atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums Computers & Programming Computers, Software, Accessories Acer Aspire 3000 Laptop

Ok - ignorant question, but it's driving my crazy...

My Aspire 3000 laptop has the built in Fn keys that control various settings, including Volume. My volume bar indicator that shows up along the bottom when I adjust settings has disappeared and the Fn + F1 Help does not work, so I can't figure out how to to get it back on.

Anyone know?

Not sure about Acer laptops, but in Windows you can go to Start, Settings, Control Panel, Sounds and Audio Devices Properties. Under the Volume tab, check the box that says "Place volume icon in the taskbar"

This will place a speaker icon in the system tray(next to clock).

there should also be some keys on your keypad that allow you to adjust volume and mute using the "Fn" button.

Jon,

I can get that... I have it up. The one I'm talking about is like the volume bar on the bottom of your TV screen. It's just a bar that gets shorter or longer depending on your setting.

I am also able to adjust my settings using the Fn keys, but I can only tell where I'm at by the actual sound output.

It seems silly, but I like the visual indicator.

Thank you so much for your quick reply, though!

Stacey

you could try and re-install the drivers for the function keys.

Keyboard driver checked fine. Is there a separate driver for Fn keys, and if so, where would I find that? I do not have the original CD's or documentation.

look in control panel and see if there is a configuration icon for you laptop

when I go to control panel I get one "thinkpad configuration" for my thinkpad that lets me set that type of thing up

maybe yours does the same

No such luck, Skip. I was hoping though! Thanks for the try.

The built-in keys are not windows-aware. They are part of the BIOS. During a hard reboot (no hibernation wake-up) press Del or F2 or whatever is the hotkey to enter the BIOS. There might be some settings that control the appearance of the Fn key items.

There is an Acer-specific config utility like skip's talking about, but I don't think there's anything in it for the Fn keys. I'll check my wife's Acer at home.

Thanks, Rob. In the meantime I'll give your advice a try.

Stacy, are you talking about the slide bar in the media player application (Windows Media Player or other)?

If so, that would probably be a preference setting or option to show/hide this feature, or perhaps a full screen mode setting.

I know exactly what you're going thru, I've got the same laptop and mine does the same thing. It's more of a pain the the buttocks than anything else so I haven't researched it much. I also have the problem when toggling the screen with the external video, it used to pop up a Acer specific graphic to show where the video was being sent, no more!

Jim... you have the issue EXACTLY. The Fn keys function, but the visual display of that functionality disappeared. It seems like it should be a simple preference option, but I cannot for the LIFE of me find where it's hiding.

Hmmmm. Come to think of it, I suppose this would be an Acer option since it works with the function keys. Looks like that model should come with Acer eManager. Have you checked there?

I push the eManager shortcut key, and it goes nowhere. And of course without the visuals working, I have no idea what it's even thinking when I push that. Is there another way to get there?

Got to be a software program loaded on the laptop. I'd look under "C:\program Files\Acer" or something similar.

Steve,

The frustrating thing is that almost all core programming is pushed out from the server, so while I do have an Acer folder, the only subfolder is eRecovery which is not operational anyway. As a last resort I can try to get the Data Service Department here to look at - I just didn't want to bother them with such a small thing. We only have a few Acer's here, so I know it's not something they have an instant answer for. (Really... I just didn't want to look ignorant. *blush*)

I finally checked my wife's Aspire. No Acer tools that specifically configure the Fn keys. Did not get a chance to actually enter the BIOS though.

Thanks, Rob. I'm still working on it too.

Download Acer's eManager from their website, uninstall the existing version, restart, then install the one you downloaded.

If that doesn't work, go to plan BFH (Big Friendly Hammer).

:rofl: Thanks, Joe. I'll have to wait until Monday on that now, but I never did get it up and working. I appreciate you're still considering my situation!

It appears as though nobody has found a definite answer to this so I'll post mine.

I have an Acer Aspire 3500, lost my green screen indicators as well...and for no apparent reason. Nothing major, but annoying.

The trick that worked for me is to Download and re-install Acer's Launch Manager from the Acer Downloads site. As soon as I rebooted everything was back to normal.

Fn UP and DN --- and my green volume bar zips across the screen.

Good Luck All.

Thanks Gary. I'll try that. I gave up and downloaded an add-in for my volume indicator, but it's not as nice and neat.

Hi! I have found a solution for you.

Launch Manager utility from Acer must be installed.
You need to edit registry key
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Compal\LManager\Settings\TaskBar Icon
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Compal\LManager\Settings\TaskBar Icon in 64-bit version
Change "Support OnScreenDisplay MenuItem" 0 to 1

This will give access to new right-click menu on Launch Manager icon in task bar =)

Also you can change "Show All Volume OSD" at Compal\LManager\Settings as well as nearly all messages, colors etc

Have a good day =)

Oh, and in previous versions of Launch Manager its
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Quanta\QtZgAcer\Settings,

there is a "Show Volume OSD By Key Pressed", and it should be 1...
https://www.notebookforums.com/thread196191.html

Well, here's a long overdue update precipitated by my need to use this laptop with a projector in order to train on the installation and use of HUD.

Long story short - it was the Launch Manager as Gary said. There was no need to adjust the registry once the Launch Manager was simply installed again. I'm not sure where it went or what happened with that, but in the end it was a painless fix.

Thanks to all who looked into this for me!