Using the Keyboard. Acer 1680

Using the Keyboard

The keyboard has full-sized keys and an embedded keypad, separate cursor keys, two Windows keys and twelve function keys.

Lock Keys

The keyboard has three lock keys which you can toggle on and off.

Lock Key

Caps Lock

Num lock

(Fn-F11)

Scroll lock

(Fn-F12)

Description

When Caps Lock is on, all alphabetic characters typed are in uppercase.

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.

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.

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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.

Desired Access

Number keys on embedded keypad

Cursor-control keys on embedded keypad

Main keyboard keys

Num Lock On

Type numbers in a normal manner.

Hold j while using cursor-control keys.

Hold Fn while typing letters on embedded keypad.

Num Lock Off

Hold Fn while using cursorcontrol keys.

Type the letters in a normal manner.

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Windows Keys

The keyboard has two keys that perform Windows-specific functions.

Key

Windows key

Application key

Icon Description

Pressed 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 function:

+ Tab (Activates next taskbar button)

+ E (Explores My Computer)

+ F1 (Opens Help and Support)

+ F (Opens the Find: All Files dialog box

+ M (Minimizes all windows) j + + M (Undoes the minimize all windows)

+ R (Displays the Run... dialog box)

This key has the same effect as clicking the right mouse button; it opens the application’s context menu.

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Hot Keys

The computer employs hot keys or key combinations to access most of the computer’s controls like sreen brightness, volume output and the BIOS utility.

To activate hot keys, press and hold the Fn key before pressing the other key in the hot key combination.

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Fn-F7

Fn-F8

Fn-w

Hot Key

Fn-F1

Fn-F2

Fn-F3

Fn-F4

Fn-F5

Fn-F6

Icon Function

Hot key help

Description

Displays help on hot keys.

Acer eSetting Launches the Acer eSetting in the Acer eManager set by the Acer Empowering key.

Acer ePowerManagement

Launches the Acer ePowerManagement in the Acer eManager set by the Acer Empowering key.

Sleep Puts the computer in Sleep mode.

Display toggle

Screen blank

Touchpad toggle

Switches display output between the display screen, external monitor (if connected) and both the display screen and external monitor.

Turns the display screen backlight off to save power.

Press any key to return.

Turns the internal touchpad on and off.

Speaker toggle Turns the speakers on and off.

Volume up Increases the speaker volume.

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Hot Key

Fn-y

Fn-x

Fn-z

Fn-Home

Fn-Pg Up

Icon Function

Volume down

Description

Decreases the speaker volume.

Brightness up Increases the screen brightness.

Brightness down Decreases the screen brightness

Play/Pause

Stop

Press to start playing the audio track or video file.

Press again to pause.

Press to stop playing the audio track or video file.

Fn-Pg Dn

Fn-End

Backwards

Forward

Press to skip backward to the previous track or video file and start playing.

Press to skip forward to the next track or video file.

Alt Gr-$

Alt Gr-Euro

US dollar

Euro

Types the US dollar sign.

Types the Euro symbol.

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Special Key

You can locate the Euro symbol and US dollar sign at the upper-center and/or bottom-right of your keyboard.

To type:

The Euro symbol

1.

Open a text editor or word processor.

2.

Either directly press the Euro symbol at the bottom-right of the keyboard, or hold Alt Gr and then press the Euro symbol at the upper-center of the keyboard.

The US dollar sign

1.

Open a text editor or word processor.

2.

Either directly press the dollar sign at the bottom-right of the keyboard, or hold Alt Gr and then press the

dollar sign at the upper-center of the keyboard.

NOTE: This function varies by the operating system version.

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Launch Keys

Located at the upper-right above the keyboard are four buttons. These buttons are called launch keys. They are designated as the mail, Web browser, Empowering and programmable keys.

Press the Acer Empowering Key to run the Acer EManager. The mail and Web browser are default for Email and Internet programs, but can be reset by users. To set the mail, Web browser and programmable keys, run the acer Launch Manager.

e

P

Mail

Launch Key

Web browser

Default application

Email application (user-programmable)

Internet browser application (user programmable)

Acer eManager application (userprogrammable)

User-programmable

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In addition, there are two launch keys at the front panel. Even when the cover is closed, you can easily access the features of Wireless and Bluetooth

®

. However, the Wireless and Bluetooth keys cannot be set by users.

Description

Bluetooth

® communications

Default application

Lights to indicate the status of Bluetooth

(optional) communications.

Wireless communications

Lights to indicate the status of wireless LAN

(optional) communications.

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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 palmrest provides optimum comfort and support.

NOTE: If you are using an external USB or serial mouse, you can press Fn-F7 to disable the touchpad.

Touchpad Basics

The following teaches you how to use the touchpad:

T

T

T

Move your finger across the touchpad to move the cursor.

Press the left (1) and right (3) 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.

Use the 4-way scroll (2) button (top/bottom/left/and right) to scroll.

Function

Execute

Select

Drag

Access context menu

Scroll

Left Button

Click twice quickly

Click once

Click and hold, then use finger to drag the cursor on the touchpad

Right Button

Click once

Scroll Button

Click and hold the button in the desired direction (up/ down/left/right)

Tap

Tap twice (at the same speed as double-clicking the mouse button)

Tap once

Tap 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

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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.

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