Acer Aspire 1520 Service Guide

							12Chapter 1
Ke y b o a r d
The keyboard has full-sized keys and an embedded keypad, separate cursor keys, two Windows keys and 
twelve function keys.
Special keys
Lock keys
The keyboard has three lock keys which you can toggle on and off.
Lock keyDescription
Caps Lock
@
When @is on, all alphabetic characters typed are in uppercase.
Num Lock (Fn-F11)
]
When ] is on, the embedded keypad is in numeric mode. The keys function 
as a calculator (complete with the arithmetic operators ), -, *, and /). Use this mode 
when you need to do a lot of numeric data entry. A better solution would be to 
connect an external keypad.
Scroll Lock (Fn-F12)
[
When [ is on, the screen moves one line up or down when you press the up 
or down arrow keys respectively. 
[ does not work with some applications. 
						

							Chapter 113
Embedded numeric keypad
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 accessNum lock onNum lock off
Number keys on embedded 
keypadType numbers using embedded keypad in a 
normal manner.
Cursor-control keys on embedded 
keypadHold Shift while using cursor-control keys. Hold Fn while using cursor-control 
keys.
Main keyboard keys Hold Fn while typing letters on embedded 
keypad.Type the letters in a normal manner. 
						

							14Chapter 1
Windows keys
The keyboard has two keys that perform Windows-specific functions.
KeysDescription
Windows logo keyStart button. Combinations with this key perform shortcut functions. Below 
are a few examples:
 + Tab (Activates next taskbar button)
 + E (Explores My Computer)
 + F (Finds Document)
 + M (Minimizes All)
j+  + M (Undoes Minimize All)
 + R (Displays the Run... dialog box)
Application key Opens a context menu (same as a right-click). 
						

							Chapter 115
Hot Keys
The computer employs hot keys or key combinations to access most of the computer’s controls like screen 
contrast and brightness, volume output and the BIOS Utility.
To activate hot keys, press and hold the Fn key before pressing the other key in the hot key combination.
Hot KeyIconFunctionDescription
Fn-
lHotkey help Displays a list of the hotkeys and their functions.
Fn-
mSetup Accesses the notebook configuration utility. 
Fn-
nPower Management 
Scheme ToggleSwitches the power management scheme used by the 
computer (function available if supported by operating 
system). 
Fn-
oSleep Puts the computer in Sleep mode.
Fn-
pDisplay toggle Switches display output between the display screen, 
external monitor (if connected) and both the display 
screen and external monitor.
Fn-
qScreen blank Turns the display screen backlight off to save power. 
Press any key to return.
Fn-
rTouchpad toggle Turns the internal touchpad on and off.
Fn-
sSpeaker toggle Turns the speakers on and off; mutes the sound.
Fn-
wVolume up Increases the sound volume.
Fn-
yVolume down Decreases the sound volume.
Fn-
xBrightness up Increases the screen brightness. 
						

							16Chapter 1
The Euro symbol
If your keyboard layout is set to United States-International or United Kingdom or if you have a keyboard with a 
European layout, you can type the Euro symbol on your keyboard.
NOTE: for US keyboard users: The keyboard layout is set when you first set up Windows.  For the Euro 
symbol to work, the keyboard layout has to be set to United States-international.
To verify the keyboard type:
1.Click on Start, Control Panel.
2.Double-click on Regional and Language Options.
3.Click on the Language tab and click on Details.
4.Verify that the keyboard layout used for “En English (United States) is set to United States-International.
If not, select and click on ADD; then select United States-International and click on OK.
5.Click on OK.
To type the Euro symbol:
1.Locate the Euro symbol on your keyboard.
2.Open a text editor or word processor.
3.Hold 
aGr and press the Euro symbol.
Fn-
¨zBrightness down Decreases the screen brightness.
Fn-
{Home
Functions as the g key.
Fn-
}End
Functions as the d key.
 
aGr-EuroEuro Types the Euro symbol.
Hot KeyIconFunctionDescription 
						

							Chapter 117
Launch Keys
Located at the top of the keyboard are six buttons. These buttons are called lauch keys. They are designated 
as mail button, Web browser button, P1, P2, Bluetooth and Wireless buttons. The Wireless and Bluetooth 
buttons cannot be set by the user. To set the other four launch keys, run the Acer Launch Manager.
 
#IconFunctionDescription
1 Mail Launches email application
2 Web browser Launches Internet browser application
3 e User-programmable
4 P User-programmable
5 Bluetooth (optional) Enables your Bluetooth
6 Wireless (optional) Enables your 802.11b/g Wireless LAN. 
						

							18Chapter 1
Hardware Specifications and Configurations
 System Board Major Chips
Item Controller
System core logic VIA K8N800+VIA VT8235CE
Super I/O controller NS PC87392
Audio controller VIA VT1612A
Video controller
NVIDIA
® GeForceTM FX Go5200 for Aspire 1360 Series
NVIDIA
® GeForceTM FX Go5700 for Aspire 1520 Series
Hard disk drive controller Embedded in VT8235CE
Keyboard controller Mitsubish LPC keyboard controller M38857
CardBus Controller TI PCI 7420
RTC Embedded in VT8235CE
LAN Controller/Chipset 10/100: VIA 6103L; Giga LAN: Realtek 8110SB-32
Memory Controller Built-in CPU
Bluetooth Controller/Chipset (Does this 
chipset support voice function??)
Modem Controller/Chipset
HDD Controller Embedded in VT8235CE
ODD Controller Embedded in VT8235CE
Parallel Port Controller NS PC87392
USB Controller Embedded in VT8235CE
PCMCIA Controller TI PCI 7420
Processor
ItemSpecification
CPU type Mobile AMD Sempron processor 2600+ to 3000+ or higher (for Aspire 1360)
AMD Athlon 64 processor 3000+ to 3400+ or higher (for Aspire 1520)
CPU package uOG  uOG 754 pin
CPU core voltage 1.5V
CPU I/O voltage High speed: 1.2V      => for RAM 2.5V
Low speed: 1.2V       =>for Hypertransport 1.2V
BIOS
ItemSpecification
BIOS vendor Phoenix BIOS
BIOS Version 1.0
BIOS ROM type Flash ROM
BIOS ROM size 512KB
BIOS package 32 Pin PLCC
Supported protocols ACPI 2.0, SMBIOS 2.3, PCI 2.3, Boot Block, PXE 2.0, Mobile PC2001, 
Hard Disk Password, INT 13h Extensions, PCI Bus Power Management 
interface Specification, EI Torito-Bootable CD-ROM Format Specification 
V1.0, Simple Boot Flag 1.0
BIOS password control Set by switch, see SW1 settings on chapter 5 
						

							Chapter 119
Above table lists some system memory configurations. You may combine DIMMs with various capacities to 
form other combinations.  Second Level Cache
ItemSpecification
Cache controller Built-in CPU
Cache size 128KB or 256KB for AMD Sempron CPU
1MB for AMD Athlon 64 DTR CPU
1st level cache control Always Enabled
2nd level cache control Always Enabled
Cache scheme control Fixed-in write back
System Memory
ItemSpecification
Memory controller VIA K8N800
Onboard memory size 0MB 
DIMM socket number 2 Sockets
Supports memory size per socket 256/512/1024MB (if available)
Supports maximum memory size 2048MB (Please confirm if 1024MB has passed the test or not)
Supports DIMM type DDR-DRAM
Supports DIMM Speed 333 MHz
Supports DIMM voltage 2.5 V
Supports DIMM package 200-pin so-DIMM
Memory module combinations You can install memory modules in any combinations as long as they 
match the above specifications.
Memory Combinations
Slot 1Slot 2To ta l  M e m o r y
0MB 128MB 128 MB
128MB 0MB 128 MB
128MB 128MB 256 MB
256MB 0MB 256MB
0MB 256MB 256MB
256MB 128MB 384MB
128MB 256MB 384MB
256MB 256MB 512MB
0MB 512MB 512MB
512MB 128MB 640MB
256MB 512MB 768MB
128MB 512MB 640MB
512MB 256MB 768MB
256MB 128MB 384MB
512MB 512MB 1024MB
LAN Interface
ItemSpecification
Chipset 10/100Mbps: VIA 6103L; Giga LAN: 8110SB-32 
						

							20Chapter 1
.
Supports LAN protocol 10/100Mbps for Aspire 1360; 10/100/1000Mbps for Aspire 1520
LAN connector type RJ45
LAN connector location Rear side
PXE Version 2.0
Modem Interface
ItemSpecification
Chipset VIA VT8235CE
Fax modem data baud rate (bps) 14.4K
Data modem data baud rate (bps) 56K
Supports modem protocol V.90/V.92MDC
Modem connector type RJ11
Modem connector location Rear side
Hard Disk Drive Interface
Item
Vendor & Model 
NameHGST Moraga 
IC25N030ATMR04
Fujitsu V-40 MHT2030AT
Seagate N1 ST93015AHGST Moraga 
IC25N040ATMR04-
TOSHIBA Pluto 40G 
MK4025GAS
Fujitsu V40+ MHT2040AT
Seagate N1 ST94019AHGST Moraga 
IC25N060ATMR04-0
TOSHIBA Neptune 
MK6021GAS
Capacity (MB) 30000 40000 60000
Bytes per sector 512 512 512
Logical heads 16 16 16
Logical sectors 63 63 63
Drive Format
Logical cylinders 16383 16383 16383
Physical read/write 
heads2/Not show/2 2/Not show/2/2 3/4
Disks 1/Not show/1 1/Not show/1/1 2
Spindle speed (RPM) 4200RPM 4200RPM 4200RPM
Performance Specifications
Buffer size  2MB 2MB/8MB for Toshiba 2MB/8MB for HGST
Interface ATA-5 for other vendors /ATA-
6 for HGST and ToshibaATA-5 for other vendors /ATA-
6 for HGSTATA - 5 / ATA - 6  f o r  H G S T
Data transfer rate 
(disk-buffer, Mbytes/
s)350 350 350
Data transfer, rate 
(host~buffer, Mbytes/
s)100 MB/Sec 100 MB/Sec 100MB/Sec
DC Power Requirements
Voltage tolerance 5 +/- 5% 5 +/- 5% 5 +/- 5%
LAN Interface
ItemSpecification 
						

							Chapter 121
CD-ROM Interface
ItemsSpecification
Vendor & Model Name QSI SCR242
Mitsumi SR244W1
Performance Specification
Brust Data Transfer rate  PIO mode 4:
           16.7 MB/sec Max. (Mode 0~4)
Multi-word DMA mode 2:
           16.7 MB/sec Max. (Mode 0~2)
Ultra DMA mode 2:
           33.3MB/sec Max.
Access time (typ.) QSI-
Random: 90 ms
Full Stroke: 180 ms
Mitsumi-
Random: 100 ms
Full Stroke: 240 ms
Rotation speed 5100 rpm for QSI
5400 rpm for Mitsumi 24X CAV mode
Data Buffer Capacity 128 KB (built-in)
Interface Compliant to ATA/ATAPI-6
Applicable disc format QSI:
CD-DA, CD-ROM Mode-1, CD-ROM/XA Mode-2, Form-1 and Mode-2 Form-2, CD-i 
Ready, Video-CD (MPEG-1), Karaoke CD, Photo-CD, Enhanced CD, CD Plus, CD 
Extra, i-trax CD, CD-Text, CD-R and CD-RW
Mitsumi:
CD-DA, CD-ROM (Mode 1 and Mode2) CD-ROM XA (Mode 2 Form 1 and Form2), 
CD-I (Mode2 Form 1 and Form 2), CD-I Bridge (Photo CD, CD EXTRA), Enhanced 
CD, CD-RW, CD-R, CD-TEXT
Loading mechanism Drawer with soft eject and emergency eject hole
Power Requirement
Input Voltage +5V[DC]+/-5%
DVD-ROM Interface
ItemSpecification
Vendor & model name MKE SR-8177
Performance Specification With CD Diskette With DVD Diskette
Transfer rate (KB/sec) Average Sustained:
CAV mode
775~1800 blocks/sec
(10.3X to 24X)
1550~3600kBytes/sec (Mode 1)
1768~4106 kBytes/sec (Mode 2)DVD-5:
Normal Speed (1X) 11.08 Mbits/sec
CAV mode 36.67~88.64 Mbits/sec
DVD-9/DVD-R:
Normal Speed (1X) 11.08 Mbits/sec
CAV mode 36.67~88.64 Mbits/sec