Acer Travelmate 8210 Service Guide

Chapter 471
Please use the following procedures 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 may occur errors or invalid responses.
1. Obtain the detailed fail symptoms as many as possible.
2. Verify the symptoms by attempting to recreate, running the diagnostic tests or repeating the same operation.
TroubleshootingChapter 4 

72Chapter 4
System Check Procedures
External Diskette Drive Check
Do the following procedures to isolate the possible effects from a controller, driver, or diskette. A writable, 
diagnostic diskette is required.
Note: Make sure that the diskette does not have more than one label attached. Multiple labels may cause 
damage to the drive or make the drive fail.
1. Boot from the diagnostic diskette and start the diagnostic programs.
2. See if FDD test is passed as the programs run the FDD test.
3. Follow the...

Chapter 473
3. Press F2 in the test items.
4. Follow the instructions in the message window.
Note: Make sure that the DIMM is correctly inserted into the connector. A wrong connection will cause errors.
Power System Check
To verify the symptoms, power on the computer by using the following power sources separately.
1. Remove the battery pack.
2. Connect the power adaptor and check the power supply.
3. Disconnect the power adaptor and install the battery pack, then check the power supply.
If you think...

74Chapter 4
3. If the voltage is still less than 7.5V after recharging, replace the battery.
If the battery status indicator does not light up, remove the battery pack. After the battery pack returns to room 
temperature, reinstall it to the system.
If the charge indicator does not light up, replace the battery pack. If the charge indicator still does not light up, 
replace the AC/DC charger board.
Touchpad Check
If the touchpad does not work, follow the procedures one at a time to correct the problem....

Chapter 475
Power-On Self-Test (POST) Error Message
The POST error message index lists the error message and their possible causes.
Note: Perform the FRU replacement or actions in the sequence shown in Error Message List, if the FRU 
replacement does not solve the problem, put the original part back in the computer. Do not replace a non-
defective FRU.
The error messages are listed in the coming pages to indicate the BIOS signals on the screen and the error 
symptoms classified by functions. If the...

76Chapter 4
System RAM Failed at offset: 
nnnnDIMM
System board
Extended RAM Failed at offset: 
nnnnDIMM
System board
System battery is dead - 
Replace and run SetupReplace RTC battery and Run BIOS Setup Utility to 
reconfigure system time, then reboot system.
System CMOS checksum bad - 
Default configuration usedRTC battery
Run BIOS Setup Utility to reconfigure system time, then 
reboot system.
System timer error RTC battery
Run BIOS Setup Utility to reconfigure system time, then 
reboot system.
System...

Chapter 477
I/O device IRQ conflict Run “Load Default Settings” in BIOS Setup Utility.
RTC battery
System board
Operating system not found Enter Setup and see if fixed disk and drive A: are 
properly identified.
Diskette drive
Hard disk drive
System board
No beep, power-on indicator 
turns off and LCD is blank.Power source (battery pack and power adapter). See 
“Power System Check”. 
Ensure every connector is connected correctly. 
Reconnect the DIMM.
LED board
System board
No beep, power-on indicator...

78Chapter 4
POST Code
CodeBeepsFor Boot Block in Flash ROM
E0h Initialize the chipset.
E1h Initialize the bridge.
E2h Initialize the CPU.
E3h Initialize the system timer.
E4h Initialize system I/O.
E5h Check force recovery boot.
E6h Checksum BIOS ROM.
E7h Go to BIOS.
E8h Set Huge Segment.
E9h Initialize Multi Processor.
EAh Initialize OEM special code.
EBh Initialize PIC and DMA.
ECh Initialize Memory type.
EDh Initialize Memory size.
EEh Shadow Boot Block.
EFh System memory test.
F0h Initialize...

Chapter 479
Index of Symptom-to-FRU Error Message
Symptom/ErrorAction in Sequence
LCD backlight doesnt work.
LCD is too dark.
LCD brightness cannot be adjusted.
LCD contrast cannot be adjusted.Enter BIOS Utility to execute “Load Setup Default 
Settings”, then reboot system.
Reconnect the LCD connectors.
Keyboard (if contrast and brightness function key do 
not work).
LCD inverter ID
LCD cable
LCD inverter
LCD
System board
Unreadable LCD screen 
Missing pels in characters
Abnormal screen 
Wrong color...

80Chapter 4
Symptom/ErrorAction in Sequence
System cannot detect the 
PC Card (PCMCIA). PCMCIA slot assembly
System board
PCMCIA slot pin is 
damaged.PCMCIA slot assembly
Symptom / ErrorAction in Sequence
Memory count (size) 
appears different from 
actual size.Enter BIOS Setup Utility to execute “Load Default Settings, 
then reboot system.
DIMM
System board
Symptom/ErrorAction in Sequence
In Windows, multimedia 
programs, no sound 
comes from the computer. Audio driver
Speaker
System board
Internal...