Acer G3-571-77QK User Manual

							Securing your computer - 41
SECURING YOUR COMPUTER
Your computer is a valuable investment that you need to 
take care of. Learn how to protect and take care of your 
computer.
Security features include hardware and software locks — a 
security notch and passwords.
Using a computer security lock
The computer comes with a computer security slot for a 
security lock.
Wrap a computer security lock cable around an immovable 
object such as a table or handle of a locked drawer. Insert 
the lock into the notch and turn the key to secure the lock. 
Some keyless models are also available.
Using passwords
Passwords protect your computer from unauthorized 
access. Setting these passwords creates several different 
levels of protection for  your computer and data:
• Supervisor Password prevents unauthorized entry into the  BIOS utility. Once set, you must enter this password to 
gain access to the BIOS utility.  See Setting passwords on 
page 43 .
• User Password secures your computer against  unauthorized use. Combine the use of this password with 
password checkpoints on boot-up and resume from 
Hibernation (if available) for maximum security.
• Password on Boot secure s your computer against 
unauthorized use. Combine the  use of this password with  
						

							42 - Securing your computer
password checkpoints on boot-up and resume from 
Hibernation (if available) for maximum security.
Entering passwords
When a password is set, a password prompt appears in the 
center of the display screen.
• When the Supervisor Password is set, a prompt appears 
when you enter the BIOS utility.
• Type the Supervisor Password and press  Enter to access 
the BIOS utility. If you enter the password incorrectly, a 
warning message appears. Try again and press  Enter.
• When the User Password is set and the password on boot  parameter is enabled, a prompt appears at boot-up.
• Type the User Password and press  Enter to use the 
computer. If you enter the password incorrectly, a warning 
message appears. Try again and press  Enter.
Important
Do not forget your Supervisor Password! If you forget your 
password, please get in touch with your dealer or an authorized 
service center.
Important
You have three chances to enter a password. If you fail to enter 
the password correctly after three tries, the system halts. Press 
and hold the power button for fo ur seconds to shut down the 
computer. Then turn on the computer again, and try again. 
						

							BIOS utility - 43
BIOS UTILITY
The BIOS utility is a hardware configuration program built 
into your computer's BIOS.
Your computer is already properly configured and optimized, 
and you do not normally need to run this utility. However, if 
you encounter configuration problems, you may need to run 
it.
To activate the BIOS utility, press  F2 while the computer 
logo is being displayed.
Boot sequence
To set the boot sequence in the BIOS utility, activate the 
BIOS utility, then select  Boot from the categories listed on 
the left of the screen. 
Setting passwords
To set a password on boot, acti vate the BIOS utility, then 
select  Security  from the categories listed on the left of the 
screen.
Find  Set Supervisor Password  and enter a password to 
enable this feature. Once yo u have entered a password for 
this feature, you may then enable/disable  Password on 
Boot .
Remember to select  F10 to properly save and exit the BIOS 
utility when you are done making changes. 
						

							44 - Power management
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, the computer stops some or all of these 
devices in order to conserve energy.
Saving power
Disable Fast startup
Your computer uses Fast startu p to start quickly, but also 
uses a small amount of power to  check for signals to start. 
These checks will slowly drai n your computer’s battery. 
If you prefer to reduce your  computer’s power requirements 
and environmental impact, turn off Fast startup:
1. Open the desktop.
2. Click  Power Options  in the Notification 
area.
3. Select  More Power Options .
4. Select  Choose what the power buttons 
do .
Note
If Fast startup is off, your comp uter will take longer to start from 
Sleep.
 
Your computer will also not start if it receives an instruction to 
start over a network (Wake on LAN). 
						

							Power management - 45
5. Select Change settings that are currently unavailable . 
6. Scroll down and disable  Turn on fast startup. 
7. Select  Save changes . 
						

							46 - Battery pack
BATTERY PACK
The computer uses an embedded Lithium battery that gives 
you long use between charges.
Battery characteristics
The battery is recharged whenever you connect the 
computer to the AC adapter. Your computer supports 
charge-in-use, enabling you to recharge the battery while 
you continue to operate the co mputer. However, recharging 
with the computer turned off  significantly reduces charge 
time.
The battery will come in handy  when you travel or during a 
power failure. 
Charging the battery
Plug the AC adapter into the computer, and connect to a 
mains power outlet.
Conditioning a new battery pack
Before you use a battery pack for the first time, there is a 
conditioning process that you should follow:
1. Connect the AC adapter and fully charge the battery.
2. Turn on the computer an d complete setting up the 
operating system.
3. Disconnect the AC adapter.
4. Operate the computer using battery power.
5. Reconnect the AC adapter and fully charge the battery  again.
Note
You are advised to charge the batte ry before retiring for the day. 
Charging the battery  overnight before traveling enables you to 
start the next day with a fully charged battery. 
						

							Battery pack - 47
Follow these steps again until the battery has been charged 
and discharged three times.
Use this conditioning process for all new batteries, or if a 
battery hasn't been used for a long time. 
The battery conditioning pr ocess ensures your battery 
accepts the maximum possible charge. Failure to follow this 
procedure will prevent you from obtaining the maximum 
battery charge, and will also shor ten the effective lifespan of 
the battery.
In addition, the useful lifespan  of the battery is adversely 
affected by the following usage patterns:
• Using the computer on constant AC power.
• Not discharging and recharging the battery to its extremes,  as described above.
• Frequent use; the more you us e the battery, the faster it 
will reach the end of its effective life. An embedded battery 
has a life span of more th an 1,000 charge/discharge 
cycles.
Optimizing battery life
Optimizing battery life helps yo u get the most out of battery 
operation, prolonging the charge/recharge cycle and 
improving recharging efficiency. You are advised to follow 
the suggestions set out below:
• Use AC power whenever possible, reserving battery for  mobile use.
• Remove accessories that are not being used (e.g. a USB  disk drive), as they can continue to draw power.
• Store your PC in a cool, dry place. The recommended  temperature is 10° C (50° F) to 30° C (86° F). Higher 
temperatures cause the battery to self-discharge faster.
Warning
Do not expose battery packs to temperatures below 0° C (32° F) 
or above 45° C (113° F). Extreme temperatures may adversely 
affect the battery pack. 
						

							48 - Battery pack
• Excessive recharging decreases the battery life.
• Look after your AC adapter and battery. 
Checking the battery level
The power meter indicates the current battery level. Rest 
the cursor over the battery/power icon on the taskbar to 
see the battery's present charge level.
Battery-low warning
When using battery power pay attention to the power meter.
When the battery-low warning appears, the recommended 
course of action depends on your situation:
Important
Connect the AC adapter as soon as possible after the battery-low 
warning appears. Data may be lost if the battery is allowed to 
become fully depleted and  the computer shuts down.
SituationRecommended Action
The AC adapter 
and a power 
outlet are 
available. 1. Plug the AC adapter into the computer, 
and then connect to the main power supply.
2. Save all necessary files.
3. Resume work.
 
Turn off the computer if you want to 
recharge the battery rapidly.
The AC adapter 
or a power 
outlet is 
unavailable.  1. Save all necessary files.
2. Close all applications.
3. Turn off the computer. 
						

							Traveling with your computer - 49
TRAVELING WITH YOUR 
COMPUTER
This section gives you tips and hints to consider when 
moving around or traveling with your computer.
Disconnecting from the desktop
Follow these steps to discon nect your computer from 
external accessories:
1. Save any open files.
2. Remove discs from optical drive.
3. Shut down the computer or pu t it into Sleep or Hibernate 
mode.
4. Close the display cover.
5. Disconnect the cord  from the AC adapter.
6. Disconnect the keyboard, pointing device, printer, external  monitor and other external devices.
7. Disconnect the Kensington lo ck if you are using one to 
secure the computer.
Moving around
When you are just moving wi thin short distances, for 
example, from your office desk to a meeting room.
Preparing the computer
Before moving the computer, close and latch the display 
cover to place it in Sleep mode. You can now safely take the 
computer anywhere you go with in the building. To wake the 
computer from Sleep mode,  open the display and, if 
necessary, press and release the power button.
If you are taking the computer  to a client's office or a 
different building, you may choose to shut down the 
computer:  
						

							50 - Traveling with your computer
Press the Windows key  + C, click  Settings  > Power  then click 
Shut Down
Or:
You can put the computer in Sleep mode by pressing the 
Sleep hotkey or by closing the display.
When you are ready to use the computer again, open the 
display and, if necessary, press and release the power 
button.
What to bring to meetings
If your meeting is relatively sh ort, you probably do not need 
to bring anything with you ot her than your computer. If 
your meeting will be longer, or if your battery is not fully 
charged, you may want to brin g the AC adapter with you to 
plug in your computer in the meeting room.
If the meeting room does not have an electrical outlet, 
reduce the drain on the battery by putting the computer in 
Sleep mode. Press the Sleep hotkey or close the display 
cover whenever you are not ac tively using the computer.
Taking the computer home
When you are moving from your office to your home or vice 
versa.
Preparing the computer
After disconnecting the computer from your desktop, follow 
these steps to prepare the computer for the trip home:
• Check that you have removed all media and compact discs  from the drive(s). Failure to remove the media can damage 
the drive head.
Note
The computer may enter Hibernation or Deep Sleep mode after 
being in Sleep mode for a period of time.