Acer Travelmate 280 Service Guide

							Chapter 493
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 95.
POST does not complete. No beep or error 
codes are indicated.“Power-On Self-Test (POST) Error Message” on 
page 98
“Undetermined Problems” on page 106
POST detects an error and displayed messages 
on screen.“Error Message List” on page 99
The diagnostic test detected an error and 
displayed a FRU code.“System Diagnostic Diskette” on page 54
Other symptoms (i.e. LCD display problems or 
others).“Power-On Self-Test (POST) Error Message” on 
page 98
Symptoms cannot be re-created (intermittent 
problems).Use the customer-reported symptoms and go to 
“Power-On Self-Test (POST) Error Message” on 
page 98
“Intermittent Problems” on page 105
“Undetermined Problems” on page 106
Troubleshooting
Chapter 4 
						

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System Check Procedures
External 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 “System Diagnostic Diskette” on page 54 for details.
1.Boot from the diagnostics diskette and start the PQA program (see “System Diagnostic Diskette” on page 
54).
2.Go to the diagnostic Diskette Drive in the test items.
3.Press 
m in the test items.
4.Follow the instructions in the message window.
If an error occurs with the internal diskette drive, first turn off the power and then reconnect the diskette 
connector to the system board.
If the error still remains:
1.Reconnect the external diskette drive/CD-ROM module.
2.Replace the external diskette drive/CD-ROM module.
3.Replace the system board.
External 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 “System Diagnostic Diskette” on 
page 54.
2.Go to the diagnostic CD-ROM in the test items.
3.Press 
m in the test items.
4.Follow the instructions in the message window.
If an error occurs, first turn off the power and then reconnect the connector to the system board. If the error still 
remains:
1.Reconnect the external diskette drive/CD-ROM module.
2.Replace the external diskette drive/CD-ROM module.
3.Replace the system board. 
						

							Chapter 495
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 “System Diagnostic Diskette” on page 
54 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:

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 “System Diagnostic 
Diskette” on page 54.
2.Go to the diagnostic memory in the test items.
3.Press 
m 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” on page 96

“Check the Battery Pack” on page 97 
						

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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” on page 106.

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” on page 97. 
Pin 1: +19 to +20.5V
Pin 2: 0V, Ground 
						

							Chapter 497
Check the Battery Pack 
To check the battery pack, do the following:
From Software:
1.Check out the Power Management in control Panel
2.In Power Meter, confirm that if the parameters shown in the screen for Current Power Source and Total 
Battery Power Remaining are correct.
3.Repeat the steps 1 and 2, for both battery and adapter.
4.This helps you identify first the problem is on recharging or discharging. 
From Hardware:
1.Power off the computer. 
2.Remove the battery pack and measure the voltage between battery terminals 1(+) and 6(ground). See the 
following figure
3.If the voltage is still less than 7.5 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 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 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. 
						

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Power-On Self-Test (POST) Error Message 
The POST error message index lists the error message 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 106.
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.  
						

							Chapter 499
Index of Error Messages
Error Code List
Error CodesError Messages
006 Equipment Configuration Error
Causes:
1. CPU BIOS Update Code Mismatch
2. IDE Primary Channel Master Drive Error
3. IDE Secondary Channel Master Drive Error
(THe causes will be shown before “Equipment Configuration 
Error”)
010 Memory Error at xxxx:xxxx:xxxxh (R:xxxxh, W:xxxxh) 
070 Real Time Clock Error
071 CMOS Battery Bad
072 CMOS Checksum Error
110 Incorrect password specified, system disabled. (Text mode only)
 Battery critical LOW
In this situation BIOS will issue 4 short beeps then shut down 
system, no message will show.
 Thermal critical High
In this situation BIOS will issue 3 long beeps then shut down 
system.
Error Message List
Error MessagesFRU/Action 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 95. 
Keyboard error see “Keyboard or Auxiliary Input Device Check” on page 95. 
Keyboard Controller Failed see “Keyboard or Auxiliary Input Device Check” on page 95. 
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 
						

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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 “External Diskette Drive Check” on page 94. 
Incorrect Drive A type - run SETUP Check the drive is defined with the proper diskette type in BIOS 
Setup Utility
See “External Diskette Drive Check” on page 94. 
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
Error Message List
Error MessagesFRU/Action in Sequence 
						

							Chapter 4101
Error Message List
No beep Error MessagesFRU/Action 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 95. 
Ensure every connector is connected tightly and correctly. 
Reconnect the DIMM.
LED board.
System board.
No beep, power-on indicator turns on and LCD is 
blank.Power source (battery pack and power adapter). See “Power 
System Check” on page 95. 
Reconnect the LCD connector
Hard disk drive
LCD inverter ID
LCD cable
LCD 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
System board
Error Beep List
CodeBeepsDescription
00h Two long beeps, one short beep, then one long beep. Success
F1h One long and one short beeps. BIOS file size mismatch
F2h One long and two short beeps BIOS reading error
D1h Two short beeps. Floppy drive not installed 
						

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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 adjusted
LCD contrast 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 connector
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 correctlyReconnect the inverter board
Inverter board
System board
Power-Related Symptoms
Symptom / ErrorAction in Sequence
Power shuts down during operation Power source (battery pack and power adapter). See “Power 
System Check” on page 95. 
Battery pack
Power adapter
Hard drive & battery connection board
System board
The system doesn’t power-on. Power source (battery pack and power adapter). See “Power 
System Check” on page 95. 
Battery pack
Power adapter
Hard drive & battery connection board
System board
The system doesn’t power-off. Power source (battery pack and power adapter). See “Power 
System Check” on page 95. 
Hold and press the power switch for more than 4 seconds.  
System board
Battery can’t be charged See “Check the Battery Pack” on page 97. 
Battery pack
System board