Aspire 5520G/5520/5220 Series

User's Guide

Copyright 2007. Acer Incorporated. All Rights Reserved. Aspire 5520G/5520/5220 Series User's Guide Original Issue: 05/2007
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. This company makes no representations 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. Record the model number, serial number, purchase date and place of purchase information in the space provided below. The serial number and model number are recorded on the label affixed to your computer. All correspondence concerning your unit should include the serial number, model number and purchase information. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronically, mechanically, by photocopy, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Acer Incorporated.
Aspire 5520G/5520/5220 Series Notebook PC
Model number: __________________________________ Serial number: ___________________________________ Date of purchase: ________________________________ Place of purchase: ________________________________
Acer and the Acer logo are registered trademarks of Acer Incorporated. Other companies' product names or trademarks are used herein for identification purposes only and belong to their respective companies.
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.
CAUTION for plug as disconnecting device
Observe the following guidelines when connecting and disconnecting power to the power supply unit: Install the power supply unit before connecting the power cord to the AC power outlet. Unplug the power cord before removing the power supply unit from the computer. If the system has multiple sources of power, disconnect power from the system by unplugging all power cords from the power supplies.
CAUTION for Accessibility
Be sure that the power outlet you plug the power cord into is easily accessible and located as close to the equipment operator as possible. When you need to disconnect power to the equipment, be sure to unplug the power cord from the electrical outlet.
CAUTION for Dummy Card of PCMCIA & Express Slot
Your computer shipped with plastic dummies installed in the PCMCIA & Express slot. Dummies protect unused slots from dust, metal object, or other particles. Save the dummy for use when no PCMCIA or Express Card is installed in the slot.

CAUTION for Listening

To protect your hearing, follow these instructions. Increase the volume gradually until you can hear clearly and comfortably.
Do not increase the volume level after your ears have adjusted. Do not listen to music at high volumes for extended periods. Do not increase the volume to block out noisy surroundings. Decrease the volume if you can't hear people speaking near you.

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. This product should never be placed near or over a radiator or heat register, or in a built-in installation unless proper ventilation is provided. Never push objects of any kind into this product through cabinet slots as they may touch dangerous voltage points or short-out parts that could result in a fire or electric shock. Never spill liquid of any kind onto or into the product. To avoid damage of internal components and to prevent battery leakage, do not place the product on a vibrating surface. Never use it under sporting, exercising, or any vibrating environment which will probably cause unexpected short current or damage rotor devices, HDD, Optical drive, and even exposure risk from lithium battery pack.

Switch off your device when in any area with a potentially explosive atmosphere and obey all signs and instructions. Potentially explosive atmospheres include areas where you would normally be advised to turn off your vehicle engine. Sparks in such areas could cause an explosion or fire resulting in bodily injury or even death. Switch off the device at refueling points such as near gas pumps at service stations. Observe restrictions on the use of radio equipment in fuel depots, storage, and distribution areas; chemical plants; or where blasting operations are in progress. Areas with a potentially explosive atmosphere are often, but not always, clearly marked. They include below deck on boats, chemical transfer or storage facilities, vehicles using liquefied petroleum gas (such as propane or butane), and areas where the air contains chemicals or particles such as grain, dust or metal powders.

Emergency calls

Warning: You cannot make emergency calls through this device. To make an emergency call you shall dial out through your mobile phone or other telephone call system.

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.htm

Mercury advisory

For projectors or electronic products containing an LCD/CRT monitor or display: Lamp(s) inside this product contain mercury and must be recycled or disposed of according to local, state or federal laws. For more information, contact the Electronic Industries Alliance at www.eiae.org. For lamp-specific disposal information, check www.lamprecycle.org.
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). In the average home, 75% of all electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while the products are turned off. ENERGY STAR qualified home electronic products in the off position use up to 50% less energy than conventional equipment. More information refers to http://www.energystar.gov and http://www.energystar.gov/powermangement. As an ENERGY STAR partner, Acer Inc. has determined that this product meets the ENERGY STAR guidelines for energy efficiency. This product has been shipped enabled for power management:

Activate display Sleep mode within 15 minutes of user inactivity. Activate computers Sleep mode within 30 minutes of user inactivity. Wake the computer from Sleep mode by pushing power button. More power management settings can be done through Acer ePower Management.
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. The following symptoms may appear in the hands, wrists, arms, shoulders, neck or back:
numbness, or a burning or tingling sensation aching, soreness or tenderness pain, swelling or throbbing stiffness or tightness coldness or weakness
If you have these symptoms, or any other recurring or persistent discomfort and/or pain related to computer use, consult a physician immediately and inform your company's health and safety department. The following section provides tips for more comfortable computer use.
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. Observe the following tips:
refrain from staying too long in one fixed posture avoid slouching forward and/or leaning backward stand up and walk around regularly to remove the strain on your leg muscles take short rests to relax your neck and shoulders avoid tensing your muscles or shrugging your shoulders install the external display, keyboard and mouse properly and within comfortable reach if you view your monitor more than your documents, place the display at the center of your desk to minimize neck strain
Taking care of your vision
Long viewing hours, wearing incorrect glasses or contact lenses, glare, excessive room lighting, poorly focused screens, very small typefaces and low-contrast displays could stress your eyes. The following sections provide suggestions on how to reduce eyestrain. Eyes

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: 3 Turn off the computer and remove the battery pack. Disconnect the AC adapter. Use a soft, moist cloth. Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners. the computer has been dropped or the body has been damaged; the computer does not operate normally
If either of the following occurs:
please refer to "Frequently asked questions" on page 40.
Safety instructions Additional safety information Operating environment Medical devices Vehicles Potentially explosive environments Emergency calls Disposal instructions Tips and information for comfortable use 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 Empowering Technology password Acer eNet Management Acer ePower Management Acer eAudio Management Acer ePresentation Management Acer eDataSecurity Management Acer eLock Management Acer eRecovery Management Acer eSettings Management Windows Mobility Center Top view Closed front view Left view Right view Rear view Base view
iii vii vii vii viii viii ix ix x
Acer Empowering Technology
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Your Acer notebook tour

Specifications Indicators Easy-launch buttons Touchpad Using the keyboard
Lock keys and embedded numeric keypad Windows keys Hotkeys Touchpad basics

Contents

Ejecting the optical (CD or DVD) drive tray Using a computer security lock Audio
Adjusting the volume Using Dolby Home Theater for surround/multi-channel sound Set playback as digital output Acer GridVista (dual-display compatible) Launch Manager Norton Internet Security Requesting service International Travelers Warranty (ITW) Before you call 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 Finding and playing content Settings Arcade controls Navigation controls Player controls Virtual keyboard Background mode Cinema Settings Album Editing Pictures Slide Show settings Video Playing a video file Capturing video (TV models only) Snapshot Music TV (for selected models) Time-shift functionality Recorded TV

Special keys

Using the system utilities
Frequently asked questions

Battery pack

Acer Arcade (for selected models)
Acer Arcade Deluxe (for selected models)
Scheduling recordings Program guide Find program TV settings Using TeleText functions
Taking your notebook PC with you
Disconnecting from the desktop 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 Using a computer security lock Using passwords Entering passwords Setting passwords
Remote control (for selected models) Remote functions Starting Acer Arcade Deluxe VideoMagician TV Joy (selected models only) SportsCap (selected models only) DV Wizard DVDivine

Securing your computer

Expanding through options
Connectivity options Fax/data modem Built-in network feature Universal Serial Bus (USB) IEEE 1394 port ExpressCard
Power management Acer eRecovery Management
Create backup Burn backup disc Restore and recovery Troubleshooting tips Error messages
Installing memory Connecting your TV and AV-in cables (for selected models) BIOS utility Boot sequence Enable disk-to-disk recovery Password Using software Playing DVD movies

Troubleshooting

Regulations and safety notices
FCC notice Modem notices Laser compliance statement LCD pixel statement Macrovision copyright protection notice Radio device regulatory notice General European Union (EU) The FCC RF safety requirement Canada Low-power license-exempt radio communication devices (RSS-210) Federal Communications Comission Declaration of Conformity LCD panel ergonomic specifications
The Empowering Technology toolbar makes it easy for you to access frequently used functions and manage your new Acer system. Displayed by default in the upper half of your screen, it provides access to the following utilities:

Empowering Technology

Note: All of the following content is for general reference only. Actual product specifications may vary.
Acer eNet Management hooks up to location-based networks intelligently. Acer ePower Management optimizes battery usage via customizable power plans. Acer eAudio Management allows you to easily control the enhanced sound effects of Dolby Home Theater on your system. Acer ePresentation Management connects to a projector and adjusts display settings. Acer eDataSecurity Management protects data with passwords and encryption. (for selected models) Acer eLock Management limits access to external storage media. Acer eRecovery Management backs up and recovers data flexibly, reliably and completely. Acer eSettings Management accesses system information and adjusts settings easily.

For more information, right click on the Empowering Technology toolbar, then select the "Help" or "Tutorial" function.
Empowering Technology password
Before using Acer eLock Management and Acer eRecovery Management, you must initialize the Empowering Technology password. Right-click on the Empowering Technology toolbar and select "Password Setup" to do so. If you have not initialized the Empowering Technology password and run Acer eLock Management or Acer eRecovery Management, you will be asked to create it.
Note: If you lose the Empowering Technology password, there is no way to reset it except by reformatting your system. Make sure to remember or write down your password!

Acer eNet Management

Acer eNet Management helps you quickly connect to both wired and wireless networks in a variety of locations. To access this utility, select "Acer eNet Management" from the Empowering Technology toolbar or run the program from the Acer Empowering Technology program group in Start menu. You can also set Acer eNet Management to start automatically when you boot up your PC. Acer eNet Management automatically detects the best settings for a new location, while offering you the option to manually adjust the settings to match your needs.
Acer eNet Management can save network settings for a location to a profile, and automatically switch to the appropriate profile when you move from one location to another. Settings stored include network connection settings (IP and DNS settings, wireless AP details, etc.), as well as default printer settings. Security and safety concerns mean that Acer eNet Management does not store username and password information.

Acer ePower Management

Acer ePower Management features a straightforward user interface for configuring your power management options. To access this utility, select "Acer ePower Management" from the Empowering Technology toolbar, run the program from the Acer Empowering Technology program group in Start menu, or right-click the Windows power icon in the system tray and select "Acer ePower Management".

Using power plans

Acer ePower Management comes with three predefined power plans: Balanced, High performance and Power saver. You can also create customized power plans. You can create, switch between, edit, delete and restore power plans, as described below. View and adjust settings for On Battery and Plugged In modes by clicking the appropriate tabs. You can open Windows power options by clicking "More Power Options".

Note: You cannot delete the predefined power plans.
To create a new power plan:
Creating customized power plans allows you to save and quickly switch to a personalized set of power options. 5 Click the Create Power Plan icon. Enter a name for your new power plan. Choose a predefined power plan to base your customized plan on. If necessary, change the display and sleep settings you want your computer to use. Click "OK" to save your new power plan.
To switch between power plans:
Select the power plan you wish to switch to from the drop-down list. Click "Apply".

To edit a power plan:

Editing a power plan allows you to adjust system settings like LCD brightness and CPU speed. You can also turn on/off system components to extend battery life. Switch to the power plan you wish to edit Adjust settings as required.
3 Click "Apply" to save your new settings.

To delete a power plan:

You cannot delete the power plan you are currently using. If you want to delete the active power plan, switch to another one first. Select the power plan you wish to delete from the drop-down list. Click the Delete Power Plan icon.

Battery status

For real-time battery life estimates based on current usage, refer to the panel in the upper half of the window. Click the sleep and hibernate modes. to view estimated battery life in

Acer eAudio Management

Acer eAudio Management allows you to easily control the enhanced sound effects of Dolby Home Theater on your system. Select "Movie" or "Game" mode to experience the awesome realism of 5.1-channel surround sound from just 2 speakers, via Dolby Virtual Speaker technology. "Music" mode lets you enjoy your favorite tunes, in vivid detail.
Acer ePresentation Management
Acer ePresentation Management lets you project your computer's display to an external display device or projector using the hotkey: <Fn> + <F5>. If autodetection hardware is implemented in the system and the external display supports it, your system display will be automatically switched out when an external display is connected to the system. For projectors and external devices that are not auto-detected, launch Acer ePresentation Management to choose an appropriate display setting.
Note: If the restored resolution is not correct after disconnecting a projector, or you need to use an external resolution that is not supported by Acer ePresentation Management, adjust your display settings using Display Properties or the utility provided by the graphics vendor.

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) to adjust the brightness level. The display device might be set to an external monitor. Press the display toggle hotkey <Fn> + <F5> to toggle the display back to the computer. If the Sleep indicator is lit, the computer is in Sleep mode. Press and release the power button to resume.
No audio is heard from the computer.

Check the following:

The volume may be muted. In Windows, look at the volume control (speaker) icon on the taskbar. If it is crossed-out, click on the icon and deselect the Mute all option. The volume level may be too low. In Windows, look at the volume control icon on the taskbar. You can also use the unlimited volume control wheel to adjust the volume. See "Left view" on page 18 for more detail.
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. (If your computer's optical drive is a slot-load model, it will not have an eject hole.)
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.
Make sure that the printer is connected to a power outlet and that it is turned on. Make sure that the printer cable is connected securely to the computer's parallel port or a USB port and the corresponding port on the printer.
I want to set up my location to use the internal modem.
To properly use your communication software, you need to set up your location: 3 Click on Start, Control Panel. Double-click on Phone and Modem Options. Begin setting up your location.
Refer to the Windows manual.

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 beeps reported by your computer, write them down as they appear on the screen (or the number and sequence in the case of beeps). You are required to provide the following information: Name: _____________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________ Telephone number: _________________________________ Machine and model type: ____________________________ Serial number: ______________________________________ Date of purchase: ___________________________________
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. However, recharging with the computer turned off results in a significantly faster charge time. The battery will come in handy when you travel or during a power failure. It is advisable to have an extra fully charged battery pack available as backup. Contact your dealer for details on ordering a spare battery pack.
Maximizing the battery's life
Like all other batteries, your computer's battery will degrade over time. This means that the battery's performance will diminish with time and use. To maximize your battery's life, you are advised to adhere to the recommendations set out below.
Conditioning a new battery pack
Before you use a battery pack for the first time, there is a "conditioning" process that you should follow: Insert the new battery without turning the computer on. Connect the AC adapter and fully charge the battery. Disconnect the AC adapter. Turn on the computer and operate using battery power. Fully deplete the battery until the battery-low warning appears. Reconnect the AC adapter and fully charge the battery again.
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 0C (32F) or above 45C (113F). Extreme temperatures may adversely affect the battery pack.
By following the battery conditioning process you condition your battery to accept the maximum possible charge. Failure to follow this procedure will prevent you from obtaining the maximum battery charge, and will also shorten the effective lifespan of the battery. In addition, the useful lifespan of the battery is adversely affected by the following usage patterns: Using the computer on constant AC power with the battery inserted. If you want to use constant AC power, you are advised to remove the battery pack after it is fully charged. Not discharging and recharging the battery to its extremes, as described above. Frequent use; the more you use the battery, the faster it will reach the end of its effective life. A standard computer battery has a life span of about 300 charges.

Recorded TV

The "Recorded TV" page shows recorded TV files. A thumbnail image shows the first frame of each file. To play a recorded TV file, click it. The video will play at full screen. To return to the TV page, click Stop. For a description of the options on this page, see Videos.

Scheduling recordings

To set a TV recording schedule, click Schedule, then New Schedule. In the page that opens, select the Channel you want to record and the scheduling Interval. Set the Starting Date, Starting Time, and Ending Time of the program you want to record. Click Confirm Schedule to activate the recording schedule, or Cancel to quit without accepting the schedule. Select Delete Schedule to remove a recording schedule you have previously created. Click an existing recording schedule to open it for modification. To change the order in which schedules are displayed, click Sort by Channel or Sort by Date.

Program guide

Click the Program Guide button to view program listing details for each channel. These listings and information are provided by the Electronic Program Guide.

Find program

Clicking the Find Program button allows you to search for programs by channel number or category.

TV settings

To change picture settings, click the TV button on the "Settings" page or the Settings button on the main TV page. There are four types of TV settings: "Signal," "Channel," "Recording" and "Guide" settings.

Signal settings

Click on Capture Device to select between an analog or digital input for your TV signal. Select TV Source to choose the source of the signal. The Region option allows you to select the country or region where your cable provider is located. You can also enable and disable the time-shift function.

Channel settings

If no channel list exists, click Scan Channels. Your computer will scan and list the available TV channels. Click Scan Channels to rescan and replace your existing channel line-up.

Recording settings

The Recording Quality option allows you to set the quality of video recorded from the TV. Selecting a higher quality results in a larger recorded file when recording TV shows. You can also select the destination for any recorded TV.

Guide settings

Click on EPG Source to select the source for your EPG program listings. This will differ depending on your region. Click Restore Default Settings to return your settings to their default values.

Using TeleText functions

For regions with the TeleText service, TeleText can be activated by using the onscreen controller or the remote control. Pressing the TeleText button on the remote will bring up TeleText; press again to bring up transparent mode (the text will have TV pictures in the background), and press once more to return to TV only. To navigate within the TeleText function, you can:

Click the color buttons to follow the onscreen color shortcuts. Click an onscreen page number to jump to that page. Use the number buttons to enter a page number directly. Use the up/down buttons on the remote to navigate page numbers, followed by OK to select. Use the left and right buttons to browse sub-pages.
Note: The snapshot function is available when TeleText is running.
Note: Acer Arcade Deluxe is available for systems with Windows Media Center. Acer Arcade Deluxe extends the capabilities of your Windows Media Centerequipped system with a set of Acer utilities designed to make it easy to manage your multimedia files, create your own customized content, and more. Arcade Deluxe includes the following utilities:
VideoMagician TV Joy (selected models only) SportsCap (selected models only) DV Wizard DVDivine
Remote control (for selected models)
If your computer is bundled with a remote control for use wiht the Arcade Deluxe software, the table below explains the functions.

Remote functions

# 25 Item Play Record Rewind Pause Recorded TV Guide Navigation/ OK buttons Mute Back Volume + / Start Color buttons TeleText* Enter Power DVD Menu Stop Fast Forward Skip Forward Live TV Information Channel + / 0-9 buttons Clear Description Play selection Record TV Reverse playback or go to previous picture Pause playback Display Recorded TV page Display the Guide Navigate and confirm selections Toggle audio on/off Move up one level in the UI Increase or decrease the audio playback level Open or close Media Center Teletext shortcut functions* Turn teletext on or off Make the current input active Put in or wake from Standby mode Display DVD menu Stop current playing or recording operation Speed up playback or go to next picture Skip a section forward Show live TV on current channel Provide information for current selection Change the current channel Enter TV channel or other input Clear current input
Skip Backward Skip a section backward

*TeleText regions only.

Starting Acer Arcade Deluxe
You can run the Acer Arcade Deluxe utilities directly from Windows Media Center. To do this, scroll up/down from the Main page to view the Acer Arcade Deluxe utilities list and left/right to select a utility. To run the Acer Arcade Deluxe utilities outside of Windows Media Center, double-click the Acer Arcade Deluxe icon from the Windows desktop.
Note: For detailed information about specific Acer Arcade Deluxe utiltiies, use the built-in help files.

VideoMagician

VideoMagician allows you to edit video files (in DAT, DVR-MS, MPG, MPE, AVI, ASF, MPEG, WMV, VOB, MPEG1, and MPEG2 formats) on your computer. VideoMagician offers multiple themes to create exciting movies in just a few simple steps. When you launch VideoMagician to edit a video, the Select Videos page opens.
TV Joy (selected models only)

TV Joy enriches the TV watching experience on your computer. You can enjoy live TV programs, schedule recordings and watch recorded TV shows. When TV Joy is launched, the last channel viewed will be displayed full screen.
SportsCap (selected models only)
SportsCap is a revolutionary way of watching your sports videos. It automatically detects highlights of the most memorable moments in sports from your recorded games.
Note: The sports types available in your version of SportsCap depend on the version and modules installed on your computer.

DV Wizard

DV Wizard provides real-time preview and capture from DV camcorders and webcams to your computer's hard drive or directly burned to DVD. DV Wizard also supports the capture of High Definition video to your computer's hard disk in the DVD format. Attach your DV camcorder or web cam to your computer and then start DV Wizard to begin.

DVDivine

DVDivine is a handy utility for quickly creating DVDs or other discs containing video, pictures, or music. In just a few easy steps, you can design, organize, then burn your disc. When you start DVDivine, the Select Media page appears, allowing you to select the kind of media that you want to include on your disc. You can select Videos, Pictures or Music.
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: 7 Save any open files. Remove any media, floppy disks or compact disks from the drive(s). Shut down the computer. Close the display cover. Disconnect the cord from the AC adapter. Disconnect the keyboard, pointing device, printer, external monitor and other external devices. Disconnect the Kensington lock if you are using one to secure the computer.

Moving around

When you are just moving within short distances, for example, from your office desk to a meeting room.

What to take with you

Unless you have some items at home, take the following items with you:
AC adapter and power cord The printed User's Guide

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. Allow the computer to return to room temperature, and inspect the screen for condensation before turning on the computer. If the temperature change is greater than 10 C (18 F), allow the computer to come to room temperature slowly. If possible, leave the computer for 30 minutes in an environment with a temperature between outside and room temperature.

Setting up a home office

If you frequently work on your computer at home, you may want to purchase a second AC adapter for use at home. With a second AC adapter, you can avoid carrying the extra weight to and from home. 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 client's office building or traveling locally.
Prepare the computer as if you were taking it home. Make sure that the battery in the computer is charged. Airport security may require you to turn on your computer when carrying it into the gate area.
Take the following items with you:
AC adapter Spare, fully-charged battery pack(s) Additional printer driver files if you plan to use another printer
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.
Prepare the computer as you would normally prepare it for traveling.

What to bring with you

Bring the following items with you:
AC adapter Power cords that are appropriate for the country to which you are traveling Spare, fully-charged battery packs Additional printer driver files if you plan to use another printer Proof of purchase, in case you need to show it to customs officials International Travelers Warranty passport