Acer Travelmate 210 Service Guide

							Chapter 475
The following auxiliary input devices are supported by this computer:
!Numeric keypad
!External 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.
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:
!“Check the Power Adapter”
!“Check the Battery Pack”
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:
!Replace the System board.
!If the problem is not corrected, see “Undetermined Problems”.
!If 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-on indicator does not light up, check the power cord of the power adapter for correct 
continuity and installation. 
4.
If the operational charge does not work, see “Check the Battery Pack”.
Pin 1: +19 to +20.5V
Pin 2: 0V, Ground 
						

							76Chapter 4
Check the Battery Pack 
To check the battery pack, do the following:
1.
Power off the computer. 
2.
Remove the battery pack and measure the voltage between battery terminals 1(ground) and 7(+). 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. 
Re-install 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 system 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 calbes.
3.
Replace the touchpad.
4.
Replace the system board.
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.
1
2
3
4
5
67 
						

							Chapter 477
Index of Error Message
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 85.
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 “Keyboard or Auxiliary Input Device Check” . 
Keyboard error “Keyboard or Auxiliary Input Device Check”. 
Keyboard Controller Failed “Keyboard or Auxiliary Input Device Check”. 
Keyboard locked - Unlock key switch Unlock external keyboard.
Monitor type does not match CMOS - Run Setup Run “Load Default Settings” in BIOS Setup Utility.
Shadow RAM Failed at offset: nnnn BIOS ROM
System board
System RAM Failed at offset: nnnn DIMM
System board
Extended RAM Failed at offset: nnnn DIMM
System board
System battery is dead - Replace and run Setup Replace 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 used Run “Load Default Settings” in BIOS Setup Utility.
RTC battery
System board 
						

							78Chapter 4
Memory size found by POST differed from CMOS Run “Load Default Settings” in BIOS Setup Utility.
DIMM
System board
Diskette drive A error Check that the drive is defined with the proper diskette 
type in BIOS Setup Utility.
Diskette Drive Check. 
Incorrect Drive A type - run SETUP Check that the drive is defined with the proper diskette 
type in BIOS Setup Utility
Diskette Drive Check. 
System cache error - Cache disabled System board
CPU ID System board
DMA Test Failed DIMM
System board
Software NMI Failed DIMM
System board
Fail-Safe Timer NMI Failed DIMM
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 Data BIOS 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). 
Power System Check. 
Ensure every connector is connected tightly and 
correctly. 
Reconnect the DIMM.
System board.
Error Messages List
Error MessagesAction in Sequence 
						

							Chapter 479
No beep, power-on indicator turns on and LCD is 
blank.Power source (battery pack and power adapter).
Power System Check.  
Reconnect the LCD connectors
Hard disk drive
LCD inverter ID
LCD cable
Inverter
LCD
System board
No beep, power-on indicator turns on and LCD is 
blank.  But you can see POST on an external CRT. Reconnect the LCD connectors.
LCD inverter ID
LCD cable
LCD inverter
LCD
System board
No beep, power-on indicator turns on and a blinking 
cursor shown on LCD during POST.Ensure every connector is connected tightly and 
correctly.
System board
No beep during POST but system runs correctly. Speaker
Audio board
System board
No-Beep Symptoms
Symptom / ErrorAction in Sequence 
						

							80Chapter 4
Index of Symptom-to-FRU Error Message
LCD-Related Symptoms
Symptom / ErrorAction in Sequence
LCD backlight doesnt work
LCD is too dark
LCD brightness cannot be adjustedEnter BIOS Utility to execute “Load Setup Default 
Settings”, then reboot system.
Reconnect the LCD connectors.
Keyboard (if contrast and brightness function key 
doesnt work).
LCD inverter ID
LCD cable
LCD inverter
LCD
System board
Unreadable LCD screen 
Missing pels in characters
Abnormal screen 
Wrong color displayedReconnect the LCD connectors.
LCD inverter ID
LCD cable
LCD inverter
LCD
System board
LCD has extra horizontal or vertical lines displayed. LCD inverter ID
LCD inverter
LCD cable
LCD
System board
Indicator-Related Symptoms
Symptom / ErrorAction in Sequence
Indicator incorrectly remains off or on, but system runs 
correctly.Reconnect the LED board
LED board
System board
Power-Related Symptoms
Symptom / ErrorAction in Sequence
Power shuts down during operation. Power source (battery pack and power adapter).  
Power System Check. 
Battery pack
Power adapter
Audio board
System board
The system doesn’t power-on. Power source (battery pack and power adapter).  
Power System Check. 
Battery pack
Power adapter
Audio board
System board
The system doesn’t power-off. Power source (battery pack and power adapter).  
Power System Check. 
Hold and press the power switch for more than 4 
seconds.  
System board 
						

							Chapter 481
Battery can’t be charged Power System Check 
Battery pack
System board
PCMCIA-Related Symptoms
Symptom / ErrorAction in Sequence
System cannot detect the PC Card (PCMCIA)  PCMCIA slot assembly
System board
PCMCIA slot pin is damaged. PCMCIA slot assembly
Memory-Related Symptoms
Symptom / ErrorAction in Sequence
Memory count (size) appears different from actual size. Enter BIOS Setup Utility to execute “Load Default 
Settings, then reboot system.
DIMM
System board
Speaker-Related Symptoms
Symptom / ErrorAction in Sequence
In DOS or Windows, multimedia programs, no sound 
comes from the computer. Press Fn-F8, Speaker ON/OFF control.
Audio driver
Speaker
Audio board
System board
Internal speakers make noise or emit no sound. Press Fn-F8, Speaker ON/OFF control.
Speaker
Audio board
System board
Power Management-Related Symptoms
Symptom / ErrorAction in Sequence
The system will not enter hibernation Keyboard (if control is from the keyboard)
Hard disk drive
System board
Check with Sleep Manager.
The system doesnt enter hibernation mode and four 
short beeps every minute.Hibernation Mode
Press Fn+F4 and see if the computer enters 
hibernation mode.
Touchpad
Keyboard
Hard disk connection board
Hard disk drive
System board
The system doesn’t enter standby mode after closing 
the LCDStandby Mode
LCD cover switch
System board
The system doesnt resume from hibernation mode. Hibernation Mode
Hard disk connection board
Hard disk drive
System board
Power-Related Symptoms
Symptom / ErrorAction in Sequence 
						

							82Chapter 4
The system doesnt resume from standby mode after 
opening the LCD.Standby Mode
LCD cover switch
System board
Battery fuel gauge in Windows doesn’t go higher than 
90%. Remove battery pack and let it cool for 2 hours.
Refresh battery (continue to use battery until power off, 
then charge battery).
Battery pack
System board
System hangs intermittently. Set Thermal Sensor Threshold. 
Reconnect hard disk/CD-ROM drives. 
Hard disk connection board
System board
Peripheral-Related Symptoms
Symptom / ErrorAction in Sequence
System configuration does not match the installed 
devices. Enter BIOS Setup Utility to execute “Load Default 
Settings”, then reboot system.
Reconnect hard disk/CD-ROM/diskette drives.
External display does not work correctly. Press Fn+F5, LCD/CRT/Both display switching
Running PQA Diagnostics Program. 
System board
USB does not work correctly. System Diagnostics Diskette
System board
Print problems. Ensure that the “Parallel Port” in the “Onboard Devices 
Configuration” of BIOS Setup Utility is set to Enabled.
Onboard Devices Configuration
Run printer self-test.
Printer driver
Printer cable
Printer
System Board
Serial or parallel port device problems. Ensure that the “Serial Port” in the “Onboard Devices 
Configuration” of BIOS Setup Utility is set to Enabled.
Device driver
Device cable
Device
System board
Keyboard/Touchpad-Related Symptoms
Symptom / ErrorAction in Sequence
Keyboard (one or more keys) does not work. Reconnect the keyboard cable.
Keyboard
System board
Touchpad does not work. Reconnect touchpad cable.
Touchpad board
System board
Power Management-Related Symptoms
Symptom / ErrorAction in Sequence 
						

							Chapter 483
NOTE: If you cannot find a symptom or an error in this list and the problem remains, see “Undetermined 
Problems” on page 85. Modem-Related Symptoms
Symptom / ErrorAction in Sequence
Internal modem does not work correctly. System Diagnostics Diskette
Modem phone jack
Modem board
System board 
						

							84Chapter 4
Intermittent Problems
Intermittent system hang problems can be caused by a variety of reasons that have nothing to do with a 
hardware defect, such as: cosmic radiation, electrostatic discharge, or software errors.  FRU replacement 
should be considered only when a recurring problem exists.
When analyzing an intermittent problem, do the following:
1.
Run the advanced diagnostic test for the system board in loop mode at least 10 times.
2.
If no error is detected, do not replace any FRU.
3.
If any error is detected, replace the FRU.  Rerun the test to verify that there are no more errors.