Acer Aspire 8940 Service Guide

							Chapter 231
System Utilities
BIOS Setup Utility
The BIOS Setup Utility is a hardware configuration program built into your computer’s BIOS (Basic Input/
Output System).
Your computer is already properly configured and optimized, and you do not need to run this utility. However, if 
you encounter configuration problems, you may need to run Setup. Please also refer to Chapter 4 
Troubleshooting when problem arises.
To activate the BIOS Utility, press F2 during POST (when “Press  to enter Setup” message is prompted 
on the bottom of screen).
Press F2 to enter setup. The default parameter of F12 Boot Menu is set to “disabled”. If you want to change 
boot device without entering BIOS Setup Utility, please set the parameter to “enabled”. 
Press  during POST to enter multi-boot menu. In this menu, user can change boot device without 
entering BIOS SETUP Utility.
Navigating the BIOS Utility
There are six menu options: Information, Main, Advanced, Security, Boot, and Exit.
Follow these instructions:
• To choose a menu, use the left and right arrow keys.
• To choose an item, use the up and down arrow keys.
• To change the value of a parameter, press F5 or F6.
• A plus sign (+) indicates the item has sub-items. Press Enter to expand this item.
• Press Esc while you are in any of the menu options to go to the Exit menu.
• In any menu, you can load default settings by pressing F9. You can also press F10 to save any 
changes made and exit the BIOS Setup Utility.
NOTE: You can change the value of a parameter if it is enclosed in square brackets. Navigation keys for a 
particular menu are shown on the bottom of the screen. Help for parameters are found in the Item 
Specific Help part of the screen. Read this carefully when making changes to parameter values. Please 
note that system information is subject to different models.
Chapter 2 
						

							32Chapter 2
Information
The Information screen displays a summary of your computer hardware information.
NOTE: The screen above is for your reference only. Actual values may differ according to model.
The table below describes the parameters in this screen. 
ParameterDescription
CPU Type This field shows the CPU type and speed of the system.
CPU Speed This field shows the speed of the CPU.
IDE Model Name This field shows the model name of HDD installed on primary IDE 
master.
IDE Serial Number This field displays the serial number of HDD installed on primary IDE 
master.
ATAPI Model Name This field shows the model name of the Optical device installed in 
the system.
System BIOS Version Displays system BIOS version.
VGA BIOS Version This field displays the VGA firmware version of the system.
Serial Number This field displays the serial number of this unit.
Asset Tag Number This field displays the asset tag number of the system.
Product Name This field shows product name of the system.
Manufacturer Name This field displays the manufacturer of this system.
UUID Universally Unique Identifier (UUID) is an identifier standard used in 
software construction, standardized by the Open Software 
Foundation (OSF) as part of the Distributed Computing Environment 
(DCE).
Phoenix SecureCore(tm) Setup Utility
F1
ESCHelp
ExitSelect Item
Select Menu
Change Values
Select SubMenu
EnterF9
F10Setup Default
Save and Exit
Intel(R) C     
2530 MHz
Toshiba MK5055GSX
294DT06WT
WDC WD1600BEVT-22ZCT0
WD-WXE209T27982
HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GT20N
V0.2202
Montevina 1718
T
Acer
63623032-6261-3964-6338-00235A495964 Intel(R) Core(TM)i7     
2530 MHz
Toshiba MK5055GSX
294DT06WT
WDC WD1600BEVT-22ZCT0
WD-WXE209T27982
HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GT20N
V0.2202
Montevina 1718
Aspire 8940
Acer
63623032-6261-3964-6338-00235A495964CPU Type
CPU Speed
IDE0 Model Name:
IDE0 Serial Number:
IDE1 Model Name:
IDE1 Serial Name:
ATAPI Model Name:
System BIOS Version:
VGA BIOS Version:
Serial Number:
Asset Tag Number:
Product Name:
Manufacturer Name:
UUID: CPU Type
CPU Speed
IDE0 Model Name:
IDE0 Serial Number:
IDE1 Model Name:
IDE1 Serial Name:
ATAPI Model Name:
System BIOS Version:
VGA BIOS Version:
Serial Number:
Asset Tag Number:
Product Name:
Manufacturer Name:
UUID:
F5/F6 Main Boot
Exit Security Information 
						

							Chapter 233
Main
The Main screen allows the user to set the system time and date as well as enable and disable boot option 
and recovery.
NOTE: The screen above is for your reference only. Actual values may differ.
The table below describes the parameters in this screen. 
ParameterDescriptionFormat/Option
System Time Sets the system time. The hours are displayed with 24-
hour format.Format: HH:MM:SS 
(hour:minute:second) 
System Date Sets the system date. Format MM/DD/YYYY 
(month/day/year)
Total Memory
Displays the total memory available.N/A
Video Memory
Displays the available memory for Video.N/A
Quiet Boot Allows startup to skip certain tests while booting, 
decreasing the time needed to boot the system. Option: Enabled or 
Disabled
Network Boot Enables, disables the system boot from LAN (remote 
server).Option: Enabled or 
Disabled
F12 Boot Menu Enables, disables Boot Menu during POST. Option: Enabled or Enabled
D2D Recovery Enables, disables D2D Recovery function. The function 
allows the user to create a hidden partition on hard disc 
drive to store operation system and restore the system 
to factory defaults.Option: Enabled or 
Disabled
SATA Mode Control the mode in which the SATA controller should 
operate.Option: AHCI or IDE
Switchable 
GraphicsEnables or disables the switchable graphics mode. Option: SG Enabled, UMA 
Only or Discrete Only
Item Specific Help
This is the help for the
hour field. Valid range
is from 0 to 23.
INCREASE/REDUCE: F5/F6
F1
ESCHelp
ExitSelect Item
Select Menu
Change Values
Select SubMenu
EnterF9
F10Setup Default
Save and Exit
[19:10:59]
[01/09/2009]
4030 MB
512 MB
[Enabled]
[Enabled]
[Disabled]
[Enabled]
[AHCI Mode]
[SG Enabled] [19:10:59]
[01/09/2009]
4030 MB
512 MB
[Enabled]
[Enabled]
[Disabled]
[Enabled]
[AHCI Mode]
[SG Enabled]System Time:
System Date:
Total Memory:
Video Memory:
Quiet Boot:
Network Boot:
F12 Boot Menu:
D2D Recovery:
SATA Mode:
Switchable Graphics: System Time:
System Date:
Total Memory:
Video Memory:
Quiet Boot:
Network Boot:
F12 Boot Menu:
D2D Recovery:
SATA Mode:
Switchable Graphics:
F5/F6
Phoenix SecureCore(tm) Setup Utility
Main Boot
Exit Security Information 
						

							34Chapter 2
Security
The Security screen contains parameters that help safeguard and protect your computer from unauthorized 
use.
The table below describes the parameters in this screen. Settings in boldface are the default and suggested 
parameter settings.
NOTE: When you are prompted to enter a password, you have three tries before the system halts. Don’t forget 
your password. If you forget your password, you may have to return your notebook computer to your 
dealer to reset it.
ParameterDescriptionOption
Supervisor Password Is Shows the setting of the Supervisor passwordClear or Set
User Password Is Shows the setting of the user password.Clear or Set
HDD Password Shows the setting of the HDD passwordClear or Set
Set Supervisor Password Press Enter to set the supervisor password. When set, 
this password protects the BIOS Setup Utility from 
unauthorized access. The user can not either enter the 
Setup menu nor change the value of parameters.N/A
Set User Password Press Enter to set the user password. When user 
password is set, this password protects the BIOS Setup 
Utility from unauthorized access. The user can enter 
Setup menu only and does not have right to change the 
value of parameters.N/A
Set HDD Password Enter HDD Password. N/A
Password on  Boot Defines whether a password is required or not while the 
events defined in this group happened. The following 
sub-options are all requires the Supervisor password 
for changes and should be grayed out if the user 
password was used to enter setup.Disabled or 
Enabled
Item Specific Help
Install or Change the
password and the length
of password must be less
than eight words.
F1
ESCHelp
ExitSelect Item
Select Menu
Change Values
Select SubMenu
EnterF9
F10Setup Default
Save and Exit
Clear
Clear
Clear
[Enter]
[Enter]
[Enter]
[Disabled] Clear
Clear
Clear
[Enter]
[Enter]
[Enter]
[Disabled]Supervisor Password Is:
User Password Is:
HDD Password:
Set Supervisor Password
Set User Password
Set HDD Password
Password on Boot Supervisor Password Is:
User Password Is:
HDD Password:
Set Supervisor Password
Set User Password
Set HDD Password
Password on Boot
F5/F6
Phoenix SecureCore(tm) Setup Utility
Main Boot
Exit Security Information 
						

							Chapter 235
Setting a Password
Follow these steps as you set the user or the supervisor password:
1.Use the ↑ and ↓ keys to highlight the Set Supervisor Password parameter and press the Enter key. The 
Set Supervisor Password box appears:
2.Type a password in the “Enter New Password” field. The password length can not exceed 8 alphanumeric 
characters (A-Z, a-z, 0-9, not case sensitive). Retype the password in the “Confirm New Password” field.
IMPORTANT:Be very careful when typing your password because the characters do not appear on the screen.
3.Press Enter. After setting the password, the computer sets the User Password parameter to “Set”.
4.If desired, you can opt to enable the Password on boot parameter.
5.When you are done, press F10 to save the changes and exit the BIOS Setup Utility.
Removing a Password
Follow these steps:
1.Use the ↑ and ↓ keys to highlight the Set Supervisor Password parameter and press the Enter key. The 
Set Password box appears:
2.Type the current password in the Enter Current Password field and press Enter.
3.Press Enter twice without typing anything in the Enter New Password and Confirm New Password fields. 
The computer then sets the Supervisor Password parameter to “Clear”.
4.When you have changed the settings, press u to save the changes and exit the BIOS Setup Utility.
Set Supervisor Password
Enter New Password        [               ][               ]
Confirm New Password        [               ]
Set Supervisor Password
Enter Current Password        [               ][               ]
Enter New Password        [               ]
Confirm New Password        [               ][               ] 
						

							36Chapter 2
Changing a Password
1.Use the ↑ and ↓ keys to highlight the Set Supervisor Password parameter and press the Enter key. The 
Set Password box appears.
2.Type the current password in the Enter Current Password field and press Enter.
3.Type a password in the Enter New Password field. Retype the password in the Confirm New Password 
field.
4.Press Enter. After setting the password, the computer sets the User Password parameter to “Set”.
5.If desired, you can enable the Password on boot parameter.
6.When you are done, press F10 to save the changes and exit the BIOS Setup Utility.
If the verification is OK, the screen will display as following. 
The password setting is complete after the user presses Enter.
If the current password entered does not match the actual current password, the screen will show you the 
Setup Warning.
If the new password and confirm new password strings do not match, the screen will display the following 
message.
Set Supervisor Password
Enter Current Password        [               ][               ]
Enter New Password        [               ]
Confirm New Password        [               ][               ]
Setup Notice
Changes have been saved.
[Continue] [Continue]
Setup Warning
Invalid Password.
[Continue] [Continue]
Setup Warning
Passwords do not match.
Re-enter password.
[Continue] [Continue] 
						

							Chapter 237
Boot
This menu allows the user to decide the order of boot devices to load the operating system. Bootable devices 
includes the USB diskette drives, the onboard hard disk drive and the DVD drive in the module bay.
Select Boot Devices to select specific devices to support boot.
Item Specific Help
Use < > or < > to select
a device, then press
 to move it down the
list, or  to move
it up the list. Press
 to escape the menu
F1
ESCHelp
ExitSelect Item
Select Menu
Change Values
Select SubMenu
EnterF9
F10Setup Default
Save and Exit
Boot priority order:
1. IDE HDD: Toshiba MK5055GSX-(S1)
2. IDE HDD: WDC WD1600BEVT-22ZCT0-(S5) 
3. IDE CD: HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GT20N-(S2)
4. PCI LAN: MBA v11.4.1 Slot 0600
5. USB HDD:
6. USB CDROM:
7. USB FDC:
8. USB KEY: Boot priority order:
1. IDE HDD: Toshiba MK5055GSX-(S1)
2. IDE HDD: WDC WD1600BEVT-22ZCT0-(S5) 
3. IDE CD: HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GT20N-(S2)
4. PCI LAN: MBA v11.4.1 Slot 0600
5. USB HDD:
6. USB CDROM:
7. USB FDC:
8. USB KEY:
F5/F6
Phoenix SecureCore(tm) Setup Utility
Main Boot
Exit Security Information
Excluded from boot order: Excluded from boot order: 
						

							38Chapter 2
Exit
The Exit screen allows you to save or discard any changes you made and quit the BIOS Utility.
The table below describes the parameters in this screen.
ParameterDescription
Exit Saving Changes Exit System Setup and save your changes to CMOS.
Exit Discarding 
ChangesExit utility without saving setup data to CMOS.
Load Setup Default Load default values for all SETUP item.
Discard Changes Load previous values from CMOS for all SETUP items.
Save Changes Save Setup Data to CMOS.
Item Specific Help
Exit System Setup and
save your changes to
CMOS.
F1
ESCHelp
ExitSelect Item
Select Menu
Change Values
Select SubMenu
EnterF9
F10Setup Default
Save and Exit
Exit Saving Changes
Exit Discarding Changes
Load Setup Defaults
Discard Changes
Save Changes Exit Saving Changes
Exit Discarding Changes
Load Setup Defaults
Discard Changes
Save Changes
F5/F6 Phoenix SecureCore(tm) Setup Utility
Information
Main Boot
Exit Security 
						

							Chapter 239
BIOS Flash Utilities
The BIOS flash memory update is required for the following conditions:
• New versions of system programs
• New features or options
• Restore a BIOS when it becomes corrupted. 
Use the Phlash utility to update the system BIOS flash ROM.
NOTE: If you do not have a crisis recovery diskette at hand, then you should create a Crisis Recovery 
Diskette before you use the Phlash utility.
NOTE: Do not install memory-related drivers (XMS, EMS, DPMI) when you use the Phlash.
NOTE: Please use the AC adaptor power supply when you run the Phlash utility. If the battery pack does not 
contain enough power to finish BIOS flash, you may not boot the system because the BIOS is not 
completely loaded. 
Fellow the steps below to run the Phlash.
1.Prepare a bootable diskette.
2.Copy the flash utilities to the bootable diskette.
3.Then boot the system from the bootable diskette. The flash utility has auto-execution function. 
						

							40Chapter 2
DOS Flash Utility
Perform the following steps to use the DOS Flash Utility:
1.Press F2 during boot to enter the Setup Menu.
2.Select Boot Menu to modify the boot priority order, for example, if using USB HDD to Update BIOS, move 
USB HDD to position 1.
3.Execute the FLASH.BAT batch file to update BIOS.
The flash process begins as shown.
Item Specific Help
Use < > or < > to select
a device, then press
 to move it down the
list, or  to move
it up the list. Press
 to escape the menu
F1
ESCHelp
ExitSelect Item
Select Menu
Change Values
Select SubMenu
EnterF9
F10Setup Default
Save and Exit
Boot priority order:
1. IDE HDD: Toshiba MK5055GSX-(S1)
2. IDE HDD: WDC WD1600BEVT-22ZCT0-(S5) 
3. IDE CD: HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GT20N-(S2)
4. PCI LAN: MBA v11.4.1 Slot 0600
5. USB HDD:
6. USB CDROM:
7. USB FDC:
8. USB KEY: Boot priority order:
1. IDE HDD: Toshiba MK5055GSX-(S1)
2. IDE HDD: WDC WD1600BEVT-22ZCT0-(S5) 
3. IDE CD: HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GT20N-(S2)
4. PCI LAN: MBA v11.4.1 Slot 0600
5. USB HDD:
6. USB CDROM:
7. USB FDC:
8. USB KEY:
F5/F6
Phoenix SecureCore(tm) Setup Utility
Main Boot
Exit Security Information
Excluded from boot order: Excluded from boot order: