Acer TravelMate 360 User manual

TravelMate 360 series
User’s guide
TM360.book Page i Tuesday, October 16, 2001 4:12 PM

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 © 2001. Acer Incorporated.
All Rights Reserved.
TravelMate 360 series User’s guide
Original Issue: September 2001
TravelMate 360 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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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.
We hope you will be happy with your TravelMate as much as we
enjoyed making it for you.
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.
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.
If you ever need to print out a copy, this User’s guide is also
available in PDF (Portable Document Format). Follow these
steps:
1Click on Start, Programs, TravelMate.
2Click on TravelMate User’s guide.
Note: Viewing the file requires Adobe Acrobat Reader
installed. If Adobe Acrobat Reader is not installed on your
computer, clicking on TravelMate 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 menu.
A handy Hot key pocket reference card is useful for quick
glances at functional key combinations.
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iv
For more information about our products, services, and support
information, please visit our web site (http://global.acer.com).
Basic care and tips for using your computer
Turning your computer on and off
To turn on the computer, simply slide and then release the power
switch on the left side of your TravelMate.
To turn the power off, do any of the following:
•Use the Windows Shut Down... command
Click on Start, Shut Down..., and select Shut down; then click on
OK.
•Use the power switch
Note: You can also use the power switch to perform power
management functions. See “Basic power management” on page
28.
•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 “Basic power
management” on page 28.
An Online guide is your helping hand on-the-go, with easy
to access, detailed and linked information about your
computer.
To access the online guide:
1Click on Start, Programs, TravelMate.
2Click on TravelMate Online guide.
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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v
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 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.
•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.
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vi
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 57.
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Contents
First things first iii
Your guides iii
Basic care and tips for using your computer iv
1 Getting to know your TravelMate 1
A TravelMate tour 3
Front view 3
Left view 5
Right view 6
Rear view 6
Bottom view 8
Features 9
Indicators 11
Using the keyboard 13
Special keys 13
Touchpad 21
Touchpad basics 21
Storage 23
Hard disk 23
EasyLink combo drive 23
Using software 25
Audio 27
Adjusting the volume 27
Basic power management 28
Moving around with your TravelMate 29
Disconnecting from the desktop 29
Moving around 29
Taking the computer home 30
Traveling with the computer 32
Traveling internationally with the computer 32
Securing your computer 34
Using a computer security lock 34
Using the SmartCard 34
Using passwords 41
2 Customizing your computer 45
Expanding through options 47
Connectivity options 47
Upgrade options 51
Notebook Manager 52
Launch Manager 53
BIOS Utility 55
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viii
3 Troubleshooting your computer 57
Frequently-asked questions 59
Troubleshooting tips 63
Error messages 64
Requesting service 66
International Traveler’s Warranty (ITW) 66
Before you call 66
Appendix A Specifications 69
Appendix B Notices 75
Index 83
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1 Getting to know your
TravelMate
TM360.book Page 1 Tuesday, October 16, 2001 4:12 PM

Your TravelMate 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.
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3
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 LCD (liquid-crystal display),
displays computer output.
2 Status indicators LEDs (light-emitting diodes) that turn on and
off to show the status of the computer and
its functions and components.
3 Launch keys Buttons for launching frequently used
programs. See “Launch Keys” on page 18 for
more details.
4 Touchpad Touch-sensitive pointing device which
functions like a computer mouse.
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1 Getting to know your TravelMate
4
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 scroll up/down button.
6 Speaker/
Headphone-out jack
Connects to audio line-out devices (e.g.,
speakers, headphones).
7 Line-in jack Accepts audio line-in devices (e.g., audio CD
player, stereo walkman).
8 Infrared port Interfaces with Infrared devices (e.g.,
infrared printer, IR-aware computers).
9 Microphone Inputs sounds and voices into your computer.
10 Palmrest Comfortable support area for your hands
when you use the computer.
11 Keyboard Inputs data into your computer.
12 Speaker Outputs sound.
# Item Description
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5
Left view
#Item Description
1 EasyLink combo
drive connector
Connects to an EasyLink combo drive.
2 IEEE 1394 port Connects to IEEE 1394 devices.
3 Power switch Turns on the computer power.
4 PC Card eject
button
Ejects PC Card from the card slot.
5 PC Card slot Accepts to one Type II 16-bit PC Card or 32-bit
CardBus PC Card.
6 SmartCard eject
button
Ejects the SmartCard from the slot.
7 SmartCard slot Slot for SmartCard interface with pre-boot
authentication system.
8 Video capture kit
slot
Accepts the video capture kit option on the
left side of the computer.
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1 Getting to know your TravelMate
6
Right view
Rear view
# Item Description
1 Video capture kit
slot
Accepts the video capture kit option on the
right side of the computer.
2 Battery bay Houses the computer's battery pack.
3 Security keylock Connects to a Kensington-compatible
computer security lock.
#Item Description
1 PS/2 port Connects to PS/2-compatible device (e.g., PS/2
keyboard/mouse/keypad).
2 USB ports (two) Connect to any Universal Serial Bus devices
(e.g., USB mouse, USB camera).
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3 Expansion port Connects to I/O replicator or EasyPort
expansion devices.
4 Modem jack Connects to a phone line.
5 Network jack Connects to an Ethernet 10/100-based
network.
6 External display
port
Connects to a display device (e.g., external
monitor, LCD projector) and displays up to
64K colors at 1280x1024 resolution.
7 Power jack Connects to an AC adapter.
# Item Description
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1 Getting to know your TravelMate
8
Bottom view
#Item Description
1 Battery bay Houses the computer's battery pack.
2 Hard disk bay Houses the computer's hard disk (secured
by a screw).
3 Hard disk anti-shock
protection
Disk Anti-Shock Protection (DASP) protects
your hard disk against accidental shock
and vibration.
4 Battery release latch Unlatches the battery to remove the
battery pack.
5 Personal
identification slot
Insert a business card or similar-sized
identification card to personalize your
computer.
6Memory
compartment
Houses the computer's main memory.
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9
Features
Below is a brief summary of the computer’s many features:
Performance
•Mobile Intel® Pentium® III Processor-M with 512 KB level 2 cache
featuring the new Enhanced Intel® SpeedStep™ technology
•Memory expandable up to 1024 MB or 1 GB and supports PC133
Mhz bus speed
•External EasyLink™ combo drive (floppy and CD-ROM/DVD-ROM/
DVD-RW drive)
•High-capacity, Enhanced-IDE hard disk
•Li-ion main battery pack
•Power management system with ACPI (Advanced Configuration
Power Interface)
•Smart Card interface with pre-boot authentication system for
added security.
Display
•13.3"Thin-Film Transistor (TFT) liquid-crystal display (LCD)
displaying 24-bit true-color at 1024x768 eXtended Graphics Array
(XGA) resolution
•8 MB Video DRAM with DVMT (Dynamic Video Memory
Technology™) up to 32 MB
•3D capabilities
•Simultaneous LCD and CRT display support
•Supports other output display devices such as LCD projection
panels for large-audience presentations
•"Automatic LCD dim" feature that automatically decides the best
settings for your display and conserves power
•Dual display capability
Multimedia
•16-bit high-fidelity AC’97 PCI stereo audio with wavetable
synthesizer
•Built-in speaker and microphone
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1 Getting to know your TravelMate
10
•High-speed optical (CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or DVD-RW) drive
•USB video capture kit option
Connectivity
•High-speed fax/data modem port
•Fast infrared wireless communication
•USB (Universal Serial Bus) ports
•Ethernet/Fast Ethernet port
•IEEE 1394 port
•Optional 802.11b wireless LAN
•Optional USB Bluetooth dongle solution
Human-centric design and ergonomics
•Sleek, smooth and stylish design
•Full-sized keyboard
•Ergonomically-centered touchpad pointing device
•Internet scroll key
Expansion
•Type II CardBus PC Card (formerly PCMCIA) slot with ZV (zoomed
video) port support
•Upgradeable memory
•EasyPort port replicator
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11
Indicators
The computer has seven easy-to-read status icons below the display
screen.
The Power and Sleep status icons are visible even when you close the
display cover so you can see the status of the computer while the cover
is closed.
Icon Function Description
Wireless
Communication
Lights when the Wireless LAN capabilities are
enabled.
Power Lights when the computer is on.
Sleep Lights when the computer enters Sleep mode.
Media Activity Lights when the floppy drive, hard disk or
EasyLink Combo drive is active.
Battery Charge Lights when the battery is being charged.
Caps Lock Lights when Caps Lock is activated.
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1 Getting to know your TravelMate
12
Num Lock Lights when Num Lock is activated.
Icon Function Description
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