Blank Screen at power-up

elduderino · May 12, 2005, 01:24 PM

[color=#000000]Hi

I just USB connected an Asus PDA to my Acer Travelmate 291LCI, and the screen went White, and i had to turn it off and back on again.
When it powered up i had a Boot option dialog appear, choices were Floppy,CD-ROM,Hard Drive, and Network. Chose Hard Drive, and nothing happened, so turned off, and on again, this time and every time since,there is nothing on the screen, the power lights come on as normal,and the fan runs for about 5 secs, which is normal, but i get nothing on the screen.
I have tried removing the Battery, and just using the AC power lead, still the same.
I have tried tapping F2, but still the same, nothing on the screen.

Can someone help on this please.

Thanks [/color]

GNetX · May 12, 2005, 03:34 PM

Hi,

From what you've said, it doesn't sound too good. I'm pretty sure something has gone wrong on the chipset when you plugged in the USB PDA connection, and has screwed things up, but can't think what, especially because the onboard GFX (855GM) is on a separate physical chip to the USB controller. Sure sounds unusual though! I have a couple of thoughts, though I can't guarantee they'll help...

Am I right in thinking that the laptop stays "on" longer than the 5 seconds than the fan runs for? I only ask, because the laptop will likely refuse to start up if it has overheated and will only come on for about 5 secs before deciding this and shutting down completely. If this is the case, I assume it's had a chance to cool down by now and it may work again. I know it's a bit of a shot in the dark, but my old Acer used to behave similarly in this respect.

Otherwise, I don't know of anything else to say that might help, other than checking out if your warranty is still valid. Others on here may be able to help you more though, so keep checking.

Good luck with it!

elduderino · May 12, 2005, 04:36 PM

Hi

Thanks for the reply.

Yes the laptop stays on after the fans stops.
I have tried plugging in another monitor, and booting up,and still the same, nothing on the screen.
I have taken out the Hard drive and using a IDE Adapter Cable put it in a Desktop, of course it wouldnt boot, but plugged into the secondary IDE connector, it shows up fine with all the folders and files.
I have tried Acer Support, and they seem to think that it is a Motherboard Problem.
Dont supose you know anyone that could give me info as to taking apart the Case, i would love to have ago at replacing the board myself, it is out of warranty, so i have nothing to lose.

Thanks

GNetX · May 12, 2005, 05:42 PM

Elduderino,

Acer and I seem to be thinking similarly. The overheating thing was just a try, to avoid all the subsequent hassle of what you're about to get into. Having said that, opening it up sounds like great fun, and a learning process if nothing else. I am assuming you've found a supplier for acer spares in your area / country. You will need to look at the service manual to open it up successfully. I have a copy I can e-mail you if this link doesn't work:

https://www.synapsenow.com/synapse/d...ts/tm290sg.pdf

This is for the 290 series - I think your 291 is just a faster CPU in the same chassis, etc. Give it a try. Good luck with it and let me know how you get on!

elduderino · May 12, 2005, 07:03 PM

Hi GNetX

Thanks a bunch!
The Service manual is just what i need, the link worked fine.
I will ceartainly keep you informed.

elduderino · May 12, 2005, 09:25 PM

Hi GNetX

Just an update. I have Stripped the Laptop down and removed the Motherboard.

I would never been able to do it without that manual.

I will of course post back once i have the replacement board.

Once again Thanks

elduderino · May 17, 2005, 01:11 PM

Hi GNetX

[color=white]Replacement Laptop Board arrived ¾ hour ago, and I now have my laptop running again.[/color]

[color=white]You can imagine what was going through my head as I pushed the power on button.[/color]

[color=white]The thought of it being the CPU that was faulty, had been doing my head in![/color]

[color=#ffffff]Once again, thanks for the Service Manual link, i doubt very much that i would have been able to do it myself without it![/color]

GNetX · May 17, 2005, 04:40 PM

Great news - glad it worked out ok. Always happy to help.

Take care,

GNetX

May 12, 2005, 01:24 PM	#1
elduderino DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 13 Rep Power: 0	Blank Screen at power-up [color=#000000]Hi I just USB connected an Asus PDA to my Acer Travelmate 291LCI, and the screen went White, and i had to turn it off and back on again. When it powered up i had a Boot option dialog appear, choices were Floppy,CD-ROM,Hard Drive, and Network. Chose Hard Drive, and nothing happened, so turned off, and on again, this time and every time since,there is nothing on the screen, the power lights come on as normal,and the fan runs for about 5 secs, which is normal, but i get nothing on the screen. I have tried removing the Battery, and just using the AC power lead, still the same. I have tried tapping F2, but still the same, nothing on the screen. Can someone help on this please. Thanks [/color]

May 12, 2005, 03:34 PM	#2
GNetX DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Nottingham, UK Posts: 44 Rep Power: 0	Hi, From what you've said, it doesn't sound too good. I'm pretty sure something has gone wrong on the chipset when you plugged in the USB PDA connection, and has screwed things up, but can't think what, especially because the onboard GFX (855GM) is on a separate physical chip to the USB controller. Sure sounds unusual though! I have a couple of thoughts, though I can't guarantee they'll help... Am I right in thinking that the laptop stays "on" longer than the 5 seconds than the fan runs for? I only ask, because the laptop will likely refuse to start up if it has overheated and will only come on for about 5 secs before deciding this and shutting down completely. If this is the case, I assume it's had a chance to cool down by now and it may work again. I know it's a bit of a shot in the dark, but my old Acer used to behave similarly in this respect. Otherwise, I don't know of anything else to say that might help, other than checking out if your warranty is still valid. Others on here may be able to help you more though, so keep checking. Good luck with it!

May 12, 2005, 04:36 PM	Thread Starter #3
elduderino DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 13 Rep Power: 0	Hi Thanks for the reply. Yes the laptop stays on after the fans stops. I have tried plugging in another monitor, and booting up,and still the same, nothing on the screen. I have taken out the Hard drive and using a IDE Adapter Cable put it in a Desktop, of course it wouldnt boot, but plugged into the secondary IDE connector, it shows up fine with all the folders and files. I have tried Acer Support, and they seem to think that it is a Motherboard Problem. Dont supose you know anyone that could give me info as to taking apart the Case, i would love to have ago at replacing the board myself, it is out of warranty, so i have nothing to lose. Thanks

May 12, 2005, 05:42 PM	#4
GNetX DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Nottingham, UK Posts: 44 Rep Power: 0	Elduderino, Acer and I seem to be thinking similarly. The overheating thing was just a try, to avoid all the subsequent hassle of what you're about to get into. Having said that, opening it up sounds like great fun, and a learning process if nothing else. I am assuming you've found a supplier for acer spares in your area / country. You will need to look at the service manual to open it up successfully. I have a copy I can e-mail you if this link doesn't work: https://www.synapsenow.com/synapse/d...ts/tm290sg.pdf This is for the 290 series - I think your 291 is just a faster CPU in the same chassis, etc. Give it a try. Good luck with it and let me know how you get on!

May 12, 2005, 07:03 PM	Thread Starter #5
elduderino DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 13 Rep Power: 0	Hi GNetX Thanks a bunch! The Service manual is just what i need, the link worked fine. I will ceartainly keep you informed.

May 12, 2005, 09:25 PM	Thread Starter #6
elduderino DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 13 Rep Power: 0	Hi GNetX Just an update. I have Stripped the Laptop down and removed the Motherboard. I would never been able to do it without that manual. I will of course post back once i have the replacement board. Once again Thanks

May 17, 2005, 01:11 PM	Thread Starter #7
elduderino DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 13 Rep Power: 0	Hi GNetX [color=white]Replacement Laptop Board arrived ¾ hour ago, and I now have my laptop running again.[/color] [color=white]You can imagine what was going through my head as I pushed the power on button.[/color] [color=white]The thought of it being the CPU that was faulty, had been doing my head in![/color] [color=#ffffff]Once again, thanks for the Service Manual link, i doubt very much that i would have been able to do it myself without it![/color]

May 17, 2005, 04:40 PM	#8
GNetX DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Nottingham, UK Posts: 44 Rep Power: 0	Great news - glad it worked out ok. Always happy to help. Take care, GNetX