Acer Travelmate 510 Service Guide

							Chapter 1 3
Opening and Closing the Display
To open the display, slide the display cover latch to the left and lift up the 
cover.  Then tilt it to a comfortable viewing position.  The computer employs a 
microswitch that turns off the display (and enters standby mode) to conserve 
power when you close the display cover and turns it back on when you open 
the display cover.
Note: 
If an external monitor is connected, the computer turns off the 
display (but does not enter standby mode) when you close the 
display cover.
To close the display cover, fold it down gently until the display cover latch 
clicks into place.
Caution: 
To avoid damaging the display, do not slam it when you close it. 
Also, do not place any object on top of the computer when the display is 
closed. 
						

							4 System Introductions
Basic Operation
Indicators
The computer has six easy-to-read status indicators (LEDs) under the display 
screen.
The Power and Standby indicators are visible even when you close the 
display cover so you can see the status of the computer while the cover is 
closed.
#IconFunctionDescription
1 Power Lights when the computer is on.
Blinks when a battery-low condition occurs.
2 Standby Lights when the computer enters Standby 
mode.
3 Media 
ActivityLights when the floppy drive, hard disk or 
CD-ROM drive or DVD-ROM drive is 
active.
4 Battery 
ChargeLights when the battery is being charged.
5 Caps Lock Lights when Caps Lock is activated
6Num Lock
(Fn-F11)Lights when Numeric Lock is activated 
						

							Chapter 1 5
Keyboard
The keyboard has full-sized keys and an embedded keypad, separate cursor 
keys, two Windows keys and twelve function keys.
Special Keys
Lock Keys
The keyboard has three 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.
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 
­ or 
¯ respectively.  Scroll Lock does not work 
with some applications. 
						

							6 System Introductions
Embedded Numeric Keypad
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. 
Note: 
If an external keyboard or keypad is connected to the computer, 
the NumLock feature automatically shifts from the internal 
keyboard to the external keyboard or keypad.
Desired AccessNum Lock OnNum Lock Off
Number keys on 
embedded keypadType numbers in a normal 
manner.
Cursor-control keys on 
embedded keypadHold Shift while using 
cursor-control keys.Hold Fn while 
using cursor-
control keys.
Main keyboard keys Hold Fn while typing letters 
on embedded keypad.Type the letters in 
a normal manner. 
						

							Chapter 1 7
Windows Keys
The keyboard has two keys that perform Windows-specific functions.
The Euro Symbol
If your keyboard is in any of the following languages -- United States-
International, United Kingdom, French, German, Italian, Spanish, 
Portuguese, Danish, Swiss German, Swiss French, Czech, Belgian, 
Norwegian, Hungarian, Turkish, Swedish or Finnish -- you can type the Euro 
symbol on your keyboard.
Note: 
Important! (for US keyboard users): The keyboard type is set 
when you first set up Windows.  For the Euro symbol to work, the 
keyboard type has to be set to United States-International.
KeyDescription
Windows logo key Start button.  Combinations with this key perform 
special functions.  Below are a few examples:

 + Tab (Activates next Taskbar button)

 + E (Explores My Computer)

 + F  (Finds a Document)

 + M  (Minimizes All)
Shift + 

 + M  (Undoes Minimize All)

 + R  (Displays the Run dialog box)
Application key
(Fn-Application key)Opens the application’s context menu (same as right-
click). 
						

							8 System Introductions
To verify the keyboard type:
1.  Click on 
Start, Settings, Control Panel.
2.  Double-click on Keyboard.
3.  Click on the Language tab.
4.  Verify that the keyboard type used for En English (United States) is set to 
United States-International. 
5.  If not, select and click on Properties; then select United States-
International and click on OK.
6.  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: 
The Alt Gr is only used together with the Euro symbol. Some 
fonts and software do not support the Euro symbol. Please refer 
to  http://www.microsoft.com/typography/faq/faq12.htm for 
more information.
Hot Keys
The computer employs hot keys or key combinations to access most of the 
computer’s controls like screen contrast and brightness, volume output and 
the BIOS setup utility. 
Hot KeyIconFunctionDescription
Fn-F1 Hotkey help Displays a list of the hotkeys and 
their functions.
Fn-F2 Setup Accesses the notebook 
configuration utility.  . 
						

							Chapter 1 9
Fn-F3 Standby Puts the computer in Standby 
mode.  Press any key to return.
See “System Standby Mode” to 
learn more about Standby mode.
Fn-F4 Hibernation Puts the computer in Hibernation 
mode (if Sleep Manager, the 
hibernation utility, is installed, valid 
and enabled).  Press the power 
switch to resume.
Otherwise, the computer issues a 
warnign beep and continues 
operation.  See Hibernation 
Mode for more about Hibernation 
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-F6 Screen blank Turns the display screen backlight 
off to save power.  Press any key 
to return.
Fn-F7 Touchpad on/off Turns the internal touchpad on 
and off.
When you connect an external 
PS/2 mouse, the computer 
automatically disables the 
touchpad.
Fn-F8 Speaker on/off Turns the speakers on and off; 
mutes the sound.
Fn-
­Contrast up Increases the screen contrast 
(available only for models with 
HPA displays).
Fn-
¯Contrast down Decreases the screen contrast 
(available only for models with 
HPA displays).
Fn-
®Brightness up Increases the screen brightness.
Fn-
¬Brightness 
downDecreases the screen brightness.
Hot KeyIconFunctionDescription 
						

							10 System Introductions
Activating Hotkeys
When activating hotkeys, press and hold the first key Fn before pressing the 
other key in the hotkey combination.
Keyboard Ergonomics
Located below the keyboard, the wide and curved palm rest is ergonomically 
designed to provide you with a very comfortable place to rest your hands 
while you type. 
						

							Chapter 1 11
Touchpad
The built-in touchpad is a PS/2-compatible 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 palm rest 
provides optimum comfort and support.    
Note: 
When you connect an external PS/2 mouse, the computer 
automatically disables the internal touchpad. 
						

							12 System Introductions
Touchpad Basics
The following items teach you how to use the touchpad:
1.  Move your finger across the touchpad to move the cursor.
2.  Press 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 too hard 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 the mouse 
button) and hold finger to the 
touchpad on the second tap 
to drag the cursor
Access 
context 
menuClick once