Acer Aspire 5538 Service Guide

							161Chapter 4
ODD Failure
If the ODD fails, perform the following actions one at a time to correct the problem. Do not replace a non-
defective FRUs:
ODD Not Operating Correctly
If the ODD exhibits any of the following symptoms it may be faulty:
• Audio CDs do not play when loaded 
• DVDs do not play when loaded 
• Blank discs do not burn correctly 
• DVD or CD play breaks up or jumps 
• Optical drive not found or not active: 
• Not shown in My Computer or the BIOS setup 
• LED does not flash when the computer starts up 
• The tray does not eject
• Access failure screen displays
• The ODD is noisy
Perform the following general solutions one at a time to correct the problem.
1.Reboot the computer and retry the operation.
2.Try an alternate disc.
3.Navigate to Start´ Computer. Check that the ODD device is displayed in the Devices with Removable 
Storage panel. 
						

							Chapter 4162
4.Navigate to Start´ Control Panel´ System and Maintenance´ System´ Device Manager.
a.Double-click lDE ATA/ATAPI controllers. If a device displays a down arrow, right-click on the device 
and click Enable.
b.Double-click DVD/CD-ROM drives. If the device displays a down arrow, right-click on the device and 
click Enable.
c.Check that there are no yellow exclamation marks against the items in l D E  ATA / ATA P I  c o n t r o l l e r s. If 
a device has an exclamation mark, right-click on the device and uninstall and reinstall the driver.
d.Check that there are no yellow exclamation marks against the items in DVD/CD-ROM drives. If a 
device has an exclamation mark, right-click on the device and uninstall and reinstall the driver.
e.If the exclamation marker is not removed from the item in the lists, try removing any recently installed 
software and retrying the operation.
Discs Do Not Play
If discs do not play when inserted in the drive, perform the following actions one at a time to correct the 
problem.
1.Check that the disc is correctly seated in the drive tray and that the label on the disc is visible.
2.Check that the media is clean and scratch free. 
3.Try an alternate disc in the drive.
4.Ensure that AutoPlay is enabled:
a.Navigate to Start´ Control Panel´ Hardware and Sound´ AutoPlay.
b.Select Use AutoPlay for all media and devices.
c.In the Audio CD and DVD Movie fields, select the desired player from the drop down menu.
5.Check that the Regional Code is correct for the selected media:
IMPORTANT:Region can only be changed a limited number of times. After Changes remaining reaches zero, 
the region cannot be changed even Windows is reinstalled or the drive is moved to another computer.
a.Navigate to Start´ Control Panel´ System and Maintenance´ System´ Device Manager.
b.Double-click DVD/CD-ROM drives. 
c.Right-click DVD drive and click Properties, then click the DVD Region tab.
d.Select the region suitable for the media inserted in the drive.
Discs Do Not Burn Properly
If discs can not be burned, perform the following actions one at a time to correct the problem.
1.Ensure that the default drive is record enabled:
a.Navigate to Start´ Computer and right-click the writable ODD icon. Click Properties.
b.Select the Recording tab. In the Desktop disc recording panel, select the writable ODD from the 
drop down list. 
c.Click OK.
2.Ensure that the software used for burning discs is the factory default. If using different software, refer to 
the softwares user manual.
Playback is Choppy
If playback is choppy or jumps, perform the following actions one at a time to correct the problem.
1.Check that system resources are not running low:
a.Try closing some applications.
b.Reboot and try the operation again.
2.Check that the ODD controller transfer mode is set to DMA: 
						

							163Chapter 4
a.Navigate to Start´ Control Panel´ System and Maintenance´ System´ Device Manager.
b.Double-click IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers, then right-click ATA Device 0. 
c.Click Properties and select the Advanced Settings tab. Ensure that the Enable DMA box is 
checked and click OK. 
d.Repeat for the other ATA Devices shown if applicable.
Drive Not Detected
If Windows cannot detect the drive, perform the following actions one at a time to correct the problem.
1.Restart the computer and press F2 to enter the BIOS Utility. 
2.Check that the drive is detected in the ATAPI Model Name field on the Information page. 
NOTE: Check that the entry is identical to one of the ODDs specified in “Hardware Specifications and 
Configurations” on page 18.
3.Turn off the power and remove the cover to inspect the connections to the ODD. See “Disassembly 
Process” on page 52.
a.Check for broken connectors on the drive, motherboard, and cables. 
b.Check for bent or broken pins on the drive, motherboard, and cable connections. 
c.Try an alternate cable, if available. If the drive works with the new cable, the original cable should be 
replaced.
4.Reseat the drive ensuring and all cables are connected correctly.
5.Replace the ODD. See “Disassembly Process” on page 52.
Drive Read Failure
If discs cannot be read when inserted in the drive, perform the following actions one at a time to correct the 
problem.
1.Remove and clean the failed disc. 
2.Retry reading the CD or DVD. 
d.Test the drive using other discs.
e.Play a DVD movie 
f.Listen to a music CD
If the ODD works properly with alternate discs, the original disc is probably defective and should be 
replaced.
3.Turn off the power and remove the cover to inspect the connections to the ODD. See “Disassembly 
Process” on page 52.
a.Check for broken connectors on the drive, motherboard, and cables. 
b.Check for bent or broken pins on the drive, motherboard, and cable connections. 
c.Try an alternate cable, if available. If the drive works with the new cable, the original cable should be 
replaced.
4.Replace the ODD. See “Disassembly Process” on page 52. 
						

							Chapter 4164
USB Failure (Right side)
If the rightside USB port fails, perform the following actions one at a time to correct the problem. Do not 
replace a non-defective FRUs: 
						

							165Chapter 4
Wireless Function Failure
If the WLAN/WiMAX fails, perform the following actions one at a time to correct the problem. Do not replace a 
non-defective FRUs:
Start
Reconnect the
Antenna to  the
cardCheck Antenna to
WLAN/WiMAX C ard
Check AntennaSwap the Antenna
Check WLAN/Wi MAX
CardSwap WL AN/
WiMAX Card
Check Function BoardSwap Function
Board
Swap Mainboard
OK
OK
OK
OK
NG
NG
NG
NG 
						

							Chapter 4166
Bluetooth Function Failure
If the Bluetooth fails, perform the following actions one at a time to correct the problem. Do not replace a non-
defective FRUs:
Easy Button Failure
If the Media Board fails, perform the following actions one at a time to correct the problem. Do not replace a 
non-defective FRUs:
Start
Reconnect the
cable to the
moduleCheck BT cable
connected
Check BT cableSwap the cable
Check BT ModuleSwap BT Module
Check Function BoardSwap Function
Board
Swap Mainboard
OK
OK
OK
OK
NG
NG
NG
NG
Start
Check 
function /B to 
M/B FFC Re -assemble 
the function /B FFC to M/B
OK
NG
Check 
function /B  
and FFC
OK
Swap The 
function /B 
OK
NG
Swap M/B
Start
Check 
function /B to 
M/B FFC Re -assemble 
the function /B FFC to M/B
OK
NG
Check 
function /B  
and FFC
OK
Swap The 
function /B 
OK
NG
Swap M/B 
						

							167Chapter 4
Thermal Unit Failure
If the Thermal Unit fails, perform the following actions one at a time to correct the problem. Do not replace a 
non-defective FRUs:
Start
Reconnect the
cable to the
MainboardCheck Fan pow er cable
Check FanSwap the Therm al
Module
CPU Heatink w ell
seat ed?Seat it well
Check CPUSwap CPU
Swap Mainboard
OK
OK
OK
OK
NG
NG
NG
NG 
						

							Chapter 4168
External Mouse Failure
If an external Mouse fails, perform the following actions one at a time to correct the problem. 
1.Try an alternative mouse.
2.If the mouse uses a wireless connection, insert new batteries and confirm there is a good connection. See 
the mouse user manual.
3.If the mouse uses a USB connection, try an alternate USB port.
4.Try an alternative program to verify mouse operation. Reinstall the program experiencing mouse failure.
5.Restart the computer.
6.Remove any recently added hardware and associated software.
7.Remove any recently added software and reboot.
8.Restore system and file settings from a known good date using System Restore. 
If the issue is not fixed, repeat the preceding steps and select an earlier time and date.
9.Run the Event Viewer to check the events log for errors. For more information see Windows Help and 
Support.
10.Roll back the mouse driver to the previous version if updated recently.
11 .Remove and reinstall the mouse driver.
12.Check the Device Manager to determine that:
• The device is properly installed. There are no red Xs or yellow exclamation marks. 
• There are no device conflicts. 
• No hardware is listed under Other Devices.
13.If the Issue is still not resolved, see “Online Support Information” on page 191.
Other Failures
If the CRT Switch, Dock, LAN Port, external MIC or Speakers, PCI Express Card, 5-in-1 Card Reader or 
Volume Wheel fail, perform the following general steps to correct the problem. Do not replace a non-defective 
FRUs:
1.Check Drive whether is OK.
2.Check Test Fixture is ok.
3.Swap M/B to Try.
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, electrostatic 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 system 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.  
						

							169Chapter 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 failing 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 On 
Issue” on page 153):
1.Power-off the computer.
2.Visually check them for damage. If any problems are found, replace the FRU.
3.Remove or disconnect all of the following devices:
• Non-Acer devices
• Printer, mouse, and other external devices
•Battery pack
• Hard disk drive
•DIMM 
• CD-ROM/Diskette drive Module
• PC Cards
4.Power-on the computer.
5.Determine if the problem has changed.
6.If the problem does not recur, reconnect the removed 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:
• System board
• LCD assembly 
						

							Chapter 4170
POST Code Tables
These tables describe the POST codes and descriptions during the POST.
Sec
NO_EVICTION_MODE_DEBUG EQU 1 (CommonPlatform\sec\Ia32\SecCore.inc)
Memory
DEBUG_BIOS equ 1 (Chipset\Alviso\MemoryInitAsm\IA32\IMEMORY.INC)
Post CodeDescription
0xC2 MTRR setup
0xC3 Enable cache
0xC4 Establish cache tags
0xC5 Enter NEM, Place the BSP in No Fill mode, set CR0.CD = 1, CR0.NW = 0.
0xCF Cache Init Finished
Post CodeDescription
0xA0 First memory check point
0x01 Enable MCHBAR
0x02 Check for DRAM initialization interrupt and reset fail
0x03 Verify all DIMMs are DDR or DDR2 and unbuffered
0x04 Detect an improper warm reset and handle
0x05 Detect if ECC SO-DIMMs are present in the system
0x06 Verify all DIMMs are single or double sided and not asymmetric
0x07 Verify all DIMMs are x8 or x16 width
0x08 Find a common CAS latency between the DIMMS and the MCH
0x09 Determine the memory frequency and CAS latency to program
0x10 Determine the smallest common TRAS for all DIMMs
0x11 Determine the smallest common TRP for all DIMMs
0x12 Determine the smallest common TRCD for all DIMMs
0x13 Determine the smallest refresh period for all DIMMs
0x14 Verify burst length of 8 is supported by all DIMMs
0x15 Determine the smallest tWR supported by all DIMMs
0x16 Determine DIMM size parameters
0x17 Program the correct system memory frequency
0x18 Determine and set the mode of operation for the memory channels
0x19 Program clock crossing registers
0x20 Disable Fast Dispatch
0x21 Program the DRAM Row Attributes and DRAM Row Boundary registers
0x22 Program the DRAM Bank Architecture register
0x23 Program the DRAM Timing & and DRAM Control registers
0x24 Program ODT
0x25 Perform steps required before memory init
0x26 Program the receive enable reference timing control register