Acer TRAVELMATE 420 User Manual

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TravelMate 420 series

User’s guide

Copyright © 2002 Acer Incorporated.

All Rights Reserved.

TravelMate 420 Series Notebook Computer User's Guide

Original Issue: May 2002

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 420 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.

Your guides

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

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

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

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

1Click on Start, Programs, TravelMate.

2Click on TravelMate 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.

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

English

English

iv

Basic care and tips for using your computer

Turning your computer on and off

To turn on the computer, simply press the power button on the top left of your TravelMate. See page 3 for the location of the power button.

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

Use the Windows shutdown command

For Windows 2000: Click on Start, Shut Down..., and select Shut down; then click on OK.

- or -

For Windows XP: Click on Start, Turn off Computer; then click Turn Off.

Use the power switch

Note: You can also use the power switch 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).

Note: If you cannot power off the computer normally, press and hold the power switch 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.

 

 

v

Do not spill water or any liquid on the computer.

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Do not subject the computer to heavy shock and vibration.

 

Do not expose the computer to dust and dirt.

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

Do not slam the computer display when you close it.

Never place the computer on uneven surfaces.

Taking care of your AC 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.

Cleaning and servicing

When cleaning the computer, follow these steps:

1Power off the computer and remove the battery pack.

2Disconnect the AC adapter.

 

vi

 

 

3

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

English

4

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

 

 

aerosol cleaners.

 

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 45.

First things first

iii

Your guides

iii

Basic care and tips for using your computer

iv

1 Getting to know your TravelMate

1

A TravelMate tour

3

Front view

3

Left view

5

Right view

6

Rear view

7

Bottom view

8

Features

9

Indicators

11

Using the keyboard

12

Special keys

12

Touchpad

20

Touchpad basics

20

Storage

22

Hard disk

22

Optical drive

22

Using software

23

Audio

24

Adjusting the volume

24

Using the Audio DJ feature

25

Power management

26

Moving around with your TravelMate

27

Disconnecting from the desktop

27

Moving around

27

Taking the computer home

28

Traveling with the computer

30

Traveling internationally with the computer

30

Securing your computer

32

Using a computer security lock

32

Using passwords

32

2 Customizing my computer

35

Expanding through options

37

Connectivity options

37

Upgrade options

41

Using system utilities

43

Launch Manager

43

BIOS Utility

43

Contents

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viii

3 Troubleshooting my computer

45

Frequently-asked questions

47

Requesting service

50

International Traveler’s Warranty (ITW)

50

Before you call

51

Appendix A Specifications

53

Appendix B Notices

59

Index

67

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.

Acer TRAVELMATE 420 User Manual

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 view

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#

Item

Description

 

 

 

1

Display screen

Also called LCD (liquid-crystal display),

 

 

displays computer output.

 

 

 

2

Power Button

Turns on the computer power.

 

 

 

3

Speakers

Outputs sound.

 

 

 

 

4

 

1 Getting to know your TravelMate

 

 

 

 

 

English

 

#

Item

Description

 

 

 

 

4

Keyboard

Inputs data into your computer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

Touchpad

Touch-sensitive pointing device which

 

 

 

 

functions like a computer mouse.

 

 

 

 

 

 

6

Click buttons (left,

The left and right buttons function like the

 

 

 

center and right)

left and right mouse buttons; the center

 

 

 

 

button serves as a 4-way scroll button.

 

 

 

 

 

 

7

Audio DJ controls

Button and indicators for the Audio DJ

 

 

 

and indicators

function. For more information, see “Using

 

 

 

 

the Audio DJ feature” on page 25.

 

 

 

 

 

 

8

Optical drive

Houses an optical drive module (CD-ROM ,

 

 

 

 

DVD-ROM or DVD/CD-RW combo drive).

 

 

 

 

 

 

9

Optical drive

Lights up when the optical drive is active.

 

 

 

indicator

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10

Emergency eject slot

Ejects the drive tray when the computer is

 

 

 

 

turned off. See page 49 for more details.

 

 

 

 

 

 

11

Eject button

Ejects the drive tray.

 

 

 

 

 

 

12

Infrared port

Interfaces with infrared devices (e.g.,

 

 

 

 

infrared PDA, IR-aware computer).

 

 

 

 

 

 

13

Wireless networking

Enables or disables the wireless networking

 

 

 

button

feature.

 

 

 

 

 

 

14

Palmrest

Comfortable support area for your hands

 

 

 

 

when you use the computer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

15

Status indicators

LEDs (light-emitting diode) that turn on and

 

 

 

 

off to show the status of the computer, its

 

 

 

 

functions and components.

 

 

 

 

 

 

16

Microphone

Inputs sounds and voices into your computer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

17

Launch keys

Special keys for launching internet browser,

 

 

 

 

email program and frequently used

 

 

 

 

programs. See “Launch Keys” on page 18 for

 

 

 

 

more details.

 

 

 

 

 

5

Note: The positions of the Optical drive indicator, eject button and emergency eject hole may differ depending on the optical drive module installed.

Left view

English

#

Item

Description

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

Power jack

Connects to an AC adapter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

Security keylock

Connects to a Kensington-compatible

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

computer security lock.

K

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6

1 Getting to know your TravelMate

Right view

#

Item

Description

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

USB port

Connects to Universal Serial Bus devices

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

Line-in/Mic-in jack

Accepts audio line-in devices (e.g., audio CD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

player, stereo walkman). Selection is through

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the OS Windows mixer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

Speaker/

Connects to audio line-out devices

 

Headphone-out jack

(e.g.,speakers, headphones).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

Modem jack

Connects to a phone line.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

IEEE 1394 port

Connects to an IEEE 1394 device.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6

PC card eject button

Ejects the PC card from the slot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7

PC card slots

Accepts one type II PC cards.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8

Network jack

Connects to an Ethernet 10/100-based

 

 

network.

 

 

 

#

Item

Description

9

Memory stick slot

Accepts memory sticks.

10

SD/MMC slot

Accepts SD or MMC cards.

Rear view

7

English

#

Item

Description

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

Expansion port

I/O replicator or EasyPort expansion devices.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

External display

Connects to a display device (e.g., external

 

port

monitor, LCD projector).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

Parallel port

Connects to a parallel device (e.g., parallel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

printer).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

S-video

Connects to a television or display device

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

with S-video input.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

English

8

1 Getting to know your TravelMate

Bottom view

#

Item

Description

 

 

 

1

Battery bay

Houses the computer's battery pack.

 

 

 

2

Battery release latch

Unlatches the battery to remove the

 

 

battery pack.

 

 

 

3

Memory

Houses the computer's main memory.

 

compartment

 

 

 

 

4

Cooling fans

Helps keep the computer cool.

 

 

Note: Don't cover or obstruct the opening

 

 

of the fan.

 

 

 

5

AcerMedia drive bay

Unlatches the AcerMedia bay to remove

 

release latch

the optical diskette drive

 

 

 

6

Hard disk bay

Houses the computer's hard disk.

 

 

 

9

Features

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

Performance

Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor with 512 KB level 2 cache

DDR 266 (PC2100) SDRAM, memory expandable up to 1 GB

Internal optical drive

High-capacity, Enhanced-IDE hard disk

Li-lon battery pack

Power management system with ACPI (Advanced Configuration Power Interface)

Display

Thin-Film Transistor (TFT) liquid crystal display (LCD) displaying 32bit high true color up to 1024 x 786 eXtended Graphics Array (XGA) resolution for 14.1”/15” or 1400 x 1050 Super eXtended Graphics Array+ (SXGA+) resolution for some 15” models (specification varies depending on models).

3D capabilities

Simultaneous LCD and CRT display support

S-video for output to a television or display device that supports S- video input

"Automatic LCD dim" feature that automatically decides the best settings for your display and conserves power

Dual display capability

Multimedia

18-bit high-fidelity AC’97 stereo audio

Built-in dual speakers

Built-in microphone

High-speed optical drive

English

English

10

1 Getting to know your TravelMate

Connectivity

High-speed fax/data modem port

Ethernet/Fast Ethernet port

3 USB (Universal Serial Bus) ports

IEEE 1394 port

SD/MMC memory slot

Memory stick slot

Acer EasyPort port replicator

Bluetooth ready (optional)

Human-centric design and ergonomics

4-way scroll button

Sleek, smooth and stylish design

Acer FinTouch full-sized curved keyboard

Ergonomically-centered touchpad pointing device

Expansion

One type II CardBus PC Card slots

Upgradeable memory

11

Indicators

The computer has seven easy-to-read status icons below the display screen.

English

Icon

Function

Description

 

 

 

 

 

 

Power

Lights green when the computer is on. Flashes

 

 

 

 

 

when the computer is in low power.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sleep

Flashes when the computer enters Sleep

 

 

 

mode. Lights when the computer is in Sleep

 

 

 

mode.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Battery charge

Lights when the battery is being charged.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wireless

Lights when the Wireless LAN or Bluetooth

 

 

communication

capabilities are enabled.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Caps lock

Lights when Caps Lock is activated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Num lock

Lights when Num Lock is activated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Media activity

Lights when the hard disk or AcerMedia drive

 

 

 

is active.

 

 

 

 

English

12

1 Getting to know your TravelMate

Using the keyboard

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

When Num Lock is on, the embedded keypad is in numeric

(Fn-F11)

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.

 

 

Scroll Lock

When Scroll Lock is on, the screen moves one line up or down

(Fn-F12)

when you press the up or down arrow keys respectively.

 

Scroll Lock does not work with some applications.

 

 

13

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.

English

Desired access

Num lock on

Num lock off

 

 

 

Number keys on

Type numbers in a normal

 

embedded keypad

manner.

 

 

 

 

Cursor-control keys

Hold Shift while using

Hold Fn while using

on embedded

cursor-control keys.

cursor-control keys.

keypad

 

 

Main keyboard keys

Hold Fn while typing letters

 

on embedded keypad.

Type the letters in a normal manner.

English

14

1 Getting to know your TravelMate

Windows keys

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

Key

Description

 

 

Windows logo

Start button. Combinations with this key perform

key

shortcut functions. Below are a few examples:

áá + Tab (Activates next taskbar button)

á+ E (Explores My Computer)

á+ F (Finds Document)

á+ M (Minimizes All)

Shift + á + M (Undoes Minimize All)

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

Application key

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15

Hot keys

The computer employs hot keys or key combinations to access most of the computer’s controls like screen brightness, volume output.

To activate hot keys, press and hold the Fn key before pressing the other key in the hot key combination.

English

Hot key

Icon

Function

Description

 

 

 

 

Fn-F1

 

Hot key help

Displays help on hot keys.

 

 

 

 

Fn-F2

 

System Property

Displays the System Property.

 

 

 

 

Fn-F3

 

Power Options

Display the Power Options

 

 

 

Properties used by the

 

 

 

computer (function available

 

 

 

if supported by operating

 

 

 

system).

 

 

 

See “Power management” on

 

 

 

page 26“.

 

 

 

 

Fn-F4

 

Sleep

Puts the computer in Sleep

 

 

 

mode.

 

 

 

See “Power management” on

 

 

 

page 26“.

 

 

 

 

English

16

 

 

1 Getting to know your TravelMate

Hot key

Icon

Function

Description

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

 

Screen blank

Turns the display screen

 

 

 

backlight off to save power.

 

 

 

Press any key to return.

Fn-F7

 

Touchpad toggle

Turns the internal touchpad

 

 

 

on and off.

Fn-F8

 

Speaker toggle

Turns the speakers on and off.

Fn-↑

 

Volume up

Increases the speaker volume.

Fn-↓

 

Volume down

Decreases the speaker

 

 

 

volume.

Fn-→

 

Brightness up

Increases the screen

 

 

 

brightness.

Fn-←

 

Brightness down

Decreases the screen

 

 

 

brightness.

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