Acer Travelmate C100 Service Guide

							Chapter 233
System Information
The System Information screen displays a summary of your computer hardware information.
NOTE: The screen above is a sample and may not reflect the actual data on your computer.  “X” may refer to 
a series of numbers and/or characters.
The following table describes the information in this screen.
The items in this screen are important and vital information about your computer.  If you experience computer 
problems and need to contact technical support, this data helps our service personnel know more about your 
computer.
ParameterDescription
CPU Type & Speed Display the CPU type and its speed.
Hard Disk Drive Display the size of the Hard Disk.
HDD Serial Number List the HDD serial Number
System with The system will automatically detect that the media type is CD-ROM, DVD- ROM.
System BIOS Version The current system BIOS version.
VGA BIOS Version The current VGA BIOS version.
Serial Number Shows the system serial number.
Asset Tag Number Shows the asset tag number of the computer.
Product Name Shows the official name of the product.
Manufacturer Name Shows the manufacturer of the computer.
UUID Shows the universally unique identifier of your computer.
System Information                        Page 1/1
CPU Type & Speed Pentium III 700 MHz
Floppy Disk Drive 1.44 MB 3.5-inch
Hard Disk Drive XXXXX MB
HDD Serial Number XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
System with XXXROM Attached
System BIOS Version V3.3 R01-A1a
VGA BIOS Version XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Serial Number XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Asset Tag Number XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Product Name TravelMate100
Manufacturer Name ACER
UUID XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX    
ÏÐ = Move highlight bar, ÍÎ= Change setting, F1 
= HelpSystem Information                        Page 1/1
CPU Type & Speed Pentium III 700 MHz Hard Disk Drive XXXXX MB
HDD Serial Number XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
System with XXXROM Attached
System BIOS Version V3.3 R01
-A1a
VGA BIOS Version XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Serial Number XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Asset Tag Number XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Product Name TravelMate 100
Manufacturer Name ACER
UUID XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX    
ÏÐ = Move highlight bar, ÍÎ= Change setting, F1 
= HelpSystem Information                        Page 1/1
CPU Type & Speed Pentium III 700 MHz
Floppy Disk Drive 1.44 MB 3.5-inch
Hard Disk Drive XXXXX MB
HDD Serial Number XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
System with XXXROM Attached
System BIOS Version V3.3 R01-A1a
VGA BIOS Version XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Serial Number XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Asset Tag Number XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Product Name TravelMate100
Manufacturer Name ACER
UUID XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX    
ÏÐ = Move highlight bar, ÍÎ= Change setting, F1 
= HelpSystem Information                        Page 1/1
CPU Type & Speed Pentium III 700 MHz Hard Disk Drive XXXXX MB
HDD Serial Number XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
System with XXXROM Attached
System BIOS Version V3.3 R01
-A3W
VGA BIOS Version XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Serial Number XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Asset Tag Number XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Product Name TravelMate C100
Manufacturer Name ACER
UUID XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX    
ÏÐ = Move highlight bar, ÍÎ= Change setting, F1 
= Help 
						

							34Chapter 2
Basic System Settings
The Basic System Settings screen allows you to set the system date and time.
The following table describes the parameters in this screen.
ParameterDescriptionFormat
Date Sets the system date. DDD MMM DD, YYYY  (day-of-the-week month day, year)
Time Sets the system time. HH:MM:SS (hour:minute:second)
Basic System Setting                     page 1/1
Date [Mon Jan 1, 2001]
Time [12:00:00]
ÏÐ = Move highlight bar, ÍÎ= Change setting, F1 = HelpBasic System Setting                     page 1/1
Date [Mon Jan 1, 2001]
Time [12:00:00]
ÏÐ = Move highlight bar, ÍÎ= Change setting, F1 = Help 
						

							Chapter 235
Startup Configuration
The Startup Configuration screen contains parameter values that define how your computer behaves on 
system startup.
The following table describes the parameters in this screen.  Settings in boldface are the default and 
suggested parameter settings.
The following table describes the parameters in this screen.  Settings in  boldface are the default and 
suggested parameter settings
ParameterDescriptionOptions
Boot Display Sets the display device on boot-up. When set to Auto, the computer automatically 
determines the display device.  If an external 
display device (eg. monitor) is connected, it 
becomes the boot display.  When set to Both, the 
computer outputs to both the LCD and the external 
display if one is connected. Both 
or Auto 
Screen Expansion Expand the screen on the graphic/text mode. When it is disabled, the graphic/text mode 
expansion function is disabled and the graphic/text 
image will be centralized on the LCD.  If it is 
enabled, the graphic/text image will be expanded to 
the full LCD screen. Enabled
 or Disabled
Auto Dim Function When enabled, the system supports an automatic  dimming of the LCD back light, when the AC power  
source is not
 available. Enabled
 or Disabled
Resume on LAN/Modem 
Access When enabled, the computer will wake up from 
sleep state if any LAN access to it occurs. Enabled
 or Disabled
Startup Configuration                    Page 1/1
Boot Display
[Enabled
] / [Disabled]Startup Configuration                    Page 1/1
Boot Display [ Both] / [Auto]
Screen Expansion [ Enabled] / [Disabled]
Auto Dim Function [ Enabled] / [Disabled] 
Resume On LAN/Modem Access [ Enabled] / [Disabled] 
Hotkey Beep [ Enabled] / [Disabled] 
Fast Boot [ Enabled] / [Disabled] 
Network Device [ Ethernet] / [Wireless] 
Boot on LAN [Enabled] / [ Disabled] 
1394 Legacy Mode [ Enabled] / [Disabled] 
Boot Drive Sequence
1
st[Floppy]
2nd[CD-ROM]
3rd[Hard Disk]
4th[LANDesk ® Service Agent]
Intel® SpeedStep ™ Technology [ Automatic
] / [Maximum Performance] / [Battery 
Optimized]
ÏÐ = Move highlight bar,
ÍÎ= Change setting,
F1 = Help
1
st[Floppy]
2nd[CD-ROM]
3rd[Hard Disk]
4th[LANDesk ® Service Agent]
Intel® SpeedStep ™ Technology [ Automatic
] / [Maximum Performance] / [Battery 
Optimized]
ÏÐ = Move highlight bar,
ÍÎ= Change setting,
F1 = Help
Startup Configuration                    Page 1/1
Boot Display
[Enabled
] / [Disabled]Startup Configuration                    Page 1/1
Boot Display [ Both] / [Auto]
Screen Expansion [ Enabled] / [Disabled]
Auto Dim Function [ Enabled] / [Disabled] 
Resume On LAN/Modem Access [ Enabled] / [Disabled] 
Hotkey Beep [ Enabled] / [Disabled] 
Fast Boot [ Enabled] / [Disabled] 
Network Device [ Ethernet] / [Wireless] 
Boot on LAN [Enabled] / [ Disabled] 
1394 Legacy Mode [ Enabled] / [Disabled] 
Boot Drive Sequence
1
st[Floppy]
2nd[CD-ROM]
3rd[Hard Disk]
4th[LANDesk ® Service Agent]
Intel® SpeedStep ™ Technology [ Automatic
] / [Maximum Performance] / [Battery 
Optimized]
ÏÐ = Move highlight bar,
ÍÎ= Change setting,
F1 = Help
1
st[Floppy]
2nd[CD-ROM]
3rd[Hard Disk]
4th[LANDesk ® Service Agent]
Intel® SpeedStep ™ Technology [ Automatic
] / [Maximum Performance] / [Battery 
Optimized]
ÏÐ = Move highlight bar,
ÍÎ= Change setting,
F1 = Help 
						

							36Chapter 2
Setting the Boot Drive Sequence
The Boot Drive Sequence section lists boot priorities (1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th, 5th-see the explanation above ) 
for bootable drives in your computer.
For example, the default value (1st:  Floppy Disk, 2nd:  CD-ROM, 3rd:  Hard Disk) tells the computer to first 
search for a bootable floppy disk in the floppy drive.  If it finds one present, it boots up from that floppy disk.  If 
not, the computer continues to search for a bootable CD-ROM in the CD-ROM drive.  If it cannot boot up from 
the CD-ROM drive, it continues by booting up from the hard disk.  
To set the boot drive sequence, use the 
w / y keys to select a priority level (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th), then 
use the 
z / x keys to select the device for that priority level.
Hotkey  Beep When enabled, the computer makes a beep when a  hot key (Fn+F4) is pressed. Enabled
 or Disabled
Fast Boot When this flag is set, the ACPI OS will  communicate with the BIOS to decide the next 
POST is Fast or Diagnostic. Enabled
 or Disabled
Network  Device When the Ethernet is selected, the on-board 10/100  LAN device will be enabled and wireless LAN will 
be disabled, vice versa.  If the wireless LAN device 
is not installed, this option will be gray and show 
ethernet. Ethernet
 or Wireless
Boot on LAN When enabled, remote host with appropriate boot  image can boot this computer.  (Only work with 
Ethernet device.) Disabled
 or Enabled
1394 Legacy Mode When this item is enabled, it can support boot from  1394 DVD or HDD.) Enabled 
or Disabled
Boot Drive Sequence
Floppy Disk Drive
 
CD-ROM
  
 Hard Disk
4th: LANDesk 
R Service Agent
5th:--------------------------- Specifies the order in which the computer starts up 
from.  Please refer to below section.
Enables boot-up from the floppy drive, if selected 
as the first option. The computer attempts to boot 
from the floppy disk drive (looks for a bootable 
floppy) before following the boot sequence 
specified in the Boot Drive Sequence.
Enables boot-up from the optical drive, if selected 
as the first option. The computer attempts to boot 
from the CD (looks for a bootable CD) before 
following the boot sequence specified in the Boot 
Drive Sequence.
Enables boot-up from the hard disk.
Boot on LAN disabled.
With 1394 device installed and 1394 Legacy Mode 
enabled, this option will pop up.  The name for this 
option varies, depending on the decision by the 
Device Team. 1st: Floppy Disk 
2nd: CD-ROM
3rd: Hard Disk
4th: LANDesk 
R Service 
Agent
5th: --------------------------
Intel 
R SpeedStepTM 
Technology There are three CPU speeds available for users to 
specify the CPU speed.
Automatic
Maximum Performance
Battery Optimized
The following table describes the parameters in this screen.  Settings in 
boldface are the default and 
suggested parameter settings
ParameterDescriptionOptions 
						

							Chapter 237
System Security
The System Security screen contains parameters that help safeguard and protect your computer from 
unauthorized use.
The following table describes the parameters in this screen.  Settings in boldface are the default and 
suggested parameter settings.
ParameterDescriptionOptions
Setup Password When set, this password protects the computer and the BIOS  Utility from unauthorized entry.  See the following section for 
instructions on how to set a password. None
 or Present
Power On Password When set, this password protects the computer  from  unauthorized entry.  See the following section for instructions 
on how to set a password. None
 or Present
Hard Disk Password This item appears only if the platform is business model. None or Present
Processor Serial Number A lot of literature available on the serial number suggests that  it should be used to encrypt and decrypt data sent to and from 
e-commerce sites. Enabled
 or Disabled
System  Security                        Page 1/1
Setup Password [ None]/[Present] 
Power On Password [ None]/[Present] 
Hard Disk Password [ None]/[Present] 
Processor Serial Number [ Enabled] / [Disabled]
ÏÐ = Move highlight bar, ÍÎ= Change setting, F1 = HelpSystem  Security                        Page 1/1
Setup Password [ None]/[Present] 
Power On Password [ None]/[Present] 
Hard Disk Password [ None]/[Present] 
Processor Serial Number [ Enabled] / [Disabled]
ÏÐ = Move highlight bar, ÍÎ= Change setting, F1 = Help 
						

							38Chapter 2
Setting a Password
Follow these steps: 
1.Use the cursor up/down keys to highlight a Password parameter (Setup, Power-on, Hard Disk, or 
Resume) and press the  
z / x key.  The password box appears:
2. Type a password.  The password may consist of up to eight characters (A-Z, a-z, 0-9). 
IMPORTANT: Be very careful when typing your password because the characters do not appear on the 
screen. 
3. Press 
e.  Retype the password to verify your first entry and press e.
4. After setting the password, the computer automatically sets the chosen password parameter to Present.
Four password types protect your computer from unauthorized access.  Setting these passwords creates 
several different levels of protection for your computer and data:
TSetup Password prevents unauthorized entry to the BIOS Utility.  Once set, you must key-in this 
password to gain access to the BIOS Utility.  
TPower-On Password secures your computer against unauthorized use.  Combine the use of this 
password with password checkpoints on boot-up and resume from hibernation for maximum 
security.
THard Disk Password protects your data by preventing unauthorized access to your hard disk.  
Even if the hard disk is removed from the computer and moved to another computer, it cannot be 
accessed without the Hard Disk Password.
When a password is set, a password prompt appears on the left-hand corner of the display screen.
1. When the Setup Password is set, the following prompt appears when you press 
m to enter the BIOS 
Utility at boot-up.
Type the Setup Password and press 
e to access the BIOS Utility.
2. When the Power On Password is set, the following prompt appears at boot-up.
Type the Power On Password (a symbol appears for each character you type) and press 
e to use the 
computer.  If you enter the password incorrectly, an  x symbol appears.  Try again and press 
e.
3. When the Hard Disk Password is set, the following prompt appears at boot-up.
Type the Hard Disk Password (a symbol appears for each character you type) and press 
e to use the 
computer.   If you enter the password incorrectly, an  x symbol appears.  Try again and press 
e.
Setup Password 
						

							Chapter 239
You have three chances to enter a password.  If you successfully entered the password, the system starts 
Windows.
If you fail to enter the password correctly after three tries, the system hangs.
To change a password, follow the same steps used to set a password.
To remove a password, follow the same steps used to set a password, except type nothing in the password 
boxes.
Load Default Settings
If you want to restore all parameter settings to their default values, select this menu item and press e.  The 
following dialog box displays.
If you would like to load default settings for all parameters, use the cursor  
z / x keys to select Ye s; then 
press 
e.  Choose  No if otherwise. 
						

							40Chapter 2
BIOS Flash Utility
The BIOS flash memory update is required for the following conditions:
TNew versions of system programs
TNew features or options
Use the IFlash utility to update the system BIOS flash ROM.
NOTE:  Do not install memory-related drivers (XMS, EMS, DPMI) when you use IFlash.
NOTE:  This program contains a readme.txt file.  This readme.txt file will introduce on how to use IFlash utility.
System Utility Diskette
This utility diskette is for the Acer TravelMate C100 notebook machine.  You can find the utility in Service CD 
kit. It provides the following functions:
1.Panel ID Utility
2. Thermal Utility
3. Mother Board Data Utility
To use this diskette, first boot from this diskette, then a “Microsoft Windows ME Startup Menu” prompt you to 
choose the testing item.  Follow the instructions on screen to proceed.
NOTE:  This program contains a readme.txt file.  This readme.txt file will introduce each test utility and its 
functions.
System Diagnostic Diskette
IMPORTANT:  1The diagnostics program here that we used is called PQA (Product Quality Assurance) and is 
provided by Acer Headquarters.  You can utilize it as a basic diagnostic tool.  To get this program, 
either download it from http://csd.acer.com.tw or find it in the TravelMate C100 service CD kit. 
To better fit local service requirements, your regional office MAY have other diagnostic program.  
Please contact your regional offices or the responsible personnel/channel to provide you with further 
technical details. 
NOTE:  This program contains a readme.txt file.  This readme.txt file will introduce each test and its functions.
1New added description. Please pay attention to it. 
						

							Chapter 241
Running PQA Diagnostics Program
Press z / xto move around the main menu.  Press e to enable the selected option.  The main options 
are Diag, Result, SysInfo, Option and Exit.
The Diag option lets you select testing items and times.
The following screen appears when you select Diag from the main menu.
One Test performs a single test and Manual checks the selected test items in sequence.
Multi Test performs multiple tests of the selected items and check the selected test items in sequence.
Full Test performs all test items in detail  for your system.
Quick Test performs all test items quickly for your system.
PQA                                        Vx_x     xx-xx-xx
Diag Result 
SysInfo Option
Exit
PQA                                        Vx_x     xx-xx-xx
DiagResult
SysInfo Option
Exit
DiagONE      TEST
MULTI   TEST
FULL     TEST
QUICK   TEST 
						

							42Chapter 2
The screen below appears if you select Multi Test.
Specify the desired number of tests and press 
e.
After you specify the number of tests to perform, the screen shows a list of test items (see below).
Move the highlight bar from one item to another. Press Space to enable or disable the item. Press 
e to 
view the available options of each selected item. Press 
| to close the submenu.
The right corner screen information gives you the available function keys and the specified test number.
TSpace: Enables/disables the item
TESC: Exits the program
TF1: Help
TF2: Tests the selected item(s)
TEnter: Opens the available options
TTest Times:  Indicates the number of tests to perform.
NOTE:  The F1 and F2 keys function only after you finish configuring the Test option.
NOTE:  When any errors are detected by diagnostic program, refer to “Index of PQA Diagnostic Error Code” for 
troubleshooting.
PQA                                        Vx_x     xx-xx-xx
Diag Result
SysInfo Option
Exit
DiagOne         TEST
Multi         TEST
PQA                                        Vx_x     xx-xx-xx
Diag Result
SysInfo Option
Exit
DiagONE      TEST
MULTI   TEST
FULL     TEST
QUICK   TEST
TEST COUNT VALUE (1...9999) 1
PQA                                        Vx_x     xx-xx-xx
Diag Result SysInfoOption
ExitDiagMANUAL TEST
AUTO      TESTTe s t  I t e m s
[ ] System Board
[ ] Memory 
[ ] Keyboard
[ ] Video
[ ] Parallel Port
[ ] Serial Port
[ ] Diskette Drive
[ ] Hard Disk
[ ] CD-ROM
[ ] Coprocessor
[ ] Pointing Dev.
[ ] Cache
SPACE: mark/unmark selecting item
ESC    : return to upper menu
F2       : test the marked item(s)
ENTER: open sub-item’s menu
Te s t  T i m e s  =  1 F1       : Help menu