Acer TravelMate a550 driver and firmware
Drivers and firmware downloads for this Acer Computers item
Related Acer TravelMate a550 Manual Pages
Download the free PDF manual for Acer TravelMate a550 and other Acer manuals at ManualOwl.com
User Manual - Page 3
... contains important reminders and updates. So, please read through it.
For more information about our products, services, and support information, please visit our web site (www.acer.com).
Basic care and tips for using your computer
Turning your computer on and off
To turn on the computer, open the display cover, and press the power switch above the keyboard...
User Manual - Page 4
... 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...
User Manual - Page 7
...
20
Touchpad basics
20
Launch keys
22
Storage
24
Connectivity options
25
Ethernet and LAN
25
Fax/data modem
25
Audio
26
Adjusting the volume
26
Using the Audio DJ feature
26
Securing your computer
27
Security notch
27
Passwords
27
2 Operating on battery power
29
Battery pack
31
Battery pack characteristics
31
Installing and removing the battery pack
31
Charging...
User Manual - Page 8
... keyboard
40
External keypad
40
External pointing device
40
Printer
41
Audio devices
42
Expansion devices
43
PC Card slots
43
USB
44
IEEE 1394
45
Miscellaneous options
46
Battery pack
46
AC adapter
46
Key component upgrades
47
Memory upgrade
47
Hard disk upgrade
49
4 Moving with your computer
51
Disconnecting from the desktop
53
Moving around
54
Preparing the...
User Manual - Page 9
TMa550.book Page ix Wednesday, October 3, 2001 10:57 AM
5 Software
System software Easy Button E-Mail Detector BIOS Setup Utility
Main System Devices Security Others Boot Exit
6 Troubleshooting
Frequently-asked questions Error messages
Appendix A Specifications
Appendix B Notices
Index
ix
59
61 62 63 64 65 67 68 71 72 73
75
77 81
85
91
99
User Manual - Page 19
...stereo speakers • Internal optical drive (CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or DVD/CD-RW combo) • Audio DJ (CD playback) feature • S-video (NTSC/PAL) output
Connectivity • High-speed 56Kbps V.90 fax/data software modem • Ethernet/Fast Ethernet (10/100 Mbps) • CardBus PC Card slots • Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports • IEEE 1394 port
Human-centric design and ergonomics...
User Manual - Page 20
TMa550.book Page 10 Wednesday, October 3, 2001 10:57 AM
10
1 Getting familiar with your computer
• Ergonomically-centered touchpad pointing device • Launch keys (supports Audio DJ feature)
Expansion • Upgradeable memory and hard disk
User Manual - Page 23
...Icon
Optical drive/ Hard disk activity
Floppy drive activity
PC Card activity
AC power
Battery charge
Battery full
Battery gauge
13
Description CD or DVD drive or hard disk is being accessed.
Floppy drive is being accessed.
PC Card is being accessed.
Computer is running on AC power.
... is too high. Note: Save your work and shut down your computer to let the battery cool down. Battery is not...
User Manual - Page 25
....book Page 15 Wednesday, October 3, 2001 10:57 AM
15
Keyboard
The keyboard has full-sized keys with an embedded keypad, separate cursor keys, two Windows keys and twelve function keys.
Special keys
Lock keys
The keyboard has four lock keys which you can toggle on and off.
Lock Key Caps...
User Manual - Page 27
...
The keyboard has two keys that perform Windows-specific functions.
Key
Description
Windows logo key
Start button. Combinations with this key perform special 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 Run dialog box)
Application key
Opens the...
User Manual - Page 34
... hard disk can be upgraded when you need more storage space. Consult your dealer for details. • 3.5-inch floppy drive The floppy drive reads and writes on standard 3.5-inch diskettes. • High-speed optical drive A high-speed optical drive (CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or DVD/CD-RW) gives you portable multimedia access.
For the location of these drives, see "A tour of your computer...
User Manual - Page 37
..." on page 7. 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 available.
Passwords
The user password protects your computer and the BIOS Setup Utility from unauthorized access. When set with appropriate options enabled...
User Manual - Page 41
...time, follow these steps: 1 Connect the AC adapter to a power source and to the computer
and fully recharge the battery. 2 Disconnect the adapter to use up the battery before recharging
again. ... affect the battery pack.
Installing and removing the battery pack
Important! Before removing the battery pack, make sure that you have an AC adapter connected to the computer; otherwise, turn off the...
User Manual - Page 43
...computer uses rapid charging when power is turned off and a powered AC adapter is connected to it. In rapid mode, a fully depleted battery gets fully charged in approximately 3 hours. • Charge-in-use mode When the computer is in use with the AC adapter plugged in, the computer also charges the battery pack if installed... level
Using the Windows battery meter
The Windows battery meter indicates...
User Manual - Page 57
... if you decide to perform a key component upgrade.
Memory upgrade
This notebook computer comes with one memory upgrade slot that accepts a soDIMM (Small Outline Dual Inline Memory Module). It supports PC-133 Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM).
Installing memory
Follow these steps to install memory: 1 Turn off the computer, unplug the AC adapter (if connected) and
remove the battery...
User Manual - Page 71
TMa550.book Page 61 Wednesday, October 3, 2001 10:57 AM
61
System software
The computer comes preloaded with the following software: • Microsoft Windows operating system • Hardware BIOS setup utility • System utilities, drivers and application software
Note: To access Windows software applications, click on the Start button and select the application folder. Then click on the ...
User Manual - Page 82
... 3, 2001 10:57 AM
72
5 Software
Parameter Installed O/S
Description
Sets the operating system in use. Options: Win98/Me/2K/XP or Only Win NT4.0
Boot
The Boot screen allows you to set the order in which the system looks for bootable devices on startup.
Main
System Devices
+Removable Devices +Hard Drive
CD-ROM/DVD Drive
Security
Others
Boot
Exit
Item...
User Manual - Page 99
...; Non-operating: 0 ~ 40,000 ft
Operating system • Microsoft Windows
Power • Battery pack
• 57-WattHour Li-Ion battery pack • 3-4.5 hours charge time • AC adapter • 60-Watt • Auto sensing 100~240Vac, 50~60Hz
Options • 128/256/512 MB SDRAM memory upgrade module • Additional AC adapter • Additional battery pack
User Manual - Page 110
...16
O
optical drive 24 options
hard disk upgrade 49 memory upgrade 47 PC Cards 43 spare AC adapter 46 spare battery 46
P
pad lock 15 palm rest 19 parallel port
setting in BIOS Utility 67 password 27
changing 70 removing 70 setting 69 PC Card ejecting 44 inserting 43 ports AC adapter 6 external display 7 IEEE 1394 7 microphone 6 modem jack 7 network jack 7 parallel 7 PS/2 6 speaker/headphone 6 USB 6
User Manual - Page 111
... password 27
service when to call v
simultaneous display 39 software
101
bundled 61 speakers
troubleshooting 78 status indicators 12 status LCD 4, 12 storage 24
floppy drive 24 hard disk 24 optical drive 24 s-video connecting 39
T
time setting in BIOS Utility 66
touchpad 20 using 20- 21
travel international flights 58 local trips 57
U
USB connecting 44 disconnecting 44, 45
utility BIOS Setup 64...