Frequently asked questions. Acer SF315-41G, SF315-51, SF315-51G, SF315-41

58 - Frequently asked questions

F

REQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The following is a list of possible situations that may arise during the use of your computer. Easy solutions are provided for each one.

I turned on the power, but the computer does not start or boot up.

Check if power is being supplied to the computer (if your computer has a power indicator, it will be off); if there is no power, check the following:

• If you are using on the battery, it may be low and unable to power the computer. Connect the AC adapter to recharge the battery pack.

You may need to wait a few minutes before trying to turn your computer on again.

• Make sure that the AC adapter is properly plugged into the computer and to the power outlet.

If power 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 display back on, three things might be the cause:

• The brightness level might be too low. Use the Brightness up hotkey to adjust the brightness level.

• The display device might be set to an external monitor. Press the display toggle hotkey to toggle the display back to the computer.

• The computer may be in Sleep or Hibernate mode (if there is a power LED, it will flash). Press and release the power button to resume.

No audio is heard from the computer.

Check the following:

• The volume may be muted. Look at the volume control (speaker)

Frequently asked questions - 59 icon in the taskbar. If it is crossed-out, click the icon and drag the slider to the right to increase the volume.

• The volume level may be too low. Check the volume from the volume control (speaker) icon in the taskbar. You can also use the volume control hotkeys to adjust the volume.

• If headphones, earphones or external speakers are connected to the headphone jack on the computer, the internal speakers automatically turn off.

The keyboard does not respond.

Try attaching an external keyboard to a USB port on the computer. If it works, contact your dealer or an authorized service center as the internal keyboard cable may be loose.

The printer does not work.

• Make sure that 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.

Note

If your system is the multilingual version, the operating system and language you choose when you first turn on the system will be the only option for future recovery operations.

This recovery process helps you restore the C: drive with the original software content that is installed when you purchased your computer.

Warning

Your C: drive will be reformatted and all data will be erased. It is important to back up all data files before using this option.

Before performing a restore operation, please check the BIOS settings.

1. If there is a D2D Recovery setting in Main , make sure it is Enabled .

2. Exit the BIOS utility and save changes. The system will reboot.

60 - Frequently asked questions

Note

To access the BIOS utility, press F2 when you see the Acer logo during boot up.

For more information,

see Restoring your computer on page 22

.

Requesting service

International Travelers Warranty (ITW)

Your computer is backed by an International Travelers Warranty

(ITW) that gives you security and peace of mind when traveling. An

ITW passport came with your computer and contains all you need to know about the ITW program. A list of available, authorized service centers is in this handy booklet. Read this passport thoroughly.

Always have your ITW passport on hand, especially when you travel, to receive the benefits from our support centers. Attach your proof-ofpurchase to 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 and help solve your problems efficiently. If there are error messages or beeps reported by your computer, write them down as they appear on the screen (or the number and sequence in the case of beeps).

You are required to provide the following information:

Name:

Address:

Telephone number:

Machine and model type:

Serial number:

Date of purchase:

Frequently ask

Frequently asked questions - 61

Tips and hints for using Windows 10

We know this is a new operating system that will take some getting used to, so we've created a few pointers to help you get started.

How do I get to Start ?

Press the Windows key or select the Windows Start button on the lower left-hand corner of the screen.

Where’s the Start button?

The Start button will appear in the desktop taskbar. Selecting it will open Start where you can launch apps.

How do I see all of my apps?

Press the Windows key or select the Windows Start button and select

All apps to show a list of installed apps on the computer.

How do I turn off my computer?

Press the Windows key or select the Windows Start button and select the power icon > Shut down . You can also turn off the computer by right-clicking the Windows Start button > Shut down or sign out >

Shut down .

Can I turn off notifications?

You can turn off notifications so that you can leave your computer running, but not be disturbed by notifications.

Press the Windows key or select the Windows Start button and select

Settings > System > Notifications & actions . From here you can enable/disable notifications for all of your apps or choose which apps to enable/disable.

How do I unlock my computer?

Press the space bar and select a user account icon to unlock the computer. If your account has a password set, you will need to enter the password to continue.

62 - Frequently asked questions

Can I personalize the Lock screen?

You can personalize the lock screen with a different image, to run a slideshow of images, or to show you quick status and notifications to suit your personal needs.

To change the background, press the Windows key or select the

Windows Start button and select Settings > Personalization . From here you can:

• Select a background image for the lock screen

• Turn the Slide show on or off

• Select lock screen apps.

How do I set up the lock screen slideshow?

1. Press the Windows key or select the Windows Start button and select Settings > Personalization .

2. Under Lock screen, select Slideshow .

3. Select Add a folder and open the folder you wish to use (your

Pictures folder will open by default). Select Choose this folder to add the folder to the lock screen slideshow.

4. Select a folder and select Remove to remove the folder from the lock screen slideshow.

5. Change the other settings to suit your needs.

How do I move tiles?

Select a tile and drag it to the place on Start that you want it to appear. Other tiles will be moved to accommodate the tile in its new location.

Can I arrange tiles in groups?

Yes, you can. Select an existing tile and drag the tile to arrange Start to your liking. Right-click on an app and select Pin to Start to create a new group on Start . From here, you can drag the tile to an existing group on Start . You can give the group(s) a name and arrange the tiles within the groups to suit your needs.

Can I make tiles bigger or smaller?

Yes, you can. Right-click on a tile and select Resize . Select a size from the menu that appears.

Frequently asked questions - 63

Can I change the screen resolution?

Yes, you can. Move your cursor to the lower left-hand corner of the screen and type 'Resolution' in the text box to display the results; select

Change the resolution of the display . Alternatively, you can also right-click anywhere on the desktop and select Display settings >

Display .

How do I set the alarm?

Your computer can act as an alarm clock. Type ’Alarms’ to search for the Alarms & Clock app.

1. Select an alarm from the list, or select the + in the lower-right corner to create a new alarm.

2. Enter the Alarm name .

3. Set the time by choosing the hour and minute.

4. Select AM or PM.

5. Choose which days the alarm should go off.

6. Select the sound notification.

7. Select the snooze time.

8. Select the Save icon in the bottom right-hand corner to save the alarm.

64 - Frequently asked questions

9. Select On or Off to activate or deactivate the alarm.

Hour

Minutes

Save Delete

Note

The alarm will only sound if your computer is awake at the set time.

Where are my apps?

Move your cursor to the lower left-hand corner of the screen and select Search , start typing the name of the app you would like to open.

How do I make an app appear on Start?

If you're in All apps and you want to make an app appear on Start , right-click an app and select Pin to Start .

How do I remove a tile from Start?

Right-click a tile to select it and select Unpin from Start to remove the tile from Start .

How do I make an app appear on my taskbar?

If you're in All apps and you want to make an app appear on the taskbar, right-click an app or tile and select More > Pin to taskbar .

Frequently asked questions - 65

How do I install apps?

You can download Windows Store apps from Store . You will need to have a Microsoft ID to purchase and download apps from Store .

I can't find apps like Notepad and Paint! Where are they?

Move your cursor to the lower left-hand corner of the screen and select Search . Type the name of the app you would like to open.

Alternatively, open All apps and scroll to ’Windows Accessories’ to see the list of legacy programs.

What is a Microsoft ID (account)?

A Microsoft account is an email address and password that you use to sign in to Windows. You can use any email address, but it is best if you choose the one you already use to communicate with friends and sign in to your favorite websites. When you sign in to your PC with a

Microsoft account, you'll connect your PC to the people, files, and devices you care about.

Do I need one?

You do not need a Microsoft ID to use Windows 10, but it makes life easier because you can sync data across different machines you sign in to using a Microsoft ID.

How do I get one?

If you've already installed Windows 10 and didn't sign in with a

Microsoft account or you don't have a Microsoft account and want to get one, press the Windows key or select the Windows Start button >

Settings > Accounts > Sign in with a Microsoft account instead , and follow the onscreen instructions.

How do I check for Windows updates?

Press the Windows key or select the Windows Start button > Settings

> Update & Security > Windows Update . Select Advanced options to configure the settings.

66 - Frequently asked questions

Where can I get more information?

For more information please visit the following pages:

• Windows 10 information: go.acer.com/windows-tutorial

• Support FAQs: support.acer.com

Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions - 67

Troubleshooting

This chapter shows you how to deal with common system problems.

Read it before calling a technician if a problem occurs. Solutions to more serious problems require opening up the computer. Do not attempt to open the computer yourself; contact your dealer or authorized service center for assistance.

Troubleshooting tips

This computer incorporates an advanced design that delivers onscreen error message reports to help you solve problems.

If the system reports an error message or an error symptom occurs, see "Error messages" below. If the problem cannot 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

CMOS battery bad

CMOS checksum error

Disk boot failure

Equipment configuration error

Hard disk 0 error

Hard disk 0 extended type error

I/O parity error

Corrective action

Contact your dealer or an authorized service center.

Contact your dealer or an authorized service center.

Insert a system (bootable) disk, then press

Enter to reboot.

Press F2 (during POST) to enter the BIOS utility, then press Exit in the BIOS utility to reboot.

Contact your dealer or an authorized service center.

Contact your dealer or an authorized service center.

Contact your dealer or an authorized service center.

68 - Frequently asked questions

Error messages

Keyboard error or no keyboard connected

Keyboard interface error

Memory size mismatch

Corrective action

Contact your dealer or an authorized service center.

Contact your dealer or an authorized service center.

Press F2 (during POST) to enter the BIOS utility, then press Exit in the BIOS utility to reboot.

If you still encounter problems after going through the corrective measures, please contact your dealer or an authorized service center for assistance.