Packard bell Easynote User Manual

Packard Bell EasyNote

(15.6")

User’s Manual

2 -

© 2014. All Rights Reserved. Packard Bell EasyNote (15.6") Covers: TF71BM

This revision: May 2014

Sign up for an Acer ID and enable Acer Remote Files

Open the Acer Portal from the Start screen to sign up for an Acer ID or sign in if you already have an Acer ID.

There are three great reason for you to get an Acer ID:

•Remotely access your PC from your other devices with our free Acer Remote Files app

•Get the latest offers and product information

•Register your device for warranty service

For more information please visit the AcerCloud website:

www.acer.com/acercloud

Important

This manual contains proprietary information that is protected by copyright laws. The information contained in this manual is subject to change without notice. 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.

Model number: _________________________________

Serial number: _________________________________

Date of purchase: ______________________________

Place of purchase: ______________________________

Table of contents - 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

First things first	4
Your guides .............................................	4
Basic care and tips for using your
computer..................................................	4
Turning your computer off...........................	4
Taking care of your computer .....................	5
Taking care of your AC adapter ..................	5
Cleaning and servicing................................	6
Your Packard Bell notebook tour	7
Screen view .............................................	7
Keyboard view .........................................	8
Left view .................................................	9
Information on USB 3.0...............................	9
Right view .............................................	10
Rear view ..............................................	10
Base view ..............................................	11

Setting passwords .................................	35
Securing your computer	36
Using a computer security lock..............	36
Using passwords ...................................	36
Entering passwords ..................................	37
Power management	38
Saving power .........................................	38
Battery pack	40
Battery characteristics ...........................	40
Charging the battery .................................	40
Optimizing battery life ...............................	41
Checking the battery level.........................	42
Battery-low warning ..................................	42
Memory card reader	43
Connectivity options...............................	43

	Using the keyboard	12	Video and audio connectors	45
	Lock keys and embedded numeric		HDMI	46
	keypad	12

Hotkeys .....................................................	13
Windows keys........................................	14
Touchpad	15
Touchpad basics ...................................	15
Touchpad gestures................................	15
Recovery	17
Creating a recovery backup...................	17
Creating a drivers and applications
backup ...................................................	19
Recovering your system ........................	21
Reinstalling drivers and applications.........	22
Returning to an earlier system snapshot ..	24
Returning your system to its factory
condition....................................................	25
Recovering from Windows ........................	25
Recovering from a recovery backup .........	28

Universal Serial Bus (USB)	47
Frequently asked questions	48
Requesting service ................................	50
Tips and hints for using Windows 8.1 ....	52
How do I get to Start? ...............................	52
What are "Charms?" .................................	52
Can I boot directly to the desktop? ...........	53
How do I jump between apps?..................	53
How do I turn off my computer?................	53
How do I unlock my computer?.................	53
How do I set the alarm? ............................	55
Where are my apps?.................................	56
What is a Microsoft ID (account)?.............	57
How do I add a favorite to Internet
Explorer?...................................................	58
How do I check for Windows updates?.....	58
Where can I get more information?...........	58
Troubleshooting .....................................	59

Connecting to the Internet	31
Connecting with a cable ........................	31
Built-in network feature .............................	31
Connecting wirelessly............................	32
Connecting to a wireless LAN...................	32
Using a Bluetooth connection	33
Enabling and disabling Bluetooth ..........	33
Enable Bluetooth and add a device ..........	33

Troubleshooting tips..................................	59
Error messages.........................................	59
Internet and online security	61
First steps on the net .............................	61
Protecting your computer..........................	61
Choose an Internet Service Provider ........	61
Network connections.................................	63
Surf the Net!..............................................	65
Security .....................................................	65

BIOS utility	35	Playing Blu-Ray or DVD movies	72
Boot sequence.......................................	35

4 - First things first

FIRST THINGS FIRST

We would like to thank you for making this Packard Bell notebook your choice for meeting your mobile computing needs.

Your guides

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

First off, the Setup Guide helps you get started with setting up your computer.

The Quick 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 User’s Manual. This guide contains detailed information on such subjects as system utilities, data recovery, expansion options and troubleshooting. In addition it contains general regulations and safety notices for your notebook. It is available from the desktop; double-click the Help icon and click User’s Manual in the menu that opens.

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 + <C>, click Settings > Power then click 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 into Hibernate by pressing the power button.

First things first - 5

You can also put the computer in sleep mode 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 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.

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

6 - First things first

cord. Also, the total current rating of all equipment plugged into a single wall outlet should not exceed the fuse rating.

Cleaning and servicing

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 either of the following occurs:

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

• The computer does not operate normally

See Frequently asked questions on page 54.

Your Packard Bell notebook tour - 7

YOUR PACKARD BELL NOTEBOOK

TOUR

After setting up your computer as illustrated in the Setup Guide, let us show you around your new Packard Bell computer.

Screen view

1

2

	#	Icon Item	Description
			Web camera for video
	1	Webcam	communication.
			A light next to the webcam indicates
			that the webcam is active.
	2	Screen	Displays computer output.

8 - Your Packard Bell notebook tour

Keyboard view

1 4

2

3

	#	Icon Item	Description
	1	Power button	Turns the computer on and off.
			For entering data into your computer.
			See "Using the keyboard" on page
			12.
	2	Keyboard	Do not use a keyboard protector or
			similar cover as the keyboard
			includes ventilation intakes for
			cooling.
			Touch-sensitive pointing device.
			The touchpad and selection buttons
			form a single surface.
	3	Touchpad	Press down firmly on the touchpad
			surface to perform a left click.
			Press down firmly on the lower right
			corner to perform a right click.
	4	Microphone	Internal stereo microphone for sound
			recording.

Your Packard Bell notebook tour - 9

Left view

1 2 3

#

Icon

Item

Description

Kensington lock slot

1

Connects to a Kensingtoncompatible computer security lock.

Wrap the computer security lock cable around an immovable object such as a table or handle of a locked drawer.

Insert the lock into the notch and turn the key to secure the lock. Keyless models are also available.

	2	USB port	Connects to USB devices.
			Accepts one Secure Digital card
			(SD or SDHC).
			The card sticks from the side of
	3	SD card reader	the computer.
			Ensure you don’t damage your

card.

To remove the card, simply pull it from the slot.

Information on USB 3.0

•USB 3.0 compatible ports are blue.

•Compatible with USB 3.0 and earlier devices.

•For optimal performance, use USB 3.0-certified devices.

•Defined by the USB 3.0 specification (SuperSpeed USB).

10 - Your Packard Bell notebook tour

Right view

1	2 34
# Icon Item	Description

1

2

3

4

	Optical drive	Internal optical drive; accepts CDs or
		DVDs.
	Optical disk access	Lights up when the optical drive is
	indicator	active.
	Optical drive eject	Ejects the optical disk from the drive.
	button
	Emergency eject	Ejects the optical drive tray when the
		computer is turned off.
	hole	Carefully insert a straightened paper
		clip to eject the optical drive tray.

Rear view

1		2			3					4				5		6

# Icon							Item	Description
1							DC-in jack	Connects to an AC adapter.
2							Headset/speaker	Connects to audio devices (e.g.,
								speakers, headphones) or a headset
							jack
								with microphone.
3							USB ports	Connects to USB devices.

			Your Packard Bell notebook tour - 11
	# Icon	Item	Description
	4	HDMI port	Supports high-definition digital video
			connections.
	5	Ethernet (RJ-45)	Connects to an Ethernet 10/100/
		port	1000-based network.
	6	Ventilation and	Allows the computer to stay cool.
			Do not cover or obstruct the
		cooling fan
			openings.

Base view

1

2

3

	# Icon	Item	Description
	1	Speakers	Deliver stereo audio output.
			Insert a paperclip into the hole and
	2	Battery reset	press for four seconds to reset the
		pinhole	computer (simulates removing and
			reinstalling the battery).
		Ventilation and	Allows the computer to stay cool.
	3		Do not cover or obstruct the
		cooling fan
			openings.

12 - Using the keyboard

USING THE KEYBOARD

The keyboard has full-sized keys and an embedded numeric keypad, separate cursor, lock, Windows, function and special keys.

Lock keys and embedded numeric keypad

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.

When Num Lock is on, the embedded keypad is in numeric mode. The keys function as a calculator

Num Lock (complete with the arithmetic operators +, -, *, and /). <Fn> + <F11> 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 Scroll Lock or down when you press the up or down arrow keys <Fn> + <F12> respectively. Scroll Lock does not work with some

applications.

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.

			Num Lock off
	Desired access	Num Lock on
	Number keys on	Type numbers in a normal
	embedded keypad	manner.
	Cursor-control keys	Hold <Shift> while using	Hold <Fn> while
	on embedded	cursor-control keys.	using cursor-control
	keypad		keys.
	Main keyboard	Hold <Fn> while typing	Type the letters in a
		letters on embedded
	keys		normal manner.
		keypad.

Using the keyboard - 13

Hotkeys

The computer employs hotkeys or key combinations to access most of the computer's controls like screen brightness and volume output.

To activate hotkeys, press and hold the <Fn> key before pressing the other key in the hotkey combination.

Hotkey		Icon			Function	Description
						Turns on / off the computer's
<Fn> + <F3>					Airplane mode	network devices.
						(Network devices vary by
						configuration.)
<Fn> + <F4>					Sleep	Puts the computer in Sleep
						mode.
						Switches display output
<Fn> + <F5>					Display toggle	between the display screen,
						external monitor (if
						connected) and both.
<Fn> + <F6>						Turns the display screen
					Display off	backlight off to save power.
						Press any key to return.
<Fn> + <F7>					Touchpad	Turns the built-in touchpad on
					toggle	and off.
<Fn> + <F8>					Speaker toggle	Turns the speakers on and
						off.
<Fn> + <F11>		NumL			Number Lock	Turns the embedded numeric
		k				keypad on or off.
<Fn> + <F12>		Scr			Scroll Lock	Turns Scroll Lock on or off.
		Lk
<Fn> + <	>				Brightness up	Increases the screen
						brightness.
<Fn> + <	>				Brightness	Decreases the screen
					down	brightness.
<Fn> + <	>				Volume up	Increases the sound volume.
<Fn> + <	>				Volume down	Decreases the sound volume.
<Fn> +					Play/Pause	Play or pause a selected
<Home>						media file.

14 - Using the keyboard
	Hotkey	Icon Function					Description
	<Fn> +					Stop	Stop playing the selected
	<Pg Up>						media file.
	<Fn> +					Previous	Return to the previous media
	<Pg Dn>						file.
	<Fn> +					Next	Jump to the next media file.
	<End>

Windows keys

The keyboard has two keys that perform Windows-specific functions.

Key Description

Pressed alone it returns to the Start screen or to

Windows key return to the last open app.

It can also be used with other keys for special functions, please check Windows Help.

	Application	This key has the same effect as clicking the right
		mouse button; it opens the application's context
	key
		menu.

Touchpad - 15

TOUCHPAD

Touchpad basics

The touchpad controls the arrow (or 'cursor') on the screen. As you slide your finger across the touchpad, the cursor will follow this movement.

Note

The touchpad is sensitive to finger movement; the lighter the touch, the better the response. Please keep the touchpad and your fingers dry and clean.

The cursor is controlled by some basic gestures:

•Single-finger slide: Slide a finger across the touchpad to move the cursor.

•Single-finger press or tap: Press the touchpad down, or lightly tap the touchpad with your finger, to perform a 'click',

which will select or start an item. Quickly repeat the tap to perform a double tap or 'double click'.

•Single-finger press in the bottom-right corner: Press the bottom right corner of the

touchpad to perform a 'right click'. In the Start screen, this will toggle the app commands, in most apps this will open a context menu related to the selected item.

•Drag: Press and hold the bottom left corner of the touchpad, or tap twice anywhere on the touchtap, then slide a second finger across the touchpad to select all items in an area.

Touchpad gestures

Windows 8.1 and many applications support touchpad gestures that use one or more fingers.

Note

Support for touchpad gestures depends on the active application.

16 - Touchpad

This allows you to control applications with a few simple gestures, such as:

•Swipe in from edge: Access Windows tools by swiping into the center of the touchpad from the right or left.

•Swipe in from right edge: Toggle the charms.

•Swipe in from left edge: Switch to the previous app.

•Two-finger slide: Swiftly scroll through web pages, documents and playlists by placing two fingers on the touchpad and moving both in any direction.

•Two-finger pinch: Zoom in and out of photos, maps and documents with a simple finger-and-thumb gesture.

Recovery - 17

RECOVERY

If you are having trouble with your computer, and the frequently asked questions (see Frequently asked questions on page 48) do not help, you can 'recover' your computer - i.e. return it to an earlier state.

This section describes the recovery tools available on your computer. Packard Bell provides Packard Bell Recovery Management, which allows you to create a recovery backup, a drivers and applications backup, and to start recovery options, either using Windows tools, or the recovery backup.

Note

Packard Bell Recovery Management is only available with a pre-installed Windows operating system.

Important

We recommend that you create a Recovery Backup and Drivers and Applications Backup and as soon as possible.

In certain situations a full recovery will require a USB recovery backup.

Creating a recovery backup

To reinstall from a USB storage drive, you must first create a recovery backup. The recovery backup includes the entire original contents of your computer’s hard drive, including Windows and all factory-loaded software and drivers. Using this backup will restore your computer to the same state as when you purchased it, while giving you an option to retain all settings and personal data.

Note

Since the recovery backup requires at least 16 GB of storage after formatting, it is recommended to use a USB drive with a capacity of 32 GB or larger.

18 - Recovery

1.From Start, type 'Recovery' and then click Packard Bell Recovery Management in the list of apps.

2.Click Create Factory Default Backup. The Recovery Drive window opens.

Make sure Copy contents from the recovery partition to the recovery drive is selected. This provides the most complete and safest recovery backup.

3. Plug in the USB drive then click Next.

Recovery - 19

•Since the recovery backup requires at least 16 GB of storage after formatting, it is recommended to use a USB drive with a capacity of 32 GB or larger.

4.You will be shown the backup progress on the screen.

5.Follow the process until it completes.

6.After creating the recovery backup, you can choose to delete the recovery information on your computer. If you delete this information, you can only use the USB recovery backup to restore your computer, if you lose or erase the USB drive, you cannot restore your computer.

7.Unplug the USB drive and label it clearly.

Important

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.

Creating a drivers and applications backup

To create a Drivers and Applications Backup, that contains the factory-loaded software and drivers needed by your computer, you

20 - Recovery

may use either a USB storage drive or, if your computer features a DVD recorder, one or more blank recordable DVDs.

1.From Start, type 'Recovery' and then click Packard Bell Recovery Management in the list of apps.

2.Click Create Drivers and Applications Backup.

Plug in the USB drive or insert a blank DVD into the optical drive, then click Next.

•If you are using a USB drive, make sure your USB drive has enough capacity before continuing.

•If using DVDs, it will also show the number of blank, recordable discs you will need to complete the recovery discs. Make sure that you have the required number of identical, blank discs.

3.Click Start to copy files.You will be shown the backup progress on the screen.

4.Follow the process until it completes:

•If you are using optical discs, the drive ejects each disc as it completes burning it. Remove the disc from the drive and mark it with a permanent marker.

Recovery - 21

If multiple discs are required, insert a new disc when prompted, then click OK. Continue until the process is complete.

• If you are using a USB drive, unplug the drive and label it clearly.

Important

Write a unique, descriptive label on each backup, such as 'Drivers and Applications Backup'. Make sure you keep the backup in a safe place that you will remember.

Recovering your system

To recover your system:

1.Perform minor fixes.

If only one or two items of software or hardware have stopped working correctly, the problem may be solved by reinstalling the software or the device drivers.

To reinstall software and drivers that were pre-installed at the factory, see Reinstalling drivers and applications on page 22. For instructions on reinstalling software and drivers that were not pre-installed, see that product’s documentation or support Web site.

2.Revert to a previous system condition.

If reinstalling software or drivers does not help, then the problem may be solved by returning your system to a previous state when everything was working correctly.

For instructions, see Returning to an earlier system snapshot on page 24.

3.Reset your operating system.

If nothing else has solved the problem and you want to reset your system, but keep your user information, see Returning your system to its factory condition on page 25.

4.Reset your system to its factory condition.

If nothing else has solved the problem and you want to reset your system to factory condition, see Returning your system to its factory condition on page 25.

22 - Recovery

Reinstalling drivers and applications

As a troubleshooting step, you may need to reinstall the applications and device drivers that came pre-installed on your computer from the factory. You can reinstall using either your hard drive or the backup you have created.

•Other applications - If you need to reinstall software that did not come pre-installed on your computer, you need to follow that software’s installation instructions.

•New device drivers - If you need to reinstall device drivers that did not come pre-installed on your computer, follow the instructions provided with the device.

If you are reinstalling using Windows and the recovery information stored on your computer:

1.From Start, type 'Recovery' and then click Packard Bell Recovery Management in the list of apps.

2. Click Reinstall Drivers or Applications.