Acer 8100 Series User manual

TravelMate 8100 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
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, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise,
without the prior written permission of Acer Incorporated.
Model Number : __________________________________
Serial Number: ___________________________________
Purchase Date: ___________________________________
Place of Purchase: ________________________________
Copyright © 2004. Acer Incorporated.
All Rights Reserved.
TravelMate 8100 Series User’s Guide
Original Issue: December 2004
TravelMate 8100 Series Notebook Computer
Acer and the Acer logo are registered trademarks of Acer Incorporated. Other company's
product names or trademarks are used herein for identification purposes only and belong to
their respective companies.

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First things first
We would like to thank you for making the TravelMate series of
notebook computers your choice for your mobile computing needs.
Your guides
To help you use your TravelMate, we have designed a set of guides:
First off, the Just for starters... poster helps you get started
with setting up your computer.
The User's guide introduces you to the many ways your
computer can help you be more productive. This guide
provides clear and concise information about the computer,
so read it thoroughly.
If you ever need to print out a copy, this User’s guide is also
available in Portable Document Format (PDF). To open it,
follow these steps:
1Click on Start, All Programs, AcerSystem.
2Click on AcerSystem User's guide.
Note: Viewing the file requires Adobe Acrobat Reader be
installed. For instructions on how to use Adobe Acrobat
Reader, access the Help and Support menu.

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Basic care and tips for using your computer
Turning your computer on and off
To turn on the computer, simply press and release the power button
below the LCD screen beside the launch keys. See “Front view” on
page 1 for the location of the power button.
To turn the power off, do any of the following:
•Use the Windows shutdown command
Click on Start, Turn Off Computer; then click on Turn Off.
•Use the power button
Note: You can also use the power button to perform power
management functions. See “Moving around” on page 27.
•Use the customized functions for power management
You can also shut down the computer by closing the display cover,
or by pressing the sleep hot key (Fn-F4). See “Moving around” on
page 27.
Note: If you cannot power off the computer normally, press and
hold the power button for more than four seconds to shut down
the computer. If you turn off the computer and want to turn it on
again, wait at least two seconds before powering up.
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 0ºC (32ºF) or
above 50ºC (122ºF).
•Do not subject 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 and vibration.
•Do not expose the computer to dust and dirt.

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•Never place objects on top of the computer to avoid damaging the
computer.
•Do not slam the computer display when you close it.
•Never place the computer on uneven surfaces.
Taking care of your AC adapter
Here are some ways to take care of your AC adapter:
•Do not connect the adapter to any other device.
•Do not step on the power cord or place heavy objects on top of it.
Carefully route the power cord and any cables away from personal
traffic.
•When unplugging the power cord, do not pull on the cord itself
but pull on the plug.
•The total ampere ratings of the equipment plugged in should not
exceed the ampere rating of the cord if you are using an extension
cord. Also, the total current rating of all equipment plugged into a
single wall outlet should not exceed the fuse rating.
Taking care of your battery pack
Here are some ways to take care of your battery pack:
•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 at all possible.
Cleaning and servicing
When cleaning the computer, follow these steps:
1Power off the computer and remove the battery pack.
2Disconnect the AC adapter.
3Use a soft cloth moistened with water. Do not use liquid or
aerosol cleaners.

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If any of the following occurs:
•The computer has been dropped or the body has been damaged.
•The computer does not operate normally.
Please refer to “Frequently-asked questions” on page 55.
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 on wireless
option devices that are included in the user's manual of each RF option
device.
An improper installation or unauthorised 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 iii
Your guides iii
Basic care and tips for using your computer iv
Turning your computer on and off iv
Taking care of your computer iv
Taking care of your AC adapter v
Taking care of your battery pack v
Cleaning and servicing v
A TravelMate tour 1
Front view 1
Closed front view 2
Left view 4
Right view 5
Rear view 6
Bottom view 7
Specifications 8
Indicators 11
Using the keyboard 12
Lock keys 12
Embedded numeric keypad 13
Windows keys 14
Hot keys 15
The Euro symbol 17
Launch keys 19
Touchpad 20
Touchpad basics 20
Ejecting the optical (CD or DVD) drive tray 22
Using a computer security lock 22
Audio 23
Adjusting the volume 23
Using system utilities 24
Acer GridVista 24
Acer eManager 25
Launch Manager 26
Moving around with your Notebook PC 27
Disconnecting from the desktop 27
Moving around 27
Preparing the computer 27
What to take to short meetings 28
What to bring to long meetings 28
Taking the computer home 28
Preparing the computer 28
What to take with you 29
Special considerations 29
Contents

Setting up a home office 30
Traveling with the computer 30
Preparing the computer 30
What to take with you 30
Special considerations 30
Traveling internationally with the computer 31
Preparing the computer 31
What to bring with you 31
Special considerations 31
Securing your computer 32
Using a computer security lock 32
Using the Smart Card 32
Registering your Smart Card 33
Running PlatinumSecure 33
Running PlatinumKey 36
Using passwords 37
Entering passwords 38
Setting passwords 38
Expanding through options 39
Connectivity options 39
Fax/Data modem 39
Built-in network feature 40
Fast Infrared 40
Universal Serial Bus 41
IEEE 1394 port 41
PC Card slot 42
BIOS Utility 44
Boot sequence 44
Disc to Disc Recovery enable 44
Password 44
Using software 45
Playing DVD movies 45
Power management 46
Acer eRecovery 47
Create backup 47
Restore from backup 48
Create factory default image CD 48
Re-install bundled software without CD 49
Change password 49
Acer disc-to-disc recovery 50
Multilingual operating system installation 50
Restore without a Recovery CD 50

Troubleshooting my computer 53
Frequently-asked questions 55
Troubleshooting tips 58
Error messages 58
Requesting service 59
International Traveler’s Warranty (ITW) 59
Before you call 60
Appendix A
Regulation & safety notices 61