Acer Veriton 3900 User manual

Veriton Series
User's Guide

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.
Model number: __________________________________
Serial number: ___________________________________
Purchase date: ___________________________________
Place of purchase: ________________________________
Copyright © 2006. Acer Incorporated.
All Rights Reserved.
Veriton Series User's Guide
Original Issue: 08 / 2006
Veriton Series Desktop Computer
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.

i
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.
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.
Using electrical power
•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.
•Do not allow anything to rest on the power cord. Do not locate this
product where people 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 the fuse
rating.
•Do not overload a power outlet, strip or receptacle by plugging in too
many devices. The overall system load must not exceed 80% of the branch

circuit rating. If power strips are used, the load should not exceed 80% of
the power strip's input rating.
•This product's AC adapter is equipped with a three-wire grounded plug.
The plug only fits in a grounded power outlet. Make sure the power outlet
is properly grounded before inserting the AC adapter plug. Do not insert
the plug into a non-grounded power outlet. Contact your electrician for
details.
Warning! The grounding pin is a safety feature. Using a power
outlet that is not properly grounded may result in electric shock
and/or injury.
Note: The grounding pin also provides good protection from
unexpected noise produced by other nearby electrical devices that
may interfere with the performance of this product.
•Use the product only with the supplied power supply cord set. If you need
to replace the power cord set, make sure that the new power cord meets
the following requirements: detachable type, UL listed/CSA certified, type
SPT-2, rated 7 A 125 V minimum, VDE approved or its equivalent, 4.6
meters (15 feet) maximum length.
Product servicing
Do not attempt to service this product yourself, as opening or removing covers
may expose you to dangerous voltage points or other risks. Refer all servicing to
qualified service personnel.
Unplug this product from the wall outlet and refer servicing to qualified service
personnel when:
•the power cord or plug is damaged, cut or frayed
•liquid was spilled into the product
•the product was exposed to rain or water
•the product has been dropped or the case has been damaged
•the product exhibits a distinct change in performance, indicating a need
for service
•the product does not operate normally after following the operating
instructions
Note: 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.

iii
Replacing the battery pack
The notebook uses lithium batteries. Replace the battery with the same type as
that which came bundled with your product. Use of another battery may
present a risk of fire or explosion.
Warning! Batteries may explode if not handled properly. Do not
disassemble or dispose of them in fire. Keep them away from
children. Follow local regulations when disposing of used
batteries.
Telephone line safety
•Disconnect all telephone lines from the equipment when not in use and/or
before servicing.
•To avoid the remote risk of electric shock from lightning, do not connect
the telephone line to this equipment during lightning or thunderstorms.
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.

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.

v
Eyes
•Rest your eyes frequently.
•Give your eyes regular breaks by looking away from the monitor and
focusing on a distant point.
•Blink frequently to keep your eyes from drying out.
Display
•Keep your display clean.
•Keep your head at a higher level than the top edge of the display so your
eyes point downward when looking at the middle of the display.
•Adjust the display brightness and/or contrast to a comfortable level for
enhanced text readability and graphics clarity.
•Eliminate glare and reflections by:
•placing your display in such a way that the side faces the window or
any light source
•minimizing room light by using drapes, shades or blinds
•using a task light
•changing the display's viewing angle
•using a glare-reduction filter
•using a display visor, such as a piece of cardboard extended from the
display's top front edge
•Avoid adjusting your display to an awkward viewing angle.
•Avoid looking at bright light sources, such as open windows, for extended
periods of time.
Developing good work habits
Develop the following work habits to make your computer use more relaxing
and productive:
•Take short breaks regularly and often.
•Perform some stretching exercises.
•Breathe fresh air as often as possible.
•Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy body.
Warning! We do not recommend using the computer on a couch
or bed. If this is unavoidable, work for only short periods, take
breaks regularly, and do some stretching exercises.
Note: For more information, please refer to “Regulations and
safety notices” on page 89 in the AcerSystem User's Guide.

Information for your safety and comfort i
Safety instructions i
Disposal instructions iii
Tips and information for comfortable use iv
Empowering Technology 1
Acer Empowering Technology 3
Empowering Technology password 3
Acer eSettings Management 4
Acer eLock Management 5
Acer eDataSecurity Management 6
Acer ePerformance Management 8
Acer eAcoustics Management 9
Using Acer eAcoustics Management 9
Acer eAcoustics Management Main Page 10
Acer eRecovery Management 11
1 First things first 13
Specifications 15
Package contents 17
Accessing the User's Guide 17
2 System tour 19
Features 21
Performance 21
Multimedia 21
Connectivity 21
Front panel 22
Rear panel 24
Keyboard 27
Internet/Email/Search keys 28
Multimedia keys 28
Volume control/mute keys 29
Lock keys 29
Cursor keys 30
Windows keys 30
Function keys 31
Palm rest 31
Contents

Optical drive 32
Taking care of your CDs and DVDs 35
Hard disk 35
3 Setting up your computer 37
Arranging a comfortable work area 39
Adjusting your chair 39
Positioning your PC 39
Positioning your monitor 40
Positioning your keyboard 40
Positioning your mouse 40
Connecting peripherals 41
Connecting your mouse and keyboard 41
USB interface 41
PS/2 interface 41
Connecting a monitor 42
Connecting the power cable 43
Turning on your computer 44
Turning off your computer 44
Connecting options 45
Connecting your printer 45
Connecting the modem (optional) 46
Connecting to the network 46
Connecting multimedia devices 47
Connecting USB devices 49
4 Upgrading your computer 51
Installation precautions 53
ESD precautions 53
Preinstallation instructions 53
Post-installation instructions 54
Opening your computer 3900Pro 55
To remove the computer cover 55
To replace the computer cover 56
Opening your Veriton 5900Pro 57
To remove the computer cover 57
To replace the computer cover 57
Opening your Veriton 6900Pro/7900Pro 58
To remove the side panel 58

To replace the side panel 59
Upgrading your computer 60
Installing additional memory 60
To remove a DDR2 DIMM 60
To install a DDR2 DIMM 61
To reconfigure your computer 62
Replacing the Veriton 3900Pro's hard disk 62
Installing an expansion card 65
Replacing the Veriton 5900Pro's hard disk 65
Installing an expansion card 66
Replacing the Veriton 69/7900Pro's hard disk 67
Installing an expansion card 68
5 System utilities 69
Adobe Reader 71
NTI CD&DVD-Maker
(for models with CD or DVD Burner) 72
PowerDVD (for models with DVD) 74
How do I open and watch a DVD? 74
BIOS utility 75
Reinstalling programs 75
Recovering your system 76
Using backup (Windows XP only) 82
How do I back up files from my hard drive? 82
Disk defragmenter (Windows XP only) 83
How do I defragment my hard drive? 83
6 Frequently asked questions 85
Frequently asked questions 87
Appendix A: Regulations and safety notices 89
ENERGY STAR guidelines compliance 90
FCC notice 90
Modem notices 91
Laser compliance statement 94
Macrovision copyright protection notice 94
Radio device regulatory notice 94
General 94

European Union (EU) 95
The FCC RF safety requirement 95
Canada — Low-power license-exempt radio
communication devices (RSS-210) 96
Federal Communications Comission
Declaration of Conformity 97
Declaration of Conformity for CE marking 98
Index 99

Empowering
Technology

Acer's innovative Empowering Technology
makes it easy for you to access frequently
used functions and manage your new Acer
desktop.

3
Acer Empowering Technology
Acer's innovative Empowering Technology toolbar makes it easy for you to
access frequently used functions and manage your new Acer computer.
Displayed by default in the upper-right corner of your screen, it features the
following handy utilities:
•Acer eSettings Management accesses system information and adjusts
settings easily.
•Acer eLock Management limits access to external storage media and
interfaces.
•Acer eDataSecurity Management protects data with passwords and
advanced encryption algorithms.
•Acer ePerformance Management improves system performance by
optimizing disk space, memory and registry settings.
•Acer eAcoustics Management offers a useful tool to balance your
computing power needs with your desired level of quietness.
•Acer eRecovery Management backs up and recovers data flexibly, reliably
and completely.
•Acer eProtection Management provides exceptional protection against
viruses and other malware.
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
do not initialize the Empowering Technology password, you will be prompted
to do so when running Acer eLock Management or Acer eRecovery
Management for the first time.
If you lose your password, there is no method to reset it except by
reformatting your computer or taking your computer to an Acer
Customer Service Center. Be sure to remember or write down your
password.

Empowering Technology
4
Acer eSettings Management
Acer eSettings Management allows you to inspect hardware specifications,
change BIOS passwords or other Windows settings, and to monitor the system
health status.
Acer eSettings Management also:
•Provides a simple graphical user interface for navigation.
•Displays general system status and advanced monitoring for power users
on Acer computer.

5
Acer eLock Management
Acer eLock Management is a security utility that allows you to lock your
removable data, optical and floppy drives to ensure that data can't be stolen
while your computer is unattended.
• Removable data devices — includes USB disk drives, USB pen drives, USB
flash drives, USB MP3 drives, USB memory card readers, IEEE 1394 disk
drives and any other removable disk drives that can be mounted as a file
system when plugged into the system.
• Optical drive devices — includes any kind of DVD-ROM drives.
• Floppy disk drives — 3.5-inch disks only.
• Interfaces — includes serial port, parallel port, infrared (IR), and Bluetooth.
To activate Acer eLock Management, a password must be set first. Once set, you
can apply locks to any of the devices types. Lock(s) will immediately
be set without any reboot necessary, and will remain locked after rebooting,
until unlocked.
Note: If you lose your password, there is no method to reset it
except by reformatting your computer or taking your computer
to an Acer Customer Service Center. Be sure to remember or write
down your password.

Empowering Technology
6
Acer eDataSecurity Management
Acer eDataSecurity Management is a handy file encryption utility that protects
your files from being accessed by unauthorized persons. It is conveniently
integrated with Windows Explorer as a shell extension for quick and easy data
encryption/decryption and also supports on-the-fly file encryption for MSN
Messenger and Microsoft Outlook.
The Acer eDataSecurity Management setup wizard will prompt you for a
supervisor password and default encryption. This encryption will be used to
encrypt files by default, or you can choose to enter your own file-specific
password when encrypting a file.
Note: The password used to encrypt a file is the unique key that
the system needs to decrypt it. If you lose the password, the
supervisor password is the only other key capable of decrypting
the file. If you lose both passwords, there will be no way to
decrypt your encrypted file! Be sure to safeguard all related
passwords!

7

Empowering Technology
8
Acer ePerformance Management
Acer ePerformance Management is a system optimization tool that boosts the
performance of your Acer computer. It provides an express optimization
method to release unused memory and disk space quickly. The user can also
enable advanced options for full control over the following options:
•Memory optimization — releases unused memory and check usage.
•Disk optimization — removes unneeded items and files.
•Speed optimization — improves the usability and performance of your
Windows XP system.