Acer Aspire 5940g Service Guide

							Chapter 4141
Sound Problems
If sound problems are experienced, perform the following actions one at a time to correct the problem.
1. Reboot the computer.
2. Navigate to  Start´ Control  Panel ´ System  and  Maintenance ´ System ´ Device  Manager . 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.
3. Roll back the audio driver to the prev ious version, if updated recently.
4. Remove and reinstall the audio driver.
5. Ensure that all volume controls are set mid range:
a.Click the volume icon on the taskbar and drag the sli der to 50. Ensure that the volume is not muted.
b. Click Mixer to verify that other audio applications are set to 50 and not muted.
6. Navigate to  Start´ Control  Panel ´ Hardware  and  Sound ´ Sound . Ensure that Speakers are selected 
as the default audio device (green check mark).
NOTE:  If Speakers does not show, right-click on the  Playback tab and select Show Disabled  Devices  
(clear by default).
7. Select Speakers and click  Configure to start Speaker  Setup . Follow the onscreen prompts to configure 
the speakers.
8. Remove and recently installed hardware or software.
9. Restore system and file settings  from a known good date using System Restore . 
If the issue is not fixed, repeat the prec eding steps and select an earlier time and date.
10. Reinstall the Operating System.
11 . If the Issue is still not resolved, see “Online Support Information” on page 219. 
						

							142Chapter 4
Internal Microphone Failure
If the internal Microphone fails, perform the following actions one at  a time to correct the problem. Do not 
replace a non-defective FRUs:
Microphone Problems
If internal or external  Microphones do no operate correctly, perform the following actions one at a time to 
correct the problem.
1. Check that the microphone is enabled. Navigate to  Start´ Control  Panel ´ Hardware  and  Sound ´ 
Sound  and select the  Recording tab.
2. Right-click on the  Recording tab and select  Show Disabled  Devices  (clear by default). 
3. The microphone appears on the  Recording tab. 
4. Right-click on the microphone and select  Enable.
5. Select the microphone then click  Properties. Select the  Levels tab.
6. Increase the volume to the maximum setting and click  OK.
7. Test the microphone hardware:
a.Select the microphone and click  Configure.
b. Select  Set up microphone .
c. Select the microphone type from the list and click  Next.
d. Follow the onscreen prompts to complete the test.
8. If the Issue is still not resolved, see “Online Support Information” on page 219. 
						

							Chapter 4143
HDD Not Operating Correctly
If the HDD does not operate correctly, perform the following ac tions one at a time to correct the problem. 
1. Disconnect all external devices.
2. Run a complete virus scan using up-to-date software to ensure the computer is virus free. 
3. Run the Windows 7 Startup Repair Utility:
a.insert the Windows 7 Operating System  DVD in the ODD and restart the computer. 
b. When prompted, press any key to star t to the operating system DVD. 
c. The Install  Windows screen displays. Click  Next. 
d. Select  Repair your computer . 
e. The System  Recovery  Options  screen displays. Click  Next. 
f. Select the appropriate operating system, and click  Next. 
NOTE:  Click Load Drivers  if controller drives are required. 
g. Select  Startup  Repair . 
h. Startup Repair attempts to locate  and resolve issues with the computer.
i. When complete, click  Finish. 
If an issue is discovered, follow the onsc reen information to resolve the problem.
4. Run the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool. For more information see Windows Help and Support.
5. Restart the computer and press F2 to enter the BIOS  Utility. Check the BIOS settings are correct and that 
CD/DVD drive is set as the first  boot device on the Boot menu.
6. Ensure all cables and jumpers on the HDD and ODD are set correctly.
7. Remove any recently added hardware and associated software.
8. Run the Windows Disk Defragmenter. For more information see Windows Help and Support.
9. Run Windows Check Disk by entering  chkdsk /r from a command prompt. For more information see 
Windows Help and Support.
10. Restore system and file settings  from a known good date using System Restore . 
If the issue is not fixed, repeat the prec eding steps and select an earlier time and date.
11 . Replace the HDD. See “Disassembly Process” on page 46. 
						

							144Chapter 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 o ne 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 devi ce is displayed in the Devices with  Removable  
Storage  panel.
4. Navigate to  Start´ Control  Panel ´ System  and  Maintenance ´ System ´ Device  Manager . 
						

							Chapter 4145
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 excl amation 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 t he device and uninstall and reinstall the driver.
d. Check that there are no yellow excl amation marks against the items in  DVD/CD-ROM drives. If a 
device has an exclamation mark, right-click on t he 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 reinsta lled 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 follo wing actions one at a time to correct the problem.
1. Check that system resour ces 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:
a. Navigate to  Start´ Control  Panel ´ System  and  Maintenance ´ System ´ Device  Manager . 
						

							146Chapter 4
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 foll owing 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 16.
3. Turn off the power and remove the cover to inspect the connections to the ODD. See “Disassembly 
Process” on page 46.
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 cabl e, 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 46.
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 alte rnate 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 46.
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 cabl e, the original cable should be 
replaced.
4. Replace the ODD. See “Disassembly Process” on page 46. 
						

							Chapter 4147
Modem Function Failure
If the internal Modem fails, perform the following actions one at a  time to correct the problem. Do not replace a 
non-defective FRUs:
Wireless Function Failure
If the  WLAN  fails, perform the following actions one at a time to correct the problem. Do not replace a non-
defective FRUs:
START
RJ-11 well
connected?
Modem  wire
well co nnected?
Modem card
well co nnected?
Modem card  OK?
Replace
Main board
Connect it well
Seat it well
Replace
Modem card
Connect it well
No
No
No
No 
						

							148Chapter 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:
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 connecti on, try an alternate USB port.
4. Try an alternative program to verify mouse operati on. 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 prec eding 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 pr evious 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 ar e no red Xs or yellow exclamation marks. 
• There are no device conflicts. 
START
Fan cab le well connected?
Fan OK?
CPU heat sinkwell seated?
CPU OK?
Replace
Main board
Connect it well
Seat it well
Replace CPU
Replace fan
No
No
No
No 
						

							Chapter 4149
• No hardware is listed under Other Devices.
13. If the Issue is still not resolved, see “Online Support Information” on page 219.
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. 
						

							150Chapter 4
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 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. 
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 On 
Issue” on page 136.):
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:
• 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 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:
• System board
• LCD assembly