Acer Extensa 500 Service Guide

							Chapter 371
2.  Remove the modem phone jack shield from the system board. 
9. Remove the system board from the lower case.
Removing the PCMCIA slot 
1.  Remove the 4 screws around the PCMCIA slot. 
2.  Turn the board over, gently lift up the PCMCIA slot.  
						

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Machine Disassembly 
Removing the Modem Phone Jack
1.  Remove the modem phone jack from the lower case.
2.  This completes the disassembly of the lower case.  
						

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Use the following procedure as a guide for computer problems.
Note: 
The diagnostic tests are intended to test only Acer products. Non-
Acer products, prototype cards, or modified options can give false 
errors and invalid system responses.
1.  Obtain the failing symptoms in as much detail as possible.
2.  Verify the symptoms by attempting to re-create the failure by running the 
diagnostic test or by repeating the same operation.
3.  Use the following table with the verified symptom to determine which page 
to go to.  
Symptoms (Verified)Go To
Power failure. (The power indicator 
does not go on or stay on.)“Power System Check” on page 75.
POST does not complete. No beep or 
error codes are indicated.“Error Symptom-to-FRU Index” on 
page 78. 
“Undetermined Problems” on page 86
POST detects an error and displayed 
messages on screen.“Error Messages List” on page 78
The diagnostic test detected an error 
and displayed a FRU code.See “Running PQA Diagnostics 
Program.” on page 45
Other symptoms (i.e. LCD display 
problems or others).“Error Symptom-to-FRU Index” on 
page 78
Symptoms cannot be re-created 
(intermittent problems).Use the customer-reported symptoms 
and go to “Error Symptom-to-FRU 
Index” on page 78
“Intermittent Problems” on page 86
“Undetermined Problems” on page 86
Troubleshooting
Chapter 4 
						

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Troubleshooting 
System Check Procedures
Diskette Drive Check
Do the following to isolate the problem to a controller, driver, or diskette. A 
write-enabled, diagnostic diskette is required.
Note: 
Make sure that the diskette does not have more than one label 
attached to it. Multiple labels can cause damage to the drive or 
cause the drive to fail. 
Do the following to select the test device. See “Running the Diagnostics” for 
details.
1.  Boot from the diagnostics diskette and start the PQA program (See 
“Running PQA Diagnostics Program.” on page 45).
2.  Go to the diagnostic Diskette Drive in the test items.
3.  Press F2 in the test items.
4.  Follow the instructions in the message window.
If an error occurs with the internal diskette drive, reconnect the diskette 
connector on the system board.
If the error still remains:
1.  Reconnect the diskette drive.
2.  Replace the diskette driver cable.
3.  Replace the diskette.
4.  Replace the system board.
CD-ROM Drive Check
Do the following to isolate the problem to a controller, drive, or CD-ROM. 
Make sure that the CD-ROM does not have any label attached to it. The label 
can cause damage to the drive or can cause the drive to fail.
Do the following to select the test device:
1.  Boot from the diagnostics diskette and start the PQA program (refer to 
“Running PQA Diagnostics Program”.
2.  Go to the diagnostic CD-ROM in the test items.
3.  Press F2 in the test items.
4.  Follow the instructions in the message window.
If an error occurs, reconnect the connector on the System board. If the error 
still remains:
1.  Reconnect CD-ROM drive. 
						

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2.  Replace the CD-ROM drive.
3.  Replace the system board.
Keyboard or Auxiliary Input Device Check
Remove the external keyboard if the internal keyboard is to be tested.
If the internal keyboard does not work or an unexpected character appears, 
make sure that the flexible cable extending from the keyboard is correctly 
seated in the connector on the system board.
If the keyboard cable connection is correct, run the Keyboard Test. See 
“Running the Diagnostics” for details.
If the tests detect a keyboard problem, do the following one at a time to 
correct the problem. Do not replace a non-defective FRU:
1.  Reconnect the keyboard cables.
2.  Replace the keyboard.
3.  Replace the system board.
The following auxiliary input devices are supported by this computer:
qNumeric keypad
qExternal keyboard
If any of these devices do not work, reconnect the cable connector and 
repeat the failing operation. 
Memory Check
Memory errors might stop system operations, show error messages on the 
screen, or hang the system.
1.  Boot from the diagnostics diskette and start the PQA program (please 
refer to “Running PQA Diagnostics Program”.
2.  Go to the diagnostic memory in the test items.
3.  Press F2 in the test items.
4.  Follow the instructions in the message window.
Note: 
Make sure that the DIMM is fully installed into the connector. A 
loose connection can cause an error.
Power System Check
To verify the symptom of the problem, power on the computer using each of 
the following power sources:
1.  Remove the battery pack. 
						

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Troubleshooting 
2.  Connect the power adapter and check that power is supplied.
3.  Disconnect the power adapter and install the charged battery pack; then 
check that power is supplied by the battery pack.
If you suspect a power problem, see the appropriate power supply check in 
the following list:
q“Check the Power Adapter” on page 76
q“Check the Battery Pack” on page 76
Check the Power Adapter
Unplug the power adapter cable from the computer and measure the output 
voltage at the plug of the power adapter cable. See the following figure
1.  If the voltage is not correct, replace the power adapter.
2.  If the voltage is within the range, do the following:
qReplace the System board.
qIf the problem is not corrected, see “Undetermined Problems” on page 
86.
qIf the voltage is not correct, go to the next step.
Note: 
An audible noise from the power adapter does not always indicate 
a defect.
3.  If the power problem occurs only when the port replicator is used, replace 
the port replicator.
4.  If the power-on indicator does not light up, check the power cord of the 
power adapter for correct continuity and installation.
5.  If the operational charge does not work, see “Check the Battery Pack” on 
page 76. 
Check the Battery Pack 
To check the battery pack, do the following:
1.  Power off the computer. 
Pin 1: +19 to +20.5V
Pin 2: 0V, Ground 
						

							Chapter 477
2.  Remove the battery pack and measure the voltage between battery 
terminals 2(+) and 7(ground). See the following figure
3.  If the voltage is still less than 8.0 Vdc after recharging, replace the battery. 
To check the battery charge operation, use a discharged battery pack or a 
battery pack that has less than 50% of the total power remaining when 
installed in the computer. 
If the battery status indicator does not light up, remove the battery pack and 
let it return to room temperature. Reinstall the battery pack.
If the charge indicator still does not light up, replace the battery pack. If the 
charge indicator still does not light up, replace the DC/DC charger board. 
Touchpad Check
If the touchpad doesn’t work, do the following actions one at a time to correct 
the problem. Do not replace a non-defective FRU:
1.  Reconnect the touchpad cables.
2.  Replace the touchpad.
3.  Replace the touchpad.
After you use the touchpad, the pointer drifts on the screen for a short time. 
This self-acting pointer movement can occur when a slight, steady pressure 
is applied to the touchpad pointer. This symptom is not a hardware problem. 
No service actions are necessary if the pointer movement stops in a short 
period of time. 
						

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Troubleshooting 
Error Symptom-to-FRU Index
The symptom-to-FRU index lists the symptoms and errors and their possible 
causes. The most likely cause is listed first.
Note: 
 Perform the FRU replacement or actions in the sequence shown 
in FRU/Action column, if the FRU replacement does not solve the 
problem, put the original part back in the computer. Do not replace 
a non-defective FRU.
This index can also help you determine the next possible FRU to be replaced 
when servicing a computer.
If the symptom is not listed, see “Undetermined Problems” on page 86.
The following lists the error messages that the BIOS displays on the screen 
and the error symptoms classified by function. 
Note: 
Most of the error messages occur during POST. Some of them 
display information about a hardware device, e.g., the amount of 
memory installed. Others may indicate a problem with a device, 
such as the way it has been configured. 
Note: If the system fails after you make changes in the BIOS Setup 
Utility menus, reset the computer, enter Setup and install Setup 
defaults or correct the error
Error Messages List
Error MessagesAction in Sequence
Failure Fixed Disk Reconnect hard disk drive connector.
“Load Default Settings” in BIOS Setup Utility.
Hard disk drive
System board
Stuck Key See “Keyboard or Auxiliary Input Device Check” 
on page 75. 
Keyboard error See “Keyboard or Auxiliary Input Device Check” 
on page 75. 
Keyboard Controller Failed See “Keyboard or Auxiliary Input Device Check” 
on page 75. 
Keyboard locked - Unlock 
key switchUnlock external keyboard
Monitor type does not 
match CMOS - Run SetupRun “Load Default Settings” in BIOS Setup Utility.
Shadow RAM Failed at 
offset: nnnnBIOS ROM
System board
System RAM Failed at 
offset: nnnnDIMM
System board 
						

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Extended RAM Failed at 
offset:nnnnDIMM
System board
System battery is dead - 
Replace and run SetupReplace RTC battery and Run BIOS Setup Utility 
to reconfigure system time, then reboot system.
System CMOS checksum 
bad - Default configuration 
usedRTC battery
Run BIOS Setup Utility to reconfigure system 
time, then reboot system.
System timer error RTC battery
Run BIOS Setup Utility to reconfigure system 
time, then reboot system.
System board
Real time clock error RTC battery
Run BIOS Setup Utility to reconfigure system 
time, then reboot system.
System board
Previous boot incomplete - 
Default configuration usedRun “Load Default Settings” in BIOS Setup Utility.
RTC battery
System board
Memory size found by 
POST differed from CMOSRun “Load Default Settings” in BIOS Setup Utility.
DIMM
System board
Diskette drive A error Check the drive is defined with the proper diskette 
type in BIOS Setup Utility
See “Diskette Drive Check” on page 74. 
Incorrect Drive A type - run 
SETUPCheck the drive is defined with the proper diskette 
type in BIOS Setup Utility
See “Diskette Drive Check” on page 74. 
System cache error - Cache 
disabledCPU board
System board
CPU ID: CPU board
System board
DMA Test Failed DIMM
CPU board
System board
Software NMI Failed DIMM
CPU board
System board
Error Messages List
Error MessagesAction in Sequence 
						

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Troubleshooting 
Fail-Safe Timer NMI Failed DIMM
CPU board
System board
Device Address Conflict Run “Load Default Settings” in BIOS Setup Utility.
RTC battery
System board
Allocation Error for: device Run “Load Default Settings” in BIOS Setup Utility.
RTC battery
System board
Failing Bits: nnnn DIMM
BIOS ROM
System board
Fixed Disk n None
Invalid System 
Configuration DataBIOS ROM
System board
I/O device IRQ conflict Run “Load Default Settings” in BIOS Setup Utility.
RTC battery
System board
Operating system not found Enter Setup and see if fixed disk and drive A: are 
properly identified.
Diskette drive
Hard disk drive
System board
No-Beep Symptoms
Symptom / ErrorAction in Sequence
No beep, power-on 
indicator turns off and LCD 
is blank.Power source (battery pack and power adapter). 
See “Power System Check” on page 75. 
Ensure every connector is connected tightly and 
correctly. 
Reconnect the DIMM.
CPU board. 
DC-DC/charger board.  
System board
Error Messages List
Error MessagesAction in Sequence