ZG1SWM3B2100BT Notebook Computer With 802.11b and Bluetooth Modem user manual 1 of 2

 

TravelMate 800 series Users guide Copyright 2003 Acer Incorporated. All Rights Reserved. TravelMate 800 series Users guide Original Issue: February 2003 Changes may be made periodically to the information in this publication without obligation to notify any person of such revision or changes. Such changes will be incorporated in new editions of this manual or supplementary documents and publications. This company makes no representations or warranties, either expressed or implied, with respect to the contents hereof and specifically disclaims the implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Record the model number, serial number, purchase date, and place of purchase information in the space provided below. The serial number and model number are recorded on the label affixed to your computer. All correspondence concerning your unit should include the serial number, model number, and purchase information. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Acer Incorporated. TravelMate 800 series Notebook computer Model number : _________________________________ Serial number: ___________________________________ Purchase date: ___________________________________ Place of purchase: ________________________________ Acer and the Acer logo are registered trademarks of Acer Incorporated. Other company's product names or trademarks are used herein for identification purposes only and belong to their respective companies. iii E n g l i s h 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 Users 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. If you ever need to print out a copy, this Users guide is also available in PDF (Portable Document Format). Follow these steps:

1 Click on Start, Programs, TravelMate. 2 Click on TravelMate Users guide. Note: Viewing the file requires Adobe Acrobat Reader installed. If Adobe Acrobat Reader is not installed on your computer, clicking on TravelMate Users guide will run the Acrobat Reader setup program first. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation. For instructions on how to use Adobe Acrobat Reader, access the Help menu. For more information about our products, services, and support information, please visit our Web site (global.acer.com). iv h s i l g n E Basic care and tips for using your computer Turning your computer on and off To turn on the computer, simply press the power button, the button left of the launch keys found above your TravelMates standard keyboard. See Front open view on page 3 for the location of the power switch. To turn the power off, do any of the following:

Use the Windows shutdown command For Windows 2000: Click on Start, Shut Down..., and select Shut down; then click on OK.

- or -

For Windows XP: Click on Start, Turn off Computer; then click Turn Off. Use the power button

Note: You can also use the power button to perform power management functions. See Windows help for more information.

Use the customized functions for power management You can also shut down the computer by closing the display cover, or by pressing the sleep hot key (Fn-F4). See the online guide for details. Note: If you cannot power off the computer normally, press and hold the power switch for more than four seconds to shut down the computer. If you turn off the computer and want to turn it on again, wait at least two seconds before powering up. Taking care of your computer Your computer will serve you well if you take care of it.

Do not expose the computer to direct sunlight. Do not place it near sources of heat, such as a radiator. Do not expose the computer to temperatures below 0C (32F) or above 50C (122F).

E n g l i s h v

Do not subject the computer to magnetic fields. Do not expose the computer to rain or moisture. Do not spill water or any liquid on the computer. Do not subject the computer to heavy shock and vibration. Do not expose the computer to dust and dirt. Never place objects on top of the computer to avoid damaging the computer. Do not slam the computer display when you close it. Never place the computer on uneven surfaces. Taking care of your AC adapter Here are some ways to take care of your AC adapter:

Do not connect the adapter to any other device.

Do not step on the power cord or place heavy objects on top of it. Carefully route the power cord and any cables away from personal traffic.

When unplugging the power cord, do not pull on the cord itself

but pull on the plug. The total ampere ratings of the equipment plugged in should not exceed the ampere rating of the cord if you are using an extension cord. Also, the total current rating of all equipment plugged into a single wall outlet should not exceed the fuse rating. Taking care of your battery pack Here are some ways to take care of your battery pack:

Use only batteries of the same kind as replacements. Turn the power off before removing or replacing batteries. Do not tamper with batteries. Keep them away from children. Dispose of used batteries according to local regulations. Recycle if at all possible.

Cleaning and servicing When cleaning the computer, follow these steps:

1 Power off the computer and remove the battery pack. vi h s i l g n E 2 Disconnect the AC adapter. 3 Use a soft cloth moistened with water. Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners. To clean the display screen, use an LCD cleaning kit. 4 If any of the following occurs:

The computer has been dropped or the body has been damaged. Liquid has been spilled into the product. The computer does not operate normally. Please refer to "Troubleshooting my computer" on page 55. s t n e t n o C First things first Your guides Basic care and tips for using your computer 1 Getting to know your TravelMate A TravelMate tour Front open view Front view Left view Right view Rear view Bottom view Features Indicators Using the keyboard Special keys Touchpad Touchpad basics Storage Hard disk AcerMedia bay Using software Audio Adjusting the volume Power management Moving around with your TravelMate Disconnecting from the desktop Moving around Taking the computer home Traveling with the computer Traveling internationally with the computer Securing your computer Using a computer security lock Using the Smart Card Using passwords 2 Customizing my computer Expanding through options Connectivity options Upgrade options Using system utilities Notebook Manager iii iii iv 1 3 3 5 5 7 8 9 11 13 14 14 22 22 24 24 24 25 27 27 28 29 29 29 30 32 32 34 34 34 40 43 45 45 50 53 53 h s i l g n E viii Launch Manager BIOS Utility 3 Troubleshooting my computer Frequently-asked questions Troubleshooting tips Error messages Requesting service International Travelers Warranty (ITW) Before you call Appendix A Specifications Appendix B Notices Index 54 54 55 57 60 61 62 62 62 65 71 79 1 Getting to know your TravelMate Your TravelMate computer combines high-

performance, versatility, power management features and multimedia capabilities with a unique style and ergonomic design. Work with unmatched productivity and reliability with your new power computing partner. A TravelMate tour After setting up your computer as illustrated in the Just for Starters... poster, let us show you around your new TravelMate computer. Front open view 3 E n g l i s h

1 2 3 4 Item Description Display screen Also called LCD (liquid-crystal display), displays computer output. Power button Turns on the computer. Touchpad Touch-sensitive pointing device which functions like a computer mouse. Click buttons (left, center and right) The left and right buttons function like the left and right mouse buttons; the center button serves as a 4-way scroll button. h s i l g n E 4

5 6 7 8 9 1 Getting to know your TravelMate Item Palmrest Description Comfortable support area for your hands when you use the computer. Keyboard Inputs data into your computer. Status indicators Launch keys LEDs (light-emitting diode) that turn on and off to show the status of the computer, its functions and components. Special keys for launching internet browser, email program and frequently used programs. See Launch Keys on page 20 for more details. Microphone Internal microphone for sound recording. Front view 5 E n g l i s h

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Item Speaker Description Outputs sound. Bluetooth button Starts (optional) Bluetooth functionality. Bluetooth indicator Indicates that (optional) Bluetooth is enabled. InviLink button InviLink indicator Opens (optional) wireless connectivity. Indicates status of (optional) wireless communication. Latch Latch for opening and closing the laptop. Infrared port Interfaces with infrared devices (e.g., infrared printer, IR-aware computer). Battery indicator Lights orange when the battery is charging. Lights green when the battery is full. Power status indicator Lights green when the power is on and orange when the computer is in standby mode. 6 Left view h s i l g n E 1 Getting to know your TravelMate

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Item Description Four (4) USB 2.0 ports Connect to Universal Serial Bus devices

(e.g., USB mouse, USB camera). IEEE 1394 port Connects to IEEE 1394 devices. Smart Card slot Line-in jack Slot for Smart Card interface with pre-

boot authentication system. Accepts audio line-in devices (e.g., audio CD player, stereo walkman). Microphone jack Accepts input from external microphones. Headphone/ Speaker/

Line-out jack Connect to headphones or other line-out audio devices (speakers). PC Card eject button Ejects the PC Card from the slot. PC Card slot Accepts one Type II 16-bit PC Card or 32-

bit CardBus PC Card. Right view 7 E n g l i s h

1 2 3 4 5 Item Description AcerMedia drive Houses a removable media drive module. AcerMedia indicator Lights up when the AcerMedia drive is active. Eject button Ejects the drive tray. Emergency eject slot Ejects the drive tray when the computer is turned off. See page 58 for more details. Power jack Connects to an AC adapter. Note: The positions of the AcerMedia indicator, eject button and emergency eject hole may differ depending on the optical drive module installed. 8 Rear view h s i l g n E 1 Getting to know your TravelMate

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Item Description Modem jack Connects to a phone line. Network jack Connects to an Ethernet 10/100-based network. Expansion port Connects to I/O port replicator or EasyPort expansion devices. Parallel port Connects to a parallel device (e.g., parallel printer). External display port Connects to a display device (e.g., external monitor, LCD projector). S-video Connects to a television or display device with S-video input. Security keylock Connects to a Kensington-compatible computer security lock. Bottom view 9 E n g l i s h

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Item Description AcerMedia bay release latch Unlatches the AcerMedia drive for removing the optical drive. AcerMedia bay Houses an AcerMedia drive module. Battery bay Houses the computer's battery pack. Battery release latch Unlatches the battery to remove the battery pack. Battery lock Locks the battery in place. Mini-PCI slot Slot for adding mini-PCI cards. Hard disk protector Protects the hard disk from accidental bumps and vibration. h s i l g n E 10

8 9 1 Getting to know your TravelMate Item Description Hard disk bay Memory compartment Houses the computer's hard disk (secured by a screw). Houses the computers memory. 10 Cooling fan Helps keep the computer cool. Note: Dont cover or obstruct the opening of the fan. 11 Personal identification slot Insert a business card or similar-sized identification card to personalize your computer. Features Below is a brief summary of the computers many features:

11 E n g l i s h Performance Intel Pentium M Processor with 1024 KB level 2 cache featuring the new Enhanced Intel SpeedStep technology

Memory expandable up to 2 GB

Internal removable optical drive (AcerMedia bay) High-capacity, Enhanced-IDE hard disk Li-Ion main battery pack Power management system with ACPI (Advanced Configuration Power Interface) Smart Card interface with pre-boot authentication system for added security

Display

Thin-Film Transistor (TFT) liquid crystal display (LCD) displaying 32-

bit high color up to 1024 x 768 eXtended Graphics Array (XGA) resolution for 14.1/15 and 1600 x 1200 Ultra eXtended Graphics Array (UXGA) resolution for some 15 models. (specification varies depending on the model) 3D capabilities Simultaneous LCD and CRT display support S-video for output to a television or display device that supports S-

video input

"Automatic LCD dim" feature that automatically decides the best settings for your display and conserves power Dual display capability

Multimedia

16-bit high-fidelity AC97 stereo audio Built-in dual speakers Built-in microphone High-speed optical drive (AcerMedia bay) 12 1 Getting to know your TravelMate h s i l g n E Connectivity

High-speed fax/data modem port Ethernet/Fast Ethernet port Fast infrared wireless communication Four (4) USB 2.0 (Universal Serial Bus) ports IEEE 1394 port InviLink 802.11b wireless LAN mini-PCI module

(manufacturing optional) Human-centric design and ergonomics

Internet 4-way scroll button Sleek, smooth and stylish design Full-sized keyboard Ergonomically-centered touchpad pointing device Expansion

One type II CardBus PC Card slot

Upgradeable memory Acer EasyPort (optional) Indicators The computer has three easy-to-read status indicators below the display screen, and two on the front of the computer. 13 E n g l i s h The Battery and Power status indicators are visible even when you close the display. Icon Function Description Caps lock Lights when Caps Lock is activated. Num lock Lights when Num Lock is activated. Media Activity Lights when the disc or AcerMedia is activated. Battery Power Lights orange when the battery is charging. Lights green when the battery is full. Lights green when the power is on and orange when the computer is in standby mode. 14 1 Getting to know your TravelMate h s i l g n E Using the keyboard The full-sized keyboard includes an embedded numeric keypad, separate cursor keys, two Windows keys and twelve function keys. Special keys Lock keys The keyboard has three lock keys which you can toggle on and off. Lock key Description Caps Lock When Caps Lock is on, all alphabetic characters typed are in uppercase. Num Lock

(Fn-F11) When Num Lock is on, the embedded keypad is in numeric mode. The keys function as a calculator (complete with the arithmetic operators +, -, *, and /). Use this mode when you need to do a lot of numeric data entry. A better solution would be to connect an external keypad. Scroll Lock

(Fn-F12) When Scroll Lock is on, the screen moves one line up or down when you press the up or down arrow keys respectively. Scroll Lock does not work with some applications. 15 Embedded numeric keypad The embedded numeric keypad functions like a desktop numeric keypad. It is indicated by small characters located on the upper right corner of the keycaps. To simplify the keyboard legend, cursor-control key symbols are not printed on the keys. E n g l i s h Desired access Num lock on Num lock off Number keys on embedded keypad Type numbers in a normal manner. Cursor-control keys on embedded keypad Main keyboard keys Hold Shift while using cursor-control keys. Hold Fn while using cursor-control keys. Hold Fn while typing letters on embedded keypad. Type the letters in a normal manner. Note: If an external keyboard or keypad is connected to the computer, the Num Lock feature automatically shifts from the internal keyboard to the external keyboard or keypad. 16 1 Getting to know your TravelMate Windows keys The keyboard has two keys that perform Windows-specific functions. h s i l g n E Key Description Windows logo key Start button. Combinations with this key perform shortcut functions. Below are a few examples:

+ Tab (Activates next taskbar button)

+ E (Explores My Computer)

+ F (Finds Document)

+ M (Minimizes All) Shift +

+ M (Undoes Minimize All)

+ R (Displays the Run... dialog box) Application key Opens a context menu (same as a right-click). 17 Hot keys The computer employs hot keys or key combinations to access most of the computers controls like screen brightness, volume output and the BIOS Utility. To activate hot keys, press and hold the Fn key before pressing the other key in the hot key combination. E n g l i s h Hot key Icon Function Description Fn-F1 Fn-F2 Fn-F3 Fn-F4 Sleep Hot key help Displays help on hot keys. Setup Accesses the computers configuration utility. Power management scheme toggle Switches the power management scheme used by the computer (function available if supported by operating system). See Power management on page 28. Puts the computer in Sleep mode. See Power management on page 28. 18 1 Getting to know your TravelMate Hot key Icon Function Description h s i l g n E Fn-F5 Display toggle Switches display output between the display screen, external monitor (if connected) and both the display screen and external monitor. Turns the display screen backlight off to save power. Press any key to return. Screen blank Touchpad toggle Turns the internal touchpad on and off. Speaker toggle Turns the speakers on and off. Volume up Increases the speaker volume. Volume down Decreases the speaker volume. Brightness up Increases the screen brightness. Brightness down Decreases the screen brightness. Fn-F6 Fn-F7 Fn-F8 Fn-

Fn-

Fn-

Fn-

The Euro symbol If your keyboard layout is set to United States-International or United Kingdom or if you have a keyboard with a European layout, you can type the Euro symbol on your keyboard. E n g l i s h 19 Note for US keyboard users: The keyboard layout is set when you first set up Windows. For the Euro symbol to work, the keyboard layout has to be set to United States-International. Click on Start, Settings, Control Panel. To verify the keyboard type in Windows Millennium Edition and Windows 2000, follow the steps below:

1 2 Double-click on Keyboard. Click on the Language tab. 3 Verify that the keyboard layout used for "En English (United 4 States)" is set to United States-International. If not, select and click on Properties; then select United States-

International and click on OK. Click on OK. 5 Click on Start, Control Panel. To verify the keyboard type in Windows XP, follow the steps below:

1 2 Double-click on Regional and Language Options. 3 Click on the Language tab and click on Details. h s i l g n E 20 4 5 1 Getting to know your TravelMate Verify that the keyboard layout used for "En English (United States)" is set to United States-International. If not, select and click on ADD; then select United States-

International and click on OK. Click on OK. To type the Euro symbol:

1 Locate the Euro symbol on your keyboard. 2 Open a text editor or word processor. 3 Hold Alt Gr and press the Euro symbol. Note: Some fonts and software do not support the Euro symbol. Please refer to www.microsoft.com/typography/faq/faq12.htm for more information. Launch Keys Located above the keyboard are five buttons. The left-most button is the power button. To the right of the power button are the four launch keys. They are designated as the mail button, the web browser button, and two programmable buttons (P1 and P2). 21 E n g l i s h Launch key Default application Mail Email application. Web browser Internet browser application P1 P2 User-programmable User-programmable E-Mail Detection Click right button at the Launch Manager icon on the taskbar and click on E-Mail Detection. In this dialog box, you have the option to enable disable mail checking, set the time interval for mail checking, etc. If you already have an email account, you can fill in User Name, Password and POP3 Sever in the dialog box. The POP3 Sever is the mail sever where you get your email. Aside from the email checking function, there is a mail button that is used to launch the email application. It is located above the keyboard right below the LCD. 22 1 Getting to know your TravelMate h s i l g n E 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 on the surface of the touchpad. The central location on the palmrest provides optimum comfort and support. Note: When using an external USB mouse, you can press Fn-F7 to disable the touchpad. Touchpad basics The following items teach you how to use the touchpad:

Move your finger across the touchpad to move the cursor.

Press the left (1) and right (3) buttons located on the edge of the touchpad to do selection and execution functions. These two buttons are similar to the left and right buttons on a mouse. Tapping on the touchpad produces similar results. 23

Use the 4-way scroll (2) button (top/bottom/left and right) to scroll a page up, down, left or right. This button mimics your cursor pressing on the vertical and horizontal scroll bars of Windows applications. E n g l i s h Function Left button Right button Center buttons Tap Tap twice (at the same speed as double-clicking a mouse button) Tap once Tap twice (at the same speed as double-clicking a mouse button) then hold finger to the touchpad on the second tap and drag the cursor Execute Click twice quickly Click once Click and hold, then use finger to drag the cursor on the touchpad Select Drag Access context menu Scroll Click once Click and hold the button in the desired direction

(up/down/

left/right) Note: Keep your fingers dry and clean when using the touchpad. Also keep the touchpad dry and clean. The touchpad is sensitive to finger movements. Hence, the lighter the touch, the better the response. Tapping harder will not increase the touchpads responsiveness. 24 1 Getting to know your TravelMate h s i l g n E Storage This computer supplies you with the following media storage:

High-capacity Enhanced-IDE hard disk AcerMedia drive Hard disk The high-capacity hard disk is the answer to your storage needs. This is where your programs and data are stored. AcerMedia bay The AcerMedia bay accepts a wide variety of optional media drive modules for use with your computer. These optional items include:

CD-ROM drive DVD-ROM drive DVD/CD-RW drive DVD-RW drive Second hard disk drive Second battery Note: To swap AcerMedia drive modules, see Swapping AcerMedia drive modules on page 52 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. E n g l i s h 25 When the power is off, you can eject the drive tray using the emergency eject hole. See page 58. Using software Playing DVD movies When the DVD-ROM drive module is installed in the AcerMedia bay, you can play DVD movies on your computer. 1 Eject the DVD tray and insert a DVD movie disc; then close the DVD tray. Important! When you launch the DVD player for the first time, the program asks you to input the region code. DVD discs are divided into 6 regions. Once your DVD drive is set to a region code, it will play DVD discs of that region only. You can set the region code a maximum of five times (including the first time), after which the last region code set will remain permanent. Recovering your hard disk does not reset the number of times the region code has been set. Refer to the table below for DVD movie region code information. 26 1 Getting to know your TravelMate 2 The DVD movie will automatically play after a few seconds. h s i l g n E Region code Country or region 1 2 3 4 5 6 U.S.A., Canada Europe, Middle East, South Africa, Japan Southeast Asia, Taiwan, Korea (South) Latin America, Australia, New Zealand Former U.S.S.R., parts of Africa, India People's Republic of China Note: To change the region code, insert a DVD movie of a different region into the DVD-ROM drive. Please refer to the online help for more information. Audio The computer comes with 16-bit high-fidelity AC97 stereo audio, and includes a built-in sensitive microphone and dual stereo speakers. E n g l i s h 27 There are audio ports on the left of the computer. See Front view Left view on page 5 for more information on connecting external audio devices. Adjusting the volume Adjusting the volume on the computer is as easy as pressing some buttons. See Hot keys on page 17 for more informations on adjusting the speaker volume. h s i l g n E 28 1 Getting to know your TravelMate Power management This computer has a built-in power management unit that monitors system activity. System activity refers to any activity involving one or more of the following devices: keyboard, mouse, hard disk, peripherals connected to the serial and parallel ports, and video memory. If no activity is detected for a period of time (called an inactivity timeout), the computer stops some or all of these devices in order to conserve energy. This computer employs a power management scheme that supports ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface), which allows for maximum power conservation and maximum performance at the same time. Windows handles all power-saving chores for your computer. Moving around with your TravelMate This section gives you tips and hints to consider when moving around or traveling with your computer. E n g l i s h 29 Disconnecting from the desktop Follow these steps to disconnect your computer from external accessories:

1 2 Save your work in progress. Remove any media, diskette or compact disc, from the drive(s). Shut down the computer. Close the display cover. 3 4 5 Disconnect the cord from the AC adapter. 6 Disconnect the keyboard, pointing device, printer, external monitor, and other external devices. 7 Disconnect the Kensington lock if you are using one to secure the computer. Moving around when you are just moving within short distances, for example, from your office desk to a meeting room Preparing the computer Before moving the computer, close and latch the display cover to place it in Sleep mode. You can now safely take the computer anywhere you go within the building. To bring the computer out of Sleep mode, open the display; then slide and release the power switch. If you are taking the computer to a client's office or a different building, you may choose to shut down the computer:

1 2 Click on Start, Shut Down... or Turn off Computer (Windows XP). Select Shut down and click on OK, or select Turn Off (Windows XP). 30

- or -

1 Getting to know your TravelMate h s i l g n E you can put the computer in Sleep mode by pressing Fn-F4. Then close and latch the display. When you are ready to use the computer again, unlatch and open the display; then slide and release the power switch. Note: If the sleep indicator is off, the computer has entered Hibernation mode and turned off. If the power indicator is off but the sleep indicator is on, the computer has entered Sleep mode. In both cases, slide and release the power switch to turn the computer back on. Note that the computer may enter Hibernation mode after it is in Sleep mode for a period of time. What to bring to short meetings A fully charged primary battery runs the computer for about 5 hours under most circumstances. If your meeting is shorter than that, you probably do not need to bring anything with you other than the computer. What to bring to long meetings If your meeting will last longer than 5 hours or if your battery is not fully charged, you may want to bring the AC adapter with you to plug in your computer in the meeting room. If the meeting room does not have an electrical outlet, reduce the drain on the battery by putting the computer in standby mode. Press Fn-F4 or close the display cover whenever you are not actively using the computer. To resume, open the display (if closed); then slide and release the power switch. Taking the computer home when you are moving from your office to your home or vice versa Preparing the computer After disconnecting the computer from your desktop, follow these steps to prepare the computer for the trip home:

31

Check if you have removed all media, diskettes and compact discs, from the drive(s). Failure to remove the media can damage the drive head. Pack the computer in a protective case that can prevent the computer from sliding around and cushion it if it should fall. E n g l i s h Caution: Avoid packing items next to the top cover of the computer. Pressure against the top cover can damage the screen What to bring with you Unless you already have some items at home, bring the following items with you:

AC adapter and power cord The printed users guide AcerMedia drive module(s) Special considerations Follow these guidelines to protect your computer while traveling to and from work:

Minimize the effect of temperature changes by keeping the

computer with you. If you need to stop for an extended period of time and cannot bring the computer with you, leave the computer in the trunk of the car to avoid exposing the computer to excessive heat. Changes in temperature and humidity can cause condensation. Allow the computer to return to room temperature, and inspect the screen for condensation before turning on the computer. If the temperature change is greater than 18F (10C), allow the computer to come to room temperature slowly. If possible, leave the computer for 30 minutes in an environment with a temperature between outside and room temperature. Setting up a home office If you frequently work on your computer at home, you may want to purchase a second AC adapter for use at home. With a second AC adapter, you can avoid transporting the extra weight to and from home. 32 1 Getting to know your TravelMate h s i l g n E If you use your computer at home for significant periods of time, you might also want to add an external keyboard, monitor, or mouse. Traveling with the computer when you are moving within a larger distance, for instance, from your office building to a clients office building or traveling locally Preparing the computer Prepare the computer as if you were taking it home. Make sure that the battery in the computer is charged. Airport security may require you to turn on your computer when bringing it into the gate area. What to bring with you Bring the following items with you:

AC adapter Spare, fully-charged battery pack(s) AcerMedia drive module(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. If possible, have the computer inspected by hand. Airport security X-ray machines are safe, but do not put the computer through a metal detector. Avoid exposing floppy disks to hand-held metal detectors.

Traveling internationally with the computer when you are moving from country to country Preparing the computer Prepare the computer as you would normally prepare it for traveling. E n g l i s h What to bring with you 33 Bring the following items with you:

AC adapter Power cords that are appropriate for the country to which you are traveling Spare, fully-charged battery packs AcerMedia drive module(s) Additional printer driver files if you plan to use another printer Proof of purchase, in case you need to show it to customs officials International Travelers Warranty passport

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. Do not use converter kits sold for appliances to power the computer. If you are using the modem, check if the modem and connector is compatible with the telecommunications system of the country you are traveling in.

34 1 Getting to know your TravelMate h s i l g n E Securing your computer Your computer is a valuable investment that you need to take care of. Learn how to protect and take care of your computer. Security features include hardware and software locks a security notch, Smart Card and passwords. Using a computer security lock A security keylock notch located on the left panel of the computer lets you connect a Kensington-compatible computer security lock. Wrap a computer security lock cable around an immovable object such as a table or locked drawer handle. Insert the lock into the notch and turn the key to secure the lock. Some keyless models are also available. Using the Smart Card This software includes the following components: PlatinumPAS, PlatinumSecure and PlatinumKey. Together, they provide you with multiple levels of security.

PlatinumPAS implements the first security measure at the BIOS level and runs during the BIOS routine check when a computer is powered up or rebooting. If no Smart Card or Emergency Card is detected, the computer will stop booting up to prevent any illegal access to the system. 35 E n g l i s h

PlatinumSecure enhances the secure logon procedure for your Windows at the operating system level. It provides user authentication through its encryption/decryption function using the Smart Card. If your Smart Card is unavailable, you can use the Emergency Card as a temporary replacement card. PlatinumKey auto-authenticate and auto cache with one-click logons to all password-required websites (patent pending), eliminates the overhead costs associated with memorizing and typing user IDs and passwords when surfing the Internet with Microsoft or Netscape web browsers. A slot for your Smart Card is located on the left panel of the computer. This new security feature helps you boot up your computer with all your settings built right into your Smart Card. You dont have to remember your password to access your computer. To remove the Smart Card first press the Smart Card (a) and remove the Smart Card (b) as shown in the illustration below. For more details consult your Smart Card documentation. h s i l g n E 36 1 Getting to know your TravelMate Registering your Smart Card Important! Your Acer notebook is equipped with a Smart Card security feature that protects the computer from unauthorized access. If you enable this feature, please make sure that your warranty card is completed and sent back to Acer. This information will be used by Acer service centers to confirm ownership in case your Smart Card "key" is lost or damaged. Registering your notebook with Acer's service center is extremely important when replacing your lost Smart Card "key". If you have already bypassed the Smart Card registration, please reinstall the application as follows:

1 Insert your System CD and reinstall from it. Follow the onscreen instructions. 2 To enable the Smart Card security feature, please refer to your Smart Card user manual. Running PlatinumSecure PlatinumSecure enhances the secure logon procedure for Windows 2000 or XP at the operating system level. It provides user authentication with an encryption/decryption function using the Smart Card. If your Smart Card is unavailable, the Emergency Card can serve as a temporary replacement for the Smart Card. After installation, the PlatinumSecure icon appears on the Windows desktop. Double-click on it or click the right mouse button, then select Open from the pop-up menu (or launch it from the PlatinumSecret program group). From the menu that appears, you can directly access three operations:

PlatinumSecure Options, Smart Card Manager, and Change Password. 37 E n g l i s h PlatinumSecure Options Click on the PlatinumSecure Options button to open the Smart Card Options window. It provides great flexibility to meet the various privacy protection needs of many different users.

Disable Smart Card Authentication When Disable PlatinumPAS is selected, the PlatinumPAS Preboot Authentication System will be disabled. When Disable PlatinumSecure is selected, the PlatinumSecure Windows Logon Authentication with the Smart Card will be disabled, which means that the protection of your PC as well as other options under System Lock Option and Password Option will be disabled, too. The Smart Card password is required for this selection. h s i l g n E 38

1 Getting to know your TravelMate System Lock Option When Lock system when the Smart Card is not in use

(default) is selected, if the Smart Card is removed, the PlatinumSecure screensaver comes up and access to the system is locked. When Never lock the system after bootup is selected, there is no protection for the PC after boot up, and Password Option is disabled. Password Option When Always enter password when the Smart Card is in use

(default) is selected, the password is required whenever you need to regain access to the system while the Smart Card is inserted. When Auto authenticate when Smart Card is in use is selected, no password is required. All you need to do is insert the Smart Card. Smart Card Manager The Multiple user support is implemented and managed in Smart Card Manager. Please note that five users can be registered on one PC. If you registered as the Primary User, ONLY you can add/remove other users. If you registered as a regular user, other registered users could add/remove you. All registered users will be able to use the View Smart Card users option. Change Password Click the Change Password button, fill in the three fields in the Change Password dialog box, and then close the dialog box by clicking the OK button to change the Smart Card password. Encrypt/Decrypt PlatinumSecure can also be used to encrypt/decrypt files except for system files or files that are already encrypted with other applications. Double-click on a file to automatically encrypt/decrypt it. However, if the file is associated with an application, it will be opened with that application instead of being encrypted. Note that the encryption is not recursive, i.e., when you encrypt a folder, only the files immediately under that folder are encrypted. Other files under subfolders are not. To find the Encrypt/Decrypt commands:

Right-click on the Start menu, Right-click on a folder or icon on your Windows desktop, or

In Windows Explorer, right-click on a selected folder, file, or group of files. E n g l i s h 39 Running PlatinumKey PlatinumKey provides one-click logon to all password-required websites. With its unique Smart Card caching technology, you can greatly extend the limited card memory size to unlimited use by storing your private data in an encrypted file either on the Smart Card, or on the 360 Degree Web secure website server. Information in PlatinumKey like the one in My Info and Credit Cards, can be transferred to other applications using the "drag-and-drop"

method: simply point the cursor to the field containing the information, press and hold the left mouse button, then drag the cursor to the application and drop the information there. PlatinumKey also makes it convenient to change your password. There is always a PWD button available, which is equivalent to the Change Password button in PlatinumSecure. Follow these steps to use PlatinumKey:

1 Open your browser to connect to the Internet. 2 Double-click on the PlatinumKey icon on your Windows desktop. 3 Enter your Smart Card password and click OK. h s i l g n E 40 4 5 6 7 1 Getting to know your TravelMate If PlatinumKey is being used for the very first time, it will ask

"Would you like to link to 360 Degree Web secure website server to backup the information on your Smart Card?" The default answer is Yes, and it will enable you to store your information

(excluding the Credit Cards) on the 360 Degree Web secure website server for backup purposes in case the card is lost/stolen. If you choose No, you will only be able to save My Info, Credit Cards and 5 Websites on your Smart Card. Log in to a website where you are already registered. PlatinumKey automatically stores your login data and asks for your confirmation to automatically log you in the next time you access the site. Click Yes and continue browsing. To close PlatinumKey when you are finished browsing, right-click on the PlatinumKey icon on your Windows taskbar and select Close PlatinumKey. PlatinumKey provides a list of all the logon pages that you have stored. To go directly to any site on the list either double-click it or select it and click the Go button. Also, you can click the View button to view the selected website information including Web Name, User Name, Password, and Web URL. Similarly, type the first letter(s) of a site on the list, and the site will be searched and selected. You can Edit and Delete the sites as well as other information, and Save or Cancel the changes you made, by selecting the button corresponding to each command. Using passwords Passwords protect your computer from unauthorized access. Setting these passwords creates several different levels of protection for your computer and data:

Supervisor Password prevents unauthorized entry into the BIOS Utility. Once set, you must key-in this password to gain access to the BIOS Utility. See BIOS Utility on page 54 and your online guide for more details. User Password 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. 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.

Hard Disk Password protects your data by preventing unauthorized access to your hard disk. Even if the hard disk is removed from the computer and moved to another computer, it cannot be accessed without the Hard Disk Password. E n g l i s h 41 Important! Do not forget your Supervisor and Hard Disk Password! If you forget your password, please get in touch with your dealer or an authorized service center. Entering passwords When a password is set, a password prompt appears in the left-hand corner of the display screen.

When the Supervisor Password is set, a prompt appears when you

press F2 to enter the BIOS Utility at boot-up. Type the Supervisor Password and press Enter to access the BIOS Utility. If you enter the password incorrectly, an x symbol appears. Try again and press Enter.

When the User Password is set and the Password on boot

parameter is enabled, a prompt appears at boot-up. Type the User Password and press Enter to use the computer. If you enter the password incorrectly, an x symbol appears. Try again and press Enter.

When the Hard Disk Password is set, a prompt appears at boot-up. Type the Hard Disk Password and press Enter to use the computer.

If you enter the password incorrectly, an x symbol appears. Try again and press Enter. Important! You have three chances to enter a password. If you fail to enter the password correctly after three tries, the system halts. Slide and hold the power switch for four seconds to shut down the computer. Then turn on the computer again, and try again. If you fail to enter the Hard Disk Password, please contact your dealer or an authorized service center. Setting passwords You can set passwords using the BIOS Utility. 42 1 Getting to know your TravelMate h s i l g n E 2 Customizing my computer After learning the basics of your TravelMate computer, lets get acquainted with the advanced features of your computer. In this chapter, you will learn how to add options, upgrade components for better performance, and customize your computer. Expanding through options Your TravelMate offers you a complete mobile computing experience. E n g l i s h 45 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, see your online guide for more details. Fax/data modem Your computer has a built-in V.90/92 56Kbps AC97 Link fax/data modem. Warning! This modem port is not compatible with digital phone lines. Plugging this modem into a digital phone line will damage the modem. To use the fax/data modem port, connect a phone cable from the modem port to a telephone jack. Start your communications software program. 46 2 Customizing my computer h s i l g n E Built-in network feature The built-in network feature allows you to connect your computer to an Ethernet-based (10/100 Mbps) network. To use the network feature, connect an Ethernet cable from the network jack on the rear of the computer to a network jack or hub on your network. Fast infrared The computers fast infrared (FIR) port allows you to do wireless data transfer with other IR-aware computers and peripherals such as PDAs

(personal digital assistants), mobile phones, and infrared printers. The infrared port can transfer data at speeds of up to four megabits per second (Mbps) at a distance of up to one meter. 47 Universal Serial Bus The Universal Serial Bus (USB 2.0) port is a high-speed serial bus which allows you to connect and daisy-chain USB peripherals without taking up precious system resources. Your computer has four ports available. E n g l i s h