Acer Aspire 2920 Service Guide

							Chapter 111
NOTE: When using the touchpad, keep it - and your fingers - dry and clean. The touchpad is sensitive to finger 
movement; hence, the lighter the touch, the better the response. Tapping too hard will not increase the 
touchpad’s responsiveness.
FunctionLeft Button (1)Right Button 
(3)Main touchpad (2)
Execute Quickly click twice. Tap twice (at the same speed 
as double-clicking a mouse 
button).
Select Click once. Tap once.
Drag Click and hold, then use 
finger on the touchpad to 
drag the cursor.Tap twice (at the same speed 
as double-clicking a mouse 
button); rest your finger on 
the touchpad on the second 
tap and drag the cursor.
Access 
context menuClick once. 
						

							12Chapter 1
Using the Keyboard
The keyboard has full-sized keys and an embedded numeric keypad, separate cursor, lock, Windows, function 
and special keys.
Lock Keys and embedded numeric keypad
The keyboard has three lock keys which you can toggle on and off.
The embedded numeric keypad functions like a desktop numeric keypad. It is indicated by small characters 
located on the upper right corner of the keycaps. To simplify the keyboard legend, cursor-control key symbols 
are not printed on the keys.
Lock keyDescription
Caps Lock When Caps Lock is on, all alphabetic characters typed are 
in uppercase.
Num Lock 
 + When Num Lock is on, the embedded keypad is in numeric mode. The keys 
function as a calculator (complete with the arithmetic operators +, -, *, and /). 
Use this mode when you need to do a lot of numeric data entry. A better solution 
would be to connect an external keypad.
Scroll Lock  + 
When Scroll Lock is on, the screen moves one line up or down when you press 
the up or down arrow keys respectively. Scroll Lock does not work with some 
applications.
Desired accessNum Lock onNum Lock off
Number keys on 
embedded keypadType numbers in a normal manner.
Cursor-control keys on 
embedded keypadHold  while using cursor-
control keys.Hold  while using cursor-
control keys.
Main keyboard keys Hold  while typing letters on 
embedded keypad.Type the letters in a normal 
manner. 
						

							Chapter 113
Windows Keys
The keyboard has two keys that perform Windows-specific functions.
KeyDescription
Windows 
keyPressed alone, this key has the same effect as 
clicking on the Windows Start button; it launches the 
Start menu. 
It can also be used with other keys to provide a 
variety of functions:
 : Open or close the Start menu
 + : Display the desktop
 + : Open Windows Explore
 + : Search for a file or folder
 + : Cycle through Sidebar gadgets
 + : Lock your computer (if you are 
connected to a network domain), or switch users (if 
youre not connected to a network domain)
 + : Minimizes all windows
 + : Open the Run dialog box
 + : Cycle through programs on the taskbar
 + : Open Ease of Access Center
 + : Open Windows Mobility Center
 + : Display the System Properties 
dialog box
 + : Restore minimized windows 
to the desktop
 + : Cycle through programs on the 
taskbar by using Windows Flip 3-D
 + : Bring all gadgets to the 
front and select Windows Sidebar
 + 
 + : Search for computers (if 
you are on a network)
 + 
 + : Use the arrow keys to 
cycle through programs on the taskbar by using 
Windows Flip 3-D
Note: Depending on your edition of Windows Vista, 
some shortcuts may not function as described.
Application 
key This key has the same effect as clicking the right mouse button; 
it opens the applications context menu. 
						

							14Chapter 1
Hot Keys
The computer employs hotkeys or key combinations to access most of the computer’s controls like sreen 
brightness, volume output and the BIOS utility.
To activate hot keys, press and hold the  key before pressing the other key in the hotkey combination.
HotkeyIconFunctionDescription
 +  Hotkey help Displays help on hotkeys.
 +  Acer eSettings 
ManagementLaunches Acer eSettings Management in Acer 
Empowering Technology. 
 +  Acer ePower 
ManagementLaunches Acer ePower Management in Acer 
Empowering Technology. 
 +  Sleep Puts the computer in Sleep mode.
 +  Display toggle Switches display output between the display 
screen, external monitor (if connected) and 
both.
 +  Screen blank Turns the display screen backlight off to save 
power. Press any key to return.
 +  Touchpad toggle Turns the internal touchpad on and off.
 +  Speaker toggle Turns the speakers on and off.
 + < > Brightness up Increases the screen brightness.
 + < > Brightness down Decreases the screen brightness.
 +  Hotkey help Displays help on hotkeys.
 +  Acer eSettings 
ManagementLaunches Acer eSettings Management in Acer 
Empowering Technology.  
						

							Chapter 115
Special Key
You can locate the Euro symbol and the US dollar sign at the upper-center 
and/or bottom-right of your keyboard.
The Euro symbol
1.Open a text editor or word processor.
2.Hold  and then press the  key at the upper-center of the keyboard.
NOTE:  Note: Some fonts and software do not support the Euro symbol. Please refer to www.microsoft.com/
typography/faq/faq12.htm for more information.
The US dollar sign
1.Open a text editor or word processor.
2.Hold  and then press the  key at the upper-center of the keyboard.
NOTE:  This function varies by the operating system version. 
						

							16Chapter 1
Acer Empowering Technology
The Empowering Technology toolbar makes it easy for you to access frequently used functions and manage 
your new Acer system. Displayed by default in the upper half of your screen, it provides access to the following 
utilities:
Acer eNet Management hooks up to location-based networks intelligently.
Acer ePower Management optimizes battery usage via customizable power plans.
Acer ePresentation Management connects to a projector and adjusts display settings.
Acer eDataSecurity Management protects data with passwords and encryption.
Acer eLock Management limits access to external storage media.
Acer eRecovery Management backs up and recovers data flexibly, reliably 
and completely.
Acer eSettings Management accesses system information and adjusts settings easily.
For more information, right click on the Empowering Technology toolbar, then select the Help or Tu t o r i a l  
function.
Empowering Technology password
Before using Acer eLock Management and Acer eRecovery Management, you must initialize the Empowering 
Technology password. Right-click on the Empowering Technology toolbar and select Password Setup to do 
so. If you have not initialized the Empowering Technology password and run Acer eLock Management or Acer 
eRecovery Management, you will be asked to create it.
NOTE: If you lose the Empowering Technology password, there is no way to reset it except by reformatting 
your system. Make sure to remember or write down your password!
Acer eNet Management 
Acer eNet Management helps you quickly connect to both wired and wireless networks in a variety of 
locations. To access this utility, select Acer eNet Management from the Empowering Technology toolbar or 
run the program from the Acer Empowering Technology program group in Start menu. You can also set Acer 
eNet Management to start automatically when you boot up your PC.
Acer eNet Management automatically detects the best settings for a new location, while offering you the option 
to manually adjust the settings to match your needs.  
						

							Chapter 117
Acer eNet Management can save network settings for a location to a profile, and automatically switch to the 
appropriate profile when you move from one location to another. Settings stored include network connection 
settings (IP and DNS settings, wireless AP details, etc.), as well as default printer settings. Security and safety 
concerns mean that Acer eNet Management does not store username and password information. 
						

							18Chapter 1
Acer ePower Management 
Acer ePower Management features a straightforward user interface for configuring your power management 
options. To access this utility, select Acer ePower Management from the Empowering Technology toolbar, 
run the program from the Acer Empowering Technology program group in Start menu, or right-click the 
Windows power icon in the system tray and select Acer ePower Management.
Using power plans
Acer ePower Management comes with three predefined power plans: Balanced, High performance and Power 
saver. You can also create customized power plans. You can create, switch between, edit, delete and restore 
power plans, as described below.
View and adjust settings for On Battery and Plugged In modes by clicking the appropriate tabs. You can open 
Windows power options by clicking More Power Options.
NOTE: You cannot delete the predefined power plans.
To create a new power plan:
Creating customized power plans allows you to save and quickly switch to a personalized set of power 
options.
1.Click the Create Power Plan icon. 
2.Enter a name for your new power plan.
3.Choose a predefined power plan to base your customized plan on.
4.If necessary, change the display and sleep settings you want your computer to use.
5.Click OK to save your new power plan. 
						

							Chapter 119
To switch between power plans:
1.Select the power plan you wish to switch to from the drop-down list.
2.Click Apply.
To edit a power plan:
Editing a power plan allows you to adjust system settings like LCD brightness and CPU speed. You can also 
turn on/off system components to extend battery life.
1.Switch to the power plan you wish to edit
2.Adjust settings as required.
3.Click Apply to save your new settings.
To delete a power plan:
You cannot delete the power plan you are currently using. If you want to delete the active power plan, switch to 
another one first.
1.Select the power plan you wish to delete from the drop-down list.
2.Click the Delete Power Plan icon. 
Battery status
For real-time battery life estimates based on current usage, refer to the panel in the upper half of the window. 
Click the   to view estimated battery life in sleep and hibernate modes. 
						

							20Chapter 1
Acer eAudio Management 
Acer eAudio Management allows you to easily control the enhanced sound effects of Dolby® Home Theater™ 
on your system. Select Movie or Game mode to experience the awesome realism of 5.1-channel surround 
sound from just 2 speakers, via Dolby Virtual Speaker technology. Music mode lets you enjoy your favorite 
tunes, in vivid detail..
Acer ePresentation Management 
Acer ePresentation Management lets you project your computers display to an external display device or 
projector using the hotkey:  + . If auto-detection hardware is implemented in the system and the 
external display supports it, your system display will be automatically switched out when an external display is