Acer Aspire M500 User Guide
Copyright Notice
© Acer Incorporated 2002. All rights reserved.
Acer Incorporated reserves the right to change product specifications and the
information contained in this user guide without notice.
No part of this document may be copied, reproduced, or transmitted by any
means, or for any purpose, without prior written permission from Acer
Incorporated.
Table
of Contents
Welcome 1
Major Benefits 2
Before You Start 2
Safety Instructions 2
Setting Up The System 3
Placement Tips 3
System Overview 4
Computer Front View 4
Computer Rear View 6
System Components 8
System Components 9
The Mouse 9
The Keyboard 12
The Speakers 15
The Monitor 16
Audio DJ 17
Cd Storage Unit 18
3-in-1 Flash Card Readers 19
TV Tuner (Optional) 21
Upgrading Your System 23
Opening The Case 23
Installing New Components 25
BIOS Settings 26
Questions & Troubleshooting 43
General System Problems 43
Cordless Keyboard/Mouse Problems 45
Welcome
Congratulations on purchasing your new Aspire
computer! You now have the convenience and
flexibility of a full-featured multimedia PC, offering
increased productivity combined with first class
digital entertainment. Incorporating the latest
Micros
Aspire offers a host of functions designed to improve
your computing experience.
Major Benefits
Your new Aspire computer enables you to do the
following:
• Use the latest productivity software to perform a
• Maximize your use of the Internet by download-
• Enjoy your audio CDs, even when you are not
• Delight in using a stylish new PC that offers con-
oft® Windows® XP operating system, your
range of office tasks, such as word processing,
working with financial spreadsheets and creating
presentations.
ing and playing exciting new multimedia files.
using your computer for other tasks.
venient connections for the latest peripherals.
1
2
Before You Start
To ensure that you can use your computer safely and
correctly, please read this user guide carefully before
you start. For future reference, keep this user guide
handy at all times.
Safety Instructions
• Follow all warnings and instructions marked on
your computer.
• Do not attempt to service your computer yourself. Refer servicing to qualified personnel.
• Unplug your computer and monitor from the
wall outlet before cleaning or before opening
the case.
• Clean your computer case and monitor with a
damp cloth. Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners.
• Do not use your computer near water. Never spill
liquid of any kind on your computer.
• Do not place your computer on an unstable surface.
• Do not expose your computer to a heat source or
leave it in direct sunlight for a prolonged period
of time.
• Do not cover or block any ventilation slots in the
case. Also, ensure the room has adequate ventilation.
• Never push objects of any kind into your computer.
• Do not allow anything to rest on the power cord.
Do not locate your computer where anyone will
walk on the power cord.
• Your computer should be operated from the type
of power indicated on the marking label. If you
are unsure of the type of power available, consult your dealer or local power company.
• Your computer is designed for connection to a
grounded (earthed) outlet. Do not disable this
important safety feature.
• If a power strip is used, make sure that the total
ampere rating of the equipment does not exceed
the power strip ampere rating. Use a power strip
with surge protection.
• If your computer causes interference to radio or
television reception, try one or more of the following measures:
- Reorient or relocate the radio or television
antenna.
- Increase the distance between your computer
and the radio or television receiver.
- Connect your computer into an outlet on a
circuit different from that to which the radio
or television is connected.
- Consult your dealer or an experienced radio/
TV technician for more help.
Setting Up The System
It only takes a few minutes to set up your new Aspire
system. Start by preparing your workspace. Make
sure that the surface is stable, level and clean.
Open the box carefully, ensuring that you do not
damage the box or any of the other packing
materials. The box will be required if you ever have to
store or ship your computer. Unpack the box and set
out the contents on your work surface.
3
The package contains an Out Of Box Experience
(OOBE) poster. Refer to the OOBE poster for a stepby-step guide to setting up your computer system.
Placement Tips
• For maximum viewing comfort, set up your monitor at arm’s length from your seat, with the top
third of the screen at eye level. Tilt and swivel the
display to find the optimum position.
• Place your mouse and keyboard side by side in
front of the monitor. Check that you are able to
adopt a comfortable typing position.
• Choose a chair that can be adjusted for maximum
comfort.
• Make sure your work area is well lit.
4
System Overview
Take a few moments to study your new Aspire
computer system. Learn the locations of the buttons,
ports and other hardware features.
Computer Front View
No Description
1 CD Storage Unit*
2 Audio DJ
3 Drive Door*
4 CD-ROM/DVD/CD-RW Drive
5 FDD Drive
6 Front Port Bay Door*
7 Front Port Bay
8 Memory Stick Reader
9 SD/MMC Reader*
10 Microphone-in Port
11 Speaker/ Headphone Port
12 USB Port
13
14 Power Button
15 Wireless Connect Button*
* Only applies to Aspire G600.
1394 Port (Optional)
Aspire G600
5
Aspire M500
6
Computer Rear View
No. Description
1 Power Jack
2 Voltage Selector Switch
3 Fan
4 PS/2 Keyboard Port
5 PS/2 Mouse Port
6 USB Port
7 Lan Port
8 Serial Port
9 Ventilation slot
10 Parallel Port
11 VGA Port
12 Audio Ports
13 Game Port
14 PCI Card slots
Aspire G600
7
Aspire M500
8
System Components
• Monitor - refer to page 16
• Keyboard - refer to page 12
• Mouse - refer to page 9
• Speakers - refer to page 15
System Components
Your Aspire computer system is made up of several
components. These include the computer itself, the
monitor, keyboard, mouse and speakers. This section
provides a brief description of the main component
features.
The Mouse
The pointing device included in your Aspire computer
system is an optical mouse. Unlike a traditional
mouse that requires the use of a mouse pad for its
ball system to work effectively, an optical mouse can
be used on almost any surface. This allows you to
operate your mouse anywhere in the vicinity of your
computer - an important advantage on a cluttered
desktop.
Your optical mouse works by continuously bouncing a
small beam of light off the surface on which it is
being operated. The information from the returning
light beams is read by the mouse and transmitted to
the computer. In this way, your computer is able to
calculate the precise movements of the mouse.
9
Although your mouse can be used effectively on most
surfaces, highly reflective materials, such as glass or
metal, can distort the light signal. If you wish to
operate your mouse on a reflective surface you
should first cover the surface with a non-reflective
object, such as a book or a sheet of paper.
Two types of optical mouse are available: a standard
corded mouse and a cordless mouse. The type of
mouse included in your system depends on the
system model you purchased.
10
Your mouse features standard controls: two buttons
and a scroll wheel for convenient navigation in
documents and web pages. For more help with
operating your mouse, see the mouse configuration
help on the taskbar.
left button
right button
Corded Mouse
If your Aspire computer system includes a corded
mouse, you should connect the cord to one of the
computer’s USB ports. See the OOBE poster for
guidance.
scroll wheel
Cordless Mouse
connect button
A cordless mouse provides the freedom to change
your work position without having to cope with an
obstructed or tangled cord.
If your Aspire computer system includes a cordless
mouse, you must allow the mouse and computer to
establish radio communication.
Before using your cordless mouse for the first time,
make sure that the batteries are correctly installed.
With the computer turned on and the Windows
operating system running, move the mouse within
range (not more than 2 meters/6 feet) of the
computer. Windows should detect the radio signal
and begin using the mouse. If Windows fails to detect
the mouse, pls follow below steps:
step 1: If you bought Aspire G600, press the connect
button on the front of the computer; If you
bought Aspire M500, press the connect button on the
receiver.
11
step 2: Press the connect button on the mouse.
Note:
When your cordless mouse is running out
of batteries, a pop-up window will remind you
to recharge it.
12
The Keyboard
Your Aspire computer system features a multimedia
keyboard, providing one-touch control for the most
important multimedia functions, as well as instant
access to your favorite websites.
Your keyboard features a standard set of keys,
including 12 function keys, four cursor direction keys
and a numeric keypad.
The multimedia keys provide the following functions:
No. Description
1 Suspend
2 Multimedia control
3 Programmable Keys
The programmable hot keys can be set to open any
website or any application on your computer. When
you purchase your Aspire, the hot keys will have the
following default settings:
Home - opens your Internet home page.
Email - launches the email application.
Go - opens an application or website of your
choice.
Search - opens the Internet search engine.
See the iTouch configuration help on the taskbar
for help with operating your keyboard or for
guidance on reprogramming the hot keys.
Two types of multimedia keyboard are available: a
standard corded keyboard and a cordless keyboard.
The type of keyboard included in your system
depends on the system model you purchased.
Corded Keyboard
If your Aspire computer system includes a corded
keyboard, you should connect the cord to the PS/2
keyboard port at the back of the computer before
starting Windows. See the OOBE poster for
guidance...
13
Cordless Keyboard
A cordless keyboard allows greater freedom of
movement. This means you can easily reposition your
keyboard to suit your changing workspace
arrangement.
14
If your Aspire computer system includes a cordless
keyboard, you must allow the keyboard and
computer to establish radio communication.
Before using your cordless keyboard for the first time,
make sure that the batteries are correctly installed.
With the computer turned on and the Windows
operating system running, move the keyboard within
range (not more than 2 meters/6 feet) of the
computer. Windows should detect the radio signal
and begin using the keyboard. If Windows fails to
detect the keyboard, pls follow below steps:
step 1: If you bought Aspire G600, press the connect
button on the front of the computer; If you
bought Aspire M500, press the connect button on the
receiver.
step 2: Press the connect button on the keyboard.
Note:
When your cordless keyboard is running
out of batteries, a pop-up window will remind
you to recharge it.
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