Acer Aspire 7420 Service Guide

							Chapter 111
Three productivity keys give users one-touch access to protection and manageability features for a more 
secure, smarter and easier way to work.
Lock key - runs the Windows® lock function to lock the notebook when you step out. If the laptop is 
equipped with Acer BioProtect, you only need to swipe your finger to log into Windows® again.
Presentation key - minimizes open application windows and prepares the display for impressive 
presentations.
Sync key - instantly synchronizes your computer system to an external storage device, for convenient 
and secure backup.
Touchpad Basics
The following teaches you how to use the touchpad:
Move your finger across the touchpad (2) to move the cursor. 
Press the left (1) and right (4) buttons located beneath 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 is the same as clicking the left button.
Use the 4-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. Internet browser (user-programmable)
P User-programmable
IconProductivity keyDefault application
Lock Launch Windows Lock function
Presentation Minimizes your open windows and prepares your 
display for presenting
Sync Launch NTI Shadow
Launch keyDefault application 
						

							12Chapter 1
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.
NOTE: By default, vertical and horizontal scrolling is enabled on your touchpad. It can be disabled under 
Mouse settings in Windows Control Panel.
FunctionLeft Button (1)Right Button 
(4)Main touchpad 
(2)Center button (3)
Execute Click twice 
quicklyTap twice (at 
the same 
speed as 
double-
clicking the 
mouse 
button)
Select Click once Tap once
Drag Click and 
hold, then use 
finger to drag 
the cursor on 
the touchpadTap twice (at 
the same 
speed as 
double-
clicking a 
mouse 
button) then 
hold finger to 
the touchpad 
on the second 
tap to drag 
the cursor.
Access 
context menuClick once
Scroll Click and hold to move 
up/down/left/right. 
						

							Chapter 113
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 
keysHold  while typing letters on 
embedded keypad.Type the letters in a normal 
manner. 
						

							14Chapter 1
Windows Keys
The keyboard has two keys that perform Windows-specific functions.
KeyDescriptionKey
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.Windows 
key
Application 
key This key has the same effect as clicking the right mouse button; 
it opens the applications context menu.Application 
key  
						

							Chapter 115
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 Launches Acer eSettings 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.
 +  Volume up Increases the sound volume.
 +  Volume down Decreases the sound volume. 
 +  Brightness up Increases the screen brightness.
 + <
←> Brightness down Decreases the screen brightness. 
						

							16Chapter 1
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.Either press < > at the bottom-right of the keyboard, or hold  and then press the  key 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 117
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. 
						

							18Chapter 1
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. 
						

							Chapter 119
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. 
						

							20Chapter 1
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.
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