Acer Aspire 5540 Service Guide

							Chapter 115
Using the Keyboard
The keyboard has full-sized keys and an embedded keypad, separate cursor keys, two Windows keys and 
twelve function 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.
Windows Keys
The keyboard has two keys that perform Windows-specific functions.
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. 
						

							16Chapter 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.
KeyIconDescription
Windows key Pressed 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 function:
   +  Activates next taskbar button.
  +   Opens the My Computer window
  +   Opens Help and Support.
  +   Opens the Find: All Files dialog box.
  +  Opens the Run dialog box.
+  M Minimizes all windows.
+  +  Undoes the minimize all windows 
action.
Applicati
on keyThis key has the same effect as clicking the right 
mouse button; it opens the application’s context 
menu.
Hot KeyIconFunctionDescription
Fn-F1 Hot key help Displays help on hot keys.
Fn-F2 Acer eSetting Launches the Acer eSettings in Acer eManager.
Fn-F3 Acer 
ePowerManagementLaunches the Acer ePowerManagement in Acer 
eManager. 
						

							Chapter 117
Special Key
You can locate the Euro symbol and US dollar sign at the upper-center and/or bottom-right of your keyboard. 
To  t y p e :
The Euro symbol
1.Open a text editor or word processor.
Fn-F4 Sleep Puts the computer in Sleep mode.
Fn-F5 Display toggle Switches display output between the display screen, 
external monitor (if connected) and both.
Fn-F6 Screen blank Turns the display screen backlight off to save power. 
Press any key to return.
Fn-F7 Touchpad toggle Turns the internal touchpad on and off.
Fn-F8 Speaker toggle Turns the speakers on and off.
Fn-wVolume up Increases the speaker volume.
Fn-yVolume down Decreases the speaker volume.
Fn-xBrightness up Increases the screen brightness.
Fn-zBrightness down Decreases the screen brightness
Hot KeyIconFunctionDescription 
						

							18Chapter 1
2.Either directly press the  symbol at the bottom-right of the keyboard, or hold  and then 
press the symbol at the upper-center of the keyboard.
The US dollar sign
1.Open a text editor or word processor.
2.Either directly press the  key at the bottom-right of the keyboard, or hold  and then press the 
 key at the upper-center of the keyboard.
NOTE:  This function varies by the operating system version.
NOTE: Some fonts and software do not support the Euro symbol. Please refer to www.microsoft.com/
typography/faq/faq12.htm for more information. 
						

							Chapter 119
Acer Empowering Technology
Acer’s innovative Empowering Technology makes it easy for you to access frequently used functions and 
manage your new Acer notebook. It features the following handy utilities: 
TAcer eDataSecurity Management protects data with passwords and advanced encryption algorithms.
TAcer eLock Management limits access to external storage media.
TAcer ePerformance Management improves system performance by optimizing disk space, memory and 
registry settings.
TAcer eRecovery Management backs up/recovers data flexibly, reliably and completely.
TAcer eSettings Management accesses system information and adjusts settings easily.
TAcer eNet Management hooks up to location-based networks intelligently.
TAcer ePower Management extends battery power via versatile usage profiles.
TAcer ePresentation Management connects to a projector and adjusts display settings conveniently.
For more information, press the < > key to launch the Empowering Technology menu, then click on the 
appropriate utility and select the Help function.
Acer eDataSecurity Management
Acer eDataSecurity Management is handy file encryption utility that protexts your files from being accessed by 
unauthorized persons. It is conveniently integrated with Windows explorer as a shell extension for quick and  
						

							20Chapter 1
easy data encryption/decryption and also supports on-the-fly file encryption for MSN Messager and Microsoft 
Outlook. 
There are two passwords that can be used to encrypt/decrypt a file; the supervisor passowrd and the file-
specific password. The supervisor passwork is a “master” password that cna decrypt any file on your system; 
the file-specific password will be used to encrypt files by default, or you cna choose to enter your own file-
specific password when encrypting a file.
NOTE: The password used 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 encryped file! Be sure to safeguard all related 
passwords! 
						

							Chapter 121
Acer eLock Management
Acer eLock Management is  a security utility that allows you to lock up your removable data, optical and floppy 
drives to ensure that data can’t be stolen while your notebook is unattended.
TRemovable 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.
TOptical drive deivces - includes any kind of CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drives.
TFloppy disk drives - 3.5-inch disks only.
To activate Acer eLock Management, a password must be set first. Once set, you may apply lock to any of the 
three kinds of devices. Lock(s) will immediately be set without any reboot necessary, and will remain locked 
after rebooting, until unlocked.
If you do not set a password, Acer eLock Management will reset back to the initial status with all locks 
removed.
NOTE: If you lose your password, there is no method to reset it except by reformatting your notebook or taking 
your notebook to anAcer Customer Serivce Center. Be sure to remember or write down your password. 
						

							22Chapter 1
Acer ePerformance Management
Acer ePerformance Management is a system optimization tool that boosts the performance of your Acer 
notebook. It provides you with the following options to enhance overall system performance:
TMemory optimization - releases unused memory and check usage.
TDisk optimization - removes unneeded items and files.
TSpeed optimization - improves the usability and performance of your Windows XP system. 
						

							Chapter 123
Acer eRecovery Management
Acer eRecovery Management is a powerful utility that does away with the need for recovery disks provided by 
the manufacturer. The Acer eRecovery Management utility occupies space in a hidden partition on your 
system’s HDD. User-created backups are stored on D: drive. Acer eRecovery Management provides you 
with:
TPassword protection.
TRecovery of applications and drivers.
TImage/data backup:
TBack up to HDD (set recovery point).
TBack up to CD/DVD.
TImage/data recovery tools:
TRecover from a hidden partition (factory defaults).
TRecover from the HDD (most recent user-defined recovery point).
TRecover from CD/DVD. 
						

							24Chapter 1
NOTE: If your computer did not come with a Recovery CD or System CD, please use Acer eRecovery 
Management’s “System backup to optical disk” feature to burn a backup image to CD or DVD. To 
ensure the best results when recovering your system using a CD or Acer eRecovery Management, 
detach all peripherals (except the external Acer ODD, if your computer has one), including your Acer 
ezDock.
Acer eSettings Management
Acer eSettings Management allows you to inspect hardware specifications and to monitor the system health 
status. Furthermore, Acer eSettings Management enables you to optimize your Windows operating system, so 
your computer runs faster, smoother and better. 
Acer eSettings Management also:
TProvides a simple graphical user interface for navigating through the program effortlessly.
TDisplays general system status and advanced monitoring for power users.
TLogs when a hardware component has been removed or replaced.
TPermits you to migrate personal settings.
TKeeps a history log of all alerts that were previously issued.