Acer Travelmate 420 Service Guide

							Chapter 373
43.Disconnect the touchpad button board FFC.
44.Release nine locks that secure the touchpad cover.
45.Detach the touchpad cover.
46.Remove the touchpad.
47.Unscrew the four screws holding the antenna line. Two on each side.
48.Remove the antenna line from the upper case.
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							74Chapter 3
Disassembling the LCD Module
1.Remove the four screwpad then unscrew the four screws on the LCD bezel. 
2.Detach the LCD bezel from the lower side of the LCD module carefully..
3.Unscrew the screw that holds the LCD inverter.
4.Disconnect the inverter board.
5.Remove the inverter wire.
6.Unscrew the four screws that fasten the LCD to LCD panel. Two on each side.
7.Remove the LCD from the LCD panel.
8.Remove the four (two on each side) screws holding the two LCD brackets then take the brackets away. 
9.Tear off the mylar that fastens the LCD coaxial cable.
10.Disconnect the LCD coaxial cable.
.
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							Chapter 375
Disassembling the External Modules
Disassembling the HDD Module
1.Remove the screw holding the HDD cover. 
2.Take the HDD out of the HDD cover.
3.Remove the four (two on each side) screws on HDD carrier. 
4.Remove the HDD from HDD carrier.
5.Disconnect the HDD connector.
Disassembling the Optical Disk Drive Module/Combo Drive Module
1.Unscrew the two screws holding the ODD cover.
2.Remove another two screws that fasten the ODD cover.
3.Take the ODD assembly out of the ODD cover.
4.Remove the two screws that secure the ODD PCB board.
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							76Chapter 3
5.Remove the ODD PCB board.
6.Release the ODD door latch on one side.
7.Then remove the ODD door carefully.
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							Chapter 477
Use the following procedure as a guide for computer problems.
NOTE: The diagnostic tests are intended to test this model (TravelMate 420 series).  Non-Acer products, 
prototype cards, or modified options can give false errors and invalid system responses.
1.Obtain the failed 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.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.
4.After you perform visual inspection you can also verify the following:
ask the user if a password is registered and, if it is, ask him or her to enter the password.
verify with the customer that Wndows XP is installed on the hard disk. Operating systems that 
were not preinstalled by Acer can cause malfunction.
make sure all optional equipment is removed from the computer.
make sure the floppy disk is empty.
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 79.
POST does not complete. No beep or error 
codes are indicated.“Power-On Self-Test (POST) Error Message” on 
page 83
“Undetermined Problems” on page 90
POST detects an error and displayed messages 
on screen.“Error Message List” on page 84
The diagnostic test detected an error and 
displayed a FRU code.“System Diagnostic Diskette” on page 52
Other symptoms (i.e. LCD display problems or 
others).“Power-On Self-Test (POST) Error Message” on 
page 83
Symptoms cannot be re-created (intermittent 
problems).Use the customer-reported symptoms and go to 
“Power-On Self-Test (POST) Error Message” on 
page 83
“Intermittent Problems” on page 89
“Undetermined Problems” on page 90
Troubleshooting
Chapter 4
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							78Chapter 4
System Check Procedures
External Diskette Drive Check
Do the following steps 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 52 for details.
1.The FDD heads can become dirty over time, affecting their performance. Use an FDD cleaning kit to clean 
the heads. If the FDD still does not function properly after cleaning, go to next step.
2.Boot from diagnostic program (see“System Diagnostic Diskette” on page 52)
3.If an error occurs with the internal diskette drive, reconnect the diskette connector on the main board.
If the error still remains:
1.Reconnect the external diskette drive module.
2.Replace the external diskette drive module.
3.Replace the main board.
External CD-ROM/DVD-ROM Drive Check
Do the following to isolate the problem to a controller, drive, or CD-ROM/DVD-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.Insert an audio CD into the CD/DVD drive. If the CD/DVD drive can read the data from the audio CD. The 
drive does not have problem, then go to next step. If the CD/DVD LED on the front panel does not emit 
light as it read the data from the audio CD, then go to next step. However, if the CD/DVD drive can not 
read data from the audio CD, you may need to clean the CD/DVD drive with a CD/DVD drive cleaning 
disk.
2.Make sure that the appropriate driver has been installed on the computer for the CD/DVD drive.
3.Boot from the diagnostics diskette and start the diagnostics program (refer to “System Diagnostic 
Diskette” on page 52.)
4.See if CD-ROM Test is passed when the program runs to CD-ROM/DVD-ROM Test.
5.Follow the instructions in the message window.
If an error occurs, reconnect the connector on the main board. If the error still remains:
1.Reconnect the CD-ROM/DVD-ROM module.
2.Replace the CD-ROM/DVD-ROM module.
3.Replace the main board.
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							Chapter 479
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. See “System Diagnostic Diskette” on page 
52 for more 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 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 80
T“Check the Battery Pack” on page 81
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							80Chapter 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 90.
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 80. 
Pin 1: 19V
Pin 2: 0V, Ground
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							Chapter 481
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 
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							82Chapter 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.
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