IBM Workpad Z50 Mobile Companion Manual

							6 IBM W orkPad z50, Mobile Companion 6
Checkout Guide
Use the f ollowing proc edure as a guide f or c omputer
problems.
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 diagnos tic tes t (ref er to
“Running the Diagnos tics
 Test” on page 27) or by
repeating the s ame operation.
Note
To run the diagnostics test, ref er to “Running the
Diagnos tics” on page 27.
If the s ymptoms are intermittent and c annot be re-created
(and theref ore not verified), go to “Symptom-to-FRU
Index” on page 21 and then go to “Intermittent Problems”
on page 26.
3. Use the following table with the verified symptom to
determine which page to go to.  Search the
symptoms c olumn, and find the description that best
matches your symptom; then go to the page shown in
th e “R ef er T o”  c ol u mn.
Symptoms (Verified) Refer To
Power f ailure:  The
power indicators (AC
Adapter LED or Power
on/Battery status LED)
are not lit.“Power Sys tems Checkout”
on page 9.
Audio is not properly
functioning.“Audio Chec kout” on page 7.
Keyboard does not work
properly.“Keyboard Checkout” on
page 8.
Internal f ax/modem does
not work.“Modem Checkout” on page 9.
Suspect mainboard or
ROM c ard problems.“ROM Card Checkout” on
page 14.
TrackPoint problems. “TrackPoint Chec kout” on
page 15.
Cradle does not
communic ate properly.“Cradle Checkout” on page
15.
External monitor does
not display.“External Monitor Self-Test”
on page 15.
The diagnos tic tes t
detected an error and
displayed an error c ode.“Running the Diagnos tics
Test” on page 27. 
						

							W orkPad z50 Mobile Companion 7
Symptoms (Verified) Refer To
Other s ymptoms  (such
as LCD display
problems).“Symptom-to-FRU Index” on
page 21.
PC cards do not work.
“PC Card Slots Test” on
page 27.
Brightness/contrast
buttons do not work.“Brightness/Contrast Buttons
Checkout” on page 19.
Audio Checkout
Speaker Checkout: If you suspec t a problem with the
speaker do the f ollowing:
1. Play an audio file.  If no s ound is heard, go to the
diagnostic menu (s ee “Running the Diagnos tics T est”
on page 27).
2. Select Audio and run the diagnostic test.
3. If the test detects an audio problem, do the f ollowing:
Click Start, Programs, WorkPad, and then Rapid
Access.  Chec k that “Mute” is not enabled in the
Rapid Access utility.  Click the “Volume & Sounds”
ic on in the Control Panel, adjust the volume to mid
position and clic k any s ound: if no s ound is heard, do
the following one at a time:
• Res eat the c onnector
• Replac e the speak er
• Replac e the mainboard
Go to “Microphone Chec kout” if the speaker is working
properly.
Microphone Checkout: If you s uspect a problem with the
microphone, first check if the speaker is working (see
above), then do the f ollowing:
1. Press the microphone button and rec ord and
playbac k any s ound.
2. If no s ound is heard, do the f ollowing one at a time:
• Res eat the microphone c able
• Replace the microphone cable
• Replac e the mainboard 
						

							8 IBM W orkPad z50, Mobile Companion 8
Keyboard Checkout
If the keyboard does not work or an unexpected charac ter
appears, make sure that the flexible c able extending from
the keyb oard is c orrectly s eated in the c onnector on the
mainboard.  If the keyb oard c able c onnec tion is c orrec t, run
the Keyboard Test by doing the following:
1. Go to the diagnostic menu (see “Running the
Diagnos tics Test” on page 27).
2. Select Keyboard and run the diagnos tic test.  A
layout of the keyboard appears on the screen.
3. Check that when eac h key is press ed, the key’s
position on the keyboard layout on the screen
changes to a blue square.
4. Press OK  to end the test.
If the tests detect a keyboard problem, do the f ollowing one
at a time to c orrect the problem.  Do not replac e a
n ond ef ec t i ve FRU:
·
  Res eat the keyboard c able.
·
  Replace the keyboard.
·
  Replac e the mainboard.
Memory Checkout
The W orkPad z50 Mobile Companion is shipped with 16MB
on-board memory.  Memory c an be upgraded to 48MB by
adding a single 32MB DRAM c ard.
Defective memory cards may show an error message during
the POST or c aus e the s ys tem to hang or stop s ystem
operations.
Refer to the f ollowing to is olate memory problems:
1. Remove all power sources (AC power, battery pack,
and backup battery).  Remove any installed DRAM
card from its slot (s ee page 18).
2. Connect to a power s ourc e and turn on the
W orkPad z50.
3. If an error appears during POST, replac e the
mainboard.
4. Remove all power sources (AC power, battery pack,
and backup battery) and reinstall the DRAM c ard.
5. Connect to a power s ourc e, then turn on the
W orkPad z50.
6. If an error appears during POST, replac e the DRAM
card. 
						

							W orkPad z50 Mobile Companion 9
Modem Checkout
If a modem problem occurs, do the f ollowing:
1. Open the Terminal program.  Double click the “Make
a New Session” ic on to open the Session Properties
window.
2. Click “Configure…”.  In the Device Properties
window check the “Manual Dial” box.
3. Issue the ATA c ommand.
4. If there is no sound, replace the mainboard.
Note:
The US, Canada, and Japan models have an
internal fax/modem; the European models do
not.
Power Systems Checkout
To determine whether a power systems problem is due to
the AC Adapter or the battery pack, do the following:
1. Remove the battery pack.
2. Connect the AC Adapter and loc k the battery releas e
lock.  Check that power is supplied.
3. Disconnect the AC Adapter and install the charged
battery pack; then check that power is supplied by the
battery pack.
If you suspect the problem is due to the AC Adapter, go to
“AC Adapter Checkout”.
If you suspect the problem is due to the battery pack, go to
“B att er y P ac k C h ec k out”.
External Power/Charge Status LED indicates the following
status:
LED AC Adapter Battery Pack
Charge
Status
Amber Connected
Li-ion (standard or high-
capacity battery)Not full
Green Connected Li-ion (standard or high-
capacity battery)Full
Green Connected Dry cell battery is
connected or
no battery is connected—
Not lit
Not
connected—— 
						

							10 IBM W orkPad z50, Mobile Companion 10
AC Adapter Checkout: You are here bec aus e the
W orkPad z50 f ails only when the AC Adapter is us ed.
·
  If the power problem occurs only when the cradle is
us ed, replac e the cradle.
·
  If the power-on indic ator f or the AC Adapter does  not
turn on, check the power cord of the AC Adapter for
correct c ontinuity and installation.
1. Unplug the AC Adapter c able from the W orkPad z50
and meas ure the output voltage at the plug of the AC
Adapter c able.  See the following figure:
1
2
Pin Voltage (V dc)1 19 V (+ 1.5 V, - 0 V)2Ground
a.  If the voltage is c orrect, replac e the mainboard.
b.  If the voltage is still inc orrec t, go to the next step.
2. Unplug the AC Adapter c able from the ac power
outlet and wait 5 minutes or longer to allow the
overvoltage protection circ uit or other protection
circuits to be fully discharged and initialized.
3. Plug the AC Adapter c able into the ac power outlet.
4. Meas ure the output voltage of the AC Adapter.
5. If the voltage is still not c orrect, replac e the AC
Adapter.
Note:
An audible nois e from the AC Adapter does not
always indic ate a def ect. 
						

							W orkPad z50 Mobile Companion 11
Battery Pack Checkout: If the battery pack or the optional
high-c apacity battery have a problem, ref er to the f ollowing:
1. Enter suspend mode by pressing the Power button.
2. Remove the battery pack and check for any
mechanical damage.  Replace the battery pack if it is
damaged.
Note:
Damage to the battery pack c aus ed by the
customer is not c overed by the warranty.
3. Remove the battery pack and meas ure the voltage
between the battery terminals.  See the f ollowing
figure:
7 1
Terminal Voltage (V dc)1 11.1 V7 Ground (-)
4. If the voltage is less than 11.1 V dc, the battery pac k
has been discharged.  Rec harge the battery pac k.
If the voltage is still less than 11.1 V dc after
recharging, replace the battery pack.
If the battery pack is extremely hot (over 50°C),
replac e the battery pac k and the mainboard.
If the voltage is c orrect, but you still suspec t a
problem with the battery pack, go to “Running the
Diagnos tics Test” on page 27. 
						

							12 IBM W orkPad z50, Mobile Companion 12
Checking Operational Charging: There is no differenc e in
battery charging time whether the s ystem is fully operational
or not.  T o check the battery charging, us e a discharged
battery pack or a battery pack that has less than 50% of total
power remaining.
Turn on the W orkPad z50 while the AC Adapter is c onnected
to the s ystem.  The External Power/Charge Status LED will
change to amber while the battery is charging.  W hen the
battery is fully charged (after about 1 – 2.5 hrs., depending
on the battery’s initial charge) the battery terminal voltage
should be around 12.6V dc.  If the voltage is far less, or has
not increas ed from the initial voltage, then repeat the
proc edure with another discharged battery pac k.  If this
brings the s ame result, then suspect a mainboard f ailure.
Optional Dry Cell Battery Checkout: If the optional Dry
Cell Kit (dry cell battery pack) has a problem, refer to the
following:
1. Enter suspend mode by pressing the Power button.
2. Remove the dry c ell battery pack and measure the
voltage between the battery terminals.  See the
following figure:
1 7
Terminal Voltage (V dc)1 8.8 – 12.8 V7 Ground (-)
3. If the voltage is less than 8.8 V dc, the dry c ell battery
pack has  been discharged.  Replac e the dry c ells.
If the dry cell battery pack is extremely hot, it must be
replaced. 
						

							W orkPad z50 Mobile Companion 13
Backup Battery Checkout
(Nonrechargeable)
If removing all power sources except for the backup battery
results in the s ystem being res et, s uspect a problem with the
backup batteries.  Refer to the following:
1. Enter suspend mode by pressing the Power button.
2. Remove the AAA batteries and meas ure the voltage
between the battery terminals.  The voltage s hould be
1.1–1.6 V dc per battery.
·
  If the voltage is c orrect, replac e the mainboard.
·
  If the voltage is less than 1.1 V dc per battery, then
the batteries  have been discharged.  Replac e the
batteries.
·
  If the backup battery discharges quickly after
replac ement, replac e the mainboard.
Note:
Make sure either the battery pack is installed or
the AC Adapter is connected.  If the backup
batteries are removed and no other power
sourc e is available (AC Adapter or battery pac k),
the s ystem is res et, and all the stored data is
lost.
The Battery Calibration Application
The Battery Calibration application tests the battery to
ensure that it charges to its full c apac ity.  You must first
connec t the AC Adapter bef ore you us e the Battery
Calibration applic ation.  Click Start, Programs, WorkPad.
Click the Battery Calibration ic on to open the Battery
Calibration window:
Press the Start button to begin the program.  You will s ee
the following dialog window:
Note:If the AC Adapter is not c onnec ted when you
start the Battery Calibration applic ation, you will
see a dialog window prompting you to connect it
before you continue. 
						

							14 IBM W orkPad z50, Mobile Companion 14 Press OK  to clos e the mess age window, then click Start to
begin the c alibration.  You will s ee the f ollowing dialog
window:
Press OK  to close this dialog window.
The Battery Calibration applic ation will charge the Li-ion
battery to its full c apacity.  W hen the battery reaches  full
capacity, the Battery Calibration applic ation will allow the
battery to fully discharge.  W hen the battery is fully
discharged, the applic ation will c harge the battery again.
W hen the battery has been c harged to 2% of its c apac ity,
the Battery Calibration applic ation will stop.
Note:During the battery c alibration proc ess, the AC
Adapter must be c onnec ted at all times.
To reduce the time it takes to discharge the
battery, increas e the LCD panel brightness to
the maximum level and turn off the automatic
backlight control in the Control Panel.
It takes  up to 12 hours to c alibrate the standard
battery pack.  The high-capacity battery pack
needs to go through the c alibration proc edure
twice.
ROM Card Checkout
If you suspect the ROM card has a problem, ref er to the
following:
1. Remove all power sources (AC power, battery pack,
and backup battery).
2. Reinstall the ROM card.
3. Connect to a power source.  If the problem persists,
replace the ROM card. 
						

							W orkPad z50 Mobile Companion 15
TrackPoint Checkout
The TrackPoint adjusts the pointer s ens or automatic ally.
During this proc ess, the pointer moves on the screen
automatic ally f or a short time.  This s elf-acting pointer
movem ent c an occur when a slight, steady pressure is
applied to the Trac kPoint pointer.  You must readjust it if the
temperature has exc eeded its normal temperature range.
This symptom does not indicate a hardware problem.  No
servic e actions are nec ess ary if the pointer movem ent stops
in a short period of time.
If a click button problem or a pointing stic k problem occurs,
do the following:
1. Go to the diagnostic menu (see “Running the
Diagnos tics Test” on page 27).
2. Select TrackPoint and run the diagnostics tests.
3. Verif y that the item is s elec ted.
4. Move to another item with the pointing stick.
5. Press the pointing stick (press-to-select) and verify
that the item is s elected.
6. Verif y that both buttons work c orrectly.
If the click buttons do not work, replace the mainboard.  If
the pointing stick does not work, do the f ollowing actions one
at a time to c orrect the problem.  Do not replac e a
n ond ef ec t i ve FRU.
·
  Res eat the Trac kPoint c able.
·
  Replace the keyboard.
·
  Replac e the mainboard.
Cradle Checkout
Use the f ollowing proc edure to is olate a problem with the
cradle.  The cradle attaches  to the s ystem expans ion
connec tor at the bottom of the W orkPad z50.
1. Enter suspend mode.
2. Remove the f ailing devic e from the cradle.
3. Unplug the AC Adapter from the cradle, if attac hed.
4. Remove the cradle from the W orkPad z50.
5. Reconnect the failing device directly to the W orkPad
z50.  (If another devic e is already c onnected to the
W orkPad z50, remove it first.)
6. If the f ailing devic e works properly, replac e the cradle.
External Monitor Self-Test
If a monitor problem occurs, us e the f ollowing instructions to
correct the problem:
1. Test the external monitor and c able on another
system to make sure they are working correctly.
2. Connect the monitor to the W orkPad z50.
3. Go to the diagnostic menu (see “Running the
Diagnos tics Test” on page 27) and s elect Display.
4. If the external monitor does not display correctly,
change the mainboard.