Acer Travelmate 3230 Service Guide

							54Chapter 3
8.Detach the VGA thermal from the VGA board.
9.Disconnect the modem cable from the main board.
10.Remove the two screws fastening the modem board as shwon.
11 .Disconnect the modem board from the main board.
12.Disconnect the modem cable from the modem board.
13.Remove the two screws holding the speaker set to the lower case.
14.Take out the speaker set from the lower case. This completes the main unit disassembly. 
						

							Chapter 355
Disassembling the LCD Module
1.Remove the four screw caps as shown.
2.Remove the four screws holding the LCD bezel.
3.Then detach the LCD bezel from the LCD module.
4.Remove the screw fastening the LCD inverter.
5.Disconnect the LCD cable and disconnect the inverter cable, then remove the inverter.
6.Remove the two screws fastening the LCD assembly to the LCD panel.
7.Take out the LCD assembly from the LCD panel.
8.Remove the four screws fastening the LCD left bracket then remove it.
9.Remove the four screws fastening the LCD right bracket.
.
10.Then remove the LCD right bracket.
11 .Tear off the mylar and disconnect the LCD cable from the LCD then remove the cable. 
						

							56Chapter 3
Disassembling the External Modules
Disassembling the HDD Module
1.Remove the two screws holding the HDD bracket on one side.
2.Remove another two screws holding the HDD bracket on the other side.
3.Then take the hard disc drive out of the HDD bracket.
Disassembling the ODD Module
1.Remove the two screws fastening the ODD bracket.
2.Remove the ODD bracket from the optical disc drive module. 
						

							Chapter 457
Use the following procedure as a guide for computer problems.
NOTE: The diagnostic tests are intended to test this model.  Non-Acer products, prototype cards, or modified 
options can give false errors and invalid system responses.
1.Duplicate symptom and obtain the failing symptoms in as much detail as possible.
2.Distinguish symptom. Verify the symptoms by attempting to re-create the failure by running the diagnostic 
test or by repeating the same operation.
3.Disassemble and assemble the unit without any power sources.
4.If any problem occurs, you can perform visual inspection before you fellow this chapter’s instructions. You 
can check the following:
power cords are properly connected and secured;
there are no obvious shorts or opens;
there are no obviously burned or heated components;
all components appear normal.
5.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 59.
POST does not complete. No beep or error 
codes are indicated.“Insyde MobilePro BIOS POST Beep Code and 
POST Messages” on page 61
“Insyde MobilePro BIOS POST Codes” on page 
63
“Undetermined Problems” on page 72
POST detects an error and displayed messages 
on screen.“Insyde MobilePro BIOS POST Beep Code and 
POST Messages” on page 61
“Insyde MobilePro BIOS POST Codes” on page 
63
Other symptoms (i.e. LCD display problems or 
others).“Insyde MobilePro BIOS POST Beep Code and 
POST Messages” on page 61
“Insyde MobilePro BIOS POST Codes” on page 
63
“Index of Symptom-to-FRU Error Message” on 
page 67
Symptoms cannot be re-created (intermittent 
problems).Use the customer-reported symptoms and go to 
“Insyde MobilePro BIOS POST Beep Code and 
POST Messages” on page 61
“Insyde MobilePro BIOS POST Codes” on page 
63
“Intermittent Problems” on page 71
“Undetermined Problems” on page 72
Troubleshooting
Chapter 4 
						

							58Chapter 4
System Check Procedures
External Diskette Drive Check
If an error occurs with the internal diskette drive, reconnect the diskette connector on the system board.
If the error still remains:
1.Reconnect the external diskette drive/DVD-ROM module.
2.Replace the external diskette drive/CD-ROM module.
3.Replace the main 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 diagnostics program.
2.See if CD-ROM Test is passed when the program runs to CD-ROM Test.
3.Follow the instructions in the message window.
If an error occurs, reconnect the connector on 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 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 system 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:
TNumeric 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.
1.Boot from the diagnostics diskette and start the doagmpstotics program (please refer to main board.
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. 
						

							Chapter 459
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 Battery Pack” on page 60 
						

							60Chapter 4
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.After rebooting, run Tracking Pad PS2 Mode Driver. For example, run Syn touch driver.
2.Run utility with the PS/2 mouse function and check if the mouse is working.
3.If the the PS/2 mouse does not work, then check if the main board to switch board FPC is connected O.K.
4.If the main board to switch board FPC is connected well, then check if the FCC on touch pad PCB 
connects properly.
5.If the FFC on touch pad PCB connects properly, then check if LS851 JP1 Pin6=5V are pulese. If yes, then 
replace switch board. If no, then go to next step.
6.Replace touch pad PCB.
7.If the touch pad still does not work, then replace 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. 
						

							Chapter 461
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 72.
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. 
						

							62Chapter 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 463
Insyde MobilePro BIOS POST Codes
POST CodeMacro NameDescription
Boot Loader--BLOAD.ASM
00DIAG_SYSTEM_INITBoot started, check motherboard power is stable.
01DIAG_A20_DISABLEDisable A20 through A20
02DIAG_INIT_CHIPSETInitialize Chipset
03DIAG_TEST_RAMTest the basic 640k RAM
04DIAG_MOVE_BB_LOADERMove boot load segment into the RAM
05DIAG_EXECUTE_IN_DRAMprogram execution from DRAM
06DIAG_USER_FLASH_CHECKTest print port for check crisis option is enable or 
disable
07DIAG_SHADOW_BIOSDecompress the system BIOS, and Shadow 
System BIOS to RAM
08DIAG_CHECKSUM_BIOSChecksum System BIOS ROM
09DIAG_NORMAL_BOOTJump to the reset point
0ADIAG_CRISIS_BOOTProceed with Crisis Boot, first initial super I/O 
and boot device
0FDIAG_FATAL_ERRORFatal Error, like the RAM error or ROM error
CCDIAG_CRISIS_BEGINStart process the Crisis recovery procedure
99DIAG_RESUME_RAM_ERRORResume SMRAM not Found
POST DIAG -- BIOSPINE.ASM
10DEBUG_MISC_RESETDisable internal cache ram, and reset cpu
11DEBUG_CS_FAST_A20_RESETTurn off FASTA20 for post, and check have 
keyboard
12DEBUG_POST_SIGNAL_PORInitial PIC enable INT and Signal Power On 
Reset
13DEBUG_CS_CHIP_INITInitialize the Chipset and hook PCI BIOS
14DEBUG_OEM_ISA_VGA_SEARCHSearch For ISA Bus VGA Adapter, from address 
c000 to e000
15DEBUG_HWIO_SETUP_CTC1Initialize Counter and Timer chip
16DEBUG_OEM_SET_CMOS_REGSUser register config through CMOS
17DEBUG_CS_MEMORY_SIZESize Memory, and detect memory timing, setup 
memory controllor
18DEBUG_POST_TEST_RAMInitialize and test the first 64k memory
19DEBUG_GEN_TEST_ROMSchecksum the system ROM
1ADEBUG_HWIO_RESET_INTSReset PICs status
1BDEBUG_VIDEO_VIDEO_INITInitialize Video Adapter(s),and check vga rom 
and  vga ram
1CDEBUG_VIDEO_EQUIP_INITInitialize Video (6845 Regs),set display mode
1DDEBUG_VIDEO_COLOR_INITInitialize Color Adapter, and setup display reg.
1EDEBUG_VIDEO_BW_INITInitialize Monochrome Adapter, and setup 
display reg.
1FDEBUG_HWIO_TEST_DMA_PAGSend out some value, to test 8237A Page 
Registers 
20DEBUG_KEYB_SELFTEST_CTLRSend self test command (AAH) to test Keyboard 
controller. If o.k. return (55h)
21DEBUG_KEYB_RESET_KEYBOARDTest Keyboard Controller and initialize keyboard                                     
controller.
22DEBUG_POST_CHECK_CMOS_RA
MSend test petten to Check CMOS Ram