[. . . ] The serial number and model number are recorded on the label affixed to your computer. All correspondence concerning your unit should include the serial number, model number, and purchase information. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Acer Incorporated.
TravelMate -550 series Notebook computer
Model Number : __________________________________ Serial Number: ___________________________________ Purchase Date: ___________________________________ Place of Purchase: ________________________________
All trademarks and registered trademarks are the properties of their respective companies.
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First things first
We would like to thank you for making the TravelMate series of notebook computers your choice for your mobile computing needs. We hope you will be happy with your TravelMate as much as we enjoyed making it for you.
Your guides
To help you use your TravelMate, we have designed a set of guides:
First off, the Just for Starters. . . [. . . ] Disconnect the keyboard, pointing device, printer, external monitor, and other external devices. Disconnect the Kensington lock if you are using one to secure the computer.
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4 Moving with your 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 Standby mode. You can now safely take the computer anywhere you go within the building. To bring the computer out of Standby mode, open the display.
What to bring to short meetings
A fully charged battery runs the computer for 2 1/2 hours under most circumstances. If your meeting is shorter than that, you probably do not need to bring anything with you other than the computer.
What to bring to long meetings
If your meeting will last longer than 2 1/2 hours or if your battery is not fully charged, you may want to bring the AC adapter with you to plug in your computer in the meeting room. If the meeting room does not have an electrical outlet, reduce the drain on the battery by putting the computer in power-saving mode. Close the display cover whenever you are not actively using the computer. Open the display to resume.
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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: 1 2 Remove all media from the drives. 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 could 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 manual
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. Please also refer to Chapter 6, Troubleshooting when a problem arises. To activate the BIOS Setup Utility, press F2 during POST.
Main System Devices Security Others Boot Exit Item Specific Help System Time: System Date: Floppy Drive: Hard Disk: Quiet Boot: Power on display: LCD Display stretch: System Memory: Extended Memory: BIOS Ver. [11:21:00] [09/11/2001] 1. 44MB, 3½" IBM-DJSA-220-(PM) [Enabled] [Auto-Selected] [Enabled] 640 KB 113664 KB V0. 01
F1 Help Esc Exit
Select Item Select Menu
F5/F6 Change Values Enter Select > Sub-Menu
F9 Setup Defaults F10 Save and Exit
Navigating the BIOS Setup Utility
There are six menu options: Main, System Devices, Security, Others, Boot and Exit. Follow these instructions: · · · To choose a menu, use the cursor left/right keys ( ). To change the value of a parameter, press F5 or F6.
Note: You can change the value of a parameter if it is enclosed in square brackets.
·
A plus sign (+) indicates the item has sub-items. Press Enter to expand this item.
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· ·
Press Esc while you are in any of the menu options to go to the Exit menu. You can also press F10 to save any changes made and exit the BIOS Setup Utility.
Notes: Navigation keys for a particular menu are shown on the bottom of the screen. Help for parameters are found in the Item Specific Help part of the screen. Read this carefully when making changes to parameter values.
Main
The Main screen displays a summary of your computer hardware information, and also includes basic setup parameters.
Main System Devices Security Others Boot Exit Item Specific Help System Time: System Date: Floppy Drive: Hard Disk: Quiet Boot: Power on display: LCD Display stretch: System Memory: Extended Memory: BIOS Ver. [11:21:00] [09/11/2001] 1. 44MB, 3½" IBM-DJSA-220-(PM) [Enabled] [Auto-Selected] [Enabled] 640 KB 113664 KB V0. 01
F1 Help Esc Exit
Select Item Select Menu
F5/F6 Change Values Enter Select > Sub-Menu
F9 Setup Defaults F10 Save and Exit
Note: The screen above is for reference only. Actual values may differ.
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5 Software
The table below describes the parameters in this screen. [. . . ] If you are not sure of the type of power available, consult your dealer or local power company. If an extension cord is used with this product, make sure that the total ampere rating of the equipment plugged into the extension cord does not exceed the extension cord ampere rating. Also, make sure that the total rating of all products plugged into the wall outlet does not exceed the fuse rating. Never push objects of any kind into this product through cabinet slots as they may touch dangerous voltage points or short out parts that could result in a fire or electric shock. [. . . ]