Aspire one Series User Guide
Copyright © 2008. Acer Incorporated. All Rights Reserved. Aspire one Series User Guide Original Issue: 12/2008 This company makes no representations or warranties, either express or implied, with respect to the contents hereof and specifically disclaims the implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Although care has been taken to ensure accuracy, this company shall not be liable for any errors (including, but not limited to, typos, factual errors, etc.
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 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. • 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.
vi discharged hundreds of times, but it will eventually wear out. When the operation time becomes noticeably shorter than normal, buy a new battery. Use only Acer approved batteries, and recharge your battery only with Acer approved chargers designated for this device. Use the battery only for its intended purpose. Never use any charger or battery that is damaged. Do not short-circuit the battery.
vii Additional safety information Your device and its enhancements may contain small parts. Keep them out of the reach of small children. 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.
viii 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.
ix 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://global.acer.com/about/sustainability.
x ENERGY STAR is a government program (public/private partnership) that gives people the power to protect the environment in a cost effective way and without sacrificing quality or product features. Products that earn the ENERGY STAR prevent greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US Department of Energy (DOE).
xi 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.
xii 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.
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 One Series 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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iii Safety instructions Additional safety information Operating environment Medical devices Vehicles Potentially explosive environments Emergency calls Disposal instructions Tips and information for comfortable use iii vii vii vii viii viii viii ix x First things first Your guides Basic care and tips for using your computer Turning your computer on and off Taking care of your computer Taking care of your AC adapter Taking care of your battery pack Cleaning and servicing Acer eRecovery Management Acer
Moving around Preparing the computer What to bring to meetings Taking the computer home Preparing the computer What to take with you Special considerations Setting up a home office Traveling with the computer Preparing the computer What to take with you Special considerations Traveling internationally with the computer Preparing the computer What to bring with you Special considerations Securing your computer Using a computer security lock Using passwords Entering passwords Setting passwords Expanding th
1 Note: The following content is for general reference only. Actual product specifications may vary. Acer eRecovery Management backs up and recovers data flexibly, reliably and completely. Acer eRecovery Management Acer eRecovery Management allows you to restore or reinstall applications and drivers.
English 2 Launching Acer eRecovery Management 1 You may also launch Acer eRecovery Management by running the program from the Acer program group in the Start menu, or by double-clicking the icon if you have created a desktop shortcut. 2 You can choose to restore the system from a factory default image or reinstall applications and drivers. 3 Follow the instructions on screen to complete the process.
3 The computer has serveral easy-to-read status indicators.The front panel indicators are visible even when the computer cover is closed up. Icon Function Description Bluetooth Indicates the status of Bluetooth communication. HDD Indicates when the hard disk drive is active. Num Lock Lights up when Num Lock is activated. Caps Lock Lights up when Caps Lock is activated. Battery Indicates the computer's batttery status. 1. Charging: The light shows amber when the battery is charging. 2.
English 4 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 two-click buttons) The following items show you how to use the touchpad with two-click buttons. 1 2 3 • Move your finger across the touchpad (1) to move the cursor.
5 Note: By default, vertical and horizontal scrolling is enabled on your touchpad. It can be disabled under Mouse settings in Windows Control Panel. Using a computer security lock The notebook comes with a Kensington-compatible security slot for a 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. Some keyless models are also available.
English 6 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.
7 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.
English 8 Hotkeys The computer employs hotkeys or key combinations to access most of the computer's controls like screen brightness, volume output and the BIOS utility. To activate hotkeys, press and hold the key before pressing the other key in the hotkey combination. Hotkey Function Description + Icon Hotkey help Displays help on hotkeys. + System Properties Display the System Properties dialog box.
9 You can locate the Euro symbol and the US dollar sign at the upper-center and/or bottom-right of your keyboard. The Euro symbol 1 Open a text editor or word processor. 2 Either press < > at the bottom-right of the keyboard, or hold and then press the <5> key at the upper-center of the keyboard. Note: Some fonts and software do not support the Euro symbol. Please refer to www.microsoft.com/typography/faq/faq12.htm for more information.
English 10 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.
11 If headphones, earphones or external speakers are connected to the lineout port on the computer, the internal speakers automatically turn off. The keyboard does not respond. Try attaching an external keyboard to a USB port on the computer. If it works, contact your dealer or an authorized service center as the internal keyboard cable may be loose. The printer does not work. Check the following: • Make sure that the printer is connected to a power outlet and that it is turned on.
English 12 Important! This feature occupies 15 GB in a hidden partition on your hard disk 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.
13 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.
English 14 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.
15 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.
English 16 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.
17 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. 6 Disconnect the keyboard, pointing device, printer, external monitor and other external devices.
English 18 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.
19 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.
English 20 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.
21 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. Insert the lock into the notch and turn the key to secure the lock.
English 22 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 .
23 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. Built-in network feature The built-in network feature allows you to connect your computer to an Ethernet-based network.
English 24 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. 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.
25 To set a password on boot, activate the BIOS utility, then select Security from the categories listed at the top of the screen. Find Password on boot: and use the and keys to enable this feature. 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.
English 26 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.
27 English If you still encounter problems after going through the corrective measures, please contact your dealer or an authorized service center for assistance. Some problems may be solved using the BIOS utility.
English 28 Regulations and safety notices 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, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
29 This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003. Remarque à l'intention des utilisateurs canadiens Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme a la norme NMB-003 du Canada. Declaration of Conformity for EU countries Hereby, Acer, declares that this notebook PC series is in compliance with the essential requirements and other relevant provisions of Directive 1999/5/EC. (Please visit http://global.acer.com/products/notebook/reg-nb/index.htm for complete documents.
English 30 European Union (EU) R&TTE Directive 1999/5/EC as attested by conformity with the followingharmonized standard: • • • Article 3.1(a) Health and Safety • EN60950-1:2001+ A11:2004 • EN50371:2002 Article 3.1(b) EMC • EN301 489-1 V1.6.1 • EN301 489-3 V1.4.1 • EN301 489-17 V1.2.1 Article 3.2 Spectrum Usages • EN300 220-3 V1.1.1 • EN300 328 V1.7.1 • EN300 440-2 V1.1.2 • EN301 893 V1.2.
31 Note: The Acer wireless Mini PCI adapter implements a transmission diversity function. The function does not emit radio frequencies simultaneously from both antennas. One of the antennas is selected automatically or manually (by users) to ensure good quality radiocommunication. 2 This device is restricted to indoor use due to its operation in the 5.15 to 5.25 GHz frequency range. FCC requires this product to be used indoors for the frequency range 5.15 to 5.
English 32 Canada — Low-power license-exempt radio communication devices (RSS-210) • • a Common information Operation is subject to the following two conditions: 1. This device may not cause interference, and 2. This device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device. b Operation in 2.
33 Index connections network 23 A D AC adapter caring for xiv audio troubleshooting 10 display hotkeys 8 troubleshooting 10 B E error messages 26 Euro 9 battery pack battery-low warning 16 caring for xv characteristics 13 charging 15 checking charge level 15 installing 14 low conditions 16 maximizing life 13 optimizing 15 removing 15 using the first time 13 BIOS utility 24 brightness hotkeys 8 C caps lock 6 on indicator 3 care AC adapter xiv battery pack xv computer xiv charging checking level 15
34 S scroll lock 6 security keylock 5, 21 passwords 21 speakers hotkey 8 troubleshooting 10 support information 12 T touchpad 4 hotkey 8 travel international flights 20 local trips 19 troubleshooting 26 tips 26 U universal serial bus 24 W Windows keys 7
