Acer Travelmate 290 Service Guide

							Chapter 113
Lock Keys
The keyboard has four lock keys which you can toggle on and off.
Lock KeyDescription
Caps  Lock When Caps Lock is on, all alphabetic characters typed 
are in uppercase.
Pad lock    
(Fn-F10)When Pad Lock is on, the embedded keypad is 
enabled. In this mode the keypad is cursor function.
Num lock   
(Fn-F11)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   
(Fn-F12)When Scroll Lock is on, the screen moves one line up 
or down when you press w and y respectively.  
Scroll Lock does not work with some applications. 
						

							14Chapter 1
Embedded Numeric Keypad
The embedded numeric keypad functions like a desktop numeric keypad.  It is indicated by small characters 
located on the right hand side of the keycaps.
Desired AccessNum Lock OnNum Lock Off
Number keys on embedded 
keypadType numbers in a normal 
manner.
Main keyboard keys Hold  while typing 
letters on embedded 
keypad.Type the letters in a normal 
manner. 
						

							Chapter 115
Windows Keys
The keyboard has two keys that perform Windows-specific functions.
KeyIconDescription
Windows logo 
keyStart button.  Combinations with this key perform 
special functions.  Below are a few examples:
  + Tab (Activates next taskbar button)
  +  E (Explores My Computer)
  +  F (Finds Document)
 +  M (Minimizes All)
j +   + M (Undoes Minimize All)
    + R (Displays the Run... dialog box)
Application 
keyOpens a context menu (same as a right-click). 
						

							16Chapter 1
Hot Keys
The computer uses hotkey or key combinations to access most of the computer’s controls like sreen 
brightness and volume output.
To activate hot keys, press and hold the Fn key before pressing the other key in the hot key combination.
Hot KeyIconFunctionDescription
Fn-Esc Sleep Puts the computer in Sleep mode.
Fn-F5 Display toggle Switches display output between the display screen, 
external monitor (if connected) and both the display 
screen and external monitor.
Fn-End Speaker toggle Turns the speakers on and off.
Fn-PgUp Volume up Increases the speaker volume.
Fn-PgDn Volume down Decreases the speaker volume.
Fn-wBrightness up Increases the screen brightness.
Fn-yBrightness down Decreases the screen brightness 
						

							Chapter 117
The Euro Symbol
If your keyboard layout is set to United States-International or United Kingdom or if you have a keyboard with a 
European layout, you can type the Euro symbol on your keyboard.
NOTE:  For US keyboard users: The keyboard layout is set when you first set up Windows. For the Euro 
symbol to work, the keyboard layout has to be set to United States-International. 
To verify the keyboard type in Windows 2000 and Windows Millennium Edition, follow the steps below:
1.Click on Start, Settings, Control Panel.
2.Double-click on Keyboard.
3.Click on the Language tab.
4.Verify that keyboard layout used for “En English (United States)” is set to United States-International. If 
not, select and click on  Properties; then select United States-International and click on OK.
5.Click on OK.
To verify the keyboard type in Windows XP, follow the steps below:
1.Click on Start, Control Panel.
2.Double-click on Regional and Language Options.
3.Click on the Language tab and click on Details.
4.Verify that the keyboard layout used for En English (United States) is set to United States-International. 
If not, select and click on ADD; then select United States-International and click on OK.
5.Click on OK.
To type the Euro symbol:
1.Locate the Euro symbol on your keyboard.
2.Open a text editor or word processor.
3.Hold Alt Gr and press the Euro symbol.
NOTE:  Some fonts and software do not support the Euro symbol. Please refer to www.microsoft.com/
typography/faq/faq12.htm for more information. 
						

							18Chapter 1
Launch Keys
Located at the top of keyboard are three buttons. The left-most button is the power button. To the right of the 
power button are the two launch keys. They are designated as the programmable buttons (P1 and P2).
Launch KeyDefault application
P1 User-programmable
P2 User-programmable 
						

							Chapter 119
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 on the surface of the touchpad.  The central location on the palmrest 
provides optimum comfort and support.
Touchpad Basics
The following items teach you how to use the touchpad:
TMove your finger across the touchpad to move the cursor. 
TPress the left and right buttons located on the edge of the touchpad to do selection and execution 
functions. These two buttons are similar to the left and right buttons on a mouse. Tapping on the 
touchpad produces similar results.
NOTE: Keep your fingers dry and clean when using the touchpad. Also keep the touchpad dry and clean. The 
touchpad is sensitive to finger movements. Hence, the lighter the touch, the better the response. 
Tapping harder will not increase the touchpad’s responsiveness.
FunctionLeft ButtonRight ButtonTa p
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 
						

							20Chapter 1
Hardware Specifications and Configurations
Processor
ItemSpecification
CPU type Intel Mobile Pentium M processor at 1.3~1.7 GHz or higher
CPU package  uFCPGA package
CPU core voltage Support automatic selection of power supply voltage
CPU I/O voltage 1.05V
BIOS
ItemSpecification
BIOS vendor Insyde
BIOS Version Insyde MobilePRO BIOS 4.0
BIOS ROM type Flash ROM
BIOS ROM size 512KB 
BIOS package 32 lead of PLCC
Bupported protocols ACPI 1.0b,PC Card 95, SM BIOS 2.3, EPP/IEEE 1284, ECP/IEEE 1284 
1.7 & 1.9, PCI 2.2, PnP 1.0a, DMI 2.0, USB, VGA BIOS, CD-ROM bootable
BIOS password control Set by setup manual
Second Level Cache
ItemSpecification
Cache controller Built-in CPU
Cache size 1MB
1st level cache control Always enabled
2nd level cache control Always enabled
Cache scheme control Fixed in write-through
System Memory
ItemSpecification
Memory controller Intel 855GM GMCH
Memory size 128MB/256MB/512MB/1GB
DIMM socket number 2 sockets
Supports memory size per socket 1024MB
Supports maximum memory size 2GB (by two 1024MB SO-DIMM module)
Supports DIMM type DDR Synchronous DRAM
Supports DIMM Speed 200/266 MHz
Supports DIMM voltage 2.5V
Supports DIMM package 200-pin SO-DIMM
Memory module combinations You can install memory modules in any combinations as long as they 
match the above specifications. 
						

							Chapter 121
 
NOTE: Above table lists some system memory configurations. You may combine DIMMs with various 
capacities to form other combinations.
.
. Memory Combinations
Slot 1Slot 2Total Memory
256/512MB 0 MB 256MB/512MB
256/512MB 128MB 384MB/640MB
256/512MB 256MB 512MB/768MB
256/512MB 512MB 768MB/1024MB
LAN Interface
ItemSpecification
Supports LAN protocol 10/100 Mbps
LAN connector type RJ45
LAN connector location Rear side
Modem / Bluethooth Interface
ItemSpecification
Data modem data baud rate (bps) 56K
Supports modem/bluetooth protocol V.90 for MDC / Bluetooth 1.1 standard for BT 
modem
Modem connector type RJ11
Modem connector location Rear side
Hard Disk Drive Interface
ItemSpecification
Vendor & 
Model NameToshiba 
20G 
MK2023G
ASToshiba 
30G 
MK3021G
ASToshiba 
40G 
MK4021G
ASToshiba 
60G 
MK6021G
ASHitachi 
20G 
IC25N020
-ATMR04Hitachi 
30G 
IC25N030
-ATMR04Hitachi 
40G 
IC25N040
-ATMR04Hitachi 
60G 
IC25N060
-ATMR04
Capacity 
(MB)20000 30000 40000 60000 20000 30000 40000 60000
Bytes per 
sector512 512 512 512 512 512 512 512
Data heads 2 2 3 4 1 2 2 3
Drive Format
Disks11221112
Spindle 
speed (RPM)4200 RPM 4200 RPM 4200 RPM 4200 RPM 4200 RPM 4200 RPM 4200 RPM 4200 RPM
Performance Specifications
Buffer size  2048KB 2048KB 2048KB 2048KB 2048KB 2048KB 2048KB 2048KB
Interface ATA-5 ATA-5 ATA-5 ATA-5 ATA-5 ATA-5 ATA-5 ATA-5
Max. media 
transfer rate 
(disk-buffer, 
Mbytes/s)164.6~ 
257.1154.3~ 
298.0154.3~ 
298.0154.3~ 
298.0350 350 350 350 
						

							22Chapter 1
Data transfer 
rate 
(host~buffer, 
Mbytes/s)100 MB/
Sec.
Ultra DMA 
mode-5100 MB/
Sec.
Ultra DMA 
mode-5100 MB/
Sec.
Ultra DMA 
mode-5100 MB/
Sec.
Ultra DMA 
mode-5100 MB/
Sec.
Ultra DMA 
mode-5100 MB/
Sec.
Ultra DMA 
mode-5100 MB/
Sec.
Ultra DMA 
mode-5100 MB/
Sec.
Ultra DMA 
mode-5
DC Power Requirements
Voltage 
tolerance5V(DC) +/
- 5%5V(DC) +/
- 5%5V(DC) +/
- 5%5V(DC) +/
- 5%5V(DC) +/
- 5%5V(DC) +/
- 5%5V(DC) +/
- 5%5V(DC) +/
- 5%
DVD-ROM Interface
ItemSpecification
Vendor & model name Toshiba (SR-C2612)
Performance Specification With CD Diskette With DVD Diskette
Transfer rate (KB/sec) (Mode1)
4X-5.7X PCAV 600-855KByte/s
10.3X-24X CAV 1552-3600KByte/s
(Mode2)
4X-5.7X PACV 684.4-975.3KBytes/s
10.3X-24X CAV 1769-4104KByte/s3.3X-8X CAV 4463-10820KByte/s
Data Buffer Capacity 192 KBytes
Interface IDE/ATAPI
Applicable disc format DVD: DVD-ROM (DVD-5, DVD-9, DVD-10, DVD-18),DVD-R (read, single 
border), DVD-RW(read) DVD-RAM (read, Version2.1), DVD-RAM (read, 
Version 1.0)
CD:  CD-Audio, CD+(E)G, CD-MIDI, CD-TEXT, CD-ROM, CD-ROM XA, CD-I, 
CD-I Bridge (Photo-CD, Video-CD) Multisession CD (Photo-CD, CD-EXTRA, 
CD-R, CD-RW), CD-R (read), CD-RW (read)
Loading mechanism Load: Manual
Release: (a) Electrical Release (Release Button)
                  (b) Release by ATAPI command 
                  (c) Emergency Release
Power Requirement
Input Voltage +5 V +/- 5 % (Operating) 
+/- 8 % (Start up)
Input Voltage +5 V +/- 0.25V
Audio Interface
ItemSpecification
Audio Controller Realtek ALC202 AC97 Codec
Audio onboard or optional Built-in
Mono or Stereo Stereo
Resolution 20 bit stereo Digital to analog converter
18 bit stereo Analog to Ditial converter
Compatibility Microsoft PC99, AC97 2.2 & WHQL
Mixed sound source CD
Sampling rate 48 KHz
Internal microphone No
Internal speaker / Quantity Yes / 2
Hard Disk Drive Interface
ItemSpecification