Acer Travelmate 5230 Service Guide

							Chapter 111
Indicators
The computer has several easy-to-read status indicators. The front panel indicators are visible even when the 
computer cover is closed.
NOTE: 1. Charging: The light shows amber when the battery is charging. 2. Fully charged: The light shows 
green when in AC mode.
Easy-Launch Buttons
Located beside the keyboard are application buttons. These buttons are called easy-launch buttons. They are: 
WLAN, Internet, email, Bluetooth, Arcade and Acer Empowering Technology.
The mail and Web browser buttons are pre-set to email and Internet programs, but can be reset by users. To 
set the Web browser, mail and programmable buttons, run the Acer Launch Manager.You can access the 
Launch Manager by clicking on Start, All Programs, and then Launch Manager to start the application.
IconFunctionDescription
HDD Indicates when the hard disk drive is 
active.
Num Lock Lights up when Num Lock is 
activated.
Caps Lock Lights up when Caps Lock is 
activated.
Power Indicates the computers power 
status.
Battery Indicates the computers battery 
status.
Bluetooth
(Manufacturing option)Indicates the status of Bluetooth 
communication.
Wireless LAN
(Manufacturing option)Indicates the status of wireless LAN 
communication.
IconFunctionDescription
Acer Empowering 
TechnologyLaunch Acer Empowering Technology (user-
programmable)
Web browser Internet browser (user-Programmable)
Mail Email application (user-Programmable)
PProgrammable key User-programmable 
						

							12Chapter 1
Touchpad Basics (with fingerprint reader)
The following items show you how to use the touchpad with Acer Bio-Protection fingerprint reader.
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 Acer Bio-Protection fingerprint reader (3) supporting Acer FingerNav 4-way control function (only 
for certain models) to scroll up or down and move left or right a page. This fingerprint reader or button 
mimics your cursor pressing on the right scroll bar of Windows applications. 
Touchpad basics (with two-click buttons)
The following items show you how to use the touchpad with two-click buttons.
Move your finger across the touchpad (1) to move the cursor.
FunctionLeft button (1)Right button (4)Main touchpad (2)Center button (3)
Execute Quickly click 
twice.Tap twice (at the same speed 
as double-clicking a mouse 
button).
Select Click once. Tap once.
Drag Click and 
hold, then 
use finger on 
the touchpad 
to drag the 
cursor.Tap twice (at the same speed 
as double-clicking a mouse 
button); rest your finger on the 
touchpad on the second tap 
and drag the cursor.
Access 
context 
menuClick once.
ScrollSwipe up/down/left/right 
using Acer FingerNav 4-
way control function 
(Manufacturing option). 
123 4
123 
						

							Chapter 113
Press the left (2) and right (3) 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.
NOTE: Illustrations for reference only. The exact configuration of your PC depends on the model purchased.
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 harder will not increase 
the touchpads 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 (2)Right button (3)Main touchpad (1)
Execute Quickly click twice. Tap twice (at the same speed as double-clicking 
a mouse button).
Select Click once. Tap once.
Drag Click and hold, then use 
finger on the touchpad 
to drag the cursor.Tap twice (at the same speed as double-clicking 
a mouse button); rest your finger on the touchpad 
on the second tap and drag the cursor.
Access 
context menuClick once. 
						

							14Chapter 1
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 key caps. 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.
NOTE:  +  works only for certain models.
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 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.
KeyDescription
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.
Application 
key This key has the same effect as clicking the right 
mouse button; it opens the applications context 
menu. 
						

							16Chapter 1
Hot Keys
The computer employs hotkeys or key combinations to access most of the computer’s controls like screen 
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.
 + < > Brightness up Increases the screen brightness.
 + < > Brightness down Decreases the screen brightness.
 + < > Volume up Increases the sound volume
(only for certain models).
 + < > Volume down Decreases the sound volume
(only for certain models).  
						

							Chapter 117
Special Key (only for certain models)
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.
NOTE: Some fonts and software do not support the Euro symbol. Please refer to www.microsoft.com/
typography/faq/faq12.htm for more information.
The US dollar sign
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.
NOTE: This function varies according to the language settings. 
						

							18Chapter 1
Acer Empowering Technology
The Empowering Technology toolbar makes it easy for you to access frequently used functions and manage 
your new Acer system. Activated by pressing the Empowering Key, it provides access to the following utilities:
NOTE:  The following content is for general reference only. Actual product specifications may vary.
Acer eDataSecurity Management protects data with passwords and encryption (only for certain 
models).
Acer ePower Management optimizes battery usage via customizable power plans.
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 Help. For help with a 
particular utility, launch the utility and click the   icon at the bottom of the active window.
Launching Acer Empowering Technology
To launch Acer Empowering Technology:
1.Press the Empowering Key to display the Acer Empowering Technology toolbar on the desktop.
2.To hide the toolbar, press the Empowering Key again or click the hide button   on the toolbar.
You may also launch Acer Empowering Technology by running the program from the Acer Empowering 
Technology program group in the Start menu, or by double-clicking the  icon if you have created a 
desktop shortcut.
To launch Acer Empowering Technology applications:
1.On the Acer Empowering Technology toolbar, click the icon that corresponds to the application you want 
to launch.
2.When you mouse over an application icon, a quick menu appears below the toolbar. The quick menu 
allows you to perform certain tasks simply and quickly.
3.You may also run the application by selecting it from the Acer Empowering Technology program group in 
the Start menu. 
						

							Chapter 119
Empowering Technology password
You must set the Empowering Technology password to use the password protection feature of Acer 
eRecovery Management to protect your data. 
To set the Empowering Technology password:
1.Launch Acer eRecovery Management.
2.Click the Restore tab.
3.Click Password settings. The Empowering Technology Password Center dialogue box pops up.
4.Click Create a new password.
5.In the Create a New Password dialogue box, key in and confirm your password in the appropriate boxes. 
Your password should have a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 12 characters.
6.Enter a password hint that will help you remember your password.
7.Make sure the box Use for Acer eRecovery Management is checked.
8.Click OK to set the password. 
						

							20Chapter 1
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. For more 
power options, click   in the Acer ePower Management utility, or right-click the Windows power icon in the 
system tray and select 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 New power plan option or 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, sleep and hibernation settings you want your computer to use.
5.Click OK to save your new power plan.
To switch between power plans:
1.Mouse over the Acer ePower Management application on the Acer Empowering Technology toolbar. The 
quick menu appears. Select the power plan you want to switch to.
2.You may also switch between power plans by launching the Acer ePower Management application. Select 
the power plan you wish to switch to, then click Apply.
To edit a power plan:
Editing a power plan allows you to adjust system settings like LCD brightness and CPU speed. 
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.
2.Click the Delete Power Plan icon. 
Battery status
1.The quick menu shows the remaining battery life based on current usage. 
2.You can also launch the Acer ePower Management application and refer to the Battery status panel 
located just below the power plans.