Acer Travelmate 200 Service Guide

							34Chapter 2
The following table describes the parameters in this screen.  Settings in boldface are the default and 
suggested parameter settings.
Setting the Boot Drive Sequence
The Boot Drive Sequence section lists boot priorities (1st, 2nd and 3rd ) for bootable drives in your computer.
For example, the default value (1st:Floppy Disk, 2nd:CD-ROM and 3rd:Hard Disk) tells the computer to first 
search for a bootable floppy disk in the floppy drive.  If it finds one present, it boots up from that floppy disk.  If 
not, the computer continues to search for a bootable CD-ROM in the CD-ROM drive.  If it cannot boot up from 
the CD-ROM drive, it continues by booting up from the hard disk.
To set the boot drive sequence, use the cursor up/down keys to select a priority level (1st, 2nd and 3rd), then 
use the cursor left/right keys to select the device for that priority level.
ParameterDescriptionOptions
Boot Display Sets the display device on boot-up.
When set to 
Auto, the computer automatically 
determines the display device when the computer 
starts up.  If an external display device (e.g., monitor) 
is connected, it becomes the boot display; otherwise, 
the computer ’s display screen is the boot display.  
When set to 
Both, the computer outputs to both the 
computer display screen and an external display 
device if one is connected.Both or Auto 
Screen Expansion When set to enabled, the screen will automatically 
adjust the display to fit the screen when the resolution 
is set to 640 x 480.Enabled or Disabled
Resume on LAN/Modem Access When enabled, it allows your computer to resume 
when LAN/Modem access is active.Enabled or Disabled
Hotkey Beep When enabled, the computer gives off a beep when a 
hotkey (key combination is pressed).Enabled or Disabled
Fast Boot Allows you to define your system’s booting process; 
whether to skip some POST routines or proceed with 
the normal booting process.Enabled or Disabled
Boot Drive Sequence Specifies the order in which the computer starts up 
from.  See the section below.1st: Floppy Disk, 
2nd: CD-ROM, 
3rd: Hard Disk 
						

							Chapter 235
Onboard Device Configuration
The parameters in this screen are for advanced users only.  You do not need to change the values in this 
screen because these values are already optimized.
The Onboard Device Configuration screen assigns resources to basic computer communication hardware.
The following table describes the parameters in this screen.  Settings in boldface
 are the default and 
suggested parameter settings.
ParameterDescriptionOptions
Serial Port Enables or disables the serial port.
When enabled, you can set the base I/O address and 
interrupt request (IRQ) of the serial port.Enabled or Disabled
3F8h, 2F8h, 3E8h or 2E8h
4 or 3
Parallel Port Enables or disables the parallel port.
When enabled, you can set the base I/O address, 
interrupt request (IRQ) and operation mode of the 
parallel port.
If operation mode is set to ECP, the direct memory 
access (DMA) channel of the parallel port is set to 1.Enabled or Disabled
378h, 278h, or 3BCh
7 or 5
Bi-directional, EPP, ECP or 
Standard 
						

							36Chapter 2
System Security
The System Security screen contains parameters that help safeguard and protect your computer from 
unauthorized use.
The following table describes the parameters in this screen.  Settings in boldface
 are the default and 
suggested parameter settings.
Setting a Password
Follow these steps: 
1.
Use the cursor up/down keys to highlight a Password parameter (Setup, Power-on or Hard Disk) and 
press the Enter
 key.  The password box appears:
2.
Type a password.  The password may consist of up to eight characters (A-Z, a-z, 0-9). 
IMPORTANT:
Be very careful when typing your password because the characters do not appear on the 
screen. 
3.
Press Enter
.  Retype the password to verify your first entry and press Enter
.
4.
After setting the password, the computer automatically sets the chosen password parameter to Present.
ParameterDescriptionOptions
Setup Password When set, this password protects the computer and the BIOS 
Utility from unauthorized entry.  See the following section for 
instructions on how to set a password.None or Present
Power-on Password When set, this password protects the computer  from 
unauthorized entry.  See the following section for instructions 
on how to set a password.None or Present
Hard Disk Password When set, this password protects the hard disk from 
unauthorized access.  See the following section for 
instructions on how to set a password.None or Present 
						

							Chapter 237
Three password types protect your computer from unauthorized access.  Setting these passwords creates 
several different levels of protection for your computer and data:
!Setup Password prevents unauthorized entry to the BIOS Utility.  Once set, you must key-in this 
password to gain access to the BIOS Utility.  
!Power-On Password secures your computer against unauthorized use.  Combine the use of this 
password with password checkpoints on boot-up and resume from hibernation for maximum 
security.
!Hard Disk Password protects your data by preventing unauthorized access to your hard disk.  
Even if the hard disk is removed from the computer and moved to another computer, it cannot be 
accessed without the Hard Disk Password.
When a password is set, a password prompt appears on the left-hand corner of the display screen.
1.When the Setup Password is set, the following prompt appears when you press F2 to enter the BIOS 
Utility at boot-up.
Type the Setup Password and press Enter to access the BIOS Utility.
2.When the Power-on Password is set, the following prompt appears at boot-up.
Type the Power-on Password (a symbol appears for each character you type) and press Enter to use the 
computer.  If you enter the password incorrectly, an x symbol appears.  Try again and press Enter.
3.When the Hard Disk Password is set, the following prompt appears at boot-up.
Type the Hard Disk Password (a symbol appears for each character you type) and press Enter to use the 
computer.   If you enter the password incorrectly, an x symbol appears.  Try again and press Enter.
You have three chances to enter a password.  If you successfully entered the password, the following symbol 
appears.
If you fail to enter the password correctly after three tries, the following message or symbol appears.
To change a password, follow the same steps used to set a password.
To remove a password, follow the same steps used to set a password, except type nothing in the password 
boxes. 
						

							38Chapter 2
Load Default Settings
If you want to restore all parameter settings to their default values, select this menu item and press Enter
.  The 
following dialog box displays.
If you would like to load default settings for all parameters, use the cursor left/right
 (→←
→←→← →←) keys to select Ye s
; 
then press Enter
.  Choose No
 if otherwise. 
						

							Chapter 239
BIOS Flash Utility
The BIOS flash memory update is required for the following conditions:
!New versions of system programs
!New features or options
Use the AFlash utility to update the system BIOS flash ROM.
NOTE: 
Do not install memory-related drivers (XMS, EMS, DPMI) when you use AFlash.
NOTE: 
This program contains a readme.txt file.  This readme.txt file will introduce on how to use AFlash utility.
Executing Flash Program
IMPORTANT:
If this diskette is not bootable, do the following actions before you use it:
1.
Create a bootable disk.
2.
Copy all AFlash files into this bootable diskette.
3.
Put the bootable disk into TravelMate 200 series module, then reboot.
IMPORTANT:
Never turn off the system power while Flash BIOS is programming.  This will damage your 
system.
4.
After Flash BIOS is done, reboot the system.
NOTE: 
If there are any problems occurred during BIOS update, see “Index of PQA Diagnostic Error Code 
Message” for troubleshooting. 
						

							40Chapter 2
System Utility Diskette
This utility diskette is for the Acer TravelMate 200 notebook machine.  It provides the following functions:
1.
Panel ID Utility
2.
Thermal & Fan Utility
3.
Main Board Data Utility
To use this diskette, first boot from this diskette, then a “Microsoft Windows 98 Startup Menu” prompt you to 
choose the testing item.  Follow the instructions on screen to proceed.
NOTE: 
This program contains a readme.txt file.  This readme.txt file will introduce each test utility and its 
functions.
IMPORTANT:
If this diskette is not bootable, do the following actions before you use it:
1.
Do system transfers.
2.
Copy the following files to A:\.
HIMEM.SYS
RAMDRIVE.SYS
Panel ID Read/ Write Utility
1.
Panel ID Read
This function will display the panel ID setting of Acer TravelMate 200 series, there maybe no values in inverter 
if no ID was found.
2.
Panel ID Write
This function will display a table of all panel IDs of Acer TravelMate 200 series, and ask to input the no. 
corresponding to the panel ID of the LCD.  Then, the chosen ID will be set in EEPROM.
Thermal test Utility
1.
Read thermal setting
This function will show the current thermal setting of your system and CPU which include the status, current 
local temp, remote temp, conversion and configuration.
2.
Set thermal setting
This function will write the default values into EEPROM.
3.
Te s t  f a n
This function will test the fan.
Error message will be displayed when problem is found.
Main Board Data Utility
1.
Read Main Board Data.
This function displays the MBD data.
2.
Create MBD header, product & manufacturer names.
This function will create three informations and write to EEPROM automatically:
a.
Header information
b.
Product name
c.
Manufacturer name
3.
Write MBD U UID
There are two sub-functions:
a.
Create and write a new UUID - this function is used when the original UUID is lost or damaged. 
						

							Chapter 241
b.Write UUID by user keyin - this function is used when the original UUID is kept.  User may use “Read 
Main Board Data” function first to keep the UUID.
4.Write MBD serial number - this function will write MBD serial number by user keyin. 
						

							42Chapter 2
System Diagnostic Diskette
IMPORTANT:
 1The diagnostics program here that we used is called PQA (Product Quality Assurance) and is 
provided by Acer Headquarters.  You can utilize it as a basic diagnostic tool.  To get this program, 
either download it from http://csd.acer.com.tw or find it in the TravelMate 200 service CD kit. 
To better fit local service requirements, your regional office MAY have other diagnostic program.  
Please contact your regional offices or the responsible personnel/channel to provide you with further 
technical details. 
NOTE: 
This program contains a readme.txt file.  This readme.txt file will introduce each test and its functions.
This diagnostic program is designed to perform the following diagnostic tools for Acer TravelMate 200 
notebook machine.  It provides the following functions.
1.
PQA System Diagnostics
2.
Audio Resource and Loopback Test
3.
USB Register and Connect/ Disconnect Test
To use this diskette, first boot from this diskette, then a “Microsoft Windows 98 Startup Menu” prompts you to 
choose the testing item.  Follow the instructions on screen to proceed.
IMPORTANT:
If this diskette is not bootable, do the following actions before you use it:
1.
Do system transfers.
2.
Copy the following files to A:\
HIMEM.SYS
RAMDRIVE.SYS
CHOICE.COM
MSCDEX.EXE
PQA System Diagnostics
NOTE: 
This PQA diagnostics program will test Acer TravelMate 200 notebook series’ hardware peripherals.
1.
When you select  One Test, Test command (F2 key) will only work in the first-level menu (Item Test), if you 
are in sub-level menu, please press ESC to return to upper-level (Item Test) menu.
2.
Use Space Bar to select/ deselect a testing item.
3.
When testing is done, there will be a testing report, where you could find out whether the testing is 
successful or not.
Audio Resource and Speaker-Out Test
This function will test Audio Resource and Loopback of Acer TravelMate 200 notebook series.  You will see 
“PASS” when test is successful.
You need “Loopbacker” when you choose “Loopback Test”.  Please put Loopbacker in Line-in, Line-out and 
Micro-in.  You will see “PASS” when test is successful.
USB Register and Connect/ Disconnect Test
This function will test USB Register and Connect/Disconnect of TravelMate 200 notebook series.
1.
Register test (USBCMD, USBINTR, FRNNUM, FLBASEADD, SOF) - test its own USB internal circuit.
2.
UHCI/ OHCI test utility
a.
Please prepare a USB device such as USB mouse, USB keyboard or USB modem, and leave the 
USB port disconnected.  (Don’t connect first)
b.
Program will dynamically detect the incoming device for two times, please plug the USB connector in 
USB port first, then plug it out.  (Connect one time, disconnect one time)
1New added description. Please pay attention to it. 
						

							Chapter 243
c.The test program will show the account  of connected/ disconnected, if every steps was doing right, 
the screen will show “PASS”, otherwise show “FAIL”.
Running PQA Diagnostics Program
Press →←
→←→← →← to move around the main menu.  Press Enter to enable the selected option.  The main options are 
Diag, Result, SysInfo, Option and Exit.
The Diag option lets you select testing items and times.
The following screen appears when you select Diag from the main menu.
One Test performs a single test and Manual checks the selected test items in sequence.
Multi Test performs multiple tests of the selected items and check the selected test items in sequence.
Full Test performs all test items in detail  for your system.
Quick Test performs all test items quickly for your system.
The screen below appears if you select Multi Test.
PQA                                        Vx_x     xx-xx-xx
DiagResult 
SysInfoOption
Exit
PQA                                        Vx_x     xx-xx-xx
DiagResult
SysInfoOption
Exit
DiagONE      TEST
MULTI   TEST
FULL     TEST
QUICK   TEST