Appendix B: Frequently Asked Questions - Acer TravelMate 530 Training Manual

Notebook Training Manual for Acer TravelMate 530

Appendix B: Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my 56K modem not connecting at 56K speeds?
Several factors can affect connection speed, such as line noise, number of people
connecting/connected to your ISP, and the age and condition of the telephone lines. A 56K
modem does not guarantee all connections at 56K; rather it offers the ability to connect at up
to 56K.
Why is my CPU speed slower on battery?
The SpeedStep technology that is resident on these notebooks adjusts the CPU speed
depending on the power source. SpeedStep will slow the CPU speed down to reduce battery
consumption allowing for longer battery life. Once an AC adaptor is connected to the
notebook, SpeedStep returns the CPU speed to normal.
Why am I getting no sound?
The volume on the notebook is controlled by holding down the Function <Fn> key and
pressing the up and down arrow keys. The volume level is shown on the screen.
Why do I get intermittent CD Read Errors?
When a CD ROM drive intermittently reads a CD, it's normally caused by a dirty or scratched
CD, or a problem with the CD drive.
Try reading different CDs to see if all or just one CD has trouble being read. If it's only a
particular CD, that CD is most likely scratched or dirty. CD cleaning kits are available at most
places that sell CDs. If all CDs have trouble being read, there may be a problem with your CD
drive.
Why is my system running slow?
If you have noticed your system running slower than usual it may be due to a fragmented hard
disk drive. (Note: Other factors such as RAM memory, cache memory, and free space on your
hard drive may also affect system performance.) Your hard drive does a lot of reading and
writing and, over an extended period of time, it can become fragmented – this simply means
that the files on your hard drive are not in continuous order, so the hard drive takes longer to
load files or programs.
To put your files back in order you use a program call Disk Defragmenter. This program will
optimise your hard disk drive by placing the files on your drive back in continuous order, and
will increase your notebook's performance.
1. Tap Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter.
2. Select the drive to be 'de-fragged'.
3. Tap Analyze. Windows will indicate if this drive should be defragmented.
4. If you need to defrag, tap Defragment to start the process.
5. The time required to completed the defragmentation of the hard disk drive will depend
on its size.
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Department of Education and Training
2003 Page 30 of 36