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.
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.
NOTE: This symbol where placed in the Service Guide designates a component that should be recycled
according to the local regulations.
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.
•1 1 function keys, four cursor keys, two Windows® keys, hotkey controls, independent standard
numeric keypad, international language support
•Media keys (printed on keyboard): play/pause, stop, previous, next
I/O interface
•Multi-in-1 card reader (SD™, MMC, MS, MS PRO, xD)
•Three USB 2.0 ports
•HDMI™ port with HDCP support
•External display (VGA) port
•Headphone/speaker/line-out jack
•Microphone-in jack
•Ethernet (RJ-45) port
•DC-in jack for AC adapter
Chapter 13
Software
•Acer Crystal Eye
•Acer eRecovery Management
•Acer Backup Manager
•Adobe® Flash® Player
•Adobe® Reader®
•Cyberlink® Power DVD™
•eSobi™
•Google Toolbar™
•McAfee® Internet Security Suite 2009 Trial
•Microsoft® Works with Office Home and Student 2007 Trial
•MyWinLocker®
•Norton™ Online Backup
•NTI Media Maker™
•Oberon GameZone
•WildTangent®
Optional Items
•1 GB / 2 GB / 4 GB DDR3 1066 MHz soDIMM module
•6-cell Li-ion battery pack
•3-pin 65 W AC adapter (Aspire 5741)
•3-pin 90 W AC adapter (Aspire 5741G)
•External USB floppy disk drive
Warranty
•One-year International Travelers Warranty (ITW)
Environment
•Temperature:
•Operating: 5 °C to 35 °C
•Non-operating: -20 °C to 65 °C
•Humidity (non-condensing):
•Operating: 20% to 80%
•Non-operating: 20% to 80%
4Chapter 1
System Block Diagram
Chapter 15
Your Acer Notebook tour
Front View
1
2
3
4
5
11
10
6
9
7
8
No.IconItemDescription
1Acer Crystal Eye
webcam
2Display screenAlso called Liquid-Crystal Display (LCD),
3HDDIndicates when the hard disk drive is active.
Communication
indicator
4Power buttonTurns the computer on and off.
5KeyboardFor entering data into your computer.
6T ouchPadT ouch-sensitive pointing device which functions
Web camera for video communication
(for selected models).
displays computer output.
Indicates the computer’s wireless connectivitoy
device status.
like a computer mouse.
6Chapter 1
No.IconItemDescription
7
Power
1
Indicates the computer’s power status.
1
Battery
8Click buttons (left
and right)
9PalmrestComfortable support area for your hands when
10SpeakersLeft and right speakers deliver stereo audio
11MicrophoneInternal microphone for recording sound.
NOTE: 1 The front panel indicators are visible even when the computer cover is closed.
Indicates the computer’s battery status.
1. Charging: The light shows amber when the
battery is charging.
2. Fully charged: The light shows blue when in
AC mode.
The left and right buttons function like the left
and right mouse buttons.
you use the computer.
output.
Closed Front View
1
No.IconItemDescription
1Multi-in-1 card
reader
Accepts Secure Digital (SD), MultiMediaCard
(MMC), Memory Stick (MS), Memory Stick
PRO (MS PRO), xDPicture Card (xD).
NOTE: Push to remove/install the card.
Only one card can operate at any
given time.
Left View
1372456
No.IconItemDescription
1DC-in jackConnects to an AC adapter
2Ventilation slotsEnable the computer to stay cool, even after
prolonged use.
3External display
(VGA) port
Connects to a display device
(e.g. external monitor, LCD projector).
Chapter 17
No.IconItemDescription
4Ethernet (RJ-45)
port
5HDMIConnect to HDMI devices
6USB 2.0 portsConnect to USB 2.0 devices (e.g. USB mouse,
7Microphone-in
jack
Connects to an Ethernet 10/100/1000-based
network.
USB camera).
Accepts input from external microphones.
Headphones/
speaker/line-out
jack
Connects to audio line-out devices
(e.g. speakers, headphones).
Right View
123456
No.IconItemDescription
1USB 2.0 portsConnect to USB 2.0 devices (e.g. USB mouse, USB
camera).
2Optical driveInternal optical drive; accepts CDs or DVDs.
3Optical disk access
indicator
4Optical drive eject
button
5Emergency eject holeEj ects the optical drive tray when the computer is
6Kensington lock slotConnects to a Kensington-compatible computer
Lights up when the optical drive is active.
Ejects the optical disk from the drive.
turned off.
Note: Insert a paper clip into the emergency eject
hole to eject the optical drive tray when the computer
is off.
security 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.
8Chapter 1
Bottom View
1
2
6
5
3
No.IconItemDescription
1Battery bayHouses the computer's battery pack.
2Battery release
latch
3Hard disk bayHouses the computer's hard disk (secured
4Memory
compartment
5Battery lockLocks the battery in position.
6Ventilation slots
and cooling fan
Releases the battery for removal.
with screws).
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.
Indicators
The computer has several easy-to-read status indicators.
IconFunctionDescription
PowerIndicates the computer's power status.
4
BatteryIndicates the computer's battery status.
NOTE: 1. Charging: The light shows amber when
the battery is charging. 2. Fully charged: The light
shows green when in AC mode.
HDDIndicates when the hard disk drive is active.
Communication indicatorIndicates the computer’s wireless connectivitoy
device status.
Chapter 19
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.
10Chapter 1
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 two lock keys which you can toggle on and off.
Lock keyDescription
Caps LockWhen Caps Lock is on, all alphabetic chara c ters typed are in uppercase.
Scroll LockWhen Scroll Lock is on, the contents of a text window scroll without moving the
cursor.
Num Lock When Num Lock is on, the embedded keypad is in numeric mode.
Chapter 111
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 7, 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.
12Chapter 1
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> + <F3>Communication keyEnables / disables the computer's
communication devices. (Communication
devices may vary by configuration.)
<Fn> + <F4>SleepPuts the computer in Sleep mode.
<Fn> + <F5>Display toggleSwitches display output between the display
screen, external monitor (if connected) and
both.
<Fn> + <F6>Display OffTurns the display screen backlight off to save
power. Press any key to return.
<Fn> + <F7>Touchpad toggleTurns the internal touchpad on and off.
<Fn> + <F8>Speaker toggleTurns the speakers on and off.
<Fn> + < >Brightness upIncreases the screen brightness.
<Fn> + < >Brightness downDecreases the screen brightness.
<Fn> + < >
<Fn> + < >
<Fn> + <Home>Play/PausePlay or pause a selected media file.
<Fn> + <Pg Up>StopStop playing the selected media file.
<Fn> + <Pg Dn>PreviousReturn to the previous media file.
<Fn> + <End>NextJump to the next media file.
Volume upIncreases the sound volume.
Volume downDecreases the sound volume.
Chapter 113
Hardware Specifications and Configurations
ItemSpecification
CPUIntel Mobile Calpella
GraphicsIntegrated VGA for Arrandale
CPU PackagerPGA988A
Power4M (Arrandale) L3 shared among all cores
On-die Cache32KB L1 & 256K L2 for each core