Acer TRAVELMATE-2420 User Manual

TravelMate 2420 Series

User's Guide

Copyright © 2005. Acer Incorporated.
All Rights Reserved.

TravelMate 2420 Series User's Guide
Original Issue: November 2005

Changes may be made periodically to the information in this publication without obligation
to notify any person of such revisions 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, electronically, mechanically, by photocopy, recording or otherwise,
without the prior written permission of Acer Incorporated.

TravelMate 2420 Series Notebook PC

Model number: __________________________________

Serial number: ___________________________________

Date of purchase: ________________________________

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.

Disposal instructions

Do not throw this electronic device into the trash when discarding. To minimize
pollution and ensure utmost protection of the global environment, please
recycle.

USA
For electronic products containing an LCD/CRT monitor or display:
Lamp(s) inside this product contain mercury and must be recycled or disposed of

according to local, state or federal laws. For more information, contact the
Electronic Industries Alliance at www.eiae.org
information, check www.lamprecycle.org

. For lamp-specific disposal

.

iii

iv

First things first

We would like to thank you for making an 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 Just for Starters... poster helps you get started with
setting up your computer.

The printed User's 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
AcerSystem User's Guide. This guide contains detailed
information on such subjects as system utilities, data recovery,
expansion options and troubleshooting. In addition it contains
warranty information and the general regulations and safety
notices for your notebook. It is available in Portable Document
Format (PDF) and comes preloaded on your notebook. Follow
these steps to access it:

1 Click on Start, All Programs, AcerSystem.
2 Click on AcerSystem User's Guide.
Note: Viewing the file requires Adobe Reader. If Adobe Reader is

not installed on your computer, clicking on AcerSystem User's
Guide will run the Adobe Reader setup program first. Follow the
instructions on the screen to complete the installation. For
instructions on how to use Adobe Reader, access the Help and
Support menu.

Basic care and tips for using your computer

Turning your computer on and off

To turn on the computer, simply press and release the power button below the
LCD screen beside the easy-launch buttons. See "Front view" on page 9 for the
location of the power button.

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

• Use the Windows shutdown command

Click on Start, Turn Off Computer, then click on Turn Off.

• Use the power button

You can also shut down the computer by closing the display cover, or by
pressing the sleep hotkey <Fn> + <F4>.

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 0 ºC (32 ºF) or above

50 ºC (122 ºF).

• 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.

• 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.

v

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.

Carefully route the power cord and any cables away from foot traffic.

• 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.

vi

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 possible.

Cleaning and servicing

When cleaning the computer, follow these steps:
1 Turn off the computer and remove the battery pack.
2 Disconnect the AC adapter.

3 Use a soft, moist cloth. Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners.
If either of the following occurs:

• the computer has been dropped or the body has been damaged;

• the computer does not operate normally

please refer to "Frequently asked questions" on page 30.

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.

Operation conditions

This device 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.

Users are requested to follow the RF safety instructions for wireless option
devices that are included in the user's manual of each RF option device.

An improper installation or unauthorized use may cause harmful interference
to radio communications. Also, any tampering of the internal antenna will void
the FCC certification and your warranty.

To prevent radio interference to the licensed service, this device is intended to
be operated indoors, and installation outdoors is subject to licensing.

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

.

Disposal instructions iii
First things first iv

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

Turning your computer on and off iv
Taking care of your computer v
Taking care of your AC adapter v
Taking care of your battery pack vi
Cleaning and servicing vi

Acer Empowering Technology 1

Acer eDataSecurity Management 2
Acer eLock Management 3
Acer ePerformance Management 4
Acer eRecovery Management 5
Acer eSettings Management 6
Acer ePower Management 7
Acer ePresentation Management 8

Your Acer notebook tour 9

Front view 9
Closed front view 10
Left view 11
Right view 12
Rear view 12

Base view 13
Specifications 14
Indicators 17
Easy-launch buttons 18
Touchpad 19

Touchpad basics 19
Using the keyboard 21

Lock keys and embedded numeric keypad 21

Windows keys 22

Hotkeys 22

Special keys 24
Ejecting the optical (CD or DVD) drive tray
(for selected models) 25
Using a computer security lock 25

Contents

Audio 26

Adjusting the volume 26

Using the system utilities 27

Acer GridVista (dual-display compatible) 27
Launch Manager 28
Norton AntiVirus 29

Frequently asked questions 30

Requesting service 33

International Travelers Warranty (ITW) 33
Before you call 33

Taking your notebook PC with you 34

Disconnecting from the desktop 34
Moving around 34

Preparing the computer 34
What to bring to meetings 35

Taking the computer home 35

Preparing the computer 35
What to take with you 35
Special considerations 36
Setting up a home office 36

Traveling with the computer 36

Preparing the computer 36
What to take with you 36
Special considerations 37

Traveling internationally with the computer37

Preparing the computer 37
What to bring with you 37
Special considerations 37

Securing your computer 38

Using a computer security lock 38
Using passwords 38

Entering passwords 39
Setting passwords 39

Expanding through options 40

Connectivity options 40

Fax/data modem 40
Built-in network feature 41

Universal Serial Bus (USB) 41
PC Card slot 42
Installing memory 43

BIOS utility 43

Boot sequence 43
Enable disk-to-disk recovery 44
Password 44

Using software 44

Playing DVD movies 44
Power management 45
Acer eRecovery Management 45

Create backup 46
Restore from backup 46
Create factory default image CD 47
Re-install bundled software without CD 47
Change password 48

Troubleshooting 49

Troubleshooting tips 49
Error messages 49

Regulations and safety notices 51

ENERGY STAR guidelines compliance 51
FCC notice 51
Modem notices 52
Important safety instructions 55
Laser compliance statement 57
LCD pixel statement 57
Macrovision copyright protection notice 57
Radio device regulatory notice 58
General 58
European Union (EU) 58
The FCC RF safety requirement 59
Canada — Low-power license-exempt radio
communication devices (RSS-210) 60
Federal Communications Comission
Declaration of Conformity 61
Declaration of Conformity for CE Marking 62

Index 63

1

Acer Empowering Technology

Acer's innovative Empowering Technology makes it easy for you to access
frequently used functions and manage your new Acer notebook. It features the
following handy utilities:

• Acer eDataSecurity Management protects data with passwords and

advanced encryption algorithms.

• Acer eLock Management limits access to external storage media.

• Acer ePerformance Management improves system performance by

optimizing disk space, memory and registry settings.

• Acer eRecovery Management backs up/recovers data flexibly, reliably

and completely.

• Acer eSettings Management accesses system information and adjusts

settings easily.

• Acer ePower Management extends battery power via versatile usage

profiles.

• Acer ePresentation Management connects to a projector and adjusts

display settings conveniently.

Empowering Technology

2

For more information, press the < > key to launch the Empowering
Technology menu, then click on the appropriate utility and select the Help

function.

Acer eDataSecurity Management

Acer eDataSecurity Management is a handy file encryption utility that protects
your files from being accessed by unauthorized persons. It is conveniently
integrated with Windows Explorer as a shell extension for quick and easy data
encryption/decryption and also supports on-the-fly file encryption for MSN

Empowering Technology

Messenger and Microsoft Outlook.

There are two passwords that can be used to encrypt/decrypt a file: the
supervisor password and the file-specific password. The supervisor password is a
"master" password that can decrypt any file on your system; the file-specific
password is assigned when you encrypt each individual file.

The Acer eDataSecurity Management setup wizard will prompt you for a
supervisor password and default file-specific password. This file-specific
password will be used to encrypt files by default, or you can choose to enter
your own file-specific password when encrypting a file.

Note: The password used encrypt a file is the unique key that the
system needs to decrypt it. If you lose the password, the supervisor
password is the only other key capable of decrypting the file. If
you lose both passwords, there will be no way to decrypt your
encrypted file! Be sure to safeguard all related passwords!

Acer eLock Management

Acer eLock Management is a security utility that allows you to lock up your
removable data, optical and floppy drives to ensure that data can't be stolen
while your notebook is unattended.

• Removable data devices — includes USB disk drives, USB pen drives, USB

flash drives, USB MP3 drives, USB memory card readers, IEEE 1394 disk
drives and any other removable disk drives that can be mounted as a file
system when plugged into the system.

• Optical drive devices — includes any kind of CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drives.

• Floppy disk drives — 3.5-inch disks only.

To activate Acer eLock Management, a password must be set first. Once set, you
may apply locks to any of the three kinds of devices. Lock(s) will immediately
be set without any reboot necessary, and will remain locked after rebooting,
until unlocked.

If you do not set a password, Acer eLock Management will reset back to the
initial status with all locks removed.

3

Empowering Technology

Note: If you lose your password, there is no method to reset it

except by reformatting your notebook or taking your notebook

to an Acer Customer Service Center. Be sure to remember or write

down your password.

4

Empowering Technology

Acer ePerformance Management

Acer ePerformance Management is a system optimization tool that boosts the
performance of your Acer notebook. It provides you with the following options
to enhance overall system performance:

• Memory optimization — releases unused memory and check usage.

• Disk optimization — removes unneeded items and files.

• Speed optimization — improves the usability and performance of your

Windows XP system.

5

Acer eRecovery Management

Acer eRecovery Management is a powerful utility that does away with the need
for recovery disks provided by the manufacturer. The Acer eRecovery
Management utility occupies space in a hidden partition on your system's HDD.
User-created backups are stored on D:\ drive. Acer eRecovery Management
provides you with:

• Password protection.

• Recovery of applications and drivers.

• Image/data backup:

• Back up to HDD (set recovery point).

• Back up to CD/DVD.

• Image/data recovery tools:

• Recover from a hidden partition (factory defaults).

• Recover from the HDD (most recent user-defined recovery point).

• Recover from CD/DVD.

Empowering Technology

For more information, please refer to "Acer eRecovery Management" on page
45 in the AcerSystem User's Guide.

Note: If your computer did not come with a Recovery CD or

System CD, please use Acer eRecovery Management's "System

backup to optical disk" feature to burn a backup image to CD or

DVD. To ensure the best results when recovering your system

using a CD or Acer eRecovery Management, detach all peripherals

(except the external Acer ODD, if your computer has one),

including your Acer ezDock.

6

Acer eSettings Management

Acer eSettings Management allows you to inspect hardware specifications and
to monitor the system health status. Furthermore, Acer eSettings Management
enables you to optimize your Windows operating system, so your computer
runs faster, smoother and better.

Acer eSettings Management also:

• Provides a simple graphical user interface for navigating through the

program effortlessly.

• Displays general system status and advanced monitoring for power users.

Empowering Technology

• Logs when a hardware component has been removed or replaced.

• Permits you to migrate personal settings.

• Keeps a history log of all alerts that were previously issued.

7

Acer ePower Management

Acer ePower Management features a straightforward user interface. To launch
it, select Acer ePower Management from the Empowering Technology
interface, or double-click the Acer ePower Management icon in the task tray.

AC mode

The default setting is "Maximum Performance." You can adjust CPU speed, LCD
brightness and other settings, or click on buttons to turn the following
functions on/off: Wireless LAN, Bluetooth, CardBus, Memory Card, Audio, and
Wired LAN.

DC mode

To suit your usage, there are four pre-defined profiles — Entertainment,
Presentation, Word Processing, and Maximum Battery. Or, you can define up to
three of your own profiles.

Create new power scheme

1 Assign a name for the new scheme.
2 Choose existing scheme to use as a template.
3 Select whether used for mains (AC) or battery mode.
4 Choose which power options best fit your needs, then click OK.
5 The new profile will appear on the main screen.

Battery status

For real-time battery life estimates based on current usage, refer to the panel
on the lower left-hand side of the window.

Empowering Technology

8

You can also click "Advanced Settings" to:

• Set alarms.

• Re-load factory defaults.

• Select what actions will be taken when the cover is closed, and set

passwords for accessing the system after Hibernation or Standby.

• View information about Acer ePower Management.

Empowering Technology

Acer ePresentation Management

Acer ePresentation Management lets you select from two of the most common
projector resolutions: XGA and SVGA.

9

Your Acer notebook tour

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

Front view

English

# Item Description
1 Display screen Also called Liquid-Crystal Display (LCD), displays

computer output.

2 Status

indicators

3 Keyboard For entering data into your computer.

Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) that light up to show the
status of the computer's functions and components.

English

10

# Item Description
4 Touchpad Touch-sensitive pointing device which functions like a

computer mouse.

5 Click buttons

(left, center
and right)

6 Palmrest Comfortable support area for your hands when you use

7 Microphone Internal microphone for sound recording.
8 Power button Turns the computer on and off.
9 Easy-launch

buttons

The left and right buttons function like the left and
right mouse buttons; the center button serves as a 4-way
scroll button.

the computer.

Buttons for launching frequently used programs.
See "Easy-launch buttons" on page 18 for more details.

Closed front view

# Icon Item Description
1Bluetooth

communication
button/indicator

2 Wireless

communication
button/indicator

3 Speakers Left and right speakers deliver stereo

4 Line-in jack Accepts audio line-in devices

5 Microphone-in jack Accepts input from external microphones.

6 Headphones/speaker/

line-out jack

Press to enable/disable the Bluetooth
function. Indicates the status of
Bluetooth communication.

Press to enable/disable the wireless
function. Indicates the status of wireless
LAN communication.

audio output.

(e.g., audio CD player, stereo walkman).

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

11

# Icon Item Description
7 Battery indicator Indicates the computer's batttery status.

8 Power indicator Indicates the computer's power status.

9 Latch Locks and releases the lid.

Left view

# Icon Item Description
1 Kensington lock

slot

2 Optical drive Internal optical drive; accepts CDs or DVDs

3 Optical disk

access indicator

4 Optical drive

eject button

5 Emergency eject

hole

6 PC Card slot eject

button

7 PC Card slot Accepts one Type II PC Card.

Connects to a Kensington-compatible
computer security lock.

(for selected models).
Lights up when the optical drive is active

(for selected models).
Ejects the optical disk from the drive

(for selected models).
Ejects the optical drive tray when the

computer is turned off (for selected models).
Ejects the PC Card from the slot.

English

English

12

Right view

# Icon Item Description
1 Three USB 2.0 ports Connect to USB 2.0 devices

(e.g., USB mouse, USB camera).

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

prolonged use.

3 Modem (RJ-11) port Connects to a phone line.

4 Ethernet (RJ-45)

port

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

Rear view

# Icon Item Description
1 DC-in jack Connects to an AC adapter.

2 External display

(VGA) port

3 Battery Powers the computer.

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

13

Base view

# Item Description
1 Battery lock Locks the battery in position.
2 Cooling fan Helps keep the computer cool.

Note: Do not cover or obstruct the opening
of the fan.

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

with screws).
4 Memory compartment Houses the computer's main memory.
5 Battery release latch Releases the battery for removal.
6 Battery bay Houses the computer's battery pack.

English