Acer Aspire 5100 Service Guide

							12Chapter 1
Windows keys
The keyboard has two keys that perform Windows-specific functions.
Hotkeys
The computer employs hotkeys or key combinations to access most of the computers controls like 
screen brightness, volume output and the BIOS utility. To activate hotkeys, press and hold the 
 key before pressing the other key in the hotkey combination.
KeyIconDescription
Windows key Press 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:
 + : Activates the next Taskbar button.
 + : Opens the My Computer window.
 + : Opens Help and Support.
 + : Opens the Find (All Files dialog box).
 + : Opens the Run dialog box.
 + : Minimizes all windows.
 +  + : Undoes the minimize all windows action.
Application key This key has the same effect as clicking the right mouse button. It 
opens the application’s context menu.
Hot KeyIconFunctionDescription
 + Hot key help Displays help on hotkeys.
 + Acer eSettings Launches the Acer eSettings in Acer 
Empowering Technology.
 + Acer ePower 
ManagementLaunches the Acer ePower Management in Acer 
Empowering Technology.
 + Sleep Leads the computer to Sleep mode.
 Key Description
< > + : 
< > + : 
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+ : 
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 Key Description
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Hotkey Icon Function Description
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							Chapter 113
Special keys
You can locate the Euro symbol and the US dollar sign on the upper-center and/or bottom-right side 
of the keyboard.
The Euro Symbol
1.Open a text editor or word processor.
2.Either directly press the  key on the bottom-right side of the keyboard, or hold  key then 
press the number  key on the upper-center side 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.Either directly press the  key on the bottom-right side of the keyboard, or hold  and then press 
the US dollar sign on the number  key.
NOTE: This function varies according to the language settings.  + Display toggle Switches the display output between the display 
screen, external monitor (if connected) and both.
 + Screen blank Turns off the display screen backlight 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.
 + <
K>Volume up Increases the sound volume.
 + <
L>Volume down Decreases the sound volume.
 + <
J>Brightness up Increases the screen brightness.
 + <
I>Brightness down Decreases the screen brightness.
Hot KeyIconFunctionDescription
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Note
www.microsoft.com/typography/faq/faq12.htm 


Note: 
						

							14Chapter 1
Indicators
The computer has several easy-to-read status indicators. The front panel indicators are visible 
even when the computer cover is closed up.
IconItemDescription
HDD Indicates when the hard disk drive is active.
Caps Lock Lights up when Caps Lock is activated.
Num Lock Lights up when Num Lock is activated.
Power Lights when the computer is on.
Battery Lights when the battery is being charged.
Bluetooth Indicates the status of Bluetooth communication
Wireless LAN Indicates the status of wireless LAN communication
py
Icon Function Description
"Launch keys" on page 10
# Icon Item Description # Item Description
"Launch keys" on page 10
# Icon Item Description # Item Description
"Launch keys" on page 10
# Icon Item Description # Item Description
"Launch keys" on page 10
# Icon Item Description # Item Description 
						

							Chapter 115
Easy-launch Buttons
There are several conveniently located easy-launch buttons. They are one user-programmable 
button, web browser button, mail button, and Acer Empowering Key  . Press   to run the Acer 
Empowering Technology. Although the mail and web browser buttons are pre-set to E-mail and 
Internet programs, they can be redefined by users. To set the web browser, mail and programmable 
buttons, run the Acer Launch Manager.
Easy-launch buttonDefault application
Acer Empowering Technology (user-programmable)
Mail E-mail application (user-programmable)
Web browser Internet browser (user-programmable)
P User-programmable
"Easy-launch buttons" on page 10"Easy-launch buttons" on page 10
1. Charging:
2. Fully charged:
"Acer 
Empowering Technology" on page 1
"Launch Manager" on page 37
Easy-launch button Default application
"Easy-launch buttons" on page 10 
						

							16Chapter 1
Touchpad
The built-in touchpad is a pointing device that senses movement on its surface. This means the 
cursor responds as you move your finger across the surface of the touchpad. The central location 
on the palmrest provides optimum comfort and support.
Touchpad Basics
Use the touchpad as follows:
• Move your finger across the touchpad (2) to move the cursor.
• Press the left (1) and right (4) buttons located on the edge of the touchpad to perform selection and 
execution functions. These two buttons are similar to the left and right buttons on a mouse. Tapping on 
the touchpad (2) is the same as clicking the left button.
• Use the four-way scroll (3) button to scroll up or down and move left or right a page. This button mimics 
your cursor pressing on the right scroll bar of windows applications. 
NOTE: Keep your fingers, as well as the surface of the touchpad dry and clean. The touchpad is sensitive to 
your finger movements: the lighter the touch, the better the response. Tapping hard will not increase 
FunctionLeft button (1)Right button (4)Main touchpad (2)Center button (3)
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 slide your 
finger across the 
touchpad to 
drag the cursor 
over the 
selection.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
ScrollClick and hold to 
move up/down/
left/right.
(2)
(1) (4)
(3) 
						

							Chapter 117
the touchpad’s responsiveness.
NOTE: By default, vertical and horizontal scrolling is enabled on your touchpad. It can be disabled under 
Mouse settings in Windows Control Panel. 
						

							18Chapter 1
Acer Empowering Technology
Acer’s innovative Empowering Technology toolbar makes it easy to have access to the frequently 
used functions and manage the notebook. Displayed by default in the upper-right corner of the 
screen, it features the following handy utilities:
•Acer eDataSecurity Management protects data with passwords and advanced encryption algorithms 
(for selected models).
•Acer eLock Management limits access to external storage media.
•Acer ePerformance Management improves system performance by optimizing disk space, memory 
and registry setting.
•Acer eRecovery Management backs up and recovers data flexibly, reliably and completely.
•Acer eSettings Management accesses system information and adjusts settings easily.
•Acer ePower Management extends battery power via versatile usage profiles.
•Acer ePresentation Management connects to a projector and adjusts dispaly settings conveniently.
For more information, right click on the Empowering Technology toolbar, then select the Help or 
Tutorial 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 do not initialize the Empowering Technology password, you will 
be prompted to do so when running Acer eLock Management or Acer eRecovery Management for 
the first time.
NOTE: If you lose your password, there is no method to reset it except by reformatting your notebook or 
taking your notebook to an Acer Customer Service Center. Be sure to remember or write down your 
password.
Acer eDataSecurity Management (for selected models)
Acer eDataSecurity Management is a handy file encryption utility that protects the files from being 
accessed by unauthorized persons. It is conveniently integrated with Windows Explorer as a shell 
extension for quick and easy data encryption/decryption and also supports on-the-fly file encryption 
for MSN Messenger and Microsoft Outlook.
The Acer eDataSecurity Management setup wizard will prompt you for a supervisor password and 
default encryption. This encryption will be used to encrypt files by default, or you can choose to 
enter your own file-specific password when encrypting a file.
NOTE: The password used to encrypt a file is the unique key that the system needs to decrypt it. If you lose 
the password, the supervisor password is the only other key capable of decrypting the file. If you lose 
both passwords, there will be no way to decrypt your encrypted file! Be sure to safeguard all related 
passwords!
Acer eDataSecurity Management
Acer eLock Management
Acer ePerformance Management
Acer eRecovery Management
Acer eSettings Management
Acer ePower Management
Acer ePresentation Management
"Password Setup"
Note: 
  
						

							Chapter 119
Note:
Be sure to safeguard all related 
passwords! 
						

							20Chapter 1
Acer eLock Management
Acer eLock Management is a security utility that allow you to lock up your removable data, optical 
and floppy drives to ensure that data can not be stolen while your notebook is unattended.
• Removable data devices: includes USB disk drives, USB pen drives, USB flash drives, USB MP3 
drives, USB memory card readers, IEEE 1394 disk drives and any other removable disk drives that can 
be mounted as a file system when plugged into the system.
• Optical drive devices: includes any kind of CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drives.
• Floppy disk drives: 3.5-inch disks only.
• Interfaces: includes serial port, parallel port, infrared (IR), and Bluetooth.
To activate Acer eLock Management, a password must be set at first. Once set, you may apply 
locks to any of the three kinds of devices. Lock(s) will be set without any reboot necessary, and will 
remain locked after rebooting, until unlocked.
NOTE: If you lose the password, there is no method to reset it except by reformatting the notebook or taking 
the notebook to an Acer Customer Service Center. Be sure to remember or write down the password.
Note: 
						

							Chapter 121
Acer ePerformance Management
Acer ePerformance Management is a system optimization tool that boosts the performance of the 
Acer notebook. It provides an express optimization method to release unused memory and disk 
space quickly. The user can also enable advanced options for full control over the following options:
• Disk optimization: removes unneeded items and files.
• Speed optimization: improves the usability and performance of the Windows XP system.
• Memory optimization: releases unused memory and check usage.