Helpful Tech Tips

Acer Self-Help Guide

Trackpad problems:

  • Use Fn+F7 to disable the trackpad, then hit these keys again to re-enable it. This often stops a spastic trackpad. If the problem is persistent, the laptop will need to go to the Tech Team.

  • Clean trackpad with a microfiber cloth to remove greasy fingerprints.

Sound Problems

● Use Fn+ up and down arrow keys to increase and decrease volume.

● Use FN+F8 to mute/restore.

● You can also change the volume in the top right hand corner of the screen by clicking on the sound symbol and adjusting the sliding scale.

Screen Brightness

  • Use FN+ left and right arrow keys to change brightness.

Wireless problems:

● RESET COMPUTER (see below under ' restore to factory settings'). It should be using the LVUSD Devices network at school.

Machine Not Behaving Properly​

Screen freezing, applications not loading, wireless won’t connect, and all of the above issues can be solved:

  • Reset Laptop to factory settings (see below).

Restore to Factory Settings:

  • If the machine is already off, press the power button to turn it on. If it is running, press the power button and choose "Restart" from the menu that appears.

  • Immediately after you see the system's splash screen the screen will go black and you will see a 3 second countdown timer - press ESC during those 3 seconds to enter the boot menu. Be prepared- you will only have 3 seconds to press the ESC key. Alternately, you can just tap the escape rapidly as it is booting to get into the correct menu.

  • When the menu pops up, arrow down to "Restore Factory Settings"

  • After a few moments, you will see two options.

  • To preserve your files, choose Option 1. Type 1 ENTER.

  • To wipe all files, choose Option 2. Type 2 ENTER, yes ENTER to complete the restore process.

  • When it reboots, if it asks for a password, type password.


Security Boot Fail:

Temporary fix (for more permanent fix on laptops dated 2019, it will need to be updated at the DO):

  • Tap power button to restart, tap F2 quickly over and over during restart (before the green Acer logo appears)

  • Arrow over to Security, hit ENTER.

  • Type 1 <ENTER>, 1 <ENTER>, <ENTER>

  • Use Arrow keys to go to "Boot" menu <ENTER>

  • Arrow to "Disable" <ENTER>

  • Arrow over to "Security" <ENTER>

  • Type 1 <ENTER>, <ENTER>, <ENTER>

  • F10 to save, then <ENTER>


Need an appointment?

Click the Tech Support button

to make an appointment!

General Help

Add a Google Shortcut:

To make accessing frequent sites easy:

  • Open a new tab in Google Chrome

  • Click "Add Shortcut"

  • Name it and paste the url

Add a Bookmark:

To bookmark a page:

  • From Google Chrome, left click on the star at the end of the search bar on the top of the page

  • A box will appear that says "Bookmark Added."

  • Left click on "Done" and your bookmark will be added beneath the search bar


Download Zoom App:

Some of the zoom apps on the Acers are missing or outdated but here are instructions:

  • Open Google Chrome

  • In the search window, type "Zoom app download"

  • Click on the first website "Download Center - Zoom"

  • In the pull down menu next to Linux Type, select "Ubuntu"

  • Click the Big Blue "download" button

  • At the bottom of your window there will be a warning that says, "This type of file can harm...". Click "KEEP"

  • Click on the icon at the bottom of the window of your download (a brown file labeled "zoom_amd64.deb". The download will begin.

  • *If you get a window that pops up saying "Could not download all repository indexes" then this MAY not work

  • *If you wait and another window pops up after about 20-30 seconds that says "Zoom - Install" then you can click the "Install" button.

  • Once installed, click on the waffle on the bottom of your computer screen and type "zoom."

  • The app should appear. Press and hold the icon while you drag it down to the bottom menu on your computer screen to create a shortcut.