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>
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.