Acer 420 series - User Manual

viii 3 Troubleshooting my computer 45 Frequently-asked questions 47 Requesting service 50 International Traveler’s Warranty (ITW) 50 Before you call 51 Appendix A Specifications 53 Appendix B Notices 59 Index 67 En glish TM420-e.book Page viii Thursday, August 22, 2002 10:00 AM

1 Getting to know your TravelMate TM420-e.book Page 1 Thursday, August 22, 2002 10:00 AM

3 English 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 view # Item Description 1 Display screen Also called LCD (liquid-crystal display), displays computer output. 2 Power Button Turns o...

5 English Note: The positions of the Optical drive indicator, eject button and emergency eject hole may differ depending on the optical drive module installed. Left view # Item Description 1 Power jack Connects to an AC adapter. 2 Security keylock Connects to a Kensington-compatible computer securit...

1 Getting to know your TravelMate 6 En glish Right view # Item Description 1 USB port Connects to Universal Serial Bus devices (e.g.,USB mouse, USB camera). 2 Line-in/Mic-in jack Accepts audio line-in devices (e.g., audio CD player, stereo walkman). Selection is through the OS Windows mixer. 3 Speak...

7 English Rear view 9 Memory stick slot Accepts memory sticks. 10 SD/MMC slot Accepts SD or MMC cards. # Item Description 1 Expansion port I/O replicator or EasyPort expansion devices. 2 External display port Connects to a display device (e.g., external monitor, LCD projector). 3 Parallel port Conne...

1 Getting to know your TravelMate 8 En glish Bottom view # Item Description 1 Battery bay Houses the computer's battery pack. 2 Battery release latch Unlatches the battery to remove the battery pack. 3 Memory compartment Houses the computer's main memory. 4 Cooling fans Helps keep the computer cool....

9 English Features Below is a brief summary of the computer’s many features: Performance • Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor with 512 KB level 2 cache • DDR 266 (PC2100) SDRAM, memory expandable up to 1 GB • Internal optical drive • High-capacity, Enhanced-IDE hard disk • Li-lon battery pack • Power manag...

1 Getting to know your TravelMate 10 En glish Connectivity • High-speed fax/data modem port • Ethernet/Fast Ethernet port • 3 USB (Universal Serial Bus) ports • IEEE 1394 port • SD/MMC memory slot • Memory stick slot • Acer EasyPort port replicator • Bluetooth ready (optional) Human-centric design a...

11 English Indicators The computer has seven easy-to-read status icons below the display screen. Icon Function Description Power Lights green when the computer is on. Flashes when the computer is in low power. Sleep Flashes when the computer is entering Sleep mode. Lights orange when the computer is...

1 Getting to know your TravelMate 12 En glish Using the keyboard 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...

13 English 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 lo...

1 Getting to know your TravelMate 14 En glish Windows keys The keyboard has two keys that perform Windows-specific functions. Key Description Windows logo key á Start button. Combinations with this key perform shortcut functions. Below are a few examples: á + Tab (Activates next taskbar button) á + ...

15 English Hot keys The computer employs hot keys or key combinations to access most of the computer’s controls like screen brightness, volume output. 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...

1 Getting to know your TravelMate 18 En glish 5 Click on OK . To type the Euro symbol: 1 Locate the Euro symbol on your keyboard. 2 Open a text editor or word processor. 3 Hold Alt Gr and press the Euro symbol. Note : Some fonts and software do not support the Euro symbol. Please refer to www.micros...

1 Getting to know your TravelMate 20 En glish Touchpad The built-in touchpad is a pointing device that senses movement on its surface. This means the cursor responds as you move your finger on the surface of the touchpad. The central location on the palmrest provides optimal comfort and support. Not...

1 Getting to know your TravelMate 22 En glish Storage This computer supplies you with the following media storage: • High-capacity Enhanced-IDE hard disk • Optical drive Hard disk The high-capacity hard disk is the answer to your storage needs. This is where your programs and data are stored. Optica...

23 English Using software Playing DVD movies When the DVD-ROM drive module is installed in the optical drive bay, you can play DVD movies on your computer. 1 Eject the DVD tray and insert a DVD movie disc; then close the DVD tray. Important! When you launch the DVD player for the first time, the pro...

1 Getting to know your TravelMate 24 En glish Audio The computer comes with 18-bit high-fidelity AC’97 stereo audio, and includes a built-in sensitive microphone and dual stereo speakers. There are audio ports on the right side of the computer. See “Right view” on page 6 for more information on conn...

25 English Using the Audio DJ feature The Audio DJ feature allows you to control the playback of music CDs even with the computer turned off To playback an audio CD, do as follows: 1 Press the Audio DJ power button (on the front panel of the computer) until the power indicator lights up to turn on t...

1 Getting to know your TravelMate 26 En glish Power management This computer has a built-in power management unit that monitors system activity. System activity refers to any activity involving one or more of the following devices: keyboard, mouse, floppy drive, hard disk, peripherals connected to t...

27 English Moving around with your TravelMate This section gives you tips and hints to consider when moving around or traveling with your computer. Disconnecting from the desktop Follow these steps to disconnect your computer from external accessories: 1 Save your work in progress. 2 Remove any medi...

1 Getting to know your TravelMate 28 En glish 1 Click on Start, Turn off Computer (Windows XP). 2 Hold "Shift" 3 Click on Hibernation (Windows XP). Then close and latch the display. When you are ready to use the computer again, unlatch and open the display; then release the power button. Not...

29 English • Check if you have removed all media, diskettes and compact discs, from the drive(s). Failure to remove the media can damage the drive head. • Pack the computer in a protective case that can prevent the computer from sliding around and cushion it if it should fall. Caution: Avoid packing...

1 Getting to know your TravelMate 30 En glish If you use your computer at home for significant periods of time, you might also want to add an external keyboard, monitor, or mouse. Traveling with the computer “when you are moving within a larger distance, for instance, from your office building to a ...

1 Getting to know your TravelMate 32 En glish Securing your computer Your computer is a valuable investment that you need to take care of. Learn how to protect and take care of your computer. Security features include hardware and software locks — a security notch and passwords. Using a computer sec...

33 English on boot-up and resume from hibernation for maximum security. • Hard Disk Password protects your data by preventing unauthorized access to your hard disk. Even if the hard disk is removed from the computer and moved to another computer, it cannot be accessed without the Hard Disk Password....

2 Customizing my computer TM420-e.book Page 35 Thursday, August 22, 2002 10:00 AM

37 English 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 Your computer have a built-in V.90/92 56Kbps AC’97 Link fax/data ...

2 Customizing my computer 38 En glish 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 right side of the computer to a network jack ...

39 English IEEE 1394 port The computer's IEEE 1394 port allows you to connect to an IEEE 1394 supported devices like a video camera or digital camera. See your video or digital camera's documentation for details. PC Card slot The type II CardBus PC Card slot found on the right side of the computer a...

41 English 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...

43 English Using system utilities Launch Manager Launch Manager allows you to set the four launch keys located above the keyboard. See “Launch Keys” on page 18 for the location of the launch key. You can access the Launch Manager by clicking on Start , All Programs , and then Launch Manager to start...

3 Troubleshooting my computer TM420-e.book Page 45 Thursday, August 22, 2002 10:00 AM

3 Troubleshooting my computer 50 En glish Requesting service International Traveler’s Warranty (ITW) Your computer is backed by an International Traveler’s Warranty (ITW) that gives you security and peace of mind when traveling. Our worldwide network of service centers are there to give you a helpin...

51 English Before you call Please have the following information available when you call Acer for online service, and please be at your computer when you call. With your support, we can reduce the amount of time a call takes and help solve your problems efficiently. If there are error messages or be...

Appendix A Specifications TM420-e.book Page 53 Thursday, August 22, 2002 10:00 AM

Appendix B Notices TM420-e.book Page 59 Thursday, August 22, 2002 10:00 AM

61 English FCC notice This device has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This device generates, uses,...

Appendix B Notices 62 En glish Notice: Canadian users This Class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations. Remarque à l’intention des utilisateurs canadiens Cet appareil numérique de la classe B respected toutes les exigences du Règlement ...

Appendix B Notices 64 En glish f If the product exhibits a distinct change in performance, indicating a need for service. 12 Replace the battery with the same type as the product's battery we recommend. Use of another battery may present a risk of fire or explosion. 13 Warning! Batteries may explode...

65 English same or equivalent type recommended by the manufacturer. Dispose of used batteries according to local regulations. Recycle if at all possible. ADVARSEL ! Lithiumbatteri - Eksplosionsfare ved fejlagtig håndtering. Udskiftning må kun ske med batteri af samme fabrikat og type. Léver det brug...

67 English Index A AC adapter caring for v AcerMedia drive 22audio 24 adjusting the volume 24troubleshooting 48 B battery pack caring for vcharging indicator 11 BIOS utility 43brightness hotkeys 16 C caps lock 12 on indicator 11 care AC adapter vbattery pack vcomputer iv CD-ROM ejecting 22ejecting m...