Acer Aspire EFL50 User Manual
Acer Aspire EFL50 User Manual

Acer Aspire EFL50 User Manual

Acer notebook computer user's guide
Table of Contents

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Aspire 3600/5500 Series
User's Guide

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Summary of Contents for Acer Aspire EFL50

  • Page 1 Aspire 3600/5500 Series User's Guide...
  • Page 2 Serial number: ___________________________________ Purchase date: ___________________________________ Place of purchase: ________________________________ 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.
  • Page 3: Your Guides

    First things first We would like to thank you for making the Aspire series of notebook computers your choice for meeting your mobile computing needs. Your guides To help you use your Aspire, we have designed a set of guides: First off, the Just for Starters...
  • Page 4: Taking Care Of Your Computer

    Use the power button • Note: You can also use the power button to perform power management functions. 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>...
  • Page 5: Cleaning And Servicing

    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.
  • Page 6: Table Of Contents

    Ejecting the optical (CD or DVD) drive tray 17 Using a computer security lock Audio Adjusting the volume Using the system utilities Acer eManager Acer GridVista (dual-display compatible) Launch Manager Frequently asked questions Requesting service International Travelers Warranty (ITW) Before you call...
  • Page 7 Acer Arcade (for selected models) Arcade hotkeys Finding and playing content Settings Arcade controls Navigation controls Player controls Cinema DVD settings Album Slideshow settings Video Playing a video file Video authoring Music Burner Copy — Back up your CD/DVD collection Audio —...
  • Page 8 PC Card slot BIOS utility Boot sequence Enable disk-to-disk recovery Password Using software Playing DVD movies Power management Acer eRecovery Create backup Restore from backup Create factory default image CD Re-install bundled software without CD Change password Troubleshooting Troubleshooting tips...
  • Page 9: An Aspire Tour

    An Aspire tour After setting up your computer as illustrated in the Just for Starters... poster, let us show you around your new Aspire computer. Front view Item Description Display screen Also called Liquid-Crystal Display (LCD), displays computer output. Power button Turns the computer on and off.
  • Page 10: Closed Front View

    Item Description Status indicators Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) that turn on and off to show the status of the computer's functions and components. Palmrest Comfortable support area for your hands when you use the computer. Click buttons (Left, The left and right buttons function like the left and center, and right) right mouse buttons, the center button serves as a 4- way scroll button.
  • Page 11: Left View

    Icon Item Battery indicator Left view Icon Item External display port S-video out port Network jack Modem jack Two USB 2.0 ports Connect to USB 2.0 devices IEEE 1394 port PC Card slot 5-in-1 card reader Accepts an MS, MS PRO, MMC, SD, or Infrared port Description Lights up when the battery is being...
  • Page 12: Right View

    Icon Item PC Card slot eject button Right view Icon Item Optical drive eject button LED indicator Lights up when the optical drive is active. Optical drive Internal optical drive; accepts CDs or DVDs Ventilation slots Security keylock Rear view Icon Item Battery...
  • Page 13: Base View

    Icon Item Power jack USB 2.0 port Base view Item Description Battery bay Houses the computer's battery pack. Battery lock Locks the battery in position. Cooling fan Helps keep the computer cool. Note: Do not cover or obstruct the opening of the fan. Memory Houses the computer's main memory and mini PCI Card.
  • Page 14: Specifications

    (2 MB L2 cache, 1.6 GHz, 400 MHz FSB) ® Intel System memory 256/512 MB of DDR2 400/533 memory, upgradeable to 2 GB using two soDIMM modules Display and 14.1" WXGA Acer CrystalBrite color TFT LCD: 1280 x 800 graphics resolution 16.7 million colors Aspire 3600 ® Intel ®...
  • Page 15 LAN: 10/100 Mbps (Aspire 3600) or gigabit (Aspire 5500) Ethernet; Wake-on-LAN ready WLAN: Aspire 3600 Integrated 802.11b/g Wi-Fi supporting Acer SignalUp wireless technology support Aspire 5500 Integrated Intel connection (dual band 802.11b/g) Wi-Fi solution supporting Acer SignalUp wireless technology support WPAN: integrated Bluetooth ®...
  • Page 16 Kensington lock slot BIOS user and supervisor passwords Software Acer eManager (eSettings/ePresentation/ ePowerManagement/eNetManagement/eRecovery) Acer GridVista Acer Arcade Acer Launch Manager Acer System Recovery CD Norton AntiVirus ® Adobe Reader CyberLink NTI CD-Maker Options and 512 MB or 1 GB soDIMM memory...
  • Page 17: Indicators

    Indicators The computer has three easy-to-read status indicators on the upper-left above the keyboard, and four on the front panel. The power, battery, and wireless communication status indicators are visible even when the LCD display is closed. Icon Function Description Caps Lock Lights up when Caps Lock is activated.
  • Page 18: Easy-Launch Buttons

    " and one user-programmable button. Press " " to run the Acer eManager. Please see "Acer eManager" on page 19. The mail and Web buttons are pre-set to email and Internet programs, but can be reset by users. To set the Web browser, mail and programmable keys, run the Acer Launch Manager.
  • Page 19: Touchpad

    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 across the surface of the touchpad. The central location on the palmrest provides optimum comfort and support. Touchpad basics The following items show you how to use the touchpad: Move your finger across the touchpad (2) to move the cursor.
  • Page 20 Right Function Left button (1) button (4) Execute Quickly click twice. Select Click once. Drag Click and hold, then use finger on the touchpad to drag the cursor. Access Click once. context menu Scroll Note: Keep your fingers dry and clean when using the touchpad. Also keep the touchpad dry and clean.
  • Page 21: Using The Keyboard

    Using the keyboard The keyboard has full-sized keys and an embedded keypad, separate cursor keys, two Windows keys and 12 function keys. Lock keys and embedded numeric keypad The keyboard has three lock keys which you can toggle on and off. Lock key Description Caps Lock...
  • Page 22: Windows Keys

    Windows keys The keyboard has two keys that perform Windows-specific functions. Description Windows 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: <...
  • Page 23 Displays help on hotkeys. Launches Acer eSettings in Acer eManager. See "Acer eManager" on page 19. Launches Acer ePowerManagement in Acer eManager. See "Acer eManager" on page 19. Puts the computer in Sleep mode. Switches display output between the display screen, external monitor (if connected) and both.
  • Page 24: Special Keys

    Special keys You can locate the Euro symbol and the US dollar sign at the upper-center and/or bottom-right of your keyboard. To type: The Euro symbol Open a text editor or word processor. Either directly press the <Euro> key at the bottom-right of the keyboard, or hold <Alt Gr>...
  • Page 25: Ejecting The Optical (Cd Or Dvd) Drive Tray

    Ejecting the optical (CD or DVD) drive tray To eject the optical drive tray when the computer is turned on, press the drive eject button. When the power is off, you can eject the drive tray by using the emergency eject hole (tray design drives only.) Using a computer security lock A security keylock notch, located on the chassis of the computer, lets you...
  • Page 26: Audio

    Audio The computer comes with 16-bit high-fidelity AC'97 stereo audio, and dual stereo speakers. Adjusting the volume Adjusting the volume on the computer is as easy as pressing some buttons. See "Hotkeys" on page 14 for more information on adjusting the speaker volume.
  • Page 27: Using The System Utilities

    Using the system utilities Acer eManager The innovative Acer eManager software is designed for easy access to frequently used functions. Press " interface, which features five main settings: Acer ePowerManagement, Acer eNetManagement, Acer ePresentation, Acer eRecovery and Acer eSettings. To set the "...
  • Page 28: Acer Gridvista (Dual-Display Compatible)

    Acer GridVista is a handy utility that offers four pre-defined display settings so you can view multiple windows on the same screen. To access this function, please go to Start, All Programs and click on Acer GridVista. You may choose any one of the four display settings indicated below:...
  • Page 29: Launch Manager

    Run Acer GridVista and select your preferred screen configuration for each display from the taskbar. Drag and drop each window into the appropriate grid. Enjoy the convenience of a well-organized desktop. Note: Please ensure that the resolution setting of your second monitor is set to the manufacturer's recommended value.
  • Page 30: Frequently Asked Questions

    Frequently asked questions The following is a list of possible situations that may arise during the use of your computer. Easy solutions are provided for each one. I pressed the power button and opened the display, but the computer does not start or boot-up. Look at the power indicator: If it is not lit, no power is being supplied to the computer.
  • Page 31 No audio is heard from the computer. Check the following: The volume may be muted. In Windows, look at the volume control • (speaker) icon on the taskbar. If it is crossed-out, click on the icon and deselect the Mute option. The volume level may be too low.
  • Page 32 It is important to back up all data files before using this option. Before performing a restore operation, please check the BIOS settings. Check to see if Acer disk-to-disk recovery is enabled or not. Make sure the D2D Recovery setting in Main is Enabled.
  • Page 33: Requesting Service

    To start the recovery process: Restart the system. While the Acer logo is showing, press <Alt> + <F10> at the same time to enter the recovery process. Refer to the on-screen instructions to perform system recovery. Important: This feature occupies 2 to 3 GB in a hidden partition on your hard drive.
  • Page 34 You are required to provide the following information: Name: _____________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________ Telephone number: _________________________________ Machine and model type: ____________________________ Serial number: ______________________________________ Date of purchase: ___________________________________...
  • Page 35: Acer Arcade (For Selected Models)

    Acer Arcade (for selected models) Acer Arcade is an integrated player for music, photos, DVD movies and videos. To watch or listen, click a content button (e.g., Music, Video, etc.) on the Arcade home page. Cinema — Watch DVDs or VCDs •...
  • Page 36: Arcade Hotkeys

    Arcade hotkeys When running in the Windows environment, the key combinations listed below are available to control and fine-tune the features and settings of Acer Arcade. Hotkey Function <Fn> + <F1> Online help menu <Fn> + <F3> Acer ePowerManagement with battery information <Fn>...
  • Page 37: Finding And Playing Content

    Settings There are settings in Acer Arcade that allow you to fine tune its performance to your machine and your personal preferences. The Settings page is reached by the Advanced Settings button on the Home page.
  • Page 38: Navigation Controls

    Cinema If your computer came with a DVD drive, you can play movies from DVDs and Video CDs (VCDs) with the Cinema function of Acer Arcade. This player has the features and controls of a typical DVD player. When you insert a disk into the DVD drive, the movie begins playing automatically.
  • Page 39: Dvd Settings

    "Original" uses the color scheme of the disk you are watching, while "Vivid," "Bright" and "Theater" add enhanced color to the video display. Acer ClearVision is a video enhancement technology that detects video • content and dynamically adjusts the brightness/contrast/saturation levels so that you do not need to change the color settings if the movie you are watching contains scenes that are overly dark or too bright.
  • Page 40: Album

    Album Acer Arcade lets you view digital photos individually or as a slideshow, from any available drive on your computer. Click the Album button on the Arcade Home page to show the Album main page. The content area on the right shows both individual pictures and folders. Click...
  • Page 41: Slideshow Settings

    To view a slideshow, open the folder containing the pictures you wish to view, then click Play slideshow. The slideshow is played full-screen. Use the pop-up control panel to control the slideshow. To rotate a picture in full-screen, click Rotate right or Rotate left. You can also view a single picture by clicking on it.
  • Page 42: Video Authoring

    Video authoring Click the Video Authoring button to open the PowerProducer program, which allows you to finalize your digital video productions and burn them to disk. Before you produce your movie using PowerProducer, first gather (or create) its component parts: video clips, photos, and background music. You may collect raw footage yourself with a camcorder or other recording device, or you may simply use files that you have on hand;...
  • Page 43: Burner

    Burner NTI CD/DVD-Maker simplifies today's digital lifestyle by providing an easy and complete solution for recording data, audio, photos or video. Now you can burn and share anything on CD/DVD — your data, music, photos or videos — faster and easier than ever before. Copy Back up your CD/DVD collection —...
  • Page 44: Taking Your Notebook Pc With You

    Taking your notebook PC with you This section gives you tips and hints to consider when moving around or traveling with your computer. Disconnecting from the desktop Follow these steps to disconnect your computer from external accessories: Save any open files. Remove any media, floppy disks or compact disks from the drive(s).
  • Page 45: What To Take To Short Meetings

    Note: If the Sleep indicator is off, the computer has entered Hibernation mode and is turned off. If the power indicator is off but the Sleep indicator is on, the computer has entered Sleep mode. In both cases, press and release the power button to turn the computer back on.
  • Page 46: What To Take With You

    What to take with you Unless you have some items at home, take the following items with you: AC adapter and power cord • The printed User's Guide • Special considerations Follow these guidelines to protect your computer while traveling to and from work: Minimize the effects of temperature changes by keeping the computer •...
  • Page 47: What To Take With You

    What to take with you Take the following items with you: AC adapter • Spare, fully-charged battery pack(s) • Additional printer driver files if you plan to use another printer • Special considerations In addition to the guidelines for taking the computer home, follow these guidelines to protect your computer while traveling: Always take the computer as carry-on luggage.
  • Page 48: Special Considerations

    Special considerations Follow the same special considerations as when traveling with the computer. In addition, these tips are useful when traveling internationally: When traveling in another country, check that the local AC voltage and the • AC adapter power cord specifications are compatible. If not, purchase a power cord that is compatible with the local AC voltage.
  • Page 49: Entering Passwords

    Password on Boot secures your computer against unauthorized use. • Combine the use of this password with password checkpoints on boot-up and resume from Hibernation for maximum security. Important! Do not forget your Supervisor Password! If you forget your password, please get in touch with your dealer or an authorized service center.
  • Page 50: Expanding Through Options

    Expanding through options Your notebook PC offers you a complete mobile computing experience. Connectivity options Ports allow you to connect peripheral devices to your computer as you would with a desktop PC. For instructions on how to connect different external devices to the computer, read the following section.
  • Page 51: Built-In Network Feature

    Built-in network feature The built-in network feature allows you to connect your computer to an Ethernet-based network. To use the network feature, connect an Ethernet cable from the network jack on the chassis of the computer to a network jack or hub on your network. Fast Infrared (selected models only) The computer's Fast Infrared (FIR) port allows you to do wireless data transfer with other IR-aware computers and peripherals such as PDAs, mobile phones,...
  • Page 52: Universal Serial Bus (Usb)

    Universal Serial Bus (USB) The USB 2.0 port is a high-speed serial bus which allows you to connect USB peripherals without taking up precious system resources. IEEE 1394 port (selected models only) The computer's IEEE 1394 port allows you to connect to an IEEE 1394- compatible device like a video camera or digital camera.
  • Page 53: Pc Card Slot

    PC Card slot The Type II PC Card slot of the computer accepts PC Cards that enhance the usability and expandability of the computer. These cards should have a PC Card logo on them. PC Cards (formerly PCMCIA) are add-on cards for portable computers, giving you expansion possibilities long afforded by desktop PCs.
  • Page 54: Bios Utility

    Reinstall the battery pack, and reconnect the AC adapter. Turn on the computer. The computer automatically detects and reconfigures the total memory size. Please consult a qualified technician or contact your local Acer dealer. BIOS utility The BIOS utility is a hardware configuration program built into your computer's BIOS.
  • Page 55: Enable Disk-To-Disk Recovery

    Enable disk-to-disk recovery To enable disk-to-disk recovery (hard disk recovery), activate the BIOS utility, then select Main from the categories listed at the top of the screen. Find D2D Recovery at the bottom of the screen and use the <F5> and <F6> keys to set this value to Enabled.
  • Page 56: Power Management

    Note: To change the region code, insert a DVD movie of a different region into the DVD drive. Please refer to the online help for more information. Power management This computer has a built-in power management unit that monitors system activity.
  • Page 57: Acer Erecovery

    Acer eRecovery Acer eRecovery is a tool to quickly backup and restore the system. You can create and save a backup of the current system configuration to hard drive, CD or DVD. Acer eRecovery consists of the following functions: Create backup...
  • Page 58: Restore From Backup

    Press <Alt> + <F10> to open the Acer eRecovery utility. Enter the password to proceed. The default password is six zeros. In the Acer eRecovery window, select Recovery actions and click Next. Select the desired restore action and follow the onscreen instructions to complete the restore process.
  • Page 59: Change Password

    Select the desired driver/application and follow the instructions on screen to re-install. At first launch, Acer eRecovery prepares all the needed software and may take few seconds to bring up the software content window. Change password Acer eRecovery and Acer disk-to-disk recovery are protected by a password that can be changed by the user.
  • Page 60: Troubleshooting

    Troubleshooting This chapter shows you how to deal with common system problems. Read it before calling a technician if a problem occurs. Solutions to more serious problems require opening up the computer. Do not attempt to open the computer yourself; contact your dealer or authorized service center for assistance.
  • Page 61 If you still encounter problems after going through the corrective measures, please contact your dealer or an authorized service center for assistance. Some problems may be solved using the BIOS utility.
  • Page 62: Regulations And Safety Notices

    Regulations and safety notices ENERGY STAR guidelines compliance As an ENERGY STAR partner, Acer Inc. has determined that this product meets the ENERGY STAR guidelines for energy efficiency. FCC notice This device has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules.
  • Page 63 Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme a la norme NMB-003 du Canada. Declaration of Conformity for EU countries Hereby, Acer, declares that this notebook PC series is in compliance with the essential requirements and other relevant provisions of Directive 1999/5/EC. (Please visit http://global.acer.com/products/notebook/reg-nb/index.htm for complete documents.)
  • Page 64: Modem Notices

    Modem notices Notice for USA This equipment complies with Part 68 of the FCC rules. Located on the modem is a label that contains, among other information, the FCC Registration Number and Ringer Equivalence Number (REN) for this equipment. Upon request, you must provide this information to your telephone company.
  • Page 65 List of applicable countries EU member states as of May 2004 are: Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Finland, Sweden, United Kingdom Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Cyprus and Malta. Usage allowed in the countries of European Union, as well as Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
  • Page 66 Some parameters required for compliance with Telecom's Telepermit requirements are dependent on the equipment (PC) associated with this device. In order to operate within the limits for compliance with Telecom's specifications, the associated equipment shall be set to ensure that automatic calls to different numbers are spaced such that there is not less than 5 seconds between the end of one call attempt and the beginning of another.
  • Page 67: Important Safety Instructions

    Important safety instructions Read these instructions carefully. Save them for future reference. Follow all warnings and instructions marked on the product. Unplug this product from the wall outlet before cleaning. Do not use liquid cleaners or aerosol cleaners. Use a water-moistened cloth for cleaning.
  • Page 68 If the product has been dropped or the case has been damaged. If the product exhibits a distinct change in performance, indicating a need for service. The notebook PC series uses lithium batteries. Replace the battery with the same type as the product's battery we recommend in the product specification list.
  • Page 69 LCD pixel statement The LCD unit is produced with high-precision manufacturing techniques. Nevertheless, some pixels may occasionally misfire or appear as black or red dots. This has no effect on the recorded image and does not constitute a malfunction. Macrovision copyright protection notice This product incorporates copyright protection technology that is protected by U.S.
  • Page 70 European Union (EU) This device complies with the essential requirements of the European Council Directives listed below: 73/23/EEC Low Voltage Directive EN 60950 • 89/336/EEC Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive • EN 55022 • EN 55024 EN 61000-3-2/-3 • 99/5/EC Radio & Telecommunications Terminal Equipment (R&TTE) Directive Art.3.1a) EN 60950 •...
  • Page 71 LAN Mini PCI Card built in to the screen section and all persons. Note: The Acer wireless Mini PCI adapter implements a transmission diversity function. The function does not emit radio frequencies simultaneously from both antennas. One of the antennas is selected automatically or manually (by users) to ensure good quality radiocommunication.
  • Page 72 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. Canada - Low power license-exempt radio communication devices (RSS-210) Common information Operation is subject to the following two conditions: 1.
  • Page 73: Declaration Of Conformity

    Notebook personal computer EFL50 Aspire 3600 and Aspire 5500 Aspire 36xxxx and Aspire 55xxxx ("x" = 0 - 9, a - z, or A - Z) Acer America Corporation 2641 Orchard Parkway San Jose, CA 95134 Mr. Young Kim 408-922-2909...
  • Page 74: Declaration Of Conformity For Ce Marking

    Declaration of Conformity for CE Marking Name of manufacturer: Beijing Acer Information Co., Ltd. Address of Huade Building, No.18, ChuangYe Rd. manufacturer: ShangDi Zone, HaiDian District Beijing PRCE marking Contact person: Mr. Easy Lai Tel: 886-2-8691-3089 Fax: 886-2-8691-3000 E-mail: easy_lai@acer.com.tw...
  • Page 75 Index AC adapter caring for audio adjusting the volume troubleshooting battery pack caring for BIOS utility brightness hotkeys caps lock on indicator care AC adapter battery pack computer CD-ROM ejecting ejecting manually troubleshooting cleaning computer computer bringing to meetings caring for cleaning disconnecting features...
  • Page 76 network Notebook Manager hotkey num lock on indicator numeric keypad embedded password types PC Card ejecting inserting ports printer troubleshooting problems CD-ROM display keyboard printer startup troubleshooting questions setting location for modem use safety CD or DVD FCC notice general instructions modem notices scroll lock security...

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