Introducing the not nearly as exciting ink on paper version of… My Guide …the printed companion to the way more fun a nd hands-on experience of your Acer Aspire.
Hey! a minute! Wait Did you know your Acer Aspire comes with incredible multimedia software that was designed to show you all the cool stuff your computer can do? This book is your handy desktop reference for your Acer Aspire.. (P.S. - If you’re reading this because you’re having trouble with your computer, check the “Need Help?” section in this book.
Table of Contents Welcome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Before You Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Safety Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Proper Setup and Placement Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 An Introduction to Your Aspire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Standard End User License Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 System Warranty Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Limited Product Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 FCC Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Acer Year 2000 Compliance Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 CD-ROM Safety Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Before You Start . . . • Never spill liquid of any kind on the product. Make sure you read this section carefully for proper placement and important Safety Instructions on the use and care of your new computer. Please save these instructions for future reference. • Do not attempt to service this product yourself; opening or removing covers may expose you to dangerous voltage points or other risks. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.
Proper Setup and Placement Tips It’s important that your computer be set up correctly and according to your own comfort and ergonomic needs. The following tips should make your workstation a comfortable and healthy place: Monitor Level. Position your computer so that it is at arm’s length away and the top third of the monitor viewing area is at eye level. This helps prevent eye and neck strain.
Setting Up Your Aspire Refer to the Aspire Easy Setup Poster included in your system box for details on how to set up your computer. 1 • Press and release the monitor power button if it is not on or blinking already. 2 • Press and release the computer power button (Quickstart or traditional start). Turning Your Aspire On and Off You have two options for turning your Aspire on and off. Your Aspire was designed for you with convenience in mind.
Turning off your Aspire Option 1: Quickstart OFF • Your Aspire will continue to run in the Quickstart OFF condition. It will appear that it is OFF. When you press the power button to switch your Aspire to the fully ON condition, it will do it in only a few seconds. Option 2: Traditional OFF • If you want your Aspire to completely power OFF (if you need to unplug it): 1 • Click on the Windows Start button on the taskbar. 2 • Click on Shut Down. 3 • Click on Shut Down the Computer and click Yes.
The Keyboard End key • takes you to the end of a line. The way keys are used varies from program to program. Here are some of the most common uses: Page Up / Page Down keys • move you up or down a screen at a time. Esc key • exits the current action, screen, or program. Backspace key • is similar to the delete key above, but it will delete one character at a time to the left of the cursor. Tab key • moves the cursor over a set number of spaces in word processing software.
The Monitor Refer to the manual that came with your Aspire monitor for more information on the monitor features. Connect the speakers to your system as shown in the following figure: The Speakers Your system comes with a uniquely-designed set of speakers that can be attached to the monitor. To connect the speakers to the monitor: 1 • Locate the left and right speaker brackets that came with your speaker package. 2 • Locate the brackets on the sides of your Aspire monitor.
The Floppy Drive This drive uses removable 3.5-inch floppy disks and is called the A: drive. The CD-ROM Drive The CD ROM drive uses CDs (Compact Discs) instead of floppy disks, and it is Read Only Memory, which means that the computer can read data from the disc, but cannot write anything new on it. It is typically called the D: drive. On some computers, the CD-ROM may be another drive letter. Please refer to My Computer for the current drive letter assignment on your Windows Me desktop.
Write Protecting a Floppy Diskette When the write protect notch is open, data cannot be written to (saved on) the disk. The notch must be closed for data to be written to (copied on) the disk. Write protecting diskettes is a good way to keep them safe from viruses, should you use them in a different computer.
Your Data/Fax Modem Connecting an Optional Printer Your data/fax modem makes it possible for you to communicate electronically around the globe. 1 • Make sure your computer is completely turned off (see p. 6). Once you’ve plugged your telephone line into your Acer computer, you can: • Access the Internet* • Send and receive faxes • Send and receive e-mail* 2 • Connect the printer cable purchased with your printer from the printer to the printer port on the back of your computer.
Connecting an Optional Serial Device 1 • Before you proceed, make sure your computer is completely turned off (see p. 6). 2 • Locate the serial port on the back of your computer. 3 • Plug your serial device cable into this port. Connecting an Optional Joystick or MIDI Device 1 • Before you proceed, make sure your computer is completely turned off (see p. 6). 2 • Locate the Game/MIDI port on the back of your computer. 3 • Plug your joystick or MIDI device cable into this port.
Getting the Most from Your Acer Audio System Playing an Audio CD 2 • Click on the Volume icon on the task bar at the bottom of your screen. A volume control will pop up. Drag the volume control lever with your mouse until you find the level you want. 3 • Double-click on the Sound icon to use the electronic mixing board.
AddingtoOptions Your Aspire Connecting USB Devices 3 • Push the cover slightly backward as shown in the following figure. 4 • Lift up the cover. Electrostatic Discharge Precautions Always observe the following electrostatic discharge (ESD) precautions before installing a system component: You can add hard drives, memory, expansion cards, and other options to your Acer Aspire. For directions on upgrading and how to disassemble the computer chassis, please refer to My Aspire Guide software.
3 • Secure the cover with the screws. Need Help? Acer is dedicated to bringing you a reliable and easy to maintain computer. We realize, though, that problems can arise unexpectedly. Please refer to the troubleshooting tips in this section to help diagnose and solve your problems. Troubleshooting–General Here are some answers to commonly asked questions: The Start button is not displayed on screen. The taskbar has either been resized too small or it is in a hidden location.
My keyboard doesn’t work. 1 • Press the Caps Lock key several times to see if the keyboard LED light turns on and off. 2 • If it does not, make sure the keyboard cable is securely plugged into the back of your computer. 3 • If the problem persists, call Acer Technical Support. 1 • Turn the mouse upside down. 2 • Remove the ring holding the ball in place by turning it counterclockwise. 3 • Use a lint-free cloth or a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to clean all moving parts.
Troubleshooting–Error Messages I keep getting one of the following error messages: Equipment Configuration Error This error occurs when the CMOS settings have been changed to a configuration that prevents successful boot-up. Press the Ctrl + Alt + Esc keys, after the beep during the boot process, then select Restore Default Settings to restore the original CMOS values. CMOS Battery Error Call Acer Technical Support.
Disclaimer of Warranties Acer makes no representation or warranties, either expressed or implied, with respect to the contents hereof and specifically disclaims the implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Any software described in this manual is sold or licensed “as is.
System Warranty Information For Limited Product Warranty information, please refer to the following pages. In the event the Product exhibits a defect in material or workmanship within the warranty period, Acer will provide the warranty services applicable to the Product.
EXCEPT FOR THE WARRANTIES SET FORTH HEREIN, ACER DISCLAIMS ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES THAT MAY BE IMPOSED BY APPLICABLE LAW ARE LIMITED TO THE TERMS OF THIS LIMITED WARRANTY.
Acer Year 2000 Compliance Statement Caution on Lithium Batteries This product is Year 2000-compliant and carries the “NSTL Hardware Tested Year 2000 Compliant” logo. This product has been tested both by Acer’s internal test labs and NSTL using NSTL’s YMARK2000 certification test. These tests certify that the product will successfully make the year 2000 transition. CAUTION Danger of explosion if battery is incorrectly replaced. Replace only with the same or equivalent type recommended by the manufacturer.
P/N: 49.38H03.
