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Acer AcerBasic II User Manual

Acer acerbasic ii: users guide
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AcerBasic
User's Guide

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  • Page 1 AcerBasic User’s Guide...
  • Page 2 Acer Incorporated to notify any person of such revision or changes. Acer is a registered trademark of Acer Incorporated. Microsoft and Windows 95 are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. IBM is a registered trademark and IRConnect is a trademark of IBM Corporation.

  • Page 3: Important Safety Instructions

    IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS Read these instructions carefully. Save these instructions 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 damp cloth for cleaning. Do not use this product near water.
  • Page 4 10. Never push objects of any kind into this product through cabinet slots as they may touch dangerous voltage points or short out parts that could result in a fire or electric shock. Never spill liquid of any kind on the product. 11.

  • Page 5: Caution On Lithium Batteries

    Caution on Lithium Batteries CAUTION Danger of explosion if battery is incorrectly replaced. Replace only with the same or equivalent type recommended by the manufacturer. Discard used batteries according to the manufacturer’s instructions. ADVARSEL! Lithiumbatteri - Eksplosionsfare ved fejlagtig håndtering. Udskiftning må kun ske med batteri af samme fabrikat og type.

  • Page 6: Fcc Class B Radio Frequency Interference Statement

    FCC Class B Radio Frequency Interference Statement Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.

  • Page 7: Canadian Department Of Communications Regulatory Statement

    Canadian Department of Communications Regulatory Statement This digital apparatus does not exceed Class B limits for radio noise emissions from digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulations Communications. Le présent appareil numérique n'émet pas de bruits radio- électriques dépassant les limites applicables aux appareils numériques de la classe B prescrites dans le Réglement sur le brouillage radioélectrique...

  • Page 8: Table Of Contents

    Congratulations on your purchase of the AcerBasic personal computer. Compact in size, not in features, the AcerBasic personal computer opens a window of information to your home or office. We hope you enjoy your AcerBasic personal computer as much as we enjoyed designing and making it for you.
  • Page 9 Audio and Game Devices... 14 External Keyboard... 16 External Mouse... 17 Video Cassette Recorder or Camcorder... 18 Computer Video Camera ... 18 Using the AcerBasic ...19 Turning on the Computer ... 19 Using the Wireless Keyboard ... 20 Installing the Battery ... 20 Using the Floppy Disk Drive ...
  • Page 10 Configuration Table...45 Advanced System Configuration ...46 Internal Cache (CPU Cache) ...46 External Cache...47 ECC/Parity Mode Selection ...47 Memory at 15-16 MB Reserved for ...47 USB Host Controller...47 Power Saving Configuration ...48 Power Management Mode ...48 Monitored Activities...50 QuickStart State Timer ...50 Point Device Location ...50 System Security ...51 Disk Drive Control ...51...

  • Page 11: Unpacking

    The AcerBasic personal computer package contains the following items. Carefully unpack each item and set aside. Standard Items AcerBasic personal computer SCART Euro-AV cable Power cord User’s Guide Unpacking Wireless keyboard Audio and video cables User’s guide and miscellaneous items...

  • Page 12: Optional Items

    Unpacking Optional Items Remote control Computer video camera kit The items in your package may differ slightly. User’s Guide...

  • Page 13: Getting To Know Your Acerbasic

    Getting to Know your AcerBasic The AcerBasic series personal computer has common features listed below: Basic Features High-performance central processing unit (CPU) A fast core (consisting of the CPU and chipsets your computer to process information and data fast. High-speed memory Standard memory configuration is 16 megabytes (MB) of fast EDO (Extended Data Out) or fast page RAM (Random Access Memory).
  • Page 14 Getting to Know your AcerBasic High-speed connectivity Whether you need to get connected via modem or network, this computer has it. Its built-in 33.6 kilobits per second (Kbps) modem connects to a phone line; its built-in Ethernet (10BaseT) jack connects to a network. See page 12.

  • Page 15: Optional Features

    Getting to Know your AcerBasic Optional Features Options include: Hardware upgrades Additional memory Higher-capacity hard disk Higher-speed CD-ROM drive DVD-ROM drive MPEG-II capability Hardware options Remote control Computer video camera kit External monitor External keyboard External mouse Network hubs USB devices Software options Please contact your dealer or reseller for the options available in your region.

  • Page 16: Setting Up The Acerbasic

    Setting Up the AcerBasic This section describes the things to consider when setting up your AcerBasic. Locating the Connectors Most of the connectors on the computer are found at the rear of the unit. A few connectors are found on the front for easy access.
  • Page 17 Setting Up the AcerBasic Item CD-ROM drive open/close button On/sleep button Power/suspend indicator Hard disk/message indicator Network active indicator Network link indicator Infrared receiver Game/MIDI port Microphone jack Earphone/headphone jack VCR/camcorder audio input jack (right) VCR/camcorder audio input jack (left) VCR/camcorder video input jack S-video input...

  • Page 18: Rear

    Setting Up the AcerBasic Rear Item Description On/off switch Turns power on and off Power cord socket Connects a power cord Phone set jack Connects a telephone set Phone line jack Connects a phone line External CRT port Connects an external monitor Video output jack Connects to the video input of a television S-video output jack...

  • Page 19: Finding A Suitable Area To Place The Acerbasic

    Setting Up the AcerBasic Finding a Suitable Area to Place the AcerBasic The AcerBasic has the following dimensions. Locate a suitable area to place the AcerBasic. Allow ample space on all sides of the unit for cords and cable connections. The AcerBasic should also be placed near the devices you will connect to it.

  • Page 20: Basic Connections

    Setting Up the AcerBasic Basic Connections These are the basic connections you need to get your AcerBasic up and going. You can also connect options like a printer or the phone line, described in pages 12 to 17. Connecting to a Television or a Monitor First you need to connect an output device to the computer which can either be a television unit or a computer monitor.

  • Page 21: Connecting The Power Cord

    Setting Up the AcerBasic Connecting the Power Cord Connect the power cord to the power cord socket at the rear of the unit. Then connect the other end to a properly ground power outlet. These basic connections you’ve just made are all you need to get your AcerBasic up and running.

  • Page 22: Connecting Options

    Setting Up the AcerBasic Connecting Options Other connections you make to your computer include the following: Phone Line Connecting to the Internet usually requires a modem, which is built into the AcerBasic. A phone line jack, found at the rear of the unit, connects to your phone line. You can also connect a telephone set to the phone set jack.

  • Page 23: Network Line

    Setting Up the AcerBasic Network Line You can connect the AcerBasic to a network with the built- in 10BaseT (Ethernet) jack found at the rear of the unit. Computers in most companies are connected on networks to facilitate the transfer of information. If you are using the AcerBasic in a networked environment, contact your system administrator for details.

  • Page 24: Audio And Game Devices

    Setting Up the AcerBasic Audio and Game Devices You can connect various audio and game devices to your computer. Some of these ports are duplicated in the front of the unit for easy connection. At the rear of the unit: speakers, earphones or headphones connect to the audio line-out jack audio input device connects to the audio input jack...
  • Page 25 Setting Up the AcerBasic At the front of the unit: earphones or headphones connect to the earphone/ headphone jack microphone connects to the microphone jack joystick, game MIDI device game/MIDI port User’s Guide connects...

  • Page 26: External Keyboard

    Setting Up the AcerBasic External Keyboard You may prefer to use an external keyboard instead of the wireless keyboard that comes with the AcerBasic. There are two types of keyboards besides the wireless keyboard that you can use with the AcerBasic: USB keyboard connects to any of the two USB ports PS/2 keyboard connects to the PS/2 keyboard port These ports are found on the rear of the unit.

  • Page 27: External Mouse

    Setting Up the AcerBasic External Mouse The wireless keyboard has a built-in pointing device. However, you may prefer to use an external mouse instead. There are three types of mice besides the one built into the wireless keyboard that you can use with the AcerBasic: USB mouse connects to any of the two USB ports PS/2 mouse connects to the PS/2 mouse port Serial mouse connects to the serial port...

  • Page 28: Video Cassette Recorder Or Camcorder

    Setting Up the AcerBasic Video Cassette Recorder or Camcorder You can also connect a video cassette recorder (VCR) or camcorder to the unit. Computer Video Camera You can also connect a computer video camera to the unit. Some computer video cameras support an S-video connection. User’s Guide...

  • Page 29: Using The Acerbasic

    Using the AcerBasic Turning on the Computer Follow these steps to turn on your computer: A power switch is located at the rear of the computer, to the left of the power cord socket. switch to the ON ( ) position. Turn on your television or your monitor (the one you connected to the computer).

  • Page 30: Using The Wireless Keyboard

    Using the AcerBasic Using the Wireless Keyboard The wireless keyboard with infrared technology has a built- in pointing device, similar to the ones found in gamepads. This direction pad functions like a mouse or trackball as it moves the cursor on the screen. Move the direction pad in any direction to move the mouse pointer on the screen.

  • Page 31: Using The Floppy Disk Drive

    Using the AcerBasic Using the Floppy Disk Drive The floppy disk drive accepts a 3.5-inch, 1.44MB diskette. Found in almost all computer systems today, this diskette type standard allows you to easily transfer files between your AcerBasic and other computer systems. Guidelines on Floppy Disk Drive Use Read through the following guidelines when using the floppy disk drive:...

  • Page 32: Inserting And Ejecting A Floppy Disk

    Using the AcerBasic Write-protect your diskettes to prevent accidental erasure. To do this, slide the write-protect tab to the write-protect position. Write-protected Not write-protected Inserting and Ejecting a Floppy Disk To insert a floppy disk for use with the AcerBasic, insert the floppy disk into the floppy disk drive as shown in the figure below.
  • Page 33 Using the AcerBasic To eject a floppy disk, press the floppy disk drive eject button. Then carefully remove the floppy disk from the floppy disk drive. User’s Guide...

  • Page 34: Using The Cd-Rom Drive

    Using the AcerBasic Using the CD-ROM Drive The CD-ROM drive is capable of high speed data access and transfer, and can read a variety of CD formats as well as play your audio compact discs. The compact disc stores as much as 650MB of information, making it a useful medium for presenting multimedia-based applications.

  • Page 35: Inserting And Removing A Cd-Rom Disc

    Using the AcerBasic Always store a disc in its case to prevent dust contamination, scratches, damages. To remove dust or fingerprints, use a clean, soft and dry cloth. Never use fluids like benzene or anti- static fluids. Using fluids of these types may damage the disc.
  • Page 36 Using the AcerBasic Place a CD-ROM disc onto the CD-ROM disc tray. Press the CD-ROM drive open/close button. The CD- ROM drive tray slides back in. User’s Guide...

  • Page 37: Setting Passwords

    Using the AcerBasic Setting Passwords Passwords are a security feature of your computer, protecting your computer from unauthorized access. There are two types of passwords you can set: Setup Power-on Do not forget your password! If you forget your password, you need to contact your dealer. Setup Password The Setup Password prevents unauthorized access to the BIOS Utility.
  • Page 38 Using the AcerBasic Type a password. The password may consist of up to seven characters (A-Z, a-z, 0-9). Be very careful when typing your password because the characters do not appear on the screen. Press Enter. A prompt asks you to retype the password to verify your first entry.
  • Page 39 Using the AcerBasic Changing or Removing the Setup Password Should you want to change your setup password, do the following: During POST (while the startup logo is being displayed), press Ctrl-Alt-Esc to enter the BIOS Utility. Select System Security and press Enter. Highlight the Setup Password parameter.

  • Page 40: Power On Password

    Using the AcerBasic Power On Password The Power On Password secures your computer against unauthorized use. Once you set this password, you have to type it whenever you boot the computer. To set this password, enter the BIOS Utility, select System Security, then highlight the Power On Password parameter.

  • Page 41: Communicating Between Acerbasics

    Using the AcerBasic Communicating Between AcerBasics You can transfer files between two AcerBasic computers using the built-in infrared feature and bundled infrared software. The two AcerBasic units should be facing each other with a maximum angle of 15 degrees. When set-up, the two computers will automatically detect and establish a connection.

  • Page 42: Transferring Files

    Using the AcerBasic Transferring Files With a proper connection, you can now transfer files between the two computers. Follow these steps: Double-click on the Network Neighborhood icon on your desktop. Two new items pertaining to the two computers appear in the list. Double-click on each item to open their contents.

  • Page 43: Maintenance

    Care and Maintenance This section includes items on care and maintenance of your computer. Your computer will serve you well if you take care of it. This section tells you how to care for the notebook. Also, re- read the important safety instructions at the beginning of this manual.

  • Page 44: Getting Help

    Help item on their menu bar that you can gain access to. Getting Help Online If you are connected to the Internet and have World Wide Web access, visit our homepage (http://www.acer.com/) to get support and the latest information about our products. Most User’s Guide...

  • Page 45: Setup Utility

    Your computer has a built-in BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) setup utility. With this utility, you can configure certain hardware settings for your computer. Basically, your configured for you and you do not need to run this utility unless you get a Run Setup message. Run this utility if you want to do any of the following: Check the configuration of the computer Change the drive boot sequence...
  • Page 46 Setup Utility The following screen is the main menu of the setup utility. BIOS Utility Basic System Configuration Advanced System Configuration Power Saving Configuration System Security PnP/PCI System Configuration Load Setup Default Settings = Move Highlight Bar, To enter a menu item, use the cursor up/down ( , ) keys to select the item, then press Enter.

  • Page 47: Basic System Configuration

    Basic System Configuration Select Basic System Configuration to input configuration values such as date, time, and disk types. The following screen shows the Basic System Configuration menu. Basic System Configuration Date ... [05/16/97] Time ... [03:48:00] Diskette Drive A ... [1.44-MB 3.5-inch] Diskette Drive B ...

  • Page 48: Date And Time

    Setup Utility Press the page down key (PgDn) to move to the next page or the page up key (PgUp) to return to the previous page. Press the escape key (Esc) to exit the configuration menu. The following screen shows page 2 of the Basic System Configuration menu.

  • Page 49: Diskette Drives

    Highlight the items on the date parameter and press to set the date following the month-day-year format. Valid values for month, day, and year are: Month Year Highlight the items on the time parameter and press to set the time following the hour-minute-second format. Valid values for hour, minute, and second are: Hour Minute...

  • Page 50: Ide Drives

    Setup Utility Possible settings for the Diskette Drive parameters: None 360 KB, 5.25-inch 1.2 MB, 5.25-inch 720 KB, 3.5-inch 1.44 MB, 3.5-inch 2.88 MB, 3.5-inch If you do not have a second diskette drive, set Diskette Drive B to None IDE Drives Move the highlight bar to the IDE Drive 0 parameter to configure the first IDE drive (drive C).
  • Page 51 IDE Drive 0 (xx MB)………………… [Auto] If desired, you can save the values under the option IDE Drive 0 (xx MB)………………… [User] The next time you boot the computer, the BIOS Utility does not have to auto-configure your IDE drive as it detects the saved disk information during POST.

  • Page 52: Total Memory

    Setup Utility Follow these steps to configure an IDE hard disk with the User option: Highlight an IDE drive parameter. Select the option and press Enter. User Type in the number of cylinders, heads, and sectors of the drive under the appropriate columns. Be sure to have the correct IDE hard disk drive information beforehand.

  • Page 53: Advanced Pio Mode

    Setup Utility ADVANCED PIO MODE Enabling this parameter allows for faster data recovery and read/write timing that reduces hard disk activity time. This results to better hard disk performance. To utilize this feature, your hard disk must support the advanced PIO mode. If not, set this parameter to Disabled Refer to your hard disk documentation for information about the advanced PIO mode.

  • Page 54: Large Memory Support Mode

    Setup Utility Large Memory Support Mode This option allows your computer to support an extended memory higher than 64 MB. Set the parameter to Advanced if you are working under the Windows NT v.3.1 environment. Otherwise, set this to its default which is Normal Num Lock After Boot This parameter allows you to activate the Num Lock...

  • Page 55: Configuration Table

    Even if your setting is Enabled text mode while booting by pressing F9 after you hear a beep that indicates the activation of the keyboard. When set to , BIOS is in the conventional text mode Disabled where you see the system initialization details on the screen.

  • Page 56: Advanced System Configuration

    Setup Utility Advanced System Configuration The Advanced System Configuration option allows you to configure the advanced system memory functions. Do not change any settings in the Advanced Configuration if you are not a qualified technician to avoid damaging the computer. following screen shows...

  • Page 57: External Cache

    Setup Utility External Cache This parameter enables or disables the second-level cache memory. The default value is Enabled ECC/Parity Mode Selection This parameter allows you to enable or disable the ECC and parity check features. Select to enable the parity check Parity feature.

  • Page 58: Power Saving Configuration

    Setup Utility Power Saving Configuration Power Saving Configuration configurable only if your computer supports the power management feature. The following screen shows the Power Saving Configuration parameters and their default settings: Power Saving Configuration Power Management Mode ... [Enabled ] Power Saving Operation Mode ...
  • Page 59 Setup Utility POWER SAVING OPERATION MODE This parameter specifies which type of power saving the computer enters into, either Traditional or QuickStart. In Traditional power saving mode, power saving timers are set and these allow the computer to begin power saving during inactivity timeouts;...

  • Page 60: Monitored Activities

    Setup Utility SYSTEM SUSPEND TIMER This parameter sets the computer to the lowest power saving mode. It automatically enters into the suspend mode after a specified period of inactivity. In suspend mode, the CPU clock stops. Any keyboard or mouse action, or any enabled monitored activities occurring through the IRQ channels resume computer operation.

  • Page 61: System Security

    System Security The Setup program has a number of security features to prevent unauthorized access to the computer and its data. The following screen appears if you enter the Setup program and select System Security. System Security Disk Drive Control Diskette Drive...

  • Page 62: Diskette Drive

    Setup Utility DISKETTE DRIVE Setting Description Normal Diskette drive functions normally Write Protect All Sectors Disables the write function on all sectors Write Protect Boot Sector Disables the write function only on the boot sector Disabled Disables all diskette functions HARD DISK DRIVE Setting Description...

  • Page 63: Onboard Communication Ports

    BOOT FROM CD-ROM Setting Description Enabled The computer checks for a bootable CD in the CD-ROM. If a CD is present, the computer boots from the CD-ROM. Otherwise, it boots from the drive specified in the System Boot Drive parameter. Disabled The computer boots from the drive specified in the System Boot Drive parameter.

  • Page 64: Serial Port 2 Base Address

    Setup Utility SERIAL PORT 2 BASE ADDRESS This parameter allows you to set the serial port 2 logical base address. Serial port 2 refers to the internal infrared transceiver. Setting Description 3F8h Serial port 2 with address 3F8h using IRQ4 2F8h Serial port 2 with address 2F8h using IRQ3 3E8h...

  • Page 65: Parallel Port Base Address

    PARALLEL PORT BASE ADDRESS This parameter allows you to set the parallel port base address. Setting Function 3BCh(IRQ 7) Corresponds to the parallel port with address 3BCh 378h(IRQ 7) Corresponds to the parallel port with address 378h 278h(IRQ 5) Corresponds to the parallel port with address 278h Disabled Disables the parallel port To deactivate the parallel port, select the...

  • Page 66: Onboard Ps/2 Mouse (Irq 12)

    Setup Utility OPERATION MODE This item allows you to set the operation mode of the parallel port. Setting Function Standard Parallel Port (SPP) Allows one-way operation at normal speed Standard and Bidirectional Allows two-way operation at normal speed Enhanced Parallel Port (EPP) Allows operation at maximum speed Extended Capabilities Port...

  • Page 67: Setup Password

    Setup Utility Setup Password The Setup Password prevents unauthorized access to the BIOS utility. Once the Setup Password is set, you must key-in this password the next time you want to enter the BIOS utility. To set the Setup Password, see page 27. Power On Password The Power On Password secures your computer against unauthorized use.

  • Page 68: Pci/Pnp System Configuration

    Setup Utility PCI/PnP System Configuration The PnP/PCI System Configuration allows you to specify the settings for your PCI devices. PnP/PCI System Configuration PCI IRQ Setting ...[ Auto ] PCI Slot 1 ... [--] PCI Slot 2 ... [--] On-Board VGA... [--] PCI IRQ Sharing ...

  • Page 69: Pci Slots (1 And 2)

    PCI Slots (1 and 2) These parameters allow you to specify the appropriate interrupt for each of the PCI devices. You can assign to the slots. IRQ9 IRQ10 IRQ11 IRQ15 Press to move between fields. Press options. Onboard VGA This option allows you to specify an interrupt for the onboard VGA.

  • Page 70: Vga Palette Snoop

    Setup Utility VGA Palette Snoop This parameter permits you to use the palette snooping feature if you installed more than one VGA card in the computer. The VGA palette snoop function allows the control palette register (CPR) to manage and update the VGA RAM DAC (Digital Analog Converter, a color data storage) of each VGA card installed in the computer.

  • Page 71: Reset Resources Assignment

    Setup Utility Reset Resources Assignment Set this parameter to to avoid IRQ conflict when installing non-PnP or PnP ISA cards. This clears all resource assignments allows BIOS reassign resources to all installed PnP devices the next time the computer boots. After clearing the resource data, the parameter resets to Onboard LAN Chip...

  • Page 72: Load Setup Default Settings

    Setup Utility Load Setup Default Settings This option loads the default settings for optimized computer operation. When you load the default settings, some parameters are grayed-out and fixed. The following dialog box appears when you select Load Setup Default Settings from the main menu. Load Setup Default Settings Are you sure? [Yes] [No]...

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