Acer Travelmate 290 Service Guide

							Chapter 463
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 main board.
If the keyboard cable connection is correct, run the Keyboard Test.
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 main board.
The following auxiliary input devices are supported by this computer:
TEmbedded Numeric Keypad
TExternal 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. 
Currently, we do not provide memory test program. However, if you need to check memory but have no testing 
program or diagonositc utility at hand, please go to http://www.passmark.com to download the shareware 
“BurnIn Test V.3.0”. You may test the memory with this program under Window XP environment.
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:
T“Check the Power Adapter” on page 64
T“Check the Battery Pack” on page 65 
						

							64Chapter 4
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:
TReplace the main board.
TIf the problem is not corrected, see “Undetermined Problems” on page 73.
TIf 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 DC-IN 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 Power Adapter” on page 64. 
Pin 1: 19V
Pin 2: 0V, Ground 
						

							Chapter 465
Check the Battery Pack
To check the battery pack, do the following:
From Software:
1.Check out the Power Options 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).
3.If the voltage is still less than 7.5 Vdc after recharging, replace the battery.
4.If the voltage is within the normal range, run the diagnostic program.
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 emit, 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.After rebooting, run Touch pad/PS2 Mode Driver.
2.Run utility with the PS/2 mouse function and check if the mouse is working.
3.If the PS/2 mouse does not work, then check if the main board to switch board FPC is connected well.
4.If the main board to switch board FPC is connected well, then check if the touch pad  FPC connects to the 
main board properly.
5.If there is still an error after you have connected the touch pad FPC to the main board properly, then 
replace the touch pad or touch pad FPC. The touch pad or touch pad FPC may be damaged.
6.Replace switch board.
7.If the touch pad still does not work, then replace the FPC on Track Pad PCB.
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.
Display Check
1.Connect an external display to the computer’s external monitor port, the boot the computer. The computer 
can automatically detect the external display. Press Fn+ p to switch to the external display.
2.If the external display works fine, the internal LCD may be damaged. Then perform the following steps:
Make sure the DDRRAM module is seated properly. Then run the diplay test again. If the problem 
still exists, go to next step.
Replace the inverter board, then run the display test program again. If the problem still occurs, go 
on next step.
Replace the LCD module with a new one then run the display test again. If the probelm still 
happens, continue next step.
Replace LCD/FL cable with a new one then execute the display diagnostic again. If the problem  
						

							66Chapter 4
still occurs, continue next step.
Replace the CPU with another of the same specifications. If the problems still occurs, go to next 
step.
The main board may be damaged. Replace main board.
3.If the external monitor has the same problem as the internal monitor,  the main board may be damaged. 
Please insert the diagnostic disk and run the display test program and go through the sub-steps under 
step 2.
Sound Check
To determine if the computer’s built-in speakers are functioning properly, perform the following steps. Before 
you start the steps below, adjust the speaker volume to an appropriate level. 
1.Try different audio sources. For example, employ audio CD and ditital music file to determine whether the 
fault is in the speaker system or not. If not all sources have sound problem, the problem is in the source 
devices. If all have the same problem, continue next step.
2.Connect a set of earphone or external speakers. If these devices work fine, go to next step. If not, then the 
main board may be defective or damaged. Replace the main board.
3.Follow the disassembling steps in Chapter 3. Esure the speaker cable is firmly connected to the main 
board. If the speaker is still a malfunction, go on next step.
4.If the speakers do not sound properly, the speakers may be defective or damaged. Replace the speakers. 
If the problem still occurs, then replace the main board. 
						

							Chapter 467
Insyde MobilePro BIOS POST Beep Code and POST Messages
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 73.
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.
Beep CodeMessageDescription
short, short, short; short, 
short, long“FAULTY DMA PAGE REGISTERS” DMA page registers do not function properly.
short, short, short; short, 
long, short“FAULTY REFRESH CIRCUIT” RAM refresh circuit does not function properly.
short, short, short; short, 
long, long“ROM CHECKSUM INCORRECT” BIOS ROM checksum failed.
short, short, short; long, 
short, short“CMOS RAM TEST FAILED” CMOS RAM test failed.
short, short, short; long, 
short, long“DMA CONTROLLER FAULTY” DMA controller does not work properly.
short, short, short; long, long 
short“INTERRUPT CONTROLLER 
FA I L E D ”The interrupt controller does not work properly.
short, short, short; long, 
long, longN/A
Keyboard controller failed to respond with the 
self-test command.
short, short, long; short, 
short, shortN/A No video device found.
short, short, long; short, 
short, longN/A No RAM installed.
N/A “KEYBOARD CONTROLLER 
FA I L U R E ”Keyboard controller failed during system inquiry 
about connected devices.
N/A “KEYBOARD FAILURE”
The keyboard fails to respond or no keyboard is 
connected.
N/A “CMOS FAILURE - RUN SCU”
CMOS data error, probably due to battery power 
loss.
N/A “CMOS CHECKSUM INVALID - RUN 
SCU”CMOS checksum error.
N/A
“RAM ERROR AT LOCATION xxxxxx:
WROTE: xxxx
READ: xxxx”The RAM failed during memory test at the indi-
cated location.
N/A
“PARITY ERROR AT UNKNOWN
LOCATION”Parity error during memory test at unknown 
location.
N/A “PARITY ERROR AT LOCATION 
XXXXXX”Parity error during memory test at the indicated 
location. 
						

							68Chapter 4
N/A “NO INTERRUPTS FROM TIMER 0” Timer 0 of the clock timer controller does not 
generate system interrupts correctly.
N/A “UNEXPECTED AMOUNT OF 
MEMORY - RUN SCU”The system memory size does not match with 
the CMOS record.
N/A “CLOCK NOT TICKING CORRECTLY” The system clock does not working correctly.
N/A “TIME/DATA CORRUPT - RUN SCU” The time/date information in CMOS is invalid.
N/A “MACHINE IS LOCKED - TURN KEY” The keyboard operation is locked.
N/A “BOOT SECTOR 0 HAS CHANGED” The boot sector of the hard disk has been 
changed, probably because of a virus attack.
N/A Suspend-to-Disk partition MISSING!” No Suspend-to-Disk partition found.
N/A “Hard Disk ERROR!” Access to the Suspend-to-Disk partition failed.
N/A “Suspend-to-Disk partition signature 
NOT FOUND!”No Suspend-to-Disk partition signature found.
N/A “Suspend-to-Disk partition size TOO 
SMALL!”The capacity of the Suspend-to-Disk partition is 
not enough.
N/A “MEMORY SIZE HAS CHANGED -- 
REBOOTING”The memory size has changed after previous 
Suspend-to-Disk operation.
Beep CodeMessageDescription 
						

							Chapter 469
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 Defaults” on Exit screen, 
then reboot system.
Reconnect the LCD connectors.
Keyboard (if contrast and brightness function key doesnt work).
LCD cable
LCD inverter
LCD
Main board
Unreadable LCD screen 
Missing pels in characters
Abnormal screen 
Wrong color displayedReconnect the LCD connector
LCD cable
LCD inverter
LCD
Main board
LCD has extra horizontal or vertical lines 
displayed.LCD inverter
LCD cable
LCD
Main board
Indicator-Related Symptoms
Symptom / ErrorAction in Sequence
Indicator incorrectly remains off or on, but system 
runs correctlyReconnect the inverter board
Inverter board
Main 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 63. 
Battery pack
Power adapter
Hard drive & battery connection board
Main board
The system doesn’t power-on. Power source (battery pack and power adapter). See “Power 
System Check” on page 63“.
Battery pack
Power adapter
Hard drive & battery connection board
Main board
The system doesn’t power-off. Power source (battery pack and power adapter). See “Power 
System Check” on page 63. 
Hold and press the power switch for more than 4 seconds.  
Main board
Battery can’t be charged See “Check the Power Adapter” on page 64. 
Battery pack
Main board 
						

							70Chapter 4
PCMCIA-Related Symptoms
Symptom / ErrorAction in Sequence
System cannot detect the PC Card (PCMCIA)  PCMCIA slot assembly
Main board
PCMCIA slot pin is damaged. PCMCIA slot assembly
Memory-Related Symptoms
Symptom / ErrorAction in Sequence
Memory count (size) appears different from 
actual size.DIMM
Main board
Speaker-Related Symptoms
Symptom / ErrorAction in Sequence
In Windows, multimedia programs, no sound 
comes from the computer. See “Sound Check” on page 66
Audio driver
Speaker
Main board
Internal speakers make noise or emit no sound. See “Sound Check” on page 66
Speaker
Main 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
Main board
The system doesnt enter hibernation mode and 
four short beeps every minute.Press Fn+F4 and see if the computer enters hibernation mode.
Touchpad
Keyboard
Hard disk connection board
Hard disk drive
Main board
The system doesn’t enter standby mode after 
closing the LCDLCD cover switch
Main board
The system doesnt resume from hibernation 
mode.Hard disk connection board
Hard disk drive
Main board
The system doesnt resume from standby mode 
after opening the LCD.LCD cover switch
Main 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 use battery until power off, then charge 
battery).
Battery pack
Main board
System hangs intermittently. Reconnect hard disk drives. 
Hard disk drive connector
Main board 
						

							Chapter 471
NOTE: If you cannot find a symptom or an error in this list and the problem remains, see “Undetermined 
Problems” on page 73. Peripheral-Related Symptoms
Symptom / ErrorAction in Sequence
System configuration does not match the 
installed devices. Enter BIOS Setup Utility to execute “Load Setup defaults”, then 
reboot system.
Reconnect hard disk/CD-ROM/diskette drives.
External display does not work correctly. See if there is an error beep. If there is an erro beep, then change 
main board.
Power off. Then check if RAM CPU BIOS are well-connected.
Press Fn+F5 three times slowly
LCD FPC
LCD inverter
LCD
USB does not work correctly USB device cable is firmly connected into the USB ports. Test one 
USB port each time.
USB socket is firmly secured to the main board.
Main board
Print problems. Ensure the “Parallel Port” in the “System Devices” of BIOS Setup 
Utility is set to Enabled.
Onboard Devices Configuration
Run parallel port test
Printer driver
Printer cable
Printer
Main board
Keyboard/Touchpad-Related Symptoms
Symptom / ErrorAction in Sequence
Keyboard (one or more keys) does not work. Reconnect the keyboard cable.
Keyboard
Main board
Touchpad does not work. Reconnect touch pad cable. Modem port is secured to the main 
board
Touch pad FPC
Audio/Touch pad board
Main board
Modem-Related Symptoms
Symptom / ErrorAction in Sequence
Internal modem does not work correctly. Ensure the telephone cable is firmly plugged into the telephone wall 
socket and the modem port of the computer.
Modem phone port is secured to the main board.
modem combo board
Main board 
						

							72Chapter 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 diagnostic test for several times to isolate the problem.
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.
If an error is detected by the main battery test, see “Check the Power Adapter” on page 64
If an error is detected by the display test, see “Index of Symptom-to-FRU Error Message” on page 69 .
If an error is detected by the floppy disk drive test, see “External Diskette Drive Check” on page 62.
If an error is detected by the keyboard test, see “Keyboard or Auxiliary Input Device Check” on page 63.