Aspire Series Generic User Guide
Copyright © 2009. Acer Incorporated. All Rights Reserved. Aspire Series Generic User Guide Original Issue: 07/2009 Changes may be made periodically to the information in this publication without obligation to notify any person of such revisions or changes. Such changes will be incorporated in new editions of this manual or supplementary documents and publications.
iii 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.
iv 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.
v 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. • The system can be powered using a wide range of voltages; 100 to 120 or 220 to 240 V AC.
vi Guidelines for safe battery usage This notebook uses a Lithium-ion battery. Do not use it in a humid, wet or corrosive environment. Do not put, store or leave your product in or near a heat source, in a high temperature location, in strong direct sunlight, in a microwave oven or in a pressurized container, and do not expose it to temperatures over 60°C (140°F). Failure to follow these guidelines may cause the battery to leak acid, become hot, explode or ignite and cause injury and/or damage.
vii Caution for Optical Drive Device (only for certain models) CAUTION: This appliance contains a laser system and is classified as a "CLASS 1 LASER PRODUCT." In case of any trouble with this device, please contact your nearest AUTHORIZED service station. To prevent direct exposure to the laser beam, do not try to open the enclosure. CLASS 1 LASER PRODUCT CAUTION: INVISIBLE LASER RADIATION WHEN OPEN. AVOID EXPOSURE TO BEAM.
viii Operating environment Warning! For safety reasons, turn off all wireless or radio transmitting devices when using your laptop under the following conditions. These devices may include, but are not limited to: wireless lan (WLAN), Bluetooth and/or 3G. Remember to follow any special regulations in force in any area, and always switch off your device when its use is prohibited or when it may cause interference or danger. Use the device only in its normal operating positions.
ix Vehicles RF signals may affect improperly installed or inadequately shielded electronic systems in motor vehicles such as electronic fuel injection systems, electronic antiskid (antilock) braking systems, electronic speed control systems, and air bag systems. For more information, check with the manufacturer, or its representative, of your vehicle or any equipment that has been added. Only qualified personnel should service the device, or install the device in a vehicle.
x 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.
xi 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.
xii 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.
xiii First things first We would like to thank you for making an Acer notebook your choice for meeting your mobile computing needs. Your guides To help you use your Acer notebook, we have designed a set of guides: First off, the Just for Starters...poster helps you get started with setting up your computer. The printed Aspire Series Generic User Guide contains useful information applying to all models in the Aspire product series.
xiv To turn the power off, do any of the following: • Use the Windows shutdown command Click on Start • then click on Shut Down. Use the power button You can also put the computer in sleep mode by pressing the sleep hotkey + . 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.
xv Taking care of your battery pack Here are some ways to take care of your battery pack: • Use only batteries of the same kind as replacements. Turn the power off before removing or replacing batteries. • Do not tamper with batteries. Keep them away from children. • Dispose of used batteries according to local regulations. Recycle if possible. Cleaning and servicing When cleaning the computer, follow these steps: 1 Turn off the computer and remove the battery pack. 2 Disconnect the AC adapter.
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Information for your safety and comfort iii Safety instructions iii Caution for Optical Drive Device (only for certain models) vii Operating environment viii Medical devices viii Vehicles ix Potentially explosive environments ix Emergency calls ix Disposal instructions x Mercury advisory x ENERGY STAR x xi Tips and information for comfortable use First things first xiii Your guides xiii Basic care and tips for using your computer xiii Turning your computer on and off Taking care of your computer Taking c
Navigation controls Player controls Cinema Play Movie: Videos: Playing a video file: Recent Videos: HomeMedia Advanced Live Update: Albums Editing Pictures Slideshow settings Music Online Media (only for certain models) YouTube Flickr Battery pack Battery pack characteristics Maximizing the battery's life Installing and removing the battery pack Charging the battery Checking the battery level Optimising battery life Battery-low warning Taking your notebook PC with you Disconnecting from the desktop Moving
Entering passwords Setting passwords Expanding through options Connectivity options Fax/data modem (only for certain models) Built-in network feature Consumer Infrared (CIR) (only for certain models) Universal Serial Bus (USB) IEEE 1394 port (only for certain models) High-Definition Multimedia Interface (only for certain models) ExpressCard (only for certain models) Installing memory Enjoying TV with Windows Media Center Choose your input type Watching TV using the optional DVB-T (digital TV) antenna (for
1 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 across the surface of the touchpad. The central location on the palmrest provides optimum comfort and support. Touchpad basics (with fingerprint reader) The following items show you how to use the touchpad with Acer Bio-Protection fingerprint reader. • Move your finger across the touchpad (1) to move the cursor.
2 Touchpad basics (with two-click buttons) The following items show you how to use the touchpad with two-click buttons. • Move your finger across the touchpad to move the cursor. • Press the left and right buttons located beneath the touchpad to perform selection and execution functions. These two buttons are similar to the left and right buttons on a mouse. Tapping on the touchpad is the same as clicking the left button. Right button Main touchpad Function Left button Execute Quickly click twice.
3 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. Num Lock + * When Num Lock is on, the embedded keypad is in numeric mode.
4 Windows keys The keyboard has two keys that perform Windows-specific functions. Key Description Windows key Pressed alone, this key has the same effect as clicking on the Windows Start button; it launches the Start menu.
5 Audio The computer also comes with 32-bit High Definition (HD) Audio, and stereo speakers. Acer PureZone (only for certain models) The system provides you whole new enthusiastic audio experience including Acer PureZone with built-in stereo microphones featuring beam forming and echo cancellation technologies. Acer PureZone technology supports Acoustic Echo Cancellation, Beam Forming and Noise Suppression for pure sound recording.
6 Dolby Digital Live Dolby Digital Live converts any audio signal in real time from PCs or game consoles into Dolby Digital for easy connection to home theater systems through a single digital cable. Users can enjoy PC or game audio entertainment with exciting realism through home theater receivers or other devices equipped with Dolby Digital decoding technology. Dolby Headphone Dolby Headphone creates a personal surround sound experience using any set of headphones.
7 Using the system utilities Acer Bio-Protection (only for certain models) Acer Bio-Protection Fingerprint Solution is a multi-purpose fingerprint software package integrated with the Microsoft Windows operating system.
8 Acer GridVista (dual-display compatible) Note: This feature is only available on certain models. Acer GridVista is a handy utility that offers four pre-defined display settings so you can view multiple windows on the same screen. To access this function, please go to Start, All Programs and click on Acer GridVista.
9 Acer Backup Manager Note: This feature is only available on certain models. Acer Backup Manager is a simple three-step process that allows you to create backup copies of your entire system or selected files and folders according to a schedule or as you need to. To start Acer Backup Manager, press the Acer Backup Manager key above the keyboard. Alternatively, you can go to Start > All Programs > Acer Backup Manager > Acer Backup Manager.
10 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, hard disk, peripherals connected to the computer, and video memory. If no activity is detected for a period of time (called an inactivity timeout), the computer stops some or all of these devices in order to conserve energy.
11 Acer eRecovery Management Acer eRecovery Management is a tool to quickly restore the system. You can back up/restore the factory default image, and reinstall applications and drivers. Note: All of the following content is for general reference only. Actual product specifications may vary.
12 Burn backup discs From the Backup page of Acer eRecovery Management, you can burn the factory default image or back up drivers and applications. 1 Click on Start > All Programs > Acer > Acer eRecovery Management. 2 Acer eRecovery Management opens to the Backup page. 3 Select the type of backup (factory default or drivers and applications) you would like to burn to disc. 4 Follow the instructions on screen to complete the process.
13 Restore The restore feature allows you to restore or recover the system from a factory default image or from previously created CD and DVD backups. You can also reinstall applications and drivers for your Acer system. 1 Click on Start, All Programs, Acer, Acer eRecovery Management. 2 Switch to the Restore page by clicking Restore. 3 You can choose to restore the system from a factory default image or reinstall applications and drivers. 4 Follow the instructions on screen to complete the process.
14 Restore Windows from backup discs Note: This feature is only available on certain models. To restore Windows from your previously burned backup discs, you will need to insert the first backup disc and enable the F12 Boot Menu via the BIOS Setup Utility. 1 Turn on your computer and insert the first system recovery disc into the optical disc drive. Restart your computer. 2 During startup when the Acer logo shows, press the F2 key to enter BIOS Setup, where you can set system parameters.
15 If you prefer to set the boot priority for long-term use, you should select the Boot submenu. 1 Turn on your computer and insert the first system recovery disc into the optical disc drive. Restart your computer. 2 During startup when the Acer logo shows, press the F2 key to enter BIOS Setup, where you can set system parameters. 3 Use the left and right arrow keys to select the Boot submenu. 4 Use the up and down arrow keys to select the IDE1* device.
16 Acer Arcade Deluxe Note: This feature is only available on certain models. Acer Arcade Deluxe is an integrated player for music, photos, DVD movies and videos. Use the MediaConsole, touchpad or arrow keys to select the media type you wish to enjoy.
17 General controls When watching video clips, movies or slideshows using full-screen resolution, two pop-up control panels are shown when you move the pointer. They automatically disappear after several seconds. The Navigation Controls panel appears at the top and the Player Controls panel appears at the bottom of the screen. Navigation controls To return to the Arcade home page, click the Home button in the upper-left corner of the window.
18 • Subtitles • Language • Snapshot • Angle If you move your mouse/cursor while you’re watching a movie, a menu bar will appear at the bottom of the screen. This contains buttons to control the movie playback, select subtitles, adjust volume, select soundtrack language and set advanced features. Note: Function availability will depend on what the optical disc being played supports. Clicking the stop button will stop the movie playback, and return you to the Cinema main screen.
19 HomeMedia HomeMedia is a program that lets you access and share media files and TV signals via your home network. HomeMedia gives you access to your network computers with Media Server and TV Server installed, so you can view shared music, videos, pictures and TV signals. Click HomeMedia to open the main page that displays a list of the media and TV servers available on your network. HomeMedia is compatible with most UPnP client devices.
20 and allows you to drag the display area to view different portions of the video. Audio: Use Speaker Environment to choose between Headphones, SPDIF, 2 Speakers or more speakers depending on your audio equipment. Output Mode should be set to Stereo if you are using speakers, Dolby Surround, or Virtual Surround Sound if you are using headphones. You can select from a variety of Virtual Surround Sound settings to create the effects of different venues.
21 Help: Click Help to view the Help file for detailed information on using Acer Arcade Deluxe. About: Click About to view the copyright and vendor information for Acer Arcade Deluxe. Albums Acer Arcade Deluxe lets you view digital photos individually or as a slideshow, from any available drive on your computer. Click Albums to open the main page. Click Photos to open a folder browser that shows both individual pictures and folders. Click on a folder to open it.
22 Shuffle, Repeat All, Visualize, Volume and Menu. Visualize allows you to watch computer-generated visuals while you listen to music. Online Media (only for certain models) Online Media gives you easy access to photos and videos uploaded to the popular Flickr and YouTube websites. Note: You need to be connected to the Internet to use the Online Media function. YouTube You can view the 30 most viewed video clips on YouTube by selecting YouTube from the Online Media homepage.
23 Battery pack The computer uses a battery pack that gives you long use between charges. Battery pack characteristics The battery pack has the following characteristics: • Employs current battery technology standards. • Delivers a battery-low warning. The battery is recharged whenever you connect the computer to the AC adapter. Your computer supports charge-in-use, enabling you to recharge the battery while you continue to operate the computer.
24 Follow these steps again until the battery has been charged and discharged three times. Use this conditioning process for all new batteries, or if a battery hasn't been used for a long time. If the computer is to be stored for more than two weeks, you are advised to remove the battery pack from the unit. Warning: Do not expose battery packs to temperatures below 0°C (32°F) or above 45°C (113°F). Extreme temperatures may adversely affect the battery pack.
25 To remove a battery pack: 1 Slide the battery release latch to release the battery. 2 Pull the battery from the battery bay. Charging the battery To charge the battery, first make sure that it is correctly installed in the battery bay. Plug the AC adapter into the computer, and connect to a mains power outlet. You can continue to operate your computer on AC power while your battery is charging. However, charging the battery with the computer turned off results in a significantly faster charge time.
26 Battery-low warning When using battery power pay attention to the Windows power meter. Warning: Connect the AC adapter as soon as possible after the battery-low warning appears. Data will be lost if the battery to become fully depleted and the computer shuts down. When the battery-low warning appears, the recommended course of action depends on your situation: Situation Recommended Action The AC adapter and a power outlet are available. 1.
27 Taking your notebook PC with you 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 any open files. 2 Remove any media, floppy disks or compact disks from the drive(s). 3 Shut down the computer. 4 Close the display cover. 5 Disconnect the cord from the AC adapter.
28 Note: If the Sleep indicator is off, the computer has entered Hibernation mode and is turned off. If the power indicator is off but the Sleep indicator is on, the computer has entered Sleep mode. In both cases, press and release the power button to turn the computer back on. Note that the computer may enter Hibernation mode after being in Sleep mode for a period of time.
29 Special considerations Follow these guidelines to protect your computer while traveling to and from work: • Minimize the effects of temperature changes by keeping the computer with you. • If you need to stop for an extended period of time and cannot carry the computer with you, leave the computer in the trunk of the car to avoid exposing the computer to excessive heat. • Changes in temperature and humidity can cause condensation.
30 Special considerations In addition to the guidelines for taking the computer home, follow these guidelines to protect your computer while traveling: • Always take the computer as carry-on luggage. • If possible, have the computer inspected by hand. Airport security X-ray machines are safe, but do not put the computer through a metal detector. • Avoid exposing floppy disks to hand-held metal detectors. Traveling internationally with the computer When you are moving from country to country.
31 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 security lock The notebook comes with a Kensington-compatible security slot for a security lock. Wrap a computer security lock cable around an immovable object such as a table or handle of a locked drawer.
32 Entering passwords When a password is set, a password prompt appears in the center of the display screen. • When the Supervisor Password is set, a prompt appears when you press to enter the BIOS utility at boot-up. • Type the Supervisor Password and press to access the BIOS utility. If you enter the password incorrectly, a warning message appears. Try again and press . • When the User Password is set and the password on boot parameter is enabled, a prompt appears at boot-up.
33 Expanding through options Your notebook PC 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. For instructions on how to connect different external devices to the computer, read the following section. Fax/data modem (only for certain models) Your computer has a built-in V.92 56 Kbps fax/data modem.
34 Built-in network feature The built-in network feature allows you to connect your computer to an Ethernet-based network. To use the network feature, connect an Ethernet cable from the Ethernet (RJ-45) port on the chassis of the computer to a network jack or hub on your network. Consumer Infrared (CIR) (only for certain models) The computer’s Consumer Infrared (CIR) port is used to receive signals from your remote control, or other devices with CIR capability.
35 Universal Serial Bus (USB) The USB 2.0 port is a high-speed serial bus which allows you to connect USB peripherals without taking up precious system resources. IEEE 1394 port (only for certain models) The computer's IEEE 1394 port allows you to connect to an IEEE 1394compatible device like a video camera or digital camera. See your video or digital camera's documentation for details.
36 High-Definition Multimedia Interface (only for certain models) HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is an industry-supported, uncompressed, all-digital audio/video interface. HDMI provides an interface between any compatible digital audio/video source, such as a set-top box, DVD player, and A/V receiver and a compatible digital audio and/or video monitor, such as a digital television (DTV), over a single cable. Use the HDMI port on your computer to connect with high-end audio and video equipment.
37 Inserting an ExpressCard Insert the card into the slot and push gently until it clicks into position. EXPRESS CARD Ejecting an ExpressCard Before ejecting an ExpressCard: 1 Exit the application using the card. 2 Left-click on the remove hardware icon on the taskbar and stop the card operation. 3 Push the card gently into the slot and release to pop out the card. Then pull the card free from the slot.
38 3 (a) Insert the memory module diagonally into the slot, then (b) gently press it down until it clicks into place. 4 Replace the memory cover and secure it with the screw. 5 Reinstall the battery pack, and reconnect the AC adapter. 6 Turn on the computer. The computer automatically detects and reconfigures the total memory size. Please consult a qualified technician or contact your local Acer dealer.
39 Enjoying TV with Windows Media Center Note: This feature is only available on certain models. Computers that include Windows Media Center Edition or InstantOn Arcade may be used to watch TV and to access video content (via an audio/video connection to an external device, such as a video camera). Choose your input type The avdio/video connection may be either a DVB-T digital antenna (for selected models) or a PAL/SECAM or NTSC connector.
40 Note: Do not twist or loop the antenna cable. Extending the antenna cable up to 20 cm to improve signal quality. Watching TV with an external antenna or cable socket You may use conventional TV cables (connected to an external antenna or cable socket) to watch TV on your computer. Connecting antenna cables To connect your cables: 1 Plug the antenna connector into the RF jack of your computer. 2 Connect the other end to your TV cable, using the cable converter if necessary.
41 BIOS utility The BIOS utility is a hardware configuration program built into your computer's BIOS. 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 activate the BIOS utility, press during the POST; while the notebook PC logo is being displayed.
42 Using software Playing DVD movies Note: This feature is only available on certain models. When the DVD drive module is installed in the optical drive bay, you can play DVD movies on your computer. 1 Eject the DVD disk. Important! When you launch the DVD player for the first time, the program asks you to enter the region code. DVD disks are divided into 6 regions. Once your DVD drive is set to a region code, it will play DVD disks of that region only.
43 Frequently asked questions The following is a list of possible situations that may arise during the use of your computer. Easy solutions are provided for each one. I turned on the power, but the computer does not start or boot up. Look at the power indicator: • • If it is not lit, no power is being supplied to the computer. Check the following: • If you are using on the battery, it may be low and unable to power the computer. Connect the AC adapter to recharge the battery pack.
44 • If headphones, earphones or external speakers are connected to the lineout port on the computer, the internal speakers automatically turn off. I want to eject the optical drive tray without turning on the power. There is a mechanical eject hole on the optical drive. Simply insert the tip of a pen or paperclip into the hole and push to eject the tray. The keyboard does not respond. Try attaching an external keyboard to a USB port on the computer.
45 I want to restore my computer to its original settings without recovery CDs. Note: If your system is the multilingual version, the operating system and language you choose when you first turn on the system will be the only option for future recovery operations. This recovery process helps you restore the C: drive with the original software content that is installed when you purchase your notebook. Follow the steps below to rebuild your C: drive.
46 Requesting service International Travelers Warranty (ITW) Your computer is backed by an International Travelers Warranty (ITW) that gives you security and peace of mind when traveling. Our worldwide network of service centers are there to give you a helping hand. An ITW passport comes with your computer. This passport contains all you need to know about the ITW program. A list of available, authorized service centers is in this handy booklet. Read this passport thoroughly.
47 Troubleshooting This chapter shows you 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 yourself; contact your dealer or authorized service center for assistance. Troubleshooting tips This notebook PC incorporates an advanced design that delivers onscreen error message reports to help you solve problems.
48 Regulations and safety notices FCC statement 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, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
49 Remarque à l'intention des utilisateurs canadiens Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme a la norme NMB-003 du Canada. Compliant with Russian regulatory certification Modem notices (only for certain models) Notice for USA This equipment complies with Part 68 of the FCC rules. Located on the modem is a label that contains, among other information, the FCC Registration Number and Ringer Equivalence Number (REN) for this equipment.
50 TBR 21 This equipment has been approved [Council Decision 98/482/EC - "TBR 21"] for single terminal connection to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). However, due to differences between the individual PSTNs provided in different countries, the approval does not, of itself, give an unconditional assurance of successful operation on every PSTN termination point. In the event of problems, you should contact your equipment supplier in the first instance.
51 Notice for New Zealand 1 The grant of a Telepermit for any item of terminal equipment indicates only that Telecom has accepted that the item complies with minimum conditions for connection to its network. It indicates no endorsement of the product by Telecom, nor does it provide any sort of warranty.
52 LCD pixel statement The LCD unit is produced with high-precision manufacturing techniques. Nevertheless, some pixels may occasionally misfire or appear as black or red dots. This has no effect on the recorded image and does not constitute a malfunction. Radio device regulatory notice Note: Below regulatory information is for models with wireless LAN and / or Bluetooth only.
53 The FCC RF safety requirement The radiated output power of the wireless LAN Mini PCI Card and Bluetooth card is far below the FCC radio frequency exposure limits. Nevertheless, the notebook PC series shall be used in such a manner that the potential for human contact during normal operation is minimized as follows: FCC RF Radiation Exposure Statement: 1. This Transmitter must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter. 2.
54 Canada — Low-power license-exempt radio communication devices (RSS-210) Exposure of humans to RF fields (RSS-102) The notebook PC series employs low gain integral antennas that do not emit RF field in excess of Health Canada limits for the general population; consult Safety Code 6, obtainable from Health Canada's website at www.hc-sc.gc.ca/rpb. LCD panel ergonomic specifications Design viewing distance 500 mm Design inclination angle 0.0° Design azimuth angle 90.
