Acer Chromebook 311 User manual

Acer Chromebook 311/ C721
Acer Chromebook Spin 311/ R721T
LIFECYCLE EXTENSION
GUIDE

i
Self-Repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Disassembly Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-36
FRU (Field Replaceable Unit) List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-40
Exploded Diagrams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-41
Check for updates yourself. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-45
Factory reset your Chromebook. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-46

Self-Repair 1-1
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:
NOTE:
Do not attempt to replace other components than those listed above.
NOTE:
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:
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.
Software Recovery 0
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:
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.

1-2 Disassembly Procedures
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.
CAUTION!
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 0
The following equipment are recommended to do the following maintenance
procedures:
Wrist grounding strap and conductive mat
Philips screwdriver
Plastic tweezers
Flat plastic pry

Disassembly Procedures 1-3
WEEE Annex VII Component 0
These components are classified as requiring selective treatment:
Battery pack
WLAN module
Touchpad module
USB board
Mainboard
LCD panel

1-4 Disassembly Procedures
Pre-disassembly Instructions 0
Do the following prior to starting any maintenance procedures:
1. Place the system on a stable work surface.
2. Remove the power adapter from the USB Type-C port (A) as shown in Figure 1-1 or
from the USB-C port (C) as shown in Figure 1-2.
3. Remove all cables from the system.
Figure 1-1. AC Adapter Outlet
A

Disassembly Procedures 1-5
4. Remove the SD card from the SD card slot (B) (Figure 1-2).
Figure 1-2. SD Card Removal
NOTE:
NOTE:
Make sure the system is completely powered off.
BC

1-6 Disassembly Procedures
Base Cover Removal 0
1. Remove eleven (11) screws from the base cover (Figure 1-3).
Figure 1-3. Base Cover Removal
2. Starting from the right side USB slot, carefully pry the base cover to release the
latches (Figure 1-4).
3. Continue to pry all sides to release the latches (Figure 1-4).
Figure 1-4. Base Cover Removal

Disassembly Procedures 1-7
4. Slightly lift the base cover to release it from the I/O connectors and then remove
(Figure 1-5).
Figure 1-5. Base Cover Removal

1-8 Disassembly Procedures
Battery Pack Removal 0
Prerequisite:
Base Cover Removal
1. Find the battery pack (A) on the top assembly (Figure 1-6).
2. Detach the adhesive tape from the battery pack and keyboard FPC connector
(Figure 1-6).
Figure 1-6. Battery Pack Removal
3. Disconnect the battery cable from the mainboard connector (B) (Figure 1-7).
Figure 1-7. Battery Pack Removal
A
B

Disassembly Procedures 1-9
4. Remove the battery pack from the system (Figure 1-8).
Figure 1-8. Battery Pack Removal
IMPORTANT:
+
Follow local regulations for battery disposal.
WEEE Annex VII Component: Battery Pack

1-10 Disassembly Procedures
LCD Module Removal (ZHU/ ZHUA Only) 0
Prerequisite:
Battery Pack Removal
1. Disconnect the WLAN antennas cables from the WLAN module connectors (A)
(Figure 1-9).
2. Unthread the WLAN antennas cables from the routing channel (Figure 1-9).
3. Release the latch and disconnect the eDP cable from the mainboard connector (B)
(Figure 1-9).
4. Unthread the eDP cable from the routing channel (Figure 1-9).
5. Remove four (4) screws securing the LCD module in place (Figure 1-9).
Figure 1-9. LCD Module Removal
B
A

Disassembly Procedures 1-11
6. Place your thumbs on the left and right side hinges while holding the top assembly
with your two hands. Slightly rotate the top assembly upwards and release
(Figure 1-10).
Figure 1-10. LCD Module Removal
7. Slide and then remove the top assembly from the LCD module (Figure 1-11).
Figure 1-11. LCD Module Removal

1-12 Disassembly Procedures
LCD Module Removal (ZHUB Only) 0
Prerequisite:
Battery Pack Removal
1. Disconnect the WLAN antennas cables from the WLAN module connectors (A)
(Figure 3-12).
2. Unthread the WLAN antennas cables from the routing channel (Figure 3-12).
3. Release the latch and disconnect the eDP cable from the mainboard connector (B)
(Figure 3-12).
4. Unthread the eDP cable from the routing channel (Figure 3-12).
5. Detach the adhesive tape and disconnect the G-sensor cable from the mainboard
connector (C) (Figure 3-12).
6. Unthread the G-sensor cable from the routing channel (Figure 3-12).
7. Remove four (4) screws securing the LCD module in place (Figure 3-12).
Figure 3-12. LCD Module Removal
B
A
C

Disassembly Procedures 1-13
8. Place your thumbs on the left and right side hinges while holding the top assembly
with your two hands. Slightly rotate the top assembly upwards and release
(Figure 3-13).
Figure 3-13. LCD Module Removal
9. Slide and then remove the top assembly from the LCD module (Figure 3-14).
Figure 3-14. LCD Module Removal

1-14 Disassembly Procedures
WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) Module Removal 0
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 WLAN antennas cables (B) from the WLAN module connectors
(Figure 1-16).
3. Remove one (1) screw securing the WLAN module in place (Figure 1-16).
Figure 1-16. WLAN Module Removal
A
B

Disassembly Procedures 1-15
4. Remove the WLAN module from the mainboard connector (C) (Figure 1-17).
Figure 1-17. WLAN Module Removal
C
WEEE Annex VII Component: WLAN Module

1-16 Disassembly Procedures
Touchpad Module Removal 0
Prerequisite:
Battery Pack Removal
1. Find the touchpad module (A) on the top assembly (Figure 1-18).
Figure 1-18. Touchpad Module Removal
2. Release the latch and disconnect the touchpad FFC from the touchpad module
connector (B) (Figure 1-19).
3. Release the latch and disconnect the touchpad FFC from the mainboard connector (C)
(Figure 1-19).
A
B
C

Disassembly Procedures 1-17
Figure 1-19. Touchpad Module Removal
4. Detach the conductive tape securing the touchpad to the top assembly (Figure 1-20).
Figure 1-20. Touchpad Module Removal
5. Remove two (2) screws securing the touchpad module in place (Figure 1-21).
Figure 1-21. Touchpad Module Removal

1-18 Disassembly Procedures
6. Release the tabs on the touchpad bracket from the slots on the top assembly and
then remove the touchpad module (A) (Figure 1-22).
Figure 1-22. Touchpad Module Removal
A
WEEE Annex VII Component: Touchpad Module