Acer 420 manual Troubleshooting, Symptoms Verified Go To

Chapter 4

Troubleshooting

Use the following procedure as a guide for computer problems.

NOTE: The diagnostic tests are intended to test this model (TravelMate 420 series). Non-Acer products, prototype cards, or modified options can give false errors and invalid system responses.

1.Obtain the failed 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.If any problem occurs, you can perform visual inspection before you fellow this chapter’s instructions. You can check the following:

power cords are properly connected and secured; there are no obvious shorts or opens;

there are no obviously burned or heated components; all components appear normal.

4.After you perform visual inspection you can also verify the following:

ask the user if a password is registered and, if it is, ask him or her to enter the password.

verify with the customer that Wndows XP is installed on the hard disk. Operating systems that were not preinstalled by Acer can cause malfunction.

make sure all optional equipment is removed from the computer. make sure the floppy disk is empty.

5.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	“Power System Check” on page 79.
on or stay on.)
POST does not complete. No beep or error	“Power-On Self-Test (POST) Error Message” on
codes are indicated.	page 83
	“Undetermined Problems” on page 90
POST detects an error and displayed messages	“Error Message List” on page 84
on screen.
The diagnostic test detected an error and	“System Diagnostic Diskette” on page 52
displayed a FRU code.
Other symptoms (i.e. LCD display problems or	“Power-OnSelf-Test (POST) Error Message” on
others).	page 83
Symptoms cannot be re-created (intermittent	Use the customer-reported symptoms and go to
problems).	“Power-On Self-Test (POST) Error Message” on
	page 83
	“Intermittent Problems” on page 89
	“Undetermined Problems” on page 90

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