Acer orporated MS2130BG Notebook Computer with WLAN User Manual TM370 backup
Acer Incorporated Notebook Computer with WLAN TM370 backup
Contents
- 1. Manual 1 revised
- 2. Manual 2 revised
- 3. Installation manual
- 4. Updated manual page 71
Manual 1 revised
TravelMate 370 series
MS2130 User’s guide
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.
Model number : _________________________________
Serial number: ___________________________________
Purchase date: ___________________________________
Place of purchase: ________________________________
Copyright © 2003 Acer Incorporated.
All Rights Reserved.
TravelMate 370 series User’s guide
Original Issue: September 2003
TravelMate 370 series Notebook computer
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
English
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:
For more information about our products, services, and support
information, please visit our Web site (www.acer.com).
First off, the Just for Starters... poster helps you get
started with setting up your computer.
This User’s 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 User’s guide is also
available in PDF (Portable Document Format). Follow these
steps:
1 Click on Start, All Programs, AcerSystem.
2 Click on AcerSystem User’s guide.
Note: Viewing the file requires Adobe Acrobat Reader
installed. For instructions on how to use Adobe Acrobat
Reader, access the Help menu.
iv
English
Basic care and tips for using your computer
Turning your computer on and off
To turn on the computer, simply press the power button on the left of
the launch keys found above your TravelMate’s standard keyboard. See
“Front open view” on page 3 for the location of the power button.
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 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.
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 0ºC (32ºF) or
above 50ºC (122ºF).
•Do not subject the computer to magnetic fields.
v
English
•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.
vi
English
Cleaning and servicing
•When cleaning the computer, follow these steps:
•Power off the computer and remove the battery pack.
•Disconnect the AC adapter.
•Use a soft cloth moistened with water. Do not use liquid or aerosol
cleaners.
•To clean the display screen, use an LCD cleaning kit.
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 47.
First things first iii
Your guides iii
Basic care and tips for using your computer iv
1 Getting to know your TravelMate 1
A TravelMate tour 3
Front open view 3
Front view 5
Left view 6
Right view 7
Rear view 8
Bottom view 9
Features 10
Indicators 12
Using the keyboard 14
Special keys 14
Launch Keys 21
Touchpad 22
Touchpad basics 22
Storage 24
Hard disk 24
IEEE 1394 Optical drive 24
Using software 25
Audio 26
Adjusting the volume 26
Power management 27
Moving around with your TravelMate 28
Disconnecting from the desktop 28
Moving around 28
Taking the computer home 29
Traveling with the computer 31
Traveling internationally with the computer 31
Securing your computer 33
Using a computer security lock 33
Using passwords 33
2 Customizing my computer 35
Expanding through options 37
Connectivity options 37
Upgrade options 42
Using system utilities 44
Notebook Manager 44
Launch Manager 45
Contents
BIOS Utility 45
Disk to Disk Recovery 46
3 Troubleshooting my computer 47
Frequently-asked questions 49
Troubleshooting tips 52
Error messages 53
Requesting service 54
International Travelers Warranty (ITW) 54
Before you call 54
Appendix A Specifications 57
Appendix B Notices 63
Index 73
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.
3
English
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
#Item Description
1Display screen Also called LCD (liquid-crystal display),
displays computer output.
1 Getting to know your TravelMate4
English
2Status indicators LEDs (light-emitting diode) that turn on and
off to show the status of the computer, its
functions and components.
3Power button Turns on the computer.
4Launch keys Two special keys for frequently used
programs. See “Launch Keys” on page 21 for
more details.
5Palmrest Comfortable support area for your hands
when you use the computer.
6Click 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.
7Touchpad Touch-sensitive pointing device which
functions like a computer mouse.
8Keyboard Inputs data into your computer.
9Stereo speaker Outputs sound.
#Item Description
5
English
Front view
#Item Description
1Infrared port Interfaces with infrared devices (e.g.,
infrared printer, IR-aware computer).
2Latch Latch for opening and closing the computer.
33-in-1 card reader1Reads cards from Memory Stick, MultiMedia,
and Secure Digital cards.
Notes:
1 . T hr ee - in - on e c a rd r ead e r i s a m an uf a ct u ri ng o pt i on , s ub j ec t t o
configuration. Only one card can operate at any given time.
1 Getting to know your TravelMate6
English
Left view
#Item Description
1Modem port Connects to a phone line.
2Ethernet port Connects to an Ethernet 10/100-
based network.
3DC-in jack
Connects the AC adapter.
4USB 2.0 port Connects to Universal Serial Bus
devices (e.g., USB mouse, USB
camera).
5IEEE 1394 port Connects to IEEE 1394 devices.
6Headphone/ Speaker/ Line-
out jack Connects to headphones or other
line-out audio devices (speaker).
7
English
Right view
7Microphone/line-in jack
Accepts input from external
microphones, or other audio line-in
devices (e.g. audio CD player, stereo
walkman and etc.)
8PC Card slot Accepts one Type II 16-bit PC Card or
32-bit CardBus PC Card.
9Eject button Ejects the PC Card from the slot.
#Item Description
1HDD Houses the computer’s hard disk.
2USB 2.0 ports Connects to Universal Serial Bus devices (e.g.,
USB mouse, USB camera).
#Item Description
1 Getting to know your TravelMate8
English
Rear view
3Vantilation Slot Enables the computer to stay cool, even after
prolonged use.
4Security keylock Connects to a Kensington-compatible
computer security lock.
#Item Description
1External display
port Connects to a display device (e.g., external
monitor, LCD projector) and displays up to
16.7 million colors with 1024x768 pixel
resolution.
#Item Description
9
English
Bottom view
#Item Description
1RAM slot The slot that houses the computer's main
memory.
2Battery bay Houses the computer's battery pack.
3Battery release latch Unlatches the battery to remove the
battery pack.
4Vantilation Slot Enables the computer to stay cool, even
after prolonged use.
1 Getting to know your TravelMate10
English
Features
Below is a brief summary of the computer’s many features:
Performance
•Intel® Pentium® M Processor at 1.3 ~1.7 GHz or higher
•Intel 855GM chipset
•Memory upgradeable up to 2 GB with 2 slots
•High-capacity, Enhanced-IDE hard disk
•Li-ion main battery pack
•Power management system with ACPI (Advanced Configuration
Power Interface)
Display
•Thin-Film Transistor (TFT) liquid crystal display (LCD) displaying 32-
bit high color up to 1024 x 768 eXtended Graphics Array (XGA)
resolution
•3D graphics engine
•Simultaneous LCD and CRT display support
Multimedia
•16-bit high-fidelity AC’97 stereo audio
•Built-in speaker
11
English
Connectivity
•High-speed fax/data modem port
•Ethernet/Fast Ethernet port
•Fast infrared wireless communication
•Two USB 2.0 ports
•IEEE 1394 port
•InviLink 802.11b or 802.11 a/g wireless LAN (manufacturing
optional)
•SD/MMC/MS memory slot (manufacturing optional)
Human-centric design and ergonomics
•Internet 4-way scroll button
•Sleek, smooth and stylish design
•Ergonomically-centered touchpad pointing device
Expansion
•One Type II CardBus PC Card slot
•Upgradeable memory
1 Getting to know your TravelMate12
English
Indicators
The computer has seven easy-to-read status indicators on the display
screen and three on the LCD panel.
The Wireless, Power and Sleep status indicators are visible even when
the display is closed.
Icon Function Description
Wireless Orange indicates that wireless LAN is enabled.
Power Lights green when the power is on and
standby mode.
Sleep Lights when the computer enters Standby
mode and blinks when it enters into or
resumes from hibernation mode.
13
English
Media Activity Lights when the floppy drive, hard disk or
optical drive is active.
Battery Charge Lights when the battery is being charged.
Caps Lock Lights when Caps Lock is activated.
Num Lock Lights when Num Lock is activated.
Icon Function Description
1 Getting to know your TravelMate14
English
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 four 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
English
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.
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
Hold Shift while using
cursor-control keys. Hold Fn while using
cursor-control keys.
Main keyboard 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.
1 Getting to know your TravelMate16
English
Windows keys
The keyboard has two keys that perform Windows-specific functions.
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
English
Keyboard Hot keys
The computer employs hot keys or key combinations to access most of
the computer’s controls like screen brightness, volume output and the
BIOS Utility.
To activate a keyboard hot key, press and hold the Fn key before
pressing the other key(s) in the hot key combination.
Hot key Icon Function Description
Fn-F1 Hot key help Displays help on hot keys.
Fn-F2 Setup Accesses the computer’s
configuration utility.
Fn-F3 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 27.
Fn-F4 Sleep Puts the computer in Sleep
mode, which can be defined.
See “Power management” on
page 27.
1 Getting to know your TravelMate18
English
Fn-F5 Display toggle Switches display output
between the display screen,
external monitor (if
connected) and both the
display screen and external
monitor.
Fn-F6 Screen blank Turns the display screen
backlight off to save power;
press any key to resume.
Fn-F7 Touchpad Toggle Turns the internal touchpad
on and off.
Fn-F8 Speaker on/off Turns the speaker on and off.
Fn-→Brightness up Increases the screen
brightness.
Fn-←Brightness up Decreases the screen
brightness.
Fn-↑Volume up Increases the speaker volume.
Fn-↓Volume down Decreases the speaker
volume.
Hot key Icon Function Description
19
English
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.
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.
To verify the keyboard type in Windows Millennium Edition and
Windows 2000, follow the steps below:
1 Click on Start, Settings, Control Panel.
2 Double-click on Keyboard.
3 Click on the Language tab.
4 Verify that the keyboard layout used for "En English (United
States)" is set to United States-International.
If not, select and click on Properties; then select United States-
International and click on OK.
5 Click on OK.
To verify the keyboard type in Windows XP, follow the steps below:
1 Click on Start, Control Panel.
2 Double-click on Regional and Language Options.
3 Click on the Language tab and click on Details.
4 Verify that the keyboard layout used for "En English (United
States)" is set to United States-International.
1 Getting to know your TravelMate20
English
If not, select and click on ADD; then select United States-
International and click on OK.
5 Click on OK.
To type the Euro symbol:
1 Locate the Euro symbol on your keyboard.
2 Open a text editor or word processor.
3Hold 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.
21
English
Launch Keys
Located above the keyboard are six buttons. These keys are special
one-click buttons that perform special functions.
#Launch key Default application
1Wireless This button permits user Enabled/Disabled Wireless
LAN network.
2P1 User-programmable
3P2 User-programmable
4P3 User-programmable
5Web browser Launch Internet Explorer (or user-defined program)
6Mail Launch Outlook Express (or user-defined program)
1 Getting to know your TravelMate22
English
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.
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.
•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 bards of Windows
applications.
23
English
Note: A.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
touchpad’s responsiveness. B.When using an external USB mouse,
you can press Fn-F7 to disable the touchpad.
Function Left button Right
button
Center
buttons Tap
Execute Click twice
quickly Tap twice (at the
same speed as
double-clicking a
mouse button)
Select Click once Tap once
Drag Click and
hold, then
use finger to
drag the
cursor on the
touchpad
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
Access
context
menu
Click
once
Scroll Click
and
hold the
up/
down/
left/
right
1 Getting to know your TravelMate24
English
Storage
This computer supplies you with the following media storage:
•High-capacity Enhanced-IDE hard disk
•IEEE 1394 Optical (CD, DVD, DVD/CD-RW combo, or DVD-Dual)
drive
•USB Floppy drive
Hard disk
The high-capacity hard disk is the answer to your storage needs. This is
where your programs and data are stored.
IEEE 1394 Optical drive
Your computer comes equipped with an optical drive which may be
one of the following:
•CD-ROM drive
•DVD-ROM drive
•DVD/CD-RW drive
•DVD-Dual drive
Ejecting the IEEE 1394 optical (CD or DVD) drive tray
To eject the optical drive tray when the computer is turned on, press
the drive eject button.
When the power is off, you can eject the drive tray using the
emergency eject hole. See page 50.
25
English
Using software
Playing DVD movies
When the DVD-ROM drive module is installed, 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.
2 The DVD movie will automatically play after a few seconds.
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.
Region code Country or region
1U.S.A., Canada
2Europe, Middle East, South Africa, Japan
3Southeast Asia, Taiwan, Korea (South)
4Latin America, Australia, New Zealand
5Former U.S.S.R., parts of Africa, India
6People's Republic of China
1 Getting to know your TravelMate26
English
Audio
The computer comes with 16-bit high-fidelity AC’97 stereo audio, and
stereo speaker.
Adjusting the volume
Adjusting the volume on the computer is as easy as pressing some
buttons. See “Keyboard Hot keys” on page 17 for more informations
on adjusting the speaker volume.
27
English
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, floppy drive, 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.
1 Getting to know your TravelMate28
English
Moving around with your TravelMate
This section gives you tips and hints to consider when moving around
or traveling with your computer.
Disconnecting from the desktop
Follow these steps to disconnect your computer from external
accessories:
1 Save your work in progress.
2 Remove any media, diskette or compact disc, from the drive(s).
3 Shut down the computer.
4 Close the display cover.
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 press and release the power button.
If you are taking the computer to a client's office or a different
building, you may choose to shut down the computer:
1 Click on
Start
,
Shut Down...
or
Turn off Computer
(Windows XP).
2 Select Shut down and click on
OK,
or select
Turn Off
(Windows XP).
- or -
29
English
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 press and release the power button.
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, press and release the power button 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 battery runs the computer for about 2.5 hours (with 4-
cell battery pack), or 4.5 hours (with 6-cell battery pack). 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 2.5 hours (with 4-cell battery pack)
or 4.5 hours (with 6-cell battery pack), 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 Sleep 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 press and
release the power button.
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:
•Check if you have removed all media, diskettes and compact discs,
1 Getting to know your TravelMate30
English
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.
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 user’s guide
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 18°F (10°C), 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.
If you use your computer at home for significant periods of time, you
might also want to add an external keyboard, monitor, or mouse.
31
English
Traveling with the computer
“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. 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)
•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.
What to bring with you
Bring the following items with you:
1 Getting to know your TravelMate32
English
•AC adapter
•Power cords that are appropriate for the country to which you are
traveling
•Spare, fully-charged battery packs
•IEEE 1394 optical 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.
33
English
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 and passwords.
Using a computer security lock
A security keylock notch located on the rear 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 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 45.
•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.
1 Getting to know your TravelMate34
English
•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.
Important! Do not forget your Supervisor! 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 center 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, a warning message
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, a warning message 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. Press and hold the power button for four seconds to shut
down the computer. Then turn on the computer again, and try
again.
Setting passwords
You can set passwords using the BIOS Utility.
2 Customizing my
computer
After learning the basics of your TravelMate
computer, let’s 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.
37
English
Expanding through options
Your TravelMate offers you a complete mobile computing experience.
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 AC’97 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.
2 Customizing my computer38
English
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 left of the computer to a network jack or hub on
your network.
Fast infrared
The computer’s 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.
39
English
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 two ports available,
one on left and the other one on right.
2 Customizing my computer40
English
IEEE 1394 port
The computer's IEEE 1394 port allows you to connect to an IEEE 1394
supported devices like a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, DVD/CD-RW Combo or
DVD-Dual drive.
PC Card slot
The type II CardBus PC Card slot found on the left side of the computer
accepts credit-card-sized cards that enhance the usability and
expandability of the computer. These cards should have a PC Card logo
on them.
PC Cards (formerly PCMCIA) are add-on cards for portable computers,
giving you expansion possibilities long afforded by desktop PCs.
Popular PC cards include flash, fax/data modem, LAN, wireless LAN and
SCSI cards. CardBus improves on the 16-bit PC card technology by
expanding the bandwidth to 32 bits.
Note: Refer to your card’s manual for details on how to install and
use the card and its functions.
41
English
Inserting a PC Card
Insert the card into the slot and make the proper connections (e.g.,
network cable), if necessary. See your card manual for details.
Ejecting a PC Card
Before ejecting a PC Card:
1 Exit the application using the card.
2 Left-click on the PC Card icon on the taskbar and stop the card
operation.
3 Press the slot eject button to pop out the eject button (a); then
press it again to eject the card (b).
2 Customizing my computer42
English
Upgrade options
Your computer delivers superior power and performance. However,
some users and the applications they use may demand more. This
computer allows you to upgrade key components when you need
increased performance.
Note: Contact your authorized dealer if you decide to perform a
key component upgrade.
Memory upgrade
Memory is expandable to 2 GB, employing 128/256/512/1024-MB
industry standard soDIMMs (Small Outline Dual Inline Memory
Modules). The computer supports DDR (Double Data Rate) SDRAM.
There are two memory slots on your computer, one of which is
occupied by standard memory. You can upgrade memory by installing
a memory module into the one available slot, or replacing the standard
memory with a higher-capacity memory module.