Chapter 3

Machine Disassembly and Replacement
General Information.42 Before You Begin.42 Disassembly Procedure Flowchart.43 Removing the Battery Pack.45 Removing the Memory/the HDD Module/the Wireless LAN Card/ the ODD Module and the LCD Module.46 Removing the Memory and the HDD Module.46 Removing the Wireless LAN Card.46 Removing the ODD Module.47 Removing the LCD Module.47 Disassembling the Main Unit.49 Separate the Main Unit Into the Upper and the Lower Case Assembly.49 Disassembling the Upper Case Assembly.49 Disassembling the Lower Case Assembly.50 Disassembling the LCD Module.53 Disassembling the External Modules.54 Disassembling the HDD Module.54
Chpater 4 Troubleshooting 55
System Check Procedures.56 External Diskette Drive Check.56 External CD-ROM Drive Check.56 Keyboard or Auxiliary Input Device Check.56 Memory check.57 Power System Check.57 Touchpad Check.59 Power-On Self-Test (POST) Error Message.60 Index of Error Messages.61 Phoenix BIOS Beep Codes.64 Index of Symptom-to-FRU Error Message.68 Intermittent Problems.71 Undetermined Problems.72

Chpater 5

FRU (Field Replaceable Unit) List
Aspire 3610 Exploded Diagram.74

Chapter 1

System Specifications

Features

Below is a brief summary of the computers many feature:

Platform and memroy

Intel Pentium M 725A Processor (2 MB L2 cache, 1.6GHz, 400MHz FSB) Intel Celeron M 360/370/380 Processor (1 MB L2 cache, 1.40/1.50/1.60GHz, 400MHz FSB) Intel 910GML+ICH6M Two DIMM slots support 128MB to 2GB system memory

Display

Thim-Film Transistor (TFT) displaying at : 15.0 XGA (1024 x 768) 15.4 WXGA (1280 x 800) 15.4 WXGA (1280 x 800) Acer CrystalBrite color TFT LCD Intel GMA 900 graphics with up to 128MB of shared memory supporting, Microsoft DirectX 9.0 Dual independent display support MPEG-2/DVD hardware-assisted capability

Storage subsystem

40/60/80 GB ATA/100 hard disk drive Optical drive options: DVD-Dual double layer drive DVD/CD-RW combo drive

Input devices

88/89-key keyboard Built-in touchpad with 4-way integrated scroll button Four easy-launch buttons Two front-access buttons: WLAN LED-button and Bluetooth LED-button
Audio system with two built-in speakers Sound Blaster ProTM and MS-Sound compatible Built-in microphone

Communication

Modem: 56K ITU V.92 modem with PTT approval; wake-on ring ready LAN: 10/100 Mbps Fast Ethernet (for selected models); wake-on-LAN ready

ENE KB3910

BIOS ROM

4M BITS

PM39LV040-70JCE

CD ROM

4 PORT

MINI USB 21 Blue-tooth

Touch Pad 30

INT_KB

Acer Incorporated

BLOCK DIAGRAM
8F, 88, Sec.1, Hsin Tai Wu Rd., Hsichih Taipei Hsien 221, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Size Document Number Custom Date: Thursday, June 09, 2005

A B C D

1 of 40

Board Layout

Top View
LCD1 MIC1 LID1 BLUE1 KB1 TPAD1
LCD Cable Connector Microphone Cable Connector Lid Switch Cable Connector Bluetooth Cable Connector Keyboard Connector Touchpad FFC Connector
BAT1 U14 U20 RTC1 PCH1 SPK1
Battery Pack Connector ENE KB3910SF C1 RTL8100CL RTC Battery Connector PC Card Slot Speaker Set Connector

Bottom View

NOTE: This is engineering sample. The image above may not be exactly the same as the real main board you get.
DC1 LAN1 USB1 CRT1 MDCW 1 MDC
Power Jack Ethernet Port+Modem Jack USB port External Display Connector Modem Cable Connector Modem Board Connector
ODD1 FAN1 USB2 USB3 USB4 U49
ODD Connector Fan Connector USB Port USB Port USB Port South Bridge(Intel FW82801FBM F518NC87)

U35 DM2 DM1 U45 HDD

CPU Socket DIMM Slot1 DIMM Slot2 North Bridge (Intel 910GML) HDD Connector

U59 LIN1 LOUT1 U53

ENE CB-1410QF Microphone/Line-in Jack Headphones/Speakers/Line-Out Jack BIOS ROM

Jumper Settings

PIN Pin1-Pin8 Pin2-Pin7 Pin3-Pin6 Pin4-Pin5
Description Clear Password No Function No Function No Function

An Aspire tour

After knowing your computer features, let us show you around your new TravelMate computer.

Just for Starters.

Front View

Description

Item Display screen Power button Microphone Keyboard Touchpad Click buttons (left, center and right) Easy-launch Buttons Status indicators
Description Also called LCD (liquid-crystal display), displays computer output. Turns the computer on and off. Internal microphone for sound recording. For entering data into your computer. Touch-sensitive pointing device which functions like a computer mouse. The left and right buttons function like the left and right mouse buttons; the center button serves as a 4-way scroll button. Buttons for launching frequently used programs. Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) that turn on and off to show the status of the computers function and components. Comfortable support area for our hands when you use the computer.

Center button (3)

Select Drag
Click once Click and hold, then use finger to drag the cursor on the touchpad
Access context menu Scroll
Click once Click and hold to move up/down/left/right.
NOTE: Keep your fingers dry and clean when using the touchpad. Also keep the touchpad dry and clean. The touchpad is sensitive to finger movements. Hence, the lighter the touch, the better the response. Tapping too hard will not increase the touchpads responsiveness.

Using the Keyboard

The keyboard has full-sized keys and an embedded keypad, separate cursor keys, two Windows keys and twelve function keys.
Lock Keys and embedded numeric keypad
The keyboard has three lock keys which you can toggle on and off.
Lock Key Caps Lock Num lock <Fn>+<F11>
Description When Caps Lock is on, all alphabetic characters typed are in uppercase. When Num Lock is on, the embedded keypad is in numeric mode. The keys function as a calculator (complete with the arithmetic operators +, -, *, and /). Use this mode when you need to do a lot of numeric data entry. A better solution would be to connect an external keypad. When Scroll Lock is on, the screen moves one line up or down when you press the up or down arrow keys respectively. Scroll Lock does not work with some applications.
Scroll lock <Fn>+<F12>
The embedded numeric keypad functions like a desktop numeric keypad. It is indicated by small characters located on the upper right corner of the keycaps. To simplify the keyboard legend, cursor-control key symbols are not printed on the keys.
Desired Access Number keys on embedded keypad Cursor-control keys on embedded keypad Main keyboard keys
Num Lock On Type numbers in a normal manner. Hold <Shift> while using cursor-control keys. Hold <Fn> while typing letters on embedded keypad.

Num Lock Off

Hold <Fn> while using cursor-control keys. Type the letters in a normal manner.

Windows Keys

The keyboard has two keys that perform Windows-specific functions.

Key Windows key

Description Pressed alone, this key has the same effect as clicking on the Windows Start button; it launches the Start menu. It can also be used with other keys to provide a variety of function: + <Tab> Activates next taskbar button. + <E> Opens the My Computer window + <F1> Opens Help and Support. + <F> Opens the Find: All Files dialog box. + <R> Opens the Run dialog box. + M Minimizes all windows. <Shift>+ action. + <M> Undoes the minimize all windows

Luminance Uniformity Contrast Ratio Response Time (Optical Rise Time/Fall Time)msec Nominal Input Voltage VDD Typical Power Consumption (watt) Weight Physical Size(mm) Electrical Interface Support Color Viewing Angle (degree) Horizontal: Right/Left Vertial: Upper/Lower Temperature Range( C) Operating Storage (shipping)
45/45 15/to +50 -25 to +60
40/40 20/to +50 -20 to +60
LCD 15 inch and 15.4 inch
Item Vendor & model name Screen Diagonal (mm) Active Area (mm) Display resolution (pixels) Pixel Pitch Pixel Arrangement Display Mode Typical White Luminance (cd/m2) also called Brightness Luminance Uniformity Contrast Ratio Response Time (Optical Rise Time/Fall Time)msec Nominal Input Voltage VDD Typical Power Consumption (watt) Weight Physical Size(mm) Electrical Interface N/A 250 10/20(typ) +3.3V 4.3 for backlight unit only 540 317.3x242.1x6.channel LVDS 30/30 +3.3V 5.344x222.0x6.35 max 1 channel LVDS N/A 500 10/20 +3.3V Typ. 4.22 for backlight unit 625 344x222.0x6.35 max 1 channel LVDS Specification LG LP150X08-A3 15.0 inches, 38.1cm 304.1x228.1 1024x768 XGA 0.297x0.297 R.G.B. Vertical Stripe Transmissive mode, normally White 150 LG LP154W01A5K2 15.4 inches 331.2x207.0 1280x800 WXGA 0.25875x0.25875 R.G.B. Vertical Stripe Transmissive & normally White 150 CHIMEI N154I1L07 390.1 331.2x207.0 1280x800 WXGA 0.25875x0.25875 R.G.B. Vertical Stripe Normally White 190
Item Support Color Viewing Angle (degree) Horizontal: Right/Left Vertial: Upper/Lower Temperature Range( C) Operating Storage (shipping) 0 to +50 -20 to +to +50 -20 to +to +50 -20 to +60 45/45 15/35 45/45 15/35 45/45 15/35 Specification 262K 262K 262K colors (RGB 6-bit data driver)

LCD Inverter

Item Vendor & model name Brightness conditions Input voltage (V) Input current (mA) Output voltage (V, rms) Output current (mA, rms) Output voltage frequency (k Hz) Darfon/V189-301GP N/A 9~21 2.56 (max) 780V (2000V for kick off) 6.5 (max) 65K Hz (max) Specification

AC Adaptor

Item Input rating Maximum input AC current Inrush current Efficiency 1.7A 220A@115VAC 220A@230VAC 82% min. @115VAC input full load Specification 90V AC to 264V AC, 47Hz to 63Hz

System Power Management

ACPI mode Mech. Off (G3) Soft Off (G2/S5) Working (G0/S0) Suspend to RAM (S3) Power Management All devices in the system are turned off completely. OS initiated shutdown. All devices in the system are turned off completely. Individual devices such as the CPU and hard disc may be power managed in this state. CPU set power down VGA Suspend PCMCIA Suspend Audio Power Down Hard Disk Power Down CD-ROM Power Down Super I/O Low Power mode Also called Hibernation Mode. System saves all system states and data onto the disc prior to power off the whole system.

Save to Disk (S4)

BIOS Setup Utility
The BIOS Setup Utility is a hardware configuration program built into your computers BIOS (Basic Input/ Output System). 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 Setup. Please also refer to Chapter 4 Troubleshooting when problem arises. To activate the BIOS Utility, press m during POST (when Press <F2> to enter Setup message is prompted on the bottom of screen). Press m to enter setup. The default parameter of F12 Boot Menu is set to disabled. If you want to change boot device without entering BIOS Setup Utility, please set the parameter to enabled. Press <F12> during POST to enter multi-boot menu. In this menu, user can change boot device without entering BIOS SETUP Utility.
PhoenixBIOS Setup Utility Information Main Security Boot Exit
Intel (R) Pentium (R) M processor 1.86GHz CPU Type : 1866MHz CPU Speed : IDE1 Model Name : TOSHIBA MK8025GAS - (PM) IDE1 Serial Number : None PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-K15RA - (PS) IDE2 Model Name : IDE2 Serial Number : None System BIOS Ver: V0.06A 1277 VGA BIOS Ver 07.07 KBC Ver xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Serial Number Asset Tag Number Produce Name Manufacturer Name: UUID: N/A Aspire 3610 Acer xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
22 Byte 32 Byte 16 Byte 16 Byte 32 Byte

Select Item Select Menu

F5/F6 Change Values Enter Select 4 Sub- Menu
F9 Setup Defaults F10 Save and Exit

Esc Exit

Navigating the BIOS Utility
There are six menu options: Info., Main, System Devices, Security, Boot, and Exit. Follow these instructions: To choose a menu, use the cursor left/right keys (zx). To choose a parameter, use the cursor up/down keys ( wy). To change the value of a parameter, press por q. A plus sign (+) indicates the item has sub-items. Press e to expand this item. Press ^ while you are in any of the menu options to go to the Exit menu. In any menu, you can load default settings by pressing t. You can also press u to save any changes made and exit the BIOS Setup Utility. NOTE: You can change the value of a parameter if it is enclosed in square brackets. Navigation keys for a particular menu are shown on the bottom of the screen. Help for parameters are found in the Item Specific Help part of the screen. Read this carefully when making changes to parameter values. Please note that system information is subject to different models.

General Information

Before You Begin
Before proceeding with the disassembly procedure, make sure that you do the following: 1. 2. 3. Turn off the power to the system and all peripherals. Unplug the AC adapter and all power and signal cables from the system. Remove the battery pack.
Disassembly Procedure Flowchart
The flowchart on the succeeding page gives you a graphic representation on the entire disassembly sequence and instructs you on the components that need to be removed during servicing. For example, if you want to remove the system board, you must first remove the keyboard, then disassemble the inside assembly frame in that order.
H*2 Middle Cover DIMM Cover

Memory

H*3 HDD Cover Wireless LAN Card

P*1 Keyboard

ODD Module O*4 HDD Module
J*2 on bottom side K*2 on top side LCD Module E*1 on upper case assemby E*12 on bottom side F*3 on bottom side A*2 on rear side HDD Bracket
RTC Battery Lower Case Assembly Bluetooth Module O*2 Upper Case Assembly Microphone
Upper Case Lower Case Main Board Assembly

Touchpad Assembly N*3

*2 Speaker Set 86.9A353.3R0*2 North Bridge Plate C*1 D*2 86.9A353.3R0*2 Modem Board O*2 Fan Touchpad Bracket Touchpad

CPU Heatsink

ODD Module CPU G*2

ODD Bracket

LCD Module
4 screw caps J*4 for 15" J*8 for 15.4" LCD Bezel

I*2 LCD Inverter

LCD Panel

LCD Assembly

LCD Wire Cable

LCD Brackets

Screw List
Item A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Description SCW HEX NYL I#R-40/O#4-40 L5.5 SCREW MACH WAFER M2*L4 NI CPU SCREW M2.5*4.3L (2.3 KG) CPU SCREW M2.5*4.3L (1.55 KG) SCREW M2.5-6 SCRW M2.5*L8(NON NYLOK) SCREW M2*3 NYLON 1JMCPC-420325 SCREW SCREW M2.5*4L(NYLOCK)BLACK ZN SCREW M2.5X6 SRW M2.5*8L B/ZN NYLOK 700 SCRW M2.5*L3(NON NYLOK) SCREW M3x4(86.9A524.4R0) SCREW WAFER NYLOK NI 2ML3 SCRW M2*4 WAFER NI SCRW M2.5*3 WAFER NI Part Number 34.00015.081 86.00059.220 (PC Card slot x4) 86.00D01.230 86.00D02.230 86.9A323.6R0 86.9A323.8R0 86.9A352.3R0 86.9A352.4R0 86.9A353.4R0 86.9A353.6R0 86.9A353.8R0 86.9A523.3R0 86.9A524.4R0 86.9A552.3R0 86.9A552.4R0 86.9A553.3R0
Removing the Battery Pack
1. 2. Unlock the battery lock. Slide the battery latch then remove the battery.
Removing the Wireless LAN Card/the HDD Module/the Memory/the ODD Module and the LCD Module
Removing the Memory and the HDD Module
1. 2. Remove the three screws fastening the HDD cover. Detach the HDD cover carefully.
Disconnect the wireless antenna. Pop out the wireless LAN card then remove it. (Note: This engineering sample does not have wireless LAN card. Therefore, the image does not show wireless LAN antenna/wireless LAN card. Please refer to below section How to Remove the Wireless LAN Card for more details). Remove four screws fastening the HDD module. Pull the HDD module backwards then detach it.

How to Remove the Wireless LAN Card
1. 2. Disconnect the main and the auxiliary antennae. Pop out the wireless LAN card then remove it.

Removing the Memory

1. 2. Remove the two screws fastening the DIMM cover. Then detach the DIMM cover.
Pop out the memory. Remove the memory from the DIMM socket.

Removing the ODD Module

1. 2. Remove the screws fastening the ODD module as shown. Use a flat headed screwdriver to push the ODD module outwards then remove it.

Removing the LCD Module

1. 2. Open the notebook as the impage shows. Detach the middle cover carefully as shown.

3. 4. 5.

Remove the screw holding the keyboard. Turn over the keyboard as shown. Disconnect the keyboard cable then remove the keyboard. 47
Pull out the wireless LAN antenna from the main unit as shown. Take out the LCD cable from the main unit then disconnect the cable.
Remove two screws fastening the LCD module. Remove another two screws on the bottom as shown.
10. Then detach the entire LCD module cautiously.
Disassembling the Main Unit
Separate the Main Unit Into the Upper and the Lower Case Assembly
1. 2. Disconnect the touchpad cable from the main board. Disconnect the microphone cable then remove the microphone.
Remove one screw holding the upper case and the lower case assembly.
4. Then remove 13 screws on the bottom as shown. NOTE: Screw type for red circle is M2.5x8; and screw type for yellow circle is M2.5x6.

5. 6. 7.

Open the upper case assembly as shown. After you open the upper case assembly, please disconnect the lid switch cable. Raise upright the upper case assembly as shown then detach it.
Disassembling the Upper Case Assembly
1. 2. Disconnect the touchpad FFC. Remove the three screws fastening the touchpad bracket.
Detach the touchpad bracket carefully. Then detach the touchpad from the touchpad bracket.
Disassembling the Lower Case Assembly
1. 2. 3. Disconnect the bluetooth cable then remove the bluetooth module. Disconnect the speaker set cable from the main board. Remove two screws fastening the main board to the lower case.
Remove two hex screws holding the main board on the rear side. Then take out the main board from the lower case carefully.

6. 7. 50

Disconnect the fan cable. Remove two screw that hold the system fan then remove it. Chapter 3
Disconnect the modem board cable from the main board. Remove the two screws holding the modem board then detach the modem board.
10. Disconnect the modem cable from the modem board. 11. Remove the three screws holding the CPU heatsink then remove it.
12. Use a flat headed screwdriver to release the CPU socket lock (see two pictures below).
13. Remove the CPU from the socket carefully. 14. Remove the two screws fastening north bridge plate then remove it.

Error Message List

Error Messages Failure Fixed Disk FRU/Action in Sequence Reconnect hard disk drive connector. Load Default Settings in BIOS Setup Utility. Hard disk drive System board Stuck Key Keyboard error Keyboard Controller Failed Keyboard locked - Unlock key switch Monitor type does not match CMOS - Run Setup Shadow RAM Failed at offset: nnnn System RAM Failed at offset: nnnn Extended RAM Failed at offset: nnnn System battery is dead - Replace and run Setup System CMOS checksum bad - Default configuration used System timer error see Keyboard or Auxiliary Input Device Check on page 56. see Keyboard or Auxiliary Input Device Check on page 56. see Keyboard or Auxiliary Input Device Check on page 56. Unlock external keyboard Run Load Default Settings in BIOS Setup Utility. BIOS ROM System board DIMM System board DIMM System board Replace RTC battery and Run BIOS Setup Utility to reconfigure system time, then reboot system. RTC battery Run BIOS Setup Utility to reconfigure system time, then reboot system. RTC battery Run BIOS Setup Utility to reconfigure system time, then reboot system. System board
Error Messages Real time clock error RTC battery Run BIOS Setup Utility to reconfigure system time, then reboot system. System board Previous boot incomplete - Default configuration used Memory size found by POST differed from CMOS Diskette drive A error Run Load Default Settings in BIOS Setup Utility. RTC battery System board Run Load Default Settings in BIOS Setup Utility. DIMM System board Check the drive is defined with the proper diskette type in BIOS Setup Utility See External Diskette Drive Check on page 56. Incorrect Drive A type - run SETUP System cache error - Cache disabled CPU ID: DMA Test Failed Software NMI Failed Fail-Safe Timer NMI Failed Device Address Conflict Check the drive is defined with the proper diskette type in BIOS Setup Utility System board System board DIMM System board DIMM System board DIMM System board Run Load Default Settings in BIOS Setup Utility. RTC battery System board Allocation Error for device Run Load Default Settings in BIOS Setup Utility. RTC battery System board Failing Bits: nnnn DIMM BIOS ROM System board Fixed Disk n Invalid System Configuration Data I/O device IRQ conflict None BIOS ROM System board Run Load Default Settings in BIOS Setup Utility. RTC battery System board Operating system not found Enter Setup and see if fixed disk and drive A: are properly identified. Diskette drive Hard disk drive System board FRU/Action in Sequence
No beep Error Messages No beep, power-on indicator turns off and LCD is blank. FRU/Action in Sequence Power source (battery pack and power adapter). See Power System Check on page 57. Ensure every connector is connected tightly and correctly. Reconnect the DIMM. LED board. System board. No beep, power-on indicator turns on and LCD is blank. Power source (battery pack and power adapter). See Power System Check on page 57. Reconnect the LCD connector Hard disk drive LCD inverter ID LCD cable LCD Inverter LCD System board No beep, power-on indicator turns on and LCD is blank. But you can see POST on an external CRT. Reconnect the LCD connectors. LCD inverter ID LCD cable LCD inverter LCD System board No beep, power-on indicator turns on and a blinking cursor shown on LCD during POST. No beep during POST but system runs correctly. Ensure every connector is connected tightly and correctly. System board Speaker System board

Phoenix BIOS Beep Codes

Code 02h 03h 04h 06h 08h 09h 0Ah 0Bh 0Ch 0Eh 0Fh 10h 11h 12h 13h 14h 16h 17h 18h 1Ah 1Ch 20h 22h 24h 26h 28h 29h 2Ah 2Ch 2Eh 2Fh 30h 32h 33h 36h 38h 3Ah 3Ch 3Dh 42h 45h 1-4-1-1 1-3-4-1 1-3-4-3 1-3-1-1 1-3-1-3 1-2-2-3 Beeps POST Routine Description Verify Real Mode Disable Non-Maskable Interrupt (NMI) Get CPU type Initialize system hardware Initialize chipset with initial POST values Set IN POST flag Initialize CPU registers Enable CPU cache Initialize caches to initial POST values Initialize I/O component Initialize the local bus IDE Initialize Power Management Load alternate registers with initial POST values Restore CPU control word during warm boot Initialize PCI Bus Mastering devices Initialize keyboard controller BIOS ROM checksum Initialize cache before memory autosize 8254 timer initialization 8237 DMA controller initialization Reset Programmable Interrupt Controller Test DRAM refresh Test 8742 Keyboard Controller Set ES segment register to 4 GB Enable A20 line Autosize DRAM Initialize POST Memory Manager Clear 215 KB base RAM RAM failure on address line xxxx RAM failure on data bits xxxx of low byte of memory bus Enable cache before system BIOS shadow RAM failure on data bits xxxx of high byte of memory bus Test CPU bus-clock frequency Initialize Phoenix Dispatch Manager Warm start shut down Shadow system BIOS ROM Autosize cache Advanced configuration of chipset registers Load alternate registers with CMOS values Initialize interrupt vectors POST device initialization
Code 46h 48h 49h 4Ah 4Bh 4Ch 4Eh 50h 51h 52h 54h 58h 59h 5Ah 5Bh 5Ch 60h 62h 64h 66h 67h 68h 69h 6Ah 6Bh 6Ch 6Eh 70h 72h 76h 7Ch 7Eh 80h 81h 82h 83h 84h 85h 86h 87h 88h 89h 8Ah 8Bh 2-2-3-1 2-1-2-3
POST Routine Description Check ROM copyright notice Check video configuration against CMOS Initialize PCI bus and devices Initialize all video adapters in system QuietBoot start (optional) Shadow video BIOS ROM Display BIOS copyright notice Display CPU type and speed Initialize EISA board Test keyboard Set key click if enabled Test for unexpected interrupts Initialize POST display service Display prompt Press F2 to enter SETUP Disable CPU cache Test RAM between 512 and 640 KB Test extended memory Test extended memory address lines Jump to User Patch1 Configure advanced cache registers Initialize Multi Processor APIC Enable external and CPU caches Setup System Management Mode (SMM) area Display external L2 cache size Load custom defaults (optional) Display shadow-area message Display possible high address for UMB recovery Display error messages Check for configuration errors Check for keyboard errors Set up hardware interrupt vectors Initialize coprocessor if present Disable onboard Super I/O ports and IRQs Late POST device initialization Detect and install external RS232 ports Configure non-MCD IDE controllers Detect and install external parallel ports Initialize PC-compatible PnP ISA devices Re-initialize onboard I/O ports Configure Motherboard Configurable Devices (optional) Initialize BIOS Area Enable Non-Maskable Interrupts (NMIs) Initialize Extended BIOS Data Area Test and initialize PS/2 mouse

Indicator-Related Symptoms
Symptom / Error Indicator incorrectly remains off or on, but system runs correctly Inverter board System board Action in Sequence Reconnect the inverter board

Power-Related Symptoms

Symptom / Error Power shuts down during operation Action in Sequence Power source (battery pack and power adapter). See Power System Check on page 57. Battery pack Power adapter Hard drive & battery connection board System board The system doesnt power-on. Power source (battery pack and power adapter). See Power System Check on page 57. Battery pack Power adapter Hard drive & battery connection board System board The system doesnt power-off. Power source (battery pack and power adapter). See Power System Check on page 57. Hold and press the power switch for more than 4 seconds. System board
Symptom / Error Battery cant be charged Battery pack System board Action in Sequence See Check the Battery Pack on page 59.

PCMCIA-Related Symptoms

Symptom / Error System cannot detect the PC Card (PCMCIA) PCMCIA slot pin is damaged. PCMCIA slot assembly System board PCMCIA slot assembly Action in Sequence

Memory-Related Symptoms

Symptom / Error Memory count (size) appears different from actual size. Action in Sequence Enter BIOS Setup Utility to execute Load Default Settings, then reboot system. DIMM System board

Speaker-Related Symptoms

Symptom / Error In Windows, multimedia programs, no sound comes from the computer. Internal speakers make noise or emit no sound. Audio driver Speaker System board Speaker System board Action in Sequence
Power Management-Related Symptoms
Symptom / Error The system will not enter hibernation Action in Sequence See Save to Disk (S4) on page 26. Keyboard (if control is from the keyboard) Hard disk drive System board The system doesn't enter hibernation mode and four short beeps every minute. Press Fn+oand see if the computer enters hibernation mode. Touchpad Keyboard Hard disk connection board Hard disk drive System board The system doesnt enter standby mode after closing the LCD The system doesn't resume from hibernation mode. See Save to Disk (S4) on page 26. LCD cover switch System board See Save to Disk (S4) on page 26. Hard disk connection board Hard disk drive System board The system doesn't resume from standby mode after opening the LCD. See Save to Disk (S4) on page 26. LCD cover switch System board
Symptom / Error Battery fuel gauge in Windows doesnt go higher than 90%. Action in Sequence Remove battery pack and let it cool for 2 hours. Refresh battery (continue use battery until power off, then charge battery). Battery pack System board System hangs intermittently. Reconnect hard disk/CD-ROM drives. Hard disk connection board System board

27.01518.521 50.4C506.001 50.4C504.001 60.4C507.004

HDD COVER

60.4E106.001
LOWER CASE W/DIMM COVER & SPEAKER

60.4E103.001

7 UPPER CASE W/COVER SWITCH CABLE 60.4E101.001

PCMCIA DUMMY CARD

42.4C518.001

TOUCHPAD BRACKET

60.4C510.002

DIMM COVER

60.4E105.001

N/A COMBO Drive 10

HINGE PACK 15.4" LEFT/RIGHT COMBO MODULE 24X
6K.4C5CS.001 65.4E104.001

OPTICAL BRACKET

33.4C511.002

ODD BEZEL

60.4E108.001
N/A CDRW/DVD COMBO MODULE 24X PHILIPS SCB5265 W/O BEZEL CDRW/DVD COMBO MODULE 24X TOSHIBA TS-L462C W/O BEZEL CDRW/DVD COMBO MODULE 24X LITEON SOSC-2483K W/O BEZEL CDRW/DVD COMBO MODULE 24X HLDS GCC-4244N W/O BEZEL COMMUNICATION MODULE N/A N/A CPU/PROCESSOR N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A DVD-RW DRIVE 10 DVD-RW MODUL 8X DUAL 65.4E105.001 CPU CEL-M370 1.5G MHZ INTEL CPU DOTHAN725A 1.6GMHZ INTEL CPU CEL-M360 1.4GMHZ INTEL CPU CEL-M360 1.4GMHZ INTEL CPU CEL-M380 1.6GMHZ INTEL CPU DOTHAN730 1.6GMHZ INTEL CPU DOTHAN740 1.73GMHZ INTEL CPU DOTHAN750 1.87GMHZ INTEL CPU DOTHAN760 2GMHZ INTEL CPU DOTHAN770 2.13GMHZ INTEL KC.NC001.370 KC.NA001.725 KC.N0001.360 KC.NC001.360 KC.NC001.380 KC.N0001.730 KC.N0001.740 KC.N0001.750 KC.N0001.760 KC.N0001.770 WIRELESS ANTENNA BLUETOOTH ANTENNA 25.90225.001 50.4C505.001 KO.02403.007 KO.02404.005 KO.02409.006 KO.0240A.004

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

DVD-RW DRIVE 8X DUAL LITEON SOSW-833S W/O BEZEL DVD-RW DRIVE 8X DUAL PIONEER DVR-K15RA W/O BEZEL DVD-RW DRIVE 8X DUAL TOSHIBA TS-L532U W/O BEZEL DVD-RW DRIVE 8X DUAL HLDS GWA-4082N W/O BEZEL DVD-RW DRIVE DUAL PHILIPS SDVD8441 W/O BEZEL
KU.00804.012 KU.00805.012 KU.00801.005 KU.0080D.016 KU.00809.002

FAN 4 FAN 23.10122.001

HARD DISK DRIVE 9 HDD MODULE 40G 65.4E102.001

HDD BRACKET

60.4E107.001
HDD 40G 4200PRM SEAGATE ST94019A HDD 40G TOSHIBA MK4025GAS HDD 40G HITACHI HTS424040M9AT00 HDD 40G WD WD400UE-00HCT0 HDD 40G SAMSUNG MP0402H HDD MODULE 60G HDD BRACKET HDD 60G SEAGATE ST960821A HDD 60G TOSHIBA MK6025GAS HDD 60G HITACHI C25N060ATMR04 HDD MODULE 80G HDD BRACKET HDD 80G TOSHIBA MK8025GAS HDD 80G HITACHI IC25N080ATMR04
KH.04001.010 KH.04004.005 KH.04007.012 KH.04008.020 KH.0400B.002 65.4E101.001 60.4E107.001 KH.06001.002 KH.06004.004 KH.06007.006 65.4E103.001 60.4E107.001 KH.08004.003 KH.08007.007
HEATSINK N/A CPU HEATSINK W/O FAN 60.4E114.001
8 LCD MODULE 15" XGA 65.4E106.001
INVERTER BOARD 15.4" DARFON

19.21066.002

LCD BRACKET 15" RIGHT Note: The image displays LCD bracket right and left.

33.4C503.001

LCD BRACKET 15" LEFT Note: The image displays LCD bracket right and left.

33.4C504.001

Notebook Manager hotkey 16 num lock on indicator 12
Video 25 Resolutions 26 Video controller 20
Online Support Information 110
Panel Bottom 11 right 10 PC Card 12, 26 PCMCIA 26 Power Management 29 Power System Check 68 Battery Pack 70 Power Adapter 69
Removing the Battery Pack 50
Second Level Cache 20 speakers hotkey 16 Standby Mode 29 System Check Procedures 67 System Diagnostic Diskette 43 System Memory 21 System Utilities 32 System Utility Diskette 43
Temperature 29 Test Compatible Components 104 Touchpad 20 touchpad hotkey 16 Touchpad Check Index

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 22.

Caution

Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the manufacturer could void the user's authority, which is granted by the Federal Communications Commission, to operate this computer.

Operation conditions

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. Users are requested to follow the RF safety instructions for wireless option devices that are included in the user's manual of each RF option device. An improper installation or unauthorized use may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Also, any tampering of the internal antenna will void the FCC certification and your warranty. To prevent radio interference to the licensed service, this device is intended to be operated indoors, and installation outdoors is subject to licensing. For more information about our products, services, and support information, please visit our website: http://global.acer.com.
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 An Aspire tour Front view Closed front view Left view Right view Rear view Base view Specifications Indicators Easy-launch buttons Touchpad Touchpad basics Using the keyboard Lock keys and embedded numeric keypad Windows keys Hotkeys Special keys Ejecting the optical (CD or DVD) drive tray Using a computer security lock Audio Adjusting the volume Using the system utilities Acer eManager Acer GridVista (dual-display compatible) Launch Manager Norton AntiVirus Frequently asked questions Requesting service International Travelers Warranty (ITW) Before you call

Closed front view

Item Speakers Bluetooth communication button/indicator Wireless communication button/indicator Microphone/ line-in jack
Description Left and right speakers deliver stereo audio output. Press to enable/disable the Bluetooth function. Indicates the status of Bluetooth communication. Press to enable/disable the wireless function. Indicates the status of WLAN communication. Accepts audio line-in devices (e.g., audio CD player, stereo walkman).
Headphones/ Connects to audio line-out devices speakers/line-out jack (e.g., speakers, headphones). Battery indicator Lights when the battery is being charged.
Item Power indicator Latch
Description Lights when the computer is on. Locks and releases the lid.

Left view

Item Three USB 2.0 ports PC Card slot PC Card slot eject button
Description Connect to USB 2.0 devices (e.g., USB mouse, USB camera). Accepts one Type II PC Card. Ejects the PC Card from the slot.

Right view

Item Optical drive Optical drive eject button Emergency eject hole
Description Internal optical drive; accepts CDs or DVDs depending on the optical drive type. Ejects the optical drive tray from the drive. Ejects the optical drive tray when the computer is turned off.

Rear view

Description
Kensington lock slot Connects to a Kensington-compatible computer security lock. DC-in jack Ethernet (RJ-45) port Connects to an AC adapter. Connects to a Fast Ethernet network.
Modem (RJ-11) port Connects to a phone line. USB 2.0 port External display (VGA) port Ventilation slots Connects to USB 2.0 devices (e.g., USB mouse, USB camera). Connects to a display device (e.g., external monitor, LCD projector). Enable the computer to stay cool, even after prolonged use.

Base view

Item Memory bay Battery lock Battery release latch Battery bay Cooling fan
Description Houses the computer's main memory. Locks the battery in place. Releases the battery for removal. Houses the computer's battery pack. Helps keep the computer cool. Note: Do not cover or obstruct the opening of the fan.
Wireless LAN and Houses the computer's WLAN and hard disk (secured hard disk bay with screws).

Specifications

Operating system Platform Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition (Service Pack 2) Microsoft Windows XP Professional (Service Pack 2) Processor: Intel Celeron M processor 360/370/380 (1 MB L2 cache, 1.40/1.50/1.60 GHz, 400 MHz FSB) Intel Pentium M processor 725A (2 MB L2 cache, 1.60 GHz, 400 MHz FSB)
Chipset: Intel 910GML System memory Display and graphics 256/512 MB of DDRmemory, upgradeable to 2 GB using two soDIMM modules 15" XGA color TFT LCD, 1024 x 768 resolution 15.4" WXGA color TFT LCD, 1280 x 800 resolution 15.4" WXGA Acer CrystalBrite color TFT LCD, 1280 x 800 resolution 16.7 million colors Intel GMA 900 graphics with up to 128 MB of shared memory, supporting Microsoft DirectX 9.0 Dual independent display support MPEG-2/DVD hardware-assisted capability Storage subsystem 40/60/80 GB ATA/100 hard disk drive Optical drive options: DVD-Dual double-layer drive DVD/CD-RW combo drive 363 (W) x 275 (D) x 24/32.9 (H) mm (14.29 x 10.83 x 0.94/1.3 inches) 2.74 kg (6.04 lbs.) for 15" LCD model 2.75 kg (6.06 lbs.) for 15.4" LCD model ACPI 2.0 power management standard: supports Standby and Hibernation power-saving modes 29.6 or 65 W Li-ion battery pack 2.5-hour rapid charge, 3.5-hour charge-in-use 65 W AC adapter 88-/89-key keyboard Built-in touchpad with 4-way scroll button Four easy-launch buttons Two front-access buttons: WLAN LED-button and Bluetooth LED-button Audio Audio system with two built-in speakers Sound Blaster Pro and MS-Sound compatible Built-in microphone

19 For more information, open Acer eManager, click on the appropriate application and select the Help function.
Note: If your computer did not come with a Recovery CD or System CD, please use Acer eRecovery's "System backup to optical disk" feature to burn a backup image to CD or DVD. To ensure the best results when recovering your system using a CD or Acer eRecovery, detach all peripherals (except the external Acer ODD, if your computer has one).
Acer GridVista (dual-display compatible)
Note: This feature is only available on certain models. To enable the dual monitor feature of your notebook, first ensure that the second monitor is connected, then, select Start, Control Panel, Display and click on Settings. Select the secondary monitor (2) icon in the display box and then click the check box Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor. Finally, click Apply to confirm the new settings and click OK to complete the process.
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. You may choose any one of the four display settings indicated below:
Double (vertical), Triple (primary at left), Triple (primary at right), or Quad
20 Acer Gridvista is dual-display compatible, allowing two displays to be partitioned independently. Acer GridVista is simple to set up: 3 Run Acer GridVista and select your preferred screen configuration for each display from the taskbar. Drag and drop each window into the appropriate grid. Enjoy the convenience of a well-organized desktop.
Note: Please ensure that the resolution setting of your second monitor is set to the manufacturer's recommended value.

Launch Manager

Launch Manager allows you to set the four easy-launch buttons located above the keyboard. "Easy-launch buttons" on page 9 for the location of the easylaunch buttons.
21 You can access the Launch Manager by clicking on Start, All Programs, and then Launch Manager to start the application.

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 volume control buttons to adjust the volume. See "Hotkeys" on page 13 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.
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 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 (e.g. HyperTerminal), you need to set up your location: 3 Click on Start, Settings, Control Panel. Double-click on Phone and Modem Options. Click on Dialing Rules and begin setting up your location.
Refer to the Windows manual.
Note: Please note, on first booting your notebook, that you can skip the Internet Connection setup, as it is not necessary to complete the installation of your Operating System. After the Operating System is set up, you can proceed with the Internet Connection setup.
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. (Your C: drive will be reformatted and all data will be erased.) It is important to back up all data files before using this option. Before performing a restore operation, please check the BIOS settings. 3 Check to see if Acer disk-to-disk recovery is enabled or not. Make sure the D2D Recovery setting in Main is Enabled. Exit the BIOS utility and save changes. The system will reboot.

DVD settings

There are two types of DVD settings: "Video" and "Language." Click the appropriate button to open its settings page.
The Video settings control the video output of DVDs/VCDs. Hardware acceleration takes advantage of the special processing power of some graphics cards to reduce CPU loading when playing back DVDs and video files. If you have problems with video quality, try turning this option Off. Select an output type:
4:3 Standard or 16:9 Widescreen according to your display preferences. The Letterbox option displays widescreen movie content in its original aspect ratio and adds black bars at the top and bottom of the screen. The Pan & Scan feature is for DVD titles with a widescreen aspect ratio. Acer CinemaVision is a nonlinear video stretching technology that produces minimal distortion in the center of the picture. Stretch stretches the video display to the size of the display screen. The "Color profile" option allows you to select from a list of color configurations to change the overall color of the video content during playback. "Original" uses the color scheme of the disk you are watching, while "Vivid," "Bright" and "Theater" add enhanced color to the video display. Acer ClearVision is a video enhancement technology that detects video content and dynamically adjusts the brightness/contrast/saturation levels so that you do not need to change the color settings if the movie you are watching contains scenes that are overly dark or too bright. Click Restore to factory settings to return the settings to their default values.

Language

The "Language settings" control the audio and subtitle output of DVDs/VCDs. "Subtitle" selects the default subtitle language for DVDs when available. The factory setting is "Off." "Closed caption" turns on the closed captions on DVDs. This function displays captions encoded in the video signal that describe onscreen action and dialog for the hearing impaired. The factory setting is "Off." "Audio" selects the default language for DVD titles.
Acer Arcade lets you view digital photos individually or as a slideshow, from any available drive on your computer. Click the Album button on the Arcade Home page to show the Album main page.
The content area on the right shows both individual pictures and folders. Click on a folder to open it.
32 To view a slideshow, open the folder containing the pictures you wish to view, then click Play slideshow. The slideshow is played full-screen. Use the pop-up control panel to control the slideshow. To rotate a picture in full-screen, click Rotate right or Rotate left. You can also view a single picture by clicking on it. This opens the picture full-screen.

Slideshow settings

To change slideshow settings, click the Settings button on the Album page. "Slide duration" determines how long each slide is shown before automatically advancing to the next picture in the slideshow. "Transition effects" sets the style of transition used between pictures. To add background music to a slideshow, set the "Play music during slideshow" option to "Yes." The Select Music page will ask you to choose music from your personal music library. Click Restore to factory settings to return your settings to their default values.
To open the Video function, click Video on the Arcade Home page.
Note: The Video feature is designed to play back MPEG1, MPEG2 (if a DVD drive is installed), AVI, WMV and ASF formats. If you want to watch a DVD or VCD, use the "Cinema" function. Two options are shown on the Video page: "Video Play" or "Video Edit."

Playing a video file

Click Video Play to watch video files. The Video page shows the video files in the content area on the right side. They are organized by folders and a thumbnail image shows the first frame of the video. To play a video file, click on it. The video will play full-screen. The pop-up control panel will appear at the bottom of the screen when you move the mouse. To return to the Video page, click Stop.

Video authoring

Click the Video Authoring button to open the PowerProducer program, which allows you to finalize your digital video productions and burn them to disk. Before you produce your movie using PowerProducer, first gather (or create) its component parts: video clips, photos, and background music. You may collect raw footage yourself with a camcorder or other recording device, or you may simply use files that you have on hand; including movies you have already created in a video editing program. When your movie is ready for production, use PowerProducer, which offers basic video editing tools. PowerProducer's production functions include:
burns CDs, DVDs, VCDs, SVCDs and editable DVDs erases rewritable disks that contain unwanted content copies disks defragments disks for appending video content burns DV content straight to DVD sets chapters within video content adds background music to videos and menus offers custom menu layouts for buttons, frames and backgrounds captures from DVD, firewire devices, analog capture cards, USB devices and files
For help with authoring video, refer to PowerProducer's online help system.
For convenient access to your music collection, click Music on the Arcade homepage to open the Music homepage. Select the folder or CD that contains the music you want to listen to. Click Play to listen to the entire content from the beginning, or select the song that you want to hear from the list in the content area. The songs in the folder are shown in the content area, while the left side has controls for "Play," "Random," and "Repeat all." The Visualize option allows you to watch computer generated visualizations while you listen to music. When playing music, the control panel at the bottom of the page makes it easy to adjust the volume and control playback. To rip music from a CD, click Rip CD. In the page that opens, select the songs you would like to rip (or click Select or Clear all), then click Rip now.

Burner

NTI CD/DVD-Maker simplifies today's digital lifestyle by providing an easy and complete solution for recording data, audio, photos or video. Now you can burn and share anything on CD/DVD your data, music, photos or videos faster and easier than ever before.
Copy Back up your CD/DVD collection
Make backup copies of (non-copy-protected) CDs and DVDs with just a few clicks of your mouse.
Audio Create your own greatest hits CDs
Create better sounding music in a snap. Burn your favorite songs to CD so you can listen to them on any CD player. Convert songs from your music collection to MP3 and other popular audio formats. Even create MP3 CDs with over 100 of your favorite songs and listen to them on your PC or MP3 CD player.
Data Store files simply and easily
Copy your computer's hard disk files for easy recovery in the event of a crash. Archiving your data on CD/DVD eliminates the need for extra hard disks.
Video Your world in pictures
Turn digital photos into a slideshow VCD with background music that can be played by most DVD players. Bring new life to your video clips and share any event with your friends and family for playback on most DVD players. You can even add customized menus to Video CDs and Super Video CDs. For specific details about each of these options, consult the User's Guide or click the Help button to open NTI CD/DVD-Maker's help menu.

File type compatibility

Mode Cinema Video Album Music Supported DVD, SVCD, VCD, MiniDVD Not supported DTS, Linear PCM, TruSurroundXT, SRS, DVD audio
ASF, WMV, AVI, MPEG1/2, DivX DVD navigator, SVCD, M2V, (requires CODEC) MOV, Flash BMP, JPG, PNG MP3, WMA, WAV, CDA (audio CD) GIF, TIF, PSD, ICO DVD audio, SACD
Note: Automatic media detection will only function under the main menu.
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: 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.

Preparing the computer

Before moving the computer, close and latch the display cover to place it in Sleep mode. You can now safely take the computer anywhere you go within the building. To bring the computer out of Sleep mode, open the display; then press and release the power button. If you are taking the computer to a client's office or a different building, you may choose to shut down the computer: Click on Start, Turn Off Computer, then click on Turn Off (Windows XP). Or: You can put the computer in Sleep mode by pressing <Fn> + <F4>. Then close and latch the display. When you are ready to use the computer again, unlatch and open the display; then press and release the power button.
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.
What to bring to meetings
If your meeting is relatively short, you probably do not need to bring anything with you other than your computer. If your meeting will be longer, or if your battery is not fully charged, you may want to bring the AC adapter with you to plug in your computer in the meeting room. If the meeting room does not have an electrical outlet, reduce the drain on the battery by putting the computer in Sleep mode. Press <Fn> + <F4> or close the display cover whenever you are not actively using the computer. To resume, open the display (if closed), then press and release the power button.

Taking the computer home

When you are moving from your office to your home or vice versa.
After disconnecting the computer from your desktop, follow these steps to prepare the computer for the trip home:
Check that you have removed all media and compact disks from the drive(s). Failure to remove the media can damage the drive head. Pack the computer in a protective case that can prevent the computer from sliding around and cushion it if it should fall.
Caution: Avoid packing items next to the top cover of the computer. Pressure against the top cover can damage the screen.

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
Follow the same special considerations as when traveling with the computer. In addition, these tips are useful when traveling internationally:
When traveling in another country, check that the local AC voltage and the AC adapter power cord specifications are compatible. If not, purchase a power cord that is compatible with the local AC voltage. Do not use converter kits sold for appliances to power the computer. If you are using the modem, check if the modem and connector is compatible with the telecommunications system of the country you are traveling in.

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.
A security keylock notch, located on the chassis of the computer, lets you connect a Kensington-compatible computer 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. Some keyless models are also available.

Using passwords

Passwords protect your computer from unauthorized access. Setting these passwords creates several different levels of protection for your computer and data:
Supervisor Password prevents unauthorized entry into the BIOS utility. Once set, you must enter this password to gain access to the BIOS utility. See "BIOS utility" on page 45. User Password secures your computer against unauthorized use. Combine the use of this password with password checkpoints on boot-up and resume from Hibernation for maximum security. Password on Boot secures your computer against unauthorized use. Combine the use of this password with password checkpoints on boot-up and resume from Hibernation for maximum security.
Important! Do not forget your Supervisor Password! If you forget your password, please get in touch with your dealer or an authorized service center.

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 <F2> to enter the BIOS utility at boot-up. Type the Supervisor Password and press <Enter> to access the BIOS utility. If you enter the password incorrectly, a warning message appears. Try again and press <Enter>. When the User Password is set and the password on boot parameter is enabled, a prompt appears at boot-up. Type the User Password and press <Enter> to use the computer. If you enter the password incorrectly, a warning message appears. Try again and press <Enter>.

Important! You have three chances to enter a password. If you fail to enter the password correctly after three tries, the system halts. Press and hold the power button for four seconds to shut down the computer. Then turn on the computer again, and try again.

Setting passwords

You can set passwords using the BIOS utility.
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

Your computer has a built-in V.Kbps fax/data modem.
Warning! This modem port is not compatible with digital phone lines. Plugging this modem into a digital phone line will damage the modem. To use the fax/data modem port, connect a phone cable from the modem port to a telephone jack.
Warning! Please make sure that the cable you use is appropriate for the country in which you are working.

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.
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.

PC Card slot

The Type II PC Card slot of the computer accepts PC Cards that enhance the usability and expandability of the computer. These cards should have a PC Card logo on them. PC Cards (formerly PCMCIA) are add-on cards for portable computers, giving you expansion possibilities long afforded by desktop PCs. Popular PC Cards include flash, fax/data modem, wireless LAN and SCSI cards. CardBus improves on the 16-bit PC card technology by expanding the bandwidth to 32 bits.
Note: Refer to your card's manual for details on how to install and use the card, and its functions.

Inserting a PC Card

Insert the card into the slot and make the proper connections (e.g., network cable), if necessary. See your card manual for details.

Ejecting a PC Card

Before ejecting a PC Card: 3 Exit the application using the card. Left-click on the PC Card icon on the taskbar and stop the card operation. Press the slot eject button to pop out the eject button; then press it again to eject the card.

Installing memory

Follow these steps to install memory: 3 Turn off the computer, unplug the AC adapter (if connected) and remove the battery pack. Then turn the computer over to access its base. Remove the screws from the memory cover; then lift up and remove the memory cover. (a) Insert the memory module diagonally into the slot, then (b) gently press it down until it clicks into place.

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. This computer employs a power management scheme that supports the advanced configuration and power interface (ACPI), which allows for maximum power conservation and maximum performance at the same time. Windows handles all power-saving chores for your computer.

Acer eRecovery

Acer eRecovery is a tool to quickly backup and restore the system. You can create and save a backup of the current system configuration to hard disk, CD or DVD. Acer eRecovery consists of the following functions: 5 Create backup Restore from backup Create factory default image CD Re-install bundled software without CD Change Acer eRecovery password
This chapter will guide you through each process.
Note: This feature is only available on certain models. For systems that do not have a built-in optical disk burner, plug in an external USB or IEEE 1394-compatible optical disk burner before entering Acer eRecovery for optical disk-related tasks.

Create backup

You can create and save backup images to hard disk, CD or DVD. Boot to Windows XP Press <Alt> + <F10> to open the Acer eRecovery utility. Enter the password to proceed. The default password is six zeros. In the Acer eRecovery window, select Recovery settings and click Next. In the Recovery settings window, select Backup snapshot image and click Next. Select the backup method. a b 7 Use Backup to HDD to store the backup disk image on drive D:. Backup to optical device to store the backup image on CD or DVD.
After choosing the backup method, click Next.
Follow the instructions on screen to complete the process.

Restore from backup

You can restore backups previously created (as stated in the Create backup section) from hard disk, CD or DVD. 5 Boot to Windows XP. Press <Alt> + <F10> to open the Acer eRecovery utility. Enter the password to proceed. The default password is six zeros. In the Acer eRecovery window, select Recovery actions and click Next. Select the desired restore action and follow the onscreen instructions to complete the restore process.
Note: The "Restore C:" item is enabled only if there is a user backup stored on the hard disk (D:\). Please refer to the Create backup section.
Create factory default image CD
When the System CD and Recovery CD are not available, you can create them by using this feature. 3 Boot to Windows XP. Press <Alt> + <F10> to open the Acer eRecovery utility. Enter the password to proceed. The default password is six zeros.

Error messages

If you receive an error message, note the message and take the corrective action. The following table lists the error messages in alphabetical order together with the recommended course of action. Error messages CMOS battery bad CMOS checksum error Disk boot failure Equipment configuration error Hard disk 0 error Hard disk 0 extended type error I/O parity error Keyboard error or no keyboard connected Keyboard interface error Memory size mismatch Corrective action Contact your dealer or an authorized service center. Contact your dealer or an authorized service center. Insert a system (bootable) disk into the floppy drive (A:), then press <Enter> to reboot. Press <F2> (during POST) to enter the BIOS utility, then press Exit in the BIOS utility to reboot. Contact your dealer or an authorized service center. Contact your dealer or an authorized service center. Contact your dealer or an authorized service center. Contact your dealer or an authorized service center. Contact your dealer or an authorized service center. Press <F2> (during POST) to enter the BIOS utility, then press Exit in the BIOS utility to reboot.
51 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.
Regulations and safety notices
ENERGY STAR guidelines compliance
As an ENERGY STAR partner, Acer Inc. has determined that this product meets the ENERGY STAR guidelines for energy efficiency.

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. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this device does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the device off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures: Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. Increase the separation between the device and receiver. Connect the device into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected. Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/television technician for help.

Some parameters required for compliance with Telecom's Telepermit requirements are dependent on the equipment (PC) associated with this device. In order to operate within the limits for compliance with Telecom's specifications, the associated equipment shall be set to ensure that automatic calls to different numbers are spaced such that there is not less than 5 seconds between the end of one call attempt and the beginning of another. This equipment shall not be set up to make automatic calls to Telecom's 111 Emergency Service. 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. Above all, it provides no assurance that any item will work correctly in all respects with another item of Telepermitted equipment of a different make or model, nor does it imply that any product is compatible with all of Telecom's network services. This equipment is not capable, under all operating conditions, of correct operation at the higher speeds for which it is designed. Telecom will accept no responsibility should difficulties arise in such circumstances.
For modem with approval number PTC 211/01/030 1

Notice for New Zealand

This device is equipped with pulse dialing while the Telecom standard is DTMF tone dialing. There is no guarantee that Telecom lines will always continue to support pulse dialing. Use of pulse dialing, when this equipment is connected to the same line as other equipment, may give rise to bell tinkle or noise and may also cause a false answer condition. Should such problems occur, the user should NOT contact the telecom Fault Service. This equipment may not provide for the effective hand-over of a call to another device connected to the same line. Under power failure conditions this appliance may not operate. Please ensure that a separate telephone, not dependent on local power, is available for emergency use. Some parameters required for compliance with Telecom's Telepermit requirements are dependent on the equipment (PC) associated with this device. The associated equipment shall be set to operate within the following limits for compliance with Telecom's specifications, the associated equipment shall be set to ensure that calls are answered between 3 and 30 seconds of receipt of ringing. This equipment shall not be set up to make automatic calls to Telecom's 111 Emergency Service.