Getac A790 User manual

Rugged Mobile Computing Solutions
A790
USER’S MANUAL

June 2011
TRADEMARKS
All brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of
their respective companies.
NOTE
The information in this manual is subject to change without notice.
For the latest version of the manual, please visit the Getac website at
www.getac.com.

ENERGY STAR®is a government program that offers businesses and
consumers energy-efficient solutions, making it easy to save money while
protecting the environment for future generations.
Please reference ENERGY STAR®related information from
www.energystar.gov.
As an ENERGY STAR®Partner, Getac Technology Corporation has
determined that this product meets the ENERGY STAR®guidelines for
energy efficiency.
An ENERGY STAR®qualified computer uses 70 % less electricity than
computers without enabled power management features.
Earning the ENERGY STAR®
When every home office is powered by equipment that has earned the
ENERGY STAR®, the change will keep over 289 billion pounds of
greenhouse gases out of the air.
If left inactive, ENERGY STAR®qualified computers enter a low-power
mode and may use 15 watts or less. New chip technologies make power
management features more reliable, dependable, and user-friendly than
even just a few years ago.
Spending a large portion of time in low-power mode not only saves
energy, but helps equipment run cooler and last longer.
Businesses that use ENERGY STAR®enabled office equipment may
realize additional savings on air conditioning and maintenance.

Over its lifetime, ENERGY STAR®qualified equipment in a single home
office (e.g., computer, monitor, printer, and fax) can save enough
electricity to light an entire home for more than 4 years.
Power management (“sleep settings”) on computers and monitors can
result in much savings annually.
Remember, saving energy prevents pollution
Because most computer equipment is left on 24 hours a day, power
management features are important for saving energy and are an easy way
to reduce air pollution. By using less energy, these products help lower
consumers’ utility bills, and prevent greenhouse gas emissions.

Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Getting Started............................................................. 1-1
Getting the Computer Running.............................................1-2
Unpacking ...........................................................................1-2
Connecting to AC Power....................................................1-2
Opening and Closing the Cover ........................................1-4
Turning On and Off the Computer ...................................1-5
Taking a Look at the Computer.............................................1-6
Front Components.............................................................. 1-6
Rear Components ...............................................................1-7
Right-Side Components...................................................... 1-8
Left-Side Components ........................................................1-9
Top-open Components.....................................................1-10
Chapter 2 Operating Your Computer........................................... 2-1
Starting and Stopping the Computer....................................2-2
Starting the Computer .......................................................2-2
Stopping the Computer .....................................................2-2
Using the Keyboard ................................................................2-4
Typewriter Keys ..................................................................2-4
Cursor-Control Keys............................................................ 2-5
Numeric Keypad .................................................................2-5
Function Keys...................................................................... 2-6
Fn Key ..................................................................................2-6
Hot Keys ..............................................................................2-6
Using the Touchpad................................................................2-9
Configuring the Touchpad...............................................2-11
Using the Touchscreen (Optional) .......................................2-12
Using the Hard Disk Drive ....................................................2-13
Replacing the Hard Disk Drive.........................................2-13
Using the Video Features .....................................................2-16

Configuring the Display Modes.......................................2-17
Using the Audio Features.....................................................2-18
Connecting Audio Devices ...............................................2-19
Using the Communication Features......................................2-20
Using the LAN ...................................................................2-20
Using the Wireless LAN (Optional).................................2-21
Using the Modem .............................................................2-23
Using the Wireless Modem (Optional)............................2-24
Using the Bluetooth Feature (Optional).........................2-25
Using the GPS Feature (Optional)........................................2-28
Chapter 3 Managing Power .......................................................... 3-1
AC Adapter..............................................................................3-2
Battery Pack.............................................................................3-3
Charging the Battery Pack .................................................3-3
Initializing the Battery Pack............................................... 3-4
Checking the Battery Level ................................................3-5
Replacing the Primary Battery Pack .................................. 3-5
Battery Low Signals and Actions .......................................3-7
Power Management ...............................................................3-8
Hibernation Mode ..............................................................3-9
Power-Saving Tips.................................................................3-10
Chapter 4 Expanding Your Computer .......................................... 4-1
Connecting an External Monitor ...........................................4-2
Connecting a Parallel Device.................................................. 4-3
Connecting a Serial Device.....................................................4-4
Connecting an IR Device.........................................................4-5
Connecting a USB Device .......................................................4-7
Connecting an IEEE 1394B Device..........................................4-8
Using PC Cards.........................................................................4-9
Inserting and Removing a PC Card....................................4-9
System Memory Upgrade .....................................................4-11
Chapter 5 Using BIOS Setup.......................................................... 5-1
BIOS Setup ...............................................................................5-2
When to Use BIOS Setup ....................................................5-2
Main Menu..........................................................................5-4
Advanced Menu..................................................................5-6
Security Menu .....................................................................5-8

Boot Menu ..........................................................................5-9
Exit Menu ..........................................................................5-10
Chapter 6 Installing Software Drivers and Utilities .................... 6-1
How to Use the Driver Disc ....................................................6-2
Installation for Windows XP ..................................................6-3
Drivers on the First Page ....................................................6-3
Drivers on the Second Page ...............................................6-4
Drivers on the Third Page ..................................................6-5
Installation for Windows Vista...............................................6-7
Drivers on the First Page ....................................................6-7
Drivers on the Second Page ...............................................6-8
Drivers on the Third Page ..................................................6-9
Installation for Windows 7...................................................6-11
Drivers on the First Page ..................................................6-11
Drivers on the Second Page .............................................6-12
Drivers on the Third Page ................................................6-14
More Driver Installation .......................................................6-15
GPS Driver (for Windows XP Only) ..................................6-15
Using Special Utilities............................................................6-16
Touchscreen Utility ...........................................................6-16
OSD for Hot Key Operations............................................6-17
Chapter 7 Caring for the Computer.............................................. 7-1
Protecting the Computer .......................................................7-2
Using an Anti-Virus Strategy .............................................7-2
Using Security Center (for Windows Vista) or Action Center
(for Windows 7) ..................................................................7-2
Using the Password ............................................................7-2
Using the Cable Lock ..........................................................7-3
Taking Care of the Computer ................................................ 7-4
Location Guidelines ............................................................7-4
General Guidelines .............................................................7-4
Cleaning Guidelines............................................................7-5
Battery Pack Guidelines...................................................... 7-5
Touchscreen Guidelines...................................................... 7-6
When Traveling.......................................................................7-8
Chapter 8 Troubleshooting ........................................................... 8-1
Preliminary Checklist...............................................................8-2

Solving Common Problems ....................................................8-3
Battery Problems ................................................................8-3
Bluetooth Problems............................................................ 8-3
Display Problems.................................................................8-4
Hardware Device Problems................................................ 8-5
Hard Disk Drive Problems...................................................8-5
Infrared Problems ............................................................... 8-6
Keyboard, Mouse, and Touchpad Problems.....................8-6
LAN Problems......................................................................8-7
WLAN Problems ..................................................................8-7
Modem Problems................................................................8-9
PC Card Problems................................................................ 8-9
Power Management Problems ........................................8-10
Printer Problems ...............................................................8-10
Software Problems ...........................................................8-11
Sound Problems ................................................................8-11
Startup Problems ..............................................................8-12
Other Problems.................................................................8-12
Resetting the Computer .......................................................8-13
Appendix ASpecifications................................................................A-1
Appendix B Regulatory Information ............................................... B-1
On the Use of the System.......................................................B-2
Class B Regulations .............................................................B-2
Safety Notices .....................................................................B-3
On the Use of the RF Device ..................................................B-6
USA and Canada Safety Requirements and Notices ........B-6
European Union CE Marking and Compliance Notices....B-9

Chapter 1
Getting Started
Congratulations on purchasing this rugged notebook computer.
This chapter first tells you step by step how to get the computer up and
running. Then, you will find a section briefly introducing the external
components of the computer.

Getting the Computer Running
This section guides you through the procedures for getting the computer
ready for operation.
Unpacking
After unpacking the shipping carton, you should find these standard items:
Notebook computer
Accessories:
AC adapter (100~240 VAC, 50/60 Hz)
AC power cord (US/CE/UK/SA)
Driver Disc
Document(s)
Inspect all the items. If any item is damaged or missing, notify your dealer
immediately.
Keep the shipping carton and packing materials in case you need to ship or
store the computer in the future.
Connecting to AC Power
The computer operates either on the external AC power or internal battery
power. It is suggested that you use AC power when you start up the
computer for the very first time.