TM8204WLMi boot problem

Hi to all,
I'm new of the forum and a new user of Acer NB too. I have a serious problem:

I installed TM fine and some programs I will use. Then to protect my data I decide to install and use the smartcard utility which comes with it. The platinum software asked me the first smartcard and I provide the password as primary user and then the emergency card. After I was asked to reboot the NB. Now after checking the smartcard the boot process ends with a flashing cursor on the upper left of the screen and there is no way to exit form this situation.
Is anybody able to help me or give some hints to solve this problem ?

I've already calle ACER support and they asked me to send the NB to them for repair, but before that, as my NB has only 2 days, I woud like to know if somebody knows a workaround or could give an explanation.

Many thanks to all

 

Hi
Actually I was llloking for smartcard answers myself, that's why I stumbled upon your question.

I assume it's Platinum PAS from 360degrees
Analyze it:
take out the cards and reboot cold:
if the pre-boot authnetication shows up (some light blue text with) then it's installed, and it should ask you to put in the card.
The card doesn't fit nicely in the slot all the time, so try to put it in and out a few times, otherwise try the emergency card instead. It has to be in completely (almost to the point that you worry how to get in out again).

if the preboot authentication doesn't show up, but you see at least some text from the BIOS or the BIOS screen, then it's not the authentication that's the problem. Try getting into the BIOS and see if your BIOS passwords still work.

if you don't even see anything at all something went definitely wrong with the installation (maybe disk protection or virus protection software interfering).
OR, your cardbus reader is disabled at startup (you cannot change this in the BIOS, but some software seems to be capable of setting BIOS flags for the eneled/disabledof some devices in BIOS).
In this case you are definitely locked out, with the only option left the send to machine in for repair.

Just my 2 cents.

PS don't mess with the interiros of the machine if it's still on warranty, it wouldn't take more than a few days for acer to repair it. What they do is notmuch more than either using a jumper to shortcut the CMOS holding soem BIOS data or solder out the battery (to get the same effect) and put it in again. (Obviously I have been there)

Cheers

 

First of all thanks for your prompt reply.
1. Yes it i Platinum PAS from 360degrees
I solve the problem as soon as you mentioned the BIOS password. Believe it or not tha flashing cursor in the upper left corner of th escreen is a "waiting for input", i.e. waiting for the BIOS password which, before installing Platinum, I normally entered in the blue mask provided by the BIOS itself.
So I think this is an issue of which ACER support must be aware of instead of quickly asking you to send the NB back and waiting "at least" 7 working days.

Thank you very much for your help.

Ciao from Italy

 

Great you solved it

Still not normal, you should still get the blue mask for the BIOS password.
But then again I usual install or uninstall it with BIOS both user and supervisor passwords cleared (just in case) and my experience is with a 8106.

Have you tried a double Ctrl-Alt-Del when the machine is locked (after pulling the card out before you go to lunch).
Dependent on the settings of the logon procedure (welcome or not; I have forgotten which one), you could still get the logon box. If this is the case your version still has a security hole (don't know how it can be exploited, but it is on the web somewhere). Version 1.17 is available on the 360degrees website, and I think they mentioned this as a "feature" instead of a bug.
Anyway, it was/is dependent on settings, so if you know it you can avoid it.

BTW don't disbale Cardbus in ePowermanagement, or change to a power scheme that has Cardbus disabled, or you lock yourself out. The solution in this case is to remove both mains and battery and but them back again after afew minutes. After this you are in again.
Other hardware control could make this more permanent, and change BIOS settings that you cannot access, thus locing you out completely.
In short, still a bit of a ****py implementation of a reasonable idea.
But it works, atleast for me

cheers