REPAIRING AND NOT THROWING AWAY

Richtige Fernseher haben Röhren!

Richtige Fernseher haben Röhren!

In Brief: On this site you will find pictures and technical information about Service Modes, Circuit Diagrams, Firmware Update procedure, Disassemble procedure, Universal remote control set-up codes, Troubleshooting and more....

If you go into the profession, you will obtain or have access to a variety of tech tips databases HERE IT IS Master Electronics Repair !.

These are an excellent investment where the saying: 'time-is-money' rules. However, to learn, you need to develop a general troubleshooting approach - a logical, methodical, method of narrowing down the problem. A tech tip database might suggest: 'Replace C536' for a particular symptom. This is good advice for a specific problem on one model. However, what you really want to understand is why C536 was the cause and how to pinpoint the culprit in general even if you don't have a service manual or schematic and your tech tip database doesn't have an entry for your sick TV or VCR.

While schematics are nice, you won't always have them or be able to justify the purchase for a one-of repair. Therefore, in many cases, some reverse engineering will be necessary. The time will be well spent since even if you don't see another instance of the same model in your entire lifetime, you will have learned something in the process that can be applied to other equipment problems.
As always, when you get stuck, checking out a tech-tips database may quickly identify your problem and solution.In that case, you can greatly simplify your troubleshooting or at least confirm a diagnosis before ordering parts.

Happy repairing!
Today, the West is headed for the abyss. For the ultimate fate of our disposable society is for that society itself to be disposed of. And this will happen sooner, rather than later.

How to use the site:

- If you landed here via any Search Engine, you will get what you searched for and you can search more using the search this blog feature provided by Google. You can visit more posts scrolling the left blog archive of all posts of the month/year,
or you can click on the main photo-page to start from the main page. Doing so it starts from the most recent post to the older post simple clicking on the Older Post button on the bottom of each page after reading , post after post.

You can even visit all posts, time to time, when reaching the bottom end of each page and click on the Older Post button.

- If you arrived here at the main page via bookmark you can visit all the site scrolling the left blog archive of all posts of the month/year pointing were you want , or more simple You can even visit all blog posts, from newer to older, clicking at the end of each bottom page on the Older Post button.
So you can see all the blog/site content surfing all pages in it.

- The search this blog feature provided by Google is a real search engine. If you're pointing particular things it will search IT for you; or you can place a brand name in the search query at your choice and visit all results page by page. It's useful since the content of the site is very large.

Note that if you don't find what you searched for, try it after a period of time; the site is a never ending job !

..............The bitterness of poor quality is remembered long after the sweetness of todays funny gadgets low price has faded from memory........ . . . . . .....
Don't forget the past, the end of the world is upon us! Pretty soon it will all turn to dust!

©2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 Frank Sharp - You do not have permission to copy photos and words from this blog, and any content may be never used it for auctions or commercial purposes, however feel free to post anything you see here with a courtesy link back, btw a link to the original post here , is mandatory.
All posts are presented here for informative, historical and educative purposes as applicable within fair use. NOTHING HERE IS FOR SALE !

Showing posts with label ACER. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ACER. Show all posts

Friday, 24 April 2020

SCHEMATICS / SERVICE MANUAL ACER ASPIRE 1360 SERIES: ASPIRE 1360, 1362LMI, 1362WLMI, 1363WLMI, 1362XC, 1362LC, 1362LCI, 1362WLC, 1362WLCI ACER ASPIRE 1520 SERIES: ASPIRE 1520, 1522LMI, 1522WLMI, 1524WLMI, 1522LC

SCHEMATICS / SERVICE MANUAL ACER ASPIRE 1360 SERIES: ASPIRE 1360, 1362LMI, 1362WLMI, 1363WLMI, 1362XC, 1362LC, 1362LCI, 1362WLC, 1362WLCI
ACER ASPIRE 1520 SERIES: ASPIRE 1520, 1522LMI, 1522WLMI, 1524WLMI, 1522LC




Wistron Block Diagram

Model:
WISTRON EGRET - DISCRETE 135W - REV SC
WISTRON EGRET - DISCRETE 90W - REV SC
WISTRON EGRET - UMA 135W - REV SC
WISTRON EGRET - UMA 90W - REV SC
WISTRON EGRET - VGA AGP -   I
WISTRON EGRET - VGA AGP -  II
WISTRON EGRET - VGA AGP - III
WISTRON EGRET - VGA AGP - REV SA
WISTRON EGRET - VGA AGP - REV SB
File type: pdf
Pages: - pages
Support model:
Acer Aspire 1360 series: Aspire 1360, 1362LMi, 1362WLMi, 1363WLMi, 1362XC, 1362LC, 1362LCi, 1362WLC, 1362WLCi
Acer Aspire 1520 series: Aspire 1520, 1522LMi, 1522WLMi, 1524WLMi, 1522LC

Wistron EGRET Schematics

Download schematics:

____________________
Recommended posts

Sunday, 15 December 2019

ACER ASPIRE V3-571 - V3-571G ACER LAPTOP DISASSEMBLING – STEP BY STEP DISASSEMBLING PROCEDURE – BIOS FLASH – DOS FLASH UTILITY – CRISIS DISK UTILITY ACER ASPIRE V3-571 - V3-571G

 Acer Laptop disassembling – Acer Aspire V3-571 - V3-571G – Step by step disassembling procedure – BIOS flash – DOS flash utility – Crisis disk utility Acer Aspire V3-571 - V3-571G



Acer Aspire V-3 571 Laptop disassembly
BIOS Flash
BIOS Flash memory updates are required for the following conditions:
# New versions of system programs
# New features or options
# Restore a BIOS when it becomes corrupted.
Use the Flash utility to update the system BIOS Flash ROM.
Perform the following to run a BIOS Flash update:
1. Prepare a bootable USB HDD/FDD.
2. Download and copy the Flash utilities to the bootable USB HDD/FDD.
BIOS Flash may be performed by one of the following:
# DOS Flash Utility
# WinFlash Utility
DOS Flash Utility
NOTE:
Plug the AC power adaptor to a power source before performing the DOS Flash Utility.
Perform the following to use the DOS Flash Utility:
1. Copy Flash.BAT to the USB HDD.
2. Press F2 during boot to enter the BIOS Setup Utility.
3. Select Boot menu to modify the boot priority order.
4. Move the USB HDD to position 1
5. Insert the USB HDD and reboot the computer.
6. Enter the BIOS folder.
7. At the command prompt, type BIOS.bat and press Enter to update BIOS.
Creating a USB Flash Crisis Disk
To create a Crisis USB flash disk, perform the following:
1. Plug in the USB flash disk.
2. Format the USB flash disk: select Quick Format, then click Start and then OK.
3. Complete the format operation: click OK and then Close.
4. At the command prompt, copy and combine KBC (*.ROM) and BIOS (*.BIN) into one ROM file
(*.FD), using the format below:
Copy /b filenam.ROM + filename.BIN filename.FD
5. In Windows, copy the ROM (*.FD) file to the USB flash disk root directory.
NOTE: Do not save another ROM (*.FD) file in the USB flash disk root directory.
6. Rename the ROM file to “Q5WV1X64.fd”.
Using the Crisis Utility Disk
1. Unplug the AC adapter.
2. Remove the battery.
3. Plug the USB flash disk.
4. Press and hold <Fn> and <Esc>, and then plug the AC adapter.
5. Press the Power button to start the Crisis Utility.
Battery Pack Removal
1. Place the computer on a flat surface with the battery side up.
2. Insert the plastic pry into the battery latch and slide to to release the lock.
3. Lift to remove the battery pack.
DISASSEMBLING PROCEDURE 
Base Door Removal
Prerequisite:
Remove the battery
1. Remove the screws marked in the picture
2. Insert your finger into the tab and lift to remove the base door.
The following modules are housed under the base door:
# HDD (Hard Disk Drive) module (A),
# WLAN Module (B),
# DIMM (Dual-In Memory Module) Module) (C),
Base Door
1. Align the base door tabs into the lower case latches, then push to secure the base door.
2. Secure the screws.
ODD Module Removal
Prerequisite:
Remove the battery
1. Remove the screw securing the ODD module to the lower case.
2. Pull to remove the ODD module out from the slot.
HDD Module Removal
Prerequisite:
Remove the battery
1. Locate the HDD Module
2. Slide the HDD module to disconnect the HDD from the main board connector.
3. Pull by the plastic tab to lift the HDD module.
Palm Rest Removal
Prerequisite:
Remove the battery
1. Remove the 21 screws from the lower case.
2. From the right side, pry open the palm rest.
3. Continue to pry open the palm rest from the bottom side to the left.
4. On the underside of the palm rest, remove the adhesive tape covering the touch-pad cable connector.
5. Flip up the connector clip to open, and then disconnect the touch-pad FFC (flat flexible cable).
Upper Case Removal
Prerequisite:
Remove the battery
1. Remove the screw from the upper cover and the main board.
2. From the right side, pry to release the upper case latches.
3. Continue to pry the upper case through the top side and to the left.
CAUTION:
Cables are connected underneath the upper case. Do not completely lift the upper case.
4. On the underside of the upper case, disconnect the power board cable connector from the main board connector.
TIP: Push the connector clips outwards to remove the power board cable connector.
5. Disconnect the touchpaper cable connector from the main board connector.
6. Remove the adhesive tape covering the keyboard cable connector.
7. Disconnect the keyboard cable connector from the main board connector.
The following modules are found:
# DC-In Module (A)
# Speakers (B)
# LVDS Cable (C)
# Microphone Module (D),
# RTC Battery (E)
# USB Module (F)

Saturday, 14 December 2019

ACER ASPIRE LAPTOP TROUBLESHOOTING – INTERMITTENT PROBLEM – VIDEO PROBLEM – AUDIO PROBLEMS – HDD RELATED PROBLEMS



Acer Aspire laptop troubleshooting – Intermittent problem – Video problem – Audio problems – HDD related problems
Computer Shuts Down Intermittently
If the system powers off at intervals, perform the following.
1. Makes sure the power cable is properly connected to the computer and the electrical outlet.
2. Remove all extension cables between the computer and the outlet.
3. Remove all surge protectors between the computer and the electrical outlet. Plug the computer directly into a known serviceable electrical outlet.
4. Disconnect the power and open the casing to check the Thermal Unit and fan airways are free of obstructions.
5. Remove all external and non-essential hardware connected to the computer that are not necessary to boot the computer to the failure point.
6. Remove any recently installed software.
No POST or Video
If the POST or video does not appear, perform the following, one at a time.
1. Make sure that internal display is selected. Switching between internal and external by pressing Fn+F5. Reference Product pages for specific model procedures.
2. Make sure the computer has power by checking for one of the following:
# Fans start up 3 Status LEDs illuminate
3. Drain stored power by removing the power cable and battery. Hold the power button for 10 seconds.
4. Connect the power and reboot the computer.
5. Connect an external monitor to the computer and switch between the internal display and the external display is by pressing Fn+F5.
6. If the POST or video appears on the external display only.
7. Disconnect power and all external devices including port replicators or docking stations. Remove any memory cards and CD/DVD discs.
8. Start the computer. If the computer boots correctly, add the devices one by one until the failure point is discovered.
9. Reseat the memory modules.
10. Remove the drives.
Abnormal Video
If the video appears abnormal, perform the following, one at a time.
1. Boot the computer.
# If permanent vertical/horizontal lines or dark spots appear in the same location, the LCD is faulty and should be replaced.
# If extensive pixel damage is present (different colored spots in the same locations on
the screen), the LCD is faulty and should be replaced
NOTE:Make sure that the computer is not running on battery alone as this may reduce display brightness.
2. Adjust the brightness to its highest level. Refer to the User Manual for instructions on adjusting the settings. If the display is too dim at the highest brightness setting, the LCD is faulty and should be replaced.
3. Check the display resolution is correctly configured:
# Minimize or close all Windows.
# If display size is only abnormal in an application, check the view settings and control/mouse wheel zoom feature in the application.
# If desktop display resolution is not normal, right-click on the desktop and select
Personalize Display Settings.
# Click and drag the Resolution slider to the desired resolution.
# Click Apply and check the display. Readjust if necessary.
4. Roll back the video driver to the previous version if updated.
5. Remove and reinstall the video driver.
6. 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.
Sound Problems
Perform the following, one at a time.
1. Boot 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. If updated recently, roll back the audio driver to the previous version.
4. Remove and reinstall the audio driver.
5. Make sure that all volume controls are set mid range:
# Click the volume icon on the taskbar
# Drag the slider to 50. Confirm that the volume is not muted.
# 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. Confirm 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 on-screen prompts to configure the speakers.
8. Remove any recently installed hardware or software.
9. Restore system and file settings from a known good date using System Restore.
10. If the issue is remains, repeat step 9, selecting an earlier time and date.
11. Reinstall the Operating System.
Microphone Failure
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). The microphone appears on the Recording tab.
3. Right click on the microphone and select Enable.
4. Select the microphone then click Properties. Select the Levels tab.
5. Increase the volume to the maximum setting and click OK.
6. Test the microphone hardware:
# Select the microphone and click Configure.
# Select Set up microphone.
# Select the microphone type from the list and click Next.
# Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the test.
Other Functions Failure
HDD Not Operating Correctly
If the HDD fails to operate correctly, perform the following:
1. Disconnect all external devices.
2. Run a complete virus scan using up-to-date software to confirm 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. When the Install Windows screen appears, click Next.
d. Select Repair your computer.
e. When the System Recovery Options screen appears, click Next.
f. Select the appropriate operating system, and click Next.
NOTE: Click Load Drivers if controller drives are required.
g. Select Startup Repair.
NOTE: Startup Repair attempts to locate and resolve issues with the computer.
h. When complete, click Finish.
If an issue is discovered, follow the on-screen information to resolve the problem.
1. Run the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool. For more information see Windows Help and Support.
2. 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.
3. Confirm all cables and jumpers on the HDD and ODD are set correctly.
4. Remove any recently added hardware and associated software.
5. Run the Windows Disk Defragmenter. For more information see Windows Help and Support.
6. Run Windows Check Disk by entering chkdsk /r from a command prompt. For more information see Windows Help and Support.
7. Restore system and file settings from a known good date using System Restore.
8. If the issue is not fixed, repeat the preceding steps and select an earlier time and date.
9. Replace the HDD.
Intermittent Problems
Intermittent system hang problems can be caused by a variety of reasons that have nothing to do with a hardware defect, such as: cosmic radiation, electrostatic discharge, or software errors. FRU replacement should be considered only when a recurring problem exists.
When analyzing an intermittent problem, perform the following:
1. Run the advanced diagnostic test for the system board in loop mode at least 10 times.
2. If no error is detected, do not replace any FRU.
3. If an error is detected, replace the FRU. Rerun the test to verify that there are no more errors.
Undetermined Problems
The diagnostic problems does not identify which adapter or device failed, which installed devices are incorrect, whether a short circuit is suspected, or whether the system is inoperative.
Perform the following procedures to isolate the failing FRU (do not isolate non-defective FRU).
NOTE: Verify that all attached devices are supported by the computer.
NOTE: Verify that the power supply being used at the time of the failure is operating correctly.

1. Remove power from the computer.
2. Visually check them for damage. If any problems are found, replace the FRU.
3. Remove or disconnect all of the following devices:
# Non-Acer devices
# Printer, mouse, and other external devices
# Battery pack
# Hard disk drive
# DIMM
# CD-ROM/Diskette drive Module
# PC Cards
4. Apply power to the computer.
5. Determine if the problem has changed.
6. If the problem does not recur, connect the removed devices one at a time until failing FRU is found.
7. If the problem remains, replace the following FRUs one at a time. Do not replace a non-defective FRU:
# System board
# LCD assembly

Wednesday, 11 December 2019

ACER AT2230 AND AT2231 LCD TV MONITORS SERVICE MODE, SOFTWARE UPDATE, SMPS SCHEMATIC, EDID DATA


The LCD TV will contain a main board, a power board a function keyboard and an IR board. The main board and power board will house the flat panel to control logic I2C bus, DDC, brightness control logic for LCD panel, DC-DC conversion to supply the appropriate power to the whole board and transmitting TTL level signals into LCD Module to drive the LCD display circuit.
The inverter board will drive the five CCFLs (Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp).
The function keyboard and Remote Control will provide the OSD control signal to the Main Board.
The high voltage was only generated by Power support part, if carelessly contacted the transformer on this module, can cause a serious shock.
D-SUB and HDMI PIN Distribution
This procedure gives you instructions for installing and using the LCD TV display.
(1) Position the display on the desired operation and plug the power cord into a convenient AC outlet. Three-wire power cord must be shielded and is provided as a safety precaution as it connects the chassis and cabinet to the electrical conduct ground. If the AC outlet in your location does not have provisions for the grounded type plug, the installer should attach the proper adapter to ensure a safe ground potential.
(2) Connect the 15-pin color display shielded signal cable to your signal system device and lock both screws on the connector to ensure firm grounding. The connector information is as follow:
Factory preset modes: analog RGB signal timing
The M220Z1-L03 model is a 22 inch wide TFT-LCD module with a 4-CCFL Backlight Unit and a 30-pin 2ch-LVDS interface. This module supports 1680 x 1050 WSXGA+ (16:10 wide screen) mode and displays up to 16.7 million colors. The inverter module for the Backlight Unit is not built in.
This monitor meets the Green monitor standards as set by the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) and/or the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and The Swedish Confederation Employees (NUTEK). This feature is designed to conserve electrical energy by reducing power consumption when there is no video-input signal present. When there is no video input signals this monitor, following a time-out period, will automatically switch to an OFF mode. This reduces the monitor's internal power supply consumption. After the video input signal is restored, full power is restored and the display is automatically redrawn. The appearance is similar to a "Screen Saver" feature except the display is completely off. The display is restored by pressing a key on the keyboard, or clicking the mouse.
Upgrade Firmware
Using USB port connecting PC & MST99980 Board via ISP board as below. Turn on the monitor and run ISP tool.
Click the button “Connect”, if it can identify the type of the device, please click the “Dis Con” and then click the “Connect” again.
Click the button “Read” to load the software file and then click the “Auto”.
When the picture showed as below, we can click the “run” to finish to upgrading.
How to enter the service mode [Factory mode]
To enter the factory mode menu: press “MENU+ “234” then enter FAC mode.
EDID data
Power board schematic
PC mode display adjustment
WHITE-D adjustment (B)
General set-up:
Equipment Requirements: Minolta CA-110 or Equivalent Color analyzer
Chroma 2250 or equivalent PC signal generator
Input requirements:
Input Signal Type: PC VGA signal
1024X768/60Hz PC mode with PGCWRGB pattern. (see pattern-1)
Input Signal Strength: 0.7 Vp-p linear voltage.
Input Injection Point: PC D-SUB input.
Alignment method
Initial Set-up:
1. Select source as “VGA”.
2. Set Contrast = 50 (CMO) and Brightness=50 (CMO), at Standard menu mode.
3. Apply “PGCWRGB”(pattern-1) pattern by VGA pattern generator.
4. Enter factory mode menu: press “MENU+ “234” then enter FAC mode
Alignment:
1. At FAC mode menu, select FACTORY->Picture ->ADC -> Auto Colour item. Then press “>” key to adjust ADC_GAIN_R, ADC_GAIN_G, ADC_GAIN_B and ADC_OFFSET_R, ADC_OFFSET_G, ADC_OFFSET_B. Then store those values to NVM.
White- Balance alignment
1. Select source as “HDMI1”
2. Apply Flat pattern (100% white pattern), at FAC mode menu, select Factory -> Picture -> Colour Temp item
3. Set color temperature to “Standard”.
4. Adjust the R Gain, G Gain, B Gain values to meet “Standard” color coordinates specification below. Then store those values to NVM.
5. Set color temperature to “Warm”.
6. Adjust the R Gain, G Gain, B Gain values to meet “Warm” color coordinates specification below. Then store those values to NVM.
7. Set color temperature to “Cold”.
8. Adjust the R Gain, G Gain, B Gain values to meet “Cold” color coordinates specification below. Then store those values to NVM.
Color temperature Standard/Warm/Cold (x, y) co-ordinates specification
Picture Mode
x
Y
Standard(6500oK)
0.314±0.015
0.329±0.015
Warm (5500oK)
0.332±0.015
0.341±0.015
Cold (7500oK)
0.300±0.015
0.310±0.015



Note:
1. Use Minolta CA-110 for colour coordinates and luminance check.
2. Luminance > 250 cd/m2 in the center of the screen when Brightness control at 100; Contrast control at 100
3. Reset AV setting, smart picture shall be recalled to be “Standard” and Contrast=50 (CMO), Brightness=50 (CMO)

Tuesday, 23 April 2019

TROUBLESHOOTING BLACK SCREEN IN ACER LAPTOPS

    Black Screen in ACER Laptops



    An ACER E5-474 laptop was sent in for repair.  It had a flickering screen but later developed into a black screen that occurred randomly especially when one tried to move the laptop around with the screen activated. 

    There are many posts found in the web recommended how to fix this black screen problem.  They are not only for ACER laptops but also for other brands.   Generally,  the  following fixes were recommended:

    a)  Power down the Laptop for a few second,  then power it up and at the same time,  pressing [F2], [F9] and [F10],  followed by a [Enter] key,  one by one in sequence.  With some luck,  the screen will come back on to life; 

    b)  Remove the power adapter and also unplug the battery.  Wait for about 60 seconds and reconnect the battery and the power adapter; hopefully,  everything will be back to normal.  Usually,  this works like magic.  Acer laptop even has a pin somewhere at the back of the laptop where one can reset the battery if the battery is in-built and not the detachable type;

    c)  Replace the BIOS by downloading the BIOS to a thumb drive and plug the drive to an USB port.  Thereafter,  start the laptop by pressing the [ESC],  [Fn] and [Power] keys all at the same time for a few seconds and then release the keys.   wallah!  The screen is always shown back to normal.

    There are also other fixes that did  not quite work out.  
    The laptop's screen came back after performing method a)  but it did not last long and the screen went  black after sometime.   Removing the battery worked better but suffered the same fate.  After some time,  none of the methods worked.

    What are They Doing? 

    In all these fixes found in the Web,  there is one thing in common;   none of them could explain properly what they were doing and also,  there was no guarantee that this  black screen problem would go away.     The method about replacing the BIOS has some substances.  At least it replaced and reset something in the laptop.

    What was the Actual Problem?

    After having gone through all the fixes except for the replacement and updating  of the BIOS,  one would get a conclusion that there was actually nothing wrong with the laptop.   May be the black screen was just a resetting problem and the flicking screen got something to do with dirty VGA port.

    Why a Resetting Problem?

    The screen flickering and black screen problem just went away after we removed the battery for about 10 to 15 minutes.   This could have reset the BIOS.   At the same time,  we clean up the laptop’s input and output connection ports with a tooth brush and WD40 cleaning fluid.  We paid particular attention to the cleaning of the VGA port for which reason we will explain later


     

    After switching the laptop back on,  we noticed that the BIOS reset itself as we no longer able to  boot into the Windows Installation Disk using the DVD drive as we did before.    

    We also made sure that the screen setting was set to [PC screen only] as we suspected the user could have forgotten to reset the screen after running in [Duplicate] or “projector” mode.  Therefore, if the bare and exposed VGA port is dirty and active,  it might cause 'short circuiting',   disrupting the screen’s operation. 

    How Do We Know if the Laptop is now Working?

    We retraced back the step that we have taken before the screen flickered and went completely black.  One of the steps is to enter the Windows’ recovery mode from the sign-in screen where we would press and hold the  [Shift] key and restart the laptop by selecting [Restart] from the power button as shown attached.  Now the laptop performed this function without a hitch.

         

    What is the Take Away?

    a)  New and Modern Laptops not made for DIY users

    1.  The new laptops, ACER in particular. are no longer made for DIY users as they have

    a)  In-built the battery and no longer made it removable for troubleshooting;



    b)  Concealed the RAMs and CMOS battery located underneath the motherboard making them not accessible for upgrading and repairing the laptops

    c)  Not provide much information about how to troubleshoot the technical problem

    Fortunate enough,  the ACER laptops have a small hole at the bottom where one can reset battery should there be a need to do so (Note that there is also a  small hole near the keyboard for ACER E5-474.  This is for microphone,  please do not insert any pin to damage the microphone)



    b)  Confusing Keyboard Functions

    Many function keys are provided for the convenient of the users at the touch of keys such as turning on and off the Wi-Fi,  changing the mode of screen display, turning on and off the touch pad and speaker etc.  For ACER laptop,  there is no warning sign or light to tell if these functions are turned on or off;  so,  an  active VGA port could well have caused the black and flickering screen if the VGA terminals are dirty

    What Best To Do in Future?

    Step by Step

    Description
    Action
    Remark (doubleclick to enlarge)
    1.  Reactivating the screen
    Try reactivate  the laptop by pressing F2,  F9, F10 and [Enter] keys in sequence.
    Try also other methods as recommended by the Web including removing the battery or resetting the battery etc
    Nothing can be done if the screen stays black
    2.  Resetting  the BIOS
    With the screen activated and laptop starting,  press [F2] key and then reset the BIOS to default value
    Hopefully,  this will restore  all the settings
    https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhuqnSvIiAjtYTIbphgytXPnG1BGtiJJKEw4X6RtQTi9Kc64WKxy1Ljo7CVJCW1GrpLqAf6UOihzfcynDmbKw2o7EigT6skfFF87s9w8sfOwtBv6Dfg5dcj4Sf3JeiME772LnPYr24ZZNK/s1600/2018-12-06_10h51_15.jpg
    3.   Ensuring VGA port is turned off
    By pressing [Fn] and [F5] key and select [PC Screen only]
    https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP-Fz0KAC3oO9dQ-llwDBQx-Ta6ZKAyJuX5xSimHxDUOJ-rgWKcZCEEe8e5tu6VuGLQXwnLG-0DpMX7JE-UbfVzSpCA4Ic7_FBHQTUJ_iL_cUn_YKbkvO0vWTr5MWmXcXhn2ORIvQjMbdz/s1600/2018-12-06_10h53_52.jpg
    4.  Cleaning up the VGA and other input/output ports
    By using tooth brush and clean fluid such as WD40
    Doing a spring cleaning to ensure dirty ports are not problem
    .

    Should we do a BIOS Replacement or Update?

    It is never recommended unless one has other  problems with the laptop.  If the laptop is still working with hard disk humming and the keyboard responding, one would risk to “brick” the laptop by performing a BIOS update especially with a black screen.

    What about re-installing the Windows?

    This should be taken as a last resort as the installation will wipe out all the data store in the hard disk and recovery of such information might be a painful process.

    To  Remove the CMOS battery?

    Removing the CMOS battery will reset the BIOS.  However,   for new and modern Laptops,  this CMOS battery is located under the motherboard and is unreachable unless one is prepared to dismantle the laptop to unsolder the battery terminals.


    What about Connecting VGA port to an External Monitor?

    This should be one of the recommended steps to check if the laptop screen is working.  It can be done easily if one has an external monitor.  Should the external monitor have image or picture showing up after toggling [Fn] and [F5] keys,  it is likely that laptop screen is faulty.  On the other hand,  if both screens stay black,  the laptop would need further repair  and troubleshooting or a reset.