ItemSpecification
CPU typeAspire 5500
®
Intel
Pentium® M Processor 740/750/760/770 (2 MB L2 cache, 1.73/1.86/
2/2.13 GHz, 533 MHz FSB)
®
Intel
Pentium® M Processor 735/735A (2MB L2 cache, 1.60 GHz, 400
MHz FSB)
Core logic
CPU package Intel socketable 478pin Micro-BGA
CPU core voltage1.308V (highest frequency mode) to 0.956V (low frequency mode)
BIOS
ItemSpecification
BIOS vendorInsyde
BIOS VersionV1.10
BIOS ROM typeFlash ROM
BIOS ROM size512KB
BIOS package32-pin PLCC
Supported protocolsACPI 2.0, PC 2001 ready, SM BIOS 2.3, IEEE1284-ECP/EPP, PCI 2.2,