Why is the system memory reporting in System Information less than 4GB with 4GB or more installed?

Why is the system memory reporting in System Information less than 4GB with 4GB or more installed?

This is a limitation of the 32 bit Operating System.
If a computer has 4 gigabytes (GB) of random-access memory (RAM) installed, the system memory  that is reported in the System Information dialog box is less than expected.
For example, the System Information dialog box may report 3,120 megabytes (MB) of system memory on a computer that has 4 GB of memory installed (4,096 MB).
Various devices in a typical computer require memory-mapped access.
This is known as memory-mapped I/O (MMIO). For the MMIO space to be available to 32-bit operating systems, the MMIO space must reside within the first 4 GB of address space.
To avoid potential driver compatibility issues, the 32-bit version of an operating system limits the total available memory.

If a computer has many installed devices, the available memory may be reduced to 3 GB or less.
However, the maximum memory available in 32-bit versions of Windows Vista is typically 3.12 GB.

How do I use the Acer Hardware Vendor Detection Utility to find the correct drivers for my computer?

You may have noticed that when downloading drivers from our support site that some drivers may have multiple versions from various vendors. Using the Acer Hardware Vendor Detection Utility, you can determine which driver version is correct for your computer.

To use this utility follow these steps:

1.    Open your web browser and go to Acer Product Support.

2.    Select your product.

3.    Click Select Your product By Model.

4.    On the new window, scroll and select your product line and model from the lists.

5.    Click Confirm once you have your product line and model selected.

6.    Click on the Download Hardware Vendor Detection Utility link at the top of the list of drivers.

7.    Click Run to download and install the utility.

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How can I restore my computer with the backup discs I created?

How can I restore my computer with the backup discs I created?

With user created backups you are able to restore your computer to the factory default settings. If backup discs were created instead of factory restore discs, these can be used instead and will restore the system to a user backup point.

1.    Ensure that the computer is completely shutdown, then turn on the computer.

2.    When the Acer splash screen appears, tap the Alt and F10 keys simultaneously. A screen stating "Starting Acer eRecovery" should appear.

3.    From the recovery options, choose Restore system from CD/DVD.

4.    Insert either the first Recovery or Backup disc that you created.

5.    From the on-screen options, choose a backup.

6.    Click OK and the installation will begin.

7.    Change the disc as necessary when prompted.

How do I create a set of backup recovery disks?

Your Acer computer includes eRecovery Management software that allows you to perform restore operations directly from your hard disk drive, allowing for a faster recovery process and no need for discs. eRecovery Management does, however, allow you to create recovery discs. The recovery discs will allow you to restore your computer should something happen to your hard disk drive.

Note: Depending on what Acer computer you have your version of eRecovery Management may look slightly different, but the option to create your discs will be available.

To create your backup recovery disks follow these steps:

1.    Click on the Start menu and click All Programs.

2.    In the program list click the Acer folder, then click the Acer eRecovery Management icon.

3.    Windows User Account Control may ask for your permission to run this program, click Yes.

4.    From the Acer eRecovery Management window on the left click Backup, then click Create Factory Default Disc.Note: If you are using a notebook or netbook you will be prompted to plug in your AC adapter, make sure the AC adapter is plugged in before proceeding and click OK.

5.    From the Create Factory Default Disc page select the drive you want to use for burning the recovery media, then click Start.

6.    The disc will be ejected whenever it has completed burning, if multiple discs are required insert a new disc when prompted and click OK.

The other option available is Create Drivers and Applications Disc. You can use this to create a backup disc to install specific drivers and applications without wiping out the entire operating system.

To create a Drivers and Applications Disc follow the below steps:

1.    Click Create Drivers and Applications Disc.

2.    From the Create Drivers and Applications Disc page select the drive you want to use for burning the recovery media, then click Start.

3.    The disc will be ejected whenever it has completed burning.

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How do I restore my computer using the eRecovery Management program?

How do I restore my computer using the eRecovery Management program?
 eRecovery Management program you have the option to restore your computer. Clicking restore will present you with 3 options.

The first option is Completely Restore System to Factory Defaults, which will completely erase your computer and reinstall Windows returning it to the same state it was when you turned your computer on for the first time.

The second option is Restore Operating System and Retain User Data, which is essentially the same process but the information stored in your user account folder will be saved. Acer still recommends backing up all other data if you choose to use this option.

The third option, Reinstall Drivers or Applications, is discussed in further detail below.

Note: Keep in mind that Windows recovery or an anti-virus program may solve an issue your having without having to completely reinstall windows.
To start your system restore follow the below steps:

1.    Click on the Start menu and click All Programs.

2.    In the program list click the Acer folder, then click the Acer eRecovery Management icon.

3.    Windows User Account Control may ask for your permission to run this program, click Yes.

4.    From the Acer eRecovery Management window on the left click Restore, then click Completely Restore System to Factory Defaults.

5.    On the Confirmation screen, select Yes and click Start

6.    Finally click OK to confirm restoration and then your computer will restart.

7.    After the computer restarts click Next if you agree to the notice on your screen.Note: The notice is informing you that all your data will be erased. If you have not backed up your data click Cancel now.

8.    Next you get a final confimation screen. Click Next, then click OK to start the recovery process.

9.    The recovery may take a while to finish. You will get a confirmation screen when it is finished.

10. Click OK to restart your computer.

When Windows restarts it will take a few minutes to complete the restore process and once finished it will restart your computer again. Windows will now begin a first time setup just as it did when you turned your computer on for the first time.

Once you fully load back into Windows it will complete the final steps of the recovery. A progress bar will let you know what step of the process it is on.
The third option is Reinstall Drivers or Applications. This will allow you to reinstall any application or driver that you may be having problems with that came installed on your computer without reinstalling Windows completely.

To reinstall a driver or application follow the below steps:

1.    Click on the Start menu and click All Programs.

2.    In the program list click the Acer folder, then click the Acer eRecovery Management icon.

3.    Windows User Account Control may ask for your permission to run this program, click Yes.

4.    From the Acer eRecovery Management window on the left click Restore, then click Reinstall Drivers or Applications.

5.    Select Contents.

6.    Choose the driver or application you wish to install.

7.    On the right, click the Install link and follow the prompts.

8.    The computer may restart when installation is complete. If it does not restart, manually shutdown and restart the computer

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How do I maintain and store my notebook battery?

Maintaining the battery:

The life span of a notebook battery is about 1.5 to 3 years, under normal conditions. As the battery begins to die, you need to recharge the battery more frequently because it cannot hold a full charge.

Do not expose the battery to high heat or freezing temperatures. Hot batteries discharge very quickly, and cold ones cannot create as much power. Short battery life is more likely to be caused by heat than by charge/discharge patterns. Keep the lithium-ion battery cool. For example, avoid a hot car.

Charge often, but try not to fully discharge the battery frequently. This only adds strain. Several partial discharges (regular use), with frequent recharges, are better for lithium-ion than one total discharge. Recharging a partially charged lithium-ion battery does not cause any harm because it has no memory.

Older batteries with fuel gauges should be recalibrated once every 30 charges. If ignored, the fuel gauge becomes increasingly less accurate.
Clean the gold or silver connector on the battery (the part of the battery that makes contact with the notebook) with alcohol or electronic contact cleaner. Cleaning helps maintain good contact, which improves the transfer of power from the battery to the notebook.

Storing the battery:

Do not charge up a battery, and then store it away. A stored battery should be used every three to four weeks. Let the battery fully discharge, then recharge to 40% if you plan to store it again. If you store a battery for longer than three to four weeks, the battery could fully discharge because the battery circuitry itself consumes power.

If you have a spare lithium-ion battery, use one exclusively and keep the other cool by placing it in the refrigerator. Make sure that it is wrapped protectively and that nothing will be dropped on it. Do not freeze the battery. Do not use old batteries. Avoid purchasing spare lithium-ion batteries and storing them for later use. Do not buy old stock, even if it is sold at clearance prices. While it makes sense to have 2 or 3 extra batteries, so that you always have a fresh one charged up and ready to go, if you buy batteries and store them for years, they may not work when you decide to use them.

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What can I do if my computer does not power on?

What can I do if my computer does not power on?

If your computer will not power on, below are a few steps you can follow to attempt to correct the issue.

If the computer will not power on:

       
Ensure that the power cord and/or AC adapter are plugged into the computer and that the connection is solid and not loose fitting.
For notebooks or netbooks, verify that the power cord is plugged into the AC adaptor completely.

If the power cord or AC adaptor is plugged into a surge protector, verify that the surge protector is powered on.

Attempt to use a different electrical outlet.

For desktops, check the voltage setting on the power supply (AC Adapters are auto switching).
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