Acer TRAVELMATE-66X User Manual
TravelMate 660 series
User’s guide
Copyright © 2003 Acer Incorporated.
All Rights Reserved.
TravelMate 660 series User’s guide
Original Issue: May 2003
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 660 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, Programs, TravelMate.
2 Click 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.
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 switch.
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). See the online guide for
details.
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.
v
• 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.
• 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.
English
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:
1 Power off the computer and remove the battery pack.
2 Disconnect the AC adapter.
English
vi
3 Use a soft cloth moistened with water. Do not use liquid or aerosol
cleaners.
4 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 55.
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 4
Left view 6
Right view 7
Rear view 8
Bottom view 9
Features 11
Indicators 13
Using the keyboard 14
Special keys 14
Launch Keys 20
Touchpad 22
Touchpad basics 22
Storage 24
Hard disk 24
AcerMedia bay 24
Using software 25
Audio 27
Adjusting the volume 27
Power management 28
Moving around with your TravelMate 29
Disconnecting from the desktop 29
Moving around 29
Taking the computer home 30
Traveling with the computer 32
Traveling internationally with the computer 32
Securing your computer 34
Using a computer security lock 34
Using the Smart Card 34
Using passwords 40
Contents
2 Customizing my computer 43
Expanding through options 45
Connectivity options 45
Upgrade options 50
Using system utilities 53
Notebook Manager 53
viii
Launch Manager 54
BIOS Utility 54
3 Troubleshooting my computer 55
Frequently-asked questions 57
Troubleshooting tips 60
Error messages 61
Requesting service 62
International Traveler’s Warranty (ITW) 62
Before you call 62
Appendix A Specifications 65
Appendix B Notices 71
Index 79
Contents
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),
2 Power button Turns on the computer.
3 To uch pad Touch-sensitive pointing device which
4 Click buttons (left,
center and right)
displays computer output.
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.
# Item Description
1 Getting to know your TravelMate4
English
5 Palmrest Comfortable support area for your hands
6 Keyboard Inputs data into your computer.
7 Status indicators LEDs (light-emitting diode) that turn on and
8 Microphone Internal microphone for sound recording.
9 Launch keys Special keys for launching internet browser,
when you use the computer.
off to show the status of the computer, its
functions and components.
email program and frequently used
programs. See
more details.
“Launch Keys” on page 20 for
Front view
# Item Description
1 Speaker Outputs sound.
2
4-in-1 card reader
3
4-in-1 card reader1
indicator
4 Infrared port Interfaces with infrared devices (e.g.,
1
Reads cards from Smart Media, Memory
Stick, MultiMedia, and Secure Digital cards.
Displays activity of 4-in-1 card reader.
infrared printer, IR-aware computer).
5
# Item Description
5
Bluetooth button
6
Bluetooth indicator2
7
InviLink button
8
InviLink indicator3
2
Enables or disables Bluetooth functionality.
Indicates that (optional) Bluetooth is
enabled.
3
Enables or disables wireless LAN feature.
Indicates status of wireless LAN
communication.
9 Latch Latch for opening and closing the laptop.
Notes:
1.Four-in-one card reader is a manufacturing option, subject to
configuration. Only one card can operate at any given time.
2.Bluetooth button and indicator work on models with Bluetooth
only.
3 .I nv iL in k b ut to n a nd in d ic at or wo rk o n m od el s w ith wi re le ss
LAN only.
English
English
1 Getting to know your TravelMate6
Left view
# Item Description
1 Four USB 2.0 ports Connect to Universal Serial Bus devices (e.g.,
USB mouse, USB camera).
2 IEEE 1394 port Connects to IEEE 1394 devices.
3 Smart Card slot Slot for Smart Card interface with pre-boot
authentication system
4 Line-in jack Accepts audio line-in devices (e.g., audio CD
player, stereo walkman).
.
5 Microphone jack Accepts input from external microphones.
6 Headphone/
Speaker/ Line-out
jack
7 PC Card eject button Ejects the PC Card from the slot.
8 PC Card slot Accepts one Type II 16-bit PC Card or 32-bit
Connect to headphones or other line-out
audio devices (speakers).
CardBus PC Card.
7
Right view
# Item Description
1 AcerMedia drive Houses a removable media drive module.
2 AcerMedia indicator Lights up when the AcerMedia drive is active.
3 Eject button Ejects the drive tray.
4 Emergency eject slot Ejects the drive tray when the computer is
5 Power jack Connects to an AC adapter.
turned off. See
page 58 for more details.
English
Note: The positions of the AcerMedia indicator, eject button and
emergency eject hole may differ depending on the optical drive
module installed.
English
1 Getting to know your TravelMate8
Rear view
# Item Description
1 Modem jack Connects to a phone line.
2 Network jack Connects to an Ethernet 10/100-based
3 Expansion port Connects to I/O port replicator or EasyPort
4 Parallel port Connects to a parallel device (e.g., parallel
5 External display
port
6 S-video Connects to a television or display device
7 Security keylock Connects to a Kensington-compatible
network.
expansion devices.
printer).
Connects to a display device (e.g., external
monitor, LCD projector) and displays up to
16.7 million colors and up to 1400x1050
resolution.
with S-video input.
computer security lock.
9
Bottom view
# Item Description
1 AcerMedia bay
release latch
Unlatches the AcerMedia drive for
removing the optical drive.
English
2 AcerMedia bay Houses an AcerMedia drive module.
3 Battery bay Houses the computer's battery pack.
4 Battery release latch Unlatches the battery to remove the
battery pack.
5 Battery lock Locks the battery in place.
6 Mini-PCI slot Slot for adding mini-PCI cards.
7 Hard disk protector Protects the hard disk from accidental
bumps and vibration.
8 Hard disk bay Houses the computer's hard disk (secured
by a screw).
9 Memory
compartment
Houses the computer’s main memory.
1 Getting to know your TravelMate10
# Item Description
English
10 Cooling fan Helps keep the computer cool.
Note: Don’t cover or obstruct the opening
of the fan.
11 Personal
identification slot
Insert a business card or similar-sized
identification card to personalize your
computer.
11
Features
Below is a brief summary of the computer’s many features:
Performance
• Intel® Pentium® M Processor at 1.3G~1.6G and higher
• Memory upgradeable up to 2 GB with 2 slots (Only one slot for
user accessible)
• Internal removable optical drive (AcerMedia bay)
• High-capacity, Enhanced-IDE hard disk
• Li-ion main battery pack
• Power management system with ACPI (Advanced Configuration
Power Interface)
• Smart Card interface with pre-boot authentication system for
added security
Display
• Thin-Film Transistor (TFT) liquid crystal display (LCD) displaying 32-
bit high color up to 1024 x 768 eXtended Graphics Array (XGA)
resolution for 14.1”/15” and 1400 x 1050 Super eXtended Graphics
Array + (SXGA+) resolution for 15” models (specification varies
depending on the model)
• 3D graphics engine
• 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 indenpendent display
English
Multimedia
• 16-bit high-fidelity AC’97 stereo audio
• Built-in dual speakers
• Built-in microphone
• High-speed optical drive (AcerMedia bay)
English
1 Getting to know your TravelMate12
Connectivity
• High-speed fax/data modem port
• Ethernet/Fast Ethernet port
• Fast infrared wireless communication
• Four (4) USB 2.0 (Universal Serial Bus) ports
• IEEE 1394 port
• InviLink 802.11b or 802.11a/g wireless LAN (manufacturing
optional)
• Bluetooth ready (manufacturing optional)
• SD/MMC/SM/MS memory slot (manufacturing optional)
Human-centric design and ergonomics
• Internet 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 slot
• Upgradeable memory
13
Indicators
The computer has three easy-to-read status indicators below the
display screen, and two on the front of the computer.
The Power and Battery status indicators are visible even when the
display is closed.
Icon Function Description
English
Caps lock Lights when Caps Lock is activated.
Num lock Lights when Num Lock is activated.
Media Activity Lights when the disc or AcerMedia is
activated.
Power Lights green when the power is on and
Battery Lights orange when the battery is charging.
orange when the computer is in standby
mode.
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
Cursor-control keys
on embedded
keypad
Type numbers in a normal
manner.
Hold Shift while using
cursor-control keys.
Hold Fn while using
cursor-control keys.
English
Main keyboard keys Hold Fn while typing letters
on embedded keypad.
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.
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)
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.
17
To activate hot keys, press and hold the Fn key before pressing the
other key 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
Fn-F3 Power
management
scheme toggle
configuration utility.
Switches the power
management scheme used by
the computer (function
available if supported by
operating system).
See “Power management” on
page 28.
English
Fn-F4 Sleep Puts the computer in Sleep
Fn-F5 Display toggle Switches display output
mode.
See “Power management” on
page 28.
between the display screen,
external monitor (if
connected) and both the
display screen and external
monitor.
1 Getting to know your TravelMate18
Hot key Icon Function Description
English
Fn-F6 Screen blank Turns the display screen
Fn-F7 Touchpad toggle Turns the internal touchpad
Fn-F8 Speaker toggle Turns the speakers on and off.
Fn-↑ Volume up Increases the speaker volume.
Fn-↓ Volume down Decreases the speaker
Fn-→ Brightness up Increases the screen
Fn-
←
Brightness down Decreases the screen
backlight off to save power.
Press any key to return.
on and off.
volume.
brightness.
brightness.
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.
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.
If not, select and click on ADD; then select United States-
International and click on OK.
5 Click on OK.
19
English
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
more information.
www.microsoft.com/typography/faq/faq12.htm for
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