Wistron MS2133 User Manual

2 Customizing your

computer

After learning the basics of your TravelMate
computer, let’s get acquainted with the
advanced features of your computer. In this
chapter, you will learn how to add options,
upgrade components for better
performance, and customize your computer.

43

Expanding through options

Your TravelMate offers you a complete mobile computing experience.

Connectivity options

Ports allow you to connect peripheral devices to your computer as you
would with a desktop PC.

Fax/data modem

Some models have a built-in V.92 56Kbps software modem.

Warning! This modem port is not compatible with digital
phone lines. Plugging this modem into a digital phone line
will damage the modem.

To use the fax/data modem port, connect a phone cable from the
modem port to a telephone jack.

Start your communications software program. See your
communications manual for instructions.

2 Customizing your computer44

Built-in network feature

The built-in network feature allows you to connect your computer to
an Ethernet-based (10/100 Mbps) network.

To use the network feature, connect an Ethernet cable from the
network jack on the rear of the computer to a network jack or hub on
your network.

Wireless communication

Available on select models, the wireless communication feature allows
you to communicate with other wireless-equipped devices via 802.11b,

802.11a and/or Bluetooth protocols.

For more information on how to enable this feature, see “Launch
Manager and wireless features” on page 51.

45

Fast infrared

The computer’s fast infrared (FIR) port allows you to do wireless data
transfer with other IR-aware computers and peripherals such as
infrared printers. The infrared port can transfer data at speeds of up
to four megabits per second (Mbps) at a distance of up to one meter.

To use FIR, position two IR-aware devices such that their IR ports are no
more than one meter apart and offset no more than 15 degrees.

When the two computers are in position, simply begin the data
transfer as you normally would. See your file transfer software for
details.

Universal Serial Bus

The Universal Serial Bus (USB 2.0) port is a high-speed serial bus which
allows you to connect and daisy-chain USB peripherals without taking
up precious system resources. Your computer has two ports available.

2 Customizing your computer46

Connecting your optical drive

Connect the AC adapter and the USB cable to the rear of the optical
drive (a). Plug the other end of the USB cable to the computer (b).
Connect the AC adapter to the power outlet (c).

IEEE 1394

The computer’s fast IEEE 1394 port allows you to connect IEEE 1394
supported devices like a digital video camera.

See your video or digital camera’s documentation for details.

47

PC Card slot

There is a type II CardBus PC Card slot found on the right side of the
computer. This slot accepts credit-card-sized cards that enhance the
usability and expandability of the computer. These cards should have a
PC Card logo on them.

PC Cards (formerly PCMCIA) are add-on cards for portable computers,
giving you expansion possibilities long afforded by desktop PCs.
Popular type II cards include flash memory, SRAM, fax/data modem,
LAN and SCSI cards. CardBus improves on the 16-bit PC card
technology by expanding the bandwidth to 32 bits.

Note: Refer to your card’s manual for details on how to install
and use the card and its functions.

Inserting a PC Card

Insert the card into the slot and make the proper connections (e.g.,
network cable), if necessary. See your card manual for details.

Ejecting a PC Card

Before ejecting a PC Card:

1 Exit the application using the card.
2 Left-click on the Safely Remove Hardware icon on the taskbar and

stop the card operation.

2 Customizing your computer48

3 Press the slot eject button (a) to pop out the eject button; then

press it again (a) to eject the card (b).

49

Upgrade options

Your computer delivers superior power and performance. However,
some users and the applications they use may demand more. This
computer allows you to upgrade key components when you need
increased performance.

Note: Contact your authorized dealer if you decide to perform a
key component upgrade.

Memory upgrade

Memory is expandable to 2 GB, employing PC2100 266 MHz industry
standard DDR (Double Data Rate) soDIMMs (Small Outline Dual Inline
Memory Modules).

There are two memory slots on your computer, one of which is
occupied by standard memory. You can upgrade memory by installing
a memory module into the available slot.

Installing memory

Follow these steps to install memory:
1 Turn off the computer, unplug the AC adapter (if connected) and

remove the battery pack. Then turn the computer over to access
its base.

2 Remove the screw (a) from the memory cover; then lift up and

remove the memory cover (b).

2 Customizing your computer50

3 Insert the memory module diagonally into the slot (a), then gently

press it down (b) until it clicks into place.

4 Replace the memory cover and secure it with the screw.

The computer automatically detects and reconfigures the total
memory size.

Notebook Manager

The computer has a built-in system setup program called Notebook
Manager. The Windows-based Notebook Manager allows you to set
passwords, the startup sequence of the drives, power management
and other settings. It also shows current hardware configurations.

To start the Notebook Manager, press Fn-F2 or follow these steps:

1 Click on Start, All Programs, then Acer.
2 Select the Notebook Manager application to run the program.

Please click on Help for online help information.

51

Launch Manager

Launch Manager allows you to set the four launch keys located above
the keyboard.
launch key.

You can access the Launch Manager by clicking on Start, All
Programs, and then Launch Manager to start the application.

See “Launch keys” on page 24 for the location of the

Launch Manager and wireless features

The boot status settings for Wireless Device (Wireless LAN) and
Bluetooth Device determine if these wireless features are enabled or
disabled at startup.

You can manually switch on or off Wireless LAN and Bluetooth by
pressing the
as follows:

• Wireless LAN off, Bluetooth off

• Wireless LAN on, Bluetooth off (wireless status icon lights red)

• Wireless LAN off, Bluetooth on (wireless status icon flashes green)

• Wireless LAN on, Bluetooth on (wireless status icon lights red and
flashes green)

button a certain number of times. The sequence is

2 Customizing your computer52

Manually turning on the wireless features does not change the default
boot status setting which is re-enabled when you restart your
computer.

BIOS Utility

The BIOS Utility is a hardware configuration program built into your
computer’s BIOS (basic input/output system).

Your computer is already properly configured and optimized, and you
do not need to run this utility. However, if you encounter
configuration problems, you may need to run it.

To access the BIOS Utility, press F2 during the POST (power-on self-test)
while the TravelMate logo is being displayed.

Note: The sample screen shown above is for your reference only.
Actual values may differ.

For optimum settings, press F9 to load setup defaults. Then press F10
to save the changes and exit the BIOS Utility.

3 Troubleshooting your

computer

This chapter instructs you on how to deal
with common system problems. Read it
before calling a technician if a problem
occurs. Solutions to more serious problems
require opening up the computer. Do not
attempt to open the computer by yourself.
Contact your dealer or an authorized
service center for assistance.

key link: www.acersupport.com

55

Frequently-asked questions

The following is a list of possible situations that may arise during the
use of your computer. Easy answers and solutions are provided for
each one.

I pressed the power switch and opened the display, but the computer
does not start or boot-up.

Look at the Power indicator (refer to “Indicators” on page 18):

• If it is not lit, no power is being applied to the computer. Check
the following:

• If you are running on battery power, it may be low and unable

to power the computer. Connect the AC adapter to recharge
the battery pack.

• Make sure that the AC adapter is plugged in properly to the

computer and to the power outlet.

• If it is lit, check the following:

• Is a non-bootable (non-system) diskette in the floppy drive?

Remove or replace it with a system diskette and press Ctrl-Alt-
Del to restart the system.

• The operating system files may be damaged or missing. Insert the
startup disk you created during Windows setup into the floppy
drive and press Ctrl-Alt-Del to restart the system. This will
diagnose your system and make necessary fixes.

Nothing appears on the screen.

The computer’s power management system automatically blanks the
screen to save power. Press any key to turn the display back on.

If pressing a key does not turn the display back on, three things might
be the cause:

• The brightness level might be too low. Press Fn-→ (increase) and

← (decrease) to adjust the brightness level.

Fn-

• The display device might be set to an external monitor. Press the
display toggle hot key Fn-F5 to toggle the display back to the
computer.

• If the Sleep indicator is lit, the computer is in Sleep mode. Press,
slide, and release the power switch to resume.