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Copyright © 1999 Acer Incorporated
All Rights Reserved — Printed in Taiwan
TravelMate 510 Series Notebook Computer User’s Guide
Part No.: 49.45C01.041
Original Issue: January 1999
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. 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 serial number, purchase date, and model number in the
space provided below. The serial number and model number are
recorded on the label affixed to the underside of the computer. All
correspondence concerning your unit should include the serial
number, model number, and date of purchase.
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 Notebook Computer
Model___________Serial No._______________________________
Purchase Date_______________
TravelMate is a trademark and a product of Acer Inc., developed with Texas
Instruments Inc. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the
property of their respective companies. Microsoft, MS-DOS, and Windows are
registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
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Table of Contents
Notices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v
Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xv
Connecting the Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xvi
Getting Help Online . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xviii
Support Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xix
Care and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xx
Chapter 1 Getting Familiar with your Computer . . . . . . . 1
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Touchpad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Ports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Audio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Securing your Computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Chapter 2 Operating on Battery Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Battery Pack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Power Management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
Chapter 3 Peripherals and Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
External Monitor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
External Keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
External Keypad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
External Pointing Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Audio Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
Port Replicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
PC Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
USB Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
Miscellaneous Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
Key Component Upgrades. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
Chapter 4 Moving with your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Disconnecting from the Desktop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64
Moving Around . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65
Taking the Computer Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66
Traveling with the Computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68
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Table of Contents
Traveling Internationally with the Computer . . . . . . 69
Chapter 5 Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
System Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Sleep Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Notebook Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
BIOS Utility. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Chapter 6 Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Frequently-Asked Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Error Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Troubleshooting Tips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Online Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Appendix A Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
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FCC Notice
Notices
This device has been tested and found to comply with the
limits for a Class B digital device pursuant to Part 15 of the
FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference in a residential
installation. This device generates, uses, and can radiate
radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in
accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not
occur in a particular installation. If this device does cause
harmful interference to radio or television reception, which
can be determined by turning the device off and on, the
user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one
or more of the following measures:
1. Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna
2. Increase the separation between the device and receiver
3. Connect the device into an outlet on a circuit different
from that to which the receiver is connected
4. Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/television
technician for help
Notice: Shield Cables
All connections to other computing devices must be made
using shielded cables to maintain compliance with FCC
regulations.
Notice: Peripheral Devices
Only peripherals (input/output devices, terminals, printers,
etc.) certified to comply with the Class B limits may be
attached to this equipment. Operation with non-certified
peripherals is likely to result in interference to radio and TV
reception.
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Notices
Caution
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the
manufacturer could void the user’s authority, which is
granted by the Federal Communications Commission, to
operate this computer.
Use Conditions
This part complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this
device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this
device must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired operation.
Notice: Canadian Users
This Class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the
Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations.
Remarque à l’intention des utilisateurs canadiens
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B respected toutes les
exigences du Règlement sur le matériel brouilleur du
Canada.
FCC Modem Notice
This equipment complies with Part 68 of the FCC Rules.
Located on the bottom side of the modem is a label that
contains, among other information, the FCC Registration
Number and Ringer Equivalence Number (REN) for this
equipment. Upon request, you must provide this
information to your telephone company.
If your telephone equipment causes harm to the telephone
network, the telephone company may discontinue your
service temporarily. If possible, they will notify you in
advance. But, if advance notice is not practical, you will be
notified as soon as possible. You will also be informed of
your right to file a complaint with the FCC.
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Notices
Your telephone company may make changes in its facilities,
equipment, operations, or procedures that could affect the
proper functioning of your equipment. If they do, you will
be notified in advance to give you an opportunity to
maintain uninterrupted telephone service.
If this equipment should fail to operate properly, disconnect
the equipment from the phone line to determine if it is
causing the problem. If the problem is with the equipment,
discontinue use and contact your dealer or vendor.
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Notices
Important Safety Instructions
1. Read these instructions carefully. Save these
instructions for future reference.
2. Follow all warnings and instructions marked on the
product.
3. Unplug this product from the wall outlet before cleaning.
Do not use liquid cleaners or aerosol cleaners. Use a
damp cloth for cleaning.
4. Do not use this product near water.
5. Do not place this product on an unstable cart, stand, or
table. The product may fall, causing serious damage to
the product.
6. Slots and openings in the cabinet and the back or
bottom are provided for ventilation; to ensure reliable
operation of the product and to protect it from
overheating, these openings must not be blocked or
covered. The openings should never be blocked by
placing the product on a bed, sofa, rug, or other similar
surface. This product should never be placed near or
over a radiator or heat register, or in a built-in
installation unless proper ventilation is provided.
7. This product should be operated from the type of power
indicated on the marking label. If you are not sure of
the type of power available, consult your dealer or local
power company.
8. Do not allow anything to rest on the power cord. Do not
locate this product where persons will walk on the cord.
9. 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.
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