Acer Aspire 3100 Service Guide

							72Chapter 4
System Check Procedures
External Diskette Drive Check
Do the following procedures to isolate the possible effects from a controller, driver, or diskette. A 
writable, diagnostic diskette is required.
NOTE: Make sure that the diskette does not have more than one label attached. Multiple labels may cause 
damage to the drive or make the drive fail.
1.
Boot from the diagnostic diskette and start the diagnostic programs.
2.See if FDD test is passed as the programs run the FDD test.
3.Follow the instructions in the message window.
If errors occur with the internal diskette driver, reconnect the diskette connector on the system 
board. If the errors still remain:
1.Reconnect the external diskette drive.
2.Replace the external diskette driver.
3.Replace the main board.
External CD-ROM Drive Check
Do the following procedures to isolate the possible effects from a controller, driver, or CD-ROM. 
NOTE: Make sure that the CD-ROM does not have any label attached. The label may cause damage to the 
drive or make the drive fail.
1.
Boot from the diagnostic diskette and start the diagnostic programs.
2.See if CD-ROM test is passed when the programs run the CD-ROM test.
3.Follow the instructions in the message window.
If errors occur, reconnect the connector on the system board. If the errors still remain:
1.Reconnect the external CD-ROM drive.
2.Replace the external CD-ROM drive.
3.Replace the main board.
Keyboard or Auxiliary Input Device Check
Remove the external keyboard if the internal keyboard is under test. If the internal keyboard does 
not work or an unexpected error appears, make sure that the flexible cable extending from the 
internal keyboard is correctly connected on the system board. If the keyboard is correctly 
connected, run the Keyboard test.
If errors occur, do the following procedures in sequence to correct the problems. Do not replace a 
non-defective FRU.
1.Reconnect the keyboard cable.
2.Replace the keyboard.
3.Replace the main board.
The following auxiliary input devices are supported by this computer. 
						

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•Numeric keypad
•External keyboard
If any of these devices do not function, reconnect the cable and repeat the anterior procedures.
Memory Check
Follow the procedures below to correct the memory errors.
1.Boot from the diagnostic diskette and start the diagnostic programs.
2.Go to the diagnostic memory in the test items.
3.Press F2 in the test items.
4.Follow the instructions in the message window.
NOTE: Make sure that the DIMM is correctly inserted into the connector. A wrong connection will cause 
errors.
Power System Check
To verify the symptoms, power on the computer by using the following power sources separately.
1.Remove the battery pack.
2.Connect the power adaptor and check the power supply.
3.Disconnect the power adaptor and install the battery pack, then check the power supply.
If you think there is a power supply problem, please go to “Check the Power Adaptor” and “Check 
the Battery Pack” in this chapter.
Check the Power Adaptor
Unplug the power adaptor cable from the computer and measure the output voltage at the plug of 
the power adaptor cable. See the illustration and follow the procedures below.
1.If the voltage is not correct, replace the power adaptor.
2.If the voltage is within the range:
(1)Replace the system board.
(2)If the problem is still not resolved, see “Undetermined Problems”.
(3)If the voltage is not correct, go to the next step.
NOTE: An audible noise from the power adaptor does not always indicate a defect.
3.
If the power-on indicator does not light up, check the power cord of the power adaptor for 
continuity and correct installation.
4.If the operational charge does not work, see “Check the Battery Pack”.
pin 1: +19V to +20.5V
pin 2: 0V, ground 
						

							74Chapter 4
Check the Battery Pack
Follow the procedures below to check the battery pack.
From software, this helps to identify the problem is on recharging or discharging.
1.Check the Power Management in Control Panel.
2.Then confirm that the parameters shown in the screen for Current Power Source and Total 
Battery Power Remaining are correct.
3.Repeat the step 1 and step 2 for both battery and adaptor.
From hardware, this helps to identify whether you should replace the battery pack or not.
1.Power off the system.
2.Remove the battery pack and measure the voltage between terminals one (+) and seven (-). 
There are seven terminals totally. See the illustration below.
3.If the voltage is still less than 7.5V after recharging, replace the battery.
If the battery status indicator does not light up, remove the battery pack. After the battery pack 
returns to room temperature, reinstall it to the system.
If the charge indicator does not light up, replace the battery pack. If the charge indicator still does 
not light up, replace the AC/DC charger board.
Touchpad Check
If the touchpad does not work, follow the procedures one at a time to correct the problem. Do not 
replace a non-defective FRU.
1.Reconnect the touchpad cables.
2.Replace the touchpad. 
						

							Chapter 475
3.Replace the system board.
After you use the touchpad, the pointer drifts on the screen for a short time. This self-acting pointer 
movement will occur when a slight, steady pressure is applied to the touchpad pointer. This 
symptom is not a hardware problem. 
						

							76Chapter 4
Power-On Self-Test (POST) Error Message
The POST error message index lists the error message and their possible causes.
NOTE: Perform the FRU replacement or actions in the sequence shown in Error Message List, if the FRU 
replacement does not solve the problem, put the original part back in the computer. Do not replace a 
non-defective FRU.
The error messages are listed in the coming pages to indicate the BIOS signals on the screen and 
the error symptoms classified by functions. If the symptom is not included on the list, please refer to 
Undetermined Problems.
NOTE: Most of the error messages occur during POST. Some of them show information about a hardware 
device, for example, the size of memory installed. Others may indicate problems with a device, such 
as the way it has been configured.
NOTE: If the system fails after you make changes in the BIOS Setup Utility menus, please reset the computer. 
Enter Setup and install Setup defaults to correct the errors.
Index of Error Messages
Error Code List
Error CodeError Message
006 Equipment Configuration Error Causes:
1. CPU BIOS Update Code Mismatch
2. IDE Primary Channel Master Drive Error
The causes will be shown before Equipment Configuration Error.
010 Memory Error at xxxx:xxxx:xxxxh (R: xxxxh, W: xxxxh) 
070 Real Time Clock Error
071 CMOS Battery Bad
072 CMOS Checksum Error
110 System disabled.
Incorrect password is specified.
No error code Battery critical low: In this situation BIOS will issue four short beeps 
then shut down system, no message will be shown.
No error code Thermal critical high: In this situation BIOS will shut down the system, 
no message will be shown.
Error Message List
Error MessageFRU/Action in Sequence
Failure Fixed Disk Reconnect hard disk drive connector.
Run Load Default Settings in BIOS Setup Utility.
Hard disk drive
System board
Stuck Key see Keyboard or Auxiliary Input Device Check. 
Keyboard error see Keyboard or Auxiliary Input Device Check. 
Keyboard Controller Failed see Keyboard or Auxiliary Input Device Check.
Keyboard locked - Unlock key 
switchUnlock external keyboard 
						

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Monitor type does not match 
CMOS - Run SetupRun Load Default Settings in BIOS Setup Utility.
Shadow RAM Failed at offset: 
nnnnBIOS ROM
System board
System RAM Failed at offset: 
nnnnDIMM
System board
Extended RAM Failed at offset: 
nnnnDIMM
System board
System battery is dead - 
Replace and run SetupReplace RTC battery and Run BIOS Setup Utility to 
reconfigure system time, then reboot system.
System CMOS checksum bad - 
Default configuration usedRTC battery
Run BIOS Setup Utility to reconfigure system time, then 
reboot system.
System timer error RTC battery
Run BIOS Setup Utility to reconfigure system time, then 
reboot system.
System board
Real time clock error RTC battery
Run BIOS Setup Utility to reconfigure system time, then 
reboot system.
System board
Previous boot incomplete - 
Default configuration usedRun Load Default Settings in BIOS Setup Utility.
RTC battery
System board
Memory size found by POST 
differed from CMOSRun Load Default Settings in BIOS Setup Utility.
DIMM
System board
Diskette drive A error Check the drive is defined with the proper diskette type 
in BIOS Setup Utility.
See External Diskette Drive Check. 
Incorrect Drive A type - run 
SetupCheck the drive is defined with the proper diskette type 
in BIOS Setup Utility.
System cache error - Cache 
disabledSystem board
CPU ID: System board
DMA Test Failed DIMM
System board
Software NMI Failed DIMM
System board
Fail-Safe Timer NMI Failed DIMM
System board
Device Address Conflict Run Load Default Settings in BIOS Setup Utility.
RTC battery
System board
Allocation Error for device Run Load Default Settings in BIOS Setup Utility.
RTC battery
System board
Error Message List
Error MessageFRU/Action in Sequence 
						

							78Chapter 4
Failing Bits: nnnn DIMM
BIOS ROM
System board
Fixed Disk n None
Invalid System Configuration 
DataBIOS ROM
System board
I/O device IRQ conflict Run Load Default Settings in BIOS Setup Utility.
RTC battery
System board
Operating system not found Enter Setup and see if fixed disk and drive A: are 
properly identified.
Diskette drive
Hard disk drive
System board
No beep, power-on indicator 
turns off and LCD is blank.Power source (battery pack and power adapter). See 
Power System Check. 
Ensure every connector is connected correctly. 
Reconnect the DIMM.
LED board
System board
No beep, power-on indicator 
turns on and LCD is blank.Power source (battery pack and power adapter). See 
Power System Check. 
Reconnect the LCD connector.
Hard disk drive
LCD inverter ID
LCD cable
LCD Inverter
LCD
System board
No beep, power-on indicator 
turns on and LCD is blank. But 
you can see POST on an 
external CRT. Reconnect the LCD connectors.
LCD inverter ID
LCD cable 
LCD inverter
LCD
System board
No beep, power-on indicator 
turns on and a blinking cursor 
shown on LCD during POST.Ensure every connector is connected tightly and 
correctly.
System board
No beep during POST but 
system runs correctly.Speaker
System board
Error Message List
Error MessageFRU/Action in Sequence 
						

							Chapter 479
POST Code
CodeBeepsFor Boot Block in Flash ROM
E0h Initialize the chipset.
E1h Initialize the bridge.
E2h Initialize the CPU.
E3h Initialize the system timer.
E4h Initialize system I/O.
E5h Check force recovery boot.
E6h Checksum BIOS ROM.
E7h Go to BIOS.
E8h Set Huge Segment.
E9h Initialize Multi Processor.
EAh Initialize OEM special code.
EBh Initialize PIC and DMA.
ECh Initialize Memory type.
EDh Initialize Memory size.
EEh Shadow Boot Block.
EFh System memory test.
F0h Initialize interrupt vectors.
F1h Initialize Run Time Clock.
F2h Initialize video.
F3h Initialize System Management Mode.
F4h 1 Output one beep before boot.
F5h Boot to Mini DOS.
F6h Clear Huge Segment.
F7h Boot to Full DOS. 
						

							80Chapter 4
Index of Symptom-to-FRU Error Message
LCD-Related Symptoms
Symptom/ErrorAction in Sequence
LCD backlight doesnt work.
LCD is too dark.
LCD brightness cannot be adjusted.
LCD contrast cannot be adjusted.Enter BIOS Utility to execute Load Setup Default 
Settings, then reboot system.
Reconnect the LCD connectors.
Keyboard (if contrast and brightness function key do 
not work).
LCD inverter ID
LCD cable
LCD inverter
LCD
System board
Unreadable LCD screen 
Missing pels in characters
Abnormal screen 
Wrong color displayedReconnect the LCD connector.
LCD inverter ID
LCD cable
LCD inverter
LCD
System board
LCD has extra horizontal or vertical 
lines displayed.LCD inverter ID
LCD inverter
LCD cable
LCD
System board
Indicator-Related Symptoms
Symptom/ErrorAction in Sequence
Indicator incorrectly 
remains off or on, but 
system runs correctly.Reconnect the inverter board
Inverter board
System board
Power-Related Symptoms
Symptom/ErrorAction in Sequence
Power shuts down during 
operation.Power source (battery pack and power adapter). See Power 
System Check. 
Battery pack
Power adapter
Hard drive & battery connection board
System board
The system doesn’t power 
on.Power source (battery pack and power adapter). See Power 
System Check. 
Battery pack
Power adapter
Hard drive & battery connection board
System board 
						

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The system doesn’t 
power-off.Power source (battery pack and power adapter). See Power 
System Check. 
Hold and press the power switch for more than 4 seconds. 
System board
Battery can’t be charged. See Check the Battery Pack. 
Battery pack
System board
PCMCIA-Related Symptoms
Symptom/ErrorAction in Sequence
System cannot detect the 
PC Card (PCMCIA). PCMCIA slot assembly
System board
PCMCIA slot pin is 
damaged.PCMCIA slot assembly
Memory-Related Symptoms
Symptom / ErrorAction in Sequence
Memory count (size) 
appears different from 
actual size.Enter BIOS Setup Utility to execute Load Default Settings, 
then reboot system.
DIMM
System board
Speaker-Related Symptoms
Symptom/ErrorAction in Sequence
In Windows, multimedia 
programs, no sound 
comes from the computer. Audio driver
Speaker
System board
Internal speakers make 
noise or emit no sound.Speaker
System board
Power Management-Related Symptoms
Symptom/ErrorAction in Sequence
The system will not enter 
hibernation.Keyboard (if control is from the keyboard)
Hard disk drive
System board
The system does not 
enter hibernation mode 
and four short beeps 
every minute.Press Fn + F4
 and see if the computer enters hibernation 
mode.
Touchpad
Keyboard
Hard disk connection board
Hard disk drive
System board
Power-Related Symptoms
Symptom/ErrorAction in Sequence