Computer Fundamentals and Troubleshooting
Computer Fundamentals and Troubleshooting
Prior to opening your computer's case, check to see if the machine's warranty is still valid.
If so, send it back to the manufacturer for repair, as digging around inside the case can
void the warranty.
You may also try calling your PC's manufacturer for tech support, especially if you've
already paid for it. Often, tech support can provide quick fixes or will replace faulty
components that are still under warranty. Many manufacturers offer online chat, email
support, and other options in addition to phone support.
Take the appropriate safety measures, before making any hardware adjustments
o
First, purchase an antistatic wrist strap and mat. Static electricity can severely
damage your computer's internal components.
Keep the computer plugged into the wall but the power switch turned off when
working with its internal components.
Remember to hold on to the metal part of the computer's case when handling any
electrical parts.
Before you reseat, remove, or replace any internal components, arm yourself with a
working knowledge of computer components, what they do, and how they interact with
one another.
Location of the computers core internal components (hard disk drive, processor, RAM,
graphics card, etc.) vary from machine to machine, therefore knowledge of the same is
necessary.
Hardware, BIOS (basic input-output system, built-in software that controls the keyboard,
mouse, display, and other hardware and functions), firmware, and other software tools
vary by manufacturer.
Keep all of your computer documentation, driver CDs, and warranty information in a safe
place. Be sure to use your computers manuals before changing any settings.
Unit -1
General Dos and Don'ts
By completing this module, you will be able to understand and learn the following
How to maintain the Computers cleanly
How to take care of the disks
Materials used for Computer cleaning
Cleaning the case & other Plastic materials
Cleaning the key board and Mouse
Do:
Don't:
Do not eat around the computer
Do not drink around the computer
Do not use magnets around a computer
Taking Care of disks
Do:
Delete all files you no longer need from your disk
Use an anti virus program to scan for viruses on a disk
Do not try to erase and record information on a disk by write-protecting it
Dont:
Do
Do
Do
Do
Do
not
not
not
not
not
Cleaning Hardware
Follow instructions in the manual or in help files that came with the computer or other
hardware devices
Before cleaning anything, unplug it from the electrical wall socket
When to clean a computer
Computers do not need to be cleaned too often if they are kept in a clean environment
Clean the computer when it looks dirty or when a device (like a mouse) does not work
right
The two things that need the most cleaning are the screen and mouse
Materials needed for cleaning a computer
Most cleaning materials can be found in a home or any store
o soft lint-free cloths
o soapy water - a drop or two of dishwashing detergent in a gallon of water
o cotton swabs
o eraser
o water spray bottle to hold the soapy water
o used fabric softener cloth
You may have to buy the following at a computer or office supply store
o floppy disk drive cleaner kit
o CD-ROM drive cleaner kit
o compressed air
Cleaning the case and other plastic surfaces
Use a damp lint-free cloth to clean the case
o Spray the water on the cloth. NEVER SPRAY WATER ON A COMPUTER OR
OTHER ELECTRICAL DEVICES!
o Wipe the surfaces with the damp cloth
For more difficult marks use the eraser. An ink eraser works best
For cracks and tight places, use a slightly damp cotton swab
Cleaning a monitor's screen
Wipe the screen with the damp lint-free cloth
Use a dry cloth to dry the screen
Use fabric softener cloth to help remove static charges on the screen
o static charges attract dust to the screen
o a fabric softener cloth has anti-static chemicals on it
o wipe the screen very lightly with the used fabric softener cloth
o Do not use a fresh fabric softener cloth. It will leave streaks.
Cleaning the keyboard
Use a slightly damp cotton swab to clean in-between the keys
Wipe the outside of the keyboard with a damp cloth
Use compressed air to remove paper pieces and dust from under the keys
Do not take a keyboard apart to clean it! You may not get it back together again
Cleaning a mouse
Clean the outside of the mouse with a damp cloth
To clean the inside of the mouse
o Take the mouse apart
turn the mouse upside down
rotate the retaining ring until it comes free
turn the mouse right-side up and catch the ring and ball in your hand
o Use damp cotton swabs to clean the rollers inside the mouse. Be sure to rotate the
rollers to get all of the dirt off them
o Wash the ball in warm soapy water. Wipe dry with a lint-free cloth
o Blow out the inside of the mouse to remove any dust
o Put the mouse back together after it has dried
Ideal PC CONFIGURATION
By completing this module, you will be able to understand Ideal configuration for the various
purposes.
S No
Item
Processor
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
For Normal
Office
applications
Intel or AMD
basic level
processors
Processor
Speed
System Bus
Standard
Memory and
Type
Hard Disk
Display
Integrated with
mother board
If networked
As per need
Sound Card
NIC
Keyboard,
Mouse, USB
Devices
For
Developers
Intel or AMD
Dual core
Processors
Intel or AMD
Dual Core
Processor
2.0 Ghz
onwards
800 Mhz FSB
800 Mhz and 1
GB Standard
Memory
160 GB SATA
2.4 Ghz
onwards
800 Mhz FSB
800 Mhz and 1
GB Standard
Memory
160 GB SATA
AGP card
Integrated
10/100 MBps
As per need
For
Multimedia
Development
Intel or AMD
Core 2 or
Quadra
processors
3Ghz
1024 MHz FSB
800 Mhz and 2
GB Standard
Memory
2X160 GB
SATA
AGP with 256
MB RAM
Stereophonic
10/100 Mbps
As per need
Unit - II
Important internal devices of CPU
By completing this module, you will be able to understand and learn the following
Important parts of CPU
Mother Board and its components
Memory RAM & ROM
Sound card , Video Card and Net work card
Installing Storage device
Floppy Drive
Net
Net work
work
Card
Card
CD - Drive
Sound Card
Connecting
Cards
Graphics Card
RAM
Processor
System Fan
Mother
Mother Board
Board
Processor:
The processor is the main part of the computer. The greater the number
of GHz the faster the speed of Personal Computer (PC) and the more
expensive the processor will be. The processor is also known as the CPU
or Central Processing Unit.
Mother Board:
If the processor is the main part of the computer and the RAM is the memory, then the
motherboard is the backbone of the computer.
This is the circuit board that contains the slots and sockets that everything else plugs into.
Many motherboards now come with onboard sound, eliminating the need for a sound
card, video, networking ports and USB ports.
Several different types of slots can be found on your board. It is important to know what
these are for, as the number of them on your motherboard will affect the number of hard
disks, memory chips, graphics cards, optical cards, modems, network cards, sound cards.
Note: Diagram of a motherboard. Note that the location of these components vary,
depending on your motherboard.
AGP slot: This is for the graphics card; you only need one AGP slot.
DIMM slot: This is for your memory. There are several different types of memory. 2 slots =
good, 4 slots = better.
PCI slot: This is for cards like sound card, network card, modem etc. These slots will be the ones
you use most often, so make sure that mother board have plenty - at least four.
CPU socket: Make sure that the socket type is right for the processor you have chosen and the
case chosen.
Back panel of CPU:
There will also be a number of ports on the edge of your motherboard, which will form part of the
back panel of your PC.
In the example on the right there are PS/2 ports for connecting keyboard and mouse, a parallel
port for a printer or scanner, serial ports that will rarely be used, a couple of LAN ports, four USB
ports and a sound port. More and more devices like printers and scanners are connecting the
computer using USB.
Memory
ROM is commonly called firmware because its programming is fully embedded into the
ROM chip.
ROM is hardware and software in one, as data is fully incorporated at the ROM chip's
manufacture, data stored can neither be erased nor replaced.
ROM gives permanent and secure data storage. However, if a mistake is made in
manufacture, a ROM chip becomes unusable / useless.
The most expensive stage of ROM manufacture, therefore, is creating the template. If a
template is readily available, duplicating the ROM chip is very easy and affordable.
A ROM chip is also non volatile so data stored in it is not lost when power is turned off.
RAM
provides the user random access to
stored data
provides only short-term memory, since
data stored in RAM is lost when power
is turned off
RAM's data can frequently and speedily
be altered and changed at will
ROM
provides the user random access to
stored data
Sound Card:
Video Card:
Network Card:
Installing RAM
Storage Device
Push the power cable into the power connector as shown. The power cable is designed to
go in one way, so you shouldn't have any problems.
Connect the other end of the ATA 66 cable to the primary ATA
socket of your motherboard as shown.
Ensure the pin 1 on the cable connects to the pin 1 on the ATA
socket.
Make sure the pin 1 on the cable is connected to pin 1 on the drives IDE connector. Pin
1 is the red or pink strip on the edge of an IDE cable.
Connect the other end of the IDE cable to the IDE socket on your motherboard as
shown below. Ensure sure you connect the cable to pin 1.
The IDE socket could be your primary or secondary socket depending which socket you
choose. If your HDD is on the primary IDE socket and your secondary IDE socket is
free, then it is better to use your secondary IDE socket for the CD/DVD-ROM.
Optical drive:
Unit- III
Flash Memory & Cache Memory
By completing module you will be able to understand about the flash Memory
and important types of flash memories available in the market
Cache memory and its importance
Flash memory is non-volatile computer memory that can be electrically erased and
reprogrammed.
It is a technology that is primarily used in memory cards and USB flash drives (thumb
drives, handy drive, memory stick, flash stick, jump drive, "Cap N' Go") for general
storage and transfer of data between computers and other digital products.
The application examples include: PDAs (personal digital assistants) and laptop
computers, digital audio players, digital cameras and mobile phones.
It has also gained popularity in the game console market, where it is often used instead of
EEPROMs or battery-powered SRAM for game save data.
Flash memory is non-volatile, which means that it does not need power to maintain the
information stored in the chip.
Flash memory offers fast read access times (although not as fast as volatile DRAM
memory used for main memory in PCs) and better kinetic shock resistance than hard
disks.
Popular flash memory devices
Memory Stick: A Memory Stick is an IC (Integrated Circuit) which is
stored in a compact and rugged plastic enclosure.
Memory Sticks are designed to store data and to enable the transfer of
data between devices equipped with Memory Stick slots.
in
compact
and
rugged
plastic
enclosure.
Compact Flash cards are designed to store data and to enable the transfer of
data between devices equipped with Compact Flash slots. Current Compact
Flash capacities range up to 8GB.
SD Card: A SD Card (Secure Digital Card) is an IC (Integrated Circuit)
which is stored in a compact and rugged plastic enclosure.
SD Cards are designed to store data and to enable the transfer of data
between devices equipped with SD Card slots.
Current SD Card capacities range up to 16 GB.
Multimedia Card (MMC): A MultiMediaCard (MMC) is an IC (Integrated
Circuit) which is stored in a compact and rugged plastic enclosure.
Multi Media Cards (MMC) are designed to store data and to enable the
transfer of data between devices equipped with MultiMediaCard (MMC) slots.
Current MultiMediaCard (MMC) capacities range up to 2GB.
Cache Memory
Cache Memory is a special high speed mechanism. It can be either a reserved part of
main memory or an independent high speed storage device.
In Personal Computers, There are two types of caching are commonly used are memory
caching and disk caching.
A memory cache, sometimes called a cache store or RAM cache, is a portion of memory
made of high-speed static RAM (SRAM) instead of the slower and cheaper dynamic RAM
(DRAM) used for Main Memory.
Memory caching is effective because most programs access the same data or instructions
over and over. By keeping as much of this information as possible in SRAM, the computer
avoids accessing the slower DRAM.
Disk caching works under the same principle as memory caching, but instead of using
high-speed SRAM, a disk cache uses conventional main memory.
The most recently accessed data from the disk is stored in a memory buffer. When a
program needs to access data from the disk, it first checks the disk cache to see if the
data is there.
Disk caching can dramatically improve the performance of applications, because accessing
a byte of data in RAM can be thousands of times faster than accessing a byte on a hard
disk.
For example, Internet connection is the slowest link in computer. So the browser
(Internet Explorer, Netscape, Opera, etc.) uses the hard disk to store HTML
pages, putting them into a special folder on the disk.
The first time you ask for an HTML page, the browser renders it and a copy of it is
also stored on your disk. The next time, on your request to access this page, your
browser checks if the date of the file on the Internet is newer than the one
cached.
If the date is the same, your browser uses the one on your hard disk instead of
downloading it from Internet. In this case, the smaller but faster memory system
is your hard disk and the larger and slower one is the Internet.
There are other caches like page cache, L1 cache, L2 Cache, virtual memory.
L2 Cache: If there is some special memory bank in the motherboard which is small but
very fast and two times faster than the main memory access. That's called a level 2 cache
or an L2 cache.
L1 cache: If there is smaller but faster memory system directly into the microprocessor's
chip and this memory will be accessed at the speed of the microprocessor and not the
speed of the memory bus, That's an L1 cache.
If the question that why cant we make all memories at the same speed in such away that there
is no need of cache memory? is rised
The answer would be : Yes, memories can be all made at the same speed. But its too
expensive. To reduce the charges, we have to use a small memory for cache.
Unit - IV
Sound & Video Card Troubleshooting
By completing this module you will be able to understand and learn about the trouble
shooting of Sound and Video card in the system.
First, be sure that you have a sound card installed on your system and have speakers or
headphones connected to it.
The sound card is usually a card in the back of your machine, although some newer
machines have them installed on the motherboard.
Check that the wire from your speakers or headphones is connected to the "Speaker Out"
or " Spk Out" slot on the back of you machine.
Once you have checked these connections and you know that you have a sound card and
headphones or speakers, follow this guide:
Check that you have the drivers for the card installed:
1. In Windows 95/98/NT, go to "Start" - > "Settings" - >
"Control Panel" and double click the "Multimedia" icon.
This should bring up the "Multimedia Properties" box
2. On the Audio tab, you should see two areas: Playback and
Recording. If these are greyed out and have "None" listed
under preferred device for these sections, then your
sound card drivers have not been installed
4. Click "Add."
5. Choose "Unlisted or Updated Driver" and
click "OK."
6. Enter the path to the disk or CDROM that came with the Sound Card and hit "OK."
7. Select your card and click "OK"
8. Your machine may need to reboot
II.
Resolving video card problems can be costly if you opt to replace the hardware when a
problem does occur.
Before you take such drastic measures, you should consider other solutions such as
updating the driver.
Here are some of the common problems that can arise from video cards and some suggested
solutions.
Video Cards
There are several video-related components that are responsible for displaying the characters. The
hardware components include : the monitor, video card (also referred to as the video adapter
card), and the motherboard.
Problems with any of these components can cause problems with your computer's display.
For a quick refresher, the video adapter card is a board that is plugged into your computer's
system board and monitor to provide display capabilities.
There are many different types of video cards available on the market. However, most are
susceptible to the same common types of problems.
A few common video card related problems along with the possible trouble shooting tips are
dicussed below :
No Display on the Monitor
One common problem that occurs is that the operating system, such as Windows XP,
never appears. In other words, the computer starts up but nothing appears on the
monitor.
o
Assuming that you have already ruled out the monitor as being the source of the
problem, your next step should be to take a look at the video card.
This particular problem can be caused from several different things such as a
video card that is not properly seated or a loose connection from the video card to
the monitor.
Troubleshooting this problem will require you to locate the video card inside your
computer and verify the following:
o
Assuming that the video card adapter is separate from the motherboard, you
should check that the card is properly seated.
Sometimes one end of the card may come out of the slot when it is initially
screwed, resulting in no display appearing on the monitor.
Verify the correct jumper settings for video cards that are mounted to the
motherboard. This will require you to check the documentation that was sent with
the hardware.
The cable running from the monitor to the video port may also be the one of the
reason for the problem.
Examine the monitor cable to ensure that there are no broken or bent pins. A bent pin
can usually be straightened using a pair of sharp-nosed pliers. In the case of a broken
pin, you will need to contact the manufacturer of the monitor to determine if the cable
can be replaced.
Also check that the cable running from the monitor to the VGA port is secure.
Although these may seem like simple trouble shooting steps, it is often the simple
ones that people over looked.
If the contents of the start up process appear on the monitor but the display is blank after
it is complete, this would indicate that there is an operating system video related problem.
o
For example, an incorrect video driver may have been installed such as one that is
not compatible with the operating system.
you will have to start the computer in Safe Mode by pressing [F8] when the
Starting Windows message appears.
From the boot menu select the Safe Mode option. This will force Windows XP
to start using the standard VGA driver, instead of the video driver that is used
when the operating system is started normally.
Once the computer is started in Safe Mode, you can install the correct video driver
using Device Manager. These steps are outlined in detail under the heading
"Updating Video Drivers" later in the article.
The video problem discussed above can also be the result of over clocking. This is
a popular method used to get more performance out of a hardware component
such as a video card adapter. however, it can result in display problems.
Poor Display
A poor display on a monitor can mean a number of different things like
Text that appears on the screen may be distorted and difficult to read.
A poor display can also lead to other problems such as head aches and sore eyes. Therefore, this
is definitely a problem that you are going to want to correct as soon as possible.
A poor display can be caused by a number of different things. You should first verify that the
latest driver for the video adapter has been installed. You can determine which driver version is
currently installed in Windows XP by completing the steps outlined below:
Select the Properties button under Adapter Type to locate specific driver information
including the driver version.
You can find the version information beside the Driver Version field. Compare this version
with the latest version on the manufacturer's Web site.
If the driver needs to be updated complete steps four through seven listed under the section
entitled "Updating Video Drivers".
If the latest driver is installed, you may need to adjust the resolution and refresh rate (this is
the rate at which the video card redraws the screen) for the video adapter card. Incorrect
display settings can cause problems with your display.
Screen Resolution
To configure display settings, right click the Windows XP desktop and click Properties to open
the Display Properties dialog box.
Select the Settings tab shown below to change the resolution settings. Use the slider under
Screen
resolution
to
settings. Typically, a 17
monitor
will
have
resolution of 800x600.
adjust
the
inch
default
Use the Settings tab from the Display Properties dialog box to change the resolution.
If you are unable to select the desired resolution that should be supported by the video card,
you will need to again check that the operating system has correctly identified the card.
In Windows XP, you can use Device Manager to make sure the card has been properly
detected. If the card has not been properly identified, you will once again need to check the
driver.
It is usually recommended that you use the drivers supplied by the manufacturer instead of
the drivers included with Windows.
The screen resolution may also be limited if the wrong monitor is selected.
To check the monitor selection, once again open the Display Properties dialog box and select
the Settings tab. Click the Advanced button and select the Monitor tab.
In case the monitor listed is not correct, you will need to update the driver for the monitor.
Refresh Rate
In case the problem still persists after adjusting the resolution, your next step should be to
adjust the refresh rate.
Lower refresh rates tend to cause flickering so it is important to verify this setting.
You can adjust the refresh rate using the Settings tab from the Display Properties dialog box.
Once again, select the Settings tab and click the advanced button.
Select the Monitor tab as shown below. Use the drop down arrow to adjust the refresh rate to
about 70 MHZ. Remember that a higher refresh rate will reduce the amount of flickering.
As with the screen resolution, if you are unable to select the desired refresh rate, go back to
the video driver to make sure the latest one is installed.
If videos and animations are not correctly displayed on the monitor, your first step should
be to determine if the video card adapter driver supports DirectDraw.
If your display does not pass each of the tests, you will need to update the video
adapter.
If updating the video adapter driver does not solve the problem, verify that your video
card is indeed supported by the operating system installed on your computer.
If you are running Windows, you can check the Hardware Compatibility List (HCL) to
determine if the video card adapter is supported.
Faulty or incorrect video drivers can result in such things as operating system instability,
video subsystem problems, and so on
In case it is has not been recognized by Windows XP, it may be listed under Unknown
Devices. Double click on the video adapter listed to identify the make and model. This
information can be used to retrieve the latest driver from the manufacturer's Web site
3. Within Device Manager, double-click the video adapter listed under Display Adapters.
4. Click Update Driver as shown below to open the Hardware Update Wizard.
5. Accept the default option, Install the Software Automatically. Choose the Install from a List
or Specific Location option if you have the updated driver so you can indicate the file
location. Click Next.
6. Windows searches for an updated driver and instructs you if an updated driver has been
found.
7. Click Finish once the updated driver has been installed.
From the Driver tab, click the Update Driver button
The majority of video adapter card problems can be solved by ensuring that the correct
driver is installed and that the display settings are properly configured based on the
capabilities of your hardware.
In case you are unable to resolve the problem using the recommendations described as
given above, chances are the manufacturer of your video adapter card already has a
solution.
Unit -V
Troubleshooting Device Manager Issues in Win XP
By completing this module you will be able to understand and learn the trouble
shooting the device manager.
Device Manager is an OS feature that lets you view and change the properties of all devices
attached to your computer.
When you use Device Manager, you can:
Identify the device drivers that are loaded for each device and obtain information about each
device driver
Typically, Device Manager is used to check the status of computer hardware and update device
drivers on the computer.
If you are an advanced user, and you have a thorough understanding of computer hardware, you
can use Device Manager's diagnostic features to resolve device conflicts, and change resource
settings.
To access Device Manager, use any of the following methods:
Click Start, and then click Control Panel
Click Performance and Maintenance, and then click System
Click the Hardware tab, and then click Device Manager
Or
Click Start; click Run, and then type "devmgmt.msc" (without the quotation marks).
Or
Right-click My Computer, clicks Manage, and then clicks Device Manager.
Or
Right-click My Computer, click Properties, click the Hardware tab, and then click Device
Manager
You can view the Details tab to see the following device information:
NOTE: Not all of these properties will be populated for a given device. In other words, although
all of these properties are listed, some may not contain information when viewing a particular
device.
Troubleshooting Device Conflicts in the Device Manager
Troubleshooting Information
If there is a problem with a device, it is listed in the hardware tree. Also, the problem
device has a symbol that indicates the type of problem
A black exclamation point (!) on a yellow field indicates the device is in a problem state.
Note that a device that is in a problem state can be functioning
A problem code explaining the problem is displayed for the device
A red "X" indicates a disabled device. A disabled device is a device that is physically
present in the computer and is consuming resources, but does not have a protected-mode
driver loaded
A blue "i" on a white field on a device resource in Computer properties indicates that the
Use automatic settings feature is not selected for the device and that the resource was
manually selected. Note that this does not indicate a problem or disabled state.
A green question mark "?" in Device Manager Means that a compatible driver for this device is
installed, indicating the possibility that all of the functionality may not be available. Note that this
applies only to Windows Millennium Edition (Me).
NOTE: Some sound cards and video adapters do not report all of the resources that they use to
Windows. This can cause Device Manager to show only one device in conflict, or no conflicts at all.
This can be verified by disabling the sound card, or by using the standard VGA video driver to see
if the conflict is resolved.
Note that this is a known problem with S3 video adapters and 16-bit Sound Blaster sound cards,
or those sound cards that are using Sound Blaster emulation for Sound Blaster compatibility.
When you double click a specific device in Device Manager, you see a property sheet. The
property sheet has a General tab.
NOTE: Some devices may have other tabs besides the General tab. Not all property sheets have
the same tabs; some devices may have a Resources tab, Driver tab, and Settings tab, or some
combination of these.
At the top of the property sheet, there is a description of the device. When you click the
Resources tab, the window in the middle of the tab indicates which resource types are available
for the selected device.
The list box at the bottom contains a Conflicting device list. This list indicates a conflict with an
error code.
Note the Use automatic settings check box. If Windows successfully detects a device, this
check box is selected, and the device should function correctly. However, if the resource settings
are based on Basic Configuration <n> (where <n> is any number from 0 to 9), it may be
necessary to change the configuration by selecting a different basic configuration from the list. If
the particular configuration you want for the device is not listed as a basic configuration, it may be
possible to click the Change Setting button to manually adjust the resource values.
For example, to edit the Input/Output Range setting:
UNIT - VI
General troubleshooting tips for printers
By completing this module you will be able to understand and learn how to manage
general printer problems, that we normally face.
It is not possible to describe all of the steps one might take to fix every make, model, and type of
printer. However in many cases, following these simple set of procedures, and a logical approach
may save your time or money.
1. Refer the User Manual
Read the manual thoroughly and follow the steps to connect the printer to PC
o
o
In general, the printers are having connectivity with parallel port of PC and nowadays
the USB connectivity is also available with the printer.
Also we can connect the printers in the network if they are coming with RJ 45
connectors.
Suppose if you have missed somewhere the user manual of printer, you may access the
concerned manufacturers web site for the details of the printer.
Make sure that the power is on and there is no error lights (LEDs) lit.
If there are error lights, refer to the user manual/manufacturer's web site.
You should hear the print mechanism initialize when power is applied and most printers
have at least one light which will be illuminated when it is on.
5. Check whether it is online or not.
Online means, most of the printers are connected directly to the PC. Please check whether
the connectivity between PC and printer as per user manual or not.
6. In case it is beeping , try to find out the reason for it.
Most printers will beep once or twice during or after initialization. If it beeps more than
that or beeps constantly, it is an indication that something is wrong. Most of the printers
will beep when out of paper or out of ink.
7. Check wether you are able to give a test-print.
Most printers have a built-in diagnostics program which can be very useful for
troubleshooting problems and test-printing without a computer. They are usually initiated
by pressing a button or two while turning on the printer. Check your user manual.
If the printer test-prints OK, you dont have any problem with print mechanism of the
printer. Then you may check the connectivity of the printer.
Paper jams are frequently the reason for malfunction in many printers. Always read the
manual on how to clear a jam.
o Don't be in a rush with your printer as you can easily damage a printer or even get hurt, if
you do not follow instructions in the user manual.
o Don't move a print head unless the instructions direct it. You can damage the belt, etc.
Turn the power off & unplug it, before you start doing something .
Laser printers have some very fine wires to remove static charges from the paper near the
fuser mechanism which will break if you are not very careful. Also, the fuser itself can be
very hot (it fuses/melts toner to the paper).
UNIT - VII
Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS)
By completing this module you will be able to understand various types of UPSs
available in the market.
UPS is an electronic device that continues to supply electric power to the load for certain periods
of time during a loss of main power from electricity board or when the power fluctuates from
normal limits.
The generic standard for UPS system defines the limits on the amplitude and duration of deviation
of the output voltage acceptable for switching power supply loads.
To make a power supply uninterruptable, we need energy storing backup for the period of time in
the form of battery, an AC-DC Charger, and AC-DC Inverter.
Types of UPS
Stand By UPS
Inline UPS
Online UPS
Stand by UPS includes a transfer switch that switches the load to the battery /inverter, in case
the primary AC Power source fails. The transfer time typically is 1-5 ms and the power to the load
will be interrupted.
Inline UPS also called as line interactive UPS which under normal condition smoothes and to
some degree regulates the input AC voltage by a filter and a tap changing transformer.
The bidirectional inverter/charger is always connected to the output of the UPS and uses a portion
of AC power to keep battery charged. When the power fails, the transfer switch from AC to
Battery and provides output power.
Online UPS always delivers all or at least a portion of the output power through its inverter even
under normal conditions. There are two types of online convertors 1) Double conversion and 2)
Delta Conversion.
1) Double Conversion Online UPS is continuously processing the whole power through
series connected AC-DC rectifier /charger and DC-AC inverter.
2) Delta Conversion UPS includes an additional Delta Convertor that delivers a portion of
the output power directly to the load and provides the power
UNIT - VIII
Virus
By completing this you will be able to understand viruses and its threats
Take backup of the files which you feel important .This will help you in recovering the file
when it is completely affected by virus
Scan the system with anti-virus software daily and keep your operating system up to date
with all the latest patches
Some viruses start executing as soon as they appear on the Outlook Express preview
pane. So disable that option
Beware of the latest virus threats which may help you in detecting them and take the
appropriate action to avoid it
List of anti virus tools available for preventing virus in to the system are given below:
AVG free , Quick Heal, Avira Anti virus , Cleanwin Anti virus,cleaner4.2, AVG Internet security, Bit
defender free edition, Bit defender anti virus 2008, Avast 4 Home edition, McAfee Avert Stinger
3.8.0, CalmWin (open source) free anti virus.
UNIT- IX
Tips to deal with a few common PC problems
1) Problem: Computer does not Power up / start up
Initial Steps:
Make sure that the PC's power cable is plugged firmly into a wall socket or power strip
and that the power strip is on
Try plugging the PC or the power strip into another wall socket
Ensure that the power cable is firmly connected to the PC's power-supply outlet
Check to see that the power supply is switched to the "on" position
Make sure that the power supply is switched to the voltage appropriate to your region
Attach a working power cable to the PC's power supply and plug it in
Unplug all external devices from the PC -- including a CD drive or digital camera -- except
the monitor. If the computer powers on without the devices, add the peripherals back in
one at a time until you can identify the problem device
Unplug all external devices from the PC -- including a CD drive or digital camera -- except
the monitor. If the computer powers on without the devices, add the peripherals back in
one at a time until you can identify the problem device
If none of these steps solves the problem, check to see if your computer is still under warranty
and send it back to the manufacturer. If the warranty has expired and you are comfortable doing
so, proceed to the Advanced Steps below. Otherwise, talk to your volunteer consultant.
Advanced Steps:
Unplug the computer and open the PC's case. Verify that the power supply is connected to
the motherboard
Make sure that all internal cables are connected and that all of the PCI expansion cards
and RAM chips are tightly seated
Examine the motherboard for noticeable signs of damage, such as cracks or burns. If you
see problems, there's a good chance you'll need a new motherboard or a new computer.
Consult a technician for further advice
Remove the RAM and PCI cards and unplug your hard drive(s).
Depending on your drive, you'll see either a wide, flat, gray IDE
cable; a thinner red Serial ATA (SATA) cable; or a round gray or
black SCSI cable. Plug in the power cable. If the computer turns
on, begin plugging in additional cables and modules until you
identify the faulty component
Replace your power supply with a known working one or a with new one.
If none of these steps work, your motherboard or processor is likely fried. Consider taking
it to a repair shop or replacing the computer altogether
Turn off your computer and all the peripherals (such as your monitor, printer, modem, and
scanner).
Unplug your PC and all the peripherals from their outlets. After that, unplug all peripherals
from the back of the computer.
Move to a well-lit, static-free area, such as a tile floor or a kitchen table. Remove the
computer case or panels to expose the interior of your PC. The power supply is enclosed in a
metal box located in the corner of your computer case.
Initial Steps:
Make sure that there is no bootable media in your floppy or CD drive
Listen to make sure your hard drive is spinning. If you don't hear or feel motion, or if you
don't see an error message on the screen, proceed to the advanced steps given below:
Remove all external drives or devices and try restarting the computer
If you receive a series of beeps or error messages, write them down, as they could be
instrumental in diagnosing your problem. Beep codes vary by manufacturer, so consult
your BIOS documentation for more in-depth info on what those beeps mean. Otherwise,
proceed as follows
Enter your computer's BIOS (access key varies by machine; usually you'll need to push
the F1 or Delete key as the computer boots) and write down the current settings before
proceeding further
Keep an eye out for any built-in diagnostic tools; you might be able to find an error by
using these
If no diagnostic tools exist, go to the BIOS's hard drive section and make sure it's
configured as "Auto."
If the BIOS has an auto detect feature, run it to make sure that it can actually detect your
hard drive
If your BIOS has an optimized default option, try loading it and rebooting
If the BIOS has a failsafe default option, try loading it and rebooting
Attempt to enter your PC in Safe Mode. (As your computer boots, quickly press the F8
key.) If you can get in, run Windows' built-in diagnostic tool to check your drive for bad
sectors and file system errors
While still in Safe Mode, scan your computer for viruses, Trojans, spyware, and other
threats that could be causing problems
If none of these steps solves the problem, check to see if your computer is still under
warranty and find out how to send it back.
If the warranty has expired, unplug the computer, open up the PC's case, and proceed to
the Advanced Steps.
Advanced Steps:
Make sure that the hard drive is firmly connected to both the power supply and the
motherboard
Reseat the video card
Clear the CMOS by resetting the jumper on the motherboard. Before you do so, consult
the motherboard or computer's documentation and be very careful while handling these
components
If your computer has more than one stick of RAM, remove them all and try adding them
back, starting with the slot closest to the processor. If the PC boots with one and not the
other, you likely have a faulty stick of RAM
Make sure that the correct hard drive is set as the primary (master) drive and that the
proper cable is connected. (See the back of the hard drive to set master and slave
settings
Replace the hard drive cable(s) with known working ones.
Remove the PC's main power supply and replace it with a known working one.
If none of this works you may want to take the drive in for service or replace it altogether. If at all
possible, back up your data first.
4) Problem: Windows won't Boot (After BIOS POST has been completed) orPC crashes.
Initial Steps
Make sure that there isn't a disk in your floppy or CD drive
Remove external drives or devices
Enter the Windows Advanced Options menu by pressing the F8 key during the BIOS's
Power-On Self Test (POST). Select the option for "Last Known Good Configuration." (Note:
if this works, you will lose any recently installed software or newly created files.)
Enter the Windows Advanced Options menu, boot into Safe Mode with networking, and
perform a system restore
While in Safe Mode run your antivirus and anti-spyware programs. Remove any detected
threats
If that fails, attempt to back up your data using back-up software, burn files to a CD, or
consult a professional. You may eventually have to reformat your hard drive and reinstall
Windows
Advanced Steps:
Enter the Windows Advanced Options menu and choose the option that enables the
bootlog.
Restart, then boot into Safe Mode to compare the new bootlog and the original one. If
you get error messages that certain drivers aren't loading correctly, write those down, and
update or remove the faulty devices via Windows' Device Manager. You can then reinstall
the drivers manually or ask Windows to locate a driver for the device
Insert your Windows Emergency Startup disk or the original CD-ROM and go to the
Recovery Console. From there, you can attempt to restore the master boot record, the
first logical sector on your hard drive where the BIOS loads a program to boot your
computer
5) Problem: The PC does not boot, the power and HDD LED does not come on, and
there is no display on monitor.
Check that your main power cable is plugged into the ATX power supply.
Make sure you have connected the ATX power connector to the motherboard.
Check if the cable for the power switch at front of the PC is connected to the correct pins
on the motherboard.
6) Problem: The power LED comes on but the PC does not boot, there is no display on
monitor.
Check if the processor is firmly into the socket. Check CPU jumpers to verify if CPU
frequency is correctly set.
7) Problem: The PC does not boot, but is beeping.
Different BIOS manufacturers use various number of beeps to indicate faults with various
hardware. In an Award BIOS motherboard you will get following kinds of beeps:
1 long 2 short: Graphics card is not securely into place, or faulty.
1 long 3 short: Graphics card is not securely into place, or faulty video memory.
Continuous beeps: No memory, or memory not securely into place, or could be faulty.
Continuous high/low beeps: No CPU, or CPU not securely into place, or could be faulty.
Please refer to your motherboard manual to confirm what the beeps are trying to tell you.
8) Problem: The PC boots but the CPU speed is incorrect.
The CPU frequency jumper setting is incorrect. Refer to your motherboard manual to set
it correctly.
9) Problem: The HDD is not being detected by the BIOS.
Check if you connected the IDE cable to the motherboard correctly.
Check wether the pin 1 on the IDE cable connected to pin 1 on the IDE sockets on both
motherboard connector and HDD connector.
Check if the HDD jumper is set to master and any other device sharing the same cable is
set to slave.
10)
Windows.