Acer TravelMate C100 series User manual

TravelMate C100 series
User’s guide
TMC100-e.book Page i Thursday, September 5, 2002 10:30 AM

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. Acer Incorporated.
All Rights Reserved.
TravelMate C100 series User’s guide
Original Issue: August 2002
TravelMate C100 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.
TMC100-e.book Page ii Thursday, September 5, 2002 10:30 AM

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 Pocket guide is useful for quick glances at
functional key combinations.
Lastly, there may be a Read me first sheet included with
your package which contains important reminders and
updates. So, please read through it.
TMC100-e.book Page iii Thursday, September 5, 2002 10:30 AM

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
Connecting your computer
Connecting the computer is as easy as 1-2-3.
1Insert the battery pack into the battery compartment, and press
down until it clicks into place.
2Connect one end of the AC adapter to the power jack on the
computer’s rear panel and the other end to a properly-grounded
power outlet.
TMC100-e.book Page iv Thursday, September 5, 2002 10:30 AM

v
3Push the display cover two-way latch to open the display.
4Slide the power switch towards the rear of the computer (a) then
release it (b) to turn on the power. The POST (power-on self-test)
routine executes and Windows begins loading.
To turn the power off, do any of the following:
• Click on Start, Turn off Computer; then click Turn Off.
TMC100-e.book Page v Thursday, September 5, 2002 10:30 AM

vi
• Use the power switch
Note: You can also use the power switch to perform power
management functions. See “Power management” on page 32.
• 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).
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
TMC100-e.book Page vi Thursday, September 5, 2002 10:30 AM

vii
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 59.
TMC100-e.book Page vii Thursday, September 5, 2002 10:30 AM

viii
TMC100-e.book Page viii Thursday, September 5, 2002 10:30 AM

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 6
Right view 7
Rear view 8
Bottom view 9
Using your computer in tablet mode 11
Switching to tablet mode 11
Switching to computer mode 15
Features 16
Indicators 18
Using the keyboard 20
Special keys 20
Touchpad 28
Touchpad basics 28
Storage 30
Hard disk 30
Optical drive 30
Audio 31
Adjusting the volume 31
Power management 32
Moving around with your TravelMate 33
Disconnecting from the desktop 33
Moving around 33
Taking the computer home 34
Traveling with the computer 36
Traveling internationally with the computer 36
Securing your computer 38
Using a computer security lock 38
Using the Smart Card 38
Using passwords 44
2 Customizing your computer 47
Expanding through options 49
Connectivity options 49
Upgrade options 54
Notebook Manager 56
TMC100-e.book Page ix Thursday, September 5, 2002 10:30 AM

x
Launch Manager 56
BIOS Utility 57
3 Troubleshooting your computer 59
Frequently-asked questions 61
Troubleshooting tips 64
Error messages 65
Requesting service 67
International Traveler’s Warranty (ITW) 67
Before you call 67
Appendix A Specifications 69
Appendix B Notices 75
Index 89
TMC100-e.book Page x Thursday, September 5, 2002 10:30 AM