Acer a-550 Series First things first, Your guides, Basic care and tips for using your computer

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TMa550.book Page iii Wednesday, October 3, 2001 10:57 AM

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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.

Lastly, there may be a Read me first sheet included with your package which contains important reminders and updates. So, please read through it.

For more information about our products, services, and support information, please visit our web site (www.acer.com).

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:

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Contents TravelMate α-550 series TMa550.book Page ii Wednesday, October 3, 2001 1057 AM Turning your computer on and off Basic care and tips for using your computerFirst things first Your guidesTaking care of your AC adapter Taking care of your computerCleaning and servicing Taking care of your battery packTMa550.book Page vi Wednesday, October 3, 2001 1057 AM Contents Moving with your computer Peripherals and optionsTroubleshooting Appendix a Specifications Appendix B Notices IndexSoftware TMa550.book Page x Wednesday, October 3, 2001 1057 AM Your computer TMa550.book Page 2 Wednesday, October 3, 2001 1057 AM Front view Tour of your computerDescription Left view Right view Rear view Bottom view Connectivity FeaturesPerformance MultimediaExpansion Display Video performanceSimultaneous display Function Icon Description IndicatorsTMa550.book Page 13 Wednesday, October 3, 2001 1057 AM TMa550.book Page 14 Wednesday, October 3, 2001 1057 AM Lock Key Description KeyboardSpecial keys Lock keysEmbedded keypad Desired Access Num lock On Pad lock OnKey Description Windows keysHotKey Function Description HotkeysKeyboard ergonomics Touchpad basics TouchpadFunction Left Button Right Tap Launch keys Icon Description Storage Connectivity options Ethernet and LANFax/data modem Adjusting the volume Using the Audio DJ featureAudio Passwords Securing your computerSecurity notch TMa550.book Page 28 Wednesday, October 3, 2001 1057 AM Battery power TMa550.book Page 30 Wednesday, October 3, 2001 1057 AM Using a battery pack for the first time Battery packBattery pack characteristics Installing and removing the battery packOperating on battery power Using the Windows battery meter Charging the batteryChecking the battery level Optimizing battery lifeBattery-low warning Situation Recommended Action Power management Options TMa550.book Page 38 Wednesday, October 3, 2001 1057 AM External display with s-video input Using simultaneous displayExternal display devices External monitorExternal pointing device External input devicesExternal keyboard External keypadPrinter Audio devices Expansion devices PC Card slotsInserting a card Ejecting a card Disconnecting USB devicesIeee Disconnecting Ieee 1394 devicesBattery pack Miscellaneous optionsAC adapter Key component upgrades Memory upgradeInstalling memory TMa550.book Page 48 Wednesday, October 3, 2001 1057 AM Hard disk upgrade TMa550.book Page 50 Wednesday, October 3, 2001 1057 AM Computer TMa550.book Page 52 Wednesday, October 3, 2001 1057 AM Disconnecting from the desktop What to bring to long meetings Moving aroundPreparing the computer What to bring to short meetingsTaking the computer home What to bring with youSpecial considerations Setting up a home office Traveling with the computer Traveling internationally with the computer Software TMa550.book Page 60 Wednesday, October 3, 2001 1057 AM System software Easy Button Mail Detector Navigating the Bios Setup Utility Bios Setup UtilityMain Parameter Description System Devices System DevicesSecurity SecurityMay consist of up to eight alphanumeric characters A-Z, a-z Setting a passwordChanging a password Removing a passwordOthers Others screen contains various parameter settingsBoot BootExit ExitTMa550.book Page 74 Wednesday, October 3, 2001 1057 AM Troubleshooting TMa550.book Page 76 Wednesday, October 3, 2001 1057 AM Frequently-asked questions Nothing appears on the screenImage is not full-screen Keyboard does not respond Floppy drive cannot access a disketteNo audio from the computer External microphone does not workCD or DVD drive cannot access a disc Want to set up my location to use the internal modemPrinter does not work Charged? Error Messages Corrective Action Error messagesTMa550.book Page 82 Wednesday, October 3, 2001 1057 AM TMa550.book Page 83 Wednesday, October 3, 2001 1057 AM TMa550.book Page 84 Wednesday, October 3, 2001 1057 AM Specifications TMa550.book Page 86 Wednesday, October 3, 2001 1057 AM Display and video MicroprocessorMemory Data storagePorts Weight and dimensionsAudio Keyboard and pointing deviceOptions PowerEnvironment Operating systemTMa550.book Page 90 Wednesday, October 3, 2001 1057 AM Appendix B This appendix lists the general notices for your computer Use conditions FCC noticeModem notices Remarque ¶ l’intention des utilisateurs canadiensCTR Important safety instructions Laser compliance statement Year 2000 compliance statement Lithium battery statementMacrovision copyright protection notice LCD pixel statementIndex TMa550.book Page 100 Wednesday, October 3, 2001 1057 AM Password 102