Acer Aspire 5 (A514-56GM) Manual

Self-Repair

This chapter highlights the limited self-repair capabilities of the product.

Prior performing self-repair, familiarize yourself with the Safety Guidelines and Recommended Equipment sections first as described in the chapter "Disassembly Procedures".

Depending on model, the following key components are eligible for self-repair (if applicable);

• Battery pack
• HDD / SSD module
• DIMM module(s)
• WLAN module
• LTE module

If a particular key component is listed and thus would be eligible for self-repair, but is not described in the "Disassembly Procedures" section, then this component is either not present on the respective model, or it is present but embedded on the motherboard and therefore not eligible for self-repair.

NOTE: Do not attempt to replace other components than those listed above.

NOTE: For replacement parts, always use only Acer certified components in order to safeguard quality, optimum system performance, stability and reliability of the product.

NOTE: Any damage to the product that occur during self-repair, or which has occurred as a result of a careless or unsuccessful self-repair attempt, is not covered by the standard product warranty.

System BIOS & Driver Updates

Visit http://www.acer.com/support to discover the available system BIOS and Drivers for this product. After selecting the desired country/language, either enter the model name or product serial number, or select the product from the list of suggested models in order to get access to product-specific software and documentation.

To update the system BIOS:

• Download the desired system BIOS version from the website
• Unzip the downloaded file to your computer
• Double-click the extracted file in order to initiate the update process
• The update process itself is fully automated and its progress is visualized by means of a progress indicator
• A visual notification is shown when the update is complete

NOTE: Upgrading the system BIOS incorrectly, or intermittence of the system BIOS update process could harm the product.

NOTE: System BIOS upgrades or downgrades, if not performed by an Acer Service Center or authorized Service Partner, are at own risk.

To update Drivers:
Run Windows Update in order to get the latest drivers from Acer:

• Select the Start button
• Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update
• Available Drivers will automatically be listed on the screen. Press Download to start the download of the respective driver
• Installation of the driver will start automatically once the download is completed

Software Recovery

This product has embedded software recovery tools which can be used to either perform a partial or full software recovery, but also to create a Factory Default recovery media.

For more information about the software recovery options, how to perform a software recovery or creating a Factory Default recovery media, please refer to the chapter "Recovery" which is available in the User Manual of the product.

NOTE: In the event of not being able to create a Factory Default recovery media, it is possible to obtain a copy of the recovery media through Acer Customer Service (http://www.acer.com/support)

This is not a free of charge service.

Disassembly Procedures

Safety Guidelines

0 This chapter contains step by step procedures on how to remove and de-install components from the computer. Use the following safety guidelines to ensure your personal safety. Each procedure included in this chapter assumes that you are preparing your computer for recycling and disposal. By performing any of these procedures you acknowledge that any remaining warranty applicable to your computer will be voided. Before you start any of the procedures in this chapter, make sure to read the following safety guidelines and the respective instructions within the chapter.

• Turn off your computer and disconnect all power sources before opening the computer cover or panels.
• To avoid electrostatic discharge, ground yourself by using a wrist grounding strap or by periodically touching an unpainted metal surface at the same time as touching a connector on the back of the computer.
• Take off any metal objects on your arms or fingers such as bracelets, rings or watches and make sure your hands are completely dry. Even if your unit is unplugged, there may still be some remaining electric charge.
• If a component does not come out easily, do not forcefully remove it. Instead, check that you are removing it correctly and that no wires or other parts are in the way.
• When you disconnect a cable, pull on its connector or on its pull-tab, not on the cable itself. Some cables have connectors with locking tabs; if you are disconnecting this type of cable, press in on the locking tabs before you disconnect the cable.

Recommended Equipment

The following equipment are recommended to do the following maintenance procedures:

• Wrist grounding strap and conductive mat
• Flat screwdriver
• Philips screwdriver
• Polydrive screwdriver
• Plastic tweezers
• Flat plastic pry

WEEE Annex VII Component

These components are classified as requiring selective treatment:

• Battery pack
• SSD module
• DIMM modules
• WLAN module
• RTC battery
• LED board
• USB board
• Mainboard
• Touchpad module
• LCD panel

NOTE: Make sure the system is completely powered off.

Base Cover Removal

1. Remove ten (10) screws from the base cover (Figure 1-2).
   
   Figure 1-2. Base Cover Removal

2. Carefully pry up the base cover starting from the upper right side to release the latches (Figure 1-3).
   
   Figure 1-3. Base Cover Removal

3. Continue to release the remaining latches on the upper, left, right, and bottom sides. Then grasp and remove the base cover from the system (Figure 1-4).
   
   Figure 1-4. Base Cover Removal

Battery Pack Removal

Prerequisite:
Base Cover Removal

1. Find the battery pack (A) in the system (Figure 1-5).
   
   Figure 1-5. Battery Pack Removal
2. Detach the acetate tape (B) securing the battery cable to the mainboard connector (Figure 1-5).
3. Detach the transparent mylar (C) securing the battery cable (Figure 1-5).

4. Disconnect the battery cable from the mainboard connector (D) (Figure 1-6).
   
   Figure 1-6. Battery Pack Removal

5. Lift to release the battery pack from the guide pins (E) and guide studs (highlighted by green lines) (Figure 1-7). Then remove the battery pack from the top assembly.
   
   Figure 1-7. Battery Pack Removal

Follow local regulations for battery disposal.

SSD Module Removal

Prerequisite:
Battery Pack Removal

1. Remove one (1) screw securing the SSD module (Figure 1-8).
   
   Figure 1-8. SSD Module Removal
2. Disconnect the SSD module (A) from the mainboard connector (B) (Figure 1-9). Then remove the SSD module.
   
   Figure 1-9. SSD Module Removal

3. By holding the upper edge of the copper foil with mylar (C), unfold and detach it from the SSD module as shown in Figure 1-10 and Figure 1-11 but DO NOT remove yet!
   
   Figure 1-10. SSD Module Removal
   
   Figure 1-11. SSD Module Removal

4. Detach the SSD module from the adhesive graphite strip (marked with yellow dashed line) as shown in Figure 1-12.
   
   Figure 1-12. SSD Module Removal

DIMM Modules Removal

Prerequisite:
Battery Pack Removal

1. Find the DIMM module (A) in the system. Then push the DIMM module clips (B) outwards (Figure 1-13).
   
   Figure 1-13. DIMM Module Removal

2. Remove the DIMM module from the mainboard connector (C) (Figure 1-14).
   
   Figure 1-14. DIMM Module Removal
3. Repeat steps 1~2 to remove another DIMM module.

WLAN Module Removal

Prerequisite:
Battery Pack Removal

1. Find the WLAN module (A) on the top assembly (Figure 1-15).
   
   Figure 1-15. WLAN Module Location

2. Disconnect the WLAN antennas cables from the WLAN module connectors (B) (Figure 1-16).
   
   Figure 1-16. WLAN Module Removal
3. Remove one (1) screw securing the WLAN module in place (Figure 1-16).

4. Disconnect the WLAN module from the mainboard connector (C) (Figure 1-17). Then remove the WLAN module.
   
   Figure 1-17. WLAN Module Removal

RTC Battery Removal

Prerequisite:
Battery Pack Removal

1. Disconnect the RTC battery cable from the mainboard connector (A) (Figure 1-18).
   
   Figure 1-18. RTC Battery Removal
2. Using plastic tweezers, carefully pry to detach the adhesive tape underneath the RTC battery (B) (Figure 1-18). Then remove the RTC battery.

Follow local regulations for battery disposal.

LED Board Removal

Prerequisite:
Battery Pack Removal

1. Detach and remove the rubber (A) from the LED board (Figure 1-19).
   
   Figure 1-19. LED Board Removal
2. Disconnect the LED board FFC from the mainboard connector (B) (Figure 1-19).
   Carefully detach the FFC from its underneath adhesive.

LED board FFC (Flexible Flat Circuit) can be damaged if removed while the mainboard connector is locked.

5. Disconnect the other end of the LED board FFC from the LED board connector (E) (Figure 1-22). Then remove the FFC.
   
   Figure 1-22. LED Board Removal

LED board FFC (Flexible Flat Circuit) can be damaged if removed while the LED board connector is locked.

USB Board Removal

Prerequisite:
Battery Pack Removal

1. Remove four (4) screws (A) securing the right LCD hinge (Figure 1-23).
   
   Figure 1-23. USB Board Removal

2. Lift the top assembly until it is fully open (Figure 1-24).
   
   Figure 1-24. USB Board Removal

3. Close the top assembly and lift the right LCD hinge until it is fully extended (Figure 1-25).
   
   Figure 1-25. USB Board Removal
4. Disconnect the USB board FFC from the USB board connector (B) (Figure 1-26).
5. Remove one (1) screw (C) securing the USB board (Figure 1-26).
   
   Figure 1-26. USB Board Removal

USB board FFC (Flexible Flat Circuit) can be damaged if removed while the USB board connector is locked.

6. Release the USB board (D) from the I/O port slots and guide pins (E) on the top assembly (Figure 1-27). Then remove the USB board.
   
   Figure 1-27. USB Board Removal

LCD Module Removal

Prerequisite:
Battery Pack Removal

1. Disconnect the WLAN antennas cables from the WLAN module connectors (A). Then unroute and release the cables from the cable clips as shown in Figure 1-28.
   
   Figure 1-28. LCD Module Removal

2. Disconnect the LVDS cable from the mainboard connector (B). Then unroute the cable from the cable guides as shown in Figure 1-29.
   
   Figure 1-29. LCD Module Removal

3. Remove seven (7) screws securing the LCD hinges (Figure 1-30).
   
   Figure 1-30. LCD Module Removal
4. Lift the top assembly until it is fully open (Figure 1-31).
   
   Figure 1-31. LCD Module Removal

5. Close the top assembly and lift both LCD hinges until they are fully extended (Figure 1-32).
   
   Figure 1-32. LCD Module Removal
6. Open the top assembly again. Then remove the LCD module (C) away from the top assembly (Figure 1-33).

Make sure all cables are moved away from the device to avoid damage during removal.

Figure 1-33. LCD Module Removal

Mainboard Removal

Prerequisite:
Ensure that the SSD Module, DIMM Modules, Fan, Heatsink, and WLAN Module have been disassembled prior removing the mainboard.

1. Remove three (3) screws (A) securing the left LCD hinge (Figure 1-34).
   
   Figure 1-34. Mainboard Removal

2. Lift the top assembly until it is fully open (Figure 1-35).
   
   Figure 1-35. Mainboard Removal

3. Close the top assembly and lift the left LCD hinge until it is fully extended (Figure 1-36).
   
   Figure 1-36. Mainboard Removal
4. Detach the transparent mylar (B) securing the keyboard backlight FPC and touchpad FFC connections (Figure 1-37).
5. Disconnect the left speaker cable from the mainboard connector (C) (Figure 1-37).
   
   Figure 1-37. Mainboard Removal

6. Disconnect the USB board FFC from the USB board connector (D) (Figure 1-38).
7. Disconnect the right speaker cable from the mainboard connector (E) (Figure 1-38).
8. Disconnect the fingerprint FFC from the mainboard connector (F) (Figure 1-38).
9. Disconnect the keyboard FPC from the mainboard connector (G) (Figure 1-38).
10. Disconnect the keyboard backlight FPC from the mainboard connector (H) (optional) (Figure 1-38).
11. Disconnect the touchpad FFC from the mainboard connector (I) (Figure 1-38).
12. Disconnect the LED board FFC from the mainboard connector (J) (Figure 1-38).
13. Disconnect the LVDS cable from the mainboard connector (K) (Figure 1-38).
14. Disconnect the DC-IN cable from the mainboard connector (L) (Figure 1-38).
15. Pry to detach the adhesive tape underneath the RTC battery (M) (Figure 1-38).
16. Detach the tape (N) securing the left speaker cable (Figure 1-38).
    
    Figure 1-38. Mainboard Removal

USB board FFC (Flexible Flat Circuit), fingerprint FFC, touchpad FFC, LED board FFC, keyboard FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit), and keyboard backlight FPC, can be damaged if removed while the USB board and mainboard connectors are locked.

Figure 1-43. Mainboard

Circuit boards >10 cm² have been highlighted with a yellow rectangle as shown in Figure 1-43. Remove the circuit board and follow local regulations for disposal.

Touchpad Module Removal

Prerequisite:
WLAN Module Removal

1. Detach the transparent mylar (A) securing the keyboard backlight FPC and touchpad FFC connections (Figure 1-44).
   
   Figure 1-44. Touchpad Module Removal

2. Disconnect the touchpad FFC (B) from the mainboard and touchpad module connectors. Then carefully detach the FFC from its underneath adhesive and remove the touchpad FFC (Figure 1-45).
   
   Figure 1-45. Touchpad Module Removal

Touchpad FFC (Flexible Flat Circuit) can be damaged if removed while the mainboard and touchpad module connectors are locked.

3. Slightly detach and lift the mylar. Then disconnect the fingerprint FFC (C) from the mainboard and touchpad module connectors. Carefully detach the FFC from its underneath adhesive and remove the fingerprint FFC (Figure 1-46).
   
   Figure 1-46. Touchpad Module Removal

Fingerprint FFC (Flexible Flat Circuit) can be damaged if removed while the mainboard and touchpad module connectors are locked.

4. Detach the conductive tape (D) from the touchpad module and top assembly (Figure 1-47).
   
   Figure 1-47. Touchpad Module Removal

5. Remove three (3) screws securing the touchpad module (Figure 1-48).
   
   Figure 1-48. Touchpad Module Removal
6. Using the screwdriver, push the guide pin (E) firmly to release it from the top assembly (Figure 1-49).
7. Slide the touchpad module slightly to disengage it from the bottom latches (F), and then remove the touchpad module (G) from the top assembly (Figure 1-49).
   
   Figure 1-49. Touchpad Module Removal

LCD Bezel Removal

Prerequisite:
LCD Module Removal

1. Pry the LCD bezel from the bottom side to release latches (Figure 1-50).
   
   Figure 1-50. LCD Bezel Removal
2. Pry the LCD bezel from the right side to release latches (Figure 1-51).
   
   Figure 1-51. LCD Bezel Removal

3. Continue prying along the left side of the bezel (Figure 1-52).
   
   Figure 1-52. LCD Bezel Removal
4. Continue prying along the upper side of the bezel until all the latches have been released (Figure 1-53). Then lift and remove the bezel from LCD module.
   
   Figure 1-53. LCD Bezel Removal

LCD Panel Removal

Prerequisite:
LCD Bezel Removal

1. Unroute the LVDS cable (A) from the bottom side of the cable guides on the LCD cover as shown in Figure 1-54.
   
   Figure 1-54. LCD Panel Removal

2. Pry slightly to access the double-sided mounting tape (B) underneath the LCD panel (C). Then pull to detach the double-sided mounting tape. Repeat the same procedure to remove the double-sided mounting tape on another side of the LCD panel (Figure 1-55).
   
   Figure 1-55. LCD Panel Removal

3. Carefully turn the LCD panel over so that the display panel is facing down on a flat surface. Then detach the mylar tape (D) securing the LVDS cable to the LCD panel (Figure 1-56).
   
   Figure 1-56. LCD Panel Removal

4. Lift the latch (E) securing the LVDS cable (Figure 1-57).
   
   Figure 1-57. LCD Panel Removal

5. Disconnect the LVDS cable from the LCD panel connector (F) (Figure 1-58).
   
   Figure 1-58. LCD Panel Removal

6. Remove the LCD panel.

Make sure the LVDS cable is moved away from the device to avoid damage during the LCD panel removal.

Top Assembly Removal (Keyboard Removal)

Prerequisite:
Ensure that the DC-IN Cable, Right Speaker, Left Speaker, RTC Battery, LED Board, USB Board, LCD Module, Mainboard, and Touchpad Module have been disassembled prior removing the top assembly.

NOTE: The keyboard is included as part of the top assembly and can not be disassembled. In the event that the keyboard can no longer be used, replace the entire top assembly.

Figure 1-59. Top Assembly (Keyboard)

Electronic Boards Diagrams

Troubleshooting

This chapter shows you how to deal with common system problems. Read it before calling a technician if a problem occurs. Solutions to more serious problems require opening up the computer. Do not attempt to open the computer yourself; contact your dealer or authorized service center for assistance.

Troubleshooting tips

This computer incorporates an advanced design that delivers on-screen error message reports to help you solve problems. If the system reports an error message or an error symptom occurs, see "Error messages" below. If the problem cannot be resolved, contact your dealer.

Error messages

If you receive an error message, note the message and take the corrective action. The following table lists the error messages in the alphabetical order together with the recommended course of action.

Table 1-1. Error Messages

Error Messages	Corrective Action
CMOS battery bad	Contact your dealer or an authorized service center.
CMOS checksum error	Contact your dealer or an authorized service center.
Disk boot failure	Insert a system (bootable) disk, then press Enter to reboot.
Equipment configuration error	Press F2 (during POST) to enter BIOS utility, then press Exit in the BIOS utility to reboot.
Hard disk 0 error	Contact your dealer or an authorized service center.
Hard disk 0 extended type error	Contact your dealer or an authorized service center.
I/O parity error	Contact your dealer or an authorized service center.
Keyboard error or no keyboard connected	Contact your dealer or an authorized service center.
Keyboard interface error	Contact your dealer or an authorized service center.
Memory size mismatch	Press F2 (during POST) to enter BIOS utility, then press Exit in the BIOS utility to reboot.

If you still encounter problems after going through the corrective measures, please contact your dealer or an authorized service center for assistance.

FRU (Field Replaceable Unit) List

Please contact your local service center to find out how to obtain the part or replace your device.

Exploded Diagrams

Figure 1-61. System Exploded Diagram

Table 1-2. System Exploded Diagram
No./ Description

1. Top Assembly
2. Fan
3. Heatsink
4. WLAN Module
5. DC-IN Cable
6. DIMM Module
7. USB Board FFC
8. USB Board
9. Mainboard
10. Transparent Mylar
11. Acetate Tape
12. SSD Module
13. Battery Pack
14. LED Board FFC
15. LED Board Rubber
16. LED Board
17. Fingerprint FFC
18. Touchpad FFC
19. Conductive Tape
20. Touchpad Module
21. Left Speaker
22. Right Speaker
23. Base Cover

Figure 1-62. LCD Assembly Exploded Diagram

Table 1-3. LCD Assembly Exploded Diagram
No. Description

1. LCD Cover
2. LCD Hinge L / LCD Hinge R
3. Microphone Rubbers
4. Camera Module
5. LVDS Cable
6. WLAN Antenna (MAIN+AUX)
7. LCD Panel
8. LCD Bezel

Software Update

Updating your software
Please visit http://go.acer.com/?id=17883

Personal Data Removal

Removing your personal data
There are three options to choose from:

• Option 1: Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Recovery. Under Reset this PC, select Get started. Open Recovery settings.
• Option 2: Restart your PC to get to the sign-in screen, then press and hold down the Shift key while you select the Power icon > Restart in the lower-right corner of the screen. After your computer restarts, select Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.
• Option 3: Select Start , then press and hold down the Shift key while you select the Power icon > Restart to restart your computer into Recovery Mode. After your computer restarts, select Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.

Documents / Resources

References

• Support | Acer United States
• Download Acer Support Drivers and Manuals | Acer United States

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