Acer AN515-46, User Manual

Page 1: ...USER SMANUAL ...

Page 2: ...is manual 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 ...

Page 3: ...onitoring 45 NitroSense and Acer TrueHarmonyTM settings 46 Planet9 website 47 Adjusting the keyboard backlight 48 Static lighting 48 Dynamic lighting 48 Bluelight Shield 49 Securing your computer 51 Using a computer security lock 51 Using passwords 51 Entering passwords 52 BIOS utility 53 Boot sequence 53 Setting passwords 53 Power management 54 Saving power 54 Battery pack 56 Battery characterist...

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: ...s and troubleshooting Once you have connected to the internet 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 utilit...

Page 6: ...select Power Sleep Right click the Windows Start button Shut down or sign out Sleep Taking care of your computer Your computer will serve you well if you take care of it Only use the adapter provided with your device or an Acer approved adapter to power your 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 te...

Page 7: ... the power cord and any cables away from where people walk When unplugging the power cord do not pull on the cord itself but pull on the plug The 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 Cleanin...

Page 8: ...emperatures can cause battery deformation or damage The charging 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...

Page 9: ...ronment Do not put store or leave your product in or near a heat source in a high temperature location in strong direct sunlight in a microwave oven or in a pressurized container and do not expose it to temperatures over 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 ...

Page 10: ...xample when you carry a spare battery in your pocket or purse Short circuiting the terminals may damage the battery or the connecting object The capacity and lifetime of the battery will be reduced if the battery is left in hot or cold places such as in a closed car in summer or 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 wo...

Page 11: ...nal battery Do not attempt to replace a built in rechargeable battery battery replacement must be done by an Acer authorized repair facility Recharge the battery by following the instruction included in the product documentation ...

Page 12: ...e Setup Guide let us show you around your new Acer computer Screen view Icon Item Description 1 Microphones Internal digital microphones for sound recording 2 Webcam Web camera for video communication A light next to the webcam indicates that the webcam is active 3 Screen Displays computer output 2 3 1 ...

Page 13: ...r notebook tour 13 Keyboard view AN515 46 AN515 47 AN515 58 AN517 42 AN517 43 AN517 55 Icon Item Description 1 Keyboard For entering data into your computer See Using the keyboard on page 20 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 ...

Page 14: ...firmly on the touchpad surface to perform a left click Press down firmly on the lower right corner to perform a right click 3 NitroSense key Launches NitroSense application 4 Power button Turns the computer on and off 5 Ventilation and cooling fan Allows the computer to stay cool Do not cover or obstruct the openings Icon Item Description ...

Page 15: ...peed USB Icon Item Description 1 Kensington lock slot Connects to a Kensington compatible security lock 2 Ventilation and cooling fan Allows the computer to stay cool Do not cover or obstruct the openings 3 Ethernet RJ 45 port Connects to an Ethernet 10 100 1000 based network Pull the lip down to open the port fully 4 USB port Connects to USB devices 5 Headset speaker jack Connects to audio device...

Page 16: ...ication SuperSpeed USB Icon Item Description 1 Battery indicator Indicates the computer s battery status Amber when the battery is charging Blue when fully charged with the AC adapter plugged in Power indicator Indicates the computer s power status 2 USB port with power off charging Connects to USB devices 3 USB port Connects to USB devices 4 Ventilation and cooling fan Allows the computer to stay...

Page 17: ...Your Acer notebook tour 17 Rear view AN515 46 AN515 47 AN517 42 AN517 43 AN515 58 AN517 55 Icon Item Description 1 DC in jack Connects to an AC adapter 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 4 ...

Page 18: ...ting it is connected Then check the light of battery indicator shows amber while charging 2 USB Type C port with DC in USB 3 2 4 AN515 46_47 AN517 42_43 Connects to the provided USB Type C power adapter and to USB devices with a USB Type C connector Supports DisplayPort over USB C USB Type C Thunderbolt 4 port AN515 58 AN517 55 Connects to USB devices with a USB Type C connector Supports Thunderbo...

Page 19: ...ower adapter or USB Power Delivery device Base view Note Specifications vary depending on model or Operating System Icon Item Description 1 Ventilation and cooling fan Allows the computer to stay cool Do not cover or obstruct the openings 2 Speakers Deliver stereo audio output 1 2 ...

Page 20: ...Caps Lock is on all alphabetic characters typed are in uppercase Hotkey Icon Function Description Fn F2 Touchpad toggle Turns the built in touchpad on and off Fn F3 Flight mode Turns on off the computer s network devices Fn F4 Sleep Puts the computer in Sleep mode Fn F5 Display toggle Switches display output between the display screen external monitor if connected and both Fn F6 Display off Turns ...

Page 21: ...r Lk Scroll Lock Turns Scroll Lock on or off Fn 7 Home Home Scrolls to the beginning of a document Fn 1 End End Scrolls to the end of a document Fn 9 Pg Up Page up Scrolls the page up Fn 3 Pg Dn Page down Scrolls the page down Fn Brightness up Increases the screen brightness Fn Brightness down Decreases the screen brightness Fn Volume up Increases the sound volume Fn Volume down Decreases the soun...

Page 22: ...etween running applications and add the virtual desktop Widgets Provides the weather news stocks and sports information Settings Changes the apps settings for your computer Power Shut down sleep or restart your computer Quick settings Displays the situation of network connection battery level and sound setting You can toggle quick actions to instantly adjust or open settings Notification Displays ...

Page 23: ...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 24: ... down to minimize all open windows and show Desktop swipe upwards to restore the minimized windows Swipe right to switch between open windows Four finger press Lightly tap the touchpad with four fingers to open the Notifications and Calendar 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 win...

Page 25: ... 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 26: ...iles data or create a factory default backup If you cannot access Acer Care Center click Settings in the Start menu select System Recovery Creating a file history backup Recovery Management allows you to quickly and easily back up your files and restore 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 Backup ta...

Page 27: ...Recovery 27 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 28: ...28 Recovery 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 29: ... 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 30: ...30 Recovery 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 31: ... 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 32: ...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 33: ...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 34: ...34 Recovery 3 Click Reset PC to Choose an option 4 Select Remove everything to reset your PC back to its factory default ...

Page 35: ...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 36: ...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 37: ...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 38: ...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 39: ...eless LAN A wireless LAN or WLAN is a wireless local 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 y...

Page 40: ... a note 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 4 You will see a list of available wireless networks Select the one you wish to use Note Please refer to your ISP or router documentatio...

Page 41: ...a wireless network select Connect 6 If required enter the network s password Connecting with a cable Built in network feature If your computer has a network port plug one end of a network cable into the network port on your computer and the other end ...

Page 42: ...42 Connecting to the Internet into a port on your router refer to the image below Then you ll be ready to get online ...

Page 43: ... immersive experience The NitroSense main screen The main screen gives you a one glance overview of your computer s current status including the fan speeds operation modes component temperature loading performance and more The screen provides options for each function to increase performance Note Function varies depending on configuration Note The temperatures listed may vary depending on your com...

Page 44: ...y adjust the performance of the fans cooling your computer s CPU and GPU Three levels are available Auto default Max and Custom If you select Custom then you will see two sliders that allow you to set CPU and GPU cooling independently ...

Page 45: ...and Performance to adjust GPU CPU efficiency and fan speed Monitoring Provide temperature and loading for CPU and GPU As UI launches each part starts to record once and keeps history for one hour Hover on the bar to show information for the time Note If the AC adapter is disconnected or if the battery charge is lower than 40 operating mode options will be disabled ...

Page 46: ...y keys or Windows and menu key Display temperature can also be changed by Temperature units Enable Discrete GPU only can let you get a better experience in game You can set LCD Overdrive which boosts the screen response times in 3 millisecond If Backlight off after 30 seconds is turned on keyboard backlight will automatically turn off with no action ...

Page 47: ...ifferent audio experience you can click Acer TrueHarmonyTM icon to adjust the audio mode Planet9 website Click the Planet9 icon and select Join Now to connect the Planet9 website Note Function varies depending on configuration ...

Page 48: ...eyboard backlight is divided into four zones which you can turn on or off independently In each zone you can choose a custom color from the color square Click the slider under each zone to turn the backlight on or off for that zone Dynamic lighting Select Dynamic to see a set of animated light effects Each effect provides an animation for the backlight colors which either repeats a pattern ...

Page 49: ... 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 50: ...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 51: ...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 53 User Password secures your computer against unauthorized use Combine the use of this password with password ...

Page 52: ...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 53: ...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 54: ...ower DisableFaststartup 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 S...

Page 55: ...Power management 55 3 Select Change settings that are currently unavailable 4 Scroll down and disable Turn on fast startup 5 Select Save changes ...

Page 56: ... Plug the AC adapter into the computer and connect to a mains power outlet Conditioninganewbatterypack 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 ...

Page 57: ...y the faster it will reach the end of its effective 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 reservin...

Page 58: ...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 59: ...u When you are just moving within short distances you probably do not need to bring anything with you other than your computer If your battery is not fully charged you may want to bring the AC adapter with you to plug in your computer If you cannot 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 whene...

Page 60: ...In this section you will find Information on the ports and connectors fitted to your computer Ports and connectors ...

Page 61: ...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 62: ... 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 63: ...splay with can be connected to a single Thunderbolt 4 port If an adapter is used DisplayPort or compatible devices including HDMI DVI or VGA can be used Note Thunderbolt 4 ports support transfer speeds up to 40 Gbps and USB devices with a Type C connector at lower speeds typically up to 5 Gbps Other USB or older Thunderbolt devices with a USB Type C connector or adapter are supported but transfer ...

Page 64: ...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 65: ...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 66: ...question In this section you will find Frequently asked questions Tips for using Windows Troubleshooting information How to protect yourself while online Where to find Acer service center contact information ...

Page 67: ...d 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 Nothingappearsonthescreen The computer s power management system automatically blanks the screen to save power Press any key to turn the display ...

Page 68: ...the computer If it works contact your dealer or an authorized service center as the internal keyboard cable may be loose Theprinterdoesnotwork 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 Iwanttorestoremycomputertoitsoriginalsettings This recovery pro...

Page 69: ...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 of purchase 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 Beforeyoucall Please have the following inf...

Page 70: ...70 Frequently asked questions You are required to provide the following information Name Address Telephone number Machine and model type Serial number Date of purchase ...

Page 71: ...e 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 Lock screen From here you can Select a background image for the lock screen Turn the Slideshow on or off Select lock screen apps HowdoIsetupthelockscreenslideshow 1 Press the Wi...

Page 72: ...veatilefromStart Right click a tile to select it and select Unpin from Start to remove the tile from Start HowdoImakeanappappearonmytaskbar 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 HowdoIinstallapps You will need to have a Microsoft ID to purchase and download apps from Microsoft Store What is a Microsoft ID acco...

Page 73: ...n in to using a Microsoft ID How do I check for Windows updates Press the Windows key or select the Windows Start button Settings Windows Update Select Advanced options to configure the settings Where can I get more information For more information please visit the following pages Windows OS information support microsoft com Windows Support FAQs support acer com ...

Page 74: ...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 Corrective action CMOS battery bad Contact your dealer or an authorized service center CMOS checksum ...

Page 75: ...r dealer or an authorized service center I 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 m...

Page 76: ...ion tools To accomplish these steps you should first select an Internet 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 inte...

Page 77: ...es unavailable in rural areas Connection speeds vary depending on your location but DSL generally provides very fast and reliable internet connection As the connection is always on it is generally charged at fixed monthly rates Cable A cable connection provides fast and always on internet service via a cable television line This service is generally available in large cities You can use your telep...

Page 78: ...computers without using wires Setting up a wireless network is easy and allows you to share files peripheral devices and an internet connection Whatarebenefitsofawirelessnetwork Mobility Wireless LAN systems allow 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 oth...

Page 79: ...ess point router for detailed setup instructions Networkcable RJ45 A network cable also called RJ45 cable is used to connect the host computer to the access point see illustration below this type of cable may also be used to connect peripheral devices to the access point Wirelessadapter Most computers feature a wireless module and Wi Fi button that turns the network connection on or off You may al...

Page 80: ...ww acer com is your portal to a world of online activities and services visit us regularly for the latest information and downloads Internet security software To help you stay ahead of cybercriminals Acer has partnered with Norton to offer you security for all your devices SelectAcercomputersincludeprotectionbyNortonSecurity Norton Security is pre installed on select Acer computers protecting your...

Page 81: ... sending them your credit card number social security number or logging into a fake bank website that looks like yours but really isn t How to stay safe Use a strong antispam filter If an email looks strange don t click on anything and delete it immediately Instead manually launch a browser and type in your bank s website address and log in yourself Don tbefooledifsomeonecallsyourphone A tech supp...

Page 82: ...he first place by staying protected with internet security software like Norton Security Also perform regular backups of all your data either online or to a separate external hard drive that is only attached to your computer while performing the backup Ransomware has been known to lock access to external hard drives attached to the computer If you are infected with ransomware think twice before yo...

Page 83: ... virus TakespecialprecautionswhenusingpublicWi 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 available on our laptops and smartphones A virtual private network VPN gives you online privacy and anonymity b...

Page 84: ...rity software on your devices to help protect yourself from the latest threats ProtectyourcomputerwithWindowssecuritytools Windows provides a variety of protection applications WindowsUpdates 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 improve y...