Acer ASPIRE EL User Manual

Aspire EL

User’s guide

Aspire EL User’s guide Original Issue: July 2001

Changes may be made periodically to the information in this publication without obligation to notify any person of such revision or changes. Such changes will be incorporated in new editions of this manual or supplementary documents and publications. This company makes no representations or warranties, either expressed or implied, with respect to the contents hereof and specifically disclaims the implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

Record the model number, serial number, purchase date, and place of purchase information in the space provided below. The serial number and model number are recorded on the label affixed to your computer. All correspondense concerning your unit should include the serial number, model number, and purchase information.

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.

Aspire EL

Model Number : _________________________________

Serial Number: ___________________________________

Purchase Date: ___________________________________

Place of Purchase: ________________________________

Acer and the Acer logo are registered trademarks of Acer Incorporated. Other company's product names or trademarks are used herein for identification purposes only and belong to their respective companies.

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 against 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 interference 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.

iii

Notice: Peripheral devices

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

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 operate 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 that 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 Canada.

Important safety instructions

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

1 Follow all warnings and instructions marked on the product.

2 Unplug this product from the wall outlet before cleaning. Do not use

liquid cleaners or aerosol cleaners. Use a damp cloth for cleaning.

3 Do not use this product near water.

4 Do not place this product on an unstable cart, stand, or table. The product

may fall, causing serious damage to the product.

5 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 covere. The openings should never be blocked by placing the product on a bed, sofa, rug, or other similar surface. This product should never be placed near or over a radiator or heat register, or in a built-in installation unless proper ventilation is provided.

6 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.

7 Do not allow anything to rest on the power cord. Do not locate this

product where persons will walk on the cord.

8 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.

9 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 electric shock. Never spill liquid of any kind on the product.

10 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 servicing to qualified service personnel.

11 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.

12 Replace the 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.

13 Warning! Batteries may explode if not handled properly. Do not

disassemble or dispose of them in fire. Keep them away from children and dispose of used batteries promptly.

14 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).

Year 2000 compliance statement

The Aspire EL computer carries the "Hardware NSTL Tested Year 2000 Compliant" logo, which certifies that this model has been tested by NSTL using

the YMark2000 test, and has been found to meet NSTL's standards for Year 2000 hardware compliance.

For more details, check the Acer Year 2000 Resource Center at http:// global.acer.com/service/pcy2000.html

Laser compliance statement

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

CLASS 1 LASER PRODUCT CAUTION: INVISIBLE LASER RADIATION WHEN OPEN. AVOID EXPOSURE TO BEAM.

TCO 95 compliant

The Aspire EL computer is a TCO 95 approved and labelled product. TCO 95 provides international environmental and quality labelling of personal computers. The labelling scheme was developed as a joint effort by the TCO (The Swedish Confederation of Professional Employees), Svenska Naturskyddsforeningen (The Swedish Society of Nature Conservation), Statens Energimyndighet (The Swedish National Energy Administration) and SEMKO AB. The requirements of TCO 95 cover a wide range of issues: environment, usability, reduction of electric and magnetic fields, energy consumption and electrical safety.

For more details, check the TCO Development at http://www.tco-info.com/

Notices iii

FCC notice iii Important safety instructions iv Year 2000 compliance statement v Laser compliance statement vi TCO 95 compliant vi

1 First things first 1

Welcome! 3 Package contents 4 Before you start... 5

Important tips 5 Cleaning and servicing 5 Asking for technical assistance 6 Accessing your online guide 6

2 Getting to know your Aspire EL 7

Features 9 The front panel 11 The rear panel 12 The keyboard 14 The mouse 17 Disk drives 18

Hard disk 18

3.5-inch floppy drive 18 CD-ROM/DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive 19 Acer GoTo drive bay 22

Contents

3 Setting up your Aspire EL 23

Arranging a comfortable work area 25

Adjusting your chair 25 Positioning your Aspire EL 25 Positioning your monitor 25 Positioning your keyboard 26 Positioning your mouse 26

Connecting peripherals 27

USB mouse 27 USB keyboard 28 Monitor 29 Power cable 30

4 Adding options to your Aspire EL 31

Connecting options 33

Printer 33 Network 34 Modem (optional) 35 Multimedia devices 36

USB devices 38 Turning on your computer 39 Turning off your computer 41 Configuring your Acer GoTo drive 42 Upgrading your computer 45

Mainboard 46 System utilities 49

5 Need help? 51

Index 57

1 First things first

This chapter describes the contents of your computer package and also provides important tips on how to take care of your computer.

Welcome!

Welcome and thank you for purchasing the Aspire EL computer. You are now the proud owner of a top of the line multimedia computer system. Your Aspire EL computer comes preinstalled with software programs that will enable you to:

• Create personal documents

• Access the Internet

• Send and receive emails

• Play audio and video CDs and tons more!

Whether you’ve owned a computer before or not, your Aspire EL computer was designed to improve the way you work (and make it more enjoyable too!) and effectively serve your computing needs.

1 First things first

Package contents

Before you unpack your computer, make sure that you have enough space to set it up.

Carefully unpack the carton and remove the contents. If any of the following items are missing or damaged, contact your dealer immediately:

•Aspire EL

• Just for Starters... poster

•USB keyboard

• Items contained in the accessory box

•USB mouse

• Power cable

• User’s guide

• Acer GoTo swappable drive (optional)

• Other user documentation and third-party software

• Aspire EL Warranty Guide (in selected countries only)

Before you start...

Please read the safety instructions listed in this section. Following these instructions on the care and use of your new computer will help you maximize its durability.

Important tips

• Do not expose the computer to direct sunlight. Do not place it near sources of heat, such as a radiator.

• Do not subject the computer to magnetic fields.

• Do not expose the computer to rain or moisture.

• Do not spill water on the computer.

• Do not subject the computer to heavy shock or vibration.

• Do not expose the computer to dust and dirt.

• Never place the system on uneven surfaces.

• 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 rating 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.

• Check the documentation that came with your software programs to see if you can select other combinations of resolution and color. These adjustments could make viewing the screen more comfortable.

Cleaning and servicing

To clean your computer and keyboard

1 Turn off the computer and unplug the power cable.

2 Use a soft cloth moistened with water and gently wipe the exterior

of the computer and the keyboard. Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners.

1 First things first

To clean your mouse

1 Open the circular cover underneath the mouse.

2 Take out the rubber ball and wipe it with a soft, damp cloth.

3 Put the ball back and close the cover.

When to contact a service technician

• If you dropped and damaged the computer

• If liquid has been spilled into the computer

• If the computer is not operating normally

• If a computer problem persists even after you have checked and done the troubleshooting tips discussed in the “Need help?” section on page 51

• If your problem is not listed in the “Need help?” section on page 51

• If you want to replace or upgrade any of your computer's internal components

Asking for technical assistance

For technical assistance, contact your local dealer or distributor. You may also access the Acer Web site at http://www.acer.com/ information on how and where to contact the service centers available in your area.

for

Accessing your online guide

For on-the-go help information about your computer, refer to the Aspire EL online guide. To access the online guide, simply double-click on the Aspire EL online icon on your Windows desktop.

2 Getting to know your

Aspire EL

This chapter discusses the features and components of your computer.

Features

Here are just a few of your computer’s many features:

Performance

• Intel Pentium® 4 micro Pin Grid Array (mPGA) processor with integrated 256 KB on-die L2 cache

• Expandable system memory to a maximum of 3 GB

• High-capacity Enhanced-IDE hard disk

• 3.5-inch floppy drive

• Universal 1x/2x/4x AGP slot

• Power management system with Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) support

• Supports Windows 2000 and Windows Me operating systems

Multimedia

• Cathode-ray tube (CRT) and liquid crystal display (LCD) support

• 3D audio system via onboard AC'97 audio codec

• Memory Stick reader (optional)

• Optical drive (CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or CD-RW drive)

• Line-in, line-out, microphone-in, headphone-out and game port interfaces

Connectivity

• High-speed 56 K V.90 data/fax/voice modem

• IEEE 802./802.3u 10BaseT/100BaseTX-compatible network adaptor

• USB and PS/2-compatible mouse and keyboard interfaces

• Four Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports with Plug and Play function

• High-speed NS 16C550-compatible serial ports

• Multi-mode parallel port

2 Getting to know your Aspire EL

Expansion

• 3 PCI slots + 3 DIMM slots + 1 AGP slot

• Upgradeable memory and hard disk

• Acer GoTo swappable drive (optional)

Human-centric design and ergonomics

• Smooth and stylish design

• Low emission and low radiation

The front panel

Your computer’s front panel consists of the following:

No. Description No. Description

1 Speaker/Headphone-out port 11 Power button

2 CD-ROM/DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive

activity indicator

3 CD-ROM/DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive

emergency eject hole

4 CD-ROM/DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive

Stop/Eject button

5 Acer GoTo drive bay keylock 15 CD/DVD compartment

6 Acer GoTo drive activity indicator 16 Front USB ports

7 Acer GoTo drive (optional) 17 Front microphone-in port

8 Power indicator 18 Speaker/Headphone-out

9 LAN activity indicator 19 Memory Stick slot

10 Hard disk activity indicator 20 Multimedia port bay

12 3.5-inch floppy drive eject

button

13 3.5-inch floppy drive

14 3.5-inch floppy drive

activity indicator

port

(optional)

cover

2 Getting to know your Aspire EL

The rear panel

Your computer offers several ports that allow you to connect peripheral devices. These ports are located on the rear panel of your computer.

For information on how to connect the peripherals, refer to “Connecting peripherals” on page 27 and “Adding options to your Aspire EL” on page 31.

Your computer’s rear panel consists of the following:

No. Icon Color Description

1 Main power switch

2 Voltage selector switch

3 Power cable socket

4 System fan 1

5 Purple PS/2 keyboard port

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