Acer Travelmate 290 Service Guide

							Chapter 233
BIOS Setup Utility
The BIOS Setup Utility is a hardware configuration program built into your computer’s BIOS (Basic Input/
Output System).
Your computer is already properly configured and optimized, and you do not need to run this utility. However, if 
you encounter configuration problems, you may need to run Setup.  Please also refer to Chapter 4 
Troubleshooting when problem arises.
To activate the BIOS Utility, press 
m during POST (when “Press  to enter Setup” message is prompted 
on the bottom of screen). 
Navigating the BIOS Utility
There are five menu options: Main, Advanced, Security, Boot and Exit.
Follow these instructions:
TTo choose a menu, use the cursor left/right keys (zx).
TTo choose a parameter, use the cursor up/down keys ( wy).
TTo change the value of a parameter, press p or q.
TPress ^ while you are in any of the menu options to go to the Exit menu.
TIn any menu, you can load default settings by pressing t. You can also press u to save any 
changes made and exit the BIOS Setup Utility.
NOTE: You can change the value of a parameter if it is enclosed in square brackets. Navigation keys for a 
particular menu are shown on the bottom of the screen. Help for parameters are found in the Item 
Specific Help part of the screen. Read this carefully when making changes to parameter values.
System Utilities
Chapter  2 
						

							34Chapter 2
Main
This menu provides you the information of the system.
ParameterDescription
System BIOS Version Displays system BIOS version
VGA BIOS Version Displays VGA BIOS version
Serial # Displays the serial number of the unit.
UUID Number UUID=16bytes. This will be visible only when there is an internal LAN device present.
System Memory This field reports the memory size of system base memory. The size is fixed to 640KB.
Extended Memory This field reports the memory size of the extended memory in the system.
Extended Memory size=Total memory size
CPU Speed CPU Speed= Max speed
System Time and System 
DateSets the system time and date.
Quiet Boot Mode Control whether Customer Logo and Summary Screen are displayed or not.
LCD Auto DIM Enabled: LCD brightness will automatically lower to save more power when AC is not 
present.
Disabled: LCD brightness will NOT automatically lower to save more power when AC is 
not present.
PXE Boot from LAN Enables “PXE Boot from LAN” function at DOS.
F12 Boot Menu This field decides whether the OEM POST screen will have the following message: “Press 
 Change Boot Device” or not during user’s quiet boot. 
						

							Chapter 235
Advanced
The Advanced screen contains parameters involving your hardware devices. It also provides advanced 
settings of the system.
FIR Ports
Configure the system’s Infrared port using options: Disabled and Enabled.
The table below describes the parameters in the screen. Settings in boldface are the default and suggested 
parameter settings.
DescriptionOption
FIR I/O Settings Sets the base I/O address and IRQ for Infrared 
port.COM1, 3F8, IRQ4/ 
COM2, 2F8, 
IRQ3
/ COM3, 3E8, IRQ4/ 
COM4, 2E8, IRQ3 
						

							36Chapter 2
LPT Port
Configure the system’s parallel port using options: Disabled and Enabled.
The table below describes the parameters in the screen. Settings in boldface are the default and suggested 
parameter settings.
Legacy USB Support
Disabled: Disable support for Legacy Universal Serial Bus.
Enabled: Enable support for Legacy Universal Serial Bus.
DMA Setting for Fast IR Sets a DMA channel for the printer to operate in 
ECP mode. This parameter is enabled only if 
Mode is set to ECP.DMA1, DMA2, DMA3, 
Mode Setting Normak (16550), IrDA (HPSIR), 
ASK IR, 
FA S T  I R
DescriptionOption
Port Definition Sets the mode for the parallel port.
Standard AT: Normal mode (AT compatible)
Bi-directional: Bi-directional mod (PS/2 
compatible)
Enhanced Parallel (EPP): EPP mode
Extended Compabilities (ECP): ECP mode 
(requires DMA channel)Standard AT (Centronics), 
Bidirectional (PS-2), 
Enhanced Parallel (EPP), 
Extended Capabilities
Port Address Sets the base I/O address for the parallel port. 
When Mode is selected as EPP mode, “3BC” will 
not be available.None/ 
LPT1, 378, IRQ7/ LPT2, 
278, IRQ5/ LPT3, 3BC, IRQ7
Mode Setting If ECP mode has been selected, then DMA 
default is DMA1.DMA1, DAM3
DescriptionOption 
						

							Chapter 237 
						

							38Chapter 2
Security
The Security screen contains parameters that help safeguard and protect your computer from unauthorized 
use.
The table below describes the parameters in this screen. Settings in boldface are the default and suggested 
parameter settings.
Set Supervisor/User Password
If password on boot is required, the password must be set otherwise it cannot be enabled.
The formats of the password are as follows:
Length           10 characters
Characters    Alphanumeric keys only. The shift status i.e. Ctrl, Shift, Alt and Capital are ignored.
 
ParameterDescriptionOption
Set User Password Press Enter to set the user password. When 
set, this password protects the BIOS Setup 
Utility from unauthorized access. 
						

							Chapter 239
NOTE: When you are prompted to enter a password, you have three tries before the system halts. Don’t forget 
your password. If you forget your password, you may have to return your notebook computer to your 
dealer to reset it.
Set Supervisor Password Press Enter to set the administrator password. 
When set, this password protects the BIOS 
Setup Utility from unauthorized access. 
Password on Boot Allows the user to specify whether or not a 
password is required to boot.
Disabled or Enabled
ParameterDescriptionOption 
						

							40Chapter 2
Boot
This menu allows the user to decide the order of boot devices to load the operating system. Bootable devices 
includes the distette drive in module bay, the onboard hard disk drive and the CD-ROM in module bay.
Please select the order of the boot devices. 
						

							Chapter 241
Exit
The Exit screen contains parameters that help safeguard and protect your computer from unauthorized use.
The table below describes the parameters in this screen.
ParameterDescription
Exit Saving Changes Allows the user to save changes to CMOS and reboot the system.
Exit Discarding Changes Allows the user Discards changes made and exits System Setup.
Load Setup Default Loads default settings for all parameters (same as t ).
Discard Changes Allows the user to discard previous changes in CMOS Setup. 
						

							42Chapter 2
BIOS Flash Utility
The BIOS flash memory update is required for the following conditions:
TNew versions of system programs
TNew features or options
TRestore a BIOS when it becomes corrupted. 
Use the Flash utility to update the system BIOS flash ROM.
NOTE: If you do not have a crisis recovery diskette at hand, then you should create a Crisis Recovery 
Diskette before you use the Flash utility.
NOTE: Do not install memory-related drivers (XMS, EMS, DPMI) when you use the Flash utilities.
NOTE: Please use the AC adaptor power supply when you run the Flash utility. If the battery pack does not 
contain enough power to finish BIOS flash, you may not boot the system because the BIOS is not 
completely loaded. 
Fellow the steps below to run the Flash.
1.Prepare a bootable diskette.
2.Copy the Flash utilities to the bootable diskette.
3.Then boot the system from the bootable diskette. The Flash utility has auto-execution function.
System Diagnostic Diskette
This diagnostic diskette is for the Acer TravelMate 290 series notebook machine. However, system diagnostic 
utility is not ready as service CD released. Acer HQ CSD will upload the utility to CSD website as soon as it is 
ready.