Acer Extensa 660 Maintenance Manual

							                                                                                                  Troubleshooting Procedures  5-1
5
Troubleshooting Procedures
5.1 Introduction
This section provides an overview of the fault isolation process, provides guidelines for 
isolating 660 Series computer malfunctions to replaceable subassemblies and 
provides instructions for executing diagnostics and interpreting error messages.
5.2 Overview of Fault Isolation Process
The fault isolation process  (summarized in Figure 5-1) consists of the following steps:
¨Checking the Notebook power system (including battery packs and AC adapter 
connections) - refer to Paragraph 5.4.
¨Checking Switch settings (ensuring Power is On)
¨Pressing the Shift key to ensure that Notebook is not in Suspend mode
¨Verifying if computer is configured to boot from the A: Drive or C: Drive.
¨Checking LCD brightness adjustment (press Fn-Up Arrow keys to increase 
brightness)
¨Ensuring that computer is not set for external monitor (press Fn-F12 to select 
internal screen)
¨Recording and attempting to resolve any displayed error messages or error 
beeps (refer to Paragraph 5.3.3.1 and Tables 5-1 and 5-2)
¨Rebooting the system (Ctrl-Alt-Del)
¨If the computer is capable of running the Setup program; checking the serial 
and parallel port configurations, Sound System enable/disable, and other 
features that may affect system operation.
¨Running PC-Doctor Diagnostics to further isolate problem area (refer to  
Paragraph 5.5). For indicated hardware failures, cycling power and repeating 
self test to verify that a hard failure has occurred.
¨Removing and replacing suspect hardware (as described in Section 6 of this 
manual) and retest the system using the diagnostic tests as described in 
Paragraph 5.5. 
						

							5-2   Troubleshooting Procedures
Figure 5-1  Notebook Computer Troubleshooting Flow Chart
START
COMPUTER
TROUBLE
INDICATION
?
DEAD
COMPUTER
SYMPTOMS
?
RUN
SELF TEST
ERROR
MESSAGE
?
MODEM
PROBLEM
?
RUN
DIAGNOSTICS
DIAGNOSTICS
ERROR MSG
?
NO
YES
NO
YESSEE PARAGRAPH
5.3.5
NO
YESSEE PARAGR APHS
5.3.3.1 and 5.3.3.2
NO
See Paragraphs
5.3.1 &  5.3.2
NO
YES
YES
SEE PARAGRAPH
 5.5 
When Power button 
is pressed, no indication
of power is present (dark
LCD, no Status icons lit, 
no disk drive activity, etc.)
Press Power button; 
Selftest automatically
runs when power turned on.
NO
SEE PARAGRAPH
5.4
Yes PORT REPLICATOR
PROBLEMS?
ATTACH DESKTOP
DEVICES DIRECTLY
TO NOTEBOOK TO
ISOLATE PORT
REPLICATOR PROBLEMS
  
						

							                                                                                           Troubleshooting Procedures    5-3  
5.3 Troubleshooting Procedures
The built-in self test program and the disk resident diagnostics program (PC-Doctor) 
are useful tools in computer troubleshooting. However, if the computer has a power, 
keyboard or display problem, you must first solve this problem before running 
diagnostics. If the computer powers up and displays messages on the LCD or emits a 
series of beeps, skip to Paragraph 5.3.3 for further instructions.
5.3.1 Troubleshooting a Power Supply Problem
If the computer does not power up when the Power Switch is set to the ON position, 
you most likely have a malfunction in the power subsystem (loss of power at the AC 
outlet, faulty AC adapter, discharged Battery Packs, or faulty Power Supply on the 
Main Board). With a power problem, all LEDs are extinguished, the LCD screen is 
blank, the system does not respond when the suspend switch is pressed several times 
consecutively and no drive activity can be heard. The computer is unable to load 
software and displays no visible signs of activity.  To fault isolate a power problem, 
check the following:
¨AC adapter and Battery - Plug in the AC adapter and double-check all 
connections on the adapter and computer. Ensure that the Notebook Power 
switch is set to the On position and that the system is not in Suspend or Sleep 
mode.
¨Measure the voltage at the AC outlet or plug in a known good appliance (e.g., 
a lamp) to verify that voltage is present. If the voltage is ok, try replacing the 
AC adapter.
¨Check to see that the battery packs are installed correctly and that the battery 
charge indicators on the front of the battery packs indicate the batteries are 
charged (try using a new battery pack if batteries are discharged).
¨If the AC outlet voltage, AC adapter, and battery packs test normal but the 
computer will not power up, try disconnecting the display cable from the base 
(refer to Section 6 for disassembly instructions) to see if a short in the display 
assembly has occurred.
¨If the display assembly appears to be normal, replace the Bottom Board as 
described in Section 6 and retest system.
5.3.2 Troubleshooting a Display Problem
If the LCD remains blank when you turn on the computer, and the status indicators 
light, check the following controls on the display:
¨LCD suspend mode - Press Shift to terminate Suspend mode.
¨Brightness set too low - Press Fn-Up Arrow keys to increase screen brightness
¨Notebook Set for External Monitor - Press Fn-F12 to switch to the internal 
screen. 
						

							5-4   Troubleshooting Procedures
¨Faulty LCD - Replace the cover-display assembly as described in Section 6 of 
this manual.
¨Low battery - Use a fully charged battery and/or plug in the AC adapter.
Table 5-1 contains fault isolation information for Display Problems on the notebook. 
Symptoms are listed along the left side of the chart and the various Display FRUs are 
listed along the top of the chart. Within the body of the table are the probabilities of 
each of the FRUs causing that particular problem. For example, a single display line 
on the screen is most likely caused by the LCD Panel or Display Cable; other 
components have a low probability of causing the problem.
Table 5-1  Display Troubleshooting Guide
Problem Description Inverter 
BoardLCD 
PanelDisplay 
CableMother 
BoardBIOS
Single line on LCD display (horizontal 
or vertical)Low High Medium Low Low
Multiple lines on display (horizontal or 
vertical)Low Medium Medium Low Low
Sections of the display are missing 
charactersLow Medium Medium Low Low
Scrambled Display Low Medium Low Medium Medium
Intermittent characters on display Low Medium Medium Medium Low
Bright display, no visible characters Low Medium Medium Medium Low
Brightness level fluctuating or display 
blinking on/offHigh Low Medium Low Low
Display goes dim over time High Medium Low Low Low
Dim display but characters very 
visibleMedium Medium Low Low Low
Very dark display and characters are 
slightly visible when a light is directed 
at surface of the displayHigh Low Low Low Low
Very dark display and no characters 
are visibleLow High High Medium Low 
						

							                                                                                           Troubleshooting Procedures    5-5  
5.3.3 Fault Isolation Using Power On Self Test 
When the computer is first powered up, it automatically performs a Power On Self 
Test (POST) that checks the notebook’s central hardware and memory functions. 
During POST (which lasts for a few seconds), the display shows copyright and version 
number information.
Note: Some procedures in this paragraph require you to use keystroke 
sequences, such as Ctrl-Alt-Del. To execute a keystroke sequence such as this, 
you must press all three keys simultaneously.
5.3.3.1 POST Error Messages
Upon successful completion of Power On Self Test, the computer automatically loads 
its operating system and other built-in utilities. If POST fails to complete successfully, 
the display shows one of the error messages described in Table 5-2.
Note: In the event of a hardware problem that affects the display, the Notebook 
also communicates errors via a series of beeps. The interpretation of the beep 
codes is provided in Table 5-3. 
						

							5-6   Troubleshooting Procedures
Table 5-2  Power On Self Test Error Messages
Message Possible Cause Action
Diskette drive A failure
The drive failed or is missing. Check the drive to determine the
problem.
Diskette read failure -
press F1 to retry boot,  F2
for SETUP utilityThe disk is either not
formatted or is defective.Replace the disk with a bootable
disk and retry.
Display adapter failed,
usi ng al ternateThe primary video adapter
failed.Check the primary video
adapter.
Gate A20 failure
The keyboard controller is
not accepting command,
specifically, the enable and
disable A20 command.Check the keyboard controller
and system board. Turn the
power off, then back on again. If
the problem persists contact
qualified service personnel.
Fi xed di sk confi gurati on
errorThe specified configuration is
not supported or doesnt
match the actual hardware
installed.Correct the fixed disk
configuration.
Fi xed di sk control l er
failureThe fixed disk may be
defective.Try rebooting. If that doesnt
work, replace the fixed disk.
Fixed disk read failure -
press F1 to retry boot,  F2
for SETUP utilityThe fixed disk may be
configured incorrectly or is
defective.Check the drive type selected in
SETUP. Try rebooting. If that
does not work, replace the fixed
disk.
Pointer device failure
The PS/2-style mouse failed. Try rebooting. If problem
persists, check the mouse, cable
and connector. 
						

							                                                                                           Troubleshooting Procedures    5-7  
Table 5-2  POST Error Messages (continued)
Message Possible Cause Action
No boot device available -
press F1 to retry boot, F2
for SETUP utilityEither disk drive A:, the fixed
disk, or both the disk and
fixed disk are defective.Try rebooting. If problem
persists, replace the disk or the
fixed disk.
No boot sector on fixed
disk - press F1 to retry
boot, F2 for SETUP utilityThe C: drive is not formatted
or is not bootable.Format the C: drive and make it
bootable.
Not a boot diskette - press
F1 to retry boot, F2 for
SETUP utilityThe disk in drive A: is not
formatted as a bootable disk.Replace the disk with a bootable
disk and try rebooting.
No timer tick interrupt
The timer chip has failed. Check the system board. Turn
the power off, then back on
again. If the problem persists,
contact qualified service
personnel.
Shutdown fail ure
Either the keyboard
controller is not accepting the
reset command or the
associated reset logic has
failed.Check the keyboard controller
and system board. Turn the
power off, then back on again.
If the problem persists, contact
qualified service personnel.
Time of day not set - run
SETUP programReal time clock not set. Run the SETUP utility.
Timer 2 failure
The timer chip has failed. Check the system board. Turn
the power off, then back on
again. If the problem persists,
contact qualified service
personnel.
F2 to enter ROM-based
SETUPInvalid configuration
information must be
changed.You must run SETUP utility and
correct configuration information.
Invalid configuration
information - please run
SETUPDisplay adapter is configured
incorrectly.
Memory size is incorrect.
Wrong number of disk
drives.
Other configuration errors.Run t he SETUP ut ilit y. 
						

							5-8   Troubleshooting Procedures
5.3.3.2 POST Beep Error Messages
In the event of a hardware problem that affects the display, the Notebook also 
communicates errors via a series of beeps. These codes may be heard over the 
systems speaker as three bursts of beeps. The interpretation of the beep codes is 
provided in Table 5-3.
To recover from a self test error, try cycling power to the computer.  Also, press 
Ctrl-Alt-Esc to ensure that the Setup configuration is correct. In general, most of the 
failures are associated with the Upper and Lower Electronics Boards and may require 
board removal/replacement.
Table 5-2  POST Error Messages (continued)
Message Possible Cause Action
Keyboard clock line failure
The keyboard, the keyboard
cable connection, or the
keyboard controller is
defective.Make sure the keyboard cable
and keyboard are connected
properly. Check the keyboard
controller and the system board.
Turn the power off, then back on
again. If the problem persists,
contact qualified service
personnel.
Keyboard data line failure
The keyboard controller
firmware has failed.Check the keyboard controller
and system board. Turn the
power off, then back on again. If
the problem persists, contact
qualified service personnel.
Keyboard stuck key failure
A key is jammed. Locate the jammed key and fix
it. Make sure the keyboard cable
and keyboard are connected
properly. Turn the power off,
then back on again. If the
problem persists, contact
qualified service personnel.
Memory failure at hex-
value
, read hex-value,
expecting 
hex-value
Circuitry associated with the
memory chips has failed.Turn the power off, then back on
again. If the problem persists,
contact qualified service
personnel.
Unexpected interrupt in
protected modeHardware interrupt or NMI
occurred while in protected
mode.Check the timer chip or the
interrupt controller on the
system board.
Real time clock failure
The RTC or battery failed. Run SETUP and turn the power
off and on. If the problem
persists, replace the RTC
battery. If the problem remains,
contact qualified service
personnel. 
						

							                                                                                           Troubleshooting Procedures    5-9  
Try running PC-Doctor (Paragraph 5.5) if possible to verify the source of problem.
Table 5-3  Self Test Beep Messages
Beep Code Port 80h Description
None 01h CPU Register Test in Progress
1-1-3 02h CMOS Write/Read Failure
1-1-4  03h ROM BIOS Checksum Failure
1-2-1 04h Programmable Interval Timer Failure
1-2-2 05h DMA Initialization Failure
1-2-3 06h DMA Page Register Write/Read Failure
1-3-1 08h DRAM Refresh Verification Failure
None 09h  1ST 64K RAM Test in Progress
1-3-3 0Ah 1ST 64K RAM Chip or Data line Failure
1-3-4 0Bh 1ST 64K RAM Odd/Even Logic Failure
1-4-1 0Ch Address Line Failure, 1ST 64K RAM
1-4-2 0Dh Parity Failure, 1ST 64K RAM
2-1-1 10h Bit 0, 1ST 64K RAM Failure
2-1-2 11h Bit 1, 1ST 64K RAM Failure
2-1-3 12h Bit 2, 1ST 64K RAM Failure
2-1-4 13h Bit 3, 1ST 64K RAM Failure
2-2-1 14h Bit 4, 1ST 64K RAM Failure
2-2-2 15h Bit 5, 1ST 64K RAM Failure
2-2-3 16h Bit 6, 1ST 64K RAM Failure
2-2-4  17h  Bit 7, 1ST 64K RAM Failure
2-3-1 18h Bit 8, 1ST 64K RAM Failure
2-3-2 19h Bit 9, 1ST 64K RAM Failure
2-3-3 1Ah Bit A, 1ST 64K RAM Failure
2-3-4 1Bh Bit B, 1ST 64K RAM Failure
2-4-1 1Ch Bit C, 1ST 64K RAM Failure
2-4-2 1Dh  Bit D, 1ST 64K RAM Failure
2-4-3 1Eh Bit E, 1ST 64K RAM Failure
2-4-4 1Fh Bit F, 1ST 64K RAM Failure
3-1-1 20h Slave DMA Register Failure 
						

							5-10   Troubleshooting Procedures
3-1-2 21h Master DMA Register Failure
3-1-3 22h  Master Interrupt Mask Register Failure
3-1-4 23h Slave Interrupt Mask Register Failure
None 25h Interrupt Vector Loading In Progress
3-2-4 27h Keyboard Controller Test Failure
None 28h CMOS Power Failure and Checksum in Progress
None 29h CMOS Configuration Validation in Progress
3-3-4 2Bh Screen Memory Test Failure
3-4-1 2Ch Screen Initialization Failure
3-4-2 2Dh Screen Retrace Test Failure
None 2Eh  Search for Video ROM in progress
1-2 2Eh Cirrus Video Chip Failure
1-3 2Eh Cirrus RAM DAC or Video RAM Failure
None 30h Screen Believed Operable; running with Video ROM
None 31h Monochrome Monitor Believed Operable
None 32h Color Monitor (40 Column) Believed Operable
None 33h Color Monitor (80 Column) Believed Operable
4-2-1 34h No Time Tick
4-2-2 35h Shutdown Failure
4-2-3 36h Gate A20 Failure
4-2-4 37h Unexpected Interrupt in Protected Mode
4-3-1 38h Memory High Address Line Failure at 010000h-0A0000h
4-3-3 3Ah Timer Chip Counter 2 Failed
4-3-4 3Bh Time of Day Clock Stopped
4-4-1 3Ch Serial Port Failure
4-4-2 3Dh Parallel Port Failure
4-4-3 3Eh Math Coprocessor Failure
Table 5-3  Self Test Beep Messages
Beep Code Port 80h Description