Acer Aspire 5500z Service Guide

							
Chapter 463
Error Message List
No beep Error MessagesFRU/Action in Sequence
No beep, power-on indicator turns off and LCD is 
blank. Power source (battery pack and power adapter). See “Power 
System Check” on page 57. 
Ensure every connector is connected tightly and 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” on page 57. 
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 
						

							
64Chapter 4
Insyde MobilePro BIOS POST Beep Code and POST Messages
The POST error message index lists the error message and their possible causes. The most likely cause is 
listed first.
NOTE: Perform the FRU replacement or actions in the s equence shown in FRU/Action column, if the FRU 
replacement does not solve the proble m, put the original part back in the computer. Do not replace a 
non-defective FRU.
This index can also help you determine the next possible FRU to be replaced when servicing a computer.
If the symptom is not listed, se e “Undetermined Problems” on page 70.
The following lists the error messages that the BIOS di splays on the screen and the error symptoms classified 
by function. 
NOTE:  Most of the error messages occur  during POST. Some of them display information about a hardware 
device, e.g., the amount of memory installed. Others  may indicate a problem with a device, such as the 
way it has been configured.
NOTE:  If the system fails after you make changes in the B IOS Setup Utility menus, reset the computer, enter 
Setup and install Setup defaults or correct the error.
Beep CodeMessageDescription
short, short, short; short, 
short, long “FAULTY DMA PAGE REGISTERS” DMA page registers do not function properly.
short, short, short; short, 
long, short “FAULTY REFRESH CIRCUIT” RAM refresh circuit does not function properly.
short, short, short; short, 
long, long “ROM CHECKSUM INCORRECT” BIOS ROM checksum failed.
short, short, short; long, 
short, short “CMOS RAM TEST FAILED” CMOS RAM test failed.
short, short, short; long, 
short, long “DMA CONTROLLER FAULTY” DMA cont
roller does not work properly.
short, short, short; long, long 
short “INTERRUPT CONTROLLER 
FA I L E D ” The interrupt controller does not work properly.
short, short, short; long, 
long, long N/A
Keyboard controller failed to respond with the 
self-test command.
short, short, long; short, 
short, short N/A No video device found.
short, short, long; short, 
short, long N/A No RAM installed.
N/A “KEYBOARD CONTROLLER  FA I L U R E ” Keyboard controller failed during system inquiry 
about connected devices.
N/A “KEYBOARD FAILURE” The keyboard fails to respond or no keyboard is 
connected.
N/A “CMOS FAILURE - RUN SCU” CMOS data error, probably due to battery power 
loss.
N/A “CMOS CHECKSUM INVALID - RUN  SCU” CMOS checksum error.
N/A “RAM ERROR AT LOCATION  xxxxxx:
WROTE:  xxxx
READ:  xxxx” The RAM failed during memory test at the indi-
cated location.
N/A “PARITY ERROR AT UNKNOWN
LOCATION” Parity error during memory test at unknown 
location.
N/A “PARITY ERROR AT LOCATION  XXXXXX” Parity error during memory test at the indicated 
location. 
						

							
Chapter 465
N/A “NO INTERRUPTS FROM TIMER 0” Timer 0 of the clock timer controller does not 
generate system interrupts correctly.
N/A “UNEXPECTED AMOUNT OF  MEMORY - RUN SCU” The system memory size does not match with 
the CMOS record.
N/A “CLOCK NOT TICKING CORRECTLY” The system clock does not working correctly.
N/A “TIME/DATA CORRUPT - RUN SCU” The time/ date information in CMOS is invalid.
N/A “MACHINE IS LOCKED - TURN KEY” The keyboard operation is locked.
N/A “BOOT SECTOR 0 HAS CHANGED” The boot sector of the hard disk has been  changed, probably because of a virus attack.
N/A Suspend-to-Disk partition MISSING!” No Suspend-to-Disk partition found.
N/A “Hard Disk ERROR!” Access to the Suspend-to-Disk partition failed.
N/A “Suspend-to-Disk partition signature  NOT FOUND!” No Suspend-to-Disk partition signature found.
N/A “Suspend-to-Disk partition size TOO  SMALL!” The capacity of the Suspend-to-Disk partition is 
not enough.
N/A “MEMORY SIZE HAS CHANGED --  REBOOTING” The memory size has changed after previous 
Suspend-to-Disk operation.
Beep CodeMessageDescription 
						

							
66Chapter 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 brightne
ss function key doesnt work).
LCD inverter ID
LCD cable
LCD inverter
LCD
System board
Unreadable LCD screen 
Missing pels in characters
Abnormal screen 
Wrong color displayed Reconnect 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-Rela
ted 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” on page 57. 
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” on page 57. 
Battery pack
Power adapter
Hard drive & battery connection board
System board
The system doesn’t power-off. Power source (b attery pack and power adapter). See “Power 
System Check” on page 57. 
Hold and press the power switch for more than 4 seconds.  
System board 
						

							
Chapter 467
Battery can’t be charged See “Check the Battery Pack” on page 59. 
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 Key board (if control is from the keyboard)
Hard disk drive
System board
The system doesnt enter hibernation mode and 
four short beeps every minute. See “Save to Disk (S4)” on page 27.
Press Fn+
oand see if the computer enters hibernation mode.
Touchpad
Keyboard
Hard disk connection board
Hard disk drive
System board
The system doesn’t enter standby mode after 
closing the LCD See “Save to Disk (S4)” on page 27.
LCD cover switch
System board
The system doesnt resume from hibernation 
mode. See “Save to Disk (S4)” on page 27.
Hard disk connection board
Hard disk drive
System board
The system doesnt resume from standby mode 
after opening the LCD. See “Save to Disk (S4)” on page 27.
LCD cover switch
System board
Power-Related Symptoms
Symptom / ErrorAction in Sequence 
						

							
68Chapter 4
NOTE: If you cannot find a symptom or an error in this list and the problem remains, see “Undetermined 
Problems” on page 70.
Battery fuel gauge in Windows doesn’t go higher 
than 90%.  Remove battery pack and let it cool for 2 hours.
Refresh battery (continue use battery until power off, then charge 
battery).
Battery pack
System board
System hangs intermittently. Reconnect hard disk/CD-ROM drives.  Hard disk connection board
System board
Peripheral-Related Symptoms
Symptom / ErrorAction in Sequence
System configuration does not match the 
installed devices.  Enter BIOS Setup Utility to execute “Load Default Settings”, then 
reboot system.
Reconnect hard disk/CD-ROM/diskette drives.
External display does not work correctly. Press Fn+F5, LCD/CRT/Both display switching System board
USB does not work correctly System board
Print problems. Ensure the “Parallel Port” in the “Onboard Devices Configuration” of  BIOS Setup Utility is set to Enabled.
Onboard Devices Configuration
Run printer self-test.
Printer driver
Printer cable
Printer
System Board
Serial or parallel port device proble ms. Ensure the “Serial Port” in the De vices Configuration” of BIOS Setup 
Utility is set to Enabled.
Device driver
Device cable
Device
System board
Keyboard/Touchpad-Related Symptoms
Symptom / ErrorAction in Sequence
Keyboard (one or more keys) does not work. Reconnect the keyboard cable. Keyboard
System board
Touchpad does not work. Reconnect touchpad cable. Touchpad board
System board
Modem-Related Symptoms
Symptom / ErrorAction in Sequence
Internal modem does not work correctly. Modem phone port modem combo board
System board
Power Management-Related Symptoms
Symptom / ErrorAction in Sequence 
						

							
Chapter 469
Intermittent Problems
Intermittent system hang problems can be caused by a variety of reasons that have nothing to do with a 
hardware defect, such as: cosmic radiation, electros tatic discharge, or software errors. FRU replacement 
should be considered only when a recurring problem exists.
When analyzing an intermittent problem, do the following:
1. Run the advanced diagnostic test for the syst em board in loop mode at least 10 times.
2. If no error is detected,  do not replace any FRU.
3. If any error is detected, replace  the FRU. Rerun the test to verify that there are no more errors.  
						

							
70Chapter 4
Undetermined Problems
The diagnostic problems does not identify which adapter or device failed, which installed devices are incorrect, 
whether a short circuit is suspected, or  whether the system is inoperative.  
Follow these procedures to isolate the faili ng FRU (do not isolate non-defective FRU).
NOTE:  Verify that all attached devices  are supported by the computer.
NOTE:  Verify that the power supply being used at the time  of the failure is operating correctly. (See “Power 
System Check” on page 57):
1. Power-off the computer.
2. Visually check them for damage. If an y problems are found, replace the FRU.
3. Remove or disconnect all of the following devices:
TNon-Acer devices
TPrinter, mouse, and other external devices
TBattery pack
THard disk drive
TDIMM 
TCD-ROM/Diskette drive Module
TPC Cards
4. Power-on the computer.
5. Determine if the problem has changed.
6. If the problem does not recur, reconnect the remove d devices one at a time until you find the failing FRU.
7. If the problem remains, replace the following FRU one  at a time. Do not replace a non-defective FRU:
TSystem board
TLCD assembly 
						

							
Chapter 571
To p  V i e w
 
SW3 Power Switch SW1 Lid Swtich
JP1 Bluetooth Connector JP5 Touchpad Connector
SW2 E-mail Switch JP4 Keyboard Connector
SW4 Internet Browser Switch JP42 Speaker Connector
SW5 Emanager Switch JP7 PCMCIA Slot
SW6 User Programmable Switch JP10 Microphone Connector
2
JP1
2
JP42
JP5
2
KQ:
JP1022
JP42
2
JP7
2
2
SW1
SW2
SW3 SW4
SW5SW6
Jumper and Connector Locations
Chapter 5 
						

							
72Chapter 5
Bottom View
JP21 Fan Connector JP24 USB Port
PJP11 Battery Connector JP25 USB Port
JP20 CPU Socket JP30 IEEE 1394 Port (No IEEE 1394 
Port for this model )
JP16 LVDS Connector JP36 Card Reader Connector ( No Card 
Reader module for this model )
JP22 VGA Board Connector IR Infrared Receiver ( No FIR function 
for this model )
PCN1 AC-IN JP40 Headphone out/line-out Jack 
JP13 USB Port JP41Mic-in Jack
JP12 Reserved for Acer ezDock. ( No 
ezDock for this model) JP28
HDD Connector
JP14 Modem Board Connector JP35Wireless LAN Card Connector
JP3 External Display Port U42BIOS
JP17 S-Video Port (No S-Video Port for 
this model) JP26
DDR2 Socket
JP26
JP312
2 2
JP35
JP39
U42 JP36
IR1
2
JP40
JP41
PCN1
JP13
JP12
2
JP142
JP32
JP17
JP19
2
JP232
JP242
JP252
JP302
2
JP222JP162
PJP112
JP20
JP21
2
JP28 JP292
T2 Q2