Aser NITRO DESKTOP COMPUTER User Manual
NITRO DESKTOP COMPUTER
USER’S MANUAL
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Important
© 2020. All Rights Reserved.
NITRO Desktop Computer
Covers: Tower models
This revision: March 2020
This manual contains proprietary information that is protected by
copyright laws. The information contained in this manual is subject
to change without notice. Some features described in this manual
may not be supported depending on the Operating System version.
Images provided herein are for reference only and may contain
information or features that do not apply to your computer. Acer
Group shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or
omissions contained in this manual.
Register your Acer product
If your new device runs on Windows OS, you may have had your
product registered automatically while you start up your device
with Windows OS.
Log in at www.acer.com/myproducts with the email address you
registered for Windows OS to review your product record. (Reset
your password if you do not know it.)
If the record is not found, please follow the steps below to
register.
1.Ensure you are connected to the Internet.
2.Go to www.acer.com/register-product.
3.Sign in or sign up for an Acer ID.
4. Enter S/N or SNID of your device to register it.
Model number: ________________________________________
Serial number: _________________________________________
Date of purchase: _____________________________________
Place of purchase: _____________________________________
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table of contents - 3
First things first 5
Your guides............................................... 5
Basic care and tips for using your
computer................................................... 5
Turning your computer off ....................... 5
Taking care of your computer .................. 6
Taking care of your AC adapter................ 7
Cleaning and servicing .............................. 7
Recovery 8
Creating a file history backup................. 8
Backing up your wireless and LAN
drivers........................................................ 9
Creating a factory default backup ......... 9
Restoring your computer...................... 10
Reset this PC and keep my files.............. 10
Reset this PC and remove everything ... 11
Connecting to the Internet 13
Connecting to a wireless network ....... 13
Connecting to a wireless LAN................. 13
Connecting with a cable........................ 14
Built-in network feature .......................... 14
Using a Bluetooth connection 15
Enabling and disabling Bluetooth........ 15
Enable Bluetooth and add a device ....... 15
Securing your computer 18
Using passwords.................................... 18
Entering passwords ................................. 18
BIOS utility 20
Boot sequence........................................ 20
Setting passwords.................................. 20
Power management 21
Saving power.......................................... 21
Ports and connectors 23
USB 3.2 Gen 1 information ...................... 23
USB 3.2 Gen 2 information ...................... 24
Rear panel audio ports ............................ 24
Universal Serial Bus (USB) 25
USB Type-C port 26
HDMI 27
SD card reader 28
Video and audio connectors 29
Connecting a monitor........................... 29
Headphones and microphone............. 29
Frequently asked questions 31
Requesting service................................ 33
Tips and hints for using Windows 10.. 35
How do I get to Start? .............................. 35
How do I turn off my computer? ............ 35
How do I unlock my computer? .............. 35
How do I set the alarm? ........................... 37
Where are my apps?................................. 37
What is a Microsoft ID (account)? ........... 38
How do I check for Windows updates?.. 39
Where can I get more information? ....... 39
Troubleshooting.................................... 40
Troubleshooting tips ................................ 40
Error messages ......................................... 40
Internet and online security 42
First steps on the net ............................ 42
Protecting your computer ....................... 42
Choose an Internet Service Provider ..... 42
Network connections ............................... 43
Surf the Net! .............................................. 45
Internet security software ....................... 45
Playing Blu-Ray or DVD movies 51
Getting started...
In this section you will find:
• Useful information on caring for your computer and your
health
• How to create recovery backups
• Guidelines for connecting to a network and using Bluetooth
• Information on using Acer’s bundled software
FIRST THINGS FIRST
We would like to thank you for making this Acer desktop
computer your choice for meeting your computing needs.
Your guides
To help you use your Acer desktop computer, we have designed a
set of guides:
First off, the Setup Guide (or Setup Poster) helps you get started
with setting up your computer.
For more on how your computer can help you to be more
productive, please refer to the User’s Manual. This guide
contains detailed information on such subjects as system utilities,
data recovery, expansion options and troubleshooting.
Once you have connected to the internet, you can download
updates for your computer from:
http://go.acer.com/?id=17883
1. The link will open the Acer Support webpage.
2. Scroll down to Drivers and Manuals and search for your model
by pasting in or manually entering the serial number, SNID, or
product model.
3. From this page you can also download and install the Acer
identification utility that will automatically detect your
computer’s serial number and SNID and allow you to copy it
to the clipboard.
4. Once you have found your product model, any updates, or
documents will be listed.
First things first - 5
Basic care and tips for using your computer
Turning your computer off
To turn the power off, do any of the following:
• Use the Windows shutdown command: Press the Windows key or
select the Windows Start button, select Power > Shut down.
6 - First things first
Note
• Right-click the Windows Start button > Shut down or sign out >
Shut down.
If you need to power down the computer for a short while, but
don’t want to completely shut it down, you can put it to Sleep by
doing any of the following:
• Press the power button.
• Press the sleep hotkey.
•Press the Windows key or select the Windows Start button, select
Power > Sleep.
• Right-click the Windows Start button > Shut down or sign out >
Sleep.
If you cannot power off the computer normally, press and hold the power
button for up to ten 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.
• Only use the adapter provided with your device, or an Acerapproved adapter to power your device.
• 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 0º C (32º F)
or above 50º C (122º F).
• 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.
WARNING: Hot surface. Do not touch.
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. Route the power cord and any cables away from where
people walk.
• 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.
Cleaning and servicing
First things first - 7
When cleaning the computer, follow these steps:
1.Turn off the computer.
2.Disconnect the AC adapter.
3.Use a soft, moist cloth. Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners.
If your computer is dropped or visibly damaged, or does not work
normally, please contact your nearest authorized Acer service
center.
8 - Recovery
Note
RECOVERY
If you are having trouble with your computer, and the frequently
asked questions (see Got a question? on page 30) do not help,
you can recover your computer.
This section describes the recovery tools available on your
computer. Acer provides Acer Care Center, which allows you to
reset your PC, refresh your PC, backup files/data or create a
factory default backup. If you cannot access Acer Care Center, click
Settings in the Start menu, select Update & Security and then
click Recovery.
Acer Care Center vary depending on model or Operating System.
Creating a file history backup
Recovery Management allows you to quickly and easily back up
your files and restore them if the originals are lost, damaged or
deleted.
1.From Start, select Care Center then Recovery Management.
2.Select the Backup tab and click Get started for Create backup to
open the Backup window.
3.Plug in the USB drive (or a portable external hard drive) and
click + to add a drive. Select the USB drive from the drop-down
list.
4.Click More options to select back-up options which best fit your
needs, such as schedule the backup interval, how long you want
to keep those backups (default is Forever), which folders to be
backed up or be excluded. Click Back up now to continue.
5.Follow the process until it completes.
6.Unplug the USB drive (or a portable external hard drive) and
Important
label it clearly.
Write a unique, descriptive label on the backup, such as 'File History
Recovery Backup'. Make sure you keep the backup in a safe place
that you will remember.
Backing up your wireless and LAN drivers
Back up your wireless and LAN drivers. You can use these backups
to install the wireless and LAN drivers if you install another
operating system.
1.From Start, select Care Center then Recovery Management.
2.Select the Backup tab and click Get started for Backup wireless
and LAN drivers. Choose a folder to save your drivers and select
OK.
3.You will be shown the backup progress on the screen.
Creating a factory default backup
Recovery - 9
Recovery Management allows you to quickly and easily back up
your operating system, installed apps and data.
1.From Start, select Care Center then Recovery Management.
2.Select the Backup tab and click Get started for Create backup to
open the Backup window.
3.Click Go to Backup and Restore (Windows 7).
4.Click Security and Maintenance in the bottom left of the page
and click Recovery.
5.Select Create a recovery drive to open the Recovery Drive
window.
6.Make sure Back up system files to the recovery drive is
selected and click Next.
7.Plug in the USB drive and wait for the PC to detect the USB drive
then click Next.
8.Everything on the drive will be deleted. Click Create to continue.
9.You will be shown the backup progress on the screen.
10 - Recovery
Important
Note
Important
10.Follow the process until it completes.
11.Unplug the USB drive and label it clearly.
Write a unique, descriptive label on the backup, such as 'Windows
Recovery Backup'. Make sure you keep the backup in a safe place
that you will remember.
Since the recovery backup requires at least 8 GB of storage after formatting,
it is recommended to use a USB drive with a capacity of 16 GB or larger.
Restoring your computer
Recovery Management allows you to quickly and easily restore
your computer back to its default status. You can choose to keep
your files or remove them before reinstalling Windows.
Reset this PC and keep my files
1.From Start, select Care Center then Recovery Management.
2.Select the Restore tab and click Get started to open the
window.
3.Click Get started to Choose an option. Select Keep my files to
refresh your PC and reinstall your operating system without
removing your personal files. Click Next to continue.
If you have apps installed on your PC, they will be removed. If you'd
like not to restore apps and setting that came with your PC, go to
Change settings and turn off the option to not restore preinstalled
apps that came w ith this PC before proceeding the restore progress.
Click Confirm to continue.
Recovery
4.Resetting the PC will reinstall Windows, change settings back to
Warning
their factory defaults and remove all preinstalled apps and
programs without removing your personal files. Click Reset to
continue. This will take a while and your PC will restart.
5.You will be shown the reset progress on the screen. The screen
will turn off during the reset process.
6.The screen will turn back on when it is installing Windows. Your
PC will restart several times during the reset process.
7.Follow the process until it completes.
8.When your PC has completed the reset process, Windows will
have been reset back to its factory default settings without
removing your personal files.
Reset this PC and remove everything
1.From Start, select Care Center then Recovery Management.
2.Select the Restore tab and click Get Started to open the
window.
3.Click Get started to Choose an option. Select Remove
everything to reset your PC back to its factory default.
4.Click Change settings to choose restore settings (Data erasure
and Data drives) which best fit your needs. Then click Confirm
to continue.
5. Make sure all settings are properly made, click Next to continue.
Recovery - 11
Recovery
Turn on "Data erasure" will remove all of your personal files and
accounts, along with pre-existing drivers that may affect your
Windows installation.
6. Click Reset to continue.
7.You will be shown the reset progress on the screen. The screen
will turn off during the reset process.
8.The screen will turn back on when it is installing Windows. Your
PC will restart several times during the reset process.
9.Follow the process until it completes.
12 - Recovery
10.When your PC has completed the reset process, Windows will
use factory default settings.
Connecting to the Internet - 13
CONNECTING TO THE INTERNET
This chapter includes general information on types of
connections, and getting connected to the internet. For detailed
information, please refer to Network connections on page 43.
Your computer’s built-in network features make it easy for you to
connect your computer to the internet using a cable or a wireless
connection.
First though, in order to connect to the internet, you’ll need to
sign up for internet services from an ISP (Internet Service
Provider) -- usually a phone or cable company -- that will have to
go to your home or office to set up internet service. The ISP will
install a small box, a router or modem, that will allow you to
connect to the internet.
Connecting to a wireless network
Connecting to a wireless LAN
A wireless LAN (or WLAN) is a wireless local area network, which
can link two or more computers without using wires. Once
connected to WLAN, you can access the internet. You can also
share files, other devices, and even your internet connection
itself.
Your computer's wireless connection is turned on by default and
Windows will detect and display a list of available networks during
setup. Select your network and enter the password if required.
You can use the network management options to turn your
wireless network on/off or control what is shared over the
network.
To connect to a wireless network, please follow the steps below.
14 - Connecting to the Internet
Note
Note
1.Ensure you have a wireless router/access point and current
internet connection through the ISP of your choice. Make a note
of the wireless network’s name and password (if necessary).
Please refer to your ISP or router documentation for details on connecting to
the internet.
2.Click Network icon in the notification area.
If Wi-Fi is turned off, please click Wi-Fi tile to turn it on.
3. You will see a list of available wireless networks. Select the one
you wish to use.
4. Once you select a wireless network, select Connect.
5.If required, enter the network’s password.
Connecting with a cable
Built-in network feature
If your computer has a network port, plug one end of a network
cable into the network port on your computer, and the other end
into a port on your router (refer to the image below.) Then, you'll
be ready to get online.
Using a Bluetooth connection - 15
Note
USING A BLUETOOTH CONNECTION
Bluetooth is a technology enabling you to transfer data wirelessly
over short distances between many different types of devices.
Bluetooth-enabled devices include computers, cell phones,
tablets, wireless headsets, and keyboards.
To use Bluetooth, you must ensure the following:
1.Bluetooth is enabled on both devices.
2.Your devices are "paired" (or connected).
Enabling and disabling Bluetooth
The Bluetooth adapter must be enabled on both devices. For your
computer, this may be an external switch, a software setting, or a
separate Bluetooth dongle plugged into the computer’s USB port
(if no internal Bluetooth adapter is available).
Please check your devices owner’s manual to determine how to turn on its
Bluetooth adapter.
Enable Bluetooth and add a device
Every new device must first be "paired" with your computer’s
Bluetooth adapter. This means it must first be authenticated for
security purposes. You only need to pair once. After that, simply
turning on the Bluetooth adapter of both devices will connect
them.
Bluetooth on your computer is disabled by default. To enable
your computer’s Bluetooth adapter, do the following:
1.Press the Windows key or select the Windows Start button >
Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices, and click the
toggle under Bluetooth to enable/disable it.
2.Click on Add Bluetooth or other device then select the device
that you want to add.
3.Your computer will automatically start searching for devices, as
well as make itself visible to other devices.
16 - Using a Bluetooth connection
Note
4.Select the device you wish to pair from the list of discovered
devices.
5. After pairing, if there is a code displaying on the screen, enter
that code on the device to proceed the connection.
Some devices using older versions of the Bluetooth technology require both
devices to enter a PIN. In the case of one of the devices not having any inputs
(as in a headset), the passcode is hardcoded into the device (usually "0000"
or "1234"). Consult your device’s user manual for more information.
You can also enter the Bluetooth settings by selecting the
Notifications icon in the lower right-hand corner of the screen to
open the Notifications pane. From here, you can enable or disable
Bluetooth or right-click on Bluetooth > Go to Settings to enter
the Bluetooth settings.
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