ACER ASPIRE F 15 User Manual

User’s Manual  
Table of contents - 3  
TABLE OF CONTENTS  
Basic care and tips for using your  
computer.................................................. 7  
Backing up your wireless and LAN  
drivers.................................................... 23  
Choose an Internet Service Provider........ 66  
Getting started...  
In this section you will find:  
• Useful information on caring for your computer and your health  
• 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  
FIRST THINGS FIRST  
We would like to thank you for making this Acer notebook your choice  
for meeting your mobile computing needs.  
Your guides  
To help you use your Acer notebook, we have designed a set of  
guides:  
First off, the Setup Guide (or Setup Poster) helps you get started  
with setting up your computer.  
The Quick Guide introduces you to the basic features and functions  
of your new computer. For more on how your computer can help you  
to be more productive, please refer to the User’s Manual. This guide  
contains detailed information on such subjects as system utilities, data  
recovery, expansion options and troubleshooting.  
There are two ways to download the User’s Manual. You must first  
be connected to the internet.  
1.Open Acer Care Center from the desktop and select My System >  
Summary and click User’s Manual to download the User’s Manual.  
2.Click on the link under Support.  
1.The link will open the Acer Service & Support webpage.  
2.From this page you can download and install the Acer  
identification tool that will automatically detect your computer’s  
serial number and SNID and allow you to copy it to the clipboard.  
3.Scroll down to Drivers and Manuals and search for your model by  
pasting in or manually entering the serial number, SNID, or  
product model.  
4.Once you have found your product model, select Documents and  
select your language to download the User’s Manual.  
Basic care and tips for using your computer  
Turning your computer off  
To turn the power off, do any of the following:  
       
First things first - 7  
• Use the Windows shutdown command: Press the Windows key or  
select the Windows Start button, select Power > Shut down.  
• Right-click the Windows Start button > Shut down or sign out >  
Shut down.  
If you need to power down the computer for a short while, but don’t  
want to completely shut it down, you can put it to Sleep by doing any  
of the following:  
• Press the power button.  
• Press the sleep hotkey.  
• Press the Windows key or select the Windows Start button, select  
Power > Sleep.  
• Right-click the Windows Start button > Shut down or sign out >  
Sleep.  
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 0º C (32º F) or  
above 50º C (122º F).  
• 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 or vibration.  
• Do not expose the computer to dust or dirt.  
• Never place objects on top of the computer.  
• Do not slam the computer display when you close it.  
• Never place the computer on uneven surfaces.  
 
8 - First things first  
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.  
Route the power cord and any cables away from where people walk.  
• 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.  
Cleaning and servicing  
When cleaning the computer, follow these steps:  
1.Turn off the computer.  
2.Disconnect the AC adapter.  
3.Use a soft, moist cloth. Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners.  
If your computer is dropped or visibly damaged, or does not work  
normally, please contact your nearest authorized Acer service center.  
For more information, please see Got a question? on page 55.  
   
Your Acer notebook tour - 9  
YOUR ACER NOTEBOOK TOUR  
After setting up your computer as illustrated in the Setup Guide, let us  
show you around your new Acer computer.  
Screen view  
1
2
3
4
#
Icon Item  
Description  
Web camera for video  
communication.  
A light next to the webcam indicates  
that the webcam is active.  
1
Webcam  
2
3
Screen  
Displays computer output.  
Accepts one Secure Digital (SD or  
SD card reader SDHC) card.  
Only one card can operate at a time.  
   
10 - Your Acer notebook tour  
#
Icon Item  
Description  
Indicates the computer’s power  
status.  
Power indicator  
Indicates the computer’s battery  
status.  
Charging: The light shows amber  
when the battery is charging.  
Fully charged: The light shows blue  
when in AC mode.  
4
Battery indicator  
Keyboard view  
4
1
2
3
#
Icon Item  
Keyboard  
Description  
For entering data into your computer.  
14.  
1
Internal digital microphone for sound  
recording.  
2
Microphone  
 
Your Acer notebook tour - 11  
#
Icon Item  
Description  
Touch-sensitive pointing device.  
The touchpad and selection buttons  
form a single surface.  
3
Touchpad  
Press down firmly on the touchpad  
surface to perform a left click.  
Press down firmly on the lower right  
corner to perform a right click.  
4
Power key  
Turns the computer on and off.  
Left view  
1
6
2 3 4 5  
#
Icon Item  
Description  
Connects to a Kensington-compatible  
computer security lock.  
Wrap the computer security lock  
cable around an immovable object  
such as a table or handle of a locked  
drawer.  
Kensington lock  
slot  
1
Insert the lock into the notch and turn  
the key to secure the lock.  
Keyless models are also available.  
Connects to USB devices that adopt  
the USB Type-C connector. Supports  
USB 3.1 Type-C, Gen 1 with transfer  
speeds up to 5 Gb/s.  
2
USB Type-C port  
Connects to an Ethernet 10/100/  
Ethernet (RJ-45) 1000-based network.  
port Pull the lip down to open the port  
fully.  
External display Connects to a display device (e.g.,  
(VGA) port external monitor, LCD projector).  
3
4
 
12 - Your Acer notebook tour  
#
5
6
Icon Item  
Description  
Supports high-definition digital video  
connections.  
HDMI port  
USB ports  
Connect to USB devices.  
Information on USB 3.0  
• USB 3.0 compatible ports are blue.  
• Compatible with USB 3.0 and earlier devices.  
• For optimal performance, use USB 3.0-certified devices.  
• Defined by the USB 3.0 specification (SuperSpeed USB).  
Right view  
1 2  
3
4 5 6  
7
#
Icon Item  
Headset/  
Description  
Connects to audio devices (e.g.,  
speakers, headphones) or a headset  
with microphone.  
1
speaker jack  
2
3
USB port  
Connects to USB devices.  
Internal optical drive; accepts CDs or  
DVDs.  
Lights up when the optical drive is  
Optical drive  
Optical disk  
access indicator active.  
Optical drive  
4
5
Ejects the optical disk from the drive.  
eject button  
Ejects the optical drive tray when the  
Emergency eject computer is turned off.  
6
7
hole  
Carefully insert a straightened paper  
clip to eject the optical drive tray.  
DC-in jack  
Connects to an AC adapter.  
   
Your Acer notebook tour - 13  
Base view  
4
3
1
2
#
1
2
Icon Item  
Description  
Simulates removing and reinstalling  
the battery.  
Insert a paperclip into the hole and  
press for four seconds.  
Deliver stereo audio output.  
Battery reset  
pinhole  
Speakers  
Houses the computer’s main storage.  
You may upgrade your computer’s  
main storage. Acer recommends  
asking an approved service center to  
do this.  
Houses the computer’s memory.  
You may upgrade your computer’s  
mmemory. Acer recommends asking  
an approved service center to do this.  
Main storage  
compartment  
3
4
Memory  
compartment  
Allows the computer to stay cool.  
Do not cover or obstruct the  
openings.  
Ventilation and  
cooling fan  
 
14 - Using the keyboard  
USING THE KEYBOARD  
The keyboard has full-sized keys and a separate numeric keypad,  
separate cursor, lock, Windows, function and special keys.  
Lock keys  
The keyboard has three lock keys which you can toggle on and off.  
Lock key  
Description  
When Caps Lock is on, all alphabetic characters  
typed are in uppercase.  
Caps Lock  
When Num Lock is on, the 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.  
Num Lock  
When Scroll Lock is on, the screen moves one line  
up or down when you press the up or down arrow  
Scroll Lock  
<Fn> + <F12> keys respectively. Scroll Lock does not work with  
some applications.  
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  
Airplane mode  
Description  
Turns on / off the computer's  
network devices.  
<Fn> + <F3>  
Puts the computer in Sleep  
mode.  
<Fn> + <F4>  
Sleep  
Switches display output  
between the display screen,  
external monitor (if  
<Fn> + <F5>  
Display toggle  
connected) and both.  
     
Using the keyboard - 15  
Hotkey  
Icon Function  
Description  
Turns the display screen  
backlight off to save power.  
Press any key to return.  
<Fn> + <F6>  
Display off  
Touchpad  
toggle  
Turns the built-in touchpad on  
and off.  
Turns the speakers on and  
off.  
Turns the scroll lock feature  
on or off.  
Increases the screen  
brightness.  
<Fn> + <F7>  
<Fn> + <F8>  
<Fn> + <F12>  
<Fn> + < >  
<Fn> + < >  
Speaker toggle  
Scr Lk  
Brightness up  
Brightness  
down  
Decreases the screen  
brightness.  
<Fn> + < >  
Volume up  
Increases the sound volume.  
<Fn> + < >  
Volume down Decreases the sound volume.  
<Fn> +  
<Home>  
Play or pause a selected  
media file.  
Play/Pause  
<Fn> +  
<Pg Up>  
Stop playing the selected  
media file.  
Stop  
<Fn> +  
<Pg Dn>  
Return to the previous media  
Previous  
file.  
<Fn> + <End>  
Next  
Jump to the next media file.  
Windows keys  
The keyboard has two keys that perform Windows-specific functions.  
Key  
Description  
Pressed alone it returns to the Start screen  
or to return to the last open app.  
It can also be used with other keys for  
special functions, please check Windows  
Help.  
Windows key  
This key has the same effect as clicking  
the right mouse button; it opens the  
application's context menu.  
Application key  
 
16 - Using the Precision Touchpad  
USING THE PRECISION TOUCHPAD  
The touchpad controls the arrow  
(or 'cursor') on the screen. As you  
slide your finger across the touchpad, the cursor will follow this  
movement. The Precision Touchpad (PTP) is designed to provide a  
more uniform, smooth, and accurate touchpad experience. Many  
applications support precision touchpad gestures that use one or  
more fingers, however, some gestures may not be supported by the  
specific application or program you are using.  
Touchpad gestures  
Single-finger slide  
Slide a finger across the touchpad to move  
the cursor.  
Single-finger press or tap  
Press the touchpad down, or lightly tap the  
touchpad with your finger, to perform a  
'click', which will select or start an item.  
Quickly repeat the tap to perform a double  
tap or 'double click'.  
Two-finger press  
Lightly tap the touchpad with two fingers to  
perform a 'right click'. In the Start screen,  
this will toggle the app commands. In most  
apps this will open a context menu related  
to the selected item.  
Two-finger slide  
Swiftly scroll through web pages,  
documents and playlists by placing two  
fingers on the touchpad and moving both in  
any direction.  
   
Using the Precision Touchpad - 17  
Two-finger pinch  
Zoom in and out of photos, maps and  
documents with a simple finger-and-thumb  
gesture.  
Three-finger press  
Lightly tap the touchpad with three fingers  
to open Cortana (if your computer supports  
Cortana) or open the Action Center (if your  
computer does not support Cortana).  
Three-finger swipe  
Swipe across the touchpad with three  
fingers.  
- Swipe up to open Task View. Move the cursor over a  
window and tap the touchpad to select that window, or  
swipe downwards to exit Task View.  
- Swipe down to minimize all open windows and show  
Desktop; swipe upwards to restore the minimized  
windows.  
- Swipe left or right to switch between open windows.  
The precision touchpad includes added technology features that help  
recognize and prevent unintentional gestures such as accidental taps,  
gestures, and pointer movement.  
Note  
The touchpad is sensitive to finger movement; the lighter the touch, the better  
the response. Please keep the touchpad and your fingers dry and clean.  
Changing touchpad settings  
To change the touchpad settings to suit your personal requirements,  
please do the following.  
1.In the icon tray in the lower right-hand corner of the screen, select  
the Notifications icon to open the Notifications pane.  
 
18 - Using the Precision Touchpad  
2.Select All settings.  
3.Select Devices > Mouse & touchpad.  
4.Now you can adjust the settings to suit your personal needs. You  
can change the primary button for left- or right-handed use, turn the  
touchpad off if you prefer to use a mouse, or set a delay to prevent  
Using the Precision Touchpad - 19  
the cursor from moving if you accidentally tap the touchpad with  
your palm while working. Scroll down to see more settings.  
20 - Recovery  
RECOVERY  
If you are having trouble with your computer, and the frequently asked  
help, you can recover your computer.  
This section describes the recovery tools available on your computer.  
Acer provides Acer Care Center, which allows you to reset your PC,  
refresh your PC, or create a factory default backup.  
Note  
Acer Care Center is only available with a pre-installed Windows operating  
system.  
Important  
We recommend that you create a Factory Default Backup as soon as  
possible. In certain situations a full recovery will require a USB  
recovery backup.  
Creating a factory default backup  
Backup allows you to quickly and easily back up your operating  
system, installed apps and data.  
1.From Start, select All apps then Acer. Select Acer Recovery  
Management in the list of Acer apps.  
Note  
Since the recovery backup requires at least 8 GB of storage after formatting,  
it is recommended to use a USB drive with a capacity of 16 GB or larger.  
   
Recovery - 21  
2.Select the Backup tab and click Get Started for Create Factory  
Default Backup to open the Recovery Drive window.  
3.Make sure Backup system files to the recovery drive is selected  
and click Next.  
4.Plug in the USB drive and wait for the PC to detect the USB drive  
then click Next.  
22 - Recovery  
Since the recovery backup requires at least 8 GB of storage after  
formatting, it is recommended to use a USB drive with a capacity  
of 16 GB or larger.  
5.Everything on the drive will be deleted. Click Create to continue.  
6.You will be shown the backup progress on the screen.  
7.Follow the process until it completes.  
8.After creating the recovery backup, you can choose to delete the  
recovery information on your computer. If you delete this  
information, you can only use the USB recovery backup to restore  
your computer, if you lose or erase the USB drive, you cannot  
restore your computer.  
9.Unplug the USB drive and label it clearly.  
Important  
Write a unique, descriptive label on the backup, such as 'Windows  
Recovery Backup'. Make sure you keep the backup in a safe place that  
you will remember.  
Recovery - 23  
Backing up your wireless and LAN drivers  
Back up your wireless and LAN drivers. You can use these backups to  
install the wireless and LAN drivers if you install another operating  
system.  
1.From Start, select All apps then Acer. Select Acer Recovery  
Management in the list of Acer apps.  
2.Select the Backup tab and click Get started for Backup wireless  
and LAN drivers. Choose a folder to save your drivers and select  
OK.  
Restoring your computer  
Recovery Management allows you to quickly and easily restore your  
computer back to its default status. You can choose to keep your files  
or remove them before reinstalling Windows.  
Reset this PC and keep my files  
1.From Start, select All apps then Acer. Select Acer Recovery  
Management in the list of Acer apps.  
2.Select the Restore tab and click Get started to Choose an option.  
       
24 - Recovery  
3.Select Keep my files to refresh your PC and reinstall your operating  
system without removing your personal files. Click Next to continue.  
Important  
If you have apps installed on your PC, they will be removed.  
4.Resetting the PC will reinstall Windows, change settings back to  
their factory defaults and remove all preinstalled apps and programs  
without removing your personal files. Click Reset to continue.  
5.You will be shown the reset progress on the screen. The screen will  
turn off during the reset process.  
6.The screen will turn back on when it is installing Windows. Your PC  
will restart several times during the reset process.  
7.Follow the process until it completes.  
8.When your PC has completed the reset process, Windows will have  
been reset back to its factory default settings without removing your  
personal files.  
Reset this PC and remove everything  
1.From Start, select All apps then Acer. Select Acer Recovery  
Management in the list of Acer apps.  
 
Recovery - 25  
2.Select the Restore tab and click Get Started to Choose an option.  
3.Select Remove everything to reset your PC back to its factory  
default. This process will reinstall your operating system and  
remove all of your personal files, apps, and settings.  
4.Select Just remove my files if you are keeping your computer. This  
will be quicker, but less secure. Files may still be recovered with a  
file recovery program.  
Select Remove files and clean the drive if you are not keeping  
26 - Recovery  
your computer. This process will take longer, but will be more  
secure.  
Warning  
Selecting "Remove files and clean the drive" will remove all of your  
personal files and accounts, along with pre-existing drivers that may  
affect your Windows installation.  
5. Click Reset to continue.  
6.You will be shown the reset progress on the screen. The screen will  
turn off during the reset process.  
7.The screen will turn back on when it is installing Windows. Your PC  
will restart several times during the reset process.  
8.Follow the process until it completes.  
9.When your PC has completed the reset process, Windows will use  
factory default settings.  
Using a Bluetooth connection - 27  
USING A BLUETOOTH CONNECTION  
Bluetooth is a technology enabling you to transfer data wirelessly over  
short distances between many different types of devices. Bluetooth-  
enabled devices include computers, cell phones, tablets, wireless  
headsets, and keyboards.  
To use Bluetooth, you must ensure the following:  
1.Bluetooth is enabled on both devices.  
2.Your devices are "paired" (or connected).  
Enabling and disabling Bluetooth  
The Bluetooth adapter must be enabled on both devices. For your  
computer, this may be an external switch, a software setting, or a  
separate Bluetooth dongle plugged into the computer’s USB port (if no  
internal Bluetooth adapter is available).  
Note  
Please check your devices owner’s manual to determine how to turn on its  
Bluetooth adapter.  
Enable Bluetooth and add a device  
Every new device must first be "paired" with your computer’s  
Bluetooth adapter. This means it must first be authenticated for  
security purposes. You only need to pair once. After that, simply  
turning on the Bluetooth adapter of both devices will connect them.  
Bluetooth on your computer is disabled by default. To enable your  
computer’s Bluetooth adapter, do the following:  
1.Press the Windows key or select the Windows Start button >  
Settings > Devices > Bluetooth, and click the toggle under  
Bluetooth to enable/disable it.  
2.Your computer will automatically start searching for devices, as well  
as make itself visible to other devices.  
     
28 - Using a Bluetooth connection  
3.Select the device you wish to pair from the list of discovered  
devices, and select Pair.  
4.A code displays on your computer, which should match the code  
displayed on your device. Select Yes. Then, accept the pairing from  
your device.  
Note  
Some devices using older versions of the Bluetooth technology require both  
devices to enter a PIN. In the case of one of the devices not having any inputs  
(as in a headset), the passcode is hardcoded into the device (usually "0000"  
or "1234"). Consult your device’s user manual for more information.  
You can also enter the Bluetooth settings by selecting the  
Notifications icon in the lower right-hand corner of the screen to open  
the Notifications pane. From here, you can enable or disable  
Bluetooth or right-click on Bluetooth > Go to settings to enter the  
Bluetooth settings.  
Connecting to the Internet - 29  
CONNECTING TO THE INTERNET  
This chapter includes general information on types of connections,  
and getting connected to the internet. Some of this information may  
not apply to your computer. For detailed information, please refer to  
Your computer’s built-in network features make it easy for you to  
connect your computer to the internet using a cable or a wireless  
connection.  
First though, in order to connect to the internet, you’ll need to sign up  
for internet services from an ISP (Internet Service Provider) -- usually  
a phone or cable company -- that will have to go to your home or  
office to set up internet service. The ISP will install a small box, a  
router or modem, that will allow you to connect to the internet.  
Connecting to a wireless network  
Connecting to a wireless LAN  
A wireless LAN (or WLAN) is a wireless local area network, which can  
link two or more computers without using wires. Once connected to  
WLAN, you can access the internet. You can also share files, other  
devices, and even your internet connection itself.  
Warning  
Using wireless devices while flying in aircraft may be prohibited. All  
wireless devices must be switched off before boarding an aircraft and  
during take-off, as they may be dangerous to the operation of the  
aircraft, disrupt communications, and even be illegal. You may turn on  
your computer’s wireless devices only when informed that it is safe to  
do so by the cabin crew.  
Your computer's wireless connection is turned on by default and  
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  
     
30 - Connecting to the Internet  
management options to turn your wireless network on/off or control  
what is shared over the network.  
To connect to a wireless network, please follow the steps below.  
1.Ensure you have a wireless router/access point and current internet  
connection through the ISP of your choice. Make a note of the  
wireless network’s name and password (if necessary). If you are  
trying to connect to a public network (such as at a coffeeshop),  
make sure you have the wireless network’s name.  
Note  
Please refer to your ISP or router documentation for details on connecting to  
the internet.  
2.In the icon tray in the lower right-hand corner of the screen, select  
the Notifications icon to open the Notifications pane.  
3.Select All settings.  
Connecting to the Internet - 31  
4.Select Network & internet.  
5.You will see a list of available wireless networks. Select the one you  
wish to use.  
32 - Connecting to the Internet  
6.Once you select a wireless network, select Connect.  
7.If required, enter the network’s password.  
Connecting to the Internet - 33  
Connecting with a cable  
Built-in network feature  
Plug one end of a network cable into the network port on your  
computer, and the other end into a port on your router. (Refer to the  
image below.) Then, you'll be ready to get online.  
Connecting to a cellular network  
If your computer has a SIM slot, you can connect to the internet using  
a cellular phone network. To do this, you must have a compatible SIM  
card and a data contract with your cellular provider. Contact your  
cellular provider for more information on connecting to the internet  
using a cellular network.  
     
34 - Acer Bluelight Shield  
ACER BLUELIGHT SHIELD  
Acer Bluelight Shield can be enabled to reduce the blue-light  
emissions from the screen to protect your eyes.  
To configure Acer Bluelight Shield, Search for ’Acer Quick Access’.  
From here you can toggle Acer Bluelight Shield on or off, and you can  
choose from four different modes to fit your needs:  
No. Item  
Description  
Low  
Reduction  
Reduces blue light emission from the LED backlit  
screen by 10% to 25% for basic protection.  
1
Medium  
Reduction  
High  
Reduction  
Long Hour  
Mode  
Reduces blue light emission from the LED backlit  
screen by 26% to 45% to protect your eyes.  
Reduces blue light emission from the LED backlit  
screen by 46% to 65% for maximum protection.  
Professionally tuned to reduce eye strain over an  
extended period of time.  
2
3
4
Note  
Specifications vary depending on model.  
 
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  
36 - Securing your computer  
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  
The computer comes with a Kensington-compatible security slot for a  
security lock.  
Wrap a computer security lock cable around an immovable object  
such as a table or handle of a locked drawer. 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 enter this password to gain access to the  
• User Password secures your computer against unauthorized use.  
Combine the use of this password with password checkpoints on  
boot-up and resume from Hibernation (if available) 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 (if available) for maximum  
security.  
Important  
Do not forget your Supervisor Password! If you forget your password,  
please get in touch with your dealer or an authorized service center.  
     
Securing your computer - 37  
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. 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.  
 
38 - BIOS utility  
BIOS UTILITY  
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.  
To activate the BIOS utility, press <F2> while the computer logo is  
being displayed.  
Boot sequence  
To set the boot sequence in the BIOS utility, activate the BIOS utility,  
then select Boot from the categories listed on the left of the screen.  
Setting passwords  
To set a password on boot, activate the BIOS utility, then select  
Security from the categories listed on the left of the screen.  
Find Set Supervisor Password and enter a password to enable this  
feature. Once you have entered a password for this feature, you may  
then enable/disable Password on Boot.  
Remember to select <F10> to properly save and exit the BIOS utility  
when you are done making changes.  
       
Power management - 39  
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 computer, and video memory. If no  
activity is detected for a period of time, the computer stops some or all  
of these devices in order to conserve energy.  
Saving power  
Disable Fast startup  
Your computer uses Fast startup to start quickly, but also uses a small  
amount of power to check for signals to start. These checks will slowly  
drain your computer’s battery.  
If you prefer to reduce your computer’s power requirements and  
environmental impact, turn off Fast startup:  
Note  
If Fast startup is off, your computer will take longer to start from Sleep.  
Your computer will also not start if it receives an instruction to start over a  
network (Wake on LAN).  
1.Open the desktop.  
2.Click Power Options in the Notification area.  
3.Select More Power Options.  
4.Select Choose what the power buttons do.  
   
40 - 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 - 41  
BATTERY PACK  
The computer uses an embedded Lithium battery that gives you long  
use between charges.  
Battery characteristics  
The battery is recharged whenever you connect the computer to the  
AC adapter. Your computer supports charge-in-use, enabling you to  
recharge the battery while you continue to operate the computer.  
However, recharging with the computer turned off significantly  
reduces charge time.  
The battery will come in handy when you travel or during a power  
failure.  
Charging the battery  
Plug the AC adapter into the computer, and connect to a mains power  
outlet.  
Note  
You are advised to charge the battery before retiring for the day. Charging  
the battery overnight before traveling enables you to start the next day with a  
fully charged battery.  
Conditioning a new battery pack  
Before you use a battery pack for the first time, there is a conditioning  
process that you should follow:  
1.Connect the AC adapter and fully charge the battery.  
2.Turn on the computer and complete setting up the operating system.  
3.Disconnect the AC adapter.  
4.Operate the computer using battery power.  
5.Reconnect the AC adapter and fully charge the battery again.  
Follow these steps again until the battery has been charged and  
discharged three times.  
     
42 - Battery pack  
Use this conditioning process for all new batteries, or if a battery  
hasn't been used for a long time.  
Warning  
Do not expose battery packs to temperatures below 0° C (32° F) or  
above 45° C (113° F). Extreme temperatures may adversely affect the  
battery pack.  
The battery conditioning process ensures your battery accepts the  
maximum possible charge. Failure to follow this procedure will prevent  
you from obtaining the maximum battery charge, and will also shorten  
the effective lifespan of the battery.  
In addition, the useful lifespan of the battery is adversely affected by  
the following usage patterns:  
• Using the computer on constant AC power.  
• Not discharging and recharging the battery to its extremes, as  
described above.  
• Frequent use; the more you use the battery, the faster it will reach  
the end of its effective life. An embedded battery has a life span of  
more than 1,000 charge/discharge cycles.  
Optimizing battery life  
Optimizing battery life helps you get the most out of battery operation,  
prolonging the charge/recharge cycle and improving recharging  
efficiency. You are advised to follow the suggestions set out below:  
• Use AC power whenever possible, reserving battery for mobile use.  
• Remove accessories that are not being used (e.g. a USB disk  
drive), as they can continue to draw power.  
• Store your PC 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.  
• Look after your AC adapter and battery.  
 
Battery pack - 43  
Checking the battery level  
The power meter indicates the current battery level. Rest the cursor  
over the battery/power icon on the taskbar to see the battery's present  
charge level.  
Battery-low warning  
When using battery power pay attention to the power meter.  
Important  
Connect the AC adapter as soon as possible after the battery-low  
warning appears. Data may be lost if the battery is allowed to become  
fully depleted and the computer shuts down.  
When the battery-low warning appears, the recommended course of  
action depends on your situation:  
Situation  
Recommended Action  
1. Plug the AC adapter into the computer, and  
The AC adapter then connect to the main power supply.  
and a power  
outlet are  
2. Save all necessary files.  
3. Resume work.  
available.  
Turn off the computer if you want to recharge  
the battery rapidly.  
The AC adapter 1. Save all necessary files.  
or a power outlet 2. Close all applications.  
is unavailable.  
3. Turn off the computer.  
   
44 - Traveling with your computer  
TRAVELING WITH YOUR COMPUTER  
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 any open files.  
2.Remove discs from optical drive.  
3.Shut down the computer or put it into Sleep or Hibernate mode.  
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 wake the computer from  
Sleep mode, open the display and, if necessary, 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:  
Press the Windows key + <C>, click Settings > Power then click  
Shut Down  
Or:  
       
Traveling with your computer - 45  
You can put the computer in Sleep mode by pressing the Sleep  
hotkey 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.  
What to bring to meetings  
If your meeting is relatively short, you probably do not need to bring  
anything with you other than your computer. If your meeting will be  
longer, 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 the  
Sleep hotkey or close the display cover whenever you are not actively  
using the computer.  
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 that you have removed all media 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.  
Warning  
Avoid packing items next to the top cover of the computer. Pressure  
against the top cover can damage the screen.  
     
46 - Traveling with your computer  
What to take with you  
Unless you have some items at home, take the following items with  
you:  
• AC adapter and power cord.  
• The printed Setup Guide.  
Special considerations  
Follow these guidelines to protect your computer while traveling to  
and from work:  
• Minimize the effects of temperature changes by keeping the  
computer with you.  
• If you need to stop for an extended period of time and cannot carry  
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 10° C (18° F), 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 carrying 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.  
     
Traveling with your computer - 47  
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. Make sure that  
the battery in the computer is charged. Airport security may require  
you to turn on your computer when carrying it into the gate area.  
What to take with you  
Take the following items with you:  
• AC adapter  
• 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.  
Traveling internationally  
Important  
Check with your airline for any special requirements for travelling with  
Lithium batteries.  
When you are moving from country to country.  
         
48 - Traveling with your computer  
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:  
• AC adapter.  
• Power cords that are appropriate for your destination(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 are  
compatible with the telecommunications system of the country you  
are traveling in.  
     
Ports and connectors...  
In this section you will find:  
• Information on the ports and connectors fitted to your computer  
50 - Memory card reader  
MEMORY CARD READER  
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.  
Memory card reader  
Memory cards are used in a wide selection of digital  
cameras, PDAs, MP3 players and mobile phones.  
Inserting a memory card  
1.Align the card so that the connector points towards the port, with the  
connectors facing down.  
2.Carefully slide the card into the port. If you find you need to use any  
force to insert the card, try reorientating the card slightly.  
3.Push the card until it clicks into place. A few millimetres of the card  
will extend from beyond the slot.  
If the card contains some files, the Windows Auto Play window may  
appear (this depends on the contents of the card) and ask you if you  
wish to use a program to access the contents of the card. Select an  
option here if it is appropriate, otherwise select Cancel. If the card  
contains no files, or unknown files, a window will open showing the  
contents of the card.  
SD, SDHC and SDXC cards  
Different types of SD cards cover different capacities, while using the  
same overall design. SD cards contain up to 4 GB; SDHC cards  
contain up to 32 GB; and SDXC cards can contain up to 2048 GB  
   
Memory card reader - 51  
(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.Click on Show hidden icons  
2
arrow in the Notification Area (next  
to the clock).  
2.Click on the Safely Remove  
Hardware icon.  
3.Click on Eject SD Card (or the  
name of the device).  
4.Wait until a Safe to Remove  
Hardware message is displayed.  
5.Remove the card.  
1
3
52 - Video and audio connectors  
VIDEO AND AUDIO CONNECTORS  
Connect to a monitor with a VGA or DVI port (the type of connection  
supported depends on your computer’s configuration). The  
appropriate cable is usually included with the monitor.  
Follow these steps to connect an monitor to your computer:  
1.Check that the computer is powered off and the monitor power  
switch is turned off.  
2.Attach the video cable to the monitor port on the computer. Secure  
the cable connection with the screws provided.  
3.Connect the monitor power cable and plug it into a properly  
grounded wall outlet.  
4.Follow any setup instructions in the monitor's user's guide.  
5.Turn on power to the monitor, then the computer.  
6.Make sure that the current resolution and refresh rate do not exceed  
the specifications of the monitor. If necessary change the display  
settings used by the computer.  
Note  
To access the display controls, press the Windows key ( ) + W, type  
"Display" and then click on Display.  
Headphones and microphone  
These ports allow you to connect audio devices. Use the headphone  
port to plug in stereo headphones or powered speakers. Plugging an  
audio device to the headphone port disables the built-in speakers.  
Use the microphone port to connect an external microphone for mono  
recording; plugging in an external microphone disables the built-in  
microphone.  
Note  
Some computers have a single "combo" port that allows you to use single-pin  
headsets with a built-in microphone. These headsets are most commonly  
used with smartphones.  
 
Universal Serial Bus (USB) - 53  
UNIVERSAL SERIAL BUS (USB)  
The USB port is a high-speed port which allows you to connect USB  
peripherals, such as a mouse, an external keyboard, additional  
storage (external hard disks), or any other compatible device.  
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. Consult your device’s documentation to see which  
standard it supports.  
You can also charge devices such as tablets, smartphones, or other  
devices through a USB port. Some USB 3.0 ports support charging  
devices when the computer is in Hibernate or turned off. Additionally,  
you can use a USB hub to connect multiple devices to a single USB  
port.  
Important  
When removing a USB storage device, you should right-click on the  
USB icon in the Windows task bar and select "Eject <device>" to tell the  
operating system to stop using the device before removing it. Failure to  
do this may result in data loss or damage to your peripheral.  
 
54 - HDMI  
HDMI  
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.  
The single cable keeps everything neat and tidy while ensuring easy  
connection and the best audio and visual quality.  
 
Got a question?  
In this section you will find:  
• Frequently asked questions  
• Tips for using Windows 10  
• Troubleshooting information  
• How to protect yourself while online  
• Where to find Acer service center contact information  
 
56 - Frequently asked questions  
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS  
The following is a list of possible situations that may arise during the  
use of your computer. Easy solutions are provided for each one.  
I turned on the power, but the computer does not start or boot up.  
Look at the power indicator:  
• If it is not lit, no power is being supplied to the computer. Check the  
following:  
• If you are using on the battery, it may be low and unable to power  
the computer. Connect the AC adapter to recharge the battery  
pack. You may need to wait a few minutes before trying to turn  
your computer on again.  
• Make sure that the AC adapter is properly plugged into the  
computer and to the power outlet.  
• If it is lit, check the following:  
• Is a disc in the optical drive? Remove it and press <Ctrl> + <Alt>  
+ <Del> to restart the system.  
• Do you have a USB storage device (USB drive or smartphone)  
plugged into your computer? Unplug it and press <Ctrl> + <Alt> +  
<Del> to restart the system.  
Nothing appears on the screen.  
The computer’s power management system automatically blanks the  
screen to save power. Press any key to turn the display back on.  
If pressing a key does not turn the display back on, three things might  
be the cause:  
• The brightness level might be too low. Press <Fn> + < > (increase)  
to adjust the brightness level.  
• The display device might be set to an external monitor. Press the  
display toggle hotkey to toggle the display back to the computer.  
• If the power LED is flashing, the computer may be in Sleep or  
Hibernate mode. Press and release the power button to resume.  
No audio is heard from the computer.  
Check the following:  
   
Frequently asked questions - 57  
• 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. You can also use the  
volume control hotkeys to adjust the volume.  
• If headphones, earphones or external speakers are connected to  
the headphone jack on the computer, the internal speakers  
automatically turn off.  
I want to eject the optical drive tray without turning on the power.  
There is a mechanical eject hole on the optical drive. Insert the tip of a  
pen or straightened-out paperclip into the hole and push to eject the tray.  
The keyboard does not respond.  
Try attaching an external keyboard to a USB port on the computer. If it  
works, contact your dealer or an authorized service center as the  
internal keyboard cable may be loose.  
The printer does not work.  
• Make sure that the printer is connected to a power outlet and that it  
is turned on.  
• Make sure that the printer cable is connected securely to a USB port  
and the corresponding port on the printer.  
I want to restore my computer to its original settings.  
Note  
If your system is the multilingual version, the operating system and language  
you choose when you first turn on the system will be the only option for future  
recovery operations.  
This recovery process helps you restore the C: drive with the original  
software content that is installed when you purchased your computer.  
Warning  
Your C: drive will be reformatted and all data will be erased. It is  
important to back up all data files before using this option.  
58 - Frequently asked questions  
Before performing a restore operation, please check the BIOS settings.  
1.Check to see if Acer disk-to-disk recovery is enabled or not.  
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 access the BIOS utility, press <F2> when you see the Acer logo during  
boot up.  
For more information, see Restoring your computer on page 23.  
Requesting service  
International Travelers Warranty (ITW)  
Your computer is backed by an International Travelers Warranty  
(ITW) that gives you security and peace of mind when traveling. An  
ITW passport came with your computer and contains all you need to  
know about the ITW program. A list of available, authorized service  
centers is in this handy booklet. Read this passport thoroughly.  
Always have your ITW passport on hand, especially when you travel,  
to receive the benefits from our support centers. Attach your proof-of-  
purchase to the ITW passport.  
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. With  
your support, we can reduce the amount of time a call takes and help  
solve your problems efficiently. If there are error messages or beeps  
reported by your computer, write them down as they appear on the  
screen (or the number and sequence in the case of beeps).  
You are required to provide the following information:  
Name:  
Address:  
Machine and model type:  
Serial number:  
Telephone number:  
Date of purchase:  
 
Frequently ask  
Frequently asked questions - 59  
Tips and hints for using Windows 10  
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 or select the Windows Start button on the  
lower left-hand corner of the screen.  
Where’s the Start button?  
The Start button will appear in the desktop taskbar. Selecting it will  
open Start where you can launch apps.  
How do I see all of my apps?  
Press the Windows key or select the Windows Start button and select  
All apps to show a list of installed apps on the computer.  
How do I turn off my computer?  
Press the Windows key or select the Windows Start button and select  
the power icon > Shut down. You can also turn off the computer by  
right-clicking the Windows Start button > Shut down or sign out >  
Shut down.  
Can I turn off notifications?  
You can turn off notifications so that you can leave your computer  
running, but not be disturbed by notifications.  
Press the Windows key or select the Windows Start button and select  
Settings > System > Notifications & actions. From here you can  
enable/disable notifications for all of your apps or choose which apps  
to enable/disable.  
How do I unlock my computer?  
Press the space bar and select a user account icon to unlock the  
computer. If your account has a password set, you will need to enter  
the password to continue.  
       
60 - Frequently asked questions  
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, press the Windows key or select the  
Windows Start button and select Settings > Personalization. From  
here you can:  
• Select a background image for the lock screen  
• Turn the Slide show on or off  
• Select lock screen apps.  
How do I set up the lock screen slideshow?  
1.Press the Windows key or select the Windows Start button and  
select Settings > Personalization.  
2.Under Background, select Slideshow.  
3.Select Add a folder and open the folder you wish to use (your  
Pictures folder will open by default). Select Choose this folder to  
add the folder to the lock screen slideshow.  
4.Select a folder and select Remove to remove the folder from the  
lock screen slideshow.  
5.Change the other settings to suit your needs.  
How do I move tiles?  
Select a tile and drag it to the place on Start that you want it to  
appear. Other tiles will be moved to accommodate the tile in its new  
location.  
Can I arrange tiles in groups?  
Yes, you can. Select an existing tile and drag the tile to arrange Start  
to your liking. Right-click on an app and select Pin to Start to create a  
new group on Start. From here, you can drag the tile to an existing  
group on Start. You can give the group(s) a name and arrange the  
tiles within the groups to suit your needs.  
Can I make tiles bigger or smaller?  
Yes, you can. Right-click on a tile and select Resize. Select a size  
from the menu that appears.  
Frequently asked questions - 61  
Can I change the screen resolution?  
Yes, you can. Move your cursor to the lower left-hand corner of the  
screen and type 'Control Panel' in the text box to display the results;  
select Control Panel > Adjust screen resolution. Alternatively, you  
can also right-click anywhere on the desktop and select Screen  
resolution.  
How do I set the alarm?  
Your computer can act as an alarm clock. Search ’Alarms’ and then  
select Alarms.  
1.Select a name for the alarm.  
2.Set the time by choosing the hour and minute.  
3.Select AM or PM.  
4.Choose which days the alarm should go off.  
5.Select the sound notification.  
6.Select the snooze time.  
7.Save the alarm by selecting the Save icon in the bottom right-hand  
corner.  
Hour  
Minutes  
Save  
Delete  
Note  
The alarm will only sound if your computer is awake at the set time.  
 
62 - Frequently asked questions  
Where are my apps?  
Move your cursor to the lower left-hand corner of the screen and  
select Search, start typing the name of the app you would like to  
open.  
How do I make an app appear on Start?  
If you're in All apps and you want to make an app appear on Start,  
right-click an app and select Pin to Start.  
How do I remove a tile from Start?  
Right-click a tile to select it and select Unpin from Start to remove  
the tile from Start.  
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 an app or tile and select Pin to taskbar.  
How do I install apps?  
You can download Windows Store apps from Store. You will need to  
have a Microsoft ID to purchase and download apps from Store.  
I can't find apps like Notepad and Paint! Where are they?  
Move your cursor to the lower left-hand corner of the screen and  
select Search. Type the name of the app you would like to open.  
Alternatively, open All apps and scroll to ’Windows Accessories’ to  
see the list of legacy programs.  
What is a Microsoft ID (account)?  
A Microsoft account is an email address and password that you use to  
sign in to Windows. You can use any email address, but it is best if  
you choose the one you already use to communicate with friends and  
sign in to your favorite websites. When you sign in to your PC with a  
Microsoft account, you'll connect your PC to the people, files, and  
devices you care about.  
   
Frequently asked questions - 63  
Do I need one?  
You do not need a Microsoft ID to use Windows 10, but it makes life  
easier because you can sync data across different machines you sign  
in to using a Microsoft ID.  
How do I get one?  
If you've already installed Windows 10 and didn't sign in with a  
Microsoft account or you don't have a Microsoft account and want to  
get one, press the Windows key or select the Windows Start button >  
Settings > Accounts > Sign in with a Microsoft account, and  
follow the onscreen instructions.  
How do I check for Windows updates?  
Press the Windows key or select the Windows Start button > Settings  
> Update & recovery > Windows Update. Select Advanced  
options to configure the settings.  
Where can I get more information?  
For more information please visit the following pages:  
• Windows 10 information: go.acer.com/windows-tutorial  
• Support FAQs: support.acer.com  
   
Frequently asked questions  
64 - 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; contact your dealer or  
authorized service center for assistance.  
Troubleshooting tips  
This computer incorporates an advanced design that delivers  
onscreen error message reports to help you solve problems.  
If the system reports an error message or an error symptom occurs,  
see "Error messages" below. If the problem cannot be resolved,  
contact your dealer.  
Error messages  
If you receive an error message, note the message and take the  
corrective action. The following table lists the error messages in  
alphabetical order together with the recommended course of action.  
Error messages  
Corrective action  
Contact your dealer or an authorized service  
center.  
CMOS battery bad  
CMOS checksum  
error  
Contact your dealer or an authorized service  
center.  
Insert a system (bootable) disk, then press  
<Enter> to reboot.  
Disk boot failure  
Press <F2> (during POST) to enter the BIOS  
utility, then press Exit in the BIOS utility to  
reboot.  
Equipment  
configuration error  
Contact your dealer or an authorized service  
center.  
Contact your dealer or an authorized service  
Hard disk 0 error  
Hard disk 0  
extended type error center.  
Contact your dealer or an authorized service  
center.  
I/O parity error  
     
Frequently asked questions - 65  
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  
utility, then press Exit in the BIOS utility to  
reboot.  
Memory size  
mismatch  
If you still encounter problems after going through the corrective  
measures, please contact your dealer or an authorized service center  
for assistance.  
66 - Internet and online security  
INTERNET AND ONLINE SECURITY  
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 70). A comprehensive internet  
security program is offered when you first start your computer. You  
should activate this protection as soon as possible, certainly before  
you connect to the internet.  
Choose an Internet Service Provider  
Using the internet has become a natural part of daily  
computing. Just a few simple steps can connect you to  
a vast collection of knowledge and communication  
tools. To accomplish these steps you should first  
select an Internet Service Provider (ISP), which  
supplies the connection between your computer and  
the internet. You should research the ISPs available in  
your region, not forgetting to talk to friends and family about their  
experiences or to check reviews and consumer reports. The ISP you  
select will provide instructions on how to connect to the internet (you  
may need additional software or a special ‘box’ that connects to your  
phone line).  
Connection types  
Depending on your computer model, your location and your  
communication needs, you have several ways to connect to the  
internet.  
Dial-up  
Some computers include a telephone dial-up (‘modem’) connector.  
This allows you to connect to the internet using your telephone line.  
With a dial-up connection, you cannot use the modem and the  
telephone simultaneously on a single phone line. This type of  
connection is recommended only if you have limited use of the  
       
Internet and online security - 67  
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’ on each  
telephone socket to avoid interference). To be eligible for DSL, you  
must be located near an DSL-equipped phone exchange (service is  
sometimes unavailable in rural areas). Connection speeds vary  
depending on your location, but DSL generally provides very fast and  
reliable internet connection. As the connection is always-on, it is  
generally charged at fixed monthly rates.  
Note  
A DSL connection requires an appropriate modem. A modem is usually  
provided by the ISP when you register. Many of these modems include an  
‘router’ that provides network and Wi-Fi access.  
Cable  
A cable connection provides fast and always-on internet service via a  
cable television line. This service is generally available in large cities.  
You can use your telephone and watch cable TV at the same time you  
are connected to the internet.  
Cellular  
A cellular connection allows you to use cellular networks (such as  
those used by a mobile phone) to connect to the internet while away  
from home. The socket for a SIM card may be built in to your  
computer, or may require an external device, such as a USB modem  
or even an appropriately equipped mobile phone.  
Note  
If your computer includes a SIM card slot, you require a compatible SIM card  
and a contract with a cellular provider.  
Before using the cellular features, check with your service provider to see if  
any additional charges will be incurred, especially roaming charges.  
68 - 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. You can set up a LAN using wired technologies (such as  
Ethernet) or wireless technologies (such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth).  
Wireless networks  
A wireless LAN or WLAN is a wireless local area network, which may  
link two or more computers without using wires. Setting up a wireless  
network is easy and allows you to share files, peripheral devices and  
an internet connection.  
What are benefits of a wireless network?  
Mobility  
Wireless LAN systems allow you and other users of your home  
network to share access to files and devices connected to the  
network, for example a printer or scanner.  
Also you can share an internet connection with other computers in  
your home.  
Installation speed and simplicity  
Installing a wireless LAN system can be fast and easy and eliminates  
the need to pull cables through walls and ceilings.  
Components of a wireless LAN  
To set up your Wireless network at home you need to have the  
following:  
Access point (router)  
Access points (routers) are two-way transceivers that broadcast data  
into the surrounding environment. Access points act as a mediator  
between wired and wireless network. Most routers have a built-in DSL  
modem that will allow you access to a high speed DSL internet  
connection. The ISP (Internet Service Provider) you have chosen  
normally supplies a modem/router with the subscription to their  
   
Internet and online security - 69  
services. Read carefully the documentation supplied with your Access  
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. A button or controls in Windows allow you to activate  
or deactivate the adapter.  
Diagram of a working network  
1.Access point/router  
2.Desktop computer  
3.Modem  
4.Printer  
5.Portable computer  
6.PDA/Smartphone  
7.Network cables (RJ45)  
Turning on/off a wireless network connection  
Most computers feature a ‘Wi-Fi’ button that turns the network  
connection on or off. If your computer has wireless access, but does  
not feature a Communication button, you may turn your wireless  
network on or off, or control what is shared over the network with the  
network management options. Search ’HomeGroup’ and then click on  
HomeGroup.  
Warning  
Using wireless devices while flying in aircraft may be prohibited. Switch  
off all devices before boarding an aircraft; they may be dangerous to  
the operation of the aircraft, disrupt communications, and even be  
illegal. After take off, ask the cabin crew if you may enable Wi-Fi.  
70 - Internet and online security  
Surf the Net!  
To surf the internet, you need a program called an  
internet browser. Internet Explorer provides an easy  
and secure web browsing experience. As soon as you  
have your internet access installed and you are  
connected, from Start, click the Internet Explorer tile or  
the icon located on the desktop and take your internet  
experience to a new level!  
Acer website  
To get you started why not visit our website, www.acer.com.  
Acer is dedicated to provide you with on-going personalized support.  
Check out our Support section to get help tailored to your needs.  
www.acer.com is your portal to a world of online activities and  
services: visit us regularly for the latest information and downloads!  
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,  
bank, or browse online.  
McAfee Internet Security Suite blocks online identity theft, detects and  
eliminates spyware, removes viruses and internet worms, protects  
against hackers.  
Definitions  
What is a virus?  
Malicious software, typically called ‘viruses’, are programs designed to  
infect and damage computers. Most viruses are transmitted over the  
internet, emails or malicious web sites. A typical virus will replicate  
and pass itself undetected to multiple computers. Other forms of  
nuisance, such as Trojan horses, worms or spam can infect your  
   
Internet and online security - 71  
computer in various ways, using up resources or clogging up a  
network.  
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. Once it has infected your computer, it can snoop on your  
browsing activity, collect personal information, cause pop-up ads to  
appear, or even change the configuration of your computer. Spyware  
consumes resources on your computer; it can slow down your internet  
connection or entire computer system, and even cause crashes.  
Spyware is sometimes used by unscrupulous companies to monitor  
and track the sites you visit on the internet so as to determine your  
web-surfing habits and display targeted pop-up ads on your screen.  
However, some kinds of spyware go beyond simple tracking and  
actually monitor keystrokes and capture passwords, posing a serious  
security risk.  
What is malware?  
Malicious software, also known as malware, is software designed to  
deliberately harm your computer. For example, viruses, worms, and  
Trojan horses are malicious software. To help protect your computer  
against malware, make sure it is using up-to-date antivirus and anti-  
malware software.  
What is a personal firewall?  
A personal firewall is a software program designed to prevent  
unauthorized access to or from a private network. It acts as a shield to  
protect your internet connection from unwanted connections, some of  
which may attempt to take control of your computer to install or re-  
distribute viruses or malicious programs. Each connection to your  
computer is monitored - programs that attempt to receive information  
without your permission are detected and the firewall will display an  
alert. You can then decide if you will allow the connection, if the  
connection is to a program you are currently using then normally you  
72 - 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. In general, online criminals are trying to make their money as  
quickly and easily as possible. The more difficult you make their job,  
the more likely they are to leave you alone and move on to an easier  
target. The tips below provide basic information on how you can  
prevent online fraud.  
Keep your computer current with the latest patches and updates  
One of the best ways to keep attackers away from your computer is to  
apply patches and other software fixes when they become available.  
By regularly updating your computer, you block attackers from being  
able to take advantage of software flaws (vulnerabilities) that they  
could otherwise use to break into your system.  
While keeping your computer up-to-date will not protect you from all  
attacks, it makes it much more difficult for hackers to gain access to  
your system, blocks many basic and automated attacks completely,  
and might be enough to discourage less-determined attackers, so  
they will give up and look for a more vulnerable computer elsewhere.  
More recent versions of Microsoft Windows and other popular  
software can be configured to download and apply updates  
automatically so that you do not have to remember to check for the  
latest software. Taking advantage of auto-update features in your  
software is a great start toward keeping yourself safe online.  
Protect your computer with security software  
Several types of security software are necessary for basic online  
security. Security software essentials include firewall and antivirus  
programs. A firewall is usually your computer's first line of defense-it  
controls who and what can communicate with your computer online.  
You could think of a firewall as a sort of "policeman" that watches all  
the data attempting to flow in and out of your computer on the internet,  
allowing communications that it knows are safe and blocking "bad"  
traffic such as attacks from ever reaching your computer.  
Internet and online security - 73  
The next line of defense many times is your antivirus software, which  
monitors all online activities such as email messages and web  
browsing and protects an individual from viruses, worms, Trojan horse  
and other types of malicious programs. Your antivirus and  
antispyware software should be configured to update itself, and it  
should do so every time you connect to the internet.  
Integrated security suites such as McAfee Internet Security Suite,  
which combine firewall, antivirus, antispyware with other features such  
as antispam and parental controls, have become popular as they offer  
all the security software needed for online protection in a single  
package. Many people find using a comprehensive security suite an  
attractive alternative to installing, configuring and updating several  
different types of security software.  
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; we use them for  
everything from ordering flowers and online banking to logging into  
our favorite airline web site to see how many miles we have  
accumulated. The following tips can help make your online  
experiences secure:  
• Selecting a password that cannot be easily guessed is the first step  
toward keeping passwords secure and out of the wrong hands.  
Strong passwords have eight characters or more and use a  
combination of letters, numbers and symbols (e.g., # $ % ! ?). Avoid  
using any of the following as your password: your login name,  
anything based on your personal information such as your last  
name, and words that can be found in the dictionary, especially  
"password." Try to select especially strong, unique passwords for  
protecting activities like online banking.  
• Keep your passwords in a safe place and try not to use the same  
password for every service you use online.  
• Change passwords on a regular basis, at least every 90 days. This  
can limit the damage caused by someone who has already gained  
access to your account. If you notice something suspicious with one  
74 - 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. Since not divulging any personal information is  
rarely possible, the following list contains some advice for how to  
share personal information safely online:  
Keep an eye out for phony email messages. Things that indicate  
a message may be fraudulent are misspellings, poor grammar, odd  
phrasing, web site addresses with strange extensions, web site  
addresses that are entirely numbers where there are normally  
words, and anything else out of the ordinary. Additionally, phishing  
messages will often tell you that you have to act quickly to keep your  
account open, update your security, or urge you to provide  
information immediately or else something bad will happen. Don't  
take the bait.  
Do not click on a link in an email, unless you specifically asked for  
the email to be sent to you. If you get an email asking you to click on  
a link to perform an action, such as resetting your password, and  
you didn’t ask to reset your password, type the website address into  
your browser by yourself.  
Don't respond to email messages that ask for personal  
information. Legitimate companies will not use email messages to  
ask for your personal information. When in doubt, contact the  
company by phone or by typing in the company web address into  
your web browser. Don't click on the links in these messages as  
they make take you to fraudulent, malicious web sites.  
Steer clear of fraudulent web sites used to steal personal  
information. When visiting a web site, type the address (URL)  
directly into the web browser rather than following a link within an  
email or instant message. Fraudsters often forge these links to  
make them look convincing.  
A shopping, banking or any other web site where sensitive  
information should have an "S" after the letters "http" (i.e. https://  
Internet and online security - 75  
for secure and should appear when you are in an area requesting  
you to login or provide other sensitive data. Another sign that you  
have a secure connection is the small lock icon in the bottom of your  
web browser (usually the right-hand corner).  
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. Responding to these  
messages or even downloading images ensures you will be added  
to their lists for more of the same messages in the future. Also be  
careful when posting your email address online in newsgroups,  
blogs or online communities.  
Online offers that look too good to be true usually are  
The old saying "there's no such thing as a free lunch" still rings true  
today. Supposedly "free" software such as screen savers or smileys,  
secret investment tricks sure to make you untold fortunes, and  
contests that you've surprisingly won without entering are the enticing  
hooks used by companies to grab your attention.  
While you may not directly pay for the software or service with money,  
the free software or service you asked for may have been bundled  
with advertising software ("adware") that tracks your behavior and  
displays unwanted advertisements. You may have to divulge personal  
information or purchase something else in order to claim your  
supposed content winnings. If an offer looks so good it's hard to  
believe, ask for someone else's opinion, read the fine print, or even  
better, simply ignore it.  
Review bank and credit card statements regularly  
The impact of identity theft and online crimes can be greatly reduced if  
you can catch it shortly after your data is stolen or when the first use  
of your information is attempted. One of the easiest ways to get the  
tip-off that something has gone wrong is by reviewing the monthly  
statements provided by your bank and credit card companies for  
anything out of the ordinary.  
76 - Internet and online security  
Additionally, many banks and services use fraud prevention systems  
that call out unusual purchasing behavior (i.e. if you live in Texas and  
all of the sudden start buying refrigerators in Budapest). In order to  
confirm these out of the ordinary purchases, they might call you and  
ask you to confirm them. Don't take these calls lightly; this is your hint  
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.  
These updates include security patches and program updates that  
can improve your computing experience and help protect your  
computer against new viruses and attacks.  
How do I know when my computer is at risk?  
If the Action Center reports an alert, or if your computer behaves  
erratically, crashes unexpectedly or if some of your programs do not  
work correctly, your computer may be infected by malicious software.  
However, do not blame every computer problem on a virus! If you  
suspect your computer is infected, the first thing to do is update, if you  
have not already done so, and run your antivirus and anti-spyware  
software.  
Playing Blu-Ray or DVD movies - 77  
PLAYING BLU-RAY OR DVD MOVIES  
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 HDMI.  
1.Insert the disc into the drive.  
2.After a few seconds, the movie will start playing.  
3.If the movie does not start playing, open your movie playback  
program and open the disc from the File menu.  
Important  
When you launch the DVD player for the first time, the program asks  
you to enter the region code. DVDs are available for 6 regions.  
Region code Country or region  
1
2
3
4
5
6
USA, Canada  
Europe, Middle East, South Africa, Japan  
Southeast Asia, Taiwan, South Korea  
Latin America, Australia, New Zealand  
Former USSR, 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 drive.  
Once your DVD drive is set to a region code, it will only play DVDs for that  
region. 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.  
 

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