eMachines A26EV17F, C1641, C1844, C1904, C2280 Owner's Manual

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User Guide

EM001

Copyright © 2009.

All Rights Reserved.

eMachines User Guide

Original Issue: 06 / 2009

Model number: __________________________________

Serial number: ___________________________________

Purchase date: ___________________________________

Place of purchase: ________________________________

Visit http://registration.emachines.com and discover the benefits of being an eMachines customer.

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.

CAUTION for plug as disconnecting device

Observe the following guidelines when connecting and disconnecting power to the power supply unit:

Install the power supply unit before connecting the power cord to the AC power outlet.

Unplug the power cord before removing the power supply unit from the computer.

If the system has multiple sources of power, disconnect power from the system by unplugging all power cords from the power supplies.

CAUTION for accessibility

Be sure that the power outlet you plug the power cord into is easily accessible and located as close to the equipment operator as possible. When you need to disconnect power to the equipment, be sure to unplug the power cord from the electrical outlet.

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.

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Never use it under sporting, exercising, or any vibrating environment which will probably cause unexpected short current or damage rotor devices, HDD, Optical drive, and even exposure risk from lithium battery pack.

Safe listening

Follow these instructions, suggested by hearing experts,to protect your hearing.

Gradually increase the volume until you can hear it clearly and comfortably and without distortion.

After setting the volume level, do not increase it afteryour ears adjust.

Limit the amount of time listening to music at high volume.

Avoid turning up the volume to block out noisy surroundings.

Turn the volume down if you can’t hear people speaking near you.

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.

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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.

CAUTION: Danger of explosion if battery is incorrectly replaced. Replace only with the same or equivalent type recommended by the manufacturer. Dispose of used batteries according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Additional safety information

Your device and its enhancements may contain small parts. Keep them out of the reach of small children.

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://www.acer-group.com/public/Sustainability/sustainability01.htm. http://www.acer-group.com/public/Sustainability/sustainability04.htm.

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:

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. For lamp-specific disposal information, check www.lamprecycle.org.

ENERGY STAR

Acer's ENERGY STAR qualified products save your money by reducing energy cost and protecting the

environment without sacrificing features or performance. Acer is proud to offer our customers products with the ENERGY STAR mark.

What is ENERGY STAR?

Products that are ENERGY STAR qualified use less energy and prevent greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Acer is

committed to offer products and services worldwide that help customers save money, conserve energy and improve the quality of our environment. The more energy we can save through higher energy efficiency, the more we reduce greenhouse gases and the risks of climate change. More information refers to http://www.energystar.gov or http://www.energystar.gov/powermangement.

Note: The statement above is applicable only to Acer system with an ENERGY STAR sticker.

Acer ENERGY STAR qualified products:

Produce less heat and reduce cooling loads, and warmer climates.

Automatically go into "display sleep" and "computer sleep" mode after 10 and 30 minute of inactivity respectively.

Wake the computer from sleep mode by pushing keyboard or moving mouse.

Computers will save more than 80% energy at "sleep" mode.

ENERGY STAR and the ENERGY STAR mark are registered U.S. marks

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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.

Eyes

Rest your eyes frequently.

Give your eyes regular breaks by looking away from the monitor and focusing on a distant point.

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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.

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Contents

Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Computer . . . 1

About this guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Product Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Back . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Chapter 2: Setting Up and

Getting Started. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Working safely and comfortably . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Avoiding discomfort and injury from repetitive

strain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Preparing power connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Protecting from power source problems . . . . . . . 9 Checking the voltage selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Connecting to a broadband modem or network . . 11 Connecting a dial-up modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Using the World Wide Web . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Connecting to a Web site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Downloading files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Ethernet networking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Wired Ethernet networking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Establishing your Ethernet network connection 20 Testing your network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Adding a printer to your network . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Sharing resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Using the network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Chapter 3: Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

First steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Add-in cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Audio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 CD or DVD drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 DVD drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

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Contents

Ethernet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Expansion cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 File management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Hard drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Memory card reader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Modem (cable or DSL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Modem (dial-up) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Networks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Optical disc drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Passwords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Sound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Recovering your system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Creating recovery discs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Recovering pre-installed software and drivers . 46 Returning your system to its factory condition . 47 Telephone support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Before calling Customer Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Self-help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Appendix A: Regulations and safety notices. 51

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eMachines A26EV17F, C1641, C1844, C1904, C2280 Owner's Manual

Chapter 1

Checking Out Your

Computer

1

Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Computer

About this guide

This guide includes information and maintenance instructions that are specific to your model of computer. Some illustrations in this guide may look different than your computer because hardware options and port locations may vary.

Product Registration

When using your computer for the first time, it is recommended that you immediately register it. This will give you access to some useful benefits, such as:

Faster service from our trained representatives

Membership in the eMachines community: receive promotions and participate in customer surveys

The latest news from eMachines

Hurry and register, as other advantages await you!

How to Register

During the initial startup of your notebook or desktop, a window will invite you to register. Please fill in the mandatory fields and click Next. The second window you'll see contains optional fields that will help us to provide you with a more personable customer service experience.

Another Option

Another way to register your eMachines product is to visit our website at http://registration.emachines.com. Choose your country and follow the simple instructions.

After we receive your product registration, you will be sent a confirmation email with important data that you should keep in a safe place.

2

Front

Component

Icon

 

Description

 

 

 

 

 

DVD/CD drive

 

 

 

Use this drive to listen to audio CDs,

 

 

 

 

install games and programs, watch

 

 

 

 

DVDs, and store large files onto

 

 

 

 

recordable discs (depending on drive

 

 

 

 

type). This drive may be a CD, recordable

 

 

 

 

CD, DVD, recordable DVD, Blu-ray, or

 

 

 

 

HD DVD drive.

 

 

 

 

 

Memory card

 

 

 

Insert a memory card from a digital

reader

 

 

 

camera, MP3 player, PDA, cellular

 

 

 

 

telephone, or other device into the

 

 

 

 

memory card reader.

 

 

 

 

 

Power

 

 

 

Press this button to turn the power on

button/power

 

 

 

or off. You can also configure the power

indicator

 

 

 

button to operate in Standby/Resume

 

 

 

 

mode or Hibernate mode. The power

 

 

 

 

indicator lights when the computer is

 

 

 

 

turned on.

 

 

 

 

 

USB ports

 

 

 

Plug USB (Universal Serial Bus) devices

 

 

 

 

(such as a USB external drive, printer,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

scanner, camera, keyboard, or mouse)

 

 

 

 

into these ports.

 

 

 

 

 

Microphone

 

 

 

Plug a microphone into this jack. This

 

 

 

jack

 

 

 

jack is color-coded pink.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Headphone jack

 

 

 

Plug powered, analog front speakers, an

 

 

 

 

external amplifier, or headphones into

 

 

 

 

this jack. This jack is color-coded green.

 

 

 

 

 

3

Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Computer

Back

Important

Your computer’s hardware options and port locations may vary from this illustration.

Component

Icon

Description

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kensington lock

 

 

 

 

Connects to a Kensington-compatible

 

 

 

 

slot (optional)

 

 

 

 

computer security lock.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Voltage switch

 

 

 

 

The switch is preset at the factory.

 

 

 

 

 

Make sure that this is set to the

 

 

 

 

 

correct voltage for your area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Power connector

 

 

 

 

Plug the power cord into this

 

 

 

 

 

connector.

PS/2 keyboard

 

 

 

 

Plug a PS/2 keyboard into this port.

port

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monitor (VGA)

 

 

 

 

Plug a VGA (blue connector) monitor

port

 

 

 

 

cable into this port.

 

 

 

 

 

 

USB ports

 

 

 

 

Plug USB (Universal Serial Bus) devices

 

 

 

 

 

(such as a USB Iomega™ Zip™ drive,

 

 

 

 

 

printer, scanner, camera, keyboard, or

 

 

 

 

 

mouse) into these ports.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Microphone jack

 

 

 

 

Plug a microphone into this jack.

 

 

 

 

(pink plug)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Headphone/analo

 

 

 

 

This jack is user configurable for one

g speakers jack

 

 

 

 

of the following:

(green plug)

 

 

 

 

Headphone: Plug headphones or

-OR-

 

 

 

 

amplified speakers into this jack

Front speakers

 

 

 

 

(Default).

jack

 

 

 

 

Stereo out: Plug your front left and

 

 

 

 

 

right speakers into this jack.

 

 

 

 

 

 

PS/2 mouse port

 

 

 

 

Plug a PS/2 mouse into this port.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ethernet

 

 

 

 

Plug an Ethernet network cable or a

(network) jack

 

 

 

 

device (such as a DSL or cable modem

 

 

 

 

 

for a broadband Internet connection)

 

 

 

 

 

into this jack.

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

Component

Icon

Description

 

 

 

 

Center/subwoofer

 

 

Plug your center speaker and

 

 

jack (orange plug)

 

 

subwoofer into this jack.

(optional)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Surround L/R

 

 

Plug your rear right and left speakers

speaker jack

 

 

into this jack.

(black plug)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Audio in/side

 

 

This jack is user configurable for one

 

 

speaker jack (blue

 

 

of the following:

plug)

 

 

Stereo in: Plug an external audio

-OR-

 

 

input source (such as a stereo) into

Side speaker jack

 

 

this jack so you can record sound on

 

 

 

your computer (Default).

 

 

 

Stereo out: Plug your side left and

 

 

 

right speakers into this jack.

ESATA port

 

 

Enables fast external disk access.

(optional)

ESATA

 

 

 

 

 

Serial port

 

 

Connects to devices such as terminals

 

 

(optional)

 

 

and various peripherals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

HDMI port

 

 

Supports high definition digital video

(optional)

HDMI

connections.

 

 

 

 

5

Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Computer

6

Chapter 2

Setting Up and

Getting Started

7

Chapter 2: Setting Up and Getting Started

Working safely and comfortably

Before using your computer, follow these general guidelines for setting up a safe and comfortable work area and avoiding discomfort and strain:

Keep hands and arms parallel to the floor.

Adjust the screen so it is perpendicular to your line of sight, and the top of the screen is no higher than eye leve.

Place your feet flat on the floor or on a footrest.

Keep ventilation openings clear of obstructions.

Avoiding discomfort and injury from repetitive strain

Vary your activities to avoid excessive repetition.

Take breaks to change your position, stretch your muscles, and relieve your eyes.

Find ways to break up the work day, and schedule a variety of tasks.

8

Preparing power connections

Protecting from power source problems

Warning

High voltages can enter your computer through both the power cord and the modem connection. Protect your computer by using a surge protector. If you have a telephone modem, use a surge protector that has a modem jack. If you have a cable modem, use a surge protector that has an antenna/cable TV jack. During an electrical storm, unplug both the surge protector and the modem.

During a power surge, the voltage level of electricity coming into your computer can increase to far above normal levels and cause data loss or system damage. Protect your computer and peripheral devices by connecting them to a surge protector, which absorbs voltage surges and prevents them from reaching your computer.

An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) supplies battery power to your computer during a power failure. Although you cannot run your computer for an extended period of time with a UPS, a UPS lets you run your computer long enough to save your work and shut down your computer normally.

9

Chapter 2: Setting Up and Getting Started

Checking the voltage selection

Caution

If you set the voltage selection switch incorrectly, your system will be damaged. Make sure this switch is set correctly for your location before turning on your computer. In the United States, the utility power is supplied at a nominal 115 volts at 60 Hz. The power supply should always be set to this when your computer is operating in the United States. In other areas of the world, such as Europe, the utility power is supplied at 230 volts at 50 Hz. If your computer is operating in an environment such as this, the voltage switch should be moved to 230.

The power supply, a component built into your computer, provides power to the system board, add-in cards, and peripheral devices. The power supply’s voltage selection for your location is typically set at the factory, but you can change it to match the electrical service available in your usage area (such as while in another country). Use the power selection switch on the back of your computer to set the voltage to 115V or 230V.

To set the voltage selection switch:

1Disconnect your computer’s power cable.

2Use a tool such as an opened paper clip to slide the voltage selection switch to the correct voltage position. The switch is located on the back of your computer, near the power cable connector. For the location, see “Back” on page 4.

10

Connecting to a broadband modem or network

Important

Your computer may be equipped with a built-in Ethernet (network) jack. For information about setting up a wired or wireless Ethernet network.

You can connect your computer to a cable or

DSL (broadband) modem or to a wired

Ethernet network.

To connect to a broadband modem or to an

Ethernet network:

1Insert one end of the network cable into the network jack on the back of your computer. For the location, see “Back” on page 4.

2Insert the other end of the network cable into a cable modem, DSL modem, or network jack.

Connecting a dial-up modem

Warning

To reduce the risk of fire, use only No. 26 AWG or larger telecommunications line cord.

Your computer may have a 56K modem that you can use with a standard telephone line to connect to the internet or fax documents.

To connect the modem:

1Insert one end of the modem cable into the modem jack on the modem at the back of your computer. For the location, see “Back” on page 4.

11

Chapter 2: Setting Up and Getting Started

2Insert the other end of the modem cable into a telephone wall jack. (The modem will not work with digital or PBX telephone lines.)

3If you want, you can connect a telephone to the PHONE jack on the modem on the back of your computer.

Using the World Wide Web

The World Wide Web is a multimedia window to the Internet that gives you access to millions of information sources.

Information on the Web comes to you on Web pages, which are electronic documents that you view using a Web page display program called a browser. You can use any of the commercially available Web browsers, like Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator.

Web pages can contain text, animations, music, and other multimedia features. A group of related Web pages is called a Web site. You can access Web sites to shop, track investments, read the news, download programs, and much more.

You can explore a Web site or visit other Web sites by clicking areas on a Web page called links or hyperlinks. A link may be colored or underlined text, a picture, or an animated image. You can identify a link by moving the mouse pointer over it. If the pointer changes to a hand, the item is a link.

To learn more about using the Web browser features, click Help in the menu bar.

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