Acer Aspire S3 Ms2346 Service Guide

							CHAPTER 4
Troubleshooting 
						

							4-2
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
General Information  . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
Power On Issues . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4
No Display Issues  . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5
LCD Failure . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . 4-7
Keyboard Failure . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8
Touchpad Failure . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9
Internal Speaker Failure  . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-10
Microphone Failure  . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12
USB Failure . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13
WLAN Failure  . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14
Card Reader Failure  . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-15
Thermal Unit Failure  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-16
Other Functions Failure . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-17
Intermittent Problems . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-18
Undetermined Problems. . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-18
Error Codes . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-19
BIOS Beep Codes . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-20
POST Codes  . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-25
Component Codes . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-25
Progress Codes . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-29 
						

							Troubleshooting4-3
Troubleshooting
Introduction0
This chapter contains information about troubleshooting common problems associated with 
the computer.
General Information0
The following procedures are a guide for troubleshooting computer problems. The step by 
step procedures are designed to  be performed as described.
NOTE:NOTE:
The diagnostic tests are intended for Acer products only. Non-Acer products, prototype 
cards, or modified options can give false errors and invalid system responses.
1. Obtain as much detailed information as possible about the problem.
2. If possible, verify the symptoms by re-creating the failure through diagnostic tests or  repeating the operation that led to the problem.
3. Refer to  Ta b l e 4 - 1 for a list of verified symptom ca tegory to determine the solution.
4. If the issue is still not resolved, refer to the  Online Support Information on page9-3
Table 4-1. Common Problems
Symptoms (Verified)
Power On Issues
No Display Issues
LCD Failure
Keyboard Failure
Touchpad Failure
Internal Speaker Failure
Microphone Failure
USB Failure
WLAN Failure
Card Reader Failure
Thermal Unit Failure
Other Functions Failure
Intermittent Problems
Undetermined Problems 
						

							4-4Troubleshooting
Power On Issues0
If the system does not power on, perform the following, one at a time, to correct the problem. 
Do not replace a non-defective FRU.
Figure 4-1. Power On Issue
Computer Shuts Down Intermittently 0
If the system powers off at intervals, perform the following.
1. Makes sure the power cable is  properly connected to the computer and the electrical 
outlet.
2. Remove all extension cables between the computer and the outlet.
3. Remove all surge protectors between the co mputer and the electrical outlet. Plug the 
computer directly into a known  serviceable electrical outlet.
4. Disconnect the power and open the casing to check the thermal module and fan airways  are free of obstructions.  Refer to the to the “Thermal Unit Failure”  section on page4-16. 
5. Remove all external and non-essential hardware connected to the computer that are not  necessary to boot the computer to the failure point.
6. Remove any recently  installed software.
7. If the issue is still not resolved, refer to the  Online Support Information on page9-3. 
						

							Troubleshooting4-5
No Display Issues0
If the Display does not work, perform the following, one at a time. Do not replace a 
non-defective FRU:
Figure 4-2. No Display Issue
No POST or Video 0
If the POST or video does not appear, perform the following one at a time.
1. Make sure that internal display is selected. Switch between the internal and external  display by pressing  Fn+F5. 
NOTE:NOTE :
This hotkey may not apply to all models. Refer to the computer’s user manual for the 
applicable hotkey sequence.
2. Make sure the computer has power by checking for one of the following:
Fans start up
Status LEDs illuminate
If there is no power,  refer to the “Power On Issues”  section on page4-4. 
						

							4-6Troubleshooting
3. Drain stored power by removing the power cable and the battery pack. Hold the power 
button for 10 seconds.
4. Connect the power cable and reboot the computer.
5. Connect an external monitor to the computer and switch between the internal display and  the external display by pressing  Fn+F5.
6. If the POST or video appears on the external display only, refer to the “ LCD Failure” 
section on page 4-7.
7. Disconnect power and all external devices incl uding port replicators or docking stations.
8. Remove any memory cards.
9. Start the computer. If the computer boots co rrectly, add the devices one by one until the 
failure point is discovered.
10. Reinstall the memory modules.
11. Perform the “ Replacing the HDD Module ” procedure described on pages 3-61.
12. If the issue is still not resolved, refer to the  Online Support Information on page9-3.
Abnormal Video 0
If the video appears abnormal, perform the following one at a time.
1. Boot the computer. If permanent vertical/horizontal lines or dark spots appear in the same location, the LCD 
panel is faulty and should be replaced. The same goes for when there is extensive pixel 
damage (i.e. different colored spots in the same locations on the screen). Perform the 
“Reassembly Process ” procedure described on page 3-43.
NOTE:NOTE:
Make sure that the computer is not running on battery alone as this may reduce display 
brightness.
2. Adjust the brightness to its hi ghest level. Refer to the User Manual for instructions on 
adjusting the settings. If the display is too dim at the highest brightness setting, the LCD is 
faulty and should be replaced. Refer to Disassembly Process.
3. Check the display resolution  is correctly configured:
Minimize or close all Windows.
If display size is only abnormal in an application, check the view settings and 
control/mouse wheel zoom feature in the application.
If desktop display reso lution is not normal, right-click on the desktop and select 
Personalize Display Settings .
Click and drag the Resolution slider to the desired resolution.
Click Apply  and check the display. Readjust if necessary.
4. Roll back the video driver to the previous version if updated.
5. Remove and reinstall the video driver.
6. 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
No hardware is listed under Other Devices
7. If the issue is still not resolved, refer to the  Online Support Information on page9-3 
						

							Troubleshooting4-7
8. Run the Windows Memory Diagnostic from the operating system DVD and follow the on-screen prompts.
9. If the issue is still not resolved, refer to the  Online Support Information on page9-3
LCD Failure0
If the LCD fails, perform the following, one at  a time. Do not replace a non-defective FRU:
Figure 4-3. LCD Failure 
						

							4-8Troubleshooting
Keyboard Failure0
If the Keyboard fails, perform the following, one at a time. Do not replace a non-defective 
FRU:
Figure 4-4. Keyboard Failure 
						

							Troubleshooting4-9
Touchpad Failure0
If the Touchpad fails, perform the following, one at a time. Do not replace a non-defective 
FRU:
Figure 4-5. Touchpad Failure 
						

							4-10Troubleshooting
Internal Speaker Failure0
If internal Speakers fail, perform the following, one at a time. Do not replace a non-defective 
FRU:
Figure 4-6. Internal Speaker Failure
Sound Problems 0
Perform the following, one at a time.
1. Boot 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. If updated recently, roll back the audio driver to the previous version.
4. Remove and reinstall the audio driver.
5. Make sure that all volume controls are set mid range:
Click the volume icon on the task bar