Acer Travelmate 8531 Service Guide

							Chapter 353
5.Remove LCM cable on the back of panel. 
						

							54Chapter 3
Disassembling the External Module
Disassembling the HDD Module
1.Remove HDD bezel and get HDD out of cover. 
						

							Chapter 455
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.
3.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 57.
POST does not complete. No beep or error 
codes are indicated.“Power-On Self-Test (POST) Error Message” 
on page 59.
“Undetermined Problems” on page 72.
POST detects an error and displayed 
messages on screen.“Error Message List” on page 60.
Other symptoms (i.e. LCD display problems or 
others).“Power-On Self-Test (POST) Error Message” 
on page 59.
Symptoms cannot be re-created (intermittent 
problems).Use the customer-reported symptoms and go 
to “Power-On Self-Test (POST) Error 
Message” on page 59.
“Intermittent Problems” on page 71.
“Undetermined Problems” on page 72.
Troubleshooting
Chapter 4 
						

							56Chapter 4
System Check Procedures
External 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. 
Do the following to select the test device.
1.Boot from the diagnostics diskette and start the diagnostics program.
2.See if FDD Test is passed as the program runs to FDD Test.
3.Follow the instructions in the message window.
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:
‰Numeric keypad
‰External keyboard
If any of these devices do not work, reconnect the cable connector and repeat the failing operation.  
						

							Chapter 457
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:
‰“Check the Power Adapter” on page 57
‰“Check the Battery Pack” on page 57
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:
zReplace the System board.
zIf the problem is not corrected, see “Undetermined Problems” on page 72.
zIf 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 power-on 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 Battery Pack” on page 57. 
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. 
Pin 1: +19 to +20.5V
Pin 2: 0V, Ground 
						

							58Chapter 4
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.Reconnect the touchpad cables.
2.Replace the touchpad.
3.Replace the system board.
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 459
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 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.  
						

							60Chapter 4
Index of Error Messages
Error Code List
Error Message List 
Error CodesError Messages
006 Equipment Configuration Error
Causes:
1. CPU BIOS Update Code Mismatch.
2. IDE Primary Channel Master Drive Error.
(THe causes will be shown before “Equipment 
Configuration Error”)
010 Memory Error at xxxx:xxxx:xxxxh (R:xxxxh, 
W:xxxxh) .
070 Real Time Clock Error.
071 CMOS Battery Bad.
072 CMOS Checksum Error.
110 System disabled.
Incorrect password is specified.
 Battery critical LOW.
In this situation BIOS will issue 4 short beeps 
then shut down system, no message will show.
 Thermal critical High.
In this situation BIOS will shut down system, 
not show message.
Error MessagesFRU/Action in Sequence
Failure Fixed Disk Reconnect hard disk drive connector.
“Load Default Settings” in BIOS Setup Utility.
Hard disk drive
System board
Stuck Key see “Keyboard or Auxiliary Input Device 
Check” on page 56. 
Keyboard error see “Keyboard or Auxiliary Input Device 
Check” on page 56. 
Keyboard Controller Failed see “Keyboard or Auxiliary Input Device 
Check” on page 56. 
Keyboard locked - Unlock key switch Unlock external keyboard.
Monitor type does not match CMOS - Run 
SetupRun “Load Default Settings” in BIOS Setup 
Utility.
Shadow RAM Failed at offset: nnnn BIOS ROM
System board
System RAM Failed at offset: nnnn DIMM
System board
Extended RAM Failed at offset: nnnn DIMM
System board 
						

							Chapter 461
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 board
Real time clock error RTC battery
Run BIOS Setup Utility to reconfigure system 
time, then reboot system.
System board
Previous boot incomplete - Default 
configuration usedRun “Load Default Settings” in BIOS Setup 
Utility.
RTC battery
System board
Memory size found by POST differed from 
CMOSRun “Load Default Settings” in BIOS Setup 
Utility.
DIMM
System board
Diskette drive A error Check the drive is defined with the proper 
diskette type in BIOS Setup Utility.
See “External Diskette Drive Check” on page 
56. 
Incorrect Drive A type - run SETUP Check the drive is defined with the proper 
diskette type in BIOS Setup Utility.
System cache error - Cache disabled System board
CPU ID: System board
DMA Test Failed DIMM
System board
Software NMI Failed DIMM
System board
Fail-Safe Timer NMI Failed DIMM
System board
Device Address Conflict Run “Load Default Settings” in BIOS Setup 
Utility.
RTC battery
System board
Allocation Error for device Run “Load Default Settings” in BIOS Setup 
Utility.
RTC battery
System board
Failing Bits: nnnn DIMM
BIOS ROM
System board
Fixed Disk n None
Error MessagesFRU/Action in Sequence 
						

							62Chapter 4
Error Message List
Invalid System Configuration Data BIOS ROM
System board
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 Error MessagesFRU/Action in Sequence
No beep, power-on indicator turns off and LCD 
is blank.Power source (battery pack and power 
adapter). See “Power System Check” on page 
57. 
Ensure every connector is connected tightly 
and correctly. 
Reconnect the DIMM.
LED board
System board
No beep, power-on indicator turns on and LCD 
is blank.Power source (battery pack and power 
adapter). See “Power System Check” on page 
57. 
Reconnect the LCD connector.
Hard disk drive
LCD inverter ID
LCD cable
LCD Inverter
LCD
System board
No beep, power-on indicator turns on and LCD 
is blank. But you can see POST on an external 
CRT. Reconnect the LCD connectors.
LCD inverter ID
LCD cable 
LCD inverter
LCD
System board
No beep, power-on indicator turns on and a 
blinking cursor shown on LCD during POST.Ensure every connector is connected tightly 
and correctly.
System board
No beep during POST but system runs 
correctly.Speaker
System board
Error MessagesFRU/Action in Sequence