Acer Aspire 3810t Service Guide

							Chapter 115
Hot Keys
The computer employs hotkeys or key combinations to access most of the computers controls like screen 
brightness and volume output.
To activate hot keys, press and hold the  key before pressing the other key in the hotkey combination.
Special Key
You can locate the Euro symbol and US dollar sign at the upper-center of your keyboard. To type:
HotkeyIconFunctionDescription
 +  System property Starts System Property for displaying system 
information. 
 +  Bluetooth Enables/disables the Bluetooth function. 
(only for certain models). 
 +  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.
 +  Speaker toggle Turns the speakers on and off.
 + < >Brightness up Increases the screen brightness.
 + < >Brightness down Decreases the screen brightness.
 + < >Volume up Increases the sound volume.
 + < >Volume down Decrease the sound volume. 
						

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The Euro symbol
1.Open a text editor or word processor.
2.Hold  and then press the symbol at the upper-center of the keyboard.
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. 
						

							Chapter 117
Using the system utilities
Acer GridVista (dual-display compatible)
NOTE: This feature is only available on certain models.
To enable the dual display feature of your notebook, first ensure that a second display is connected, then, 
open the Display Settings properties box using the Control Panel or by right-clicking the Windows desktop and 
selecting Personalize. Select the secondary monitor (2) icon in the display box and then click the check box 
Extend the desktop onto this monitor. Finally, click Apply to confirm the new settings and click OK to 
complete the process.
Acer GridVista is a handy utility that offers four pre-defined display settings so you can view multiple windows 
on the same screen. To access this function, please go to Start, All Programs and click on Acer GridVista. 
You may choose any one of the four display settings indicated below:
Double (verticle), Triple (primary at left), Triple (primary at right), or Quad Acer Gridvista is dual-display 
compatible, allowing two displays to be partitioned indepently.
AcerGridVista is imple to set up:
1.Run Acer GridVista and select your preferred screen configuration for each display from the task bar.
2.Drag and drop each window into the appropriate grid. 
						

							18Chapter 1
3.Enjoy the convenience of a well-organized desktop.
NOTE: Please ensure that the resolution setting of the second monitor is set to the manufacturers 
recommended value.
Acer Backup Manager
NOTE: This feature is only available on certain models.
Acer Backup Manager is a simple three-step process that allows you to create backup copies of your entire 
system or selected files and folders according to a schedule or as you need to.
To start Acer Backup Manager, press the Acer Backup Manager key above the keyboard. Alternatively, you 
can go to Start > All Programs > Acer Backup Manager > Acer Backup Manager. This will open the 
Welcome screen; from this screen you will be taken through the three steps to setup scheduled back ups.
Click Continue to proceed to the following screen. Click the + button and follow the onscreen instructions:
1.Select the content you want to back up. The less content you select, the quicker the process will be, but it 
will increase your risks of losing data.
2.Select where you want the backup copies to be stored. You will need to select an external drive or your D: 
drive; Acer Backup Manager cannot store a backup on the source drive.
3.Select how often you want Acer Backup Manager to create back ups. 
Once you have finished these three steps, backups will be created according to the schedule. You can also 
create backups manually by pressing the Acer Backup Manager key. 
						

							Chapter 119
If you wish to change your settings at any time, run Acer Backup Manager from the Start menu and go 
through the steps outlined above.
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 (called an inactivity timeout), 
the computer stops some or all of these devices in order to conserve energy.
This computer employs a power management scheme that supports the advanced configuration and power 
interface (ACPI), which allows for maximum power conservation and maximum performance at the same 
time. Windows handles all power-saving chores for your computer.
Acer PowerSmart key
The Acer PowerSmart key uses the power-saving features of your computer’s graphics sub-system to reduce 
overall power consumption. When you press the Acer PowerSmart key, the Windows graphics scheme will be 
changed to Windows Vista Basic, screen brightness reduced and the graphics chip will be switched to a lower 
speed.
Press the Acer PowerSmart key again to return to your previous settings.
Acer eRecovery Management
Acer eRecovery Management is a tool to quickly restore the system. You can back up/restore the factory 
default image, and reinstall applications and drivers.
NOTE: All of the following content is for general reference only. Actual product specifications may vary.
Acer eRecovery Management consists of the following functions:
‰Backup:
zCreate Factory Default Disc
zCreate Drivers and Applications Disc
‰Restore:
zCompletely Restore System to Factory Defaults
zRestore Operating System and Retain User Data
zReinstall Drivers or Applications 
						

							20Chapter 1
This chapter will guide you through each process. 
NOTE: This feature is only available on certain models. For systems that do not have a built-in optical disc 
burner, plug in an external optical disc burner before entering Acer eRecovery Management for 
optical disc-related tasks.
To use the password protection feature of Acer eRecovery Management, you must first set the password. The 
password is set by launching Acer eRecovery Management and clicking Settings.
Burn backup discs
From the Backup page of Acer eRecovery Management, you can burn the factory default image or back up 
drivers and applications.
1.Click on Start > All Programs > Acer > Acer eRecovery Management.
2.Acer eRecovery Management opens to the Backup page.
3.Select the type of backup (factory default or drivers and applications) you would like to burn to disc.
4.Follow the instructions on screen to complete the process. 
						

							Chapter 121
NOTE: Create a factory default image when you want to burn a bootable disc that contains your computers 
entire operating system as it was delivered to you from the factory. If you wish to have a disc that will 
allow you to browse the contents and install selected drivers and applications, create a drivers and 
application backup instead — this disc will not be bootable.
Restore
The restore feature allows you to restore or recover the system from a factory default image or from previously 
created CD and DVD backups. You can also reinstall applications and drivers for your Acer system.
1.Click on Start, All Programs, Acer, Acer eRecovery Management.
2.Switch to the Restore page by clicking Restore.
3.You can choose to restore the system from a factory default image or reinstall applications and drivers.
4.Follow the instructions on screen to complete the process.
Restore Windows Vista from backup discs
To restore Windows Vista from your previously burned backup discs, you will need to insert the first backup 
disc and enable the F12 Boot Menu via the BIOS Setup Utility.
1.Turn on your computer and insert the first system recovery disc into the optical disc drive. Restart your 
computer.
2.During startup when the Acer logo shows, press the F2 key to enter BIOS Setup, where you can set 
system parameters.
3.Use the left and right arrow keys to select the Main submenu.
4.Use the up and down arrow keys to select F12 Boot Menu.
5.Use the F5 or F6 key to change F12 Boot Menu to Enabled.
6.Press the ESC key to enter the Exit submenu, press the ENTER key to Exit Saving Changes. Press the 
ENTER key again to select Ye s. The system will reboot.
7.After rebooting, when the Acer logo shows, press the F12 key to open the Boot Menu. Here you can 
select which device to boot from.
8.Use the arrow keys to select the IDE CD, then press the ENTER key. Windows will be installed from the 
recovery disc.
9.Insert the second recovery disc when prompted, then follow the onscreen prompts to complete the 
restore. 
						

							22Chapter 1
10.Remove the recovery disc from the optical drive once the restore is complete. Do this before rebooting 
your computer.
NOTE: 
This feature is only available on certain models.
If you prefer to set the boot priority for long-term use, you should select the Boot submenu.
1.Turn on your computer and insert the first system recovery disc into the optical disc drive. Restart your 
computer.
2.During startup when the Acer logo shows, press the F2 key to enter BIOS Setup, where you can set 
system parameters.
3.Use the left and right arrow keys to select the Boot subme
4.Use the up and down arrow keys to select the IDE CD device.
5.Use the F6 key to move the IDE CD device to the highest boot priority, or use the F5 key to move other 
devices to a lower boot priority. Ensure that the IDE CD device is the highest priority.
6.Press the ESC key to enter the Exit submenu, press the ENTER key to Exit Saving Changes. Press the 
ENTER key again to select Ye s. The system will reboot.
7.When you reboot, Windows will be installed from the recovery disc.
8.Insert the second recovery disc when prompted, then follow the onscreen prompts to complete the 
restore.
9.Remove the recovery disc from the optical drive once the restore is complete. Do this before rebooting 
your computer.
Acer Arcade Deluxe
Acer Arcade Deluxe is an integrated player for music, photos, DVD movies and videos. Use the 
MediaConsole, touchpad or arrow keys to select the media type you wish to enjoy.
‰Cinema — watch DVDs, VCDs or Blu-Ray movies, and video clips
‰Homemedia — connect to other devices wirelessly to share media content
‰Advanced — change settings, update your Arcade software, view the help file and About information
‰Albums — view photos stored on your hard disk or removable media
‰Music — listen to music files in a variety of formats
‰Online Media — browse online content from YouTube and Flickr 
						

							Chapter 123
NOTE: While watching videos, optical discs or slideshows, your screensaver and power-saving features are 
unavailable.
NOTE: For more detailed information on the features of Acer Arcade, please refer to the Arcade Help menu. 
This can be accessed from the Arcade home page by selecting Help.
General controls
When watching video clips, movies or slideshows using full-screen resolution, two pop-up control panels are 
shown when you move the pointer. They automatically disappear after several seconds. The Navigation 
Controls panel appears at the top and the Player Controls panel appears at the bottom of the screen.
Navigation controls
To return to the Arcade home page, click the Home button in the upper-left corner of the window. To go up one 
folder level while searching for content, click the arrow. The buttons in the upper right (minimize, maximize, 
close) have standard PC behaviors.
To quit Arcade, click the Close button in the upper right corner of the window.
Player controls
At the bottom of the window, the player controls — used for video, slideshows, movies and music — are 
shown. They provide standard playback controls (play, pause, stop, etc.) and volume controls (mute and 
volume up/down).
NOTE: When playing movies from optical discs, there are additional controls added to the right of the volume 
controls. 
These are discussed in more detail in the Cinema of this guide.
Cinema
Play Movie:
Click Play Movie to watch a movie from your optical disc drive. Depending in the type of optical drive installed 
in your computer, you can play movies from Blu-Ray discs, standard DVDs and video CDs (VCDs) with the 
Cinema function of Acer Arcade Deluxe. This player has the features and controls of a typical DVD player.
When you insert a disk into the DVD drive, the movie begins playing automatically. To control the movie, the 
pop-up player control panel appears at the bottom of the window when you move the pointer.
If more than one optical drive contains a playable disc, you will be asked to select which one you would like to 
watch when you click Play Movie.
Alternatively, you can select content stored on your HDD by clicking Videos and navigating to the video clip 
you wish to view using a folder browser.
When viewing DVDs, the following special controls are added to the pop-up panel:
‰DVD Menu
‰Subtitles
‰Language
‰Snapshot
‰Angle
If you move your mouse/cursor while you’re watching a movie, a menu bar will appear at the bottom of the 
screen. This contains buttons to control the movie playback, select subtitles, adjust volume, select soundtrack 
language and set advanced features.
NOTE: Function availability will depend on what the optical disc being played supports. 
						

							24Chapter 1
Clicking the stop button will stop the movie playback, and return you to the Cinema main screen. At the bottom 
of the screen are buttons that allow you to resume the movie from the point it was stopped, restart the movie 
from the beginning or eject the disk.
Videos:
Click Videos to watch a video clip stored on your hard drive.
NOTE: The Video feature is designed to play back many different kinds of video formats. Refer to the Video 
help section for a full list of compatible formats. If you want to watch a DVD or VCD, use Cinema.
Playing a video file:
Click Videos to open a file browser to navigate to the video clip you want to view.
To play a video file, double-click on it. The video will play at full screen. The pop-up control panel will appear at 
the bottom of the screen when you move the mouse. To return to the Video page, click Stop.
You can capture a still of a scene by clicking the Snapshot button in the pop-up control panel.
Recent Videos:
Shows video clips saved recently. Double-click on a clip to watch it.
HomeMedia
HomeMedia is a program that lets you access and share media files and TV signals via your home network. 
HomeMedia gives you access to your network computers with Media Server and TV Server installed, so you 
can view shared music, videos, pictures and TV signals.
Click HomeMedia to open the main page that displays a list of the media and TV servers available on your 
network. HomeMedia is compatible with most UPnP client devices. Click Refresh at any time to search for 
newly shared media servers.
NOTE: You must first install and setup Media Server to share media files and TV Server to share TV signals.
You will need to have your wireless adaptor active before you can use HomeMedia.
Advanced
This section contains the settings in Acer Arcade Deluxe that allow you to finetune its performance to suit your 
machine and your personal preferences.
Live Update:
Click Live Update to connect to the Internet to check for, and download, available updates to the software.
Settings:
Click Settings to make various adjustments to your Acer Arcade Deluxe. Here, you will be able to modify 
Display, Audio, Photo, DVD and BD settings to get the best out of your computer.
Display:
Use this section to set the display type. You can choose the Display Output and Color Profile to suit your 
environment and preferences.
Under Display Output, you can select from CinemaVision, Letterbox or Pan & Scan:
‰The Letterbox option displays widescreen movie content in its original aspect ratio and adds black bars 
at the top and bottom of the screen.
‰Acer CinemaVision is a nonlinear video stretching technology that produces minimal distortion in the 
center of the picture.
‰Pan & Scan displays the central portion of DVD titles in widescreen ratio, and allows you to drag the 
display area to view different portions of the video.