Acer Travelmate 650 Service Guide

							Chapter 463
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.
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 64 
						

							64Chapter 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 465
Power-On Self-Test (POST) Error Message
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.  
						

							66Chapter 4
Index of Error Messages
Error Message List
Error MessagesFRU/Action in Sequence
Struck Key See ““Keyboard or Auxiliary Input Device Check” on page 62
System CMOS checksum bad - Default 
configuration usedRTC battery
Run BIOS Setup Utility to reconfigure system, then reboot system.
Real time clock error RTC battery
Run BIOS Setup Utility to reconfigure system time, then reboot 
system.
Main board
Previous boot incomplete - Default configuration 
used“Load Default Settings” in BIOS Setup Utility.
RTC batter
Main baord.
Invalid System Configuration Data “Load Default Settings” in BIOS Setup Utility.
Main board.
Operating system not found Enter Setup and see if fixed disk and drive A are properly identified.
Dikette drive
Hard disk drive
Main board. 
						

							Chapter 467
Error Message List
No beep Error MessagesFRU/Action in Sequence
Power-on indicator turns off and LCD is blank. Power source (battery pack and power adapter.) See “Power 
System Check” on page 63
Ensure every connector is connected tightly and correctly.
Reconnect the DIMM.
Main board.
Power-on indicator turns on and LCD is blank. Power source (battery pack and power adapter.) See “Power 
System Check” on page 63
Reconnect the LCD connector
Hard disk drive
LCD cable
LCD inverter
LCD
Main board
Power-on indicator turns on and LCD is blank. 
But you can see POST on an external CRT.Reconnect the LCD connectors.
LCD cable
LCD inverter
LCD
Main board
Power-on indicator turns on and a blinking cursor 
shown on LCD during POST.Ensure every connector is connected tightly and correctly.
Main board 
						

							68Chapter 4
Index of Symptom-to-FRU Error Message
LCD-Related Symptoms
Symptom / ErrorAction in Sequence
LCD backlight doesnt work First, plug a monitor to CRT port. Next, enter BIOS utility to running 
“Load Default Settings” then reboot the system.
Reconnect the LCD connectors.
Keyboard (if the brightness function key doesnt work).
LCD cable
LCD inverter
LCD
Main board
LCD is too dark
LCD brightness cannot be adjustedEnter BIOS Utility to execute “Load Setup Default Settings”, then 
reboot system.
Reconnect the LCD connectors.
Keyboard (if the brightness function key doesnt work).
LCD cable
LCD inverter
LCD
Main board
Unreadable LCD screen 
Missing pels in characters
Abnormal screen 
Wrong color displayed
LCD has extra horizontal or vertical lines 
displayed.Reconnect the LCD cable
LCD cable
LCD
Main board
Indicator-Related Symptoms
Symptom / ErrorAction in Sequence
Indicator incorrectly remains off or on, but system 
runs correctlyMain board
HDD/CD-ROM active indicators cannot work HDD/CD-ROM drive
Device driver
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
AC adapter
See if the thermal module is overheat (Heat sink or fan).
Main board
The system cannot power-on. Power source (battery pack and power adapter). See “Power 
System Check” on page 63.
Battery pack
Power adapter
CPU
Main board
The system cannot power-off. In Windows XP operating system, hold and press the power switch 
for more than 4 seconds. If the system can power off, then the main 
board is OK. Verify OS in the HDD. 
Main board 
						

							Chapter 469
Battery can’t be charged or discharged See “Check the Battery Pack” on page 64. 
Battery pack
Main board
System hang during POST ODD/HDD/FDD/RAM module
Main board
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
PC Card cannot be inserted or ejected Check if the PCMCIA slot is blocked
Main board
Memory-Related Symptoms
Symptom / ErrorAction in Sequence
Memory count (size) appears different from 
actual size.Enter BIOS Setup Utility to execute “Load Default Settings” then 
reboot system.
RAM module
Main board
Check BIOS revision
System can power on, but you hear two long 
beeps: “B--, B--” and the LCD is blank.Reinsert DIMM
DIMM
Main board
Speaker-Related Symptoms
Symptom / ErrorAction in Sequence
In Windows, multimedia programs, no sound 
comes from the computer. OS volume control
Audio driver
Speaker
Main board
Internal speakers make noise or emit no sound. Speaker
Main board
Microphone cannot work Audio driver
Volume control in Windows XP
Main board
Power Management-Related Symptoms
Symptom / ErrorAction in Sequence
The system will not enter hibernation mode Power option in Windows XP
Hard disk drive
Main board
The system doesn’t enter standby mode after 
closing the lid of the portable computer.Driver of Power Option Properties
Lid close switch in upper case
Main board
Power-Related Symptoms
Symptom / ErrorAction in Sequence 
						

							70Chapter 4
The system doesnt resume from hibernation/ 
standby mode.Connect AC adapter then check if the system resumes from 
Standby/Hibernation mode. 
Check if the battery is low.
Hard disk drive
Main board
The system doesnt resume from standby mode 
after opening the lid of the portable computer.LCD cover switch
Main board
Battery fuel gauge in Windows doesn’t go higher 
than 90%. Refresh battery (continue use battery until power off, then charge 
battery).
Battery pack
Main board
System hangs intermittently. Reconnect hard disk/CD-ROM drives. 
Main board
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 drives/FDD or other peripherals.
Main board
External display does not work correctly. Press Fn+F5, LCD/CRT/Both display switching
Keyboard
Main board
USB does not work correctly See “System Diagnostic Diskette” on page 43
Main board
Print problems. Enter BIOS Setup Utility to execute “Load Default Settings” then 
reboot the system.
Run printer self-test.
Printer driver
Printer cable
Printer
Main board
Parallel port device problems Enter BIOS Setup Utility to execute “Load Default Settings” then 
reboot the system.
Device driver
Device cable
Device
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 touchpad cable.
Touchpad board
Main board
Power Management-Related Symptoms
Symptom / ErrorAction in Sequence 
						

							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. Modem/LAN-Related Symptoms
Symptom / ErrorAction in Sequence
Internal modem does not work correctly.See “System Diagnostic Diskette” on page 43.
Phone cable
Driver
Reconnect the Internal modem cable to the main board tightly.
Main board
Internal LAN does not work correctly Lan cable
Driver
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 the system board in loop mode at least 10 times.
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.