Acer AcerNote Nuovo notebook computer User manual

AcerNote Nuovo
User’s Manual

ii
Copyright
Copyright © 1996 by Acer Incorporated. All rights reserved. No part of this
publication may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval
system, or translated into any language or computer language, in any form
or by any means, electronic, mechanical, magnetic, optical, chemical,
manual or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Acer
Incorporated.
Disclaimer
Acer Incorporated makes no representations or warranties, either expressed
or implied, with respect to the contents hereof and specifically disclaims any
warranties, merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose. Any Acer
Incorporated software described in this manual is sold or licensed “as is”.
Should the programs prove defective following their purchase, the buyer
(and not Acer Incorporated, its distributor, or its dealer) assumes the entire
cost of all necessary servicing, repair, and any incidental or consequential
damages resulting from any defect in the software. Further, Acer
Incorporated reserves the right to revise this publication and to make
changes from time to time in the contents hereof without obligation of Acer
Incorporated to notify any person of such revision or changes.
Acer is a registered trademark of Acer Incorporated. Microsoft, MS-DOS, Windows and
Windows 95 are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. IBM and OS/2 are registered
trademarks of IBM Corporation. Intel and Pentium are registered trademarks of Intel
Corporation. Other brand and product names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of
their respective companies.

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IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
1. Read these instructions carefully. Save these instructions for future
reference.
2. Follow all warnings and instructions marked on the product.
3. Unplug this product from the wall outlet before cleaning. Do not use
liquid cleaners or aerosol cleaners. Use a damp cloth for cleaning.
4. Do not use this product near water.
5. Do not place this product on an unstable cart, stand, or table. The
product may fall, causing serious damage to the product.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Do not allow anything to rest on the power cord. Do not locate this
product where persons will walk on the cord.
9. 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.
10. 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.

iv
11. 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.
12. 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
13. 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 a qualified serviceman.
14. 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.
15. Use only the proper type of power supply cord set (provided in your
accessories box) for this unit. It should be a detachable type: UL
listed/CSA certified, type SPT-2, rated 7A 125V minimum, VDE
approved or its equivalent. Maximum length is 15 feet (4.6 meters).

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Concerning Lithium Batteries
ADVARSEL!
Lithiumbatteri - Eksplosionsfare ved fejlagtig håndtering.
Udskiftning må kun ske med batteri
af samme fabrikat og type.
Lever det brugte batteri tilbage til leverandøren.
A D V A R S E L
Eksplosjonsfare ved feilaktig skifte av batteri
Benytt samme batteritype eller en tilsvarende
type anbefalt av apparatfabrikanten.
Brukte batterier kasseres i henhold til fabrikantens
instruksjoner.
VARNING
Explosionsfara vid felaktigt batteribyte
Anvãnd samma batterityp eller en ekvivalent
typ som rekommenderas av apparattillverkaren.
Kassera anvãnt batteri enligt fabrikantens
instruktion
Canadian Department of Communications
Regulatory Statement
This digital apparatus does not exceed Class B limits for radio noise
emissions from digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference
Regulations of the Canadian Department of Communications.
Le présent appareil numérique n'émet pas de bruits radio-électriques
dépassant les limites applicables aux appareils numériques de la classe B
prescrites dans le Réglement sur le brouillage radioélectrique édicté par le
ministère des Communications du Canada.

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FCC Class B Radio Frequency Interference Statement
Note:
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a
Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of FCC Rules. These limits are
designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a
residential installation. This equipment 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 equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or
television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off
and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or
more of the following measures:
1. Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
2. Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
3. Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to
which the receiver is connected.
4. Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/television technician for
help.
Notice 1:
The changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party
responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the
equipment.
Notice 2:
Shielded interface cables, if any, must be used in order to comply with the
emission limits.

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About This Manual
Purpose
This manual discusses the features of the notebook and tells how to use and
configure it.
Manual Structure
This manual consists of eight chapters and two appendices:
Chapter 1,
Getting Started
, tells you how to get started with the notebook.
Chapter 2,
System Tour
, gives a guided and in-depth “tour” of the notebook
and its features.
Chapter 3,
Power
, discusses issues on battery use and includes information
on the unique power management system.
Chapter 4,
Options
, tells how to connect and install hardware options.
Chapter 5,
Software
, describes how to configure certain utilities and
applications.
Chapter 6,
Setup
, explains how to configure the system with the BIOS Setup
utility.
Chapter 7,
Traveling with the Notebook
, includes informative and useful tips
on travel.
Chapter 8,
Troubleshooting
, lists the steps you can take to resolve problems
in an easy Q&A format.
Appendix A,
Specifications
, lists the specifications of the notebook.
Appendix B,
Address and Interrupt Tables
, shows the address and interrupt
tables.

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Conventions
The following conventions are used in this manual:
C:\setup,
[Enabled], etc. Represent text input by the user, default settings
and recommended selections
message displayed Denotes actual messages that appear on screen
E
,H ,U, etc Represent the actual keys that you have to press
on the keyboard
NOTE
Gives bits and pieces of additional information
related to the current topic
WARNING
Alerts you if damage may result from doing or not
doing specific actions
CAUTION
Gives precautionary measures to avoid possible
hardware or software problems
IMPORTANT
Reminds you to take action relevant to the
accomplishment of the procedure at hand
TIP
Tells how to complete a procedure with minimum
steps through little shortcuts

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Table of Contents
1 Getting Started
1.1 Item Checklist............................................................................................1-2
1.2 Taking Care of Your Computer.................................................................1-3
1.2.1 Notebook......................................................................................1-3
1.2.2 AC Adapter...................................................................................1-6
1.2.3 Battery Pack.................................................................................1-6
1.2.4 Cleaning and Servicing ................................................................1-7
1.2.5 Diskettes.......................................................................................1-7
1.3 Connecting the Notebook..........................................................................1-9
1.4 Creating Backup and Startup Diskettes ..................................................1-10
1.5 Getting Help Online.................................................................................1-11
2 System Tour
2.1 Features....................................................................................................2-2
2.2 Display.......................................................................................................2-4
2.3 Indicator Lights..........................................................................................2-7
2.4 Keyboard...................................................................................................2-8
2.4.1 Keyboard Layout ..........................................................................2-8
2.4.2 Special Keys.................................................................................2-9
2.4.3 Automatic Tilt Feature................................................................2-16
2.4.4 Palm Rest...................................................................................2-17
2.5 Touchpad ................................................................................................2-18

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2.6 Storage ...................................................................................................2-20
2.6.1 Hard Disk...................................................................................2-20
2.6.2 Module Bay................................................................................2-20
2.7 Ports .......................................................................................................2-23
2.7.1 Left Panel Ports .........................................................................2-23
2.7.2 Rear Panel Ports .......................................................................2-26
2.8 Audio.......................................................................................................2-28
2.8.1 Built-in Speakers and Microphone.............................................2-28
2.8.2 Controlling the Audio..................................................................2-29
2.9 Communications.....................................................................................2-30
2.9.1 Serial Infrared............................................................................2-30
2.9.2 Fax/Data Modem.......................................................................2-31
2.10 Securing your Notebook .........................................................................2-32
2.10.1 Security Notch............................................................................2-32
2.10.2 System Resource Lock..............................................................2-32
3Power
3.1 Battery Power ...........................................................................................3-2
3.1.1 Battery Pack Characteristics........................................................3-2
3.1.2 Removing and Installing the Battery Pack...................................3-3
3.1.3 Charging the Battery....................................................................3-4
3.1.4 Checking the Battery Level..........................................................3-5
3.1.5 Optimizing Battery Life.................................................................3-7
3.1.6 Battery Low Condition..................................................................3-8

xi
3.2 Power Management................................................................................3-10
3.2.1 The Concept of Heuristics..........................................................3-10
3.2.2 Suspend Modes .........................................................................3-11
3.2.3 Advanced Power Management (APM).......................................3-14
4 Options
4.1 External Monitor ........................................................................................4-2
4.2 External Keyboard.....................................................................................4-3
4.3 External Keypad........................................................................................4-4
4.4 External Pointing Device ...........................................................................4-5
4.5 Printer........................................................................................................4-7
4.6 Audio Devices ...........................................................................................4-8
4.7 Mini Dock...................................................................................................4-9
4.8 PC Cards...................................................................................................4-9
4.9 Miscellaneous Options ............................................................................4-10
4.9.1 Additional Power Packs..............................................................4-10
4.9.2 Cables........................................................................................4-12
4.10 Key Component Upgrades......................................................................4-14
4.10.1 Additional Memory......................................................................4-14
4.10.2 Hard Disk....................................................................................4-16

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5 Software
5.1 System Software.......................................................................................5-2
5.2 Sleep Manager..........................................................................................5-3
5.2.1 Accessing the Sleep Manager.....................................................5-3
5.2.2 Sleep Manager Functions............................................................5-5
5.2.3 Running Sleep Manager..............................................................5-8
5.2.4 Sleep Manager Troubleshooting Tips..........................................5-9
5.2.5 Uninstalling Sleep Manager.......................................................5-10
5.3 Touchpad Driver.....................................................................................5-12
5.3.1 Configuring the Touchpad .........................................................5-12
5.4 XingMPEG..............................................................................................5-13
5.5 Re-installing System Drivers and Applications .......................................5-14
6Setup
6.1 When to Use Setup ..................................................................................6-2
6.2 Entering Setup..........................................................................................6-3
6.3 About My Computer..................................................................................6-4
6.4 System Configuration ...............................................................................6-7
6.4.1 Date and Time.............................................................................6-7
6.4.2 Diskette Drives.............................................................................6-8
6.4.3 Hard Disks...................................................................................6-8
6.4.4 Num Lock After Boot ...................................................................6-8
6.4.5 LCD Expansion Mode..................................................................6-8
6.4.6Internal Cache ...........................................................................6-10
6.4.7External Cache..........................................................................6-11

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6.4.8Enhanced IDE Features.............................................................6-11
6.4.9Onboard Communication Ports..................................................6-12
6.4.10 Onboard Audio...........................................................................6-15
6.4.11 Reset PnP Resources................................................................6-16
6.5 Power Saving Options.............................................................................6-17
6.5.1 When Lid is Closed....................................................................6-18
6.5.2 Suspend to Disk on Critical Battery............................................6-19
6.5.3Display Always On......................................................................6-19
6.5.4Internal Speaker.........................................................................6-19
6.5.5External Mouse Location............................................................6-19
6.5.6 Internal Modem ..........................................................................6-20
6.5.7Resume On Modem Ring...........................................................6-20
6.5.8Resume On Schedule................................................................6-20
6.5.9Resume Date / Resume Time....................................................6-20
6.6 System Security.......................................................................................6-21
6.6.1 Supervisor and User Passwords................................................6-22
6.6.2 Diskette Drive Control ................................................................6-23
6.6.3 Hard Disk Drive Control..............................................................6-24
6.6.4 Start Up Sequences...................................................................6-24
6.6.5 Flash New BIOS.........................................................................6-25
6.7 Reset to Default Settings.........................................................................6-26
7 Traveling with the Notebook
7.1 Travel Preparations...................................................................................7-2
7.2 International Traveler’s Warranty..............................................................7-3
7.3 Worldwide Support....................................................................................7-4

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8 Troubleshooting
8.1 Q & A ........................................................................................................8-2
8.2 POST Error Messages..............................................................................8-7
A Specifications
B Address and Interrupt Tables
B.1 System Memory Map................................................................................B-1
B.2 I/O Address Map.......................................................................................B-2
B.3 Interrupt Levels.........................................................................................B-3
B.4 DMA Channels..........................................................................................B-3

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List of Figures
1-1 Write-protecting a 3.5-inch Diskette..........................................................1-8
2-1 Display.......................................................................................................2-5
2-2 Indicator Lights..........................................................................................2-7
2-3 Keyboard Layout .......................................................................................2-8
2-4 Palm Rest................................................................................................2-17
2-5 Touchpad ................................................................................................2-18
2-6 Module Bay..............................................................................................2-20
2-7 Left Panel Ports.......................................................................................2-23
2-8 Rear Panel Ports.....................................................................................2-26
2-9 Built-in Speakers and Microphone ..........................................................2-28
4-1 Connecting an External Monitor................................................................4-2
4-2 Connecting an External Keyboard.............................................................4-3
4-3 Connecting an External Keypad................................................................4-4
4-4 Connecting an External Pointing Device...................................................4-5
4-5 Connecting a Parallel Printer.....................................................................4-7
4-6 Connecting Audio Devices ........................................................................4-8
4-7 Mini Dock...................................................................................................4-9
4-8 Using the File Transfer Cable..................................................................4-13

xvi
List of Tables
2-1 Indicator Status Descriptions....................................................................2-7
2-2 Lock Key Descriptions ..............................................................................2-9
2-3 Using the Embedded Keypad.................................................................2-10
2-4 Windows 95 Key Descriptions................................................................2-11
2-5 Hot Key List.............................................................................................2-12
2-6 Eject Menu Descriptions.........................................................................2-15
2-7 Touchpad Functions...............................................................................2-19
2-8 Left Panel Port Descriptions...................................................................2-24
2-9 Rear Panel Port Descriptions .................................................................2-27
2-10 Audio Control Hot Keys...........................................................................2-29
3-1 Battery-level Chart....................................................................................3-6
3-2 Course of Action for Battery-low Condition...............................................3-9
4-1 Memory Configurations...........................................................................4-14
4-2 Hard Disk List .........................................................................................4-16
5-1 Sleep Manager Window Items..................................................................5-4
5-2 Sleep Manager Error Messages and Solutions ........................................5-9
5-3 Location of Drivers..................................................................................5-14
5-4 Location of Applications..........................................................................5-15
6-1 About My Computer Item Descriptions.....................................................6-5
6-2 Diskette Drive Control Settings...............................................................6-23

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6-3 Hard Disk Drive Control Settings.............................................................6-24
6-4 Start Up Sequences Settings ..................................................................6-24
8-1 POST Error Messages..............................................................................8-7

Getting Started 1-1
Chapter 1
Getting Started
Congratulations on your purchase of the award-winning AcerNote Nuovo
notebook computer. Guaranteed and backed by Acer’s world-class support,
you can be sure of top-notch performance with your new AcerNote. This
chapter guides you through the first few steps on setting up your notebook
computer.

1-2 User’s Manual
1.1 Item Checklist
Carefully unpack the carton and remove the contents. If any of the following
items is missing or damaged, contact your dealer immediately.
•Notebook computer
•Accessory box
•AC adapter
•Battery pack
•Floppy drive module
•External floppy drive cable
•User’s manual and other documentation
Check for optional items, if any.

Getting Started 1-3
1.2 Taking Care of Your Computer
Your computer will serve you well if you take care of it. This section tells you
how to care for the notebook. Also, re-read the important safety instructions
at the beginning of this manual.
1.2.1 Notebook
•Do not expose the notebook to
direct sunlight. Do not place
near sources of heat, such as a
radiator.
•Do not expose to temperatures
below 0ºC (32ºF)
or
above 50ºC (122ºF).