Acer Aspire M5 Screen display black.

bmo0014
bmo0014 Member Posts: 6 New User

Hello I have a friends Acer ASPIRE M5 Series (Model z09?). The display is black but computer turns on with no beeps. lights are on I have tried attaching it to an external monitor via HDMI and using function to change monitors but no luck. Please any help would be amazing I would like to know what parts I am going to need and If i am physically able to do so. Please respond here. Thank you

 

[edited for privacy]

Answers

  • Vince53
    Vince53 Member Posts: 805 Practitioner WiFi Icon

    You sound like a good friend. The power supply is working. So either your CPU, BIOS chip, monitor cable, or monitor have failed. I'm assuming that you do not see the Acer logo before the black screen.

  • bmo0014
    bmo0014 Member Posts: 6 New User
    No i see no logo. Just the power lights staying on. What do you suggest as my next move? Thanks.
  • bmo0014
    bmo0014 Member Posts: 6 New User

    I might add that it is a notebook, that might be a given not sure

  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,868 Trailblazer

    Sorry, nothing further to suggest. That you cannot get an external HDMI TV or VGA monitor to work either with the Fn + F5/F6 combos, suggests that the graphics MB adaptor has failed.

     

    Jack E/NJ  

    Jack E/NJ

  • bmo0014
    bmo0014 Member Posts: 6 New User

    I used FN +f5  f6 but i kept pressing it/clicking it and it stayed black so I was thinking maybe I hadnt done that correctly. Is there more you need to do besides pressing Fn plus F buttons, or its just that simple?

  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,868 Trailblazer

     

    Yes, it's that simple. Toggling the Fn+F6 or Fn+F5 combinations should switch the external or internal screens on and off. Do you have an HDMI or VGA cable connected to a TV or another external monitor when you toggle the Fn + F6 combination? If the TV or external monitor also stays black, suggests that the graphics adaptor on the motherboard has failed.

     

    Jack E/NJ

    Jack E/NJ

  • bmo0014
    bmo0014 Member Posts: 6 New User
    Yes i have dmi connected to.my tv there is no vga port. I did toggle both keys and stayed black so i guess you are right. Is that a replaceable part. I am in school for IT and hardware so i do have experience changing parts. Thanks
  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,868 Trailblazer

    Sorry. Maybe someone else on the forum will correct me but the external HDMI TV test that you ran suggests the video adapter has failed. Unfortunately, I'm fairly sure that the video adapter for the M5 series is hardwired into the MB requiring that the whole MB be replaced, an expensive situation unless it's still under warranty.  I will see what I can do to get a more experienced troubleshooter than I on this forum to help you on this. At this point, my only suggestion is to contact Acer for warranty or paid support.

     

    Jack E/NJ
     

    Jack E/NJ

  • bmo0014
    bmo0014 Member Posts: 6 New User
    Thank you I appreciate your thorough response. Getting a secondary confirmation would be great. I have a great deal to learn i just wanted to triple check that i didnt need to use the mouse or anything else during the HDMI external video test. I simply plugged in the HDMI wire, and did the key combinations so if that is enough then I am content with telling him it is the MB. Thank you again

  • ScottyC
    ScottyC Member Posts: 433 Practitioner WiFi Icon

    Hi Jack, bmo0014,

     

    I'll first point out that Jack made a point of contacting me directly asking for help with this case so you can get this unit up and running, so thank you Jack for continuing to show us exactly how dedicated you are to helping others! And sorry for the delay, I've been unbelievably busy with other projects and haven't had any time to put into the forums.  Graphics adapter issues most often have a beep code or an LED flash code from the POST system. It sounds more likely that the issue is BIOS / CMOS related, and so if you're still having issues with the unit the first step that I would suggest would be to try a simple power drain. To do this, remove the battery and unplug the unit, and without any power sources in the system, press and hold the power button for 30 seconds. Once done you can insert the battery and reconnect the power cord. Try and power on the system. Hopefully this will have solved the issue (and there is a very good chance it will have). If not, it could also be the BIOS. If the BIOS is corrupt it can still be fixed, but I'm not going to write the steps unless I absolutely have to. So if after trying a power drain (assuming you still have the unit at all) you still can't get it working, feel free to reply and I will do my best to help you recover the BIOS and repair the system.

     

    Take care,
    ScottyC

  • I would add that the battery on the M5 is integrated and cannot be removed without disassembling the laptop.

    However, you can momentarily disconnect the battery. You will find a pinhole on the underside. Use a paper clip - the battery will reconnect when you remove the clip.

     

  • ScottyC
    ScottyC Member Posts: 433 Practitioner WiFi Icon

    A very good point, I sometimes forget the smaller details. Thanks for your input!

     

    Take care,
    ScottyC

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