Acer TRAVELMATE-38X User Manual

TravelMate 380 series

User’s guide

Copyright © 2004 Acer Incorporated.
All Rights Reserved.

TravelMate 380 series User’s guide
Original Issue: August 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 380 series Notebook computer

Model number : _________________________________

Serial number: ___________________________________

Purchase date: ___________________________________

Place of purchase: ________________________________

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

iii

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.

You r g ui de s

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 PDF (Portable Document Format). 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

installed. For instructions on how to use Adobe Acrobat
Reader, access the Help menu.

English

For more information about our products, services, and support
information, please visit our Web site (www.acer.com

).

iv

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 XP: Click on Start, Turn off Computer; then click

Turn 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 customized functions for power management
You can also shut down the computer by closing the display cover,

or by pressing the sleep hot key (Fn-F4). See the online guide for
details.

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.

v

• 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 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 personal
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.

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.

English

English

vi

Cleaning and servicing

• When cleaning the computer, follow these steps:

• Power off the computer and remove the battery pack.

• Disconnect the AC adapter.

• 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 product.

• The computer does not operate normally.

Please refer to "Troubleshooting my computer" on page 49.

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 5
Left view 6
Right view 7
Rear view 8

Bottom view 9
Features 10
Indicators 12
Using the keyboard 14

Special keys 14
Launch Keys 21
Touchpad 22

Touchpad basics 22
Storage 24

Hard disk 24

IEEE 1394 Optical drive 24

Using software 25
Audio 26

Adjusting the volume 26
Power management 27
Moving around with your TravelMate 28

Disconnecting from the desktop 28

Moving around 28

Taking the computer home 29

Traveling with the computer 31

Traveling internationally with the computer 31
Securing your computer 33

Using a computer security lock 33

Using passwords 33

Contents

2 Customizing my computer 35

Expanding through options 37

Connectivity options 37

Upgrade options 43
Using system utilities 45

Notebook Manager 45

Launch Manager 46

BIOS Utility 46
Disk to Disk Recovery 47

3 Troubleshooting my computer 49

Frequently-asked questions 51
Troubleshooting tips 54

Error messages 54
Requesting service 55
International Travelers Warranty (ITW) 55
Before you call 55

Appendix A Specifications 57

Appendix B Regulation & safety notices 63

Index 79

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 new power computing partner.

3

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 Display screen Also called LCD (liquid-crystal display),

displays computer output.

# Item Description

1 Getting to know your TravelMate4

English

2 Status indicators LEDs (light-emitting diode) that turn on and

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

3 Power button Turns on the computer.

4 Launch keys Six special keys for frequently used

programs. See “Launch Keys” on page 21 for
more details.

5 Palmrest Comfortable support area for your hands

6 Click buttons

(left, center and
right)

7 Touchpad Touch-sensitive pointing device which

8 Keyboard Inputs data into your computer.

9 Speaker Outputs sound.

when you use the computer.

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

functions like a computer mouse.

5

Front view

# Item Description

1 USB 2.0 port Connects to Universal Serial Bus devices (e.g.,

2 Latch Latch for opening and closing the computer.

3 Headphone/

Speaker/ Line-out
(SPDIF) jack

USB mouse, USB camera).

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

English

4 Microphone/ Line-in

jack

Accepts input from external microphones.

English

1 Getting to know your TravelMate6

Left view

# Item Description

1 Modem port Connects to a phone line.

2 Ethernet port Connects to an Ethernet 10/100-

3 EasyPort Connects to Acer EasyPort or I/O port

4 DC-in jack

5 IEEE 1394 port Connects to IEEE 1394 devices.

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

7 Eject button Ejects the PC Card from the slot.

based network.

replicator

Connects the AC adapter.

32-bit CardBus PC Card.

7

Right view

# Item Description

1 HDD Houses the computer’s hard disk.

2 Infrared port Interfaces with infrared devices (e.g.,

infrared printer, IR-aware computer).

3 USB 2.0 ports Connects to Universal Serial Bus devices (e.g.,

USB mouse, USB camera).

4 Ventilation Slot Enables the computer to stay cool, even after

prolonged use.

English

5 Security keylock Connects to a Kensington-compatible

computer security lock.

English

1 Getting to know your TravelMate8

Rear view

# Item Description

1 Battery release

latch

2 External display

port

Unlatches the battery to remove the battery
pack.

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

16.7 million colors with 2048x1536 pixel
resolution.

9

Bottom view

# Item Description

1Memory

compartment

This compartment houses the computer's
main memory.

English

2 Battery bay Houses the computer's battery pack.

3 Ventilation Slot Enables the computer to stay cool, even

after prolonged use.

Features

1 Getting to know your TravelMate10

English

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

Performance

• Intel® Pentium® M 715 ~ 755 or higher

• Intel® 855GM chipset

• Memory upgradeable up to 2 GB with 2 slots

• High-capacity, Enhanced-IDE hard disk

• Li-ion main battery pack

• Power management system with ACPI (Advanced Configuration

Power Interface)

Display

• 12.1” Thin-Film Transistor (TFT) liquid crystal display (LCD)
displaying 32-bit high color up to 1024 x 768 eXtended Graphics
Array (XGA) resolution

• 3D graphics engine

• Simultaneous LCD and CRT display support

• Dual independent display support

Multimedia

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

• Built-in speaker

11

Connectivity

• High-speed fax/data modem port

• Ethernet/Fast Ethernet port

• Fast infrared wireless communication

• Two USB 2.0 ports

• IEEE 1394 port

• InviLink™ 802.11 b/g wireless LAN and Wi-Fi®

• Bluetooth® wireless communication

• 100-pin Acer EasyPort or I/O port replicator connector

Human-centric design and ergonomics

• Internet 4-way scroll button

• Sleek, smooth and stylish design

• Ergonomically-centered touchpad pointing device

Expansion

• One Type II CardBus PC Card slot

• Upgradeable memory

English

Indicators

1 Getting to know your TravelMate12

English

The computer has seven easy-to-read status indicators on the display
screen and three on the LCD panel.

The Wireless, Power and Sleep status indicators (marked area) are
visible even when the display is closed.

Icon Function Description

InviLink™/
Bluetooth®

Orange indicates that wireless LAN is
enabled.

Blue indicates that Bluetooth® is enabled.

Power Lights green when the power is on and

standby mode.

Sleep Lights when the computer enters Standby

mode and blinks when it enters into or
resumes from hibernation mode.

13

Icon Function Description

Media
Activity

Battery
Charge

Caps Lock Lights when Caps Lock is activated.

Num Lock Lights when Num Lock is activated.

Lights when the floppy drive, hard disk or
optical drive is active.

Lights when the battery is being charged.

English

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 three lock keys which you can toggle on and off.

Lock key Description

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

uppercase.

Num Lock
(Fn-F11)

Scroll Lock
(Fn-F12)

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.

15

Embedded numeric keypad

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

Type numbers in a normal
manner.

English

Cursor-control keys
on embedded
keypad

Main keyboard keys Hold Fn while typing letters

Note: If an external keyboard or keypad is connected to the
computer, the Num Lock feature automatically shifts from the
internal keyboard to the external keyboard or keypad.

Hold Shift while using
cursor-control keys.

on embedded keypad.

Hold Fn while using
cursor-control keys.

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 (Explores My Computer)

+ F (Finds Document)

+ M (Minimizes All)

Shift + + M (Undoes Minimize All)

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

17

Keyboard 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 a keyboard hot key, press and hold the Fn key before
pressing the other key(s) in the hot key combination.

Hot key Icon Function Description

Fn-F1 Hot key help Displays help on hot keys.

Fn-F2 Setup Accesses the computer’s

configuration utility.

English

Fn-F3 Power

Management
Scheme Toggle

Fn-F4 Sleep Puts the computer in Sleep

Switches the power
management scheme used by
the computer (function
available if supported by
operating system). See
“Power management” on
page 27.

mode, which can be defined.
See “Power management” on

page 27.

1 Getting to know your TravelMate18

Hot key Icon Function Description

English

Fn-F5 Display toggle Switches display output

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

Fn-F6

Fn-F7 Touchpad Toggle Turns the internal touchpad

Fn-F8 Speaker on/off Turns the speaker on and off.

Fn-→ Brightness up Increases the screen

Fn-

←

Fn-↑ Volume up Increases the speaker volume.

Fn-↓ Volume down Decreases the speaker

Screen blank Turns the display screen

backlight off to save power;
press any key to resume.

on and off.

brightness.

Brightness down Decreases the screen

brightness.

volume.

19

The Euro symbol

If your keyboard layout is set to United States-International or 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.

English

To verify the keyboard type in Windows XP, follow the steps below:
1 Click on Start, Control Panel.
2 Double-click on Regional and Language Options.
3 Click on the Language tab and click on Details.
4 Verify that the keyboard layout used for "En English (United

States)" is set to United States-International.

English

1 Getting to know your TravelMate20

If not, select and click on ADD; then select United States-
International and click on OK.

5 Click on OK.

To type the Euro symbol:
1 Locate the Euro symbol on your keyboard.
2 Open a text editor or word processor.
3Hold Alt Gr and press the Euro symbol.

Note: Some fonts and software do not support the Euro symbol.
Please refer to www.microsoft.com/typography/faq/faq12.htm
more information.

for

21

Launch Keys

Located above the keyboard are six buttons. These keys are special
one-click buttons that perform special functions.

# Launch key Default application

1 InviLink™/

Bluetooth®

This button permits user Enabled/Disabled Wireless
LAN network and Bluetooth® options.

English

2 P1 User-programmable

3 P2 User-programmable

4 P3 User-programmable

5 Web browser Launch Internet Explorer (or user-defined program)

6 Mail Launch Outlook Express (or user-defined program)

Touchpad

1 Getting to know your TravelMate22

English

The built-in touchpad is a pointing device that senses movement on its
surface. This means the cursor responds as you move your finger on the
surface of the touchpad. The central location on the palmrest provides
optimum comfort and support.

Touchpad basics

The following items teach you how to use the touchpad:

• Move your finger across the touchpad to move the cursor.

• Press the left(1) and right(3) buttons located on the edge of the

touchpad to do selection and execution functions. These two
buttons are similar to the left and right buttons on a mouse.
Tapping on the touchpad produces similar results.

• Use the 4-way scroll (2) button (top/bottom/left and right) to scroll
a page up, down, left or right. This button mimics your cursor
pressing on the vertical and horizontal scroll bards of Windows
applications.

Function Left button

Right
button

Center
buttons

23

English

Tap

Execute Click twice

Select Click once Tap once

Drag Click and

Access
context
menu

Scroll Click

quickly

hold, then
use finger to
drag the
cursor on the
touchpad

Click
once

and
hold the
up/
down/
left/
right

Tap twice (at the
same speed as
double-clicking a
mouse button)

Tap twice (at the
same speed as
double-clicking a
mouse button) then
hold finger to the
touchpad on the
second tap and drag
the cursor

Note:
A.Keep your fingers dry and clean when using the touchpad. Also

keep the touchpad dry and clean. The touchpad is sensitive to
finger movements. Hence, the lighter the touch, the better the
response. Tapping harder will not increase the touchpad’s
responsiveness.
B.When using an external USB mouse, you can press Fn-F7 to
disable the touchpad.

Storage

1 Getting to know your TravelMate24

English

This computer supplies you with the following media storage:

• High-capacity Enhanced-IDE hard disk

• IEEE 1394 Optical (DVD-ROM, DVD/CD-RW combo or DVD-Dual)

drive

• USB Floppy drive

Hard disk

The high-capacity hard disk is the answer to your storage needs. This is
where your programs and data are stored.

IEEE 1394 Optical drive

Your computer comes equipped with an optical drive which may be
one of the following:

• DVD-ROM drive

• DVD/CD-RW combo drive

• DVD-Dual drive

Ejecting the IEEE 1394 optical drive tray

To eject the optical drive tray when the computer is turned on, press
the drive eject button.

When the power is off, you can eject the drive tray using the
emergency eject hole. See page 52.

25

Using software

Playing DVD movies

When an external drive module is connected, you can play DVD movies
on your computer.

1 Eject the DVD tray and insert a DVD movie disc; then close the DVD

tray.

Important! When you launch the DVD player for the first time,
the program asks you to input the region code. DVD discs are
divided into 6 regions. Once your DVD drive is set to a region
code, it will play DVD discs of that region only. You can set the
region code a maximum of five times (including the first time),
after which the last region code set will remain permanent.
Recovering your hard disk does not reset the number of times the
region code has been set. Refer to the table below for DVD movie
region code information.

2 The DVD movie will automatically play after a few seconds.

Region code Country or region

1 U.S.A., Canada

English

2 Europe, Middle East, South Africa, Japan

3 Southeast Asia, Taiwan, Korea (South)

4 Latin America, Australia, New Zealand

5 Former U.S.S.R., parts of Africa, India

6 People's Republic of China

Note: To change the region code, insert a DVD movie of a
different region into the DVD-ROM drive. Please refer to the
online help for more information.

Audio

1 Getting to know your TravelMate26

English

The computer comes with 16-bit high-fidelity AC’97 stereo audio, and
one speaker.

Adjusting the volume

Adjusting the volume on the computer is as easy as pressing some
buttons. See “Keyboard Hot keys” on page 17 for more informations
on adjusting the speaker volume.

27

Power management

This computer has a built-in power management unit that monitors
system activity. System activity refers to any activity involving one or
more of the following devices: keyboard, touchpad, hard disk,
peripherals connected to the USB and IEEE 1394 ports, and video
memory. If no activity is detected for a period of time (called an
inactivity timeout), the computer stops some or all of these devices in
order to conserve energy.

This computer employs a power management scheme that supports
ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface), which allows for
maximum power conservation and maximum performance at the same
time. Windows handles all power-saving chores for your computer.

English

1 Getting to know your TravelMate28

Moving around with your TravelMate

English

This section gives you tips and hints to consider when moving around
or traveling with your computer.

Disconnecting from the desktop

Follow these steps to disconnect your computer from external
accessories:

1 Save your work in progress.
2 Remove any media, diskette or compact disc, from the drive(s).
3 Shut down the computer.
4 Close the display cover.
5 Disconnect the cord from the AC adapter.
6 Disconnect the keyboard, pointing device, printer, external

monitor, and other external devices.

7 Disconnect the Kensington lock if you are using one to secure the

computer.

Moving around

“when you are just moving within short distances, for example, from
your office desk to a meeting room”

Preparing the computer

Before moving the computer, close and latch the display cover to place
it in Sleep mode. You can now safely take the computer anywhere you
go within the building. To bring the computer out of Sleep mode,
open the display; then press and release the power button.

If you are taking the computer to a client's office or a different
building, you may choose to shut down the computer:

1Click on
2 Select Shut down and click on

- or -

Start, Shut Down...

or

Turn off Computer

OK,

or select

Turn Off

(Windows® XP).
(Windows® XP).

29

you can put the computer in Sleep mode by pressing Fn-F4. Then close
and latch the display.

When you are ready to use the computer again, unlatch and open the
display; then press and release the power button.

Note: If the sleep indicator is off, the computer has entered
Hibernation mode and turned off. If the power indicator is off but
the sleep indicator is on, the computer has entered Sleep mode. In
both cases, press and release the power button to turn the
computer back on. Note that the computer may enter Hibernation
mode after it is in Sleep mode for a period of time.

What to bring to short meetings

A fully charged battery runs the computer for about 4.5 hours (with 6­cell battery pack). If your meeting is shorter than that, you probably do
not need to bring anything with you other than the computer.

What to bring to long meetings

If your meeting will last longer than 4.5 hours, or if your battery is not
fully charged, you may want to bring the AC adapter with you to plug
in your computer in the meeting room.

If the meeting room does not have an electrical outlet, reduce the
drain on the battery by putting the computer in Sleep mode. Press
Fn-F4 or close the display cover whenever you are not actively using
the computer. To resume, open the display (if closed); then press and
release the power button.

English

Taking the computer home

“when you are moving from your office to your home or vice versa”

Preparing the computer

After disconnecting the computer from your desktop, follow these
steps to prepare the computer for the trip home:

• Check if you have removed all media, diskettes and compact discs,
from the drive(s). Failure to remove the media can damage the
drive head.

English

1 Getting to know your TravelMate30

• Pack the computer in a protective case that can prevent the
computer from sliding around and cushion it if it should fall.

Caution: Avoid packing items next to the top cover of the
computer. Pressure against the top cover can damage the screen

What to bring with you

Unless you already have some items at home, bring the following items
with you:

• AC adapter and power cord

• The printed user’s guide

Special considerations

Follow these guidelines to protect your computer while traveling to
and from work:

• Minimize the effect of temperature changes by keeping the
computer with you.

• If you need to stop for an extended period of time and cannot
bring the computer with you, leave the computer in the trunk of
the car to avoid exposing the computer to excessive heat.

• Changes in temperature and humidity can cause condensation.
Allow the computer to return to room temperature, and inspect
the screen for condensation before turning on the computer. If the
temperature change is greater than 18°F (10°C), allow the
computer to come to room temperature slowly. If possible, leave
the computer for 30 minutes in an environment with a
temperature between outside and room temperature.

Setting up a home office

If you frequently work on your computer at home, you may want to
purchase a second AC adapter for use at home. With a second AC
adapter, you can avoid transporting the extra weight to and from
home.

If you use your computer at home for significant periods of time, you
might also want to add an external keyboard, monitor, or mouse.

31

Traveling with the computer

“when you are moving within a larger distance, for instance, from your
office building to a client’s office building or traveling locally”

Preparing the computer

Prepare the computer as if you were taking it home. Make sure that
the battery in the computer is charged. Airport security may require
you to turn on your computer when bringing it into the gate area.

What to bring with you

Bring the following items with you:

• AC adapter

• Spare, fully-charged battery pack(s)

• Additional printer driver files if you plan to use another printer

Special considerations

In addition to the guidelines for taking the computer home, follow
these guidelines to protect your computer while traveling:

• Always take the computer as carry-on luggage.

• If possible, have the computer inspected by hand. Airport security

X-ray machines are safe, but do not put the computer through a
metal detector.

• Avoid exposing floppy disks to hand-held metal detectors.

English

Traveling internationally with the computer

“when you are moving from country to country”

Preparing the computer

Prepare the computer as you would normally prepare it for traveling.

What to bring with you

Bring the following items with you:

English

1 Getting to know your TravelMate32

• AC adapter

• Power cords that are appropriate for the country to which you are

traveling

• Spare, fully-charged battery packs

• IEEE 1394 optical drive module(s)

• Additional printer driver files if you plan to use another printer

• Proof of purchase, in case you need to show it to customs officials

• International Travelers Warranty passport

Special considerations

Follow the same special considerations as when traveling with the
computer. In addition, these tips are useful when traveling
internationally:

• When traveling in another country, check that the local AC voltage
and the AC adapter power cord specifications are compatible. If
not, purchase a power cord that is compatible with the local AC
voltage. Do not use converter kits sold for appliances to power the
computer.

• If you are using the modem, check if the modem and connector is
compatible with the telecommunications system of the country
you are traveling in.

33

Securing your computer

Your computer is a valuable investment that you need to take care of.
Learn how to protect and take care of your computer.

Security features include hardware and software locks — a security
notch and passwords.

Using a computer security lock

A security keylock notch located on the right of the computer lets you
connect a Kensington-compatible computer security lock.

English

Wrap a computer security lock cable around an immovable object such
as a table or locked drawer handle. Insert the lock into the notch and
turn the key to secure the lock. Some keyless models are also available.

Using passwords

Passwords protect your computer from unauthorized access. Setting
these passwords creates several different levels of protection for your
computer and data:

• Supervisor Password prevents unauthorized entry into the BIOS
Utility. Once set, you must key-in this password to gain access to
the BIOS Utility. See “BIOS Utility” on page 46.

English

1 Getting to know your TravelMate34

• User Password secures your computer against unauthorized use.
Combine the use of this password with password checkpoints on
boot-up and resume from hibernation for maximum security.

• Password on Boot secures your computer against unauthorized
use. Combine the use of this password with password checkpoints
on boot-up and resume from hibernation for maximum security.

Important! Do not forget your Supervisor! If you forget your
password, please get in touch with your dealer or an authorized
service center.

Entering passwords

When a password is set, a password prompt appears in the center of
the display screen.

• When the Supervisor Password is set, a prompt appears when you
press F2 to enter the BIOS Utility at boot-up.

• Type the Supervisor Password and press Enter to access the BIOS
Utility. If you enter the password incorrectly, a warning message
appears. Try again and press Enter.

• When the User Password is set and the Password on boot
parameter is enabled, a prompt appears at boot-up.

• Type the User Password and press Enter to use the computer. If
you enter the password incorrectly, a warning message appears.
Try again and press Enter.

Important! You have three chances to enter a password. If you
fail to enter the password correctly after three tries, the system
halts. Press and hold the power button for four seconds to shut
down the computer. Then turn on the computer again, and try
again.

Setting passwords

You can set passwords using the BIOS Utility.

2 Customizing my

computer

After learning the basics of your TravelMate
computer, let’s get acquainted with the
advanced features of your computer. In this
chapter, you will learn how to add options,
upgrade components for better performance,
and customize your computer.

37

Expanding through options

Your TravelMate offers you a complete mobile computing experience.

Connectivity options

Ports allow you to connect peripheral devices to your computer as you
would with a desktop PC. For instructions on how to connect different
external devices to the computer, see your online guide for more
details.

Fax/data modem

Your computer has a built-in V.90/92 56Kbps AC’97 Link fax/data
modem.

Warning! This modem port is not compatible with digital
phone lines. Plugging this modem into a digital phone line
will damage the modem.

To use the fax/data modem port, connect a phone cable from the
modem port to a telephone jack.

English

Start your communications software program.

English

2 Customizing my computer38

Built-in network feature

The built-in network feature allows you to connect your computer to
an Ethernet-based (10/100 Mbps) network.

To use the network feature, connect an Ethernet cable from the
network jack on the left of the computer to a network jack or hub on
your network.

Fast infrared

The computer’s fast infrared (FIR) port allows you to do wireless data
transfer with other IR-aware computers and peripherals such as PDAs
(personal digital assistants), mobile phones, and infrared printers. The
infrared port can transfer data at speeds of up to four megabits per
second (Mbps) at a distance of up to one meter.

39

Universal Serial Bus

The Universal Serial Bus (USB 2.0) port is a high-speed serial bus which
allows you to connect and daisy-chain USB peripherals without taking
up precious system resources. Your computer has two ports available,
one on front and the other one on right.

English

English

2 Customizing my computer40

IEEE 1394 port

The computer's IEEE 1394 port allows you to connect to an IEEE 1394
supported devices like a DVD-ROM, DVD/CD-RW Combo or DVD-Dual
drive.

PC Card slot

The type II CardBus PC Card slot found on the left side of the computer
accepts credit-card-sized cards that enhance the usability and
expandability of the computer. These cards should have a PC Card logo
on them.

PC Cards (formerly PCMCIA) are add-on cards for portable computers,
giving you expansion possibilities long afforded by desktop PCs.
Popular PC cards include flash, fax/data modem, LAN, wireless LAN and
SCSI cards. CardBus improves on the 16-bit PC card technology by
expanding the bandwidth to 32 bits.

Note: Refer to your card’s manual for details on how to install and
use the card and its functions.

41

Inserting a PC Card

Insert the card into the slot and make the proper connections (e.g.,
network cable), if necessary. See your card manual for details.

Ejecting a PC Card

Before ejecting a PC Card:
1 Exit the application using the card.
2 Left-click on the PC Card icon on the taskbar and stop the card

operation.

3 Press the slot eject button to pop out the eject button (a); then

press it again to eject the card (b).

English

English

2 Customizing my computer42

Port Expansion devices

Two types of expansion devices are available for your computer:

• I/O port replicator - adds PS/2, serial and parallel port connections
to your computer

• Acer EasyPort III - adds a host of ports to your computer and allows
you to connect and disconnect peripherals from your computer in
one quick step.

Note: The LAN port on the Acer EasyPort III supports 10/100Mbps
Fast Ethernet. When connected, the computer’s onboard LAN port
also only supports 10/100Mbps. Acer EasyPort III will disable the
computer’s onboard audio and S-video ports when connected. See
you dealer for more information.

43

Upgrade options

Your computer delivers superior power and performance. However,
some users and the applications they use may demand more. This
computer allows you to upgrade key components when you need
increased performance.

Note: Contact your authorized dealer if you decide to perform a
key component upgrade.

Memory upgrade

Memory is expandable to 2 GB, employing 256/512/1024-MB industry
standard soDIMMs (Small Outline Dual Inline Memory Modules). The
computer supports DDR (Double Data Rate) SDRAM.

Your computer has two memory slots. Upgrade memory by inserting a
higher capacity DIMM into one or both of these slots.

Installing memory

Follow these steps to install memory:
1 Turn off the computer, unplug the AC adapter (if connected) and

remove the battery pack. Then turn the computer over to access its
base.

2 Remove the screws from the memory cover (a); then lift up and

remove the memory cover (b).

English

English

2 Customizing my computer44

3 Insert the memory module diagonally into the slot (1), then gently

press it down (2) until it clicks into place.

4 Replace the memory cover and secure it with the screw.
5 Reinstall the battery pack, and reconnect the AC adapter.
6 Turn on the computer.

The computer automatically detects and reconfigures the total
memory size.

45

Using system utilities

Notebook Manager

The computer has a built-in system setup program called Notebook
Manager. The Windows-based Notebook Manager allows you to set
passwords, the startup sequence of the drives, and power
management settings. It also shows current hardware configurations.
To start the Notebook Manager, press Fn-F2 or follow these steps:

1 Click on Start, All Programs, then Notebook Manager.
2 Select the Notebook Manager application to run the program.

Click on Help for more information.

English

Launch Manager

2 Customizing my computer46

English

Launch Manager comes with five launch keys, two of wihich are pre­defined. All five launch keys located above the keyboard are
programmable. See “Launch Keys” on page 21 for the location of the
launch key.

You can access the Launch Manager by clicking on Start,
All Programs, and then Launch Manager to start the application.

BIOS Utility

The BIOS Utility is a hardware configuration program built into your
computer’s BIOS (basic input/output system).

Your computer is already properly configured and optimized, and you
do not need to run this utility. However, if you encounter
configuration problems, you may need to run it.

To activate the BIOS Utility, press F2 during the POST (power-on
self-test) while the TravelMate logo is being displayed.

47

Disk to Disk Recovery

Note: This feature is only available on certain models

Multilingual operating system installation

Follow the instructions to choose the operating system and language
you use when you first power-on the system.

1 Turn on the system.
2 Acer multilingual operating system selection menu will pop-up

automatically.

3 Use the arrow keys to scroll to the language version you want.

Press Enter to confirm your selection.

4 The operating system and language you choose now will be the

only option for future recovery operations.

5 The system will install the operating system and language you

chose.

Restore without a Recovery CD

The recovery process helps you restore the C: drive with the original
software content that was installed when you purchased your
notebook. Follow the steps below to revuild your C: drive. (Your C:
drive will be reformatted and all data will be ereased.) It is important
to back up all data files before you use this option.

English

Before performing a restore operation, please check the BIOS settings.

a Check to see if “Hard Disk Recovery” function is enabled or

not.

b Make sure the [Hard Disk Recovery] setting in [Advanced]

is [Enabled].

c Exit the BIOS Setup Utility and save changes. The system will

reboot.

Note: To activate BIOS Setup Utility, press <F2> during POST.

1 Restart the system.

English

2 Customizing my computer48

2 The instruction “Press <F2> to Enter BIOS” is shown at the bottom

of the screen, during POST.

3 Press <Alt> + <F10> at the same time to enter the recovery

process.

4 The message “The system has password protection. Please enter

000000:” is displayed.

5 Enter six 0s and continue.
6 “Acer Self-Configuration Preload” window appears.
7 Use the arrow keys to scroll through the items (operating system

versions) and press Enter to select.

Setup password and exit

Press “F3” to setup password or press “F5” to exit the system recovery
process when “Acer Self-Configuration Preload” window appears.

If “F3” is pressed, the next screen shows “Please enter new password:”
enter one to eight alphanumeric characters. You will be asked to
reenter your password for confirmation before continuing.

The screen will display “Password has been created. Press any key to
reboot...”, hit any key to reboot your system.

If “F5” is pressed, the recovery process will be terminated and the
system will reboot and start normally.

Important: This feature occupies 2 GB in a hidden partition on
your hard drive.

3 Troubleshooting my

computer

This chapter instructs you on how to deal with
common system problems. Read it before
calling a technician if a problem occurs.
Solutions to more serious problems require
opening up the computer. Do not attempt to
open the computer by yourself. Contact your
dealer or an authorized service center for
assistance.

Key link: www.acersupport.com

51

Frequently-asked questions

The following is a list of possible situations that may arise during the
use of your computer. Easy answers and solutions are provided for
each one.

I pressed the power button and opened the display, but the

computer does not start or boot-up.

Look at the Power indicator:

• If it is not lit, no power is being applied to the computer. Check the
following:

• If you are running on battery power, it may be low and unable

to power the computer. Connect the AC adapter to recharge
the battery pack.

• Make sure that the AC adapter is plugged in properly to the

computer and to the power outlet.

• If it is lit, check the following:

• Is a non-bootable (non-system) diskette in the external USB

floppy drive? Remove or replace it with a system diskette and
press Ctrl-Alt-Del to restart the system.

Nothing appears on the screen.

English

The computer’s power management system automatically blanks the
screen to save power. Press any key to turn the display back on.

If pressing a key does not turn the display back on, two things might
be the cause:

• The brightness level might be too low. Press Fn-
adjust the brightness level.

• The display device might be set to an external monitor. Press the
display toggle hot key Fn-F5 to toggle the display back to the
computer.

• If the Sleep indicator is lit, the computer is in Sleep mode. Press
and release the power button to resume.

→ (increase) to

Image is not full-screen.

The computer display has a native resolution of 1024 x 768 (XGA) for
the 12.1”. If you set the resolution lower than this, the screen expands

English

3 Troubleshooting my computer52

to fill the computer display. Right-click on your Windows desktop and
select Properties to bring up the Display Properties dialog box. Then
click on the Settings tab to make sure that the resolution is set to the
appropriate resolution. Resolutions lower than the specified resolution
are not full-screen on the computer or on an external monitor.

No audio is heard from the computer.

Check the following:

• The volume may be muted. In Windows, look at the volume
control (speaker) icon on the taskbar. If it is crossed-out, click on
the icon and deselect the Mute option.

• The volume level may be too low. In Windows, look at the volume
control icon on the taskbar. You can also use the volume control
buttons to adjust the volume. See “Keyboard Hot keys” on page
17 for more detail.

• If headphones, earphones or external speaker are connected to
the line-out port on the computer’s front panel, the internal
speaker automatically turn off.

I want to eject the optical drive tray without turning on the power. I
cannot eject the optical drive tray.

There is a mechanical eject button on the optical drive. Simply insert
the tip of a pen or paperclip and push to eject the tray.

The keyboard does not respond.

Try attaching an external keyboard to the USB 2.0 connector on the
right or front of the computer. If it works, contact your dealer or an
authorized service center as the internal keyboard cable may be loose.

The infrared port does not work.

Check the following:

• Make sure that the infrared ports of the two devices are facing
each other (+/- 15 degrees) a maximum of 1 meter apart.

• Make sure there is a clear path between the two infrared ports.
Nothing should be blocking the ports.

• Make sure you have the appropriate software running on both
devices (for file transfers) or you have the appropriate drivers (for
printing to an infrared printer).

53

• During the POST, press F2 to access the BIOS Utility and verify that
the infrared port is enabled.

• Make sure both devices are IrDA-compliant.

The printer does not work.

Check the following:

• Make sure that the printer is connected to a power outlet and that
it is turned on.

• Make sure that the printer cable is connected securely to the
computer’s USB port and the corresponding port on the printer.

• During POST, press F2 to access the BIOS Utility and verify that the
USB port is enabled.

I want to set up my location to use the internal modem.

To properly use your communications software (e.g. HyperTerminal),
you need to set up your location:

1 Click on Start, Settings, Control Panel.
2 Double-click on Modems.
3 Click on Dialing Properties and begin setting up your location.

Refer to the Windows manual.

English

Troubleshooting tips

3 Troubleshooting my computer54

English

This notebook computer incorporates an advanced design that delivers
onscreen error message reports to help you solve problems.

If the system reports an error message or an error symptom occurs, see
“Error messages” on page 54. If the problem cannot be resolved,
contact your dealer. See “Requesting service” on page 55.

Error messages

If you receive an error message, note the message and take the
corrective action. The following table lists the error messages in
alphabetical order together with the recommended course of action.

Error Messages Corrective Action

CMOS Battery Bad Contact your dealer or an authorized service center.

CMOS Checksum
Error

Disk Boot Failure Insert a system (bootable) diskette into the floppy

Equipment
Configuration Error

Hard Disk 0 Error Contact your dealer or an authorized service center.

Contact your dealer or an authorized service center.

drive (A:), then press Enter to reboot.

Press F2 (during POST) to enter the BIOS Utility;
then press Esc in the BIOS Utility to reboot.

Hard Disk 0 Extended
Type Error

I/O Parity Error Contact your dealer or an authorized service center.

Keyboard Error or No
Keyboard Connected

Keyboard Interface
Error

Memory Size
Mismatch

Contact your dealer or an authorized service center.

Contact your dealer or an authorized service center.

Contact your dealer or an authorized service center.

Press F2 (during POST) to enter the BIOS Utility;
then press Esc in the BIOS Utility to reboot.

55

If you still encounter problems after going through the corrective
measures, please contact your dealer or an authorized service center
for assistance. Some problems may be solved using the BIOS Utility.

Requesting service

International Travelers Warranty (ITW)

Your computer is backed by an International Travelers Warranty (ITW)
that gives you security and peace of mind when traveling. Our
worldwide network of service centers are there to give you a helping
hand.

An ITW passport comes with your computer. This passport contains all
you need to know about the ITW program. A list of available,
authorized service centers is in this handy booklet. Read this passport
thoroughly.

Always have your ITW passport on hand, especially when you travel to
receive the benefits from our support centers. Place your proof-of­purchase in the flap located inside the front cover of the ITW passport.

English

If the country you are traveling in does not have an Acer-authorized
ITW service site, you can still get in contact with our offices worldwide.

Please consult www.acersupport.com.

Before you call

Please have the following information available when you call Acer for
online service, and please be at your computer when you call. With
your support, we can reduce the amount of time a call takes and help
solve your problems efficiently.

If there are error messages or beeps reported by your computer, write

English

3 Troubleshooting my computer56

them down as they appear on the screen (or the number and sequence
in the case of beeps).

You are required to provide the following information:

Name:________________________________________

Address:______________________________________

______________________________________________

Telephone number:____________________________

Machine and model type:_______________________

Serial number:_________________________________

Date of purchase:______________________________

Appendix A

Specifications

This appendix lists the general specifications
of your computer.

59

Microprocessor

• Intel® Pentium® M Processor 715~755 at 1.5~2.0 GHz with 2 MB
L2 cache

Memory

• Main memory expandable up to 2 GB

• Two DDR soDIMM slots

• Support 256 MB, 512 MB & 1GB DDR SDRAM modules

• 512 KB Flash ROM BIOS

Data storage

• One high-capacity, Enhanced-IDE hard disk

Display and video

• 12.1 inch Thin-Film Transistor (TFT) liquid crystal display (LCD)
displaying 32-bit true color up to 1024 x 768 eXtended Graphics
Array (XGA) resolution

• Simultaneous LCD and CRT display support

• Dual Independent display support

• 3D graphics engine

Audio

• 16-bit AC’97 stereo audio

• Built-in speaker

• Built in microphone

English

Keyboard and pointing device

• 84/85/88-key Windows keyboard

• Ergonomically-centered touchpad pointing device

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Appendix A Specifications60

I/O ports

• One 100-pin Acer EasyPort or I/O port replicator connector

• One type II CardBus PC Card slot

• One RJ-45 jack (Ethernet 10/100)

• One RJ-11 phone jack (V.92)

• One DC-in jack for AC adapter

• One VGA port for external monitor

• One speaker/headphone-out jack (SPDIF)

• One microphone-in jack

• One IEEE 1394 port

• Two USB 2.0 ports

• One FIR port (IrDA)

Weight and dimensions

• 1.61 kg (3.5 lbs) with battery

• 274 mm (W) x 234 mm (D) x 35.5 mm (H)

Environment

• Temperature

• Operating: 5°C ~ 35°C

• Non-operating: -20°C ~ 65°C

• Humidity (non-condensing)

• Operating: 20% ~ 80% RH

• Non-operating: 20% ~ 80% RH

61

System

• ACPI support

• DMI 2.0-compliant

• Microsoft Windows XP operating system

Power

• 48.84 Wh Li-ion battery pack

• 2.5-hour rapid charge/3.5-hour charge-in-use

• AC adapter

• 65-Watt

• Auto sensing 90~264Vac, 47~63Hz

Options

• 256 MB/512 MB/1GB memory upgrade modules

• Additional Li-Ion battery pack (BTP-73E1)

• Additional AC adapter (ADP-65DB or PA-1650-02)

• USB Floppy drive

• External DVD-ROM, DVD/CD-RW combo, or DVD-Dual drive

English

English

Appendix A Specifications62

Appendix B

Regulation &
safety notices

This appendix lists the general notices of your
computer.

65

Energy Star Guidelines Compliance

As an Energy Star Partner, Acer Inc. has determined that this product
meets the Energy Star guidelines for energy efficiency.

FCC notice

This device has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a
Class B digital device pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits
are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference in a residential installation. This device generates, uses,
and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used
in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to
radio communications.

However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a
particular installation. If this device does cause harmful interference to
radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the
device off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the
interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the device and receiver.

• Connect the device into an outlet on a circuit different from that

to which the receiver is connected.

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/television technician
for help.

English

Notice: Shielded cables

All connections to other computing devices must be made using
shielded cables to maintain compliance with FCC regulations.

Notice: Peripheral devices

Only peripherals (input/output devices, terminals, printers, etc.)
certified to comply with the Class B limits may be attached to this
equipment. Operation with non-certified peripherals is likely to result
in interference to radio and TV reception.

Appendix B Regulation & safety notices66

Caution

Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the manufacturer

English

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.

Notice: Canadian users

This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.

Remarque à l’intention des utilisateurs canadiens

Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme a la norme NMB­003 du Canada.

Declaration of Conformity for EU countries

Hereby, Acer, declares that this TravelMate series is in compliance with
the essential requirements and other relevant provisions of Directive
1999/5/EC. (Please visit www.acer.com/about/certificates/nb for
complete documents.)

Modem notices

Notice for USA

This equipment complies with Part 68 of the FCC rules. Located on the
bottom side of the modem is a label that contains, among other
information, the FCC Registration Number and Ringer Equivalence
Number (REN) for this equipment. Upon request, you must provide this
information to your telephone company.

If your telephone equipment causes harm to the telephone network,
the telephone company may discontinue your service temporarily. If
possible, they will notify you in advance. But, if advance notice is not

67

practical, you will be notified as soon as possible. You will also be
informed of your right to file a complaint with the FCC.

Your telephone company may make changes in its facilities,
equipment, operations, or procedures that could affect the proper
functioning of your equipment. If they do, you will be notified in
advance to give you an opportunity to maintain uninterrupted
telephone service.

If this equipment should fail to operate properly, disconnect the
equipment from the phone line to determine if it is causing the
problem. If the problem is with the equipment, discontinue use and
contact your dealer or vendor.

Caution: To reduce the risk of fire, use only No. 26 AWG or larger
UL Listed or CSA Certified Telecommunication Line Cord.

TBR 21

This equipment has been approved [Council Decision 98/482/EC - "TBR
21"] for single terminal connection to the Public Switched Telephone
Network (PSTN). However, due to differences between the individual
PSTNs provided in different countries, the approval does not, of itself,
give an unconditional assurance of successful operation on every PSTN
termination point. In the event of problems, you should contact your
equipment supplier in the first instance.

English

List of Applicable Countries

EU member states as of May 2004 are: Belgium, Denmark, Germany,
Greece, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands,
Austria, Portugal, Finland, Sweden, United Kingdom Estonia, Latvia,
Lithuania, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, Slovenia,
Cyprus and Malta. Usage allowed in the countries of European Union,
as well as Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein. This device
must be used in strict accordance with the regulations and constraints
in the country of use. For further information, please contact local
office in the country of use.

Appendix B Regulation & safety notices68

Notice for Australia

For safety reasons, only connect headsets with a telecommunications

English

compliance label. This includes customer equipment previously labelled
permitted or certified.

Notice for New Zealand

For Modem with approval number PTC 211/03/008
1 The grant of a Telepermit for any item of terminal equipment

indicates only that Telecom has accepted that the item complies
with minimum conditions for connection to its network. It
indicates no endorsement of the product by Telecom, nor does it
provide any sort of warranty. Above all, it provides no assurance
that any item will work correctly in all respects with another item
of Telepermitted equipment of a different make or model, nor
does it imply that any product is compatible with all of Telecom's
network services.

2 This equipment is not capable, under all operating conditions, of

correct operation at the higher speeds for which it is designed.
Telecom will accept no responsibility should difficulties arise in
such circumstances.

3 Some parameters required for compliance with Telecom's

Telepermit requirements are dependent on the equipment (PC)
associated with this device. The associated equipment shall be set
to operate within the following limits for compliance with
Telecom's Specifications:

a There shall be no more than 10 call attempts to the same

number within any 30 minute period for any single manual
call initiation, and

b The equipment shall go on-hook for a period of not less than

30 seconds between the end of one attempt and the
beginning of the next call attempt.

4 Some parameters required for compliance with Telecom's

Telepermit requirements are dependent on the equipment (PC)
associated with this device. In order to operate within the limits
for compliance with Telecom's specifications, the associated
equipment shall be set to ensure that automatic calls to different
numbers are spaced such that there is not less than 5 seconds
between the end of one call attempt and the beginning of
another.

69

5 This equipment shall not be set up to make automatic calls to

Telecom's 111 Emergency Service.

For Modem with approval number PTC 211/01/030
1 The grant of a Telepermit for any item of terminal equipment

indicates only that Telecom has accepted that the item complies
with minimum conditions for connection to its network. It
indicates no endorsement of the product by Telecom, nor does it
provide any sort of warranty. Above all, it provides no assurance
that any item will work correctly in all respects with another item
of Telepermitted equipment of a different make or model, nor
does it imply that any product is compatible with all of Telecom's
network services.

2 This equipment is not capable, under all operating conditions, of

correct operation at the higher speeds for which it is designed.
Telecom will accept no responsibility should difficulties arise in
such circumstances.

3 This device is equipped with pulse dialing while the Telecom

standard is DTMF tone dialing. There is no guarantee that Telecom
lines will always continue to support pulse dialing.

4 Use of pulse dialing, when this equipment is connected to the

same line as other equipment, may give rise to bell tinkle or noise
and may also cause a false answer condition. Should such problems
occur, the user should NOT contact the telecom Fault Service.

5 This equipment may not provide for the effective hand-over of a

call to another device connected to the same line.

6 Under power failure conditions this appliance may not operate.

Please ensure that a separate telephone, not dependent on local
power, is available for emergency use.

7 Some parameters required for compliance with Telecom's

Telepermit requirements are dependent on the equipment (PC)
associated with this device. The associated equipment shall be set
to operate within the following limits for compliance with
Telecom's specifications, the associated equipment shall be set to
ensure that calls are answered between 3 and 30 seconds of
receipt of ringing.

8 This equipment shall not be set up to make automatic calls to

Telecom's 111 Emergency Service.

English

Appendix B Regulation & safety notices70

Important safety instructions

English

Read these instructions carefully. Save them for future reference.

1 Follow all warnings and instructions marked on the product.
2 Unplug this product from the wall outlet before cleaning. Do not

use liquid cleaners or aerosol cleaners. Use a damp cloth for
cleaning.

3 Do not use this product near water.
4 Do not place this product on an unstable cart, stand, or table. The

product may fall, causing serious damage to the product.

5 Slots and openings are provided for ventilation; to ensure reliable

operation of the product and to protect it from overheating.
These openings must not be blocked or covered. The openings
should never be blocked by placing the product on a bed, sofa,
rug, or other similar surface. This product should never be placed
near or over a radiator or heat register, or in a built-in installation
unless proper ventilation is provided.

6 This product should be operated from the type of power indicated

on the marking label. If you are not sure of the type of power
available, consult your dealer or local power company.

7 Do not allow anything to rest on the power cord. Do not locate

this product where persons will walk on the cord.

8 If an extension cord is used with this product, make sure that the

total ampere rating of the equipment plugged into the extension
cord does not exceed the extension cord ampere rating. Also,
make sure that the total rating of all products plugged into the
wall outlet does not exceed the fuse rating.

9 Never push objects of any kind into this product through cabinet

slots as they may touch dangerous voltage points or short out
parts that could result in a fire or electric shock. Never spill liquid
of any kind on the product.

10 Do not attempt to service this product yourself, as opening or

removing covers may expose you to dangerous voltage points or
other risks. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.

11 Unplug this product from the wall outlet and refer servicing to

qualified service personnel under the following conditions:

When the power cord or plug is damaged or frayed.

a

b If liquid has been spilled into the product.

71

c If the product has been exposed to rain or water.

d If the product does not operate normally when the operating

instructions are followed. Adjust only those controls that are covered
by the operating instructions since improper adjustment of other
controls may result in damage and will often require extensive work
by a qualified technician to restore the product to normal condition.

e If the product has been dropped or the case has been damaged.

f If the product exhibits a distinct change in performance, indicating a

need for service.

12 The TravelMate series uses the lithium battery.

Replace the battery with the same type as the product's battery we
recommend in the product specification list. Use of another
battery may present a risk of fire or explosion.

13 Warning! Batteries may explode if not handled properly. Do not

disassemble or dispose of them in fire. Keep them away from
children and dispose of used batteries promptly.

14 Use only the proper type of power supply cord set (provided in

your accessories box) for this unit. It should be a detachable type:
UL listed/CSA certified, type SPT-2, rated 7A 125V minimum, VDE
approved or its equivalent. Maximum length is 15 feet (4.6
meters).

15 Always disconnect all telephone lines from the wall outlet before

serving or disassembling this equipment.

16 Avoid using a telephone (other than a cordless type) during an

electrical storm. There may be a remote risk of electric shock from
lightning.

English

Appendix B Regulation & safety notices72

Laser compliance statement

English

The CD or DVD drive used with this computer is a laser product. The CD
or DVD drive's classification label (shown below) is located on the
drive.

CLASS 1 LASER PRODUCT
CAUTION: INVISIBLE LASER RADIATION WHEN OPEN. AVOID EXPOSURE
TO BEAM.

APPAREIL A LASER DE CLASSE 1 PRODUIT
LASERATTENTION: RADIATION DU FAISCEAU LASER INVISIBLE EN CAS
D’OUVERTURE. EVITTER TOUTE EXPOSITION AUX RAYONS.

LUOKAN 1 LASERLAITE LASER KLASSE 1
VORSICHT: UNSICHTBARE LASERSTRAHLUNG, WENN ABDECKUNG
GEÖFFNET NICHT DEM STRAHLL AUSSETZEN

PRODUCTO LÁSER DE LA CLASE I
ADVERTENCIA: RADIACIÓN LÁSER INVISIBLE AL SER ABIERTO. EVITE
EXPONERSE A LOS RAYOS.

ADVARSEL: LASERSTRÅLING VEDÅBNING SE IKKE IND I STRÅLEN.

VARO! LAVATTAESSA OLET ALTTINA LASERSÅTEILYLLE.
VARNING: LASERSTRÅLNING NÅR DENNA DEL ÅR ÖPPNAD ÅLÅ
TUIJOTA SÅTEESEENSTIRRA EJ IN I STRÅLEN

VARNING: LASERSTRÅLNING NAR DENNA DEL ÅR ÖPPNADSTIRRA EJ IN
I STRÅLEN

ADVARSEL: LASERSTRÅLING NAR DEKSEL ÅPNESSTIRR IKKE INN I
STRÅLEN

LCD pixel statement

The LCD unit is produced with high-precision manufacturing
techniques. Nevertheless, some pixels may occasionally misfire or
appear as black or red dots. This has no effect on the recorded image
and does not constitute a malfunction.

Macrovision® copyright protection notice

This product incorporates copyright protection technology that is
protected by method claims of certain U.S. patents and other
intellectual property rights owned by Macrovision Corporation and

73

other rights owners. Use of this copyright protection technology must
be authorized by Macrovision Corporation, and is intended for home
and other limited viewing uses only unless otherwise authorized by
Macrovision Corporation. Reverse engineering or disassembly is
prohibited.

Apparatus Claims of U.S. Patent Nos. 4,631,603, 4,577,216, 4,819,098,
4,907,093, and 6,516,132 licensed for limited viewing uses only.

Radio Device Regulatory Notice

Note: Below regulatory information is for models with wireless
LAN and/or Bluetooth® only.

General

This product complies with the radio frequency and safety standards of
any country or region in which it has been approved for wireless use.
Depending on configurations, this product may or may not contain
wireless radio devices (such as wireless LAN and/or Bluetooth®
modules). Below information is for products with such devices.

English

European Union (EU)

Appendix B Regulation & safety notices74

English

This device complies with the essential requirements of the European
Council Directives listed below:

73/23/EEC Low Voltage Directive

• EN 60950

89/336/EEC Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive

• EN 55022

• EN 55024

• EN 61000-3-2/-3

99/5/EC Radio & Telecommunications Terminal Equipment (R&TTE)
Directive

• Art.3.1a) EN 60950

• Art.3.1b) EN 301 489 -1/-17

• Art.3.2) EN 300 328-2

• Art.3.2) EN 301 893 *applied to 5 GHz only

List of Applicable Countries

EU member states as of May 2004 are: Belgium, Denmark, Germany,
Greece, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands,
Austria, Portugal, Finland, Sweden, United Kingdom Estonia, Latvia,
Lithuania, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, Slovenia,
Cyprus and Malta. Usage allowed in the countries of European Union,
as well as Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein. This device
must be used in strict accordance with the regulations and constraints
in the country of use. For further information, please contact local
office in the country of use.

75

The FCC RF safety requirement

The radiated output power of Wireless LAN Mini-PCI Card and
Bluetooth card is far below the FCC radio frequency exposure limits.
Nevertheless, the TravelMate series shall be used in such a manner that
the potential for human contact during normal operation is minimized
as follows

1 This device is restricted to indoor use due to its operation in the

2 High power radar are allocated as primary users of the 5.25 to 5.35

3 An improper installation or unauthorized use may cause harmful

:

5.15 to 5.25 GHz frequency range. FCC requires this product to be
used indoors for the frequency range 5.15 to 5.25 GHz to reduce
the potential for harmful interference to co-channel Mobile
Satellite systems.

GHz and 5.65 to 5.85 GHz bands. These radar stations can cause
interference with and/or damage this device.

interference to radio communications. Also any tampering of the
internal antenna will void the FCC certification and your warranty.

Canada - Low power license-exempt
radiocommunication devices (RSS-210)

a Common information

Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

1. This device may not cause interference, and

2. this device must accept any interference, including
interference that may cause undesired operation of the
device.

b Operation in 2.4 GHz band

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

c Operation in 5 GHz band

• The device for the band 5150-5250 MHz is only for indoor usage to

reduce potential for harmful interference to co-channel Mobile
Satellite systems.

• High power radars are allocated as primary users (meaning they
have priority) of 5250-5350 MHz and 5650-5850 MHz and these
radars could cause interference and/or damage to LELAN (Licence­Exempt Local Area Network) devices.

English

Appendix B Regulation & safety notices76

Exposure of humans to RF fields (RSS-102)

The Acer TravelMate series employs low gain integral antennas that do

English

not emit RF field in excess of Health Canada limits for the general
population; consult Safety Code 6, obtainable from Health Canada’s
Web site at www.hc-sc.gc.ca/rpb

.

77

English

8F, 88, Sec. 1, Hsin Tai Wu Rd., Hsichih

Acer Incorporated

Taipei Hsien 221, Taiwan

Tel : [phone]

Fax : [phone]

www.acer.com

Declaration of Conformity for CE marking

We,

Acer Inc.
8F, 88, Sec. 1, Hsin Tai Wu Rd., Hsichih,
Taipei Hsien 221, Taiwan

Contact Person: Mr. Easy Lai
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

Hereby declare that:

Product: Notebook PC
Trade Name: Acer
Model Number: MS2130
Machine Type: TravelMate 380
SKU Number: TravelMate 38xxx

Is in compliance with the essential requirements and other relevant provisions of the
following EC directives.

Reference No. Title

89/336/EEC Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC directive)
73/23/EEC Low Voltage Directive (LVD)
1999/5/EC Radio & Telecommunications Terminal Equipment Directive (R&TTE)

(“x” = 0~9, a ~ z, or A ~ Z)

The product specified above was tested conforming to the applicable Rules under the most
accurate measurement standards possible, and that all the necessary steps have been taken
and are in force to assure that production units of the same product will continue to comply
with the requirements.

2004/6/1

--------------------------- -----------------­Easy Lai/ Director Date
Qualification Center
Product Assurance, Acer Inc.

Appendix B Regulation & safety notices78

English

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.

The following local Manufacturer/Importer is responsible for this declaration:

Product: Notebook Personal Computer

Model Number:

Machine Type: TravelMate 380

SKU Number: TravelMate 38xxx

Name of Responsible Party: Acer America Corporation

Address of Responsible Party: 2641 Orchard Parkway, San Jose

Contact Person: Mr. Young Kim

Phone No.: 408-922-2909

Fax No.: 408-922-2606

Federal Communications Commission

Declaration of Conformity

MS2130

(“x” = 0~9, a ~ z, or A ~ Z)

CA 95134, U. S. A.

Index

A

AC adapter

caring for v

AcerMedia drive 24
audio 26

adjusting the volume 26
troubleshooting 52

B

battery pack

caring for v

BIOS utility 46
brightness

hotkeys 18

C

caps lock 14

on indicator 13

care

AC adapter v
battery pack v
computer iv
ejecting 24
ejecting manually 52
troubleshooting 52

cleaning

computer vi

computer

bringing to meetings 29
caring for iv
cleaning vi
disconnecting 28
features 3, 10
indicators 12
keyboards 14
moving around 28
performance 10
security 33
setting up a home office 30
taking home 29
traveling internationally 31
traveling on local trips 31
troubleshooting 50
turning off iv

connections

79

network 38

D

display

hotkeys 17, 18

troubleshooting 51
DVD 25
DVD movies

playing 25

E

error messages 54
Euro 19

F

FAQ. See frequently-asked questions
frequently-asked questions 51
front view 3

H

hard disk 24
help

online services 55
Hibernation mode

hotkey 17
hotkeys 17

I

IEEE 1394 port 40
indicator lights 12
infrared 38
ITW. See warranty

K

keyboard 14

embedded numeric keypad 15

hotkeys 17

lock keys 14

troubleshooting 52

Windows keys 16

L

LEDs 12

M

memory

installing 43– 44

upgrading 43
messages

error 54

80

Index

modem 37

N

network 38
Notebook Manager 45

hotkey 17

notice

DVD copyright protection 72

num lock 14

on indicator 13

numeric keypad

num lock 15

O

online services 55
options

memory upgrade 43

P

password 33

types 33

PC Card 40

ejecting 41

inserting 41
ports 37
POST (power-on self-test) 46
printer

troubleshooting 53
problems 51

display 51

keyboard 52

printer 53

startup 51

troubleshooting 50

Q

questions

setting location for modem use

53

S

safety

CD or DVD 72

FCC notice 65

general instructions 68

modem notices 66

scroll lock 14

on indicator 13

security

keylock 33
passwords 33

service

when to call vi

speakers

hotkey 18

troubleshooting 52
specifications 58
Standby mode

hotkey 17
status indicators 12
storage 24

AcerMedia drive 24

hard disk 24
support

information 55

T

touchpad 22

hotkey 18

using 22– 23
travel

international flights 31

local trips 31
troubleshooting 50

tips 54

U

universal serial bus 39

V

view

left 5, 6

rear 8

right 7
volume

adjusting 26

W

warranty

International Traveler’s Warran-

ty 55

Windows keys 16