Acer Aspire 3 15 Page 1 User Manual Download

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USER’S MANUAL

Aspire 3

Summary of Contents for Aspire 3 15

Page 1: ...USER S MANUAL Aspire 3 15 ...

Page 2: ...nual contains proprietary information that is protected by copyright laws The information contained in this manual is subject to change without notice Some features described in this manual may not be supported depending on the Operating System version Images provided herein are for reference only and may contain information or features that do not apply to your computer Acer Group shall not be li...

Page 3: ...e everything 30 Using a Bluetooth connection 34 Enabling and disabling Bluetooth 34 Enable Bluetooth and add a device 34 Connecting to the Internet 36 Connecting to a wireless network 36 Connecting to a wireless LAN 36 Bluelight Shield 40 Securing your computer 42 Using a computer security lock 42 Using passwords 42 Entering passwords 43 Fingerprint Reader 44 How to use the fingerprint reader 44 B...

Page 4: ...uter and your health Where to find the power button ports and connectors Windows 11 interface overview Tips and tricks for using the touchpad and keyboard How to create recovery backups Guidelines for connecting to a network and using Bluetooth Information on using Acer s bundled software ...

Page 5: ...nternet you can download updates for your computer from http go acer com support 1 The link will open the Acer Support webpage 2 Scroll down to Drivers and Manuals and search for your model by pasting in or manually entering the serial number SNID or product model 3 From this page you can also download and install the Acer identification utility that will automatically detect your computer s seria...

Page 6: ... device Do not expose the computer to direct sunlight Do not place it near sources of heat such as a radiator Do not expose the computer to temperatures below 0º C 32º F or above 50º C 122º F Do not subject the computer to magnetic fields Do not expose the computer to rain or moisture Do not spill water or any liquid on the computer Do not subject the computer to heavy shock or vibration Do not ex...

Page 7: ...he total ampere ratings of the equipment plugged in should not exceed the ampere rating of the cord if you are using an extension cord Also the total current rating of all equipment plugged into a single wall outlet should not exceed the fuse rating Cleaning and servicing When cleaning the computer follow these steps 1 Turn off the computer 2 Disconnect the AC adapter 3 Use a soft moist cloth Do n...

Page 8: ...arging port must be clean and free from debris and should only be used with Acer charging equipment Use of a non Acer battery or charging equipment can cause damage to the product and will void the warranty If you plan to store the device for a long period of time turn off the device remove AC power and store the product at room temperature 0 C 35 C in a dry humidity 45 80 well ventilated area Avo...

Page 9: ...er 50 C 122 F Failure to follow these guidelines may cause the battery to leak acid become hot explode or ignite and cause injury and or damage Do not pierce open or disassemble the battery If the battery leaks and you come into contact with the leaked fluids rinse thoroughly with water and seek medical attention immediately For safety reasons and to prolong the lifetime of the battery charging wi...

Page 10: ...r winter Always try to keep the battery between 15 C and 25 C 59 F and 77 F A device with a hot or cold battery may not work temporarily even when the battery is fully charged Battery performance is especially limited in temperatures well below freezing Do not dispose of batteries in a fire as they may explode Batteries may also explode if damaged Dispose of batteries according to local regulation...

Page 11: ...p Guide let us show you around your new Acer computer Screen view Icon Item Description 1 Microphones Internal digital microphone for sound recording 2 Camera Camera for video communication or taking photos A light next to the camera indicates that the camera is active 3 Screen Displays computer output 2 3 1 ...

Page 12: ...print reader for Windows Hello and security Function varies depending on configuration 3 Touchpad Touch sensitive pointing device The touchpad and selection buttons form a single surface Press down firmly on the touchpad surface to perform a left click Press down firmly on the lower right corner to perform a right click 4 Power button Turns the computer on and off 1 3 4 2 ...

Page 13: ...eds up to 10 Gbps Supports DisplayPort audio video output Delivers up to 3 A at 5 V DC for USB charging For optimal performance please use a certified Acer power adapter or USB Power Delivery device Icon Item Description 1 DC in jack Connects to an AC adapter 2 USB Type C port with DC in Connects to the provided USB Type C power adapter and to USB devices with a USB Type C connector Supports Displ...

Page 14: ...SB Icon Item Description 1 Power indicator Indicates the computer s power status Battery indicator Indicates the computer s battery status Charging The light shows amber when the battery is charging Fully charged The light shows blue when in AC mode 2 Headset speaker jack Connects to audio devices e g speakers headphones or a headset with microphone 3 USB port Connects to USB devices 4 Kensington ...

Page 15: ...y reset pinhole Simulates removing and reinstalling the battery Insert a paperclip into the hole and press for four seconds 2 Ventilation and cooling fan Allows the computer to stay cool Do not cover or obstruct the openings 3 Speakers Deliver stereo audio output 2 1 3 ...

Page 16: ...ock is on all alphabetic characters typed are in uppercase Icon Function Description Speaker toggle Turns the speakers on and off Volume down Decreases the sound volume Volume up Increases the sound volume Microphone toggle Turns the microphones on and off Brightness down Decreases the screen brightness Brightness up Increases the screen brightness Display toggle Switches display output between th...

Page 17: ...ps a rectangle freeform window or full screen to your clipboard prt sc Print screen Take quick screen shots insert Insert Turns Insert on or off Icon Function Description Hotkey Icon Description Fn F1 F12 Activates the F1 to F12 keys Note To swap the hotkey and special function of the F1 to F12 keys change the function key setting in the BIOS to open the BIOS press F2 when starting your computer t...

Page 18: ...he Internet 4 Task View Allows to switch between running applications and add the virtual desktop 5 Widgets Provides the weather news stocks and sports information 6 Power Shut down sleep or restart your computer 7 Quick settings Displays the situation of network connection battery level and sound setting You can toggle quick actions to instantly adjust or open settings 8 Notification Displays the...

Page 19: ...m Start to remove the app from Start How do I make an app appear on my taskbar If you re in all apps list and you want to make an app appear on the taskbar right click an app and select More Pin to taskbar Can I turn off notifications Press the Windows key or select the Windows Start button and select Settings System Notifications From here you can enable disable notifications for all of your apps...

Page 20: ...Slide a finger across the touchpad to move the cursor Single finger press or tap Press the touchpad down or lightly tap the touchpad with your finger to perform a click which will select or start an item Quickly repeat the tap to perform a double tap or double click Two finger press Lightly tap the touchpad with two fingers to perform a right click In the Start screen this will toggle the app comm...

Page 21: ...ipe down to minimize all open windows and show Desktop swipe upwards to restore the minimized windows Swipe left or right to switch between open windows Four finger press Lightly tap the touchpad with four fingers to open the Action Center Four finger swipe Swipe across the touchpad with four fingers Swipe up to open Task View Move the cursor over a window and tap the touchpad to select that windo...

Page 22: ... right hand corner of the screen select the Network Sound and Battery icon to open the Quick settings pane 2 Select All settings 3 Select Bluetooth devices Touchpad 4 Now you can adjust the settings to suit your personal needs You can switch off the touchpad if you prefer to use a mouse Or you can adjust the touchpad sensitivity to suit your needs Scroll down to see more settings ...

Page 23: ...ta or create a factory default backup If you cannot access Acer Care Center click Settings in the Start menu select System and then click Recovery Creating a file history backup Recovery Management allows you to quickly and easily back up your files andrestore them if the originals are lost damaged or deleted 1 From Start select Care Center in all apps list then Recovery Management 2 Select the Ba...

Page 24: ...24 Recovery 3 Click Set up syncing for OneDrive folder syncing to continue 4 Make sure the folders that you want to back up are selected and click Start back up to continue ...

Page 25: ...Recovery 25 5 You can select View sync progress to watch files sync until it completes 6 To open the OneDrive folder double click OneDrive icon in the notification area ...

Page 26: ... Backup wireless and LAN drivers Choose a folder to save your drivers and select OK 3 You will be shown the backup progress on the screen Restoring your computer Recovery Management allows you to quickly and easily restore your computer back to its default status You can choose to keep your files or remove them before reinstalling Windows Reset this PC and keep my files 1 From Start select Care Ce...

Page 27: ...Recovery 27 3 Click Reset PC to Choose an option 4 Select Keep my files to refresh your PC and reinstall your operating system without removing your personal files ...

Page 28: ... 5 Choose from the two options Cloud download or Local reinstall to reinstall Windows Ensure you are connected to the internet when using Cloud download 6 Click Change settings to open the Choose settings options ...

Page 29: ...rams without removing your personal files Click Reset to continue This will take a while and your PC will restart 9 You will be shown the reset progress on the screen The screen will turn off during the reset process 10 The screen will turn back on when it is installing Windows Your PC will restart several times during the reset process 11 Follow the process until it completes Important If you hav...

Page 30: ...have been reset back to its factory default settings without removing your personal files Reset this PC and remove everything 1 From Start select Care Center in all apps list then Recovery Management 2 Select the Restore tab and click Get Started to open the Recovery window ...

Page 31: ...Recovery 31 3 Click Reset PC to Choose an option 4 Select Remove everything to reset your PC back to its factory default ...

Page 32: ...al reinstall to reinstall Windows Ensure you are connected to the internet when using Cloud download 6 Click Change settings to open the Choose settings options 7 Choose your settings options and follow the instructions on screen Click Confirm then Next to continue ...

Page 33: ...creen will turn off during the reset process 10 The screen will turn back on when it is installing Windows Your PC will restart several times during the reset process 11 Follow the process until it completes 12 When your PC has completed the reset process Windows will use factory default settings ...

Page 34: ...l Bluetooth adapter is available Enable Bluetooth and add a device Every new device must first be paired with your computer s Bluetooth adapter This means it must first be authenticated for security purposes You only need to pair once After that simply turning on the Bluetooth adapter of both devices will connect them Bluetooth on your computer is disabled by default To enable your computer s Blue...

Page 35: ...ttery icon in the lower right hand corner of the screen to open the Quick settings pane From here you can enable or disable Bluetooth or right click on Bluetooth Go to Settings to enter the Bluetooth settings Note Some devices using older versions of the Bluetooth technology require both devices to enter a PIN In the case of one of the devices not having any inputs as in a headset the passcode is ...

Page 36: ...cal area network which can link two or more computers without using wires Once connected to WLAN you can access the internet You can also share files other devices and even your internet connection itself Your computer s wireless connection is turned on by default and Windows will detect and display a list of available networks during setup Select your network and enter the password if required Ac...

Page 37: ... of the wireless network s name and password if necessary If you are trying to connect to a public network such as at a coffeeshop make sure you have the wireless network s name 2 Click Network icon in the notification area 3 Select Manage WiFi connections Note Please refer to your ISP or router documentation for details on connecting to the internet Note If Wi Fi is turned off please click Wi Fi ...

Page 38: ...38 Connecting to the Internet 4 You will see a list of available wireless networks Select the one you wish to use 5 Once you select a wireless network select Connect ...

Page 39: ...Connecting to the Internet 39 6 If required enter the network s password ...

Page 40: ... to fit your needs No Item Description 1 Low Reduction Reduces blue light emission from the LED backlit screen by 10 to 25 for basic protection 2 Medium Reduction Reduces blue light emission from the LED backlit screen by 26 to 45 to protect your eyes 3 High Reduction Reduces blue light emission from the LED backlit screen by 46 to 65 for maximum protection 4 Long Hour Mode Professionally tuned to...

Page 41: ...Keeping your computer and data safe In this section you will find How to secure your computer Setting passwords What you need to prepare when you re traveling How to get the most out of your battery ...

Page 42: ...authorized 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 48 User Password secures your computer against unauthorized use Combine the use of this password with password ...

Page 43: ...ge 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 You have three chances to enter a password If you fail to enter the password correctly after three t...

Page 44: ...nlock your Acer notebook In order to use the fingerprint reader you must first configure the fingerprint reader to recognize your fingerprint to confirm your identity How to use the fingerprint reader Select the Start button then select Settings Accounts Sign in options to set up Windows Hello 1 In Fingerprint recognition Windows Hello select Set up to configure the fingerprint reader ...

Page 45: ...Fingerprint Reader 45 2 In the Windows Hello setup window select Get started to begin the fingerprint configuration 3 Enter your PIN to confirm your identity ...

Page 46: ... Reader 4 When the Windows Hello setup window appears follow the onscreen directions Press and hold your finger on the fingerprint sensor and then lift Repeat this step until the fingerprint configuration is complete ...

Page 47: ...to sign in or unlock your computer by placing your fingerprint on the fingerprint reader You may select Add another finger to add another fingerprint to unlock the computer Note If the notebook has multiple accounts you can set up access separately and automatically switch between accounts ...

Page 48: ...layed Boot sequence To set the boot sequence in the BIOS utility activate the BIOS utility then select Boot from the categories listed on the top of the screen Setting passwords To set a password on boot activate the BIOS utility then select Security from the categories listed on the top of the screen Find Set Supervisor Password and enter a password to enable this feature Once you have entered a ...

Page 49: ...wer Disable Fast startup Your computer uses Fast startup to start quickly but also uses a small amount of power to check for signals to start These checks will slowly drain your computer s battery If you prefer to reduce your computer s power requirements and environmental impact turn off Fast startup 1 Press the Windows key or select the Windows Start button then search for Choose a power plan 2 ...

Page 50: ...50 Power management 3 Select Change settings that are currently unavailable 4 Scroll down and disable Turn on fast start up 5 Select Save changes ...

Page 51: ...nnect 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 and complete setting up the operating system 3 Disconnect the AC adapter 4 Operate the computer using battery power 5 Fully deplete the battery until the bat...

Page 52: ...fective life An embedded battery has a life span of more than 1 000 charge discharge cycles Optimizing battery life Optimizing battery life helps you 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 ...

Page 53: ...portant 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 Situation Recommended 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 co...

Page 54: ...he keyboard pointing device printer external monitor and other external devices 7 Disconnect the Kensington Noble lock if you are using one to secure the computer Moving around When you are just moving within short distances for example from your office desk to a meeting room Before moving the computer close and latch the display cover to place it in Sleep mode You can now safely take the computer...

Page 55: ...annot find 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 actively using the computer When you are moving within a larger distance for instance traveling locally or internationally after shutting down the computer and disconnecting any external devices pack the computer in a protectiv...

Page 56: ...In this section you will find Information on the ports and connectors fitted to your computer Ports and connectors ...

Page 57: ...gle USB port Note Two USB standards are currently available on Acer computers USB 2 0 High speed USB and USB 3 2 Gen 1 Gen 2 SuperSpeed USB USB 2 0 ports on Acer computers have a black tongue in the port while USB 3 2 Gen 1 Gen 2 ports have a blue tongue For best performance USB 3 2 Gen 1 Gen 2 devices should always be plugged into USB 3 2 Gen 1 Gen 2 ports Consult your device s documentation to s...

Page 58: ... USB Type C ports support up to USB 3 2 SuperSpeed USB 10 Gbps Other USB devices with a USB Type C connector are supported but transfer speed may be reduced and certain functions will be disabled such as Thunderbolt video support Important When removing a USB storage device you should right click on the USB icon in the Windows task bar and select Eject device to tell the operating system to stop u...

Page 59: ...solution and refresh rate should be detected automatically If necessary change the display settings used by the computer Headphones and microphone One or more 3 5 mm jacks on your computer allow you to connect audio devices Use the headphone port to plug in stereo headphones or powered speakers connecting an audio device to the headphone port disables the built in speakers Use the microphone port ...

Page 60: ...y compatible digital audio video source such as your computer a set top box DVD player and audio video receiver to any compatible digital audio and or video monitor such as a digital television DTV with a single cable The single cable keeps everything neat and tidy while ensuring easy connection and the best audio and visual quality ...

Page 61: ...Got a question In this section you will find Frequently asked questions Troubleshooting information How to protect yourself while online Where to find Acer service center contact information ...

Page 62: ...is being supplied to the computer check the following Do you have a USB storage device USB drive CD drive or smartphone plugged into your computer Unplug it and press Ctrl Alt Del to restart the system Nothing appears on the screen The computer s power management system automatically blanks the screen to save power Press any key to turn the display back on If pressing a key does not turn the displ...

Page 63: ...t the printer is connected to a power outlet and that it is turned on Make sure that the printer cable is connected securely to a USB port and the corresponding port on the printer I want to restore my computer to its original settings This recovery process helps you restore the C drive with the original software content that is installed when you purchased your computer Before performing a restor...

Page 64: ...o the ITW passport If the country you are traveling in does not have an Acer authorized ITW service site you can still get in contact with our offices worldwide Please visit www acer com Before you call Please have the following information available when you call Acer for online service and please be at your computer when you call With your support we can reduce the amount of time a call takes an...

Page 65: ... be resolved contact your dealer Error messages If you receive an error message note the message and take the corrective action The following table lists the error messages in alphabetical order together with the recommended course of action Error messages Corrective action CMOS battery bad Contact your dealer or an authorized service center CMOS checksum error Contact your dealer or an authorized...

Page 66: ... O parity error Contact your dealer or an authorized service center Keyboard error or no keyboard connected Contact your dealer or an authorized service center Keyboard interface error Contact your dealer or an authorized service center Memory size mismatch Press F2 during POST to enter the BIOS utility then press Exit in the BIOS utility to reboot Error messages Corrective action ...

Page 67: ...et Service Provider ISP which supplies the connection between your computer and the internet You should research the ISPs available in your region not forgetting to talk to friends and family about their experiences or to check reviews and consumer reports The ISP you select will provide instructions on how to connect to the internet you may need additional software or a special box that connects ...

Page 68: ...es fast and always on internet service via a cable television line This service is generally available in large cities You can use your telephone and watch cable TV at the same time you are connected to the internet Cellular A cellular connection allows you to use cellular networks such as those used by a mobile phone to connect to the internet while away from home The socket for a SIM card may be...

Page 69: ...low you and other users of your home network to share access to files and devices connected to the network for example a printer or scanner Also you can share an internet connection with other computers in your home Installation speed and simplicity Installing a wireless LAN system can be fast and easy and eliminates the need to pull cables through walls and ceilings Components of a wireless LAN T...

Page 70: ...he taskbar and take your internet experience to a new level Acer website To get you started why not visit our website www acer com Acer is dedicated to provide you with on going personalized support Check out our Support section to get help tailored to your needs www acer com is your portal to a world of online activities and services visit us regularly for the latest information and downloads Int...

Page 71: ...holes in the software that would have been patched if the update was installed How to stay safe Perform any and all software updates as soon as they are available Keep a lookout for fake or phishing emails Beware of emails that appear to be from a friend or business colleague that you know but seem a little odd Maybe they didn t capitalize your name or there are misspellings The email might be fro...

Page 72: ...ecific decryption key Once the ransomware installs itself it will display a warning message that the computer is now locked The user is given a specific amount of money to pay as a fine and a timeframe in which to pay Even if paid the criminal might choose to not unencrypt the files anyway What to do if you re infected Avoid getting infected in the first place by staying protected with internet se...

Page 73: ...Security and think you may have a virus contact Norton s on call technicians to help eliminate the virus Take special precautions when using public Wi Fi Public Wi Fi is available just about everywhere from the local coffee shop to the hotels and airports you visit while traveling While public Wi Fi has made our lives a little easier it also poses security risks to the personal information availab...

Page 74: ... software on your devices to help protect yourself from the latest threats Protect your computer with Windows security tools Windows provides a variety of protection applications Windows Updates If you have an active internet connection Windows can check for important updates for your computer and install them automatically These updates include security patches and program updates that can improv...

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