Acer Aspire 8930 Service Manual

Aspire 8930 Series

Service Guide

Service guide files and updates are available

on the ACER/CSD web; for more information,

please refer to http://csd.acer.com.tw

PRINTED IN TAIWAN

Revision History

Please refer to the table below for the updates made on Aspire 8930 service guide.

Date Chapter Updates

Copyright © 2008 by Acer Incorporated. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language or computer language, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, magnetic, optical, chemical, manual or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Acer Incorporated.

Disclaimer

The information in this guide is subject to change without notice.

Acer Incorporated makes no representations or warranties, either expressed or implied, with respect to the contents hereof and specifically disclaims any warranties of merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose. Any Acer Incorporated software described in this manual is sold or licensed "as is". Should the programs prove defective following their purchase, the buyer (and not Acer Incorporated, its distributor, or its dealer) assumes the entire cost of all necessary servicing, repair, and any incidental or consequential damages resulting from any defect in the software.

Acer is a registered trademark of Acer Corporation. Intel is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation. Pentium and Pentium II/III are trademarks of Intel Corporation. Other brand and product names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

III

Conventions

The following conventions are used in this manual:

SCREEN MESSAGES Denotes actual messages that appear

on screen.

NOTE Gives bits and pieces of additional

information related to the current topic.

WARNING Alerts you to any damage that might

result from doing or not doing specific actions.

CAUTION Gives precautionary measures to

avoid possible hardware or software problems.

IMPORTANT Reminds you to do specific actions

relevant to the accomplishment of procedures.

Preface

Before using this information and the product it supports, please read the following general information.

1. This Service Guide provides you with all technical information relating to the BASIC CONFIGURATION decided for Acer's "global" product offering. To better fit local market requirements and enhance product competitiveness, your regional office MAY have decided to extend the functionality of a machine (e.g. add-on card, modem, or extra memory capability). These LOCALIZED FEATURES will NOT be covered in this generic service guide. In such cases, please contact your regional offices or the responsible personnel/channel to provide you with further technical details.

2. Please note WHEN ORDERING FRU PARTS, that you should check the most up-to-date information available on your regional web or channel. If, for whatever reason, a part number change is made, it will not be noted in the printed Service Guide. For ACER-AUTHORIZED SERVICE PROVIDERS, your Acer office may have a DIFFERENT part number code to those given in the FRU list of this printed Service Guide. You MUST use the list provided by your regional Acer office to order FRU parts for repair and service of customer machines.

System Specifications

Features

Below is a brief summary of the computer’s many feature:

Operating system

 Windows Vista™

NOTE: Windowsl

Windows Microsoft.com/windowsvista.

Platform and memory

 Intel® Core™2 Duo mobile processor Mobile Intel® GM975 Express Chipset

 Mobile Intel

 Intel

CERTIFIED

VistaTM Capable PCs come with Windows® XP installed, and can be upgraded to

VistaTM. For more information on Windows® VistaTM and how to upgrade, go to:

GM975 Express Chipset

Wireless WiFi Link Wi-Fi CERTIFIED® network connection, or Intel® PRO/Wireless Wi-Fi

network connection

Chapter 1

System memory

 Dual-Channel DDR2 SDRAM support

 Up to 2 GB of DDR2 667 MHz memory, upgradeable to 4 GB using two soDIMM modules

Display and graphics

 18.4" WUXGA

 NVIDIA

GeForce® 9650M GS with up to 1280 MB of TurboCache™ or NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600M GT

with up to 1280 MB of TurboCache™

TV-tuner

 Digital TV-tuner supporting DVB-T

Audio

 Dolby® -certified surround sound system with five built-in stereo speakers and one subwoofer

supporting lowfrequency effects

 S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface) support for digital speakers

 Built-in stereo microphones

Storage subsystem

 2.5" hard disk drive

 Optical drive options:

z Blu-ray Disc™ (BD) drive

z DVD-Super Multi double-layer drive

 6-in-1 card reader

Chapter 1 1

Input devices

 105-/106-key keyboard

 Touchpad pointing device

 Acer CineDash media console capacitive human interface device

Communication

 Acer Video Conference, featuring:

z Integrated Acer Crystal Eye webcam

z Acer PureZone technology

z Optional Acer Xpress VoIP phone

 WLAN:

z Intel

Wireless WiFi Link network connection or Intel® PRO/Wireless network connection

I/O Ports

 ExpressCard™/54 slot

 6-in-1 card reader (SD™, MMC, MMCplus™, MS, MS PRO, xD)

 USB 2.0 ports

 HDMI™ port with HDCP support

 Consumer infrared (CIR) port

 External display (VGA) port

 Headphone/speaker/line-out jack with S/PDIF support

 Microphone-in jack

 Line-in jack

 Ethernet (RJ-45) port

 Modem (RJ-11) port

 DC-in jack for AC adapter

Environment

 Temperature:

z operating: 5°C to 35°C

z Non-operating: -20°C to 65°C

 Humidity (non-condensing):

z operating: 20%~80%

z Non-operating: 20%~80%

2 Chapter 1

System Block Diagram

Chapter 1 3

Board Layout

Top View

Aspire8930 M/B layout and connector location

TOP view

No. Name Description

1 CN1 LCM Cable CNTR

2 CN6 Power Board FFC CNTR

3 CN2 LED Board Cable CNTR

4 CN3 LED Board Cable CNTR

5 CN4 Power Cable CNTR

6 U6 South Bridge

7 CN12 I/O Board CNTR

8 CN15 Speaker Cable CNTR

9 CN14 MDC CNTR

10 CN13 BT Cable CNTR

11 CN11 Touch Pad FFC CNTR

12 CN9 Media consle Board CNTR

4 Chapter 1

Bottom View

Bottom view

No. Name Description

1 CN501 Battery CNTR

2 CN502 CPU Socket

3 CN500 FAN Cable CNTR

4 Jack500 RJ45

5 CN503 VGA Port

6 CN507 HDMI Port

7 CN511 HDMI Port

8 CN514 USB Port

9 CN515 USB Port

10 Jack501 SPDIF

11 Jack502 MIC jack

12 Jack503 Line in jack

13 CN510 Speaker Cable CNTR

14 U510 North Bridge

15 CN516 HDD Socket

16 CN517 HDD Socket

17 CN505/506 DIMM Socket

18 CN512 ODD CNTR

19 CN508 PCI-E Socket

20 CN504 PCI-E Socket

21 CN509 VGA Card Socket

Chapter 1 5

Your Acer Notebook tour

After knowing your computer features, let us show you around your new Aspire computer.

Front View

No. Icon Item Description

1 Acer PureZone Two internal stereo microphones for sound recording.

2 Display screen Also called Liquid-Crystal Display (LCD), displays

computer output.

3 Power button Turns the computer on and off.

4 Status indicators Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) that light up to show the

status of the computer's functions and components.

5 CineDash media

console

6 Keyboard For entering data into your computer.

7 Palmrest Comfortable support area for your hands when you

8 Touchpad Touch-sensitive pointing device which functions like a

6 Chapter 1

The CineDash media console is a touch-sensitive entertainment interface.

use the computer.

computer mouse.

No. Icon Item Description

9 Click buttons

(left, center* and right)

10 Status indicators Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) that light up to show the

11 Acer Crystal Eye Web camera for video communication.

12 Empowering key Lanuch Acer Empowering Technology.

13 Speakers Left and right speakers deliver stereo audio output.

14 Easy-launch button Buttons for launching frequently used program.

Closed Front View

The left and right buttons function like the left and right mouse buttons. *The center button serves as Acer BioProtect fingerprint reader supporting Acer FingerNav 4-way control function. (for selected models)

status of the computer’s functions and components.

(for selected models)

No. Icon Item Description

1 Speakers Left and right speakers deliver stereo audio output.

2 6-in-1 card reader

3 CIR receiver Receives signals from a remote control.

Accepts Secure Digital (SD), MultiMediaCard (MMC), MultiMediaCard Plus (MMCplus), Memory Stick (MS), Memory Stick Pro (MS PRO), xD-Picture Card (xD).

Chapter 1 7

Left View

No. Icon Item Description

1 DC-in jack Connects to an AC adapter.

2 Modem (RJ-11) port Connects to a phone line.

3 Ethernet (RJ-45) port Connects to an Ethernet 10/100-based network.

4 External display

(VGA) port

5 HDMI port Supports high definition digital video connections.

6 2 USB 2.0 ports Connect to USB 2.0 devices (e.g., USB mouse, USB

7 Headphones/

speaker/line-out jack with S/PDIF support

8 Microphone-in jack Accepts input from external microphones.

9 Line-in jack Accepts audio line-in devices (e.g., audio CD player,

Connects to a display device (e.g., external monitor, LCD projector).

camera).

Connects to audio line-out devices (e.g., speakers, headphones).

stereo walkman).

8 Chapter 1

Right View

No. Icon Item Description

1 ExpressCard/54 slot Acceots one ExpressCard/54 module.

2 Optical drive Internal optical drive; accepts CDs or DVDs.

3 Optical disk access

4 Optical drive eject

5 Emergency eject

6 2 USB 2.0 ports Connect to USB 2.0 devices (e.g., USB mouse, USB

7 TV-in port Accepts input signals from analog/digital TV-tuner

8 Kensington lock slot Connects to a Kensington-compatible computer

indicator

button

hole

Lights up when the optical drive is active.

Ejects the optical disk from the drive.

Ejects the optical drive tray when the computer is turned off.

camera).

devices (for selected models).

security lock.

Rear view

No. Icon Item Description

1 Tuba The dedicated Tuba CineBass subwoofer pumps out

2 Ventilation slots Enable the computer to stay cool, even after

earthshaking movie-house audio.

prolonged use.

Chapter 1 9

Base view

No. Icon Item Description

1 Hard disk bay Houses the computer's hard disk (secured with

2 Memory

screws).

Houses the computer's main memory.

compartment

3 Ventilation slots and

cooling fan

4 Battery bay Houses the computer's battery pack.

5 Battery release latch Releases the battery for removal.

6 Battery lock Locks the battery in position.

Enable the computer to stay cool, even after prolonged use.

Note: Do not cover or obstruct the opening of the fan.

10 Chapter 1

Indicators

The computer has several easy-to-read status indicators.

The front panel indicators are visible even when the computer cover is closed up.

No. Icon Item Description

1 Power Indicates the computer’s power status.

2 Battery Indicates the computer’s battery status.

3 HDD Indicates when the hard disk drive is active.

4 Num Lock Lights up when Num Lock is activated.

5 Caps Lock Lights up when Caps Lock is activated.

NOTE: 1. Charging: The light shows amber when the battery is charging.

2. Fully charged: The light shows green when in AC mode.

Chapter 1 11

Easy-Launch Buttons

Located beside the keyboard are application buttons. These buttons are called easy-launch buttons. They are: WLAN, Internet, email, Bluetooth and Acer Empowering Technology.

The mail and Web browser buttons are pre-set to email and Internet programs, but can be reset by users. To set the Web browser, mail and programmable buttons, run the Acer Launch Manager.

No. Icon Item Description

1 Empowering

Te ch n ol o gy

2 Wireless

communication button/Indicator

3 Web browser Internet browser (user-Programmable)

Lanuch Acer Empowering Technology. (user-programmable)

Enable/disables the wireless function. Indicates the status of wireless LAN communication.

4 Mail Email application (user-Programmable)

5Bluetooth

communication button/indicator

12 Chapter 1

Enable/disables the Bluetooth function. Indicates the status of Bluetooth communication.

Touchpad Basics

The following teaches you how to use the touchpad:

 Move your finger across the touchpad (2) to move the cursor.

 Press the left (1) and right (4) buttons located beneath the touchpad to perform selection and execution

functions. These two buttons are similar to the left and right buttons on a mouse. Tapping on the touchpad is the same as clicking the left button.

 Use the 4-way scroll (3) button to scroll up or down and move left or right a page. This button mimics

your cursor pressing on the right scroll bar of Windows applications.

Function Left Button (1) Right Button (4) Main touchpad (2) Center button (3)

Execute Quickly click

twice.

Select Click once. Tap once.

Drag Click and hold,

then use finger on the touchpad to drag the cursor.

Access context menu

Scroll Swipe up/down/

Click once.

Tap twice (at the same speed as double-clicking a mouse button).

Tap twice (at the same speed as double-clicking a mouse button); rest your finger on the touchpad on the second tap and drag the cursor.

left/right using Acer FingerNav 4-way control function (for selected models) or click and hold to move up/ down/left/right (for selected models).

NOTE: When using the touchpad, keep it - and your infers - dry and clean. The touchpad is sensitive to finger

movements; hence, the lighter the touch, the better the response. Tapping too hard will not increase the touchpad’s responsiveness.

Chapter 1 13

Using the Keyboard

The keyboard has full-sized keys and an embedded keypad, separate cursor keys, two Windows keys and twelve function keys.

Lock Keys and embedded numeric keypad

The keyboard has three lock keys which you can toggle on and off.

Lock key Description

Caps Lock When Caps Lock is on, all alphabetic characters typed are in uppercase.

Num Lock When Num Lock is on, the separate keypad is in numeric mode. The keys

function as a calculator (complete with the arithmetic operators +, -, *, and /). Use this mode when you need to do a lot of numeric data entry.

Scroll Lock

When Scroll Lock is on, the screen moves one line up or down when you press the up or down arrow keys respectively. Scroll Lock does not work with some applications.

14 Chapter 1

Windows Keys

The keyboard has two keys that perform Windows-specific functions.

Key Description

Windows key

Pressed alone, this key has the same effect as clicking on the Windows Start button; it launches the Start menu. It can also be used with other keys to provide a variety of functions:

<> : Open or close the Start menu

< > + <D>: Display the desktop

< > + <E>: Open Windows Explore

< > + <F>: Search for a file or folder

< > + <G>: Cycle through Sidebar gadgets

< > + <L>: Lock your computer (if you are connected to a network

domain), or switch users (if you're not connected to a network domain)

< > + <M>: Minimizes all windows

< > + <R>: Open the Run dialog box

< > + <T>: Cycle through programs on the taskbar

< > + <U>: Open Ease of Access Center

Application key

< > + <X>: Open Windows Mobility Center

< > + <BREAK>: Display the System Properties dialog box

< > + <SHIFT+M>: Restore minimized windows to the desktop

< > + <TAB>: Cycle through programs on the taskbar by using

Windows Flip 3-D

< > + <SPACEBAR>: Bring all gadgets to the front and select Windows

Sidebar

<CTRL> + < > + <F>: Search for computers (if you are on a network)

<CTRL> + < > + <TAB>: Use the arrow keys to cycle through programs

on the taskbar by using Windows Flip 3-D

Note: Depending on your edition of Windows Vista or Windows XP, some

shortcuts may not function as described.

This key has the same effect as clicking the right mouse button; it opens the application's context menu.

Chapter 1 15

Hot Keys

The computer employs hotkeys or key combinations to access most of the computer’s controls like sreen brightness, volume output and the BIOS utility.

To activate hot keys, press and hold the <Fn> key before pressing the other key in the hotkey combination.

Hotkey Icon Function Description

<Fn> + <F1> Hotkey help Displays help on hotkeys.

<Fn> + <F2> Acer eSettings Launches Acer eSettings in Acer

Empowering Technology.

<Fn> + <F3> Acer ePower

Management

<Fn> + <F4> Sleep Puts the computer in Sleep mode.

<Fn> + <F5> Display toggle Switches display output between the display

<Fn> + <F6> Screen blank Turns the display screen backlight off to save

<Fn> + <F7> Touchpad toggle Turns the internal touchpad on and off.

<Fn> + <F8> Speaker toggle Turns the speakers on and off.

Volume up Increases the sound volume.

Volume down Decrease the sound volume.

Brightness up Increases the screen brightness.

Brightness down Decreases the screen brightness.

Launches Acer ePower Management in Acer Empowering Technology.

screen, external monitor (if connected) and both.

power. Press any key to return.

16 Chapter 1

Special Key

You can locate the Euro symbol and US dollar sign at the upper-center and/or bottom-right of your keyboard. To t y pe :

The Euro symbol

1. Open a text editor or word processor.

2. Either directly press the <> symbol at the bottom-right of the keyboard, or hold <Alt Gr> and then press the<5> symbol at the upper-center of the keyboard.

NOTE: Some fonts and software do not support the Euro symbol. Please refer to www.microsoft.com/

typography/faq/faq12.htm for more information.

The US dollar sign

1. Open a text editor or word processor.

2. Either directly press the <> key at the bottom-right of the keyboard, or hold <Shift> and then press the <4> key at the upper-center of the keyboard.

NOTE: This function varies by the operating system version.

Chapter 1 17

Acer Empowering Technology

The Empowering Technology toolbar makes it easy for you to access frequentlyused functions and manage your new Acer system. Activated by pressing theEmpowering Key, it provides access to the following utilities:

NOTE: The following content is for general reference only. Actual product specifications may vary.

 Acer eAudio Management allows you to easily control the enhanced sound effects of Dolby Home

Theater on your system.

 Acer ePower Management optimizes battery usage via customizable power plans.

 Acer eDataSecurity Management protects data with passwords and encryption (for selected models).

 Acer eRecovery Management backs up and recovers data flexibly, reliably and completely.

 Acer eSettings Management accesses system information and adjusts settings easily.

For more information, right-click on the Empowering Technology toolbar, then select Help.

For help with a particular utility, launch the utility and click the icon at the buttom of the active window.Launching Acer Empowering Technology

To launch Acer Empowering Technology:

 Press the Empowering Key to display the Acer Empowering Technology toolbar on the desktop.

 To hide the toolbar, press the Empowering Key again or click the hide button on the toolbar.

You may also launch Acer Empowering Technology by running the program from the Acer Empowering Technology program group in the Start menu, or by double-clicking the icon if you have created adesktop shortcut.

To launch Acer Empowering Technology applications:

 On the Acer Empowering Technology toolbar, click the icon that corresponds to the application you want

to launch.

 When you mouse over an application icon, a quick menu appears below the toolbar. The quick menu

allows you to perform certain tasks simply and quickly.

 You may also run the application by selecting it from the Acer Empowering Technology program group in

the Start menu.

18 Chapter 1

Acer eAudio Management

Acer eAudio Management allows you to easily control the enhanced sound effects of Dolby Home Theater on your system. Select Movie or Game mode to experience the awesome realism of 5.1-channel surround sound from just two speakers, via Dolby Virtual Speaker technology. Music mode lets you enjoy your favorite tunes, in vivid detail.

To choose your playback device, click the icon on the upper right side ofthe Acer eAudio Management window.

Chapter 1 19

Acer ePower Management

Acer ePower Management features a straightforward user interface for configuring your power management options. To access this utility, select Acer ePower Management from the Empowering Technology toolbar, run the program from the Acer Empowering Technology program group in Start menu, or right-click the Windows power icon in the system tray and select Acer ePower Management.

Using power plans

Acer ePower Management comes with three predefined power plans: Balanced, High performance and Power saver. You can also create customized power plans. You can create, switch between, edit, delete and restore power plans, as described below View and adjust settings for On Battery and Plugged In modes by clicking the appropriate tabs. For more power options, click in the Acer ePower and select Power Options.

To create a new power plan:

Creating customized power plans allows you to save and quickly switch to a personalized set of power options.

1. Click the New power plan option or icon.

2. Enter a name for your new power plan.

3. Choose a predefined power plan to base your customized plan on.

4. If necessary, change the display, sleep and hibernation settings you want your computer to use.

5. Click OK to save your new power plan.

To switch between power plans:

1. Mouse over the Acer ePower Management application on the Acer Empowering Technology toolbar. The quick menu appears

2. Select the power plan you want to switch to You may also switch between power plans by launching the Acer ePower Management application. Select the power plan you wish to switch to, thenclick Apply. click Apply

To edit a power plan:

Editing a power plan allows you to adjust system settings like LCD brightness and CPU speed.

1. Switch to the power plan you wish to edit.

2. Adjust settings as required.

3. Click Apply to save your new settings.

To delete a power plan:

You cannot delete the power plan you are currently using. If you want to delete the active power plan, switch to another one first.

1. Select the power plan you wish to delete.

2. Click the Delete Power Plan icon.

Battery status

The quick menu shows the remaining battery life based on current usage. You can also launch the Acer ePower Management application and refer to the Battery status panel located just below the power plans.

20 Chapter 1

Click the Battery tab to view remaining battery life, battery status, and remaining battery life in standby and hibernate modes

Chapter 1 21

Acer eDataSecurity Management

(for selected models)

Acer eDataSecurity Management is an encryption utility that protects your files from being accessed by unauthorized persons. It is conveniently integrated with Windows Explorer as a shell extension for quick data encryption/decryption and also supports on-the-fly file encryption for Lotus Notes and Microsoft Outlook.

On first use, the Acer eDataSecurity Management setup wizard will prompt you to create the Master Pas word. You will use this password to access the Personal Secure Disk (PSD). The Master Password may also be used to encrypt/decrypt files by default.

If you set a different password to encrypt a file, but you forgot the encryption password, you can use the Mater Password to decrypt the file

22 Chapter 1

Acer eRecovery Management

Acer eRecovery Management is a versatile backup utility. It allows you to create full or incremental backups, burn the factory default image to optical disc, and restore from previously created backups or reinstall applications and drivers. By default, user-created backups are stored to the D:\ drive.system’s HDD. Usercreated backups are stored on D:\ drive. Acer eRecovery Management provides you with:

 Password protection.

 Recovery of applications and drivers.

 Image/data backup:

z Back up to HDD (set recovery point).

z Back up to CD/DVD.

Image/data recovery tools:

 Recover from a hidden partition (factory defaults).

 Recover from the HDD (most recent user-defined recovery point).

 Recover from CD/DVD.

For more information, please refer to “Acer eRecovery Management”

NOTE: If your computer did not come with a Recovery CD or System CD, please use Acer eRecovery

Management’s “System backup to optical disk” feature to burn a backup image to CD or DVD. To ensure the best results when recovering your system using a CD or Acer eRecovery Management, detach all peripherals (except the external Acer ODD, if your computer has one), including your Acer ezDock.

Chapter 1 23

Acer eSettings Management

Acer eSettings Management allows you to inspect hardware specifications and to monitor the system health status. Furthermore, Acer eSettings Management enables you to optimize your Windows operating system, so your computer runs faster, smoother and better.

Acer eSettings Management also:

Provides a simple graphical user interface for navigating.

Displays general system status and advanced monitoring for power users.

24 Chapter 1

+ 88 hidden pages