Acer 2020 Series User manual

Acer Aspire 2020 Series
User’s Guide

Changes may be made periodically to the information in this publication without obligation
to notify any person of such revision 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
herein 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
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without the prior written permission of Acer Incorporated.
Model Number : __________________________________
Serial Number: ___________________________________
Purchase Date: ___________________________________
Place of Purchase: ________________________________
Copyright © 2004
All Rights Reserved
Acer Aspire 2020 Series Notebook Computer User's Guide
Original Issue: March 2004
Acer Aspire 2020 Series Notebook computer
All trademarks and registered trademarks are the properties of their respective companies.

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First things first
Yo u r g u i d e s
A set of guides is provided to help you set up and use your Aspire com-
puter.
For more information on our products, services, and support, please
visit our web site: www.acer.com.
Basic care and tips for using your computer
Turning your computer on and off
To turn on your computer, open the lid and press the power button
above the keyboard. See “A tour of your computer” on page 3 for the
location of the power button.
To turn the power off, you can do any of the following:
• Click on the Start button in Windows, and then select Shut Down
on the popup menu.
• Push the power button.
To use this method, you must change the Power Management
settings in Control Panel. See Windows Help for more information.
The Just for starters… poster shows you how to set up your
computer.
This User's Guide provides clear and concise information on
using your computer productively. You are advised to read
it thoroughly and keep it handy for future reference.

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Note: If the operating system freezes, or locks up, press and hold
the power button for more than four seconds.
Taking care of your computer
Your computer will serve you well if you take care of it.
• Do not expose the computer to direct sunlight. Do not place it
near sources of heat, such as a radiator.
• Do not expose the computer to temperatures below 0°C (32°F), or
above 50°C (122°F).
• Do not expose the computer to magnetic fields.
• Do not expose the computer to rain or moisture.
• Do not spill water or any liquid on the computer.
• Do not subject the computer to heavy shock or vibration.
• Do not expose the computer to dust or dirt.
• Do not place objects on top of the computer.
• Do not slam the lid shut. Close the computer gently.
• Do not place the computer on unstable or uneven surfaces.
Taking care of your AC adapter
It is important that you look after your AC adapter.
• Do not connect the adapter to any other device.
• Do not step on the power cord or place heavy objects on it. Route
the power cord away from areas where people might walk on it or
trip over it.
• Do not pull on the power cord when disconnecting from a power
strip or wall outlet. Grasp and pull the plug instead.
• The total ampere rating for all equipment plugged into a power
strip should not exceed the ampere rating of the power strip.

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Taking care of your battery pack
It is also important that you look after your computer's battery pack.
• Use the correct battery model for your computer. Do not use other
kinds of batteries.
• Turn the power off before removing or replacing the battery.
• Do not tamper with the battery. Keep the battery away from
children.
• Dispose of batteries according to local regulations. Recycle if
possible.
Cleaning and servicing
When cleaning your computer, it is important that you follow these
steps:
• Turn off the computer and remove the battery.
• Disconnect the AC adapter.
• Clean with a soft cloth moistened with a little water. Do not use
liquid or aerosol cleaners.
Refer to the chapter entitled “Frequently asked questions” on page 75
if any of the following occurs:
• You drop the computer or damage the case.
• You spill liquid on the computer.
• The computer does not operate normally.

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First things first iii
Your guides iii
Basic care and tips for using your computer iii
Turning your computer on and off iii
Taking care of your computer iv
Taking care of your AC adapter iv
Taking care of your battery pack v
Cleaning and servicing v
Getting familiar with your computer 1
A tour of your computer 3
Open view 4
Front view 6
Top view 7
Left view 8
Right view 9
Rear view 10
Bottom view 11
Features 12
Display 13
Indicators 14
Keyboard 16
Lock keys 16
Embedded numeric keypad 17
Windows keys 18
Function keys 19
Euro key 20
Touchpad 21
Touchpad basics 21
Launch keys 23
Storage 24
Ejecting an optical disc 24
Connectivity options 26
Ethernet and LAN 26
Fax/data modem 26
Audio 28
Aspire Media Console 29
Securing your computer 30
Security slot 30
Passwords 30
Contents

Operating on battery power 31
Battery pack 33
Battery pack characteristics 33
Maximizing battery life 33
Installing and removing the battery pack 34
Charging the battery 35
Checking the battery level 35
Optimizing battery life 35
Battery-low warning 36
Power management 37
Peripherals and options 39
External display devices 41
External input devices 41
External keyboard 41
External keypad 41
External pointing device 41
USB devices 42
IEEE 1394 Port 43
Printer 44
Audio devices 44
Expansion devices 45
PC Card 45
Key component upgrades 47
Memory upgrade 47
Installing memory 47
Hard disk upgrade 48
Moving with your computer 49
Disconnecting from the desktop 51
Moving around 51
Taking the computer home 52
Setting up a home office 52
Traveling with with computer 53
Traveling internationally with your computer 54
Software 55
System software 57
Launch Manager 57
Aspire Arcade 58
Instant-on Arcade 58
Features and Benefits 58

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Cinema 58
Album 59
Music 59
Windows Arcade 61
Arcade Hot keys 62
Finding and playing content 63
Advanced Settings 63
Arcade controls 64
Navigation controls 64
Player controls 64
Cinema 65
DVD settings 65
Album 67
Video 69
Playing a video file 69
Editing a video file 69
Music 70
Burner 70
Copy - backup your CD/DVD collection 70
Audio - create your own greatest hits CDs 70
Data - store files simply and easily 71
Video - your world in pictures 71
BIOS Setup Utility 72
Troubleshooting 73
Frequently asked questions 75
Appendix A Specifications 79
Appendix B Notices 85
Index 99

Getting familiar with
your computer

Your Aspire notebook computer combines
solid performance, versatility, multimedia
capabilities and portability with stylish
design. Increase your productivity by
working wherever you are.
This chapter provides an in-depth "tour" of
your computer's features.

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A tour of your computer
After setting up your new Aspire notebook computer, as illustrated in
the Just for starters… poster, take a few minutes to explore your sytem.

Getting familiar with your computer
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Open view
#Item Description
1 Screen Wide screen display provides visual
output.
2 Power Button Turns the computer on or off.
3 Launch keys Buttons that can be programmed to
start frequently used applications.
4 Stereo Speakers Produce stereo sound

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5 Touchpad Touch sensitive pad that functions like a
computer mouse.
6 Click buttons and 4-way
scroll key
Right and left buttons that provide the
same functions as the buttons on a
computer mouse. The scroll key scrolls
the contents of a window up and down,
as well as right and left.
#Item Description

Getting familiar with your computer
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Front view
#Item Description
1 Headphone-in jack Connects headphones for S/PDIF audio output
2 Microphone-in jack Connects an external microphone for
audio input
3 4 in 1 Card Reader Supports:
•MemoryStick
• MultiMediaCard
• SecureDigital
• SmartMedia
4 Latch Locks and releases the lid
5 Bluetooth Button Enables Bluetooth functionality
(manufacturing option)
6 Wireless Button Enables Wireless connectivity
(manufacturing option)

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Top view
#Item Description
1 Built-in Microphone For recording audio on the computer
2 Status Indicator LEDs that turn on and off to show system
statuss.
3 Arcade button Multimedia button
4 Console display Media status display
5 Stop Stop the Arcade application
6 Media Controls Multimedia Button

Getting familiar with your computer
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Left view
#Item Description
1 PC card slot Type II PC card supports PCMCIA or
CardBus.
2 PC card eject button Press the eject button to remove a PC
card from the PC card slot.
3 Eject button Ejects optical disc
4 Slot-loading Optical Support an optical disc.

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Right view
#Item Description
1 Infrared port Interfaces with infrared devices (e.g.
infrared printer, IR-aware computer, etc...)
2 DC-in jack Connect the AC power adapter
3 Kensington lock slot For attaching a security device.
4 Ventilation slot Enables the computer to stay cool, even
after prolonged use.

Getting familiar with your computer
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Rear view
#Item Description
1 S-video out port Connects to a television or display device
supporting S-video input.
2 External display
port
Connects an external (VGA) monitor.
3
4
8
USB ports USB 2.0 ports
5 Network jack Connects the computer to an Ethernet
network.
6 Modem jack Connects the built-in fax/data modem to
a phone line.
7 Parallel port Connects a parallel device, such as a
printer.
9 IEEE 1394 port Connects IEEE 1394 devices.