Acer Travelmate 310 Service Guide

							Chapter 3 55
7.  Disconnect the modem board.
8.  Remove the system board from the upper case. 
						

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							Chapter 4 57
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.
Note: To run the diagnostics, refer to “Running the Diagnostics”..
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. 
Symptoms (Verified) Go To
Power failure. (The power indicator 
does not go on or stay on.)“Power Systems CheckCheck”.
POST does not complete. No beep or 
error codes are indicated.“Symptom-to-Spare Part Index”, and 
then use the No Beep Symptoms table.
POST beeps, but no error codes are 
displayed.“Symptom-to-Spare Part Index”, and 
then use the Beep Symptoms table.
POST detected an error and displayed 
numeric error codes.“Symptom-to-Spare Part Index”, and 
then use the Numeric Error Codes 
table.
The diagnostic test detected an error 
and displayed a Spare Part code.“Running the Diagnostics”.
Other symptoms (such as LCD display 
problems).“Symptom-to-Spare Part Index”, and 
then use the Other Symptoms table.
Symptoms cannot be re-created 
(intermittent problems).Use the customer-reported symptoms 
and go to “Symptom-to-Spare Part 
Index”.
TroubleshootingC h a p t e r 4 
						

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Do the following to select the test device. See “Running the Diagnostics” for 
details.
1.  Boot from the diagnostics diskette and start the PQA program (please 
refer to “Running PQA Diagnostics Program”).
2.  Go to the diagnostic Diskette Drive in the test items.
3.  Press F2 in the test items.
4.  Follow the instructions in the message window.
If an error occurs with the internal diskette drive, reconnector the connector 
on the Main board.
If the error still remains:
1.  Reconnector the diskette drive.
2.  Replace the diskette driver cable.
3.  Replace the diskette.
4.  Replace the IDE board
5.  Replace the Main board.
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 sub card.
If the keyboard cable connection is correct, run the Keyboard Test. See 
“Running the Diagnostics” for details.
If the tests detect a keyboard problem, do the following one at a time to 
correct the problem. Do not replace a nondefective Spare Part:
1.  Reconnector the keyboard cables.
2.  Replace the keyboard.
3.  Replace the Main board.
The following auxiliary input devices are supported for this computer:
•  Numeric keypad
•  External keyboard (with keyboard/mouse cable)
If any of these devices do not work, reconnector the cable connector and 
repeat the failing operation.
If the problem does not recur, recheck the connector. If the problem is not 
corrected, replace the device and then the Main board. 
						

							Chapter 4 59
Memory Check
DIMM cards are available for increasing memory capacity.
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.
On Board (MB) Slot 1 (MB) Total Memory (MB)
16 0 16
16 8 24
16 16 32
16 32 48
16 64 80 
						

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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 and diskette drive.
2.  Connect the AC Adapter and check that power is supplied.
3.  Disconnect the AC 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:
•  “Checking the AC Adapter”
•  “Checking Operational Charging”
•  “Checking the Battery Pack”
Checking the AC Adapter:
•  You are here because the computer fails only when the AC Adapter is 
used:
•  If the power problem occurs only when the port replicator is used, 
replace the port replicator.
•  If the power-on indicator does not turn on, check the power cord of the 
AC Adapter for correct continuity and installation.
•  If the operational charge does not work, go to “Checking Operational 
Charging.”
1.  Unplug the AC Adapter cable from the computer and measure the output 
voltage at the plug of the AC Adapter cable. See the following figure
:
If the voltage is not correct, replace the AC Adapter.
Pin Voltage (Vdc)
1+16
2Ground 
						

							Chapter 4 61
If the voltage is within the range, do the following:
•  Replace the Main board.
•  If the problem is not corrected, go to “Undetermined Problems”.
•  If the voltage is not correct, go to the next step.
Note: An audible noise from the AC Adapter does not always indicate a 
defect.
Checking Operational Charging: 
To check operational charging, use a discharged battery pack or a battery 
pack that has less than 50% of the total power remaining when installed in 
the computer.
Perform operational charging. If the battery status indicator does not turn on, 
remove the battery pack and let it return to room temperature. Reinstall the 
battery pack.
If the charge indicator still does not turn on, replace the battery pack. If the 
charge indicator still does not turn on, replace the Main board. Then reinstall 
the battery pack. If the reinstalled battery pack is not charged, go to the next 
section.
Checking the Battery Pack: 
Battery charging will not start until the Fuel-Gauge shows that less than 95% 
of the total power remains; with this condition the battery pack can charge to 
100% of its capacity. This protects the battery pack from being overcharged 
or having a shortened life. 
Do the following:
1.  Power off the computer.
2.  Remove the battery pack and measure the voltage between battery first 
and last grid.
If the voltage is still less than +7.5 Vdc after recharging, replace the battery.
TouchPad Check
If the TouchPad does not work, check the configuration in the TouchPad 
BIOS program. If the configuration of the TouchPad is disabled, select Enable 
to enable it.
If this does not correct the TouchPad problem, continue with the following. 
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  
						

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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.
If a click button problem or the pointing stick problem occurs, do the following:
1.  Boot from the diagnostics diskette and start the PQA program (please 
refer to “Running PQA Diagnostics Program”.
2.  Go to the diagnostic Pointing Dev. in the test items.
3.  Press F2 in the test items.
4.  Follow the instructions in the message window.
If either the pointing stick or the click button do not work, do the following 
actions one at a time to correct the problem. Do not replace a nondefective 
Spare Part:
1.  Reconnector the TouchPad cables.
2.  Replace the TouchPad FPC.
3.  Replace the TouchPad. 
						

							Chapter 4 63
Symptom-to-Spare Part Index
The symptom-to-Spare Part index lists the symptoms and errors and their 
possible causes. The most likely cause is listed first.
Note:  Perform the Spare Part replacement or actions in the sequence 
shown in the “Spare Part/Action” columns. If a Spare Part 
replacement did not solve the problem, put the original part back in 
the computer. Do not replace a nondefective Spare Part.
This index can also help you determine the next possible Spare Part to be 
replaced when servicing a computer.
Numeric error codes show the errors detected in POST or system operation. 
If no codes are available, use narrative symptoms.
If the symptom is not listed, go to “Undetermined Problems” .
Numeric Error Codes
The following is a list of the message that the BIOS can display. Most of them 
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. Following the list are 
explanations of the messages and remedies for reported problem.
Note: If the system fails after you make changes in the Setup menus, 
reset the computer, enter Setup and install Setup defaults or correct 
the error
Numeric error Codes
Symptom / Error Spare Part / Action in Sequence
0200
Failure Fixed Disk1.  Reconnector Hard disk driver.
2.  “Load Setup Defaults” in BIOS Setup Utility.
3.  Hard disk driver
4.  Main board
0211
Stuck Key1.  Go to “Keyboard or Auxiliary Input Device Check”.
0211
Keyboard error1.  Go to “Keyboard or Auxiliary Input Device Check”.
0212
Keyboard Controller Failed1.  Go to “Keyboard or Auxiliary Input Device Check”.
0213
Keyboard locked - Unlock key 
switch1.  Unlock external keyboard 
						

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0230
Shadow RAM Failed at offset: 
nnnn1.  BIOS ROM
2.  Main board
0231
System RAM Failed at offset: 
nnnn1.  DIMM
2.  Main board
0232
Extended RAM Failed at 
offset:nnnn1.  DIMM
2.  Main board
0250
System battery is dead - Replace 
and run Setup1.  Replace backup battery(RTC) and Run SETUP to 
reconfigure System time, then reboot system.
0251
System CMOS checksum bad - 
Default configuration used1.  Backup battery(RTC)
2.  Run SETUP to reconfigure System, then reboot 
system.
0260
System timer error1.  Backup battery(RTC)
2.  Run SETUP to reconfigure System, then reboot 
system.
3.  Main board
0270
Real time clock error1.  Backup battery(RTC)
2.  Run SETUP to reconfigure System, then reboot 
system.
3.  Main board
0280
Previous boot incomplete - 
Default configuration used1.  Run “Load Setup Defaults” in BIOS Setup Utility.
2.  Backup battery (RTC)
3.  Main board
0281
Memory size found by POST 
differed from CMOS1.  Run “Load Setup Defaults” in BIOS Setup Utility.
2.  DIMM
3.  Main board
02B0
Diskette driver A error1.  Check the drive is defined with the proper diskette type 
in Setup
2.  Go to “Diskette Drive Check”.
02B2
Incorrect Drive A type - run 
SETUP1.  Check the drive is defined with the proper diskette type 
in Setup
2.  Go to “Diskette Drive Check”.
02D0
System cache error - Cache 
disabled1.  Main board
02F0
CPU ID:1.  Main board
02F5
DMA Test Failed1.  DIMM
2.  Main board
02F6
Software NMI Failed1.  DIMM
2.  Main board
Numeric error Codes
Symptom / Error Spare Part / Action in Sequence