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This revision: June 2014 Sign up for an Acer ID and enjoy great benefits Open the Acer Portal app from the Start screen to sign up for an Acer ID or sign in if you already have an Acer ID.
Taking care of your battery pack....8 Battery pack Cleaning and servicing........ 8 Battery characteristics ......45 Your Acer notebook tour Charging the battery ......... 45 Screen view ........... 10 Optimizing battery life ....... 46 Checking the battery level......47 Keyboard view ........
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4 - Table of contents Explorer?........... 71 Protecting your computer......74 How do I check for Windows updates?..71 Choose an Internet Service Provider ..74 Where can I get more information?... 71 Network connections......... 76 Troubleshooting........72 Surf the Net!..........78 Security .............
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• Where to find the power button, ports and connectors • Tips and tricks for using the touchpad and keyboard • How to create recovery backups • Guidelines for connecting to a network and using Bluetooth • Information on using Acer’s bundled software...
6 - First things first I R S T T H I N G S F I R S T We would like to thank you for making this Acer notebook your choice for meeting your mobile computing needs. Your guides...
First things first - 7 You can also put the computer in sleep mode by pressing the sleep hotkey <Fn> + <F4>. Note If you cannot power off the computer normally, press and hold the power button 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.
8 - First things first 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.
Your Acer notebook tour - 9 O U R C E R N O T E B O O K T O U R After setting up your computer as illustrated in the Setup Guide, let us show you around your new Acer computer.
10 - Your Acer notebook tour Screen view Icon Item Description Web camera for video communication. Webcam A light next to the webcam indicates that the webcam is active. Screen Displays computer output. Accepts one Secure Digital card (SD or SDHC).
Your Acer notebook tour - 11 Keyboard view Icon Item Description Power button Turns the computer on and off. For entering data into your computer. See "Using the keyboard" on page Keyboard Do not use a keyboard protector or similar cover as the keyboard includes ventilation intakes for cooling.
12 - Your Acer notebook tour Left view 3 4 5 Icon Item Description Connects to a Kensington- compatible computer security lock. Kensington lock Wrap the computer security lock slot cable around an immovable object such as a table or handle of a locked drawer.
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Your Acer notebook tour - 13 • Defined by the USB 3.0 specification (SuperSpeed USB).
14 - Your Acer notebook tour Right view # Icon Item Description Internal optical drive; accepts CDs or Optical drive DVDs. Optical disk access Lights up when the optical drive is indicator active. Optical drive eject Ejects the optional disk from the button drive.
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Your Acer notebook tour - 15 # Icon Item Description Releases the battery for removal. Battery release Insert a suitable tool and slide to latch release. Speakers Deliver stereo audio output.
16 - Using the keyboard S I N G T H E K E Y B O A R D The keyboard has full-sized keys and an embedded numeric keypad, separate cursor, lock, Windows, function and special keys. Lock keys and embedded numeric keypad The keyboard has three lock keys which you can toggle on and off.
Using the keyboard - 17 Hotkeys The computer employs hotkeys or key combinations to access most of the computer's controls like screen brightness and volume output. To activate hotkeys, press and hold the <Fn> key before pressing the other key in the hotkey combination. Hotkey Icon Function Description...
18 - Using the keyboard Hotkey Icon Function Description <Fn> + Stop playing the selected Stop <Pg Up> media file. <Fn> + Return to the previous media Previous <Pg Dn> file. <Fn> + Next Jump to the next media file. <End>...
Touchpad - 19 O U C H P A D Touchpad basics The touchpad controls the arrow (or 'cursor') on the screen. As you slide your finger across the touchpad, the cursor will follow this movement. Note The touchpad is sensitive to finger movement; the lighter the touch, the better the response.
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20 - Touchpad This allows you to control applications with a few simple gestures, such as: • Swipe in from edge: Access Windows tools by swiping into the center of the touchpad from the right or left edge. • Swipe in from right: Toggle the charms. •...
Windows tools, or the recovery backup. Note Acer Recovery Management is only available with a pre-installed Windows operating system. Important We recommend that you create a Recovery Backup and Drivers and Applications Backup and as soon as possible.
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22 - Recovery 1. From Start, type 'Recovery' and then click Acer Recovery Management in the list of apps. 2. Click Create Factory Default Backup. The Recovery Drive window opens. Make sure Copy contents from the recovery partition to the recovery drive is selected.
Recovery - 23 • Since the recovery backup requires at least 16 GB of storage after formatting, it is recommended to use a USB drive with a capacity of 32 GB or larger. 4. You will be shown the backup progress on the screen. 5.
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USB storage drive or, if your computer features a DVD recorder, one or more blank recordable DVDs. 1. From Start, type 'Recovery' and then click Acer Recovery Management in the list of apps. 2. Click Create Drivers and Applications Backup.
Recovery - 25 with a permanent marker. If multiple discs are required, insert a new disc when prompted, then click OK. Continue until the process is complete. • If you are using a USB drive, unplug the drive and label it clearly. Important Write a unique, descriptive label on each backup, such as 'Drivers and Applications Backup'.
If you are reinstalling using Windows and the recovery information stored on your computer: 1. From Start, type 'Recovery' and then click Acer Recovery Management in the list of apps. 2. Click Reinstall Drivers or Applications.
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1. Insert the Drivers and Applications Backup into the disc drive or connect it to a free USB port. • If you inserted a DVD wait for Acer Resource Center to start. • If Acer Resource Center does not start automatically, press the Windows key + <E>, then double-click on the optical drive...
28 - Recovery 2. You should see the Contents section of the Acer Resource Center. Images for reference only. 3. Click the install icon for the item you want to install, then follow the onscreen prompts to complete the installation. Repeat this step for each item you want to reinstall.
Recovering from a recovery backup on page Recovering from Windows Start Acer Recovery Management: • From Start, type ’Recovery’ and then click Acer Recovery Management in the list of apps. Two options are available, Restore Factory Settings (Reset my PC) or Customized Restore (Refresh my PC).
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30 - Recovery the Windows Store). See Customized Restore with Acer Recovery Management on page Restore Factory Settings with Acer Recovery Management 1. Click Restore Factory Settings. Important ’Restore Factory Settings’ will erase all files on your hard drive. 2. The Reset your PC window opens.
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"Reset your PC" completely removes all your files and resets your computer to factory settings. 4. Click Next. The process will take several minutes. Customized Restore with Acer Recovery Management 1. Click Customized Restore (Retain User Data).
32 - Recovery 2. The Refresh your PC window opens. Images for reference only. 3. Click Next, then Refresh. 4. The recovery process begins by restarting your computer, then continues by copying files to your hard drive. This process takes about 30 minutes.
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Recovery - 33 b. Windows starts from the recovery backup instead of the normal startup process. 6. Select your keyboard type. 7. Select Troubleshoot and then choose the type of recovery to use: a. Click Advanced then System Restore to start Microsoft System Restore: Microsoft System Restore periodically takes a ’snapshot’...
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34 - Recovery 2. Click Next. 3. Select the operating system to recover (normally only one option is available). 4. Choose to keep any changes to the hard drive: a. If you have deleted the recovery partition or otherwise changed the partitions on the hard drive and want to keep these changes, select No.
Connecting to the Internet - 35 O N N E C T I N G T O TH E N T E R N E T Note Information in this section may not apply to your computer. This chapter includes basic information on types of connections, and getting connected to the Internet.
Windows will detect and display a list of available networks during setup. Select your network and enter the password if required. Acer notebook computers feature an Airplane mode hotkey that turns the network connection on or off. You can use the network management options to turn your wireless network on/off or control what is shared over the network.
Using a Bluetooth connection - 37 S I N G A L U E T O O T H C O N N E C T I O N Bluetooth is a technology enabling you to transfer data wirelessly over short distances between many different types of devices.
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38 - Using a Bluetooth connection 4. Tap the device you wish to add from the list of discovered devices, and tap Pair. A code displays on your computer, which should match the code displayed on your device. Select Yes. Then, accept the pairing from your device.
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- 39 Keeping your computer and data safe... In this section you will find: • How to secure your computer • Setting passwords • What you need to prepare when you’re traveling • How to get the most out of your battery...
40 - BIOS utility B I O S U T I L I T Y The BIOS utility is a hardware configuration program built into your computer's BIOS. Your computer is already properly configured and optimized, and you do not normally need to run this utility. However, if you encounter configuration problems, you may need to run it.
Securing your computer - 41 E C U R I N G Y O U R C O MP U TE R 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 —...
42 - Securing your computer Entering passwords When a password is set, a password prompt appears in the center of the display screen. • When the Supervisor Password is set, a prompt appears when you enter the BIOS utility. • Type the Supervisor Password and press <Enter> to access the BIOS utility.
Power management - 43 O W E R M A N A G E M E N T 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 computer, and video memory.
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44 - Power management 5. Select Change settings that are currently unavailable. 6. Scroll down and disable Turn on fast startup. 7. Select Save changes.
Battery pack - 45 A T T E R Y P A C K The computer uses a Lithium battery that gives you long use between charges. Battery characteristics The battery is recharged whenever you connect the computer to the AC adapter.
46 - Battery pack 6. Reconnect the AC adapter and fully charge the battery again. Follow these steps again until the battery has been charged and discharged three times. Use this conditioning process for all new batteries, or if a battery hasn't been used for a long time.
Battery pack - 47 • Store the battery pack in a cool, dry place. The recommended temperature is 10° C (50° F) to 30° C (86° F). Higher temperatures cause the battery to self-discharge faster. • Excessive recharging decreases the battery life. •...
48 - Battery pack Situation Recommended Action The AC adapter or a power outlet 1. Save all necessary files. is unavailable. 2. Close all applications. You have no 3. Turn off the computer. spare battery pack. Installing and removing the battery pack Important Before removing the battery from the unit, connect the AC adapter if you want to continue using your computer.
Traveling with your computer - 49 R A V E L I N G W I T H Y O U R C O M P U T E R This section gives you tips and hints to consider when moving around or traveling with your computer.
50 - Traveling with your computer You can put the computer in Sleep mode by pressing <Fn> + <F4> or by closing the display. When you are ready to use the computer again, open the display and, if necessary, press and release the power button. Note The computer may enter Hibernation or Deep Sleep mode after being in Sleep mode for a period of time.
Traveling with your computer - 51 What to take with you Unless you have some items at home, take the following items with you: • AC adapter and power cord. • A spare battery • The printed Setup Guide. Special considerations Follow these guidelines to protect your computer while traveling to and from work: •...
52 - Traveling with your computer Traveling with the computer Important Check with your airline for any special requirements for travelling with Lithium batteries. When you are moving within a larger distance, for instance, from your office building to a client's office building or traveling locally. Preparing the computer Prepare the computer as if you were taking it home.
Traveling with your computer - 53 Traveling internationally Important Check with your airline for any special requirements for travelling with Lithium batteries. When you are moving from country to country. Preparing the computer Prepare the computer as you would normally prepare it for traveling. What to bring with you Bring the following items with you: •...
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54 - Ports and connectors... In this section you will find: • Information on the ports and connectors fitted to your computer...
Memory card reader - 55 E M O R Y C A R D R E A D E R Connectivity options Your computer has a card reader and other ports/jacks that allow you to connect peripheral devices to your computer. For instructions on how to connect different external devices to the computer, read the following section.
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56 - Memory card reader (2 TB). Your computer provides an SDHC or SDXC compatible card reader. Note SDXC memory cards can only be used in an SDXC-compatible reader; SD and SDHC cards can be used in either type. Removing a card from a memory card reader 1.
Video and audio connectors - 57 I D E O A N D A U D I O C O N N E C T O R S Connect to a monitor with a VGA or DVI port (the type of connection supported depends your...
58 - HDMI H D M I HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is a high-quality, digital audio/video interface. HDMI allows you to connect any compatible digital audio/video source, such as your computer, a set-top box, DVD player, and audio/video receiver to any compatible digital audio and/or video monitor, such as a digital television (DTV) with a single cable.
Note Two USB standards are currently available on Acer computers: USB 2.0 (High-speed USB) and USB 3.0 (SuperSpeed USB). USB 2.0 ports on Acer computers have a black tongue in the port, while USB 3.0 ports have a blue tongue. For best performance, USB 3.0 devices should always be plugged into USB 3.0 ports.
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60 - Got a question? In this section you will find: • Frequently asked questions • Tips for using Windows 8.1 • Troubleshooting information • How to protect yourself while online • Where to find Acer service center contact information...
Frequently asked questions - 61 R E Q U E N TL Y A S K E D Q U E S T I O N S The following is a list of possible situations that may arise during the use of your computer.
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62 - Frequently asked questions • The volume may be muted. Look at the volume control (speaker) icon in the taskbar. If it is crossed-out, click the icon and deselect the Mute all option. • The volume level may be too low. Check the volume from the volume control (speaker) icon in the taskbar.
2. Make sure the D2D Recovery setting in Main is Enabled. 3. Exit the BIOS utility and save changes. The system will reboot. Note To activate the BIOS utility, press <F2> when you see the Acer logo during boot up. For more information,...
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64 - Frequently asked questions If the country you are traveling in does not have an Acer-authorized ITW service site, you can still get in contact with our offices worldwide. Please visit www.acer.com. Before you call Please have the following information available when you call Acer for online service, and please be at your computer when you call.
F r e qu e nt ly a sk Frequently asked questions - 65 Tips and hints for using Windows 8.1 We know this is a new operating system that will take some getting used to, so we've created a few pointers to help you get started. How do I get to Start? Press the Windows key;...
66 - Frequently asked questions Can I boot directly to the desktop? Yes, you can, just follow these steps: 1. Go to the desktop. 2. Right-click the taskbar and select Properties from the menu that opens. 3. From the Navigation tab, check Go to the desktop instead of Start when I sign in.
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Frequently asked questions - 67 Can I personalize the Lock screen? You can personalize the lock screen with a different image, to run a slideshow of images, or to show you quick status and notifications to suit your personal needs. To change the background, move your cursor to the upper right-hand corner of the screen and click Settings >...
68 - Frequently asked questions Can I make tiles bigger or smaller? Right-click anywhere on Start to open the Customize menu, click the tile(s) you wish to resize and click Resize. Select a size from the menu that appears. How do I close an app? Move your cursor to the top of the screen.
Frequently asked questions - 69 5. Save the alarm by clicking the Save icon in the upper right-hand corner. Delete Save Hour Minutes Note The alarm will only sound if your computer is awake at the set time. Where are my apps? Move your cursor to the upper right-hand corner of the screen and click Search, start typing the name of the app you would like to open.
70 - Frequently asked questions How do I make an app appear on my taskbar? If you're in All apps and you want to make an app appear on the taskbar, right-click a tile to select it and open the Customize menu. Select Pin to taskbar.
Settings > Change PC settings > Update & recovery > Windows Update. Click Check now. Where can I get more information? For more information please visit the following pages: • Windows 8 and 8.1 tutorials: www.acer.com/windows8-tutorial • Support FAQs: support.acer.com...
R E Q U E N T LY 72 - Frequently asked questions 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;...
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Frequently asked questions - 73 Error messages Corrective action Keyboard error or no Contact your dealer or an authorized service keyboard connected center. Keyboard interface Contact your dealer or an authorized service error center. Press <F2> (during POST) to enter the BIOS Memory size utility, then press Exit in the BIOS utility to mismatch...
74 - Internet and online security N T E R N E T A N D O N L I N E S E C U R I T Y First steps on the net Protecting your computer It is vital to protect your computer from viruses and attacks over the Internet (see Security on page 78).
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Internet and online security - 75 Internet as the connection speed is low and connection time is typically charged per hour. DSL (e.g. ADSL) DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) is an ‘always-on’ connection that runs over the phone line. As DSL and phone do not use the same frequencies, you can use your telephone at the same time you are connected to the Internet (this requires a ‘micro-filter’...
76 - Internet and online security Network connections A LAN (Local Area Network) is a group of computers (for example, within an office building or home) that share a common communications line and resources. When you set up a network, you can share files, peripheral devices (such as a printer) and an Internet connection.
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Internet and online security - 77 point/router for detailed setup instructions. Network cable (RJ45) A network cable (also called RJ45 cable) is used to connect the host computer to the access point (see illustration below); this type of cable may also be used to connect peripheral devices to the access point. Wireless adapter An internal wireless adapter is normally already installed in your computer.
Security You are probably eager to explore everything the Internet has to offer. In order for you to be safe online, Acer has pre-installed McAfee Internet Security Suite on your computer. McAfee Internet Security Suite runs quietly in the background to block today’s complex threats and protect your identity when you shop,...
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Note Acer guarantees that your computer was 100% virus free at the time of purchase and does not cover damages due to viruses. What is spyware? Spyware refers to generally unwanted programs that are downloaded onto your computer while connected to the Internet, often without you knowing it.
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80 - Internet and online security would allow it (i.e. a game connecting to a multi-player server or an encyclopaedia making a content update). How to protect your computer Cybercrime prevention can be straight-forward - when armed with a little technical advice and common sense, many attacks can be avoided.
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A complete version of McAfee Internet Security Suite is pre-installed on your Acer system. It includes a free trial subscription to protection updates. Make sure you Activate it! Choose strong passwords and keep them safe Passwords are a fact of life on the Internet today;...
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82 - Internet and online security of your online accounts, one of the first steps you can take is to change your password. Protect your personal information Exercise caution when sharing personal information such as your name, home address, phone number, and email address online. To take advantage of many online services, you will inevitably have to provide personal information in order to handle billing and shipping of purchased goods.
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Internet and online security - 83 • Pay attention to privacy policies on Web sites and in software. It is important to understand how an organization might collect and use your personal information before you share it with them. • Guard your email address. Spammers and "phishers" sometimes send millions of messages to email addresses that may or may not exist in hopes of finding a potential victim.
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84 - Internet and online security that something bad may have happened and you should take necessary action. Protect your computer with Windows security tools Windows provides a variety of protection applications. Windows Updates If you have an active Internet connection, Windows can check for important updates for your computer and install them automatically.
Playing Blu-Ray or DVD movies - 85 D V D L A Y IN G A Y O R MO VIES If your computer is equipped with a Blu-Ray or DVD drive, you can play movies on your computer or on a high-definition TV via the HDMI port.