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
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
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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.
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Do not spill water or any liquid on the computer. |
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Do not subject the computer to heavy shock and vibration. |
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• 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.
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Use a soft cloth moistened with water. Do not use liquid or |
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To clean the display screen, use an LCD cleaning kit. |
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aerosol cleaners. |
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If any of the following occurs: |
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The computer has been dropped or the body has been damaged. |
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Liquid has been spilled into the product. |
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The computer does not operate normally. |
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Please refer to "Troubleshooting my computer" on page 45. |
First things first |
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Your guides |
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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 |
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Rear view |
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Bottom view |
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Features |
9 |
Indicators |
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Using the keyboard |
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Special keys |
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Touchpad |
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Touchpad basics |
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Storage |
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Hard disk |
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Optical drive |
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Using software |
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Audio |
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Adjusting the volume |
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Using the Audio DJ feature |
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Power management |
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Moving around with your TravelMate |
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Disconnecting from the desktop |
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Moving around |
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Taking the computer home |
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Traveling with the computer |
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Traveling internationally with the computer |
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Securing your computer |
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Using a computer security lock |
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Using passwords |
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2 Customizing my computer |
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Expanding through options |
37 |
Connectivity options |
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Upgrade options |
41 |
Using system utilities |
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Launch Manager |
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BIOS Utility |
43 |
Contents
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viii
3 Troubleshooting my computer |
45 |
Frequently-asked questions |
47 |
Requesting service |
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International Traveler’s Warranty (ITW) |
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Before you call |
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Appendix A Specifications |
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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.
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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 |
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Display screen |
Also called LCD (liquid-crystal display), |
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displays computer output. |
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Power Button |
Turns on the computer power. |
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Speakers |
Outputs sound. |
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1 Getting to know your TravelMate |
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Item |
Description |
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Keyboard |
Inputs data into your computer. |
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Touchpad |
Touch-sensitive pointing device which |
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functions like a computer mouse. |
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Click buttons (left, |
The left and right buttons function like the |
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center and right) |
left and right mouse buttons; the center |
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button serves as a 4-way scroll button. |
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Audio DJ controls |
Button and indicators for the Audio DJ |
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and indicators |
function. For more information, see “Using |
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the Audio DJ feature” on page 25. |
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Optical drive |
Houses an optical drive module (CD-ROM , |
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DVD-ROM or DVD/CD-RW combo drive). |
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Optical drive |
Lights up when the optical drive is active. |
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indicator |
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Emergency eject slot |
Ejects the drive tray when the computer is |
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turned off. See page 49 for more details. |
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Eject button |
Ejects the drive tray. |
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Infrared port |
Interfaces with infrared devices (e.g., |
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infrared PDA, IR-aware computer). |
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Wireless networking |
Enables or disables the wireless networking |
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button |
feature. |
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Palmrest |
Comfortable support area for your hands |
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when you use the computer. |
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Status indicators |
LEDs (light-emitting diode) that turn on and |
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off to show the status of the computer, its |
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functions and components. |
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Microphone |
Inputs sounds and voices into your computer. |
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Launch keys |
Special keys for launching internet browser, |
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email program and frequently used |
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programs. See “Launch Keys” on page 18 for |
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more details. |
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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
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Item |
Description |
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Power jack |
Connects to an AC adapter. |
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Security keylock |
Connects to a Kensington-compatible |
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computer security lock. |
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6 |
1 Getting to know your TravelMate |
Right view
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Item |
Description |
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USB port |
Connects to Universal Serial Bus devices |
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(e.g.,USB mouse, USB camera). |
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Line-in/Mic-in jack |
Accepts audio line-in devices (e.g., audio CD |
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player, stereo walkman). Selection is through |
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the OS Windows mixer. |
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Speaker/ |
Connects to audio line-out devices |
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Headphone-out jack |
(e.g.,speakers, headphones). |
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Modem jack |
Connects to a phone line. |
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IEEE 1394 port |
Connects to an IEEE 1394 device. |
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PC card eject button |
Ejects the PC card from the slot. |
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PC card slots |
Accepts one type II PC cards. |
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Network jack |
Connects to an Ethernet 10/100-based |
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network. |
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Item |
Description |
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Memory stick slot |
Accepts memory sticks. |
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SD/MMC slot |
Accepts SD or MMC cards. |
Rear view
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Item |
Description |
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Expansion port |
I/O replicator or EasyPort expansion devices. |
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External display |
Connects to a display device (e.g., external |
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monitor, LCD projector). |
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Parallel port |
Connects to a parallel device (e.g., parallel |
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printer). |
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4 |
S-video |
Connects to a television or display device |
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with S-video input. |
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English
8 |
1 Getting to know your TravelMate |
Bottom view
# |
Item |
Description |
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1 |
Battery bay |
Houses the computer's battery pack. |
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Battery release latch |
Unlatches the battery to remove the |
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battery pack. |
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3 |
Memory |
Houses the computer's main memory. |
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compartment |
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4 |
Cooling fans |
Helps keep the computer cool. |
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Note: Don't cover or obstruct the opening |
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of the fan. |
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5 |
AcerMedia drive bay |
Unlatches the AcerMedia bay to remove |
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release latch |
the optical diskette drive |
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Hard disk bay |
Houses the computer's hard disk. |
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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
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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
The computer has seven easy-to-read status icons below the display screen.
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Icon |
Function |
Description |
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Power |
Lights green when the computer is on. Flashes |
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when the computer is in low power. |
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Sleep |
Flashes when the computer enters Sleep |
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mode. Lights when the computer is in Sleep |
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mode. |
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Battery charge |
Lights when the battery is being charged. |
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Wireless |
Lights when the Wireless LAN or Bluetooth |
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communication |
capabilities are enabled. |
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Caps lock |
Lights when Caps Lock is activated. |
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Num lock |
Lights when Num Lock is activated. |
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Media activity |
Lights when the hard disk or AcerMedia drive |
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is active. |
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12 |
1 Getting to know your TravelMate |
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 |
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Caps Lock |
When Caps Lock is on, all alphabetic characters typed are in |
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uppercase. |
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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 |
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arithmetic operators +, -, *, and /). Use this mode when you |
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need to do a lot of numeric data entry. A better solution |
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would be to connect an external keypad. |
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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. |
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Scroll Lock does not work with some applications. |
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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.
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Desired access |
Num lock on |
Num lock off |
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Number keys on |
Type numbers in a normal |
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embedded keypad |
manner. |
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Cursor-control keys |
Hold Shift while using |
Hold Fn while using |
on embedded |
cursor-control keys. |
cursor-control keys. |
keypad |
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Main keyboard keys |
Hold Fn while typing letters |
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on embedded keypad. |
Type the letters in a normal manner.
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14 |
1 Getting to know your TravelMate |
Windows keys
The keyboard has two keys that perform Windows-specific functions.
Key |
Description |
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Windows logo |
Start button. Combinations with this key perform |
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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). |
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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.
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Hot key |
Icon |
Function |
Description |
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Fn-F1 |
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Hot key help |
Displays help on hot keys. |
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Fn-F2 |
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System Property |
Displays the System Property. |
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Fn-F3 |
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Power Options |
Display the Power Options |
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Properties used by the |
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computer (function available |
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if supported by operating |
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system). |
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See “Power management” on |
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page 26“. |
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Fn-F4 |
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Sleep |
Puts the computer in Sleep |
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mode. |
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See “Power management” on |
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page 26“. |
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16 |
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1 Getting to know your TravelMate |
Hot key |
Icon |
Function |
Description |
Fn-F5 |
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Display toggle |
Switches display output |
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between the display screen, |
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external monitor (if |
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connected) and both the |
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display screen and external |
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monitor. |
Fn-F6 |
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Screen blank |
Turns the display screen |
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backlight off to save power. |
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Press any key to return. |
Fn-F7 |
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Touchpad toggle |
Turns the internal touchpad |
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on and off. |
Fn-F8 |
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Speaker toggle |
Turns the speakers on and off. |
Fn-↑ |
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Volume up |
Increases the speaker volume. |
Fn-↓ |
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Volume down |
Decreases the speaker |
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volume. |
Fn-→ |
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Brightness up |
Increases the screen |
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brightness. |
Fn-← |
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Brightness down |
Decreases the screen |
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brightness. |