Acer TRAVELMATE-2350 User Manual

TravelMate 2350 Series

User's Guide

TravelMate 4050 Series Notebook Computer User's Guide Second Issue: November 2004

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 correspondence 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.

TravelMate 2350 Series Notebook Computer

Model number: _________________________________

Serial number: ___________________________________

Purchase date: ___________________________________

Place of purchase: ________________________________

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

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First things first

We would like to thank you for making the TravelMate series of notebook computers your choice for your mobile computing needs. We hope you will be happy with your TravelMate as much as we enjoyed making it for you.

Your guides

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

First off, the Just for Starters... poster helps you get started with setting up your computer.

This User's guide introduces you to the many ways your computer can help you be more productive. This guide provides clear and concise information about the computer, so read it thoroughly.

If you ever need to print out a copy, this User’s guide is also available in Portable Document Format (PDF). Follow these steps:

1 Click on Start, All Programs, AcerSystem. 2 Click on AcerSystem User's guide.

Note: Viewing the file requires Adobe Acrobat Reader be installed. For instructions on how to use Adobe Acrobat Reader, access the Help and Support menu.

English

For more information about our products, services, and support information, please visit our website: http://www.acer.com

Basic care and tips for using your computer

English

Turning your computer on and off

To turn on the computer, simply press the power button on the left of the launch keys found above your TravelMate's standard keyboard. See "Front open view" on page 3 for the location of the power button.

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

• Use the Windows shutdown command. For Windows 2000: Click on Start, Shut Down..., and select Shut

down; then click on OK.

- or For Windows XP:

Off.

• Use the power button.

Note: You can also use the power button to perform power management functions. See Windows help for more information.

• Use the customised functions for power management. You can also shut down the computer by closing the display cover,

or by pressing the Sleep hot key (<Fn>+<Esc>). See the online guide for details.

Click on Start, Turn off Computer; then click Turn

Note: 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 0ºC (32ºF) or

above 50ºC (122ºF).

• 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 and vibration.

• Do not expose the computer to dust and dirt.

• Never place objects on top of the computer to avoid damaging the

computer.

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

• Never place the computer on uneven surfaces.

Taking care of your AC adaptor

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

• Do not connect the adaptor to any other device.

• 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 where people walk.

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

• If you are using an extension cord, the total ampere ratings of the equipment plugged in should not exceed the ampere rating of the cord. Also, the total current rating of all equipment plugged into a single wall outlet should not exceed the fuse rating.

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Taking care of your battery pack

Here are some ways to take care of your battery pack:

• Use only batteries of the same kind as replacements. Turn the power off before removing or replacing batteries.

• Do not tamper with batteries. Keep them away from children.

• Dispose of used batteries according to local regulations. Recycle if

at all possible.

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Cleaning and servicing

When cleaning the computer, follow these steps:

• Power off the computer and remove the battery pack.

• Disconnect the AC adaptor.

• Use a soft cloth moistened with water. Do not use liquid or aerosol

cleaners.

• To clean the display screen, use an LCD cleaning kit.

If any of the following occurs:

• The computer has been dropped or the body has been damaged.

• Liquid has been spilled into the computer.

• The computer does not operate normally.

Please refer to "Troubleshooting my computer" on page 45.

First things first iii

Your guides iii Basic care and tips for using your computer iv

1 Getting to know your TravelMate 1

A TravelMate tour 3

Front open view 3 Front view 4 Left view 6 Right view 6 Rear view 8

Bottom view 9 Features 10 Indicators 12 Using the keyboard 14

Special keys 14 Launch keys 20 Touchpad 21

Touchpad basics 21 Storage 23

Hard disc 23

Optical drive 23

Using software 24 Audio 25

Adjusting the volume 25 Power management 25 Moving around with your TravelMate 26

Disconnecting from the desktop 26

Moving around 26

Taking the computer home 27

Traveling with the computer 29

Traveling internationally with the computer 29 Securing your computer 31

Using a computer security lock 31

Using passwords 31

Contents

2 Customising my computer 33

Expanding through options 35

Connectivity options 35

Upgrade options 39 Using system utilities 41

Acer eManager 41

Launch Manager 41

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BIOS Utility 42

Acer disc-to-disc recovery 43

Multilingual operating system installation 43 Restore without a Recovery CD 43 Setup password and exit 44

3 Troubleshooting my computer 45

Frequently-asked questions 47 Troubleshooting tips 50 Error messages 51 Requesting service 52

International Traveler’s Warranty (ITW) 52 Before you call 53

Appendix A Specifications 55

Appendix B Notices 61

Index 77

1 Getting to know your

TravelMate

Your TravelMate computer combines highperformance, versatility, power management features and multimedia capabilities with a unique style and ergonomic design. Work with unmatched productivity and reliability with your powerful new computing partner.

A TravelMate tour

After setting up your computer as illustrated in the Just for Starters... poster, let us show you around your new TravelMate computer.

Front open view

English

# Item Description

1 Screen Also called Liquid-Crystal Display (LCD),

displays computer output.

2 Power button Turns on the computer.

# Item Description

1 Getting to know your TravelMate4

English

3 Launch keys Two special keys for frequently used

programs. See "Launch keys" on page 20 for more details.

4 Keyboard Inputs data into your computer.

5 Palmrest Comfortable support area for your hands

when you use the computer.

6 Click buttons

(left and right)

7 Touchpad Touch-sensitive pointing device which

8 Status indicators Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) that turn on

The left and right buttons function like the left and right mouse buttons.

functions like a computer mouse.

and off to show the status of the computer, its functions and components.

Front view

# Item Description

1 Optical drive Internal optical drive; accepts CDs or DVDs

depending on the optical drive type.

2 Optical drive

eject button

Ejects the optical drive tray from the drive.

# Item Description

3 Emergency eject

hole

4 Latch Latch for opening and closing the computer.

5 Power indicator Lights when the computer is on.

6 Battery indicator Lights when the battery is being charged.

7 Wireless/

Bluetooth communications

Ejects the optical drive tray when the computer is turned off. See page 48 for more details.

Lights to indicate the status of Wireless LAN (optional)/Bluetooth (optional) communications.

• Orange indicates that wireless LAN is

enabled.

• Blue indicates that Bluetooth is enabled.

• Purple indicates that wireless LAN and

Bluetooth are enabled.

The Bluetooth and Wireless buttons and indicators only work on models with Bluetooth and Wireless features, respectively.

English

1 Getting to know your TravelMate6

Left view

# Item Description

1 One USB 2.0 port Connects to USB devices (e.g., mouse,

camera).

2 PC Card slot Accepts one Type II 16-bit PC Card or

32-bit CardBus PC Card.

3 PC Card eject button Ejects the PC Card from the slot.

4 Microphone/line-in jack

5 Headphone/speaker/line-

out jack

6 Wireless Communication

switch

7 Stereo speaker Generates sound.

Accepts input from external microphones, or other audio line-in devices (e.g., audio CD player, stereo walkman and etc.)

Connects to headphones or other line-out audio devices (speakers).

Enables and disables Wireless communication devices.

Right view

# Item Description

1 Stereo speaker Generates sound.

2 HDD Houses the computer's hard disc.

3 DC-in jack

4 Ventilation slots Enable the computer to stay cool, even after

Connects the AC adaptor.

prolonged use.

English

1 Getting to know your TravelMate8

Rear view

# Item Description

1 Security lock Connects to a Kensington-compatible

2 External display

port

3 Two USB 2.0 ports Connects to USB devices (e.g., mouse,

4 Modem port Connects to a phone line.

5 Ethernet port Connects to an Ethernet 10/100 Base-T

computer security lock.

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

16.7 million colors and up to 1600 x 1200 at 85 Hz and 2048 x 1536 at 75 Hz resolution.

camera).

network.

Bottom view

# Item Description

1 Optical drive Internal optical drive; accepts CDs or DVDs

depending on the optical drive type.

English

2Memory

compartment

3 Hard disc bay Houses the computer's hard disc (secured

4 Battery compartment

release latch

5 Battery bay Houses the computer's battery pack.

Houses the computer's main memory.

by a screw).

Unlatches the battery to remove the battery compartment.

Features

1 Getting to know your TravelMate10

English

Below is a brief summary of the computer's many features:

Performance

• Intel® Celeron® M Processor 340 at 1.5 GHz or above

• Intel

• Memory upgradeable up to 2 GB using two slots

• Internal optical drive

• High-capacity, Enhanced IDE hard disc

• Li-ion main battery pack

• Power management system with advanced configuration power

855GME/852GM chipset

interface (ACPI)

Display

• 14.1" or 15.0" thin-film transistor (TFT) displaying at 1024 x 768 XGA resolution, or 15.0" TFT displaying at 1024 x 768 XGA resolution

• 3D graphics engine

• Simultaneous LCD and CRT display support

• Dual independent display

Multimedia

• 16-bit high-fidelity AC'97 stereo audio

• Built-in dual speakers

• High-speed optical drive

Connectivity

• High-speed fax/data modem port

• Ethernet/Fast Ethernet port

• Three USB 2.0 ports (two at the rear and one on left)

• 802.11b+g Wireless LAN (manufacturing option)

• Bluetooth(manufacturing option)

Expansion

• One Type II PC Card slot

• Upgradeable memory

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Indicators

1 Getting to know your TravelMate12

English

The computer has six easy-to-read status indicators below the display screen, and three on the front of the computer.

The Power and Battery status indicators are visible even when the display is closed.

Icon Function Description

HDD Lights when hard disc drive is active.

ODD Lights when optical disc drive is active.

Scroll Lock Lights when Scroll Lock is activated.

Icon Function Description

Caps Lock Lights when Caps Lock is activated.

Pad Lock Lights when Pad Lock is activated.

Num Lock Lights when Num Lock is activated.

Power indicator Lights when the computer is on.

Battery indicator Lights when the battery is being charged.

Wireless / Bluetooth communications

Lights to indicate the status of Wireless LAN (optional) / Bluetooth (optional) communications.

• Orange indicates that wireless LAN is enabled.

• Blue indicates that Bluetooth is enabled.

• Purple indicates that wireless LAN & Bluetooth

are enabled.

English

1. Charging: Flashing 1 sec. and off 3 sec.

2. Low capacity (about 10%): Flashing 0.25 sec. and off 0.25 sec.

3. Critically low capacity (about 3%): Flashing 0.1 sec. and off 0.1 sec.

4. Fully charged: Steady on.

Using the keyboard

1 Getting to know your TravelMate14

English

The full-sized keyboard includes an embedded numeric keypad, separate cursor keys, two Windows keys and twelve function keys.

Special keys

Lock keys

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

Lock key Description

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

Pad Lock (<Fn>+<F10 >)

Num Lock (<Fn>+<F11 >)

Scroll Lock (<Fn>+<F12 >)

When Pad Lock is on, the embedded keypad is enabled. In this mode the keypad acts as cursor keys.

When Num Lock is on, the embedded keypad is in numeric mode. The marked keys function as a numeric keypad (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.

Embedded numeric keypad

The embedded numeric keypad functions like a desktop numeric keypad. It is indicated by small characters located on the right-hand side of the keycaps.

Desired action Num Lock on Num Lock off

Type numbers Use embedded keypad in

the same was as the numeric keypad on a standard keyboard.

English

Type letters Hold <Fn> while pressing

the key within the embedded keypad.

Type the letters in a normal manner.

English

1 Getting to know your TravelMate16

Windows keys

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

Key Description

Windows logo key

Application key Opens a context menu (same as a right-click).

Start button. Combinations with this key perform shortcut functions. Below are a few examples:

+<Tab> (Activates next taskbar button)

+<E> (Explore My Computer)

+<F> (Find document)

+<M> (Minimise all)

<Shift>+ +<M> (Undoes minimise all)

+<R> (Displays the Run... dialog box)

Hot keys

The computer employs hot keys 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 hot key combination.

Hot key Icon Function Description

Sleep Puts the computer in Sleep

mode. See "Power management" on

page 25.

English

<Fn>+<F5> Display toggle Switches display output

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

Speaker toggle Turns the speakers on and off.

Volume up Increases the speaker volume.

Volume down Decreases the speaker

volume.

1 Getting to know your TravelMate18

Hot key Icon Function Description

English

<Fn>+<↑> Brightness up Increases the screen

brightness.

<Fn>+<↓> Brightness down Decreases the screen

brightness.

The Euro symbol

If your keyboard layout is set to United States-International, United Kingdom or if you have a keyboard with a European layout, you can type the Euro symbol on your keyboard.

Note for US keyboard users: The keyboard layout is set when you first set up Windows. For the Euro symbol to work, the keyboard layout has to be set to United States-International.

To verify the keyboard type in Windows Millennium Edition and Windows 2000, follow the steps below:

1 Click on Start, Settings, Control Panel. 2 Double-click on Keyboard. 3 Click on the Language tab. 4 Verify that the keyboard layout used for "En English (United

States)" is set to United States-International. If not, select and click on Properties; then select United States-

International and click on OK.

5 Click on OK.

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