Acer Aspire 3650 Service Manual CH4

Troubleshooting

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.)

POST does not complete. No beep or error
codes are indicated.

POST detects an error and displayed messages
on screen.

Other symptoms (i.e. LCD display problems or
others).

Symptoms cannot be re-created (intermittent
problems).

“Power System Check” on page 75.

“Power-On Self-Test (POST) Error Message” on
page 78

“Undetermined Problems” on page 90

“Error Message List” on page 79

“Power-On Self-Test (POST) Error Message” on
page 78

Use the customer-reported symptoms and go to
“Power-On Self-Test (POST) Error Message” on
page 78

“Intermittent Problems” on page 89

“Undetermined Problems” on page 90

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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:

T Numeric keypad

T External keyboard

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If any of these devices do not work, reconnect the cable connector and repeat the failing operation.

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:

T “Check the Power Adapter” on page 76

T “Check the Battery Pack” on page 77

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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

Pin 1: +19 to +20.5V
Pin 2: 0V, Ground

1. If the voltage is not correct, replace the power adapter.

2. If the voltage is within the range, do the following:

T Replace the System board.

T If the problem is not corrected, see “Undetermined Problems” on page 90.

T 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.

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 77.

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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.

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.

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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 90.

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.

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