Sunday, July 07, 2013

HOW TO TROUBLESHOOT ACER ASPIRE 4920- EXTERNAL CD/DVD ROM DRIVE CHECK - KEYBOARD-MEMORY - And more


TROUBLESHOOTING
  1. 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.
  2. Obtain the failing symptoms in as much detail as possible.
  3. Verify the symptoms by attempting to recreate the failure by running the diagnostic tests or repeating the same operation.
  4. Do not use any power sources when performing an assembly or disassembly procedures.
  5. If any problems occur, you can perform the following visual inspection before you continue.
  •  Power cords are properly connected and secured.
  • There are no obvious shorts or opens.
  • There are no burned or heated components.
  • All components appear normal.
EXTERNAL CD/DVD ROM DRIVE CHECK
Perform the following procedures to isolate the possible problem a controller, drive, or CD-ROM.
NOTE: Make sure that the CD-ROM does not have any label attached to it. The label may damage the drive or cause drive failure.
  • Boot from the diagnostic disc and start the diagnostic programs.
  • See if CD-ROM Test is passed when the program runs the CD-ROM Test.
  • Follow on-screen instructions.
If an error occurs, reconnect the drive to the connector on the mainboard. If the error persists, do the following:
  1. Reconnect the CD/DVD-ROM drive.
  2. Replace the CD/DVD-ROM drive.
  3. Replace the main board.
KEYBOARD/AUX 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 error occurs, make sure that the flexible cable extending from the internal keyboard is correctly connected to the main board. If the keyboard cable connection is correct, run the Keyboard Test.
If the tests detect a keyboard problem, do the following procedures in sequence to correct the problems. Do not replace a non-defective FRU:
  • Reconnect the keyboard cable.
  • Replace the keyboard.
  • Replace the main board.
The following auxiliary input devices are supported by this computer:
  1. Numeric keypad
  2. External keyboard
If any of these devices do not function, reconnect the cable and repeat above procedures.
MEMORY CHECK
Make sure that the DIMM is properly installed into the connector. A loose connection can cause an error.
Do the following:
  • Boot from the diagnostic diskette and start the diagnostic program.
  • Go to the diagnostic memory in the test items.
  • Press F2 in the test items.
  • Follow on-screen instructions.
POWER SYSTEM CHECK
  • Remove the battery pack.
  • Connect the power adapter and check the power supply.
  • Disconnect the power adapter and install the battery pack; then check that power supply.
If you suspect a power problem, see the appropriate power supply check in the following list:
“Check the Power Adapter”
“Check the Battery Pack”
POWER ADAPTER CHECK
  • Unplug the power adapter cable from the system and measure the output voltage at the plug of the power adapter cable.
  • If the voltage is not correct, replace the power adapter.
  • If the voltage is within range, do the following:
  1. Replace the System board.
  2. If the problem is not resolved, see “Undetermined Problems”
  3. If the voltage is not correct, go to the next step. NOTE: An audible noise from the power adapter does not always indicate a defect.
  4. If the power-on indicator does not light up, check if the adapter’s power cord is properly connected to the system.
  5. If the operational charge does not work, see “Check the Battery Pack”.
CHECK THE BATTERY PACK

Using the software to identify whether a problem occurs while the battery pack during recharge or discharge:
Open Power Management in the Control Panel.
In Power Meter, confirm if the parameters for Current Power Source and Total Battery Power Remaining are correct.
Repeat the steps 1 and 2 for both battery and adapter.
Using the hardware to identify whether you should replace the battery pack or not:
  1. Power off the system.
  2. Remove the battery pack and measure the voltage between terminals one (+) and seven (-). There are seven terminals totally.  
  3. If the voltage is still less than 7.5 Vdc after recharging, replace the battery.  If the battery status indicator does not light up, remove the battery pack. If the charge indicator still does not light up, replace the AC/DC charger board.
TOUCH-PAD CHECK
If the touch pad doesn’t work, do the following procedures in sequence to correct the problem. Do not replace a non-defective FRU:
  • After rebooting, run Tracking Pad PS2 Mode Driver. For example Syn touch driver.
  • Run utility with the PS/2 mouse function and check if the mouse is working.
  • If the PS/2 mouse does not work, then click if the main board to switch board FPC is connected properly.
  • If the main board to switch board FPC is connected correctly, then check if the FFC on the touch pad PCB is connected properly.
  • If the FFC on the touch pad PCB is connected correctly, check if LS851 JP1 Pin6 = 5V.
  • If yes, then replace switch board. If not, then go to the next step.
  • Replace the touch pad PCB.
  • If the touch pad still does not work, then replace the FPC on Track Pad PCB.After you use the touch pad, the pointer drifts on the screen for a short time. This self-acting pointer movement will occur when a slight, steady pressure is applied to the touch pad pointer. This symptom is not a hardware problem. No actions are necessary to be taken if the pointer movement stops in a short period of time.
POWER ON SELF TEST [POST]
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 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.
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 symptom is not included on the list, please refer to “Undetermined Problems”.
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 Set-up Utility menus, reset the computer, enter Set-up and install Set-up defaults or correct the error.