Acer Aspire 1400 User manual

Acer Aspire 1400 series
User’s guide
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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 © 2002
All Rights Reserved
Acer Aspire 1400 series Notebook computer User’s guide
Original Issue: March 2002
Acer Aspire 1400 series Notebook computer
All trademarks and registered trademarks are the properties of their respective companies.
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Contents
First things first vii
Your guides vii
Basic care and tips for using your computer viii
Getting familiar with your computer 1
A tour of your computer 3
Front view 3
Left view 5
Right view 6
Rear view 7
Bottom view 8
Features 9
Display 11
Indicators 12
Keyboard 14
Special keys 14
Keyboard ergonomics 18
Touchpad 19
Touchpad basics 19
Launch keys 21
Storage 22
Inserting and ejecting a diskette 22
Ejecting the optical drive tray 23
Connectivity options 24
Ethernet and LAN 24
Fax/data modem 24
Audio 26
Adjusting the volume 26
Using the Audio DJ feature 27
Securing your computer 29
Security notch 29
Passwords 29
Operating on battery power 31
Battery pack 33
Battery pack characteristics 33
Installing and removing the battery pack 34
Charging the battery 35
Checking the battery level 36
Optimizing battery life 36
Battery-low warning 37
Power management 38
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iv
Peripherals and options 39
External display devices 41
External monitor 41
External display with s-video input 42
Using simultaneous display 42
External input devices 43
External keyboard 43
External keypad 43
External pointing device 43
Printer 44
Audio devices 45
Expansion devices 46
PC Card slots 46
USB 47
Miscellaneous options 48
Battery pack 48
AC adapter 48
Key component upgrades 49
Memory upgrade 49
Hard disk upgrade 50
Moving with your computer 51
Disconnecting from the desktop 53
Moving around 54
Preparing the computer 54
What to bring to short meetings 54
What to bring to long meetings 54
Taking the computer home 55
Preparing the computer 55
What to bring with you 55
Special considerations 55
Setting up a home office 56
Traveling with the computer 57
Preparing the computer 57
What to bring with you 57
Special considerations 57
Traveling internationally with the computer 58
Preparing the computer 58
What to bring with you 58
Special considerations 58
Software 59
System software 61
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v
Easy Button 62
BIOS Setup Utility 63
Main 64
Advanced 65
Security 66
Others 69
Boot 70
Exit 71
Troubleshooting 73
Frequently-asked questions 75
Error messages 79
Appendix A Specifications 83
Appendix B Notices 89
Index 97
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vi
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vii
First things first
We would like to thank you for making the Aspire series of notebook computers your
choice for your mobile computing needs. We hope you will be happy with your Aspire
as much as we enjoyed making it for you.
Your guides
To help you use your Aspire, we have designed a set of guides:
For more information about our products, services, and support information, please
visit our web site (global.acer.com).
First off, the Just for Starters... poster helps you get started with setting
up your computer.
This 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.
Lastly, there may be a Read me first sheet included with your package
which contains important reminders and updates. So, please read
through it.
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viii
Basic care and tips for using your computer
Turning your computer on and off
To turn on the computer, open the display cover, and press the power switch above the
keyboard.
To turn the power off, do any of the following:
•Use the Windows shutdown command
Click on Start, and select the Windows Turn Off command.
•Use the power switch
If you set the power switch to “Shut down”in the Power Options control panel,
you can use this button to turn off the computer. See Windows Help and
Support for details.
Note: If you cannot power off the computer normally, press and hold the power
switch 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 0°C (32°F) or above 50°C
(122°F).
•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.
•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.
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ix
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.
If any of the following occurs:
•The computer has been dropped or the body has been damaged.
•Liquid has been spilled into the product.
•The computer does not operate normally.
Please refer to "Troubleshooting my computer" on page 73.
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x
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Getting familiar with
your computer
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This computer combines high-performance, versatility,
power management features and multimedia capabilities
with a unique style and ergonomic design. Work with
unmatched productivity and reliability with your new power
computing partner.
This chapter gives an in-depth "tour" of the computer’s many
features.
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3
A tour of your computer
After setting up your computer as illustrated in the Just for Starters... poster, let us
show you around your new notebook computer.
Front view
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Getting familiar with your computer4
#Item Description
1 Display screen Also called LCD (liquid-crystal display), displays computer
output.
2 Power button Turns on the computer power.
3 Launch keys Buttons for launching frequently-used programs. See
“Launch keys”on page 21 for more details.
4 Keyboard Inputs data into your computer.
5 Touchpad Touch-sensitive pointing device which functions like a
computer mouse.
6Clickbuttons(left
and right)
The left and right buttons function like the left and right
mouse buttons.
7 Palmrest Comfortable support area for your hands when you use the
computer.
8 Lock indicators LEDs (light emitting diodes) that show the status of the lock
keys.
9Speakers Outputssound.
10 Status indicators LEDs (light emitting diodes) that show the status of the
computer and its functions and components.
11 Audio DJ controls
and indicators
Button and indicators for the Audio DJ function. For more
information, see “Using the Audio DJ feature”on page 27.
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5
Left view
#Item Description
1 Speaker/headphone-out jack Connects to audio line-out devices (e.g.,
speakers, headphones).
2 Microphone-in jack Connects an external microphone.
3 Volume control slider Adjusts the volume level.
4 Security keylock Connects to a Kensington-compatible computer
security lock.
5 PC Card eject buttons Eject the selected PC Card from its slot.
6 PC Card slots Accepts one Type III or two Type II/I PC Card(s).
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Getting familiar with your computer6
Right view
#Item Description
1 Floppy drive Accepts a 3.5-inch diskette.
2 Floppy drive eject button Press to eject the diskette from the floppy drive.
3 Wireless networking button Enables or disables the wireless networking feature.
4 Optical drive Depending on your model:
•CD-ROM drive reads CDs
•DVD-ROM drive reads CDs and DVDs
•DVD/CD-RW combo drive reads CDs and
DVDs, and writes to CD-Rs and CD-RWs.
5 Optical drive eject button Ejects the disc from the optical drive.
6 Optical drive emergency
eject hole
Ejects the disc from the optical drive when the
computer is turned off. See “How do I eject the
optical drive tray with the computer turned off?”on
page 76 for more details.
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7
Rear view
#Item Description
1 USB ports Connects to USB devices (e.g., USB digital camera).
2 Network jack Connects to an Ethernet 10/100-based network.
3 Modem jack Conncts a phone line (only for models with an internal
fax/data modem).
4 Parallel port Connects to a parallel device (e.g., parallel printer).
5 External display port Connects to a display monitor.
6 Video-out port Connects to a display device with S-video input.
7 DC-in jack Connects to the AC adapter.
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Getting familiar with your computer8
Bottom view
#Item Description
1 Hard disk bay Houses the computer’s hard disk.
2 Battery bay Houses the computer’s battery pack.
3 Battery release latch Slide and hold to unlatch the battery pack.
4 Memory compartment Houses the computer’s memory upgrade slot.
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9
Features
This computer was designed with the user in mind. Here are just a few of its many
features:
Performance
•Intel®Pentium®4 processor with on-die level 2 cache
•256 MB memory expandable to 1 GB
•High-capacity, Enhanced-IDE hard disk
•Lithium-Ion battery pack
•Power management system
Multimedia
•16-bit high-fidelity stereo audio with 3-D sound
•Built-in dual stereo speakers
•Internal optical drive (CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or DVD/CD-RW combo)
•Audio DJ feature
•Large LCD display with simultaneous LCD and CRT display support
•S-video (NTSC/PAL) output
Connectivity
•High-speed 56Kbps V.90 fax/data software modem
•Ethernet/Fast Ethernet (10/100 Mbps)
•Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports
•Wireless networking (802.11b) option
Human-centric design and ergonomics
•All-in-one design (CD or DVD, floppy drive, and hard disk)
•Sleek, smooth and stylish design
•Full-sized keyboard
•Wide and curved palm rest
•Ergonomically-centered touchpad pointing device
•Launch keys
•Audio DJ feature
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Getting familiar with your computer10
Expansion
•CardBus PC Card slots
•Upgradeable memory and hard disk
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