Acer TRAVELMATE-6500 User Manual

TravelMate 6500 Series

User's Guide

TravelMate 6500 Series User's Guide Original Issue: May 2006

Changes may be made periodically to the information in this publication without obligation to notify any person of such revisions or changes. Such changes will be incorporated in new editions of this manual or supplementary documents and publications. Acer Incorporated makes no representations or warranties, either express or implied, with respect to the contents hereof and specifically disclaims any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

For your convenience, we suggest that you enter the model number, serial number, purchase date, and place of purchase information in the space provided below. The serial number and model number are recorded on the label affixed to your computer. All correspondence concerning your unit should include the serial number, model number, and purchase information.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronically, mechanically, by photocopy, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Acer Incorporated.

TravelMate 6500 Series Notebook PC

Model number: __________________________________

Serial number: ___________________________________

Date of purchase: ________________________________

Place of purchase: ________________________________

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

Information for your safety and comfort

Safety instructions

Read these instructions carefully. Keep this document for future reference. Follow all warnings and instructions marked on the product.

Turning the product off before cleaning

Unplug this product from the wall outlet before cleaning. Do not use liquid cleaners or aerosol cleaners. Use a damp cloth for cleaning.

Warnings

• Do not use this product near water.

• Do not place this product on an unstable cart, stand or table. If the product

falls, it could be seriously damaged.

• 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.

• 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 onto or into the product.

• To avoid damage of internal components and to prevent battery leakage,

do not place the product on a vibrating surface.

iii

Using electrical power

• 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.

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

product where people will walk on the cord.

• 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.

• Do not overload a power outlet, strip or receptacle by plugging in too

many devices. The overall system load must not exceed 80% of the branch circuit rating. If power strips are used, the load should not exceed 80% of the power strip's input rating.

This product's AC adapter is equipped with a three-wire grounded plug.

•

The plug only fits in a grounded power outlet. Make sure the power outlet is properly grounded before inserting the AC adapter plug. Do not insert the plug into a non-grounded power outlet. Contact your electrician for details.

Warning! The grounding pin is a safety feature. Using a power outlet that is not properly grounded may result in electric shock and/or injury.

Note: The grounding pin also provides good protection from unexpected noise produced by other nearby electrical devices that may interfere with the performance of this product.

• Use the product only with the supplied power supply cord set. If you need

to replace the power cord set, make sure that the new power cord meets the following requirements: detachable type, UL listed/CSA certified, type SPT-2, rated 7 A 125 V minimum, VDE approved or its equivalent, 4.6 meters (15 feet) maximum length.

Product servicing

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.

Unplug this product from the wall outlet and refer servicing to qualified service personnel when:

• the power cord or plug is damaged, cut or frayed

• liquid was spilled into the product

• the product was exposed to rain or water

• the product has been dropped or the case has been damaged

• the product exhibits a distinct change in performance, indicating a need

for service

• the product does not operate normally after following the operating

instructions

Note: 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.

Replacing the battery pack

The notebook uses lithium batteries. Replace the battery with the same type as that which came bundled with your product. Use of another battery may present a risk of fire or explosion.

Warning! Batteries may explode if not handled properly. Do not disassemble or dispose of them in fire. Keep them away from children. Follow local regulations when disposing of used batteries.

Telephone line safety

• Disconnect all telephone lines from the equipment when not in use and/or

before servicing.

• To avoid the remote risk of electric shock from lightning, do not connect

the telephone line to this equipment during lightning or thunderstorms.

Warning! For safety reasons, do not use non-compliant parts when adding or changing components. Consult your reseller for purchase options.

Disposal instructions

Do not throw this electronic device into the trash when discarding. To minimize pollution and ensure utmost protection of the global environment, please recycle. For more information on the Waste from Electrical and Electronics Equipment (WEEE) regulations, visit http://global.acer.com/about/environmental.htm

Mercury advisory

For projectors or electronic products containing an LCD/CRT monitor or display: Lamp(s) inside this product contain mercury and must be recycled or disposed of according to local, state or federal laws. For more information, contact the Electronic Industries Alliance at www.eiae.org information, check www.lamprecycle.org

. For lamp-specific disposal

Tips and information for comfortable use

Computer users may complain of eyestrain and headaches after prolonged use. Users are also at risk of physical injury after long hours of working in front of a computer. Long work periods, bad posture, poor work habits, stress, inadequate working conditions, personal health and other factors greatly increase the risk of physical injury.

Incorrect computer usage may lead to carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, tenosynovitis or other musculoskeletal disorders. The following symptoms may appear in the hands, wrists, arms, shoulders, neck or back:

• numbness, or a burning or tingling sensation

• aching, soreness or tenderness

• pain, swelling or throbbing

• stiffness or tightness

• coldness or weakness

If you have these symptoms, or any other recurring or persistent discomfort and/or pain related to computer use, consult a physician immediately and inform your company's health and safety department.

The following section provides tips for more comfortable computer use.

Finding your comfort zone

Find your comfort zone by adjusting the viewing angle of the monitor, using a footrest, or raising your sitting height to achieve maximum comfort. Observe the following tips:

• refrain from staying too long in one fixed posture

• avoid slouching forward and/or leaning backward

• stand up and walk around regularly to remove the strain on your leg

muscles

• take short rests to relax your neck and shoulders

• avoid tensing your muscles or shrugging your shoulders

• install the external display, keyboard and mouse properly and within

comfortable reach

• if you view your monitor more than your documents, place the display at

the center of your desk to minimize neck strain

Taking care of your vision

Long viewing hours, wearing incorrect glasses or contact lenses, glare, excessive room lighting, poorly focused screens, very small typefaces and low-contrast displays could stress your eyes. The following sections provide suggestions on how to reduce eyestrain.

vii

Eyes

• Rest your eyes frequently.

• Give your eyes regular breaks by looking away from the monitor and

focusing on a distant point.

• Blink frequently to keep your eyes from drying out.

Display

• Keep your display clean.

• Keep your head at a higher level than the top edge of the display so your

eyes point downward when looking at the middle of the display.

• Adjust the display brightness and/or contrast to a comfortable level for

enhanced text readability and graphics clarity.

• Eliminate glare and reflections by:

• placing your display in such a way that the side faces the window or

any light source

• minimizing room light by using drapes, shades or blinds

• using a task light

• changing the display's viewing angle

• using a glare-reduction filter

• using a display visor, such as a piece of cardboard extended from the

display's top front edge

• Avoid adjusting your display to an awkward viewing angle.

• Avoid looking at bright light sources, such as open windows, for extended

periods of time.

Developing good work habits

Develop the following work habits to make your computer use more relaxing and productive:

• Take short breaks regularly and often.

• Perform some stretching exercises.

• Breathe fresh air as often as possible.

• Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy body.

Warning! We do not recommend using the computer on a couch or bed. If this is unavoidable, work for only short periods, take breaks regularly, and do some stretching exercises.

Note: For more information, please refer to "Regulations and safety notices" on page 74 in the AcerSystem User's Guide.

viii

First things first

We would like to thank you for making an Acer notebook your choice for meeting your mobile computing needs.

Your guides

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

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

The printed User's Guide introduces you to the basic features and functions of your new computer. For more on how your computer can help you to be more productive, please refer to the AcerSystem User's Guide. This guide contains detailed information on such subjects as system utilities, data recovery, expansion options and troubleshooting. In addition it contains warranty information and the general regulations and safety notices for your notebook. It is available in Portable Document Format (PDF) and comes preloaded on your notebook. Follow these steps to access it:

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

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

Basic care and tips for using your computer

Turning your computer on and off

To turn on the computer, simply press and release the power button below the LCD screen beside the easy-launch buttons. See "Front view" on page 15 for the location of the power button.

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

• Use the Windows shutdown command

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

• Use the power button

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

Note: If you cannot power off the computer normally, press and hold the power button for more than four seconds to shut down the computer. If you turn off the computer and want to turn it on again, wait at least two seconds before powering up.

Taking care of your computer

Your computer will serve you well if you take care of it.

• Do not expose the computer to direct sunlight. Do not place it near sources

of heat, such as a radiator.

• Do not expose the computer to temperatures below 0 ºC (32 ºF) or above

50 ºC (122 ºF).

• Do not subject the computer to magnetic fields.

• Do not expose the computer to rain or moisture.

• Do not spill water or any liquid on the computer.

• Do not subject the computer to heavy shock or vibration.

• Do not expose the computer to dust or dirt.

• Never place objects on top of the computer.

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

• Never place the computer on uneven surfaces.

Taking care of your AC adapter

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

• Do not connect the adapter to any other device.

• Do not step on the power cord or place heavy objects on top of it.

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

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

on the plug.

• The total ampere ratings of the equipment plugged in should not exceed

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

Taking care of your battery pack

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

• Use only batteries of the same kind as replacements. Turn the power off

before removing or replacing batteries.

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

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

Cleaning and servicing

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

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

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

• the computer does not operate normally

please refer to "Frequently asked questions" on page 49.

Information for your safety and comfort iii

Safety instructions iii Disposal instructions v Tips and information for comfortable use vi

First things first viii

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

Turning your computer on and off viii Taking care of your computer ix Taking care of your AC adapter ix Taking care of your battery pack x Cleaning and servicing x

Acer Empowering Technology 1

Empowering Technology password 1 Acer eNet Management 2 Acer ePower Management 4 Acer ePresentation Management 7 Acer eDataSecurity Management 8 Acer eLock Management 9 Acer eRecovery Management 11 Acer eSettings Management 13 Acer ePerformance Management 14

Your Acer notebook tour 15

Front view 15 Closed front view 16 Left view 18 Right view 18 Rear view 19

Base view 20 Specifications 21 Indicators 25 Easy-launch buttons 26 Touchpad 27

Touchpad basics 27 Using the keyboard 29

Lock keys and numeric keypad 29

Windows keys 30

Hotkeys 30

Special keys 32 Ejecting the optical (CD or DVD) drive tray 33 Using a computer security lock 33 Audio 34

Adjusting the volume 34 Using RAID 35

What is RAID? 35

RAID 0 35 RAID 1 35 Intel Matrix RAID 35

Which version of RAID do you need? 36

When to use RAID 0 36 When to use RAID 1 36

When to use Matrix RAID 36 Before enabling RAID on your system 36 Enabling RAID on your system 37 After enabling RAID on your system 38

Acer OrbiCam 39

Launching the Acer OrbiCam 40 Changing the Acer OrbiCam settings 40 Capturing photos/videos 42 Using the Acer OrbiCam as webcam 42 Enabling the Acer VisageON 43

Using the system utilities 46

Acer GridVista (dual-display compatible) 46 Launch Manager 47 Norton AntiVirus 48

Frequently asked questions 49

Requesting service 52

International Travelers Warranty (ITW) 52

Before you call 52

Taking your notebook PC with you 53

Disconnecting from the desktop 53 Moving around 53

Preparing the computer 53

What to bring to meetings 54

Taking the computer home 54

Preparing the computer 54 What to take with you 54 Special considerations 55 Setting up a home office 55

Traveling with the computer 55

Preparing the computer 55 What to take with you 55 Special considerations 56

Traveling internationally with the computer56

Preparing the computer 56 What to bring with you 56 Special considerations 56

Securing your computer 57

Using a computer security lock 57 Using passwords 57

Entering passwords 58 Setting passwords 58

Expanding through options 59

Connectivity options 59

Fax/data modem 59 Built-in network feature 60 Fast Infrared (FIR) 60 Universal Serial Bus (USB) 61 IEEE 1394 port 61 Digital Video Interface (DVI-D) 62 PC Card slot 63 ExpressCard 64 Installing memory 65

BIOS utility 65

Boot sequence 66 Enable disk-to-disk recovery 66 Password 66

Using software 67

Playing DVD movies 67 Power management 68 Acer eRecovery Management 68

Create backup 69 Restore from backup 69 Create factory default image CD 70 Re-install bundled software without CD 70 Change password 71

Troubleshooting 72

Troubleshooting tips 72 Error messages 72

Regulations and safety notices 74

ENERGY STAR guidelines compliance 74 FCC notice 74 Modem notices 75 Important safety instructions 78 Laser compliance statement 80 LCD pixel statement 80 Macrovision copyright protection notice 80 Radio device regulatory notice 81 General 81 European Union (EU) 81 The FCC RF safety requirement 82 Canada — Low-power license-exempt radio communication devices (RSS-210) 83 Federal Communications Comission Declaration of Conformity 84 Declaration of Conformity for CE Marking 85

Index 86

Acer Empowering Technology

Acer's innovative Empowering Technology toolbar makes it easy for you to access frequently used functions and manage your new Acer computer. Displayed by default in the upper-right corner of your screen, it features the following handy utilities:

• Acer eNet Management hooks up to location-based networks intelligently.

• Acer ePower Management extends battery power via versatile usage

profiles.

• Acer ePresentation Management connects to a projector and adjusts

display settings conveniently.

• Acer eDataSecurity Management protects data with passwords and

advanced encryption algorithms.

• Acer eLock Management limits access to external storage media and

interfaces.

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

and completely.

• Acer eSettings Management accesses system information and adjusts

settings easily

• Acer ePerformance Management improves system performance by

optimizing disk space, memory and registry settings..

Empowering Technology

For more information, right click on the Empowering Technology toolbar, then select the Help or Tutorial function.

Empowering Technology password

Before using Acer eLock Management and Acer eRecovery Management, you must initialize the Empowering Technology password. Right-click on the Empowering Technology toolbar and select "Password Setup" to do so. If you do not initialize the Empowering Technology password, you will be prompted to do so when running Acer eLock Management or Acer eRecovery Management for the first time.

If you lose your password, there is no method to reset it except by

reformatting your notebook or taking your notebook

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

down your password.

Acer eNet Management

Acer eNet Management helps you to quickly and easily connect to both wired and wireless networks in a variety of locations. To access this utility, either click on the "Acer eNet Management" icon on your notebook, or start the program from the Start menu. You also have the option to set Acer eNet Management to start automatically when you boot up your PC.

Acer eNet Management automatically detects the best settings for a new location, while offering you the freedom to manually adjust the settings to match your needs.

Empowering Technology

Acer eNet Management can save network settings for a location to a profile, and automatically switch to the appropriate profile when you move from one location to another. Settings stored include network connection settings (IP and DNS settings, wireless AP details, etc.), as well as default printer settings.

Security and safety concerns mean that Acer eNet Management does not store username and password information.

Empowering Technology

Acer ePower Management

Acer ePower Management features a straightforward user interface. To launch it, select Acer ePower Management from the Empowering Technology interface.

AC mode (Adapter mode)

The default setting is "Maximum Performance." You can adjust CPU speed, LCD brightness and other settings, or click on buttons to turn the following functions on/off: Wireless LAN, Bluetooth, CardBus, FireWire(1394), Wired LAN

Empowering Technology

and Optical Device if supported.

DC mode (Battery mode)

There are four pre-defined profiles — Entertainment, Presentation, Word Processing, and Battery Life. You can also define up to three of your own.

To create a new power profile:

1 Change power settings as desired. 2 Click "Save as ..." to save to a new power profile. 3 Name the newly created profile. 4 Select whether this profile is for Adapter or Battery mode, then click OK. 5 The new profile will appear in the profile list.

Battery status

For real-time battery life estimates based on current usage, refer to the panel in the upper half of the window..

Empowering Technology

For additional options, click "Settings" to:

• Set alarms.

• Re-load factory defaults.

• Select what actions to be taken when the cover is closed or the power

button is pressed.

• Set passwords for accessing the system after Hibernation or Standby.

• View information about Acer ePower Management.

Empowering Technology

Acer ePresentation Management

Acer ePresentation Management lets you project your computer's display to an external device or projector using the hot key: Fn + F5. If auto-detection hardware is implemented in the system and the external display supports it, your system display will be automatically switched out when an external display is connected to the system. For projectors and external devices that are not auto-detected, launch Acer ePresentation Management to choose an appropriate display setting.

Empowering Technology

If the restored resolution is not correct after disconnecting a

projector, or you need to use an external resolution that is not

supported by Acer ePresentation Management, adjust your

display settings using Display Properties or the utility provided by

the graphics vendor.

Acer eDataSecurity Management

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

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

Empowering Technology

password when encrypting a file.

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

Acer eLock Management

Empowering Technology

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

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

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

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

• Floppy disk drives — 3.5-inch disks only.

• Interfaces — includes serial port, parallel port, infrared (IR), and Bluetooth.

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

Note: If you lose your password, there is no method to reset it except by reformatting your notebook or taking your notebook to an Acer Customer Service Center. Be sure to remember or write down your password.

Empowering Technology

Acer eRecovery Management

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

Acer eRecovery Management provides you with:

• Password protection.

• Recovery of applications and drivers.

• Image/data backup:

• Back up to HDD (set recovery point).

• Back up to CD/DVD.

• Image/data recovery tools:

• Recover from a hidden partition (factory defaults).

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

• Recover from CD/DVD.

Empowering Technology

For more information, please refer to "Acer eRecovery Management" on page 68 in the AcerSystem User's Guide.

Note: If your computer did not come with a Recovery CD or System CD, please use Acer eRecovery Management's "System backup to optical disk" feature to burn a backup image to CD or DVD. To ensure the best results when recovering your system using a CD or Acer eRecovery Management, detach all peripherals (except the external Acer ODD, if your computer has one), including your Acer ezDock.

Acer eSettings Management

Acer eSettings Management allows you to inspect hardware specifications, change BIOS passwords or other Windows settings, and to monitor the system health status.

Acer eSettings Management also:

• Provides a simple graphical user interface for navigation.

• Displays general system status and advanced monitoring for power users

on Acer computer.

Empowering Technology

Acer ePerformance Management

Acer ePerformance Management is a system optimization tool that boosts the performance of your Acer computer. It provides an express optimization method to release unused memory and disk space quickly. The user can also enable advanced options for full control over the following options:

• Memory optimization — releases unused memory and check usage.

• Disk optimization — removes unneeded items and files.

• Speed optimization — improves the usability and performance of your

Empowering Technology

Windows XP system.

Your Acer notebook tour

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

Front view

English

# Icon Item Description 1 Built-in camera 1.3 megapixel web camera for video

communication.

2 Display screen Also called Liquid-Crystal Display (LCD),

displays computer output.

English

# Icon Item Description 3 Status

indicators

4 Wireless

communication button/ indicator

5Bluetooth

communication button/ indicator

6 Microphones Internal microphones for sound recording.

7 Touchpad Touch-sensitive pointing device which

8 Click buttons

(left, center and right)

9 Palmrest Comfortable support area for your hands

10 Keyboard For entering data into your computer. 11 Power button Turns the computer on and off.

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

Enables/disables the wireless function. Indicates the status of wireless LAN communication.

Enables/disables the Bluetooth function. Indicates the status of Bluetooth communication.

functions like a computer mouse. The left and right buttons function like the

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

when you use the computer.

12 Easy-launch

buttons

Buttons for launching frequently used programs. See "Easy-launch buttons" on page 27 for more details.

Closed front view

# Icon Item Description 1 Latch Locks and releases the lid.

+ 71 hidden pages

Acer TRAVELMATE-6500 User Manual

Information for your safety and comfort

Safety instructions

Disposal instructions

Tips and information for comfortable use

First things first

Your guides

Basic care and tips for using your computer

Contents

Acer Empowering Technology

Empowering Technology password

Acer eNet Management

Acer ePower Management

Acer ePresentation Management

Acer eDataSecurity Management

Acer eLock Management

Acer eRecovery Management

Acer eSettings Management

Acer ePerformance Management

Your Acer notebook tour

Front view

Closed front view