Acer PREDATOR 15 User Manual

- 1

Predator 15

User’s Manual

2 -

Important

Open the Acer Portal app to sign up for an Acer ID or sign in if you already have an Acer ID.

There are three great reasons for you to get an Acer ID:

• Build Your Own Cloud with Acer BYOC.

• Get the latest offers and product information.

• Register your device for warranty service.

For more information, please visit the Acer BYOC website:

www.acer.com/byoc-start

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

First things first 5

Your guides .................................................... 5

Basic care and tips for using your

computer.......................................................... 6

Turning your computer off....................... 6

Taking care of your computer................ 6

Taking care of your AC adapter............ 7

Cleaning and servicing ................................ 7

Your Predator notebook tour 8

Screen view.................................................... 8

Keyboard view.............................................. 9

Left view ....................................................... 10

Information on USB 3.0 .......................... 11

Right view ..................................................... 11

Base view ...................................................... 13

Using the keyboard 15

Lock keys ...................................................... 15

Hotkeys ............................................................. 15

Windows keys............................................. 17

Touchpad 18

Touchpad basics........................................ 18

Touchpad gestures.................................. 18

Recovery 20

Creating a factory default backup 20 Backing up your wireless and LAN

drivers ............................................................ 23

Restoring your computer................... 23

Reset this PC and keep my files ........ 23

Reset this PC and remove everything 24

Using a Bluetooth connection 27

Enabling and disabling Bluetooth .. 27

Enable Bluetooth and add a device . 27

Connecting to the Internet 30

Connecting to a wireless network . 30

Connecting to a wireless LAN ............ 30

Connecting with a cable....................... 33

Built-in network feature ......................... 33

Connecting to a cellular network... 34

Acer Bluelight Shield 35

PredatorSense 36

The PredatorSense main screen ... 36

Assign an action to a hotkey................ 37

Create a new profile ................................. 38

Record a macro ........................................... 39

Adjust the keyboard backlight ............ 41

PredatorSense settings ...................... 42

Securing your computer 43

Using a computer security lock...... 43

Using passwords ..................................... 43

Entering passwords .................................. 44

BIOS utility 45

Boot sequence .......................................... 45

Setting passwords.................................. 45

Power management 46

Saving power.............................................. 46

Battery pack 48

Battery characteristics........................ 48

Charging the battery................................ 48

Optimizing battery life............................. 49

Checking the battery level.................... 50

Battery-low warning ................................ 50

Traveling with your computer 51

Disconnecting from the desktop..... 51

Moving around ........................................... 51

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

What to bring to meetings..................... 52

Taking the computer home................ 52

Preparing the computer.......................... 52

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

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

Setting up a home office......................... 53

Traveling with the computer ............ 54

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

What to take with you............................. 54

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

Traveling internationally..................... 55

Preparing the computer .......................... 55

What to bring with you............................ 55

Special considerations ............................. 55

Memory card reader 57

Connectivity options............................... 57

Video and audio connectors 59

Universal Serial Bus (USB) 61

Thunderbolt 3 port 63

Displays......................................................... 63

HDMI 65

Frequently asked questions 66

Requesting service ................................. 68

Tips and hints for using Windows

10 ...................................................................... 70

How do I get to Start?............................ 70

How do I turn off my computer? ..... 70

How do I unlock my computer? .......... 71

4 - Table of contents

How do I set the alarm? ......................... 72

Where are my apps? ................................. 73

What is a Microsoft ID (account)? ... 74 How do I check for Windows

updates? ........................................................... 74

Where can I get more information? 75

Troubleshooting....................................... 76

Troubleshooting tips ................................. 76

Error messages ............................................ 76

Internet and online security 78

First steps on the net ........................... 78

Protecting your computer ..................... 78

Choose an Internet Service Provider 78

Network connections ............................... 80

Surf the Net! ................................................. 82

Security ............................................................ 82

Playing Blu-Ray or DVD movies 90

First things first - 5

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 Care Center 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.

6 - First things first

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 <cross-ref to keyboard section>.

•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.

First things first - 7

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

• 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 Frequently asked questions on page 66.

8 - Your Predator notebook tour

YOUR PREDATOR NOTEBOOK

TOUR

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

Screen view

# Icon Item Description

Web camera for video comm

1 Webcam

2 Microphones

3 Screen Displays computer output. 4 Speakers Deliver stereo audio output.

A light next to the webcam indic active.

Internal stereo digital m recording.

unication.

ates that the webcam is

icrophones for sound

Keyboard view

# Icon Item Description

Battery indicator

Power indicator

Hard drive indicator

Programmable ke

Your Predator notebook tour - 9

Indicates the computer’s b

attery status.

Charging: The light

shows amber when the battery is charging. Fully charg ed: Th

e light shows

red when plugged in.

Indicates the computer’s power status.

Indicates when the computer’s hard drive is active.

Keys that allow you to change comput current game.

er settings to suit your

You can define settings for each

y from PredatorSense; please

ke refer to PredatorSense on page 36.

10 - Your Predator notebook tour

234 75

6 8

# Icon Item Description

3 Keyboard

4 Touchpad Touch-sensitive pointing device.

Click buttons (left and right)

Touchpad / Windows key toggle button

For entering data into your comp

uter.

See Using the keyboard on page 15.

The left and right buttons fu

nction like the left and right

mouse buttons. Turns the built-in touchpad and

Windows

key on and off.

To turn both the touchpad and Windows ke

y on again, you need to press this button. The <Fn> + <F7> hotkey does not work for the Windows key.

Left view

# Icon Item Description

Power button Turns the computer on and off.

DC-in jack Connects to an AC adapter.

USB ports Connect to USB devices.

Mic-in jack

Headset/ speaker jack

SD card reader

Connects to an external micr

ophone for recording audio.

Connects to audio devices (e.g., speakers, headphones)

Accepts one Secure Digital (SD or S

DHC) card.

Only one card can operate at a time.

Your Predator notebook tour - 11

12 456 73

# Icon Item Description

6 Optical drive

Optical drive eject but

Emergency eject hole

ton

Internal optical drive; accepts CDs or D

Ejects the optical disk from the drive.

Ejects the optical drive tray when the

Carefully insert a straightened paper clip to eject the optical drive tray.

VDs.

computer is turned off.

Information on USB 3.0

• USB 3.0 compatible ports are blue.

• Compatible with USB 3.0 and earlier devices.

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

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

Right view

# Icon Item Description

Connects to USB devices that ad

opt the USB Type-C USB Type-C / Thunderbolt 3 port

USB port with power-off charging

USB port Connects to USB devices.

connector.

Supports Thunderbolt 3,

splays, and USB 3.1 Type-C,

di Gen 2 with transfer speeds up to 10 Gb/s.

Connects to USB devices.

12 - Your Predator notebook tour

# Icon Item Description

4 HDMI port

External display (DisplayPort) port

Ethernet (RJ-

45) port

Kensington lock slot

Supports high-definition digital video c

onnections.

Connects to a display device using the

high-definition

DisplayPort interface.

Connects to an Ethernet 10/ 100/1000-based network.

Connects to a Kensingtoncompatible computer security lock.

Wrap the computer security

cable around an immovable

lock 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. Keyless models are also available.

Base view

Subwoofer

# Icon Item Description

Ventilation and c

ooling

fan

Battery reset pinhole

Main drive compartment

Memory compartment

Your Predator notebook tour - 13

Allows the computer to stay cool.

Do not cover or obstruct the

enings.

Simulates removing and reinst

alling the battery.

Insert a paperclip into the hole and press f

or four seconds.

Houses the computer’s main storage drive.

Houses the computer’s main mem

ory.

To ensure maximum reliability an

d performance, only use

memory modules purchased from an authorized Predator reseller.

14 - Your Predator notebook tour

# Icon Item Description

5 Subwoofer Delivers enhanced bass audio.

Optical drive / cooling module fan lock

Locks the optical drive or cooling fan module in position.

Turn the computer off before swapping between the optical drive and fan.

Using the keyboard - 15

USING THE KEYBOARD

The keyboard has full-sized keys and a separate numeric keypad, separate cursor, lock, Windows, function and special keys.

Lock keys

The keyboard has three lock keys which you can toggle on and off.

Lock key Description

Caps Lock

Num Lock

Scroll Lock <Fn> + <F12>

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

When Num Lock is on, the 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.

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.

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> + <F4> Sleep

Airplane mode

Turns on / off the computer's network devices.

Puts the computer in Sleep mode.

16 - Using the keyboard

Hotkey Icon Function Description

<Fn> + <F6> Display off

<Fn> + <F12>Scr Lk

<Fn> + < > Volume up

<Fn> + < > Volume down

<Fn

> +

<Pg Dn>

<Fn> + <End>Next

Switches display output Display toggle

between the display

screen, external monitor

(if connected) and both.

Turns the display screen

backlight off to save

power. Press any key to

return. Touchpad

toggle Speaker

toggle Keyboard

backlight

Turns the built-in

touchpad on and off.

Turns the speakers on

and off.

Turns the keyboard

backlight on and off.

Turns the scroll lock

feature on or off. Brightness upIncreases the screen

brightness. Brightness

down

Decreases the screen

brightness.

Increases the sound

volume.

Decreases the sound

volume.

Play/Pause

Stop

Play or pause a selected

media file.

Stop playing the selected

media file.

Return to the previous

media file.

Jump to the next media

file.

Using the keyboard - 17

Windows keys

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

Key Description

Pressed alone it returns to the Start screen

Windows key

Application key

or to 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.

18 - 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 - 19

20 - Recovery

Note

Important

Note

RECOVERY

If you are having trouble with your computer, and the frequently asked questions (see Frequently asked questions on page 66) do not help, you can recover your computer.

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

Acer Care Center 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

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

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 - 21

'Recovery' in the Cortana search box and then select Acer Recovery Management in the list of apps.

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.

22 - Recovery

Important

• Since the recovery backup requires at least 8 G B o f

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.

Recovery - 23

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, type 'Recovery' in the Cortana search box and then select Acer Recovery Management in the list of 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, type 'Recovery' in the Cortana search box and then click AcerRecovery Management in the list of apps.

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

option.

24 - Recovery

3.Select Keep my files to refresh your PC and reinstall your operating system without removing your personal files.

4.If you have apps installed on your PC, they will be removed. Click Next to continue.

5.Reseting the PC will reinstall Windows, change settings back to their factory defaults and remove all preinstalled apps and programs without removing your personal files. Click Reset to continue.

6.You will be shown the reset progress on the screen. The screen will turn off during the reset process.

7.The screen will turn back on when it is installing Windows. Your PC will restart several times during the reset process.

8.Follow the process until it completes.

9.When your PC has completed the reset process, Windows will have been reset back to its factory default settings without removing your personal files.

Reset this PC and remove everything

1. From Start, type 'Recovery' in the Cortana search box and then click AcerCare Center in the list of apps.

Recovery - 25

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

3.Select Remove everything to reset your PC back to its factory default. This process will reinstall your operating system and remove all of your personal files, apps, and settings.

4.Select Just remove my files if you are keeping your computer. This will be quicker, but less secure. Files may still be recovered with a file recovery program. Select Remove files and clean the drive if you are not

26 - Recovery

Warning

keeping your computer. This process will take longer, but will be more secure.

Selecting "Remove files and clean the drive" will remove all of your personal files and accounts, along with pre-existing drivers that may affect your Windows installation.

5. Click Reset to continue.

6.You will be shown the reset progress on the screen. The screen will turn off during the reset process.

7.The screen will turn back on when it is installing Windows. Your PC will restart several times during the reset process.

8.Follow the process until it completes.

9.When your PC has completed the reset process, Windows will have been reset back to its factory default settings.

Using a Bluetooth connection - 27

Note

USING A BLUETOOTH

CONNECTION

Bluetooth is a technology enabling you to transfer data wirelessly over short distances between many different types of devices. Bluetooth-enabled devices include computers, cell phones, tablets, wireless headsets, and keyboards.

To use Bluetooth, you must ensure the following:

1. Bluetooth is enabled on both devices.

2.Your devices are "paired" (or connected).

Enabling and disabling Bluetooth

The Bluetooth adapter must be enabled on both devices. For your computer, this may be an external switch, a software setting, or a separate Bluetooth dongle plugged into the computer’s USB port (if no internal Bluetooth adapter is available).

Please check your devices owner’s manual to determine how to turn on its Bluetooth adapter.

Enable Bluetooth and add a device

Every new device must first be "paired" with your computer’s Bluetooth adapter. This means it must first be authenticated for security purposes. You only need to pair once. After that, simply turning on the Bluetooth adapter of both devices will connect them.

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