Computer

Hardware
Troubleshooting

Objectives :
1. Know the different beep codes and error codes.
2. Troubleshoot computer problems.
3. Preventive maintenance of a computer.

Basic Computer Troubleshooting Guide

1.Don't panic.Relax.Take a breath.

Many computer problems appear more serious than

they really are.
2.Make sure there really is a problem.

Can't start your computer? Check the

basics.
1.Examine the cables, connectors, and power cords to make sure they're plugged in
securely.Often times a loose cable or connector (power, network, keyboard, mouse, speaker,
monitor cable, etc.) is the cause of the problem.
2.If you're using a power strip or a surge protector, make sure it's on and that it works. Remember
that a surge protector may not be working because it is designed to self-destruct. When an
electric jolt is too much, your surge protector takes the hit saving your more expensive hardware
from the voltage.
3.Try plugging something else directly into the electrical outlet to make sure there isn't a power
problem.
4.Check to see if your monitor is on.Sounds silly, but it has solved my own problem more than
once.

3.Cant get on to the network or the Internet?

1.Check to see if anyone else around you is having a similar problem.If so, there may be a
service outage affecting a wider area
2.Check to make sure the network cable is connected to both the computer and the wall or
modem.
3.Check where the network cable connection is made to the back of the computer, you
should see a little green light right where the cable connects.If the light isnt on or flashing,
then you are not getting a signal to the computer.If rebooting doesnt fix it, contact the Help
Desk or your ISP.

4.Error Messages - Write them down.

1.What tipped you off to the problem? Sometimes it's an error code or message displayed
on screen. Be sure to write it down it may describe the problem and how serious it is.
Be sure todocument the exact wording of any error messages.This can make the job of
the Help Desk much faster.
2.Other times you get no warning everything just freezes. Message or no message, be
sure note what was going on when the problem occurred. Were you starting your
computer? Were you on the Windows Desktop? Were you in a particular application?
Surfing the Web?

5.Think about what changed recently on your computer.

Try to pinpoint when the trouble first started. Did the problem
coincide with any recent changes?
1.Did you change any settings?If you did you might want to change them back the way they
were.
2.Any peripherals been added or removed recently (such as a printer or external Memory Card
reader?)
3.Has anyone else been using your computer recently?
4.Have downloaded anything off the Web?File sharing and free MP3s are an easy way to get a
virus on your machine.

6.The computer is on but

Everything on the screen is frozen and the keyboard and mouse are not responding

Try tapping on the Num Lock key.Its located on the right-hand side of the keyboard above the
number 7. While tapping the Num Lock key, notice whether or not the Num Lock light goes on and
off. If it doesnt, the computer is completely locked up.Youll have toREBOOTthe computer.If the
light does go off and on, wait a minute before giving up hope.It may come back to life on its own.

Pressing Alt + F4

If a software program stops working or freezes up, try pressing theALT+F4 keys to close the window
that youre currently working in.This can shut down a frozen window and bring the computer back
to life.If the keyboard is frozen as well, youll have toreboot.

3
The dreaded Blue Screen of Death. Theres not a lot to be done except torebootthe machine.If it
The Blue Screen has appeared.

keeps occurring, this is an indication of a major problem with the computer.

The computer is on, but there is no

sound.

Is there a speaker icon next to the clock on the taskbar? (Its in the lower right side of the screen)If you
can find it, double click thespeakericon to bring up the audio controls for the computer.See if any of
the volume controls have been muted or turned all the way down.Uncheck anyMuteboxes that are
selected.

5 The computer is on, but thekeyboard doesnt

work

Swap the keyboard or try plugging the keyboard into another computer. If it doesn't work on the other computer, there is
likely something wrong with the keyboard. If it does work on the other computer, there is likely something wrong on the
computer or the connection to the computer.

6 CTRL-ALT-DEL

When you press the Ctrl-Alt-Delete buttons together, you will bring up a control panel where you can select Task Manager
and see if any of the programs are shown as not responding.You may be able to shut down the offending program from
there.If you cant get to this screen, youll have toreboot.

7.Rebooting can do wonders.

Dont just pull the plug!

A simple reboot may clear up the problem. Go to the Start Menu and select Shutdown. Didn't work? It's
time to try a forced reboot with, unfortunately, no way to save your work by pressing the
keysCTRL-ALT-DELsimultaneously twice in a row.
If that didn't work, you have no choice: you have to turn the computer off manually with the power
switch. Hold the power button down (forabout5 -10 seconds) and the computer will shut down.Wait
at least 10 seconds for the hard drive to stop spinning and then restart the machine.
If the computer starts up, start the applications you were using when the crash occurred. Some
programs, like Microsoft Word, make timed backups of your work and may bring up recovered files. If
the program notifies you that there is a recovered document save the file under a different name
and compare them toyourpreviously saved files.

BEEP CODES
The beep pattern is telling you what part of the hardware is
failing. Unfortunately there are different standards for the beep
pattern and you will have to refer to your motherboard's user
manual for the meaning of it. And most common beep codes and
error are as follows.
BEEP
1 Short Beep
Continuous Beep

One Long and Three Short Beeps.

DESCRIPTION
Normal POST, computer is ok.
RAM Problem
Indicates a video error
has occurred and the
BIOS cannot initialize
the video screen to
display any additional
information

Troubleshooting Tips for New Monitors

Here are some basic trouble shooting tips for new monitors:
1. The picture does not appear
Check to make sure the signal cable is firmly connected in
the socket.
Check to see if the computer system's power is ON.
Check that the Brightness Control is at the appropriate
position, not at the minimum.
2. The Screen is not synchronized
Check to make sure the signal cable is firmly connected in
the socket.
Check that the output level matches the input level of your
computer.
Make sure the signal timing of the computer system is
within the specification of the monitor.

3. The position of the screen is not in the center

Adjust the H-Size, H-Phase or V-Size, V-Center controls.
Check if the signal timing of the computer system is within the
specification of the monitor.
4. The screen is too bright or too dark
Check if the Brightness or contrast control is at the appropriate
position, not at the maximum or minimum.
Check if the specified voltage is applied
Check if the signal timing of the computer system is within the
specification of the monitor.
Especially, check the horizontal frequency.
5. The screen is shaking
Move all objects that emit a magnetic field, such as a motor or
transformer, away from the monitor.
Check if the specified voltage is applied.
Check if the signal timing of the computer system is within the
specification of the monitor.

Troubleshooting Tips for a New Motherboard

More than 70% of all computer problems are related to cabling and connections. Ensure all
cables are connected and connected firmly. IDE and floppy ribbon cables and power cables can
often go loose. Ensure microprocessor, memory modules, and adapters such as video card are
inserted correctly and didn't "pop-up" due to vibration.
System has no power at all. Power light does not illuminate, fan inside the power supply
does not turn on, and indicator light on keyboard does not turn on.

PROBABLE CAUSE

DIAGNOSIS

SOLUTION
Make sure power
cable is securely
plugged in.

Power cable is
unplugged.

Visually inspect
power cable.

Defective power
cable.

Visual inspection, try

Replace cable.
another cable.

Power cable and wall Contact technical

Power supply failure. socket are OK, but
support
system is still dead.

Faulty wall
Plug device into
outlet;circuit breaker socket know to work
or fuse blown.
and test.

Use different socket,

repair outlet, reset
circuit breaker or
replace fuse.

System inoperative. Keyboard lights are on, power indicator lights are lit,
and hard drive is spinning.

PROBABLE CAUSE

DIAGNOSIS

Turn off computer. Take

Expansion card is partially cover off system unit.
dislodged from expansion Check all expansion cards
slot on the motherboard. to ensure they are
securely seated in slots.
Turn system off.
Disconnect the cables
from one of the floppy
drives. Turn on the
Defective floppy disk
system, check to see if
drive or tape drive.
the keyboard operates
normally. Repeat until you
have located defective
unit.
Turn computer off.
Defective expansion card. Remove an expansion
card.

SOLUTION
Using even pressure on
both ends of the expansion
card, press down firmly on
expansion card.

Contact Technical Support.

Make sure expansion card

is secure in expansion
socket.

System does not boot from hard disk drive, can be booted from floppy
disk drive.
PROBABLE CAUSE

DIAGNOSIS

SOLUTION

Connector between hard

drive and system board
unplugged.

When attempting to run the

FDISK utility described in the
HARD DISK section of the
manual you get a message,
INVALID DRIVE
SPECIFICATION.

Check cable running form

disk to disk controller on the
board. Make sure both ends
are securely plugged in;
check the drive type in the
Standard CMOS Setup (in
your motherboard manual).

Damaged Hard Disk or Disk

Controller.

Format hard disk; if unable

to do so, the hard disk may
be defective.

Contact Technical Support.

Hard Disk directory or FAT is

scrambled.

Run the FDISK program,

format the hard drive(See
HARD DRIVE section of
manual). Copy your backup
data back onto hard drive.

Backing up the hard drive is

extremely important. All Hard
Disks are capable of breaking
down at any time.

System only boots from Floppy Disk. Hard Disk can be read and applications
can be used, but booting from Hard Disk is impossible.
Error message reading "SECTOR NOT FOUND" or other error messages
indication certain data is not allowed to be retrieved.

PROBABLE CAUSE

Hard Disk boot

program has been
destroyed.

DIAGNOSIS

SOLUTION

A number of causes
could be behind
this.

Back up data and

applications files.
Reformat the Hard
Drive as described in
the Hard Drive
section of the
manual. Re-install
applications and
data using backup
disks.

Error message reading "SECTOR NOT FOUND" or other error messages

indication certain data is not allowed to be retrieved.

PROBABLE CAUSE

A number of causes
could be behind this.

DIAGNOSIS

SOLUTION

Use a file by file

backup instead of an
image backup to
backup the Hard Disk.

Back up any
salvageable data. Then
do a low level format,
partition, and high
level format of the
hard drive( see Hard
Disk section of your
manual for
instructions). Re-install
all saved data when
completed.

Disk formatted on IBM PS/2 will not operate with this system.

PROBABLE CAUSE
The IBM PS/2 uses a
different format than
other computers.

DIAGNOSIS
IBM PS/2 disk format
will not work in an AT
type computer.

SOLUTION
Format disk in the AT
type computer insert
disk into the IBM PS/2
and copy the files you
wish.

After install an expansion card (network card, tape drive card, etc.) the
system no longer works properly.
PROBABLE CAUSE

No power to monitor.

DIAGNOSIS

All or part of the system

may be inoperable. The
new card may work but a
mouse or COM port may
not work.

SOLUTION
Change the interrupt or RAM
address on the new
expansion card. See the
documentation that came
with the new card in order to
change pin settings. many
expansion devices come
with proprietary software
that will assist you in doing
this.

Screen message says "Invalid Configuration" or "CMOS Failure.

PROBABLE CAUSE

DIAGNOSIS

Incorrect information
entered into the
configuration (setup)
program.

SOLUTION

Check the configuration

program. Replace any
incorrect information.

Review system's
equipment. Make sure
correct information is in
setup.

DIAGNOSIS

SOLUTION

Screen is blank.
PROBABLE CAUSE

No power to monitor.

Power connectors may

be loose or not plugged
in.

Check the power

connectors to monitor
and to system. Make
sure monitor is
connected to display
card, change I/O address
on network card if
applicable.

Monitor not connected

to computer.

See instructions above.

Network card I/O

address conflict.

See instructions above.

System does not boot from hard disk drive, can be booted from floppy disk
drive.
PROBABLE CAUSE

Connector between
hard drive and system
board unplugged.

DIAGNOSIS

SOLUTION

When attempting to run

the FDISK utility
described in the HARD
DISK section of the
manual you get a
message, INVALID
DRIVE SPECIFICATION.

Check cable running

form disk to disk
controller on the board.
Make sure both ends are
securely plugged in;
check the drive type in
the Standard CMOS
Setup (in your

Problem
PROBABLE CAUSE

Memory problem, display

card jumpers not set
correctly.

Computer virus.

DIAGNOSIS

SOLUTION

Reboot computer. Re-install

memory, make sure that all
memory modules are installed in
correct sockets. Check jumper and
switch settings on display card. See
display card section for information
of settings.

Use anti-virus programs

(McAfee/PC-cillin, E-port, etc) to
detect and clean viruses.

Screen goes blank periodically.

PROBABLE CAUSE
Screen saver is
enabled.
Keyboard failure.

DIAGNOSIS

Keyboard is
disconnected.

Disable screen
saver.

PROBABLE CAUSE

SOLUTION

DIAGNOSIS

SOLUTION
Reconnect keyboard.
Check keys again, if
no improvement,
replace keyboard.

No color on screen.
PROBABLE CAUSE

DIAGNOSIS

SOLUTION

Faulty Monitor.

If possible, connect
monitor to another
system. If no color,
replace monitor.

CMOS incorrectly set

up.

Call technical
support.

Error reading drive A:

PROBABLE CAUSE

DIAGNOSIS

SOLUTION

Bad floppy disk.

Try new floppy disk.

Floppy disk not

formatted

Format floppy
disk(type ENTER)

C: drive failure.
PROBABLE CAUSE

DIAGNOSIS

SOLUTION

SETUP program does

not have correct
information.

Boot from drive A:

using DOS system
disk. Input correct
information to SETUP
program.

Hard Drive cable not

connected properly.

Check Hard drive

cable.

Cannot boot system after installing second hard drive.

PROBABLE CAUSE
Master/Slave jumpers
not set correctly.
Hard Drives not
compatible / different
manufacturers.

DIAGNOSIS

SOLUTION

Set master /Slave

jumpers correctly.

Run SETUP program

and select correct
drive types. Call drive
manufactures for
compatibility with
other drives.

Missing operating system on hard drive.

PROBABLE CAUSE
CMOS setup has
been changed.

DIAGNOSIS

SOLUTION
Run setup and select
correct drive type.

Keyboard is locked, no keys function.

PROBABLE CAUSE

DIAGNOSIS

Keys jammed or
defective.

SOLUTION
Replace keyboard.

Keyboard is locked, no keys function.

PROBABLE CAUSE
Keyboard is locked.

DIAGNOSIS

SOLUTION
Unlock keyboard

Video Cards & Display issues.

When loading, your
computer follows Is there a
logo?

Try disconnecting your monitors cable from

your video card!
If your monitor is working you should see a
message like "No Signal". It doesn't matter
what is on the screen as long as it shows
something.
Verify your cable. Are you missing pins from
the head of the cable?
Reset all monitor Settings to default (contrast,
Brightness, color, ...)

Hard Drive Issues

Any problem that has anything to do with your HD can be diagnosed
using the below Flowchart. Remember to click on the questions to get
more details about the question.

The primary Master is a Hard

Drive as shown by the arrow,
and the secondary Master is a
DVD Drive in the picture above

Do you see an error code, or a

beep?
> If your Hard Drive was working and
then all the sudden it is not
recognized (seen), by your system
then it is bad news. Try changing the
Hard Drive connection with the CD
ROM connection just to make sure it
is not the connection that is failing. If
no success, go to the Data Recovery
page to see if there is anything you
can do to retrieve your data

Computer working with minimum hardware ?

Take out / unplug any non-essential component (CD ROM, PCI cards[except video],...) and try
to boot.
With the minimum components (CPU, 1 RAM, 1 video card[ if you have an on-board video card
on your motherboard, use that one], 1 Hard Drive) try swapping power cables and connector
ribbons.
Sometimes it is a connector or a slot that causes the problem. Trying different IDE ribbon
cables or power wire for the hard drives or checking the RAMs one by one on all the slots, can
help in identifying damaged parts or slots.
Verify that the heatsink is in full contact with the CPU. CPUs not connected to heatsinks heat
up in a matter of seconds crashing, or turning the computer off.
If this does not work, take the motherboard out of the casing. Sometimes there is a short
between the motherboard and the case. Put the motherboard on an insulated surface and try.
You should have verified your power supply before getting to this page. If you have not, then
proceed to power supply test. If you have already done that, then we need to check your
motherboard
If you are not sure how to manipulate different parts click on the following links to get more
informationon how to install: