Acer TravelMate 2310 Series User manual

TravelMate 2310 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 © 2005. Acer Incorporated.
All Rights Reserved.
TravelMate 2310 Series User's Guide
Original Issue: March 2005
TravelMate 2310 Series Notebook 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.

iii
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:
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
First off, the Just for starters... poster helps you get started with setting
up your computer.
The printed User's Guide introduces you to the basic features and
functions of your new computer. For more on how your computer can
help you to be more productive, please refer to the AcerSystem User's
Guide. This guide contains detailed information on such subjects as
system utilities, data recovery, expansion options, and troubleshooting.
In addition it contains warranty information and the general regulations
and safety notices for your notebook. It is available in Portable
Document Format (PDF) and comes preloaded on your notebook. Follow
these steps to access it:
1 Click on Start, All Programs, AcerSystem.
2 Click on AcerSystem User's Guide.
Note: Viewing the file requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. If Adobe Acrobat
Reader is not installed on your computer, clicking on AcerSystem User's
Guide will run the Acrobat Reader setup program first. Follow the
instructions on the screen to complete the installation. For instructions
on how to use Adobe Acrobat Reader, access the Help and Support
menu.

iv
Note: You can also use the power button to perform power management
functions. See "Moving around" on page 27 of the AcerSystem User's
Guide.
•Use the customized functions for power management
You can also shut down the computer by closing the display cover, or by
pressing the sleep hotkey <Fn>+<F4>. See "Moving around" on page 27 of
the AcerSystem User's Guide.
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 0º C (32º F) or above
50º C (122º 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 or vibration.
•Do not expose the computer to dust and dirt.
•Never place objects on top of the computer.
•Do not slam the computer display when you close it.
•Never place the computer on uneven surfaces.
Taking care of your AC adaptor
Here are some ways to take care of your AC adaptor:
•Do not connect the adaptor 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
foot 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.

v
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:
1 Power off the computer and remove the battery pack.
2 Disconnect the AC adaptor.
3 Use a soft, moist cloth. Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners.
If either 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 23.
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 unauthorized 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 iii
Turning your computer on and off iii
Taking care of your computer iv
Taking care of your AC adaptor iv
Taking care of your battery pack v
Cleaning and servicing v
A TravelMate tour 1
Front view 1
Closed front view 2
Left view 3
Right view 3
Rear view 4
Base view 4
Specifications 5
Indicators 7
Launch keys 8
Touchpad 9
Touchpad basics 9
Using the keyboard 11
Lock keys and embedded numeric keypad 11
Windows keys 12
Hotkeys 12
Special keys 14
The Euro symbol 14
Ejecting the optical (CD or DVD) drive tray 15
Using a computer security lock 15
Audio 16
Adjusting the volume 16
Using the system utilities 17
Acer eManager 17
Acer GridVista (dual-display compatible) 18
Acer disk-to-disk recovery 19
Restore without a Recovery CD 20
Launch Manager 21
Frequently-asked questions 23
Requesting service 26
International Travelers Warranty (ITW) 26
Before you call 26
Contents

Taking your notebook PC with you 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 29
Preparing the computer 29
What to take with you 29
Special considerations 29
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 passwords 32
Entering passwords 33
Setting passwords 33
Expanding through options 35
Connectivity options 35
Fax/Data modem 35
Built-in network feature 36
Universal Serial Bus 37
IEEE 1394 port 37
PC Card slot 38
BIOS utility 39
Boot sequence 40
Enable Disk to disk recovery 40
Password 40
Using software 40
Playing DVD movies 40
Power management 41
Acer eRecovery 42
Create backup 42
Restore from backup 43

Create factory default image CD 43
Re-install bundled software without CD 44
Change password 44
Troubleshooting 45
Troubleshooting tips 45
Error messages 45
Regulations and safety notices 47
Energy Star Guidelines Compliance 47
FCC notice 47
Modem notices 49
Important safety instructions 52

1
English
A TravelMate tour
After setting up your computer as illustrated in the Just for Starters... poster, let
us show you around your new TravelMate computer.
Front view
#Item Description
1 Display screen Also called Liquid-Crystal Display (LCD), displays
computer output.
2 Microphone Internal microphone for sound recording.
3 Keyboard For entering data into your computer.
4 Palmrest Comfortable support area for your hands when you
use the computer.
5 Click buttons
(left, center
and right)
The left and right buttons function like the left and
right mouse buttons; the center button serves as a 4-
way scroll button.
6 Touchpad Touch-sensitive pointing device which functions like a
computer mouse.
7 Status
indicators
Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) that turn on and off to
show the status of the computer’s functions and
components.
8 Launch keys Buttons for launching frequently used prog rams.
See “Launch keys” on page 14 for more details.

2
English
Closed front view
9 Power button Turns the computer on and off.
#Item Description
1 Speakers Left and right speakers deliver stereo
audio output.
2 Power indicator Lights up when the computer is on.
3 Battery indicator Lights up when the battery is being
charged.
4Bluetooth
communication
button/indicator
Press to enable/disable the Bluetooth
function. Indicates the status of
Bluetooth communication (optional).
5 Wireless
communication
button/indicator
Press to enable/disable the wireless
function. Indicates the status of wireless
LAN communication (optional).
6 Line-in jack Accepts audio line-in devices (e.g.,
audio CD player, stereo walkman).
7 Microphone-in
jack
Accepts inputs from external
microphones.
8 Speaker/Line-Out/
Headphone jack
Connects to audio line-out devices
(e.g., speakers, headphones).
9 USB 2.0 port Connects to USB 2.0 devices (e.g., USB
mouse, USB camera).
#Item Description

3
English
Left view
Note: The positions of the AcerMedia indicator, eject button and
emergency eject hole may differ depending on the optical drive
module installed.
Right view
#Item Description
1 Optical drive Internal optical drive; accepts CDs or DVDs
depending on the optical drive type.
2 LED indicator Lights up when the optical drive is active.
3 Emergency eject hole Ejects the optical drive tray when the
computer is turned off
4 Optical drive eject button Ejects the optical drive tray from the drive.
#Item Description
1 PC Card slot eject
button
Ejects the PC Card from the slot.
2 PC Card slot Accepts one Type II PC Card.
3 Two USB 2.0 ports Connect to USB devices (e.g., USB
mouse, USB camera).
4 Network jack Connects to an Ethernet 10/100
based network.
5 Modem jack Connects to a phone line.
6 Ventilation slots Enable the computer to stay cool,
even after prolonged use.

4
English
Rear view
Base view
#Item Description
1 Power jack Connects to an AC adaptor.
2 External display port Connects to a display device
(e.g., external monitor, LCD
projector).
3 Security keylock Connects to a Kensington-compatible
computer security lock.
#Item Description
1 Hard disk bay Houses the computer's hard disk (secured by a
screw).
2 Battery release
latch
Releases the battery for removal.
3 Battery bay Houses the computer's battery pack.
4 Battery lock Locks the battery in place.
5 Cooling fan Helps keep the computer cool.
Note: Do not cover or obstruct the opening of
the fan.
6Memory
compartment
Houses the computer's main memory.

5
English
Specifications
Operating
system Microsoft®Windows®XP Home Edition (Service Pack 2) or
Microsoft®Windows®XP Professional (Service Pack 2)
Platform Intel®Celeron® M processor 350/360/370
(512 KB L2 cache, 1.3/1.4/1.5 GHz, 400 MHz FSB)
Intel®Pentium®M processor 715
(2 MB L2 cache, 1.5 GHz, 400 MHz FSB)
SiS M661MX chipset
System memory 256 or 512 MB of DDR333 memory, upgradeable to 1 GB
using two soDIMM modules
Display and
graphics
15" XGA color TFT LCD: 1024 x 768 resolution
15.4" WXGA color TFT LCD: 1280 x 800 resolution
15.4" WXGA Acer CrystalBrite color TFT LCD:1280 x 800
resolution
16.7 million colors
SiSM661MX integrated 3D graphics with up to 64 MB of
VRAM, supporting Microsoft®DirectX® 7.0
Dual independent display support
MPEG-2/DVD hardware-assisted capability
Storage
subsystem
40/60/80 GB ATA/100 hard disk drive
Optical drive options:
•DVD-Dual
•DVD/CD-RWcombo
Dimensions and
weight
364 (W) x 279 (D) x 33.9/38.9 (H) mm, (14.3 x 11 x 1.3/1.5
inches)
2.76 kg (6.08 lbs.) for 15" XGA LCD model
2.8 kg (6.17 lbs.) for 15.4" WXGA LCD model
Power
subsystem
ACPI 1.0b power management standard: supports Standby
and Hibernation power-saving modes
29 W Li-ion battery pack
1-hour 40-minute battery life
2.5-hour rapid charge, 3.5-hour charge-in-use
3-pin 65 W AC adaptor
Input devices 88-/89-key Acer FineTouch™keyboard
Touchpad with 4-way integrated scroll button
Four easy-launch buttons
Two front-panel buttons: WLAN LED-button and
Bluetooth®LED-button
Audio Audio system with two built-in speakers
Sound Blaster Pro™and MS-Sound compatible
Built-in microphone

6
English
Note: The specifications listed above are for reference only. The exact
configuration of your PC depends on the model purchased.
Communication Modem: 56K ITU V.92 modem with PTT approval;
Wake-on-Ring ready
LAN: 10/100 Mbps Fast Ethernet; Wake-on-LAN ready
Wireless LAN (optional): integrated Mini PCI 802.11b/g
Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™solution
Acer SignalUp wireless technology support
Wireless PAN (optional): integrated Bluetooth®
I/O interface Three USB 2.0 ports
Ethernet (RJ-45) port
Modem (RJ-11) port
External display (VGA) port
Microphone/line-in jack
Headphones/speaker/line-out port
Type II PC Card slot
DC-in jack for AC adaptor
Security Kensington lock slot
BIOS user and supervisor passwords
Software Acer Launch Manager
Acer eManager (eSetting/ePresentation/eRecovery)
Acer GridVista
Acer System Recovery CD
Norton AntiVirus™
Adobe®Reader®
CyberLink®PowerDVD™
NTI CD-Maker™
Options and
accessories 256 or 512 MB, and 1 GB soDIMM memory
Li-ion battery pack
65 W AC adaptor
Environment Temperature:
• Operating: 5° C to 35° C
• Non-operating: -20° C to 65° C
Humidity (non-condensing):
• Operating: 20% to 80%
• Non-operating: 20% to 80%
System
compliance
Mobile PC 2001
ACPI 1.0b
DMI 2.0
Cisco Compatible Extensions (CCX)
Warranty One-year International Travelers Warranty (ITW)

7
English
Indicators
The computer has three easy-to-read status indicators on the upper-
right above the keyboard, and four indicators at the front panel.
The power, battery, and wireless communication status indicators are
visible even when the LCD display is closed.
1. Charging: the light shows amber when the battery is charging.
2. Fully charged: light shows green when in AC mode.
Icon Function Description
Caps Lock Lights when Caps Lock is activated.
Num Lock Lights when Num Lock is activated.
Media activity Lights when the hard disk or optical drive
is active.
Power indicator Lights when the computer is on.
Battery indicator Lights when the battery is being charged.
Bluetooth® indicator Lights to indicate the status of
Bluetooth® communications.
Wireless indicator Lights to indicate the status of wireless
LAN communications.

8
English
Launch keys
Located at the upper-right above the keyboard are four buttons.
These buttons are called launch keys. They are designated as mail,
Web browser, Acer Empowering Key " ", and one user-
programmable button.
Press the Empowering Key " " to run the Acer eManager. Please see
"Acer eManager" on page 17. The mail and Web browser are default
for Email and Internet programs, but can be reset by users. To set the
Web browser, mail and programmable keys, run the Acer Launch
Manager. See "Launch Manager" on page 21.
Launch key Default application
PUser-programmable
Acer eManager (user-programmable)
Web browser Internet browser (user-programmable)
Mail Email application (user-programmable)

9
English
Touchpad
The built-in touchpad is a pointing device that senses movement on its surface.
This means the cursor responds as you move your finger on the surface of the
touchpad. The central location on the palmrest provides optimum comfort and
support.
Touchpad basics
The following items teach you how to use the touchpad:
•Move your finger across the touchpad (2) to move the cursor.
•Press the left (1) and right (4) buttons located on the edge of the touchpad
to perform selection and execution functions. These two buttons are
similar to the left and right buttons on a mouse. Tapping on the touchpad
is the same as clicking the left button.
•Use the 4-way scroll (3) button to scroll up or down and move left or right
a page. This button mimics your cursor pressing on the right scroll bar of
windows applications.

10
English
Note: Keep your fingers dry and clean when using the touchpad.
Also keep the touchpad dry and clean. The touchpad is sensitive to
finger movement, hence, the lighter the touch, the better the
response. Tapping harder will not increase the touchpad's
responsiveness.
Function Left button
(1)
Right
button (4) Main touchpad (2) Center
button (3)
Execute Click twice
quickly.
Tap twice (at the same
speed as double-clicking
a mouse button).
Select Click once. Tap once.
Drag Click and
hold, then use
finger to drag
the cursor on
the touchpad.
Tap twice (at the same
speed as double-clicking
a mouse button); hold
finger to the touchpad
on the second tap and
drag the cursor.
Access
context
menu
Click once.
Scroll Click and
hold the up/
down/left/
right.

11
English
Using the keyboard
The keyboard has full-sized keys and an embedded keypad, separate
cursor keys, two Windows keys and twelve function keys.
Lock keys and embedded numeric keypad
The keyboard has three lock keys which you can toggle on and off.
The embedded numeric keypad functions like a desktop numeric keypad. It is
indicated by small characters located on the upper right corner of the keycaps.
To simplify the keyboard legend, cursor-control key symbols are not printed on
the keys.
Lock key Description
Caps Lock When Caps Lock is on, all alphabetic characters typed are
in uppercase.
Num Lock
<Fn>+<F11>
When Num Lock is on, the embedded keypad is in numeric
mode. The keys function as a calculator (complete with the
arithmetic operators +, -, *, and /). Use this mode when you
need to do a lot of numeric data entry. A better solution
would be to connect an external keypad.
Scroll Lock
<Fn>+<F12>
When Scroll Lock is on, the screen moves one line up or down
when you press the up or down arrow keys respectively.
Scroll Lock does not work with some applications.
Desired access Num Lock on Num Lock off
Number keys on
embedded keypad
Type numbers in a normal
manner.
Cursor-control keys
on embedded keypad
Hold <Shift> while using
cursor-control keys.
Hold <Fn> while using
cursor-control keys.
Main keyboard keys Hold <Fn> while typing
letters on embedded keypad.
Type the letters in a
normal manner.

12
English
Windows keys
The keyboard has two keys that perform Windows-specific functions.
Hotkeys
The computer employs hotkeys or key combinations to access most of the
computer's controls like screen brightness, volume output and the BIOS utility.
To activate hotkeys, press and hold the <Fn> key before pressing the other key
in the hotkey combination.
Key Description
Windows
key
Pressed alone, this key has the same effect as clicking on
the Windows Start button; it launches the Start menu. It
can also be used with other keys to provide a variety of
functions:
< > + <Tab> Activates the next Taskbar button.
< > + <E> Opens the My Computer window.
< > + <F1> Opens Help and Support.
< > + <F> Opens the Find: All Files dialog box.
<>+ <R> Opens the Run dialog box.
< > + <M> Minimises all windows.
<Shift> + < > + <M> Undoes the minimise all windows
(< > + <M>) action
Application
key
This key has the same effect as clicking the right mouse
button; it opens the application's context menu.