Acer Aspire 1800 Service Guide

							53Chapter 4
System Check Procedures
External Diskette Drive Check
Do the following steps to isolate the problem to a controller, driver, or diskette. A write-enabled, diagnostic 
diskette is required.
NOTE: Make sure that the diskette does not have more than one label attached to it. Multiple labels can cause 
damage to the drive or cause the drive to fail.
Do the following to select the test device.
1.The FDD heads can become dirty over time, affecting their performance. Use an FDD cleaning kit to clean 
the heads. If the FDD still does not function properly after cleaning, go to next step.
2.Boot from diagnostic program.
3.If an error occurs with the internal diskette drive, reconnect the diskette connector on the main board.
If the error still remains:
1.Reconnect the external diskette drive module.
2.Replace the external diskette drive module.
3.Replace the main board.
External CD-ROM/DVD-ROM Drive Check
Do the following to isolate the problem to a controller, drive, or CD-ROM/DVD-ROM. Make sure that the CD-
ROM does not have any label attached to it. The label can cause damage to the drive or can cause the drive 
to fail.
Do the following to select the test device:
1.Insert an audio CD into the CD/DVD drive. If the CD/DVD drive can read the data from the audio CD. The 
drive does not have problem, then go to next step. If the CD/DVD LED on the front panel does not emit 
light as it read the data from the audio CD, then go to next step. However, if the CD/DVD drive can not 
read data from the audio CD, you may need to clean the CD/DVD drive with a CD/DVD drive cleaning 
disk.
2.Make sure that the appropriate driver has been installed on the computer for the CD/DVD drive.
3.Boot from the diagnostics diskette and start the diagnostics program 
4.See if CD-ROM Test is passed when the program runs to CD-ROM/DVD-ROM Test.
5.Follow the instructions in the message window.
If an error occurs, reconnect the connector on the main board. If the error still remains:
1.Reconnect the CD-ROM/DVD-ROM module.
2.Replace the CD-ROM/DVD-ROM module.
3.Replace the main board. 
						

							Chapter 454
Keyboard or Auxiliary Input Device Check
Remove the external keyboard if the internal keyboard is to be tested.
If the internal keyboard does not work or an unexpected character appears, make sure that the flexible cable 
extending from the keyboard is correctly seated in the connector on the main board.
If the keyboard cable connection is correct, run the Keyboard Test.
If the tests detect a keyboard problem, do the following one at a time to correct the problem. Do not replace a 
non-defective FRU:
1.Reconnect the keyboard cables.
2.Replace the keyboard.
3.Replace the main board.
The following auxiliary input devices are supported by this computer:
TEmbedded Numeric Keypad
TExternal keyboard
If any of these devices do not work, reconnect the cable connector and repeat the failing operation.
Memory Check
Memory errors might stop system operations, show error messages on the screen, or hang the system. 
Currently, we do not provide memory test program. However, if you need to check memory but have no testing 
program or diagonositc utility at hand, please go to http://www.passmark.com to download the shareware 
“BurnIn Test V.3.0”. You may test the memory with this program under Window XP environment.
NOTE: Make sure that the DIMM is fully installed into the connector. A loose connection can cause an error.
Power System Check
To verify the symptom of the problem, power on the computer using each of the following power sources:
1.Remove the battery pack.
2.Connect the power adapter and check that power is supplied.
3.Disconnect the power adapter and install the charged battery pack; then check that power is supplied by 
the battery pack.
If you suspect a power problem, see the appropriate power supply check in the following list:
T“Check the Power Adapter” 
T“Check the Battery Pack”  
						

							55Chapter 4
Check the Power Adapter
Unplug the power adapter cable from the computer and measure the output voltage at the plug of the power 
adapter cable. See the following figure
1.If the voltage is not correct, replace the power adapter.
2.If the voltage is within the range, do the following:
TReplace the main board.
TIf the problem is not corrected, see “Undetermined Problems”.
TIf the voltage is not correct, go to the next step.
NOTE: An audible noise from the power adapter does not always indicate a defect.
3.If the DC-IN indicator does not light up, check the power cord of the power adapter for correct continuity 
and installation.
4.If the operational charge does not work, see “Check the Power Adapter” . 
Pin 1: 19V
Pin 2: 0V, Ground 
						

							Chapter 456
Check the Battery Pack
To check the battery pack, do the following:
From Software:
1.Check out the Power Options in control Panel
2.In Power Meter, confirm that if the parameters shown in the screen for Current Power Source and Total 
Battery Power Remaining are correct.
3.Repeat the steps 1 and 2, for both battery and adapter.
4.This helps you identify first the problem is on recharging or discharging.
From Hardware:
1.Power off the computer. 
2.Remove the battery pack and measure the voltage between battery terminals 1(+) and 6(ground).
3.If the voltage is still less than 7.5 Vdc after recharging, replace the battery.
4.If the voltage is within the normal range, run the diagnostic program.
To check the battery charge operation, use a discharged battery pack or a battery pack that has less than 50% 
of the total power remaining when installed in the computer. 
If the battery status indicator does not light up, remove the battery pack and let it return to room temperature. 
Re-install the battery pack.
If the charge indicator still does not emit, replace the battery pack. If the charge indicator still does not light up, 
replace the DC/DC charger board.
Touchpad Check
If the touchpad doesn’t work, do the following actions one at a time to correct the problem. Do not replace a 
non-defective FRU:
1.After rebooting, run Touch pad/PS2 Mode Driver.
2.Run utility with the PS/2 mouse function and check if the mouse is working.
3.If the PS/2 mouse does not work, then check if the main board to switch board FPC is connected well.
4.If the main board to switch board FPC is connected well, then check if the touch pad  FPC connects to the 
main board properly.
5.If there is still an error after you have connected the touch pad FPC to the main board properly, then 
replace the touch pad or touch pad FPC. The touch pad or touch pad FPC may be damaged.
6.Replace switch board.
7.If the touch pad still does not work, then replace the FPC on Track Pad PCB.
After you use the touchpad, the pointer drifts on the screen for a short time. This self-acting pointer movement 
can occur when a slight, steady pressure is applied to the touchpad pointer. This symptom is not a hardware 
problem. No service actions are necessary if the pointer movement stops in a short period of time.
Display Check
1.Connect an external display to the computer’s external monitor port, the boot the computer. The computer 
can automatically detect the external display. Press Fn+ p to switch to the external display.
2.If the external display works fine, the internal LCD may be damaged. Then perform the following steps:
Make sure the DDRRAM module is seated properly. Then run the diplay test again. If the problem 
still exists, go to next step.
Replace the inverter board, then run the display test program again. If the problem still occurs, go 
on next step.
Replace the LCD module with a new one then run the display test again. If the probelm still 
happens, continue next step.
Replace LCD/FL cable with a new one then execute the display diagnostic again. If the problem  
						

							57Chapter 4
still occurs, continue next step.
Replace the CPU with another of the same specifications. If the problems still occurs, go to next 
step.
The main board may be damaged. Replace main board.
3.If the external monitor has the same problem as the internal monitor,  the main board may be damaged. 
Please insert the diagnostic disk and run the display test program and go through the sub-steps under 
step 2.
Sound Check
To determine if the computer’s built-in speakers are functioning properly, perform the following steps. Before 
you start the steps below, adjust the speaker volume to an appropriate level. 
1.Try different audio sources. For example, employ audio CD and ditital music file to determine whether the 
fault is in the speaker system or not. If not all sources have sound problem, the problem is in the source 
devices. If all have the same problem, continue next step.
2.Connect a set of earphone or external speakers. If these devices work fine, go to next step. If not, then the 
main board may be defective or damaged. Replace the main board.
3.Follow the disassembling steps in Chapter 3. Esure the speaker cable is firmly connected to the main 
board. If the speaker is still a malfunction, go on next step.
4.If the speakers do not sound properly, the speakers may be defective or damaged. Replace the speakers. 
If the problem still occurs, then replace the main board. 
						

							Chapter 458
PhoenixBIOS POST Tasks and Beep Codes
When you turn on the PC, the BIOS first performs a number of tasks, called the Power-On-Self-Test (POST). 
These tasks test and initialize the hardware and then boot the Operating System from the hard disk.
At the beginning of each POST task, the BIOS outputs the test-point error code I/O port 80h. Programmers 
and technicians use this code during troubleshooting to establish at what point the system failed and what 
routine was being performed. Some mainboards are equipped with a seven-segment LED display that 
displays the current vaule of port 80h. For production boards which do not contain the LED display, you can
purchase an installable “Port 80h” card that performs the same function. If the BIOS detects a terminal error 
condition, it issues a terminal-error beep code (See following), attemps to display the error code on upper 
left conrner of the screen and on the port 80h LED display, and halts POST. It attempts repeatedly to write
the error to the screen.
If the system hangs before the BIOS can process the error, the value displayed at the port 80h is the last 
test performed, In this case, the screen does not display the error code. 
						

							59Chapter 4
Terminal POST Errors
There are several POST routines that require success to finish POST. If they fail, they issue a POST 
Terminal Error and shut down the system. Before shutting down the system, the error handler issues
a beep code signifying the test point error, writes the error to port 80h, attempts to initialize the video,
and writes the error in the upper left corner of the screen (using both mono and color adapters).
The routine derives the beep code from the test point error as follows:
1.The 8-bit error code is broken down to four 2-bit groups.
2.Each group is made one -based ( 1 through 4) by adding 1.
3.Short beeps are generated for the number in each group.
Example:
Testpoint 16h=00 01 01 10=1-2-2-3 beeps 
						

							Chapter 460
POST Task Routines
The following is a list of the Test Point codes written to port 80h at the start of each routine, the beep codes
issued for terminal errors, and a description of the POST routine. Unless otherwise noted, these codes are 
valid for PhoenixBIOS.
NOTE: The following routines are sorted by their test point numbers assigned in the BIOS code. Their actual 
oder as executed during POST can be quite different.
CodeBeepsPOST Routine Description
02h Verify Real Mode
03h Disable Non-Maskable Interrupt (NMI)
04h Get CPU type
06h Initialize system hardware
08h Initialize chipset with initial POST values
09h Set IN POST flag
0Ah Initialize CPU registers
0Bh Enable CPU cache
0Ch Initialize caches to initial POST values
0Eh Initialize I/O component
0Fh Initialize the local bus IDE
10h Initialize Power Management
11h Load alternate registers with initial POST values
12h Restore CPU control word during warm boot
13h Initialize PCI Bus Mastering devices
14h Initialize keyboard controller
16h 1-2-2-3 BIOS ROM checksum
17h Initialize cache before memory autosize
18h 8254 timer initialization
1Ah 8237 DMA controller initialization
1Ch Reset Programmable Interrupt Controller
20h 1-3-1-1 Test DRAM refresh
22h 1-3-1-3 Test 8742 Keyboard Controller
24h Set ES segment register to 4 GB
26h Enable A20 line
28h Autosize DRAM
29h Initialize POST Memory Manager
2Ah Clear 512 KB base RAM
2Ch 1-3-4-1 RAM failure on address line xxxx*
2Eh 1-3-4-3 RAM failure on data bits xxxx* of low byte of memory bus
2Fh Enable cache before system BIOS shadow
30h 1-4-1-1 RAM failure on data bits xxxx* of high byte of memory bus
32h Test CPU bus-clock frequency
33h Initialize Phoenix Dispatch Manager
36h Warm start shut down
38h Shadow system BIOS ROM
3Ah Autosize cache 
						

							61Chapter 4
3Ch Advanced configuration of chipset registers
3Dh Load alternate registers with CMOS values
42h Initialize interrupt vectors
45h POST device initialization
46h 2-1-2-3 Check ROM copyright notice
48h Check video configuration against CMOS
49h Initialize PCI bus and devices
4Ah Initialize all video adapters in system
4Bh QuietBoot start (optional)
4Ch Shadow video BIOS ROM
4Eh Display BIOS copyright notice
50h Display CPU type and speed
51h Initialize EISA board
52h Test keyboard
54h Set key click if enabled
58h 2-2-3-1 Test for unexpected interrupts
59h Initialize POST display service
5Ah Display prompt Press F2 to enter SETUP
5Bh Disable CPU cache
5Ch Test RAM between 512 and 640 KB
60h Test extended memory
62h Test extended memory address lines
64h Jump to UserPatch1
66h Configure advanced cache registers
67h Initialize Multi Processor APIC
68h Enable external and CPU caches
69h Setup System Management Mode (SMM) area
6Ah Display external L2 cache size
6Bh Load custom defaults (optional)
6Ch Display shadow-area message
6Eh Display possible high address for UMB recovery
70h Display error messages
72h Check for configuration errors
76h Check for keyboard errors
7Ch Set up hardware interrupt vectors
7Eh Initialize coprocessor if present
80h Disable onboard Super I/O ports and IRQs
81h Late POST device initialization
82h Detect and install external RS232 ports
83h Configure non-MCD IDE controllers
84h Detect and install external parallel ports
85h Initialize PC-compatible PnP ISA devices
86h Re-initialize onboard I/O ports.
87h Configure Motheboard Configurable Devices (optional)
88h Initialize BIOS Data Area
CodeBeepsPOST Routine Description 
						

							Chapter 462
89h Enable Non-Maskable Interrupts (NMIs)
8Ah Initialize Extended BIOS Data Area
8Bh Test and initialize PS/2 mouse
8Ch Initialize floppy controller
8Fh Determine number of ATA drives (optional)
90h Initialize hard-disk controllers
91h Initialize local-bus hard-disk controllers
92h Jump to UserPatch2
93h Build MPTABLE for multi-processor boards
95h Install CD ROM for boot
96h Clear huge ES segment register
97h Fixup Multi Processor table
98h 1-2 Search for option ROMs. One long, two short beeps on checksum failure
99h Check for SMART Drive (optional)
9Ah Shadow option ROMs
9Ch Set up Power Management
9Dh Initialize security engine (optional)
9Eh Enable hardware interrupts
9Fh Determine number of ATA and SCSI drives
A0h Set time of day
A2h Check key lock
A4h Initialize Typematic rate
A8h Erase F2 prompt
AAh Scan for F2 key stroke
ACh Enter SETUP
AEh Clear Boot flag
B0h Check for errors
B2h POST done - prepare to boot operating system
B4h 1 One short beep before boot
B5h Terminate QuietBoot (optional)
B6h Check password (optional)
B9h Prepare Boot
BAh Initialize DMI parameters
BBh Initialize PnP Option ROMs
BCh Clear parity checkers
BDh Display MultiBoot menu
BEh Clear screen (optional)
BFh Check virus and backup reminders
C0h Try to boot with INT 19
C1h Initialize POST Error Manager (PEM)
C2h Initialize error logging
C3h Initialize error display function
C4h Initialize system error handler
C5h PnPnd dual CMOS (optional)
C6h Initialize notebook docking (optional)
CodeBeepsPOST Routine Description