Acer Aspire ELD User manual

Did you know your Acer Aspire comes with incredible
multimedia software that was designed to show you all the
cool stuff your computer can do? This book is your handy
desktop reference for your Acer Aspire. For more
information, access the online guide.
(P.S. -If you’re reading this because you’re having trouble with your
computer, check the “Need Help?” section in this book.)
Hey!
Wait
a minute

Copyright
Acer and the Acer logo are registered trademarks and Aspire is a trademark of Acer Inc. and Acer America
Corporation.
Microsoft Windows and the Windows Logo are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Intel and
Pentium are registered trademarks of Intel Corp. All other brands/product names are trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective companies.
© 2001 by Acer Incorporated. All rights reserved.
Printed in China
First printing: November 2001

iii
Welcome v
Before You Start . . . vi
Safety Instructions vi
Proper Setup and Placement Tips ix
Introducing your Aspire 1
The System 1
The Mouse 5
The Keyboard 6
The Monitor 10
The Speakers 11
Drives on Your Computer 12
Your Data/Fax Modem 17
Connecting an Optional Printer 18
Connecting an Optional Serial Device 19
Connecting an Optional Joystick or MIDI Device 20
Getting the most from your Aspire Audio System 21
Playing an Audio CD 21
Adjusting the Volume 21
Adding Options to your Aspire 23
Opening/Closing Your Aspire 23
Connecting USB Devices 26
Need Help? 27
Troubleshooting -General 27
Troubleshooting -Error Messages 30
Additional Acer Services 32
Notices 33
Table
of Contents

iv

v
Welcome and thank you for
purchasing an Aspire computer. You are now the owner of a
multimedia computer system! Already installed on your system and
ready to go are software programs designed to enable you to:
•Create personal documents
•Access the Internet and send and receive emails
•Use your computer as a fax machine
•Play audio CDs while you’re working
and tons more!
Whether you’ve owned a computer before or not, your Aspire was
designed to improve the way you work and to serve your needs now
and into the future.

vi
Before You Start . . .
Make sure you read this section carefully for proper
placement and important Safety Instructions on the use and
care of your new computer. Please save these instructions
for future reference.
Safety Instructions
•Follow all warnings and instructions marked on the
product.
•Unplug this product from the wall outlet before
cleaning. Do not use liquid cleaners or aerosol
cleaners. Use a cloth mildly dampened with water for
cleaning.
•Do not use this product in or near water.
•Do not place this product on an unstable cart, stand,
or table. The product may fall, causing serious damage
to the product.
•Slots and openings in the cabinet and the back or
bottom 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.
•This product should be operated from the type of
power indicated on the marking label. If you are not
sure of the type of power available, consult your dealer
or local power company.
•This product is equipped with a 3-wire grounding-type
plug, a plug having a third (grounding) pin. This plug
will only fit into a grounding-type power outlet. This is
a safety feature. If you are unable to insert the plug into
the outlet, contact your electrician to replace your
obsolete outlet. Do not defeat the purpose of the
grounding-type plug.

vii
•Do not allow anything to rest on the power cord.
Do not locate this product where persons will walk
on the cord.
•If an extension cord is used with this product, make
sure that the total ampere rating of the equipment
plugged into the extension cord does not exceed the
extension cord ampere rating. Also, make sure that
the total rating of all products plugged into the wall
outlet does not exceed 15 amperes.
•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 on the product.
•Do not attempt to service this product yourself;
opening or removing covers may expose you to
dangerous voltage points or other risks. Refer all
servicing to qualified service personnel. Service by
persons other than Acer authorized service
providers may void your warranty.
•Unplug this product from the wall outlet and refer
servicing to qualified service personnel under the
following conditions:
a When the power cord or plug is damaged or frayed.
b If liquid has been spilled into the product.
c If the product has been exposed to rain or water.
d If the product does not operate normally when the
operating instructions are followed. Adjust only
those controls that are covered by the operating
instructions since improper adjustment of other
controls may result in damage and will often require
extensive work by a qualified technician to restore
the product to normal condition.
e If the product has been dropped or the cabinet has
been damaged.
f If the product exhibits a distinct change in
performance, indicating a need for service.
•Replace battery with the same type as the product’s
battery we recommend. Use of another battery may
present a risk of fire or explosion. Refer battery
replacement to qualified service personnel.

viii
•Warning! Battery may explode if not handled properly.
Do not recharge, disassemble or dispose of in fire. Keep
away from children and dispose of used battery
promptly.
•Use only the proper type of power supply cord set
(provided in your keyboard/manual accessories box)
for this unit. It should be a detachable type: UL listed/
CSA certified, type SVT/SJT, rated 6A 125V minimum,
VDE approved or its equivalent. Maximum length is
15 feet (4.6 meters).
•Always unplug the computer and monitor before
opening the housing or adjusting connections or
cables.
•Use power strips with surge protection to protect your
computer in the event of a power surge, due to severe
weather such as a thunderstorm.

ix
Proper Setup and Placement Tips
It’s important that your computer be set up correctly and
according to your own comfort and ergonomic needs.
The following tips should make your workstation a
comfortable and healthy place:
Monitor Level. Position your computer so that it is at
arm’s length away and the top third of the monitor
viewing area is at eye level. This helps prevent eye and
neck strain. To further reduce eye strain, close your eyes
and refocus on something other than your computer
screen at least twice an hour. Most monitors come
standard with a detachable tilt-and-swivel base and
adjustable, rear-mounted foot, which allow you to
position the monitor exactly where you want it.
You r S ea t . If you plan to use your Aspire computer for
extended periods (for example, in a home office
environment), select a highly adjustable office chair with a
five-pronged base. The seat and chair back should be
adjustable, while you’re sitting in the chair, for height and
tilt, and forward/backward positioning, and the lumbar
area of the back should be supported by the chair
adjustments or a cushion. Arm rests should conform to
your elbow height and shoulder width and should be
used for support. For maximum comfort, vary positions
frequently throughout the day. Observe good posture
when seated, keep your head centered over your
shoulders and, just like your mother always told you,
don’t slump over your work.
Anti-Glare Coating. Some monitor screens are
constructed with a special anti-glare coating, which
minimizes reflections that cause eye strain and
discomfort. To further reduce eye strain, close your eyes
and refocus on something other than your computer
screen at least twice an hour.

x
Task Lighting . When room lighting is dimmed, there may
be insufficient light on documents or reference materials for
comfortable reading. A well-lit room or a few directional,
adjustable task lights will allow you to see your monitor
screen and other materials clearly, and with the least
amount of strain.
Hand and Wrist. Keep your wrists straight and your
forearms parallel to the floor while you are typing. If you use
a wrist rest, use it only briefly for resting. Do not rest your
hands on the table or on the wrist rest while you are typing.
During long periods of typing, frequent breaks are
recommended.

1
The System
No. Description
1Speaker/Headphone-out port
2CD-ROM/DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive
activity indicator
3CD-ROM/DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive
emergency eject hole
4CD-ROM/DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive
Stop/Eject button
5 Acer GoTo drive bay keylock
6 Acer GoTo drive activity indicator
7 Acer GoTo drive (optional)
8Powerindicator
9 LAN activity indicator
10 Hard disk activity indicator
Introducing
your Aspire

2
Setting Up Your Aspire
Refer to the Aspire Easy Setup poster included in your
system box for details on how to set up your computer.
Turning on your Aspire
1 Turn on all peripherals connected to your computer
such as the monitor, printer, fax, speakers, etc.
2 On your computer’s rear panel, set the voltage selector
switch 1to the voltage range applicable in your area (a)
then turn on the main power switch (b).
Note: For models with no voltage selector switch
and main power switch, proceed to step 3.
No. Description
11 Power button
12 3.5-inch floppy drive eject button
13 3.5-inch floppy drive
14 3.5-inch floppy drive activity indicator
15 CD/DVD compartment
16 Front USB ports
17 Front microphone-in port
18 Speaker/Headphone-out port
19 Memory Stick slot (optional)
20 Multimedia port bay cover
1Applies to selected models only.

3
3 On the front panel of your computer, press the
power button.
When the computer finishes booting, it is now ready
for use.

4
Important: Make sure that the power cable is
properly plugged in into an electrical outlet. If you
are using a power strip or an AVR (Auto-Voltage
Regulator), make sure that it is plugged in and
turned on.
Turning off your Aspire
Option 1: Quickstart OFF. Your Aspire will continue to run
in the Quickstart OFF condition. It will appear that it is OFF.
When you press the power button to switch your Aspire to
the fully ON condition, it will do so in only a few seconds.
Option 2: Traditional OFF. If you want your Aspire to
completely power OFF (if you need to unplug it):
1 Click on the Start button on the taskbar.
2 Click on Shut Down.
3 Click on Shut Down the Computer and click Yes. Your
computer will guide you through saving any open files
and then will shut down Windows Me. Your computer
will then turn off all computer power automatically.
You will have to manually turn off your monitor after
you see the computer power go off.

5
The Mouse
The mouse uses a cursor called a pointer. Pointers come
in many different shapes but are most commonly shaped
like an arrow.
Your mouse has two buttons: a left button and a right
button. Quickly pressing and releasing one of these
buttons is called clicking. Sometimes you will need to
double-click or click the same button twice quickly.
In this manual, click means to position your mouse point
on an icon and to single click the left button. When a
right-click is required, this is stated clearly. Double-click
also refers to the left button.
The ratchet wheel in between the two buttons is added
to provide easier scrolling capability. By simply moving
the wheel with your index finger, you can quicky move
through multiple pages, line, or windows. The wheel may
also function as a third button allowing you to quickly
click or double-click an icon or a selected item.
Note: If you are left-handed, please refer to
your Windows Me manual for instructions on
how to set up your mouse for left-handed use.
Ratchet Wheel Right Button
Left Button
Pointer movement on the
screen is controlled by the
movement of a small ball on
the bottom of the mouse.
Using a mouse pad under
your mouse will help to keep
the internal parts of the
mouse clean. A dirty mouse
results in jerky pointer
movement and difficulty
getting the pointer where you
want it on screen.
To clean your mouse:
1 Turn the mouse upside
down.
2 Remove the ring
holding the ball in
place by turning it
counterclockwise.
3 Using a lint-free cloth
or a cotton swab
dipped in rubbing
alcohol, clean all
moving parts.
4 Insert the ball back into
the mouse, making
sure to turn the ring
clockwise.
Caring for your
mouse

6
The Keyboard
The way keys are used varies from program to program. Here
are some of the most common uses:
No. Component Function
1Functionkeys
(F1 -F12)
Numbered F1 through F12,
each will perform a specific
and well-defined function,
should an application use
them.
2 Caps Lock Locks the capital letters in
place. Pressing it again will
take the Caps Lock off. (A
Caps Lock indicator light
will turn on when the Caps
Lock is on.)
3 Windows logo key Brings up the Windows
Start menu.
4 Application key Displays drop-down menus
from icons (same as right
click) and currently active
applications.
5 Cursor Arrow keys Move the cursor in the
directions that the arrows
point.

7
6Palmrest
(detachable)
Provides a comfortable
place to rest your hands
while typing.
7 Num Lock When the Num Lock/Num
Pad key is on, the keys on
the numeric key pad can be
used for entering numbers.
When it’s off, these keys
become arrow keys, page up
and page down keys as
indicated on the bottom
half of the key.
8 Scroll Lock When activated, the screen
moves one line up or down
when you press the up
arrow or down arrow
respectively. Take note that
Scroll Lock may not work
with some applications.
9Volumecontrol/
Mute knob
Controls the speaker
volume. Press to mute.
10 Audio controls Controls audio playback.
Play/Pause starts
playing the audio or video
file. Press again to pause.
Stop stops playing the
audio or video file.
Forward skips forward
to the next file and start
playing.
Backward skips
backward to the previous
file and start playing.
No. Component Function

8
11 Internet/Suspend
keys
Consist of three buttons:
Email starts up the
email program.
Web Connection
starts up the Internet
browser.
Suspend puts your
computer into sleep
mode.
12 Programmable
keys
Launches assigned
programs.
No. Component Function

9
Below are other keyboard keys which can help you
perform your tasks:
•Esc key. Exits the current action, screen, or program.
•Tab key. Moves the cursor over a set number of
spaces in word processing software. In other types
of programs, it moves the cursor from one field (an
area on the screen where data can be entered) to the
next.
•Enter key. Starts a new paragraph in word
processing. In other programs, it accepts data
entered or shows that an action is complete.
•Shift key. Pressing this key while typing a letter or
symbol key will give you the capital letter or symbol
on the top of the key.
•Insert key. When activated, inserts data vs. typing
over/replacing it.
•Delete key. Will delete data that is highlighted or to
the right of the cursor.
•Home key. Takes you to the beginning of a line.
•End key. Takes you to the end of a line.
•Page Up / Page Down keys. Move you up or down
a screen at a time.
•Backspace key. Is similar to the delete key above,
but it will delete one character at a time to the left of
the cursor.
•Alt and Ctrl keys. Have varying functions on their
own or when used with other keys, depending on
the software being used.

10
The Monitor
Connect a monitor by simply plugging the monitor cable
into the monitor/VGA port located on the back of your
computer.
Note: Refer to the manual that came with your
Aspire monitor for more information on the
monitor features.