Acer NX.VFMEK.013 User Manual

TravelMate P6 Series

User’s Manual

- 1

2 -

Important

1. Ensure you are connected to the Internet.

2. Open www.acer.com and select your country.

3. Click REGISTER A PRODUCT.

4. Sign up for an Acer ID or sign in if you already have an Acer ID.

Register your Acer product

After we receive your product registration, you will be sent a confirmation email with important data. Keep this email in a safe place.

Manage your registered products

Once you have completed the registration process, you can log onto account.acer.com using your Acer ID and password to see and manage all your registered products.

Note: It may take a few days for your information to be updated to the database.

This manual contains proprietary information that is protected by copyright laws. The information contained in this manual is subject to change without notice. Images provided herein are for reference only and may contain information or features that do not apply to your computer. Acer Group shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained in this manual.

Model number: _________________________________ Serial number: _________________________________ Date of purchase: ______________________________ Place of purchase: ______________________________

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of contents - 3

Manage your registered products ............... 2

First things first 6

Your guides ............................................. 6

Basic care and tips for using your

computer.................................................. 7

Turning your computer off ........................... 7

Taking care of your computer ..................... 7

Taking care of your AC adapter .................. 8

Cleaning and servicing................................ 8

Your Acer notebook tour 9

Screen view ............................................. 9

Keyboard view ....................................... 11

Left view ............................................... 12

Information on USB 3.0............................. 12

Right view ............................................. 14

Base view .............................................. 15

Using the keyboard 17

Lock keys and embedded numeric

keypad................................................... 17

Hotkeys ..................................................... 18

Windows keys........................................ 19

Touchpad 20

Touchpad basics ................................... 20

Touchpad gestures................................ 20

Recovery 22

Creating a factory default backup.......... 22

Backing up your wireless and LAN

drivers.................................................... 25

Restoring your computer ....................... 25

Reset this PC and keep my files ............... 25

Reset this PC and remove everything ...... 26

Using a Bluetooth connection 29

Enabling and disabling Bluetooth .......... 29

Enable Bluetooth and add a device .......... 29

Connecting to the Internet 31

Connecting to a wireless network.......... 31

Connecting to a wireless LAN................... 31

Connecting with a cable ........................ 35

Built-in network feature ............................. 35

Connecting to a cellular network ........... 35

Acer ProShield 37

Overview................................................ 37

Setting up Acer ProShield ..................... 37

Personal Secure Drive .............................. 39

Credential Manager ............................... 40

Fingerprint Registration* ........................... 40

Data Protection ...................................... 41

Data Removal ........................................ 41

Securing your computer 42

Using a computer security lock.............. 42

Using passwords ................................... 42

Entering passwords .................................. 43

BIOS utility 44

Boot sequence....................................... 44

Setting passwords ................................. 44

Power management 45

Saving power ......................................... 45

Battery pack 47

Battery characteristics ........................... 47

Charging the battery ................................. 47

Optimizing battery life ............................... 48

Checking the battery level......................... 49

Battery-low warning .................................. 49

Traveling with your computer 50

Disconnecting from the desktop ............ 50

Moving around ....................................... 50

Preparing the computer ............................ 50

What to bring to meetings ......................... 51

Taking the computer home .................... 51

Preparing the computer ............................ 51

What to take with you................................ 52

Special considerations .............................. 52

Setting up a home office ........................... 52

Traveling with the computer................... 53

Preparing the computer ............................ 53

What to take with you................................ 53

Special considerations .............................. 53

Traveling internationally......................... 53

Preparing the computer ............................ 54

What to bring with you .............................. 54

Special considerations .............................. 54

Universal Serial Bus (USB) 56

HDMI 57

Memory card reader 58

Connectivity options............................... 58

Video and audio connectors 60

Frequently asked questions 62

Requesting service ................................ 64

Tips and hints for using Windows 10 ..... 65

How do I get to Start? ............................... 65

How do I turn off my computer?................ 65

How do I unlock my computer?................. 65

How do I set the alarm? ............................ 67

4 - Table of contents

Where are my apps?................................. 68

What is a Microsoft ID (account)?............. 68

How do I check for Windows updates?..... 69

Where can I get more information?........... 69

Troubleshooting..................................... 70

Troubleshooting tips.................................. 70

Error messages......................................... 70

Internet and online security 72

First steps on the net ............................. 72

Protecting your computer .......................... 72

Choose an Internet Service Provider........ 72

Network connections................................. 74

Surf the Net!.............................................. 76

Security ..................................................... 76

Getting started...

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In this section you will find:

• Useful information on caring for your computer and your health

• Where to find the power button, ports and connectors

• Tips and tricks for using the touchpad and keyboard

• How to create recovery backups

• Guidelines for connecting to a network and using Bluetooth

• Information on using Acer’s bundled software

6 - First things first

FIRST THINGS FIRST

We would like to thank you for making this Acer notebook your choice for meeting your mobile computing needs.

Your guides

To help you use your Acer notebook, we have designed a set of guides:

First off, the Setup Guide (or Setup Poster) helps you get started with setting up your computer.

The Quick Guide introduces you to the basic features and functions of your new computer. For more on how your computer can help you to be more productive, please refer to the User’s Manual. This guide contains detailed information on such subjects as system utilities, data recovery, expansion options and troubleshooting.

There are two ways to download the User’s Manual. You must first be connected to the internet.

1. Open Acer ControlCenter from the desktop and select My System

> Summary and click User’s Manual to download the User’s Manual.

2. Click on the link under Support.

1. The link will open the Acer Service & Support webpage.

2. From this page you can download and install the Acer identification tool that will automatically detect your computer’s serial number and SNID and allow you to copy it to the clipboard.

3. Scroll down to Drivers and Manuals and search for your model by pasting in or manually entering the serial number, SNID, or product model.

4. Once you have found your product model, select Documents and select your language to download the User’s Manual.

First things first - 7

Note

Basic care and tips for using your computer

Turning your computer off

To turn the power off, do any of the following:

• Use the Windows shutdown command: Press the Windows key or select the Windows Start button, select Power > Shut down.

• Right-click the Windows Start button > Shut down or sign out > Shut down.

If you need to power down the computer for a short while, but don’t want to completely shut it down, you can put it to Sleep by doing any of the following:

• Press the power button.

• Press the sleep hotkey.

• Press the Windows key or select the Windows Start button, select Power > Sleep.

• Right-click the Windows Start button > Shut down or sign out > Sleep.

If you cannot power off the computer normally, press and hold the power button for more than four seconds to shut down the computer. If you turn off the computer and want to turn it on again, wait at least two seconds before powering up.

Taking care of your computer

Your computer will serve you well if you take care of it.

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

• Do not expose the computer to temperatures below 0º C (32º F) or above 50º C (122º F).

• Do not subject the computer to magnetic fields.

• Do not expose the computer to rain or moisture.

• Do not spill water or any liquid on the computer.

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

8 - First things first

• Do not expose the computer to dust or dirt.

• Never place objects on top of the computer.

• Do not slam the computer display when you close it.

• Never place the computer on uneven surfaces.

Taking care of your AC adapter

Here are some ways to take care of your AC adapter:

• Do not connect the adapter to any other device.

• Do not step on the power cord or place heavy objects on top of it. Route the power cord and any cables away from where people walk.

• When unplugging the power cord, do not pull on the cord itself but pull on the plug.

• The total ampere ratings 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.

Cleaning and servicing

When cleaning the computer, follow these steps:

1. Turn off the computer.

2. Disconnect the AC adapter.

3. Use a soft, moist cloth. Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners.

If your computer is dropped or visibly damaged, or does not work normally, please contact your nearest authorized Acer service center. For more information, please see Got a question? on page 59.

Your Acer notebook tour - 9

34 5

YOUR ACER NOTEBOOK TOUR

After setting up your computer as illustrated in the Setup Guide, let us show you around your new Acer computer.

Screen view

# Icon Item Description

Web camera for video

1 Webcam

2 Screen Displays computer output.

Power indicator

Battery indicator

Hard drive indicator

communicat

A light next to the webcam indicates that the

Indicates the computer’s power

atus.

st Indicates the computer’s battery

atus.

Charging: The when the battery is charging. Fully charged: The when in AC mode.

Indicates when the computer’s hard drive is active.

ion.

webcam is active.

light shows amber

light shows blue

10 - Your Acer notebook tour

# Icon Item Description

4 SD card reader

5 Microphones

Accepts one Secure Digital (SD or S

DHC) card.

Only one card can operate at a time.

Internal stereo microphones for sound recording.

Keyboard view

# Icon Item Description

1 Keyboard

3 Touchpad Touch-sensitive pointing device.

NFC contact are

Click buttons (left and right)

Fingerprint re

Airplane mode

P key

Microphone mute

ader

Your Acer notebook tour - 11

For entering data into your computer.

See "Using the keyboard" on page

17.

When activated, place an NFCenabled device ve

ry close to this area to exchange data. See the User’s Manual for more information on using NFC.

The left and right buttons function like

ft and right mouse buttons.

the le Fingerprint reader for Acer ProShield

curity Suite (configuration may

Se vary by model).

Enables/disables the computer’s com

munication devices.

Programmable key (configuration may vary by mode

l).

Mutes the microphone.

12 - Your Acer notebook tour

2345

# Icon Item Description

Left view

# Icon Item Description

Power button Turns the computer on and off.

Num Lock

Caps Lock

Lights up when Num Lock is activate

Lights up when Caps Lock is activate

Connects to an Ethernet 10/100/

Ethernet (RJ-45) port

External display (VGA) port

HDMI port

USB port Connects to USB devices.

USB Type-C / Thunderbolt 3 port

Headset/ speaker jack

1000-ba

Pull the lip down to open the port fully

Connects to a display device (e.g., external monitor, LCD projector).

Supports high-definition digital video conn

Connects to USB devices that adopt the USB T Thunderbolt 3, displays, and USB 3.1 Type-C, Gen 2 with transfer speeds up to 10 Gb/s.

Connects to audio devices (e.g., spea with microphone.

sed network.

ections.

ype-C connector. Supports

kers, headphones) or a headset

Information on USB 3.0

• USB 3.0 compatible ports are blue.

• Compatible with USB 3.0 and earlier devices.

Your Acer notebook tour - 13

• For optimal performance, use USB 3.0-certified devices.

• Defined by the USB 3.0 specification (SuperSpeed USB).

14 - Your Acer notebook tour

341

Right view

# Icon Item Description

USB port Connects to USB devices. USB port with

power-off charging

Kensington lock slot

DC-in jack Connects to an AC adapter.

Connects to USB devices.

Connects to a Kensington-compatible computer security lock.

Wrap the computer security lock cable arou such as a table or handle of a locked drawer. Insert the lock into the notch and turn the key to secure the lock. Keyless models are also available.

nd an immovable object

Base view

# Icon Item Description

5 Speakers Deliver stereo audio output.

Micro SIM card slot

Acer ProDock conne

ctor

HDD compartment

Memory compartment

Acer DASP (Di

sk Anti-Shock

Protection)

Your Acer notebook tour - 15

Accepts a 4G micro SIM card for 4G conn

ectivity.

Insert a 4G SIM card to enable 4G communicat

ion. The SIM card connectors need to face up towards the screen.

Connects to the optional Acer ProDock.

Houses the computer’s hard disk drive memory.

Houses the computer’s main mamory.

Protects the hard disk from shocks and bu

mps.

16 - Your Acer notebook tour

# Icon Item Description

Battery reset pinhole

Acer DustDefend

Ventilation and cooling fa

Simulates removing and reinstalling the bat

tery.

Insert a paperclip into the hole and press for fo

ur seconds.

Reduces dust accumulation, enabling t

he components to stay

cool, perform better and last longer. Allows the computer to stay cool.

Do not cover or obstruct the openings.

Using the keyboard - 17

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 key Description

Caps Lock

Num Lock <Fn> + <F11>

Scroll Lock <Fn> + <F12>

When Caps Lock is on, all alphabetic characters typed are in uppercase.

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 access Num Lock on Num Lock off

Number keys on embedded keypad

Cursor-control keys on embedded keypad

Main keyboard keys

Type numbers in a normal manner.

Hold <Shift> while using cursor-control keys.

Hold <Fn> while typing letters on embedded keypad.

Hold <Fn> while using cursor-control keys.

Type the letters in a normal manner.

18 - Using the keyboard

Hotkeys

The computer employs hotkeys or key combinations to access most of the computer's controls like screen brightness and volume output.

To activate hotkeys, press and hold the <Fn> key before pressing the other key in the hotkey combination.

Hotkey Icon Function Description

<Fn> + <F3> Airplane mode

<Fn> + <F4> Sleep

<Fn> + <F5> Display toggle

<Fn> + <F6> Display off

Touchpad toggle

<Fn> + <F8> Speaker toggle

Keyboard backlight

<Fn> + <F12>Scr Lk

<Fn> + < > Brightness up

Brightness down

<Fn> + < > Volume up Increases the sound volume.

Turns on / off the computer's network devices.

Puts the computer in Sleep mode.

Switches display output between the display screen, external monitor (if connected) and both.

Turns the display screen backlight off to save power. Press any key to return.

Turns the built-in touchpad on and off.

Turns the speakers on and off.

Turns the keyboard backlight on and off.

Also adjusts the backlight brightness.

Turns the scroll lock feature on or off.

Increases the screen brightness.

Decreases the screen brightness.

<Fn> + < > Volume down Decreases the sound volume. <Fn> +

<Home>

Play/Pause

Play or pause a selected media file.

Hotkey Icon Function Description

Stop

Next Jump to the next media file.

Stop playing the selected media file.

Return to the previous media file.

Windows keys

The keyboard has two keys that perform Windows-specific functions.

Key Description

Pressed alone it returns to the Start screen or to

Windows key

Application key

return to the last open app. It can also be used with other keys for special functions, please check Windows Help.

This key has the same effect as clicking the right mouse button; it opens the application's context menu.

Using the keyboard - 19

20 - Touchpad

Note

TOUCHPAD

Touchpad basics

The touchpad controls the arrow (or 'cursor') on the screen. As you slide your finger across the touchpad, the cursor will follow this movement.

Press the left or right side of the button located beneath the touchpad to perform selection and execution functions, or tap the surface of the touchpad. These two areas are similar to the left and right buttons on a mouse.

The touchpad is sensitive to finger movement; the lighter the touch, the better the response. Please keep the touchpad and your fingers dry and clean.

The cursor is controlled by some basic gestures:

• Single-finger slide: Slide a finger across the touchpad to move the cursor.

• Single-finger tap: Lightly tap the touchpad with your finger, to perform a 'click', which will select or start an item. Quickly repeat the tap to perform a double tap or 'double click'.

• Drag: Press and hold the left side of the selection button, or tap twice anywhere on the touchpad, then slide a second finger across the touchpad to select all items in an area.

Touchpad gestures

Windows 10 and many applications support touchpad gestures that use one or more fingers.

Support for touchpad gestures depends on the active application.

These allow you to control applications with a few simple gestures, such as:

• Swipe in from edge: Access Windows tools by swiping into the center of the touchpad from the right or left edge.

• Swipe in from right: Toggle the charms.

• Swipe in from left: Switch to the previous app.

• Two-finger slide: Swiftly scroll through web pages, documents and playlists by placing two fingers on the touchpad and moving both in any direction.

• Two-finger pinch: Zoom in and out of photos, maps and documents with a simple finger-and-thumb gesture.

Touchpad - 21

22 - Recovery

Note

Important

Note

RECOVERY

If you are having trouble with your computer, and the frequently asked questions (see Frequently asked questions on page 58) do not help, you can recover your computer.

This section describes the recovery tools available on your computer. Acer provides Acer ControlCenter, which allows you to reset your PC, refresh your PC, or create a factory default backup.

Acer ControlCenter is only available with a pre-installed Windows operating system.

We recommend that you create a Factory Default Backup as soon as possible. In certain situations a full recovery will require a USB recovery backup.

Creating a factory default backup

Backup allows you to quickly and easily back up your operating system, installed apps and data.

1. From Start, select All apps then Acer. Select Acer Recovery Management in the list of Acer apps.

Since the recovery backup requires at least 8 GB of storage after formatting, it is recommended to use a USB drive with a capacity of 16

GB or larger.

Recovery - 23

2. Select the Backup tab and click Get Started for Create Factory Default Backup to open the Recovery Drive window.

3. Make sure Backup system files to the recovery drive is selected and click Next.

4. Plug in the USB drive and wait for the PC to detect the USB drive then click Next.

24 - Recovery

Important

• Since the recovery backup requires at least 8 GB of storage after

formatting, it is recommended to use a USB drive with a capacity of 16

GB or larger.

5. Everything on the drive will be deleted. Click Create to continue.

6. You will be shown the backup progress on the screen.

7. Follow the process until it completes.

8. After creating the recovery backup, you can choose to delete the recovery information on your computer. If you delete this information, you can only use the USB recovery backup to restore your computer, if you lose or erase the USB drive, you cannot restore your computer.

9. Unplug the USB drive and label it clearly.

Write a unique, descriptive label on the backup, such as 'Windows Recovery Backup'. Make sure you keep the backup in a safe place that you will remember.

Backing up your wireless and LAN drivers

Back up your wireless and LAN drivers. You can use these backups to install the wireless and LAN drivers if you install another operating system.

1. From Start, select All apps then Acer. Select Acer Recovery Management in the list of Acer apps.

2. Select the Backup tab and click Get started for Backup wireless and LAN drivers. Choose a folder to save your drivers and select

OK.

Restoring your computer

Recovery Management allows you to quickly and easily restore your computer back to its default status. You can choose to keep your files or remove them before reinstalling Windows.

Reset this PC and keep my files

1. From Start, select All apps then Acer. Select Acer Recovery Management in the list of Acer apps.

2. Select the Restore tab and click Get started to Choose an option.

Recovery - 25

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