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.
1Ventilation slotsEnable the computer to stay cool, even after
prolonged use.
Left View
12345
No.IconItemDescription
1DC-in jackConnects to an AC adapter
2Ethernet (RJ-45)
port
2External display
(VGA) port
4USB 2.0 portsConnect to USB 2.0 devices (e.g. USB mouse,
5Microphone-in
jack
Headphones/
speaker/line-out
jack
Connects to an Ethernet 10/100-based
network.
Connects to a display device
(e.g. external monitor, LCD projector).
USB camera).
Accepts input from external microphones.
Connects to audio line-out devices
(e.g. speakers, headphones).
Chapter 17
Right View
12345
No.ItemDescription
1Optical driveInternal optical drive; accepts CDs or DVDs.
2Optical disk access
indicator
3Optical drive eject buttonEjects the optical disk from the drive.
4Emergency eject holeEjects the optical drive tray when the computer is turned
5Kensington lock slotConnects to a Kensington-compatible computer security
Lights up when the optical drive is active.
off.
Note: Insert a paper clip into the emergency eject hole to
eject the optical drive tray when the computer is off.
lock.
Note: Wrap the computer security lock cable around an
immovable object such as a table or handle of a locked
drawer. Insert the lock into the notch and turn the key to
secure the lock. Some keyless models are also available.
Bottom View
1
2
3
No.IconItemDescription
1Battery bayHouses the computer's battery pack.
2Battery release
latch
Releases the battery for removal.
6
5
4
8Chapter 1
No.IconItemDescription
3Battery lockLocks the battery in position.
4Hard disk bayHouses the computer's hard disk (secured with
screws).
5Memory
compartment
5Ventilation slots
and cooling fan
Houses the computer's main memory.
Enable the computer to stay cool, even after
prolonged use.
Note: Do not cover or obstruct the fan opening.
Chapter 19
Indicators
The computer has several easy-to-read status indicators. The front panel indicators are visible even when the
computer cover is closed.
IconFunctionDescription
PowerIndicates the computer's power status.
BatteryIndicates the computer's battery status.
HDDIndicates when the hard disk drive is active.
Num LockLights up when Num Lock is activated.
Caps LockLights up when Caps Lock is activated.
NOTE: 1. Charging: The light shows amber when the battery is charging. 2. Fully charged: The light shows
green when in AC mode.
10Chapter 1
TouchPad Basics
The following items show you how to use the TouchPad:
•Move your finger across the TouchPad (1) to move the cursor.
•Press the left (2) and right (3) 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.
ExecuteQuickly click twice.Tap twice (at the same speed
SelectClick once.Tap once.
DragClick and hold, then use
finger on the TouchPad to
drag the cursor.
Access
context menu
as double-clicking a mouse
button).
Tap twice (at the same speed
as double-clicking a mouse
button); rest your finger on
the TouchPad on the second
tap and drag the cursor.
Click once.
NOTE: When using the T ouchPad, keep it - and your fingers - dry and clean. The TouchPad is sensitive to
finger movement; hence, the lighter the touch, the better the response. Tapping too hard will not
increase the TouchPad’s responsiveness.
Chapter 111
Using the Keyboard
The keyboard has full-sized keys and an embedded numeric keypad, separate cursor, lock, Windows, function
and special keys.
Lock Keys and embedded numeric keypad
The keyboard has three lock keys which you can toggle on and off.
Lock keyDescription
Caps LockWhen Caps Lock is on, all alphabetic cha ra c ters 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 letters on
Type numbers in a normal manner.
Hold <Shift> while using cursorcontrol keys.
embedded keypad.
Hold <Fn> while using cursorcontrol keys.
Type the letters in a normal
manner.
12Chapter 1
Windows Keys
The keyboard has two keys that perform Windows-specific functions.
KeyDescription
Windows key Pressed alone, this key has the same effect as clicking on the Windows Start button;
it launches the Start menu. It can also be used with other keys to provide a variety of
functions:
<>: Open or close the S tart menu
<> + <D>: Display the desktop
<> + <E>: Open Windows Explore
<> + <F>: Search for a file or folder
<> + <G>: Cycle through Sidebar gadgets
<> + <L>: Lock your computer (if you are connected to a network domain), or
switch users (if you're not connected to a network domain)
<> + <M>: Minimizes all windows
<> + <R>: Open the Run dialog box
<> + <T>: Cycle through programs on the taskbar
<> + <U>: Open Ease of Access Center
<> + <X>: Open Windows Mobility Center
<> + <BREAK>: Display the System Properties dialog box
<> + <SHIFT+M>: Restore minimized windows to the desktop
<> + <TAB>: Cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Windows Flip 3-D
<> + <SPACEBAR>: Bring all gadgets to the front and select Windows Sidebar
Application
key
<CTRL> +
<CTRL> + <> + <TAB>: Use the arrow keys to cycle through programs on the
Note: Depending on your edition of Windows, some shortcuts may not function as
This key has the same effect as clicking the right mouse button; it opens the
application's context menu.
<> + <F>: Search for computers (if you are on a network)
taskbar by using Windows Flip 3-D
described.
Chapter 113
Hot Keys
The computer employs hotkeys or key combinations to access most of the computer’s controls like screen
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.
HotkeyIconFunctionDescription
<Fn> + <F2>Acer eSettings
Management
<Fn> + <F3>BluetoothEnables/disables the Bluetooth
<Fn> + <F4>SleepPuts the computer in Sleep mode.
Launches Acer eSettings Management in Acer
Empowering Technology .
function. (only for certain models)
<Fn> + <F5>Display toggleSwitches display output between the display
screen, external monitor (if connected) and
both.
<Fn> + <F6>Screen blankTurns the display screen backlight off to save
power. Press any key to return.
<Fn> + <F8>Speaker toggleTurns the speakers on and off.
<Fn> + < >Brightness upIncreases the screen brightness.
<Fn> + < >Brightness downDecreases the screen brightness.
<Fn> + < >
<Fn> + < >
Volume UpIncreases the sound volume.
Volume DownDecreases the sound volume.
14Chapter 1
Special Key
You can locate the Euro symbol and the US dollar sign at the upper-center and/or bottom-right of your
keyboard.
The Euro symbol
1.Open a text editor or word processor.
2.Hold <Alt Gr> and then press the <5> key at the upper-center of the keyboard.
NOTE: Note: Some fonts and software do not support the Euro symbol. Please refer to www.microsoft.com/
typography/faq/faq12.htm for more information.
The US dollar sign
1.Open a text editor or word processor.
2.Hold <Shift> and then press the <4> key at the upper-center of the keyboard.
NOTE: This function varies by the operating system version.
Chapter 115
Using the System Utilities
Acer GridVista (dual-display compatible)
NOTE: This feature is only available on certain models.
To enable the dual monitor feature of the notebook, first ensure that the second monitor is connected, then
select Start, Control Panel, Display and click on Settings. Select the secondary monitor (2) icon in the
display box and then click the check box Extend my windows desktop onto this monitor. Finally, click Apply to confirm the new settings and click OK to complete the process.
Acer GridVista is a handy utility that offers four pre-defined display settings so you can view multiple windows
on the same screen. To access this function, please go to Start´ All Programs and click on Acer GridVista.
You may choose any one of the four display settings indicated below:
Double (vertical), Triple (primary at left), Triple (primary at right), or Quad Acer Gridvista is dual-display
compatible, allowing two displays to be partitioned independently.
Acer Gridvista is dual-display compatible, allowing two displays to be partitioned independently.
AcerGridVista is simple to set up:
1. Run Acer GridVista and select your preferred screen configuration for each display from the task bar.
2.Drag and drop each window into the appropriate grid.
3.Enjoy the convenience of a well-organized desktop.
NOTE: Please ensure that the resolution setting of the second monitor is set to the manufacturer's