Acer TravelMate 5600: Using the keyboard

25

English

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.

Lock key Description

Caps Lock When Caps Lock is on, all alphabetic characters typed are

in uppercase.

Num Lock When Num Lock is on, the right hand side numeric keypad is

in numeric mode. The keys function as a calculator (complete

with the arithmetic operators +, -, *, and /). When Num Lock

is off, the keys assume cursor and other shortcut functions.

Scroll Lock

When Scroll Lock is on, the screen moves one line up or down

<Fn> + <F12>

when you press the up or down arrow keys respectively.

Scroll Lock does not work with some applications.

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 Num Lock on Num Lock off

Number keys on

Type numbers in a normal

embedded keypad

manner.

Cursor-control keys

Hold <Shift> while using

Hold <Fn> while using

on embedded keypad

cursor-control keys.

cursor-control keys.

Main keyboard keys Hold <Fn> while typing

Type the letters in a

letters on embedded keypad.

normal manner.

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Windows keys

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

English

Key Description

Windows key 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 functions:

< > + <Tab>: Activates the next Taskbar button.

< > + <E>: Opens the My Computer window.

< > + <F1>: Opens Help and Support Center.

< > + <F>: Opens the Search Results window.

<> + <R>: Opens the Run dialog box.

< > + <M>: Minimizes all windows.

<Shift> + < > + <M>: Undoes the minimize all

windows action.

Application

This key has the same effect as clicking the right mouse

key

button; it opens the application's context menu.

Hotkeys

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 hotkeys, press and hold the <Fn> key before pressing the other key

in the hotkey combination.

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English

Hotkey Icon Function Description

<Fn> + <F1> Hotkey help Displays help on hotkeys.

<Fn> + <F2> Acer eSettings Launches Acer eSettings in Acer

Empowering Technology. See

"Acer Empowering

Technology" on page 1.

<Fn> + <F3> Acer ePower

Launches Acer ePower

Management

Management in Acer

Empowering Technology. See

"Acer Empowering

Technology" on page 1.

<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> Screen blank Turns the display screen

backlight off to save power.

Press any key to return.

<Fn> + <F7> Touchpad toggle Turns the internal touchpad on

and off.

<Fn> + <F8> Speaker toggle Turns the speakers on and off.

<Fn> + <↑> Volume up Increases the sound volume.

<Fn> + <↓> Volume down Decreases the sound volume.

<Fn> + <→> Brightness up Increases the screen brightness.

<Fn> + <

←

> Brightness down Decreases the screen brightness.

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Special keys

You can locate the Euro symbol and the US dollar sign at the upper-center

and/or bottom-right of your keyboard.

English

The Euro symbol

1 Open a text editor or word processor.

2 Either press < > at the bottom-right of the keyboard, or hold <Alt Gr>

and then press the <5> 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 <Shift>

and then press the <4> key at the upper-center of the keyboard.

Note: This function varies according to the language settings.