Acer Aspire 5100 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...

Chapter 473
•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...

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...

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...

Chapter 477
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...

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...

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...

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...

Chapter 481
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...