Category: Laptop Repair and Service
Contents of this article
- Display Problems
- Audio problems
- HDD Problems
Acer Aspire one Series
Troubleshooting
Computer Shutsdown Intermittently
If the system powers off at intervals, perform the following actions one at a time to correct the problem.
1. Check the power cable is properly connected to the computer and the electrical outlet.
2. Remove any extension cables between the computer and the outlet.
3. Remove any surge protectors between the computer and the electrical outlet. Plug the computer directly into a known good electrical outlet.
4. Remove all external and non-essential hardware connected to the computer that are not necessary to boot the computer to the failure point.
5. Remove any recently installed software.
If the system powers off at intervals, perform the following actions one at a time to correct the problem.
1. Check the power cable is properly connected to the computer and the electrical outlet.
2. Remove any extension cables between the computer and the outlet.
3. Remove any surge protectors between the computer and the electrical outlet. Plug the computer directly into a known good electrical outlet.
4. Remove all external and non-essential hardware connected to the computer that are not necessary to boot the computer to the failure point.
5. Remove any recently installed software.
No POST or Video
If the POST or video doesn’t display, perform the following actions one at a time to correct the problem.
1. Make sure that the internal display is selected. On this notebook model, switching between the internal
display and the external display is done by pressing Fn+F5. Reference Product pages for specific model procedures.
2. Make sure the computer has power by checking at least one of the following occurs:
# Fans start up
# Status LEDs light up
3. Drain any stored power by removing the power cable and battery and holding down the power button for
10 seconds. Reconnect the power and reboot the computer.
4. Connect an external monitor to the computer and switch between the internal display and the external display is by pressing Fn+F5 (on this model).
5. Disconnect power and all external devices including port replicators or docking stations. Remove any memory cards and CD/DVD discs. Restart the computer.
If the computer boots correctly, add the devices one by one until the failure point is discovered.
6. Reseat the memory modules
If the POST or video doesn’t display, perform the following actions one at a time to correct the problem.
1. Make sure that the internal display is selected. On this notebook model, switching between the internal
display and the external display is done by pressing Fn+F5. Reference Product pages for specific model procedures.
2. Make sure the computer has power by checking at least one of the following occurs:
# Fans start up
# Status LEDs light up
3. Drain any stored power by removing the power cable and battery and holding down the power button for
10 seconds. Reconnect the power and reboot the computer.
4. Connect an external monitor to the computer and switch between the internal display and the external display is by pressing Fn+F5 (on this model).
5. Disconnect power and all external devices including port replicators or docking stations. Remove any memory cards and CD/DVD discs. Restart the computer.
If the computer boots correctly, add the devices one by one until the failure point is discovered.
6. Reseat the memory modules
Abnormal Video Display
If video displays abnormally, perform the following actions one at a time to correct the problem.
1. Reboot the computer.
2. If permanent vertical/horizontal lines or dark spots display in the same location, the LCD is faulty and should be replaced.
3. If extensive pixel damage is present (different colored spots in the same locations on the screen), the LCD is faulty and should be replaced. See “Disassembly Process” on page 34.
4. Adjust the brightness to its highest level. See the User Manual for instructions on adjusting settings.
5. Check the display resolution is correctly configured:
a. Minimize or close all Windows.
b. If display size is only abnormal in an application, check the view settings and control/mouse wheel zoom feature in the application.
c. If desktop display resolution is not normal, right-click on the desktop and select Personalize > Display Settings.
d. Click and drag the Resolution slider to the desired resolution.
e. Click Apply and check the display. Readjust if necessary.
6. Roll back the video driver to the previous version if updated.
7. Remove and reinstall the video driver.
8. Check the Device Manager to determine that:
# The device is properly installed. There are no red Xs or yellow exclamation marks.
# There are no device conflicts.
# No hardware is listed under Other Devices.
Random Loss of BIOS Settings
If the computer is experiencing intermittent loss of BIOS information, perform the following actions one at a time to correct the problem.
1. If the computer is more than one year old, replace the CMOS battery.
2. Run a complete virus scan using up-to-date software to ensure the computer is virus free.
3. If the computer is experiencing HDD or ODD BIOS information loss, disconnect and reconnect the power and data cables between devices. If the BIOS settings are still lost, replace the cables.
4. If HDD information is missing from the BIOS, the drive may be defective and should be replaced.
5. Replace the Motherboard.
If video displays abnormally, perform the following actions one at a time to correct the problem.
1. Reboot the computer.
2. If permanent vertical/horizontal lines or dark spots display in the same location, the LCD is faulty and should be replaced.
3. If extensive pixel damage is present (different colored spots in the same locations on the screen), the LCD is faulty and should be replaced. See “Disassembly Process” on page 34.
4. Adjust the brightness to its highest level. See the User Manual for instructions on adjusting settings.
5. Check the display resolution is correctly configured:
a. Minimize or close all Windows.
b. If display size is only abnormal in an application, check the view settings and control/mouse wheel zoom feature in the application.
c. If desktop display resolution is not normal, right-click on the desktop and select Personalize > Display Settings.
d. Click and drag the Resolution slider to the desired resolution.
e. Click Apply and check the display. Readjust if necessary.
6. Roll back the video driver to the previous version if updated.
7. Remove and reinstall the video driver.
8. Check the Device Manager to determine that:
# The device is properly installed. There are no red Xs or yellow exclamation marks.
# There are no device conflicts.
# No hardware is listed under Other Devices.
Random Loss of BIOS Settings
If the computer is experiencing intermittent loss of BIOS information, perform the following actions one at a time to correct the problem.
1. If the computer is more than one year old, replace the CMOS battery.
2. Run a complete virus scan using up-to-date software to ensure the computer is virus free.
3. If the computer is experiencing HDD or ODD BIOS information loss, disconnect and reconnect the power and data cables between devices. If the BIOS settings are still lost, replace the cables.
4. If HDD information is missing from the BIOS, the drive may be defective and should be replaced.
5. Replace the Motherboard.
Sound Problems
If sound problems are experienced, perform the following actions one at a time to correct the problem.
1. Reboot the computer.
2. Navigate to Start > Control Panel > System and Maintenance > System > Device Manager. Check
the Device Manager to determine that:
If sound problems are experienced, perform the following actions one at a time to correct the problem.
1. Reboot the computer.
2. Navigate to Start > Control Panel > System and Maintenance > System > Device Manager. Check
the Device Manager to determine that:
# The device is properly installed.
# There are no red Xs or yellow exclamation marks.
# There are no device conflicts.
# No hardware is listed under Other Devices.
3. Roll back the audio driver to the previous version, if updated recently.
4. Remove and reinstall the audio driver.
5. Ensure that all volume controls are set mid range:
a. Click the volume icon on the taskbar and drag the slider to 50. Ensure that the volume is not muted.
b. Click Mixer to verify that other audio applications are set to 50 and not muted.
6. Navigate to Start > Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Sound. Ensure that Speakers are selected as the default audio device (green check mark).
NOTE: If Speakers does not show, right-click on the Playback tab and select Show Disabled Devices (clear by default).
7. Select Speakers and click Configure to start Speaker Setup. Follow the onscreen prompts to configure the speakers.
8. Remove and recently installed hardware or software.
9. Restore system and file settings from a known good date using System Restore.
If the issue is not fixed, repeat the preceding steps and select an earlier time and date.
10. Reinstall the Operating System.
# There are no red Xs or yellow exclamation marks.
# There are no device conflicts.
# No hardware is listed under Other Devices.
3. Roll back the audio driver to the previous version, if updated recently.
4. Remove and reinstall the audio driver.
5. Ensure that all volume controls are set mid range:
a. Click the volume icon on the taskbar and drag the slider to 50. Ensure that the volume is not muted.
b. Click Mixer to verify that other audio applications are set to 50 and not muted.
6. Navigate to Start > Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Sound. Ensure that Speakers are selected as the default audio device (green check mark).
NOTE: If Speakers does not show, right-click on the Playback tab and select Show Disabled Devices (clear by default).
7. Select Speakers and click Configure to start Speaker Setup. Follow the onscreen prompts to configure the speakers.
8. Remove and recently installed hardware or software.
9. Restore system and file settings from a known good date using System Restore.
If the issue is not fixed, repeat the preceding steps and select an earlier time and date.
10. Reinstall the Operating System.
Microphone Problems
If internal or external Microphones do no operate correctly, perform the following actions one at a time to correct the problem.
1. Check that the microphone is enabled. Navigate to Start > Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Sound and select the Recording tab.
2. Right-click on the Recording tab and select Show Disabled Devices (clear by default).
3. The microphone appears on the Recording tab.
4. Right-click on the microphone and select Enable.
5. Select the microphone then click Properties. Select the Levels tab.
6. Increase the volume to the maximum setting and click OK.
7. Test the microphone hardware:
a. Select the microphone and click Configure.
b. Select Set up microphone.
c. Select the microphone type from the list and click Next.
d. Follow the onscreen prompts to complete the test.
If internal or external Microphones do no operate correctly, perform the following actions one at a time to correct the problem.
1. Check that the microphone is enabled. Navigate to Start > Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Sound and select the Recording tab.
2. Right-click on the Recording tab and select Show Disabled Devices (clear by default).
3. The microphone appears on the Recording tab.
4. Right-click on the microphone and select Enable.
5. Select the microphone then click Properties. Select the Levels tab.
6. Increase the volume to the maximum setting and click OK.
7. Test the microphone hardware:
a. Select the microphone and click Configure.
b. Select Set up microphone.
c. Select the microphone type from the list and click Next.
d. Follow the onscreen prompts to complete the test.
HDD Not Operating Correctly
If the HDD does not operate correctly, perform the following actions one at a time to correct the problem.
1. Disconnect all external devices.
2. Run a complete virus scan using up-to-date software to ensure the computer is virus free.
3. Run the Windows Vista Startup Repair Utility:
a. insert the Windows Vista Operating System DVD in the ODD and restart the computer.
b. When prompted, press any key to start to the operating system DVD.
c. The Install Windows screen displays. Click Next.
d. Select Repair your computer.
e. The System Recovery Options screen displays. Click Next.
f. Select the appropriate operating system, and click Next.
NOTE: Click Load Drivers if controller drives are required.
g. Select Startup Repair.
h. Startup Repair attempts to locate and resolve issues with the computer.
i. When complete, click Finish.
4. Run the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool. For more information see Windows Help and Support.
5. Restart the computer and press F2 to enter the BIOS Utility. Check the BIOS settings are correct and that CD/DVD drive is set as the first boot device on the Boot menu.
6. Ensure all cables and jumpers on the HDD and ODD are set correctly.
7. Remove any recently added hardware and associated software.
8. Run the Windows Disk Defragmenter. For more information see Windows Help and Support.
9. Run Windows Check Disk by entering chkdsk /r from a command prompt. For more information see Windows Help and Support.
10. Restore system and file settings from a known good date using System Restore. If the issue is not fixed, repeat the preceding steps and select an earlier time and date
If the HDD does not operate correctly, perform the following actions one at a time to correct the problem.
1. Disconnect all external devices.
2. Run a complete virus scan using up-to-date software to ensure the computer is virus free.
3. Run the Windows Vista Startup Repair Utility:
a. insert the Windows Vista Operating System DVD in the ODD and restart the computer.
b. When prompted, press any key to start to the operating system DVD.
c. The Install Windows screen displays. Click Next.
d. Select Repair your computer.
e. The System Recovery Options screen displays. Click Next.
f. Select the appropriate operating system, and click Next.
NOTE: Click Load Drivers if controller drives are required.
g. Select Startup Repair.
h. Startup Repair attempts to locate and resolve issues with the computer.
i. When complete, click Finish.
4. Run the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool. For more information see Windows Help and Support.
5. Restart the computer and press F2 to enter the BIOS Utility. Check the BIOS settings are correct and that CD/DVD drive is set as the first boot device on the Boot menu.
6. Ensure all cables and jumpers on the HDD and ODD are set correctly.
7. Remove any recently added hardware and associated software.
8. Run the Windows Disk Defragmenter. For more information see Windows Help and Support.
9. Run Windows Check Disk by entering chkdsk /r from a command prompt. For more information see Windows Help and Support.
10. Restore system and file settings from a known good date using System Restore. If the issue is not fixed, repeat the preceding steps and select an earlier time and date
External Mouse Failure
If an external Mouse fails, perform the following actions one at a time to correct the problem.
1. Try an alternative mouse.
2. If the mouse uses a wireless connection, insert new batteries and confirm there is a good connection. See the mouse user manual.
3. If the mouse uses a USB connection, try an alternate USB port.
4. Try an alternative program to verify mouse operation. Reinstall the program experiencing mouse failure.
5. Restart the computer.
6. Remove any recently added hardware and associated software.
7. Remove any recently added software and reboot.
8. Restore system and file settings from a known good date using System Restore.
If the issue is not fixed, repeat the preceding steps and select an earlier time and date.
9. Run the Event Viewer to check the events log for errors..
10. Roll back the mouse driver to the previous version if updated recently.
11. Remove and reinstall the mouse driver.
12. Check the Device Manager to determine that:
# The device is properly installed. There are no red Xs or yellow exclamation marks.
# There are no device conflicts.
# No hardware is listed under Other Devices.
If an external Mouse fails, perform the following actions one at a time to correct the problem.
1. Try an alternative mouse.
2. If the mouse uses a wireless connection, insert new batteries and confirm there is a good connection. See the mouse user manual.
3. If the mouse uses a USB connection, try an alternate USB port.
4. Try an alternative program to verify mouse operation. Reinstall the program experiencing mouse failure.
5. Restart the computer.
6. Remove any recently added hardware and associated software.
7. Remove any recently added software and reboot.
8. Restore system and file settings from a known good date using System Restore.
If the issue is not fixed, repeat the preceding steps and select an earlier time and date.
9. Run the Event Viewer to check the events log for errors..
10. Roll back the mouse driver to the previous version if updated recently.
11. Remove and reinstall the mouse driver.
12. Check the Device Manager to determine that:
# The device is properly installed. There are no red Xs or yellow exclamation marks.
# There are no device conflicts.
# No hardware is listed under Other Devices.
