Acer Extensa 500 Service Guide

							Chapter 131
qPressing the Standby hot key Fn-F3
qIf the waiting time determined by the computer’s power management 
system elapses without any system activity
qClosing the display cover
qWhen the computer is about to enter Hibernation mode (e.g., during a 
battery low condition), but the Hibernation file is invalid or not present
The following signals indicate that the computer is in Standby mode:
qThe Standby indicator lights
To leave Standby mode and return to normal mode:
qPress any key
qMove the active pointing device (internal or external, PS/2 or serial)
qHave the Resume Timer set and let it be matched
qOpen the display cover
qExperience an incoming PC card modem event
Hibernation Mode
In Hibernation mode, all power shuts off (the computer does not consume 
any power). The computer saves all system information onto the hard disk 
before it enters Hibernation mode. Once you turn on the power, the computer 
restores this information and resumes where you left off upon leaving 
Hibernation mode.
There are two necessary conditions for the computer to enter Hibernation 
mode:
qThe Hibernation file created by Sleep Manager must be present and 
valid. 
qHeuristic Power Management Mode must be set to [ENABLED].
In this situation, there are four ways to enter Hibernation mode:
qPressing the Hibernation hot key Fn-F4 
qIf the waiting time determined by the computer’s power management 
system elapses without any system activity
qIf a battery low condition occurs and the Battery Low Suspend parameter 
in Setup is set to [ENABLED].
qInvoked by the operating system power saving modes
qTo exit Hibernation mode, press the power switch. The computer also 
resumes from Hibernation mode if the resume timer is set and matched. 
						

							32
System Introduction  
						

							Chapter 233
BIOS Setup Utility
The BIOS Setup Utility is a hardware configuration program built into your 
computer’s BIOS (Basic Input/Ouput System).
Your computer is already properly configured and optimized, and you do not 
need to run this utility.  However, if you encounter configuration problems, you 
may need to run Setup.  Please also refer to Chapter 6, Troubleshooting 
when a problem arises.
To activate the BIOS Utility, press F2
 during POST (while the Extensa logo is 
being displayed.
Navigating the BIOS Utility
There are six menu options: Basic System Settings, Startup Configuration, 
Onboard Devices Configuration, System Security, Power Management and 
Load Default Settings. 
To enter a menu, highlight the item using the 
­¯
 keys; then press Enter
.
Within a menu, navigate through the BIOS Utility by following these 
instructions:
qPress the cursor up/down keys 
­¯
 to move between parameters.
qPress the cursor left/right keys ®
¬ to change the value of a parameter.
qPress Esc
 while you are in any of the menu options to return to the main 
menu.
Note: 
You can change the value of a parameter if it is enclosed in 
Software Utilities
Chapter 2 
						

							34
Software Utilities 
square brackets.
Note: Navigation keys for a particular menu are shown on the bottom of 
the screen.
Basic System Settings
The Basic System Settings screen contains parameters involving basic 
computer settings and hardware information.
The following table describes the parameters in this screen.  Settings in 
boldface are the default and suggested parameter settings.  
Note: 
We suggest you set Hard Disk to [Auto] for problem-free and 
correct detection of the hard disk. 
ParameterDescription
Date Sets the system date.
Format: DDD MMM DD YYYY (day-of-the-week month 
day year)
Time Sets the system time.
Format: HH:MM:SS (hour:minute:second)
Floppy 
Drive AShows the floppy disk drive type (1.44MB 3.5-inch).
Hard Disk Sets the hard disk type.
Options: Auto
, User or None.
When set to Auto, the computer automatically detects 
the hard disk information (cylinders, heads, sectors/
tracks and maximum capacity).  When set to User, you 
need to input these information manually. 
						

							Chapter 235
Startup Configuration
The Startup Configuration screen contains parameters that are related to 
computer startup. 
The following table describes the parameters in this screen.  Settings in 
boldface are the default and suggested parameter settings.
ParameterDescription
Boot Display Sets the display on boot-up.
When set to Auto, the computer automatically 
determines the display device.  If an external 
display device (e.g., monitor) is connected, it 
becomes the boot display; otherwise, the computer 
LCD is the boot display.  When set to Both, the 
computer outputs to both the computer LCD and an 
external display device if one is connected.
Options: Auto
 or Both
Memory Test Enables or disabled memory test on boot-up.
Options: Disabled
 or Enabled
Silent Boot When enabled, hides the computer startup 
messages on boot-up (the Extensa logo displays)
Options: Enabled
 or Disabled
System Boot 
DriveSpecifies the boot sequence (the order of drives 
that the computer will attempt to boot from).  For 
example, when set to Drive A Then C, the computer 
attempts to boot from the floppy drive.  If no 
bootable floppy disk is in drive A, the computer 
boots from the hard disk.
Options: Drive A Then C
, Drive A, Drive C, Drive C 
Then A 
						

							36
Software Utilities 
Onboard Devices Configuration
The Onboard Devices Configuration screen contains parameters settings for 
your hardware connection devices. 
Note: 
The parameters in this screen are for advanced users only.  You 
do not need to change the values in this screen because these 
values are already optimized.
The following table describes the parameters in this screen.  Settings in 
boldface are the default and suggested parameter settings.
Boot from 
CD-ROMEnables boot-up from the CD-ROM drive.  When 
enabled, the computer attempts to boot from the 
CD-ROM drive (looks for a bootable CD-ROM) 
before following the boot sequence specified inthe 
System Boot Drive parameter.
Options: Enabled
 or Disabled
Operating 
SystemSpecifies the operating system installed in the 
computer.  This parameter helps determine certain 
hardware settings for optimal computer operation.
Options: Windows 95/98
 or Windows NT
USB Function 
SupportEnables or disables the USB (Universal Serial Bus) 
function.
Options: Disabled
 or Enabled
ParameterDescription
Serial Port Enables or disabled the serial port.
Options: Enabled
 or Disabled
ParameterDescription 
						

							Chapter 237
System Security
The System Security screen contains parameters that help safeguard and 
protect your computer from unauthorized use.
  Base Address Sets the I/O address of the serial port.
Options: 3F8h
, 2F8h, 3E8h or 2E8h
  IRQ Sets the interrupt request of the serial port.
Options: 4
 or 11
Parallel Port Enables or disables the parallel port.
Options: Enabled
 or Disabled
  Base Address Sets the I/O address of the parallel port.
Options: 378h
, 278h or 3BCh
  IRQ Sets the interrupt request of the parallel port.
Options: 7
 or 5
  Operation
  ModeSets the operation mode of the parallel port.
Options: Bi-directional
 , ECP or Standard
  ECP DMA 
  ChannelSets a DMA channel for the printer to operate in 
ECP mode.  This parameter is enabled only if 
Operation Mode is set to ECP.
Options: 1
 or 3
ParameterDescription 
						

							38
Software Utilities 
The following table describes the parameters in this screen.  Settings in 
boldface are the default and suggested parameter settings.  
Setting a Password
Follow these steps: 
1.  Use the 
­ and ¯ keys to highlight a password parameter (Setup or Power-
on) and press the Enter
 key.  The password box appears:
2.  Type a password.  The password may consist of up to seven characters 
(A-Z, a-z, 0-9).
Note: 
 Be very careful when typing your password because the 
characters do not appear on the screen.
3.  Press Enter
.  The retype password box appears. 
4.  Retype the password to verify your first entry and press Enter
.
5.  After setting the password, the computer automatically sets the chosen 
password parameter to Present.
6.  Press Esc
 to return to the main menu.
7.  Press Esc
.  The following dialog box appears.
ParameterDescription
Disk Drive Control 
(Diskette Drive)Determines the level of operation of the floppy 
drive.
Options: Normal
 or Disabled
Disk Drive Control 
(Hard Disk Drive)Determines the level of operation of the hard 
disk.
Options: Normal
 or Disabled
Setup Password When set, this password protects the BIOS 
Utility from unauthorized entry.
Options: None
 or Present
Power-on 
PasswordWhen set, this password protects the 
computer from unauthorized entry during boot-
up or resume from hibernation mode.
Options: None
 or Present 
						

							Chapter 239
Select Ye s
 and press Enter
 to save the password and exit the BIOS Utility.
Changing a Password
To change a password, follow the same steps used to set a password. 
Removing a Password
To remove a password, use the 
­ and ¯ keys to highlight a password 
parameter and press the 
¬ or ® key.
Power Management
The Power Management screen contains parameters that are related to 
power-saving and power management.
The following table describes the parameters in this screen.  Settings in 
boldface are the default and suggested parameter settings.
ParameterDescription
Heuristic 
Power 
Manage-
ment ModeEnables or disables heuristic power management 
(Windows 95 only).  See “Power Management” on 
page 30 for more information on power management 
modes.
Options: Enabled
 or Disabled
Display 
Always OnWhen enabled, the computer display is always on 
(Windows 95 only).  You may want to set this if you are 
making a presentation on your computer.
Options: Disabled
 or Enabled
Hotkey 
BeepWhen enabled, the computer gives off a beep when a 
hot key (key combination is pressed).   See “Hot Keys” 
on page 15 for details on hot keys.
Options: Enabled
 or Disabled 
						

							40
Software Utilities 
Load Default Settings
When you select this menu item, the following dialog box displays:
To load factory-default settings for all the parameters, select Ye s
 and press 
Enter
.  Otherwise, select No
 and press Enter
.
System 
Resume 
Time r 
ModeWhen enabled and the system resume date and time 
are valid, the computer resumes (wakes up) at the set 
time and date.
Options: Disabled
 or Enabled
System 
Resume 
DateSets the date the computer resumes at if System 
Resume Timer Mode is enabled.
Format: MM DD, YYYY (month day, year)
System 
Resume 
TimeSets the time the computer resumes at if System 
Resume Time Mode is enabled.
Format: HH:MM:SS (hour:minute:second)
Battery-
Low 
Warning 
BeepEnables or disables warning beeps during a battery-
low condition.
Options: Enabled
 or Disabled
Sleep on 
Battery-lowEnables or disables the hibernation function during a 
battery-low condition.
When the computer is running very low on battery 
power, the computer will enter hibernation mode if 
Sleep Manager is installed and the hibernation file is 
valid. 
Options: Enabled
 or Disabled
ParameterDescription