Acer Aspire 8942 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...

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.
IDE0 Model Name This field shows the model name of HDD installed on primary IDE 
master.
IDE0 Serial Number This...

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...

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....

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...

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...

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...

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...

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:...

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...