Computer System Servicing 2

Prepared by:
Ms. Antonette T. Manalo, LPT.
School Year 2023-2024

Tondo High School

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 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education Tondo High School
Region III
School Year 2023-2024
nd
COMPUTER SYSTEM SERVICING 2 2 Semester – Quarter 3 - Prelim
Prepared by: Ms. Antonette T.
Manalo, LPT..

QUARTER III – Prelim

LESSON 1. Plan and prepare for maintenance and repair

 Plan maintenance and/ or diagnosis of faults in line with job requirements
 Prepare maintenance and/ or diagnosis of faults in line with job requirements
 Obtain tools, equipment, and testing devices needed for correct operation and safety
 Check tools, equipment, and testing devices needed for correct operation and safety
LESSON 2. Plan and prepare for maintenance and repair
 Obtain materials necessary to complete the work in accordance with established procedures and
check against job requirements
 Follow OHS policies and procedures in line with job requirements
 Check computer systems and networks for maintenance against job/ service order or instructions
and specifications

QUARTER III – Prelim

LESSON 1. Maintain computer systems and networks

 Use appropriate PPE in line with standard procedures
 Check normal function of computer systems and networks in accordance with manufacturer’s
instructions
 Perform scheduled/ periodic maintenance in accordance with manufacturer’s requirements
LESSON 1. Maintain computer systems and networks
 Repair materials when needed in accordance with established procedures
 Replace materials when needed in accordance with establish procedures
 Respond to unplanned events or conditions in accordance with established procedures

QUARTER VI – Semi-finals

LESSON 1. Maintain computer systems and networks

 Use appropriate personal protective equipment in line with standard procedures
 Diagnose faults or problems in the computer systems and networks according to requirements
and in line with the standard procedures
LESSON 1. Maintain computer systems and networks
 Manage contingency measures in accordance with established procedures
 Implement contingency measures in accordance with established procedures
 Respond to unplanned events or conditions in accordance with established procedures
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QUARTER VI – Finals

LESSON 1. Maintain computer systems and networks

 Use appropriate PPE in line with standard Procedures
 Replace defective components or parts without damage to the surrounding environment or
services
 Install correct components or parts without damage to the surrounding environment or services
 Make the necessary adjustments in accordance with established procedures
 Respond to unplanned events or conditions in accordance with established procedures
LESSON 1. Maintain computer systems and networks
 Undertake final inspection so that the configuration conforms to the manufacturer’s
instructions/manual
 Ensure that the configuration conforms to the manufacturer’s instructions/manual
 Check/ test computer systems and networks to ensure safe operation
 Follow OHS standards and 5S principles according to enterprise policies
 Clean worksite and make sure it is clear from all debris and left in safe condition in accordance
with company procedures
 Dispose of excess components and materials based on WEEE directives and 3Rs waste
management program
 Prepare report according to company requirements
 Complete report according to company requirements

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  Value the procedure in maintain the computer
 Analyze the different plan and prepare maintenance procedures

 Can create a plan in maintaining a computer

LESSON 1. PRELIM – PLAN AND PREPARE MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES

PC maintenance is an important topic for anyone who owns a PC.

Looking after your PC properly ensures you of trouble-free use. Regular PC maintenance also keeps
the machine’s performance optimal.
A. Plan Maintenance Procedures for Computer System and Networking.
1. Design a systematic maintenance plan for hardware.
 Monitoring, evaluating and updating plan.
 Place your computer in a well-ventilated area
 Schedule use of computers for its longer life.
 Move computers only when it is turned off and unplugged.
 Treat your computer properly.
 Maintain your hard disk
2. Design a systematic maintenance plan for your software.
 Backup your files
 Install or secure passwords
 Delete temporary files
 Update antivirus and spy ware

MAINTENANCE PROGRAM DEFINITION OF TERMS

Maintenance Program- is a comprehensive list of maintenance and its incidents. This would include
all maintenance activities to be undertaken, manpower needed, maintenance methods to be used, all the
materials and supplies needed for the maintenance and cost involved in the maintenance.
Maintenance Schedule- Is a list allocating specific maintenance of an area, equipment and tools to a
specific period. The maintenance schedule is just a part of the maintenance program.
Quality management- is a method for ensuring that all the activities necessary to design, develop and
implement a product or service are effective with respect to the system and its performance.
The following diagram is the Stewart cycle (PDCA) for quality improvements. Made popular by Dr.
Deming.

The Quality Management Cycle

PLAN = PLAN
DO = SUSTAIN
CHECK = ASSESS
ACT = IMPLEMENT

The philosophy is to keep improving the quality of an organization. It is defined by the four key steps:

 Plan: Design and revised business process components to improve results.

 Do: Implement the plan and measure its performance
 Check: Assess the measurements and report the results to decisions makers
 Act: Decides on changes needed to improve the process.

The consolidation phase enables the organization to take stock of what has been taking place and to
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ensure made to processes that require documentation (both to allow processes to be repeatable and to
facilitate recognition of the achievement of some form of quality standard).

1. Plan. Here in this stage an organization must be able to prepare a good maintenance program
which will define the standards for Best
Management Practices. The maintenance program must clearly answer the question on WHY,
WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE and HOW.
Why Maintain?
1. General Objective:
To maintain the optimum condition of physical facilities at acceptable levels and minimum
cost to satisfy the expected demands of TVET programs and activities.
2. Specific Objectives:
 To extend the useful life of physical facilities
 To assure the operational readiness of installed equipment and maximum possible return on
investments.
 To properly discard hazardous wastes
 To ensure the safety of personnel using the facilities, physical properties and the
environment.
What can we gain from maintaining our facilities?
 Ensured SAFE environment
 Improve MORALE of human resources
 Reduced operational COST
 Increased PRODUCTION
 Prolonged LIFE facilities
 Prompt DELIVERY of services/ product
WHO?
 Who will manage the activities?
 Who will monitor and evaluate the operations?
 Who will prepare the maintenance schedule?
 Who will implement the program?
 Who will keep the records?
 Who will conduct inspection?
 Who will certify and accept the work?
 Who will prepare the report?
What, Where, When?
 What routine actions must be done to keep the device on working order?
 Where is the maintenance activity to be carried out?
 When do you perform the maintenance activities?
How to maintain?
The question on how do we implement the maintenance program will center on the 5Ms are as
follows:
 Manpower
 Money (Financial Resources)
 Methods and System
 Machines (Facilities)
 Materials and Supplies

2. DO. Here in this stage the organization through the clearly identified Maintenance Program, must be
able to practice the Methods and System defined in order to meet the standards (measurable
performance levels of maintenance execution) established.

Maintenance Methods
Preventive Maintenance
Corrective Maintenance
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Overall, the combination of standards, methods and strategies are elements of an integrated Planted
Maintenance System.

SAMPLE EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

In order to perform the maintenance of specific equipment, a Maintenance Schedule is drawn to
guide the personnel in the proper methods system. One best source of the list of the maintenance
activities of equipment is its manufacturer’s manual, in the absence of it, the plan can be derived from
the known maintenance methods of the equipment.

Below is the sample Equipment Maintenance Schedule for Welding Machine in the Practical
Work area of a Training Center for CSS NCII. You may see that that this maintenance schedule is for a
specific equipment only, denoted by unique property code.

SAMPLE TEMPLATE NO. 1 EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

EQUIPMENT TYPE: Personal Computer
EQUIPMENT CODE: PC 1
LOCATION: Practical Work Area
Schedule for the Month of September 2020
ACTIVITIES MANPOWER Daily Every Weekly Every Monthly Remarks
Other 15th
Day Day
1. Clean PC Trainer/utility
/trainees
2. Check Trainer/utility
Hardisk
3. Check Trainer
power
source and
lines

3. CHECK. To determine if the maintenance program is implemented according to what is planned, an

assessment must be done. The result of the assessment will then be recorded and recorded to the proper
authorities for the immediate action.

Regular inspections are conducted to assure that the maintenance activities are done on the date
and time it was planned and that the performance levels adhered to the defined standard.

SAMPLE EQUIPMENT INSPECTION CHECKLIST

Below is a sample Maintenance Inspection Checklist. You may note that this checklist pertains
to the same equipment with the Maintenance Schedule (see sample).

This checklist will confirm if the maintenance activities have been performed in order to prolong
the life of this particular equipment. The Inspection items are stated in a question form as these serve as
the criteria or standards of maintenance.

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 Sample Template No. 2 : MAINTENANCE INSPECTION CHECKLIST
Equipment Type : PERSONAL COMPUTER
Property Code : PC674556
Number : PC
Location : Practical Work Area
YES NO INSPECTION ITEMS
√ 1. Is the machine turned off after use?
√ 2. Are accessories checks for damage?
√ 3. Are terminals, connections check for loose?
√ 4. Is the machine regularly cleaned?
√ 5. Is the machine used properly according to manufacturer’s spec?

4. ACT. The inspection will allow the organization to determine if the standards of maintenance are
met. This will also allow the identification of further improvement in the process and procedures.
Hence, the results of the inspection must be properly documented and reported to the proper
authorities for immediate action or correction needed.

PROPER UTILIZATION OF EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS

The proper use of the training tools and equipment is the first and foremost task in the
maintenance. The proper use of tools and equipment is a very important task of the worker in any trade.
They must be able to use them in accordance to the manufacturer’s manuals as this would evidently
extend the life of the equipment and tools.

USER’S MANUAL: For the Safe and Proper Operation of an Equipment or Tools.
When using equipment and simple tools, it is best to read the manufacturer’s and /or user’s
manuals. This would indicate the part of the equipment, the functions of each part and the way to
maintain it. We must always refer to it for reference. The user’s manuals must be kept handy and
within the

Quality Control Area where the equipment is kept for immediate reference.

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 COMPUTER CHECK

COMPLETE THE SCHEDULE IN MAINTAING THE COMPUTER

EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

EQUIPMENT TYPE:
EQUIPMENT CODE:
LOCATION:
Schedule for the Month of
ACTIVITIES MANPOWER Daily Every Weekly Every Monthly Remarks
Other 15th
Day Day
1. Clean PC Trainer/utility
/trainees
2. Check Trainer/utility
Hardisk
3. Check Trainer
power
source and
lines

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  Analyze the different procedure and OHS policies
 Can fill up the job order form or the checklist

Value the OHS policies and procedures

LESSON 2. PRELIM – OHS POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Personal safety while working with PC’s

Here are some safety precautions to take before working with any computer devices:

 Before doing anything, listen to your trainer’s instruction to prevent accidents or any unwanted
events that may occur on your workplace.
 Always power off the computer and unplug the computer before working on it.
 Always ground or discharge yourself before touching any part of the computer.
 Do not use excessive force if things don't quite slip into place.
 Clean the area before and after using it to maintain sanitation and prevent accidents.
 Be sure not to mix electronic components and water.
 Avoid playing or running while inside the room.
 Always wear personal protective equipment (PPE) like coverall, shoes with rubber sole, anti-
static wrist strap, etc.
 Ask for assistance from your trainer when it comes on dealing with tools & equipment.
 Applying safety measure when handling tools and equipment are necessary to avoid certain
damages.
 Be sure to use the tools and equipment properly to avoid accidents.
 Be careful with tools that may cause short circuit.

PREPARE JOB SERVICE ORDER FORMS OR CHECKLIST

Benefits:
1. Record downtime data for further analysis purpose.
2. Insure the maintenance repair has been carried out effectively.
3. Focus on the chronic problems in order to make analysis and improvement.
4. Illustrate the most returning problems in order to prevent the recurrence.
5. Record all PM data.
6. Insure PM is being performed and within the standard procedures.
7. Track PM Implementation & backlogs.
8. Track the reason of overdue & backlogs.
9. A good source to measure the maintenance planning efficiency.
10. Main source for the Planning & KPIs.
11. Detailing the required resources for the job including the assignment of skilled and
competence personnel for the undertaking the maintenance tasks.
12. Ensuring appropriate and the best methods and procedures utilization including safety
procedures;
13. Execution, maintaining, monitoring and controlling the maintenance activities and tasks.

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 SAFETY MEASURES IN COMPUTER MAINTENANCE

Personal Protective Equipment includes

1. Safety Precautions
2. Preventive Maintenance
3. Protective Devices
4. Accident Reports

Safety precautions
Proper preparation is the key to a successful built. Before you begin, make sure that you have the
tool you will need, and secure a clear well-lit workplace. Gather all the components you’ll be using and
unpack them at the same time. Find a dry, well-ventilated place to do your work, you should choose an
area without carpets, because it tends to create static electricity. Always keep in mind that personal
protection is one of the traits of a good technician.

Computer safety procedures—please keep in mind these safety precautions for computer repair
and cleaning:
 Never spray cleaning liquids directly unto any part of your computer. Why? Because
contact with liquids may cause sensitive electronic equipment to malfunction, or corrode.
Instead, spray liquids unto your cloth or other implement and then wipe away dust and grime
from non-sensitive surfaces.
 Do not spray canned compressed air with the can upside down. Why? Because liquid air
may come out and damage computer electronics. Instead, always keep the canned air in a
vertical position with the spray nozzle on top and use short bursts of air.
 Do not touch any internal system component without wearing an anti-static wrist band or
using an anti-static mat. Why? Static is a great enemy of sensitive electronics. A mild static
charge can ruin your computer, and the static that commonly build up in the human body will
kill it dead instantly. Instead, wear a properly grounded anti-static wrist strap or work on an
anti-static mat. At the same time, keep the computer on a stable platform above the floor.
 Do not use a standard vacuum to clean inside your computer. Why? A normal vacuum
builds up a tremendous amount of static electricity, which will kill your computer on accidental
contact. Instead, use a vacuum specifically designed for cleaning computers being very careful
not to touch any internal components, or do not use a vacuum at all.
 Do not attempt to clean the inside of a computer monitor. Why? It may retain a high voltage
even when unplugged. Instead, leave monitor repairs and cleaning of the interior to a
professional.
 Unplug the computer monitor and allow it to cool before cleaning. Why? It is usually not
advisable to apply liquids to an electrified item. The monitor carries a high voltage.
 Do not leave a computer plugged in while cleaning unless you are certain there is not a
"wake" feature that could activate. Why? The computer may turn on while you are cleaning
or repairing it and cause damage to itself or you. Instead, unplug all electrical items before
working on them.
 Do not touch an LCD/LED screen with your fingers. Why? You may short out the pixels and
ruin it. Instead, use a soft anti-static, lint-free cloth as recommended by the manufacturer to
clean dust and debris from the screen.
 Do not use an unapproved liquid to clean your LCD/LED screen. Why? The wrong solution
may remove or damage special anti-glare coatings on the screen. Instead, use the liquid cleaner
recommended by the manufacturer.
 Clean up the general area surrounding your computer before beginning. Why? It
wouldn't make sense to leave dust and dirt in the area to get sucked back into your computer
after it is cleaned as well as re-contaminate the external parts. Moving the equipment around
will stir up surrounding dust, allowing it to settle in and around your computer.

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Preventive Maintenance
Maintenance is keeping something in working order. It includes repair, testing, adjusting, and
replacing parts of a computer or a peripheral. Types of Preventive Maintenance • Active • Passive

Active – this is carried out before problems develop in a computer unit.

Passive – this is carried after problems have developed in the computer unit.

Personal Protective Devices

1. Anti-Static Devices
2. Power Surge Protector Devices

Anti-Static devices
These are the devices used to protect computer units from electro static discharge.

Anti-static Wrist
Strap

Anti-static Mat

Anti-static Bag

Power Surge Protector

Devices an appliance designed to protect electrical devices from voltage spikes. A surge
protector attempts to regulate the voltage supplied to an electric device by either blocking or by
shorting to ground voltages above a safe threshold.

Automatic Voltage Regulators (AVR)

Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)

Accident reports
Forms used to give specific details with regards to the accidents happen in the laboratory during
experiments.
Accident reports contain the following details:
 Name of the person injured
 Date and time of the accident
 Type of injury
 First aid given

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  Action taken to prevent further accidents

COMPUTER CHECK

Fill up the forms

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 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education Tondo High School
Region III
School Year 2023-2024
2nd Semester – Quarter 3 - Midterm
COMPUTER SYSTEM SERVICING 2
Prepared by: Ms. Antonette T.
Manalo, LPT..

Analyze how to maintain the computer system and network


Value the steps in preventive maintenance of computer system and networks
 Follow the steps in preventive maintenance of computer system

LESSON 1. MIDTERM – PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE OF COMPUTER SYSTEMS &

NETWORKS

How to Run Disk Cleanup on a Windows 7 Comp uter

The Disk Cleanup utility removes unnecessary files to free up space on the disk drive of your
choice. To run Disk Cleanup on a Windows 7 computer, follow these steps:
1. Click Start.
2. Click All Programs | Accessories | System Tools | Disk Cleanup.
3. Select Drive C from the drop-down menu.
4. Click OK.
5. Disk cleanup will calculate the free space on your computer, which may take a few minutes.
6. After the calculation is complete, you should see a dialog box that looks similar to the
following:

7. Confirm that only the following checkboxes are checked:

8. Downloaded Program Files
9. Temporary Internet Files
10. Recycle Bin
11. Temporary Files
12. Click OK.
13. You will see a dialog box that prompts you: Are you sure you want to permanently delete these
files?
14. Click Delete Files.
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 15. Disk cleanup will delete the files and close automatically.

How do I clear my Internet browser history?

As you browse the Internet, most web page data is cached locally on your computer to help
pages load faster and reduces the amount of data you need to transfer over your internet connection. To
help keep your browsing history private, and to free up disk space on your computer, you can clear
your local browsing history. Select your Internet browser from the following list to get started.

Mozilla Firefox
There are several ways to view and edit your history in Firefox.
 View Firefox history
 Clear Firefox history

To view your browsing history in Firefox:

1. If you do not have a custom homepage set, you can click the History button in any new browsing
window.

2. Or you can always view your browsing history in the History sidebar. Open it by pressing Alt to
show the menu bar, then choosing View → Sidebar → History. Or, you can use the keyboard
shortcut, Ctrl+H.

3. You can also view your history if you click the hamburger menu button in the top right- hand
corner of your window, then click History. This gives you a quick look at your history. From this
menu you can also View History Sidebar.

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4. Lastly, you can open your browsing history in the Firefox Library. To open this view, press Alt
to show the menu bar, then choose History → Show All History. The keyboard shortcut for this
view is Ctrl+Shift+H. When viewing your history here, you can highlight individual pages in
your history and press Del to delete them. Right-click any item for more options.

To clear your browsing history in Firefox:

1. Click the hamburger menu button and select History.

2. Choose Clear Recent History...
3. The Clear Recent History window will open. In the drop-down menu, choose how far back you
want to clear the history, then click Clear Now.

You can also access this menu using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+Del.
Google Chrome
 View Chrome history
 Clear Chrome history
To view your browsing history in Chrome:
1. In any Chrome window, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+H, or navigate to the URL
chrome://history.

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 2. Or, click the Menu button, which is located near the top-right side of the browser
window, and choose History, then History again.

To clear your browsing history in Chrome:

1. Click the Menu button , choose More tools and then Clear browsing data... Or, use the
keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+Del.

2. Select what data you'd like to clear from your history using the drop-down menu and check the
appropriate boxes.

When you're ready to clear your history, click Clear browsing data.

Microsoft Internet Explorer

Internet Explorer was Microsoft's internet browser until 2015, when it was replaced by Microsoft
Edge. If you are still using Internet Explorer on your computer, you can use the following steps to view
or clear your browsing history.
 View Internet Explorer history
 Clear Internet Explorer history
 Older versions

WARNING: Security updates are no longer regularly provided for Internet Explorer and are not

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guaranteed to continue. To ensure that your browser is secure when browsing the internet, you should
use a different browser. If you are going to continue using Internet Explorer, check for any security
updates that are still available and install them on your computer. For example, the September 2016
Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer is currently still available from Microsoft's website.

To view your browsing history in Internet Explorer:

Press Ctrl+H in any Internet Explorer browser window to view your history.

To clear your browsing history in Internet Explorer:

1. Open an Internet Explorer browser window.

2. Press Ctrl+Shift+Del to open the Delete Browsing History window.
3. Check the boxes of the data you'd like to clear.
4. Click Delete.

To view your browsing history (Internet Explorer 7 and above):

1. In a Microsoft Internet Explorer browser window, click Tools in the upper right-hand
corner.
2. Select Internet Options from the drop-down menu.
3. In the General tab, under Browsing history, click the Settings button.
4. In the Temporary Internet Files tab, click the View Files button.

To clear your browsing history (Internet Explorer 7 and above):

1. Open a Microsoft Internet Explorer browser window.

2. Click Tools in the upper right-hand corner.

3. Select Internet Options from the drop-down menu.
4. On the General tab, in the Browsing history section, click the Delete button.
5. Check the boxes of the data you'd like to clear.
6. Click Delete.

To view your browsing history (Internet Explorer 6):

1. Open a Microsoft Internet Explorer browser window.
2. In the toolbar at the top of the screen, click Tools.
3. In the Tools drop-down menu, select Internet Options.
4. Click the Settings button.
5. Click the View Files button.

To clear your browsing history (Internet Explorer 6):

1. Open a Microsoft Internet Explorer browser window.
2. In the toolbar at the top of the screen, click the Tools menu.
3. In the Tools drop-down menu, select Internet Options.
4. Click the Clear Browser History button.
5. Click the Delete Files button.
6. Click OK.

To clear your browsing history (Internet Explorer 4):

1. Open a Microsoft Internet Explorer browser window.
2. Click the History icon.
3. Click Clear Internet History.
4. Click OK.

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To clear your browsing history (Internet Explorer 3 and below):
1. Open a Microsoft Internet Explorer browser window.
2. In the toolbar, click the View menu.
3. Click Options.
4. Open the Advanced tab.
5. Click the Settings tab.
6. Click the Empty Folder button.

Run Scan Disk and Disk Defragmenter on my hard drive in Windows 7

To troubleshoot issues that occur with Windows operating systems, you can run the ScanDisk and
Disk Defragmenter utilities. ScanDisk checks your hard drive for errors, while Disk Defragmenter
reorganizes all the information on the disk, optimizing system performance. Scan your hard drive for
problems.

1. Click Start and then click Computer or My Computer.

2. Right-click Local Disk(C:) and then click Properties.

3. Click the Tools tab.

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Click the appropriate link given below depending on whether you would like to run ScanDisk or Disk
Defragmenter.

Run ScanDisk
1. Under Error-checking, click Check Now or Check (for Windows 8 and Windows 10).

Note: If prompted with the User Account Control window, click Continue or Yes.

2. Select the boxes next to Automatically fix file system errors and Scan for and attempt recovery of
bad sectors, and then click Start. Scan Disk will begin.

Note: On Windows 10 the process will start as soon as the Check button is clicked, the above window
will not show.

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Run Disk Defragmenter
1. Under Defragmentation, click Defragment Now.

Note: If prompted with the User Account Control window, click Yes.

2. Select the drives that you wish to defragment and then click Defragment disk. Defragmentation will
begin

Removing viruses from infected machines Computer Virus

 A virus is a destructive executable program that infects the other programs in the system and
spreads by replicating itself.
 Such a program is designed to damage the victim’s computer files.
 Viruses are coded by malicious programmers in a way that they can spread in the system
without one's permission and knowledge.
Different Aspects of Computer Virus

Finder- searches for the new uninfected files and the

Replicator- actually targets these files and infects it by multiplying itself

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How do Virus Affects a System?
 It corrupts files
 It slows down the speed of the computer system
 It causes the system to hang frequently
 It deletes various files

Sources of Virus Infection

A virus can enter the system and infect it through various sources. Some of the sources are

 Infected CDs, DVDs, pen drives, etc

 E-mail
 Browsing infected sites
 Downloading files from the internet
 Downloading files from the internet

Steps to Remove Viruses

Removing viruses, though technical, is yet a very simple process if all the required steps are properly
followed.

The basic steps are:

 Buy or download an antivirus software
 Install the antivirus software
 Update antivirus software with the latest virus definitions
 Do a complete system scan

Methods of Eliminating Viruses

Removing the virus – When the virus can be easily identified and can be removed without affecting
other files, then the antivirus removes it from the host place.

Quarantine – This is done when the virus cannot be easily identified removed from the file and the
removal of virus means the removal of the complete file. In this method, although the virus is not
eliminated, it is rendered inactive by moving the file into "quarantine" and renaming it.

Types of viruses and Examples

Boot viruses: These viruses infect floppy disk boot records or master boot records in hard disks. They
replace the boot record program (which is responsible for loading the operating system in memory)
copying it elsewhere on the disk or overwriting it. Boot viruses load into memory if the computer tries
to read the disk while it is booting.

Examples: Form, Disk Killer, Michelangelo, and Stone virus

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Program viruses: These infect executable program files, such as those with extensions
like .BIN, .COM,
.EXE, .OVL, .DRV (driver) and .SYS (device driver). These programs are loaded in memory during
execution, taking the virus with them. The virus becomes active in memory, making copies of itself and
infecting files on disk.

Examples: Sunday, Cascade

Multipartite viruses: A hybrid of Boot and Program viruses. They infect program files and when the
infected program is executed, these viruses infect the boot record.

Examples: Invader, Flip, and Tequila

Stealth viruses: These viruses use certain techniques to avoid detection. They may either redirect the
disk head to read another sector instead of the one in which they reside or they may alter the reading of
the infected file’s size shown in the directory listing. size given in the directory.

Examples: Frodo, Joshi, Whale

Polymorphic viruses: A virus that can encrypt its code in different ways so that it appears differently in
each infection. These viruses are more difficult to detect.

Examples: Involuntary, Stimulate, Cascade, Phoenix, Evil, Proud, Virus 101

Macro Viruses: A macro virus is a new type of computer virus that infects the macros within a
document or template. When you open a word processing or spreadsheet document, the macro virus is
activated and it infects the Normal template.

Examples: DMV, Nuclear, Word Concept.

Antivirus Software

Software designed to cure virus infected machines. An antivirus is a program that searches for,
identifies and removes potential viruses existing in the computer system

Examples of Anti-virus software

 Symantec Norton antivirus

 AVG antivirus
 McAfee Scan
 Microsoft Antivirus

Back up your files

As our world becomes more digitized, the files we store on our computers are becoming
increasingly more important. Instead of keeping handwritten letters in a shoebox, we correspond with
family members using e-mail. If we use digital cameras, we often keep our photo albums on our
computers.

Unfortunately, computers (and particularly the hard disk drives that hold your files) can fail.
Your computer might run for a decade with no problems, or it could fail tomorrow—there's no way to
tell. To make sure you don't lose important files if your computer stops working, you should back up
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your computer on a regular basis. The backup process copies your files to a safe place so that even if
your computer fails, you won't lose them.

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Choose backup storage
It doesn't make sense to back up your files to the hard disk drive inside your computer, because if
your computer were to fail, you would also lose your backup. Instead, you should back up your files to
an external hard disk drive or removable disk drive, such as a CD. If your computer does fail, you can
then connect the external hard disk drive or use the CDs to restore your files to your new or repaired
computer. (This article describes how to back up your files to an external hard disk drive, which is the
easiest way to do a full backup of all your files. If you decide to use CDs, you'll need to choose which
files to back up and then manually insert and remove CDs as they are filled.)

If you decide to get an external hard disk drive, choose one that is at least as large as the hard
disk drive inside your computer. For example, if your computer has a 100-gigabyte (GB) hard disk
drive, choose a 100-GB or larger external hard disk drive. Then connect the external hard disk drive to
your computer. Make a note of the drive letter (such as E:, F:, or G:) assigned to your new hard disk
drive.

With an external hard disk drive, you can manually back up your files, or you can schedule
automatic weekly backups.

How to Use Backup and Restore in Windows 7

The backup utilities in previous versions of Windows have been less than spectacular resulting in
a nice market for third party applications. Today we take a look at the Backup and Restore feature in
Windows 7 that may be their best backup tool yet.

Set the Backup

To set up a backup in Windows 7 open up Computer right-click on your local drive and select
Properties. Then click on the Tools tab and click the Back up now button.

In the Back up or restore your files window click the link to set up a backup.

25
 Windows will search for a suitable drive to store the backup or you can also choose a location on
your network. If you backup to a network location you might need the password to the share.

You can have Windows choose what to backup or you can choose the files and directories. Because I
like more user control for this tutorial I am choosing what to backup but it’s completely up to you.
Note: If you let Windows choose it will not backup Program Files, anything formatted with the FAT
file system, files in the Recycle Bin, or any temp files that are 1GB or more.

26
Select the files and folder to include in the backup. Also notice you can select the option to create an
image of your local drive.

Now review the backup job and make sure everything looks correct.

How to uninstall a program in Windows 7.

To see a list of the programs that we can uninstall we must first open the Programs and
Features control panel. To do this you should follow these steps:

1. In Windows 7 click on the Start button to open your Start Menu. The Start button looks like this:

.When the Start Menu opens click on the Control Panel menu option. In Windows 8, click
on the Control Panel app in the Windows 8 Start Screen. Then scroll to the bottom and click on
the More Settings option.

2. When the Control Panel window opens click on the Uninstall a program option under the
Programs category. This option is shown by the arrow in the image below. If you are using the
Classic View of the Control Panel, then you would double-click on the Programs and Features
icon instead.

27
 3. You will now be at the Programs and Features, or Uninstall or change a program, screen as
shown below. From this screen you can uninstall programs, view installed updates, and turn
Windows features on and off.

Figure 1. Programs and Features Screen

This screen contains a list of the programs installed on your computer, the company that
developed it, and when it was installed. This screen also contains four options in the left navigation bar
that are unrelated to uninstalling a program. These four options are:
 Control Panel Home - This will bring you back to the main Control Panel screen.
 View installed updates - If you click on this option you will come to a screen that shows the
installed Windows updates on your computer
 Turn Windows features on or off - Windows 7 and Windows 8 is installed with certain features
enabled and disabled by default. By clicking on this option you can manage that Vista features
you want enabled.

Now that we know what all the options in this screen do, lets start learning how to uninstall a
program. The first step is look through the list of programs for the one that you would like to uninstall
and then left-click on it once so that it becomes highlighted. Once you highlight a program you will see
two new options next to the Organize and View button called Uninstall and Change. I have pointed
those out with arrows in the image below.

28
Figure 2. Select entry in the program list

If you press the Change button, the program will launch it's setup so that you can modify how the
program is presently installed. It is important to note that the Change button does not uninstall a
program, but rather allows you to modify how it is currently installed. If you want to uninstall the
program you should instead click on the Uninstall button. Once you click on the uninstall button you
will be presented with a confirmation asking if you would like to continue as shown in Figure 3 below.
For those who like shortcuts, you could just double-click on an entry to start this process as well. For
some programs when choose to uninstall it, Windows may prompt you with a message stating
Windows needs your permission to continue. At this screen you should click on the Continue button.

Figure 3. Confirmation screen to continue with the uninstall

If you do not want to continue, then you should press the No button, and you will come back to
the list of programs. If you press the Yes button Vista will start the uninstall routine for the program
and begin to remove it. An uninstall screen will typically now open and may ask you questions about
how the program should be uninstalled. You typically want to remove the entire program except any
data that you may need in the future. As each program's uninstall process is different, it is advised that
you read each screen carefully and continue with the uninstall process. When uninstalling certain
programs you may receive a prompt from Windows stating An unidentified programs wants access to
your computer. When you receive this as you uninstall the program, you should click on the Allow
button, as it is the uninstaller being started.
The program will now continue to uninstall, and when completed you will be back at the list of
programs installed on your computer. You will notice, though, that the program you just uninstalled is
no longer listed. At this point you can either uninstall another programs or close the Programs and
Features screen.
When examining the list of programs in your Uninstall list, if you are unsure as to what a
program is, you can search for its name in our Uninstall Database.

Conclusion
Now that know the proper way to uninstall a program you can avoid leaving errant files and
configuration information on the computer when you would like to remove a program. This also allows
you to clear up some extra disk space, if needed, by uninstalling any programs that you do not need. If
you need help uninstalling a program in Windows, then feel free to ask about it in our Windows Vista,
Windows 7, or Windows 8 forums.

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 COMPUTER CHECK
In your own understanding enumerate the steps in clearing the history of the Google chrome

Step 1.

Step 2

Step 3.

Step 4.

Step 5.

30
  Value the procedure in maintain the computer
 Analyze the procedures in maintenance scheduling

 Can create a schedule in procedures in maintenance

LESSON 2. MIDTERM – PROCEDURES IN MAINTENANCE SCHEDULING

Scheduled maintenance critical percentage (SMCP)

Planned or scheduled maintenance is a list of predetermined maintenance actions carried out at

regular time intervals that are aimed at the prevention of breakdowns. It has been proven again and
again that sporadic ongoing repair leads to asset deterioration, a shorter asset lifetime and increased
long-term capital cost. The primary goal of scheduled maintenance is to prevent equipment failure
before it actually occurs. This includes inspections, adjustments, regular service and planned
shutdowns. Standard scheduled maintenance checks like this can help increase the lifetime of your
assets and reduce the need for part repair or replacement.

Benefits of schedule backup Windows 7

Regular backup computer is a good habit to deal with data loss, but too many PC users fail to
properly backup system and their data. Out of this reason, you may always in the position of having to
tell your families or friends that all of the family photos or financial information they have stored on
your computer is completely lost. But you are not responsible for all of those damages, and it’s hardly
recognized that everyone has the habit of backup in a timely manner.

Schedule backup is a good solution to back up regularly and keep all the data safe in the event of
disasters. With Windows 7 automatic backup, you don’t have to remember to back up your files, if you
want to backup Windows 7 automatically, it’s improved “Backup and Restore” feature may help you
create safety copies of your most important personal files. With schedule backup, there is nothing to
worry about even you don’t have the time to back up your computer.

Some of the more advanced configuration for Windows Backup is not available in the Action
Center and you cannot backup and restore for your computer before Windows 7, and now you may do
that with Windows built-in backup utility.

How to backup windows 7 with a schedule?

To set up automatic backups, you can use Windows 7 snap-in utility. If you’ve never used
Windows Backup before, the Windows Backup automatically creates a schedule for you, which you
can change. You can follow the steps below to set up a scheduled backup job:

1. Open Backup and Restore by clicking the Start button, then clicking Control Panel, System and
Maintenance, and Backup and restore.

31
2. Click Set up backup, and then follow the steps in the wizard to choose a location to save the backup
file and click “Next”.

3. In the next pop-out window, click “Next” to let Windows choose what to backup or select “Let
me choose” to include what to backup.

4. You can review the backup task. By default, Windows create a schedule to run the backup daily
at 7:00 PM. You can modify the schedule by clicking Change Schedule.

32
5. You can specify a time to run the backup daily, weekly, or monthly. Then click “Save settings and
run backup”.

Note: You may also change the settings by choosing Change settings after clicking backup and restore,
if you’re prompted for an administration password or confirmation, type or provide confirmation.

Scheduled antivirus scan

1. Open ESET Smart Security or ESET NOD32 Antivirus.
2. Click Tools  Scheduler.

Figure 1-1

1. Click Add.

Figure 1-2
Select Computer scan from the Scheduled task drop-down menu and click next.

33
 Figure 1-3

2. Enter a name for the task (for example, 'Weekly Scan'), select the desired
frequency ('Weekly' is recommended) and then click Next.

Figure 1-4
3. Specify the time of the scheduled scan. To minimize the chance that a scan will
be interrupted, it is best to choose a time when users will be away from the
computer (2:00 AM in the example below). Click Next.

Figure 1-5

4. Specify an alternate time for the task In the event that it does not run at the
scheduled time (for example, if the computer is off). To prevent instances of the
same tasks from running on top of each other, we recommend that you select Run
the task immediately if the time since its last execution exceeds specified interval.
Click Next.

34
 Figure 1-6
5. Review the task settings and click Finish.
6. Select In-depth scan from the Scan profile drop-down menu.
7. Select the check box next to Computer (recommended) and click OK to finish.

Figure 1-7
The scheduled scan you created will appear in the Scheduler window. From this point forward,
it will run at the time and frequency you configured. If the computer is in “sleep” mode or other power-
saving state, the scan will not occur. The computer must be fully powered on.

35
 COMPUTER CHECK

True or False. Write TRUE if the statement is correct and FALSE if the statement is not
in the space provided.

__________1. Scheduling is importance to maintain the good condition of your computer

__________2. Installing an anti-virus to the computer can help to protect your computer

__________3. To prevent instances of the same tasks from running on top of each other, we recommend

that you select Run the task immediately if the time

__________4. The primary goal of scheduled maintenance is to prevent equipment failure before it

actually occurs

__________5. Regular backup computer is a good habit to deal with data loss, but too many PC users

fail to properly backup system and their data.

__________6. Schedule backup is a good solution to back up regularly and keep all the data safe in the

event of disasters

__________7. Standard scheduled maintenance checks like this can help increase the lifetime of your

assets and reduce the need for part repair or replacement.

36
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education Tondo High School
Region III
School Year 2023-2024
2nd Semester – Quarter 4 – Semi-finals
COMPUTER SYSTEM SERVICING 4
Prepared by: Ms. Antonette T.
Manalo, LPT..


Identify how to diagnose the parts of the computer

Value the rules in diagnosing computer system

Interpret the problem with the different diagnose test

LESSON 1. SEMI-FINALS – DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES

Techniques for diagnosing computer system

1. Computer Diagnosis
2. Rules in Diagnosing Computer System
3. Factors Causing Computer Failures and Defects
4. Problem Isolation
5. Component Isolation

Computer Diagnosis

Sometimes when the problem with a system is not totally apparent and the problem may be
intermittent, using a basic common diagnostic procedure may help determine what is wrong. This
procedure has a number of steps that, if followed each time, can be of help.

Rules in Diagnosing Computer System

1. Know the facts
 Educate oneself on all aspects and operation of computer parts.
 Continuous learning on computer technology.
2. Use your common sense
3. Focus on Field Replaceable Units
 Identify the different types of FRU that can be used for replacement or subassembly.
4. Proper assembly and disassembly
Factors Causing Computer Failures and Defects
1. Peopleware
2. Firmware
3. Software
4. Hardware
5. Static (ESD)
6. Electricity
Peopleware - Untrained personnel would probably damage programs in PC.

37
 Firmware - Programs or software burnt in chips may be corrupted.

Software - Corrupted operating systems would cause the system to fail.

Hardware - Defective hardware components would lead to computer malfunction. Hardware

conflicts and viruses can hinder your computers performance.

ESD (Electro Static Discharge) - Electro static discharge can easily damage sensitive components in
your computer.

Electricity - Incoming supply from AC outlet must be regulated, power surges can damage computer
units.

Problem Isolation
Problem isolation is a detective work in which you need to determine what is out of the ordinary
by making detailed observation of what is not working normally and record any information as you
proceed. The information you will be able to gather will help diagnose your computer. You need to
observe wisely. Look for any abnormalities in the unit, any change in smell or foreign smell, listen to
all the sounds, and error codes.

Component Isolation
This section will aid in determining components in your system which are failing. First, most
systems have 3 major components; monitor, system unit, and printers. Some have multiple external
devices. To troubleshoot, you need to isolate major components which are failing to operate.

Computer Diagnostics
The first goal of any computer diagnostic or PC repair is to determine if you have a hardware or
software problem.
Computer hardware malfunctions can cause software errors, crashes and blue screens so don’t
skip the hardware diagnostics. Hardware trumps software. Do this first and your computer repair job
will be much less frustrating.
The instructions that follow assume that you are familiar with the basics of computer operation and
computer maintenance. You don’t have to be an expert but these knowledge/skills are recommended:
 Access the computer’s BIOS configuration
 Booting the computer to CD or USB
 Editing the registry – (it’s not hard, just be careful)
 Installing hard drive and adjust BIOS
 File/folder management – move, copy, etc.
 Uninstall applications/programs
That’s it.

Basic Hardware Diagnostic

Most hardware issues are fairly evident – no fans or signs of life, no image on the screen, mouse
doesn’t work or the computer tells you that some hardware component is missing or not installed
properly.
If the computer doesn’t boot or show any sign of life, start with the power supply. They can test
well but still not have the juice to run the machine. Swap with a known good power supply is the best
38
diagnostic procedure. I’ve seen power supplies test good on a meter but still not be able to fire up the
computer.
For most basic hardware diagnostics, swapping the suspect problem device with a known good
one or plugging the device into another computer is usually the easiest diagnostic. This will tell you if
the problem is with the device or with the computer it’s plugged into.

Startup Diagnostics

At startup, the computer runs a Power on Self-Test (POST). This test checks that all hardware
components specified in the BIOS (CPU, RAM, video and hard drive) are present and functional. If
there is problem, you’ll hear beeping diagnostic codes. Each BIOS manufacturer has their own
diagnostic codes.
Once complete, the computer initiates video signal and displays the BIOS boot information. If
you are not getting any video signal from the computer at this point, you have a problem with the
motherboard, video card or power supply. Try a different power supply and/or video first.
If there is still no video, time for one last test. Remove all the memory (RAM) modules from the
motherboard and restart. If the computer does NOT beep during POST, the motherboard is defective.
Several beeps are the computer saying “Warning, I need memory before I’ll start.” This is good.

Visual Test
Computer diagnostics should always include, first, checking the condition of the components on
the motherboard and the cooling system. I have seen all brands of computers suffer from swollen or
leaking capacitors on the motherboard and video cards.
Capacitors are like storage tanks (they even look like small storage tanks) that store and release
electricity.
When they become defective, all kinds of strange behavior can occur depending on where they
are in the circuitry of the motherboard and when they are used by the computer.
Examine all capacitors on your computer. They should be perfectly flat on top. Some have scores
or creases in the tops; other have a plain cylindrical cover.

Blown capacitor

Leaking capacitor

Blown capacitors

If any of the capacitors are bulging or leaking, like these, you have a defective motherboard or
video card – replace it.

39
Heat Diagnostics
Sudden shutdown of the computer can be caused by overheating or defective hard disk. CPU’s
(Intel Pentium, AMD Athlon, etc.) have a thermal shutdown mechanism that will turn off the computer
if the temperature reaches the shutdown threshold.
Check for clogged CPU cooling fins or damaged fan. Sometimes the mounting bracket holding
the CPU cooler to the CPU breaks. Replace cooling unit using a very thin film of Arctic Silver (or
comparable) on the CPU. Be sure there is good contact between the CPU and cooler.
Carefully blow the dust out of the computer case and CPU cooler with an air compressor or
canned air. Check that the CPU cooling fan turns freely.

Add-in Cards Diagnostic

If you suspect some hardware component you can’t identify is causing problems, remove all add-
in cards and try booting the computer with only CPU, RAM, video, keyboard and mouse. (Of course, if
you don’t have on-board video, leave the video card in).
If this resolves the error or problem, then reinstall each card one at a time and boot the computer.
When the offending device is reinstalled (causing errors), you’ve identified the component that needs
attention.

To further diagnose the issue:

 Put the card in a different slot
 Uninstall any drivers/software used by the card
 Reinstall the driver/software for the device
 Examine the event logs for additional information
 Additional Computer Repair Information

By now, you may have decided that fixing your own computer is more complicated than you’d like
to take on. Should you take it to a computer repair shop or have it repaired by a mobile repairman?
OK, so you’ve decided that hardware issues are not a part of your problem but you’re still having
problems with your computer. It’s time to get to the software side of the problem.

Malware Diagnostics
(You know that means ALL the different kinds bad stuff, right?)
Today, most computer problems are caused by viral infestations. Infected drivers cause hardware
issues, hijacked processes crash applications, and rootkit modifications to the Windows kernel wreaks
all kinds of havoc (except the really professional ones).
If your hardware diagnostics are good, then you’ll begin looking into software/driver issues. But
remember, at this point you’re still doing diagnostics to determine the nature and extent of the problem.
During the boot process, the operating system loads legacy drivers (keyboard, mouse, beep,
cdrom) early in the process.
These drivers are favorite targets of viruses because they load before the operating system
security provisions kick in. This gives the infection early entry into the operating system basic
elements.
Infections in device drivers will sometimes cause hardware type errors – either dialog/pop-up or
in the Windows event viewer.
Next, we’ll use the Windows Task Manager and Event Viewer to get information about possible
causes of the computer problems.
Or, if you want to jump right in, you’ll use some advance diagnostic software to dig deeper into
the operating system – rootkit diagnostics.

40
WAYS IN IDENTIFYING AND ISOLATING FAULTS/PROBLEMS

Sources of maximum running of your CPU

Overly high usage of your CPU can also be caused by the some of the same problems that disrupted
your computer operation:
 Too many applications running concurrently
 Malfunctioning driver
 Overheating
 Malware or virus
 Not enough RAM

Your computer is a modern marvel, but many of us now take our computers for granted. It can be
used for a wide array of tasks, and for many of us we need it as a valuable career tool. Thanks to
computer pioneers and engineers, it is user-friendly. If suddenly the CPU has a problem, as the “brain”
for your Laptop or PC, the entire operation is affected severely. Licensed computer repair technicians
are highly skilled, and can certainly diagnose and repair (or replace) any problem. However, to save
time and money, first follow the remedying steps above for various causes. Chances are that you can
DIY (Do It Yourself), and have your computer up and running smoothly shortly.

Blue Screen 101: Search for the Error Message

This may seem like obvious advice, but searching for information about a blue screen’s error
message can help immensely. Most blue screens of death you’ll encounter on modern versions of
Windows will likely be caused by hardware failures. The blue screen of death often displays
information about the driver that crashed or the type of error it encountered.
For example, let’s say you encounter a blue screen that identified “NV4_disp.dll” as the driver
that caused the blue screen. A quick Google search will reveal that this is the driver for NVIDIA
graphics cards, so you now have somewhere to start. It’s possible that your graphics card is failing if
you encounter such an error message.

Check Hard Drive SMART Status

Hard drives have a built in S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology)
feature. The idea is that the hard drive monitors itself and will notice if it starts to fail, providing you
with some advance notice before the drive fails completely. This isn’t perfect, so your hard drive may
fail even if SMART says everything is okay.
If you see any sort of “SMART error” message, your hard drive is failing. You can use SMART
analysis tools to view the SMART health status information your hard drives are reporting.

41
Test Your RAM

RAM failure can result in a variety of problems. If the computer writes data to RAM and the
RAM returns different data because it’s malfunctioning, you may see application crashes, blue screens,
and file system corruption.

To test your memory and see if it’s working properly, use Windows’ built-in Memory Diagnostic
tool. The Memory Diagnostic tool will write data to every sector of your RAM and read it back
afterwards, ensuring that all your RAM is working properly.

1. Use the Device Manager – You can do a quick check of how all your components are
functioning by using the Device Manager.
It will immediately report the origin of a malfunction with colorful warning signs. To pinpoint a
hardware problem, go to Start > Control Panel > System > Hardware, then select the Device Manager.
You can then arrange hardware properties with the Device Manager.

Overheating of the CPU - Your CPU can overheat, causing a problem in operating.
This can especially happen to a Laptop with its sealed components in a compact case. If you
modified your computer to operate at higher processing speed than the original setting by
“overclocking”, your desktop is also more prone to overheating. If overheating is the cause of your
computer problem, you will need an external cooling fan for your Laptop. For your desktop, you will
need a higher powered heat sink. There is software available that you can use to monitor the
temperature of your computer’s components.
Checking for a CPU software problem

If your computer begins crashing, you may need drivers replaced or updated.

You should have your computer set to receive driver updates. I inadvertently had my Windows 7
set to not receive automatic updates, and suddenly my Laptop began crashing. I went to Start > Control
Panel > System & Security > Windows Update, and clicked “Turn Windows Updates On or off”. Once
turned on, the crashing stopped and it has been running smoothly, so be sure to eliminate this as a
cause.

Booting up problem – The Power on Self-Test (POST) displays on your screen as soon as you
turn on the computer.

A text will appear, identifying any hardware malfunctions while booting or operating your
operating system (OS).

Sluggish loading - The CPU may be hit with an error in your operating system.

You may need more hard drive space. If you have the Windows OS, you can free up disc space
by going to start > Control Panel > System & Security > Administrative Tools: Free up Disc Space. It
will scan and remove unwanted temporary files, recycle bin items, temporary internet files,
downloaded program files, and thumbnail photos. It will only take a few minutes. Then, after that is
done, you can select "Defragment Your Hard Drive". This may take an hour or so, but usually you can
use your PC for other functions simultaneously. If you have Windows, you can designate a time each
day for your computer to defrag automatically.

Rough audio play – If the audio on your videos is streaming badly, you can correct it.

It is caused by one of three problems: Your processor is beyond its capacity, there is not enough
random access memory (RAM), or the audio is set on PIO (Programmed Input/Output) mode. If in PIO
mode, change to DMA (Direct Memory Access).

42
New software - If you suddenly have a problem after installing new software, go to Control Panel
> System & Security > Action Center, and click Troubleshooting.
If your new software is the culprit, it will let you know and give info about how to remedy the
problem. Often if the problem is caused by new software, it is overloading your CPU. If so, it will have
to be removed. The software may have a programmed uninstalling option. If not, then go to Control
Panel > Programs > Uninstall a Program.

Auditory signs of a CPU problem - Anytime your computer is making extraordinary sounds
while operating, it is nothing paranormal.
It is probably over-working in this scenario, and requires a technician. If your CPU fan (heat
sink) begins running high speed constantly, and your room temperature has not risen, your PC system
is straining, putting a burden on your CPU. Ensure that you have your computer in an open and cool
area with plenty of ventilation.

Perform a virus scan – Your current CPU dilemma may be caused by a virus.
Make sure that you have a reputable company’s virus scan that stays up to date with detecting
and destroying the latest viruses. ESet is an excellent virus scan, and if you are looking for a
trustworthy free one, try Avast! Set your virus scan to run regularly and automatically.

Use the safe mode - Upon power up (POST) press the F8 key to bring up the safe mode.

This is the bare “skeleton” of the most needed programs to operate your computer to see if there
is still a software malfunction.

Damaged or missing DLL files - The DLL (Dynamic Link Library) contains tiny mini-programs
that are, as their name indicates, stored in a “library” section outside the RAM (random access
memory).

They save memory space in your RAM, while they command the EXE (executable program) to
execute specific functions. They perform their duty only when called to do so by your PC, such as
functions in your Control Panel like defragmenting. If you have somehow a damaged or missing DLL
file, the operation of your CPU will be disrupted. When you troubleshoot as mentioned above, you will
receive a message and remedy for this predicament. It will instruct you how to download a replacement
DLL file.

Identify and Diagnose CPU Problems: Diagnosis and Overview of CPU Related Problems
Dilemmas

First of all, if there are not any manufacturing problems and all of the correct guidelines for
installation procedure have been followed by the manufacturer, then suffice to say CPU related
dilemmas are quite rare. The end results of CPU abnormality will fall under one or two categories:

Random Failures - Intermittent issues that could occur often

Catastrophic Failure - Easy to identify, since the computer doesn’t boot up Solutions for
Catastrophic CPU Problems

In an event that the PC can’t boot up, and the user suspects there is something wrong with the
CPU, he or she could do either of the two following options:

Typically, the computer’s motherboard will produce a couple of “beeps” once the PC has been
opened.

The user should jot down or count the frequency, as well as the number of beeps, and then

43
compare what’s on the list with those that are on the motherboard manual. This must be done to
ascertain if there is really an issue in the CPU.

Buy a tool that can help in identifying and diagnosing hardware problems.

Random CPU Problems

The majority of CPU related problem symptoms are unpredictable and intermittent in nature.
This is why an excellent Problem Log is relevant when it comes to diagnosing the cause of the CPU
problem. The computer user needs to follow the given guidelines, which can be found in Intermittent
Problems section, until he or she is able to ensure that the main problem is the CPU and not another
computer part.

Among the most usual reasons for the misbehavior of the CPU are:

Power Problems.

The PSU or the Power Supply Unit is not giving the CPU sufficient power, or it has difficulty in
maintaining continuous supply

Heat Problems.

This means the processor is overheating or becoming too hot.

Motherboard related problems.

What happens here is that there is a component of the motherboard, such as MCH or Northbridge
(which is responsible for communicating with the processor of the computer), that is misbehaving or
has been damaged.

Common issue’s FLOW CHART

44
 COMPUTER CHECK

Answer the following questions

1. What is the reason why we need to identify the problems of our computer system?

2. On what reason why we need to check always our computer?

45
  Analyze the common issue of computer system and networks
 Identify the different issue of computer system and networks

 Can troubleshoot the problem of computer system and networks

LESSON 2. SEMI-FINALS – CORRECTIVE ACTIONS FOR COMMON ISSUES OF

COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND NETWORKS

Try this first

I know it sounds like a no-brainer, but before you do anything else, restart your computer.
Matthew Petrie of Falcon Northwest technical support says that most of his customers solve their
problems with this simple step. “This long-standing maxim can work wonders,” says Petrie.

Regularly checking for operating system updates is important, because forgetting to do so could
significantly impair your PC’s performance.

While you’re at it, make sure that your operating system is fully updated by running Windows
Update. Neglecting updates could deprive you of important bug and performance fixes.

If you’re having problems with a peripheral, try switching it on and off. If that doesn’t work, try
disconnecting and reconnecting the device. As a last resort, download the latest drivers and perform a
full reinstall.

My computer is too slow

The first step to fixing a slow computer is to verify that your machine is the actual source of the
problem. Videos that seem to buffer forever, and websites that take ages to load, may not be your
computer’s fault. Geek Squad agent Derek Meister claims that many people mistakenly identify a slow
system as the problem when “it’s actually not the computer, [but] their broadband connection.” See
“Downloads are taking forever” below for instructions on how to use Speedtest.net to diagnose a slow
connection.
If the problem is your PC, check whether you have plenty of free space on the hard drive holding
your operating system. Windows needs room to create files while your system is running. If your hard
drive is maxed out, performance suffers. Now is the perfect time to clear some space.

46
 If your computer’s operating system resides on an overstuffed C: drive, clearing out some space
could boost OS performance.

Microsoft’s System Configuration tool is your next-best bet for tackling slow performance.
Many applications launch automatically when your machine boots up, which can stretch out boot time
—especially on older, slower PCs. Make a habit of trimming the startup items. Open the tool by
pressing Windows-R, typing msconfig, and pressing the Enter key.
Checking the Startup Item and Manufacturer columns is the best way to figure out which
potential performance-killers you can safely disable. Avoid messing with any of the services and
programs that have Microsoft Corporation listed as the manufacturer. Items such as Adobe
AAMUpdater, Google Update, Pando Media Booster, Spotify, and Steam Client Bootstrapper are all
fair game. Regardless, err on the side of caution: If you’re not sure what the program or service does,
don’t disable it.

Windows’ System Configuration Tool lets you disable programs and services that automatically
start when you boot your computer.
Once you’ve made all your changes, click OK and restart the computer. It should boot up quicker
and feel noticeably faster.

Downloads are taking forever

Speedtest.net is your best friend when you're having connectivity problems. Run a speed test to
see what your download and upload speeds are—ideally they should be at least 50 percent of your
Internet service provider’s advertised speeds, with a ping under 100 milliseconds.
If the speeds seem solid, make sure that you aren’t inadvertently downloading or uploading anything.
47
Many torrent downloading programs run in the background and minimize into the system tray instead
of the taskbar.

A good speed test should give you an accurate assessment of your ping, download speed, and upload
speed.
Check your network hardware. Updates for network cards aren’t all that common, but if your
card’s manufacturer offers a newer driver, download it. Resetting your router and modem can help with
connection problems, too. Most routers and modems have reset buttons, but pulling the power cable for
a second or two can do the same thing. Don’t cut the power for much longer, or the hardware may reset
itself to factory defaults.
Still having problems? Call your ISP, which can tell you whether the problem is on your end.
As a last-ditch measure, the ISP could reset the master connection to your home.

My machine keeps restarting

Hardware problems are hard to diagnose and solve. First, confirm that you aren’t just getting the
latest wave of Windows updates, which can automatically restart your computer during installation.
Then work on updating all of your critical system drivers. Your graphics card, motherboard, and
network card drivers are crucial.
“Sometimes it can be viruses, sometimes it can be adware, sometimes it can be overheating, and
sometimes it can be something as simple as making sure your video card is updated,” Geek Squad’s
Meister says.
Is your computer making weird noises? If you’re lucky all you’ll need to do is give the machine
a thorough cleaning. Modern computers have safeguards that shut down the system if a component is
overheating, which can be the cause of frequent restarts when you’re running resource-intensive
programs or video games.

Pop-up ads are appearing on my desktop

If you’re not running your Web browser and are still getting pop-up ads on your desktop, you’ve
most likely installed adware—a program that displays unwanted ads. Although benevolent adware
exists, most of the time adware is up to no good. Getting rid of it isn't easy. “There’s a ton of little
system-utility tools out there that promise to clean up everything, with names like PC Speed- up, PC
Speed Pro, PC Speedifier,” Geek Squad’s Meister says. “A lot of times those programs are not going to
do much. Some programs will work, others are snake oil.”
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 Avoid downloading programs that offer to speed up your PC or clean up your registry. Instead,
use a trustworthy adware scanner like the free version of Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware tool.

Running a full scan with credible antivirus software is your first step. If that program doesn’t
find and remove the adware, turn to Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free, a great utility for removing all
types of malware. Just make sure to disable your standard antivirus software before running it.
“Multiple antivirus programs working at the same time will often result in problems,” Falcon
Northwest’s Petrie says. “You only want one active, real-time antivirus scanner installed, but it doesn’t
hurt to run an additional ‘on demand’ virus or malware scanner.”

Searching online for the name of the advertised product can sometimes yield solutions from
fellow victims. If all else fails, there’s always the nuclear option: a complete system reinstall. It might
take a long time, but it’s the only surefire way to remove adware or spyware. Remember to back up all
your personal files.

Google doesn’t look right

Browser hijackers are a particularly nasty breed of malware. Such programs take over your Web
browser and can stealthily redirect your Google searches and other queries to fake pages meant to steal
your personal information or to further infect your system.

Running a real-time antivirus utility is the best way to stay safe. If your browser has already been
hijacked, uninstall the browser and use your antivirus program in conjunction with Malwarebytes to
remove the intruder.

My Wi-Fi keeps disconnecting

Spotty wireless connections can be a puzzler. Is it your computer? Your router? Your ISP? Try a
few things before calling your Internet service provider.

49
 Windows Network Diagnostics may not always solve your problem, but it will usually point you
in the right direction.
Confirm that your computer is within range of your wireless router. Weak signals mean weak
connections. Next, make sure your PC’s wireless card has the latest drivers. Try letting Windows
troubleshoot for you by right-clicking the Wi-Fi icon in the taskbar and selecting Troubleshoot
problems.

I keep seeing ‘There is a problem with this website’s security certificate’

Sometimes the biggest problems have the easiest fixes. According to support technicians, the
lion’s share of issues are due to an incorrect system clock.

The problem is probably with your computer.

Website security certificates sync up with your computer’s clock. Old computers in particular
run the risk of having a dead CMOS battery—the watch battery in your computer that keeps its system
clock ticking. Click the clock in the system tray and select Change date and time settings to correct any
issues.

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My printer won’t print
Let’s assume that your printer’s drivers are up-to-date, and that it has enough paper and ink or
toner to print. Try turning the printer off and on. Unplug the printer and plug it back in. Check your
printer’s print queue by looking for the printer icon in the system tray and double-clicking it. The print
queue shows you the status of each job as well as the general status of your printer.

The print queue is your best bet for troubleshooting printer problems—just make sure that ‘Use
Printer Offline’ isn’t selected.
Ensure that ‘Use Printer Offline’ isn’t checked. Sometimes, printing while your printer is turned
off can cause Windows to set your printer to work offline, and that can stall jobs sent later.

I can’t open email attachments

If you have ever encountered an attachment that you couldn’t open, it was probably because you
didn’t have the software necessary to view the file.

If you don’t have Adobe Reader or another PDF-compatible program, you won’t be able to open
that TPS report.
The usual suspect is the .pdf file, for which you can download a free PDF reader. If your
problem involves a different file format, a quick search on the attachment’s file extension (the three
letters after the period in the filename) should tell you what type of program you need. If the
attachment lacks a file extension (which might happen if it was renamed), adding it back should set
51
things right.

My favorite program isn’t working on my new PC

Before you call tech support, make sure that the software you’re trying to run is compatible with
your operating system. Older software might not function on Windows 8, and an app created for Mac
OS X definitely won’t run on your Windows PC. A 32-bit program might run on your 64-bit operating
system, but it doesn’t work the other way around.

Not all file types work on Windows. For example, files that have the .app extension run
exclusively on Mac OS X.
If an online game balks, you might be missing the required plug-ins—Java and Flash are the
usual culprits. Most browsers will alert you to install these items if necessary.

When to throw in the towel

Falcon Northwest’s Petrie recommends connecting with tech support for “any problems that you
aren’t comfortable addressing personally.” When in doubt, it’s better to steer clear of voiding a
warranty or potentially damaging your system. “Being aware of your own skill set and limitations is
important,” says Petrie, because “it’s often easy to make matters worse.” If you think the problem is too
complicated, call up a more knowledgeable friend, or bite the bullet and work with a professional tech
support service.

No power or computer does not turn on

If you are uncertain if the computer is turning on or not, this can be checked by locating any fans
inside the computer or fans that are visible from the outside of the computer. If these fans are spinning,
the computer is receiving power and this document may not apply to your issue
. Note: If the computer is turning on but is not posting (beeping) or showing any picture on the display,
see POST troubleshooting.

Power cord not connected properly

Verify that the power cord is connected properly to the wall and
the back of the computer. If it looks ok, disconnect and reconnect

52
both ends of the power cord to make sure the cable is not loose.

Power strip or outlet

If you have a power strip (surge protector) or UPS that turns everything off/on at once,
disconnect the computer power from it and connect the cord directly to the wall outlet.
If connecting the computer directly to the wall outlet still does not work verify the outlet works
by connecting another electrical device to that same outlet.

Third-party hardware
If any hardware has been recently added to the computer, it is recommended that you temporarily
disconnect or remove it to ensure that it's not the cause of your issue.
Note: If the computer was working fine before you added the new hardware, and the computer is not
beeping but is turning on, see the POST troubleshooting steps.
Bad power cable
Verify that the cable supplying power to your computer is not bad or damaged by using another power
cable.
Tip: Most monitors use the same power cable and can be swapped for the computer power cable.

Power supply button

Some computer power supplies may have their own power button, like that shown in the picture.
Check the back of the computer and make sure there are no additional buttons that have been turned off
and are preventing power to the computer.
Incorrect power supply
If you are building a computer, or it has never been turned on it may have a defective power
supply that is not supplying enough power. Verify your power supply meets the requirements of your
motherboard, processor, and video card.
Bad battery
If your computer is a laptop or portable computer that utilizes a battery for mobility, it may be
causing your issue.
If your computer powers on when the cable is connected to the portable computer, but not when
it is disconnected, we recommend you purchase a new battery.
If your computer does not power on with the battery and power cable connected, try removing
the battery (if possible) and see if the computer can turn on with only the power cable connected. If no
power is still received, skip to the final section.

Loosely connected hardware

As mentioned earlier, each time your computer tries turn on it runs a POST (Power on Self- Test)
and if any of the hardware components in your computer fail this test the computer will not turn on. If
the computer cannot test a component because it has become loose or a cable connected to the device
has become loose then it will fail the POST.
Unplug all cables from the back of the computer and open the computer and reseat
53
all expansion cards and memory in the computer. After all cards have been reseated make sure all
cables are firmly connected by disconnecting and reconnecting all drive cables and fan cables.
After everything has been disconnected and reconnected connect only the power cable to the
back of the computer and try turning on the computer. If the computer turns on you can turn off the
computer and reconnect all the cables.

Bad power supply, button, power board, or inverter

If, after following the above sections, your computer still receives no power, it is likely that a
hardware component in the computer has failed. It is possible the power supply has failed. If you have
a laptop or do not want to replace the power supply yourself, we suggest taking the computer to a repair
center.
If you have a desktop computer and plan on trying to repair the computer yourself open the
computer and verify the power connections. You can verify the connection by disconnecting the main
power cable and reconnecting the power cable to make sure it has not become loose. Also, verify the
power button cable is correctly connected to the motherboard.
If the power supply connections look ok, but the computer still cannot turn on, your computer
has a bad component. We recommend replacing the hardware in the following order.

No display or black screen on a computer monitor

Monitor is not on
Make sure the monitor is on. If you do not see a power LED (blue, green, or orange light) on the
front of the monitor, press the power button until it comes on. If no light comes on after several
attempts, make sure the connections are properly connected.

Computer is asleep
If your computer monitor was on and you stepped away from the computer, then upon returning,
it was black, it is likely that the computer is asleep. Try moving your mouse, clicking the mouse
buttons, or pressing any key (e.g. spacebar) on the keyboard to wake it up.

Connections not properly connected Check the data cable

Make sure that you are connecting the monitor's VGA cable to the back of the computer in the
15-pin connector, as shown to the right, or the older computer 9-pin connection.
Note: Newer computers may be using a DVI or HDMIcable for the monitor. Make sure the data cable
you are using is firmly connected to the computer.

Check the power cable

If the data cable is plugged in, make sure the monitor is getting power by verifying there is a
light (blue, green, or orange) on the front of the monitor.
If you see no lights on the monitor, make sure it is connected to a working wall outlet. If the
power cord is removable from the back of the monitor, try replacing it with another power cable. If you
still cannot power on the monitor after trying another wall outlet and cable, the monitor is bad and
54
should be replaced

Check the LED status

If the monitor has a light on the front, but that status light is orange or flashing, make sure the
monitor is not in a suspend mode by moving the mouse or pressing a key on the keyboard. If this does
not help, turn the computer and monitor off and reconnect the data cable on the back of the computer
and, if removable, on the back of the monitor. Turn the computer and monitor back on. If you still
encounter the same issue, continue reading through the other possibilities.
.
Monitor settings are not correct
Verify the brightness and contrast are turned up or adjust the brightness and contrast. If adjusting
the brightness or contrast has no effect on the monitor, continue reading through the other possibilities.

Problem with the computer

If the computer was working when the screen went blank, the computer might have a problem.
Try powering down the computer by pressing and holding the power button until the computer turns
off. Once the computer is off, wait a few seconds and then try powering the computer on again.

No POST
Does the computer beep when it is turned on or does it sound like the computer is working? If
the computer does not beep or beeps abnormally, the computer is experiencing a hardware issue or is
exhibiting a No POST. Run through the POST troubleshooting steps to determine the failure.

Hardware Issue
If you have followed the above recommendations and still have the same issue, your computer
may have either a bad video card or monitor. The best method of determining this is to do one or both
of the suggestions below.
 Disconnect your monitor and connect it to another computer. For example, try connecting it to a
friend or family's computer or a computer at a service center.
 Borrow a computer monitor and connect it to your computer.
If your monitor works on another computer, it is safe to assume that the video card or potentially
the motherboard in the computer is bad.
If another monitor works on your computer, it is safe to assume that your monitor is bad and should
be replaced. While it may be possible to have the monitor serviced, it is often cheaper and easier to
purchase a new monitor.

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 COMPUTER CHECK

TRUE OR FALSE. Write TRUE if the statement is correct and FALSE if not. Write your answer in the
space provided

___________1. if the printer wont print just restart it by turning it off and then on it again to.

___________2. The first step to fixing a slow computer is to verify that your machine is the

actual source of the problem

___________3. Regularly checking for operating system updates is important, because

forgetting to do so could significantly impair your PC’s performance

___________4. Windows Network Diagnostics may not always solve your problem, but it will

usually point you in the right direction.

___________5. Sometimes the biggest problems have the easiest fixes.

56
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education Tondo High School
Region III
School Year 2023-2024
2nd Semester – Quarter 4 – Semi-finals
COMPUTER SYSTEM SERVICING 4
Prepared by: Ms. Antonette T.
Manalo, LPT..

Analyze the common issue of computer system and networks


Identify the different issue of computer system and networks

Can troubleshoot the problem of computer system and networks

LESSON 1. FINALS – TROUBLESHOOTING AND REPAIR TECHNIQUES

What is Computer Troubleshooting?

 To Isolate the source of a problem and fix it.
 Process of Eliminating the Possible source of problem.
 Knowing what step or way to solve the computer problem.

Tips and proper ways of troubleshooting

 Analysis
 Problem Replication/Identification
 Action Plan
 Implementation
 Testing
 Write Things Down
 Think

Analysis – ask questions

 Has the Machine Move lately?
 Program Changes? (Updates?)
 Environmental Factors?
 When was the last time the computer work correctly?

Problem Replication/Identification
 Determine the major area at fault.
 HARDWARE FAILURE?
 SOFTWARE FAILURE?
 NETWORK PROBLEMS?
 USER GENERATED – PROBLEMS?
 Capture Error Message
 Start Documentation

Action plans
 Can it be fixed?
 Do you need parts?
57
  It is under warranty?
 Update, Patches or Divers are needed?
 Continue Documentation

Testing
 Proceed Carefully
 NOTE: Don't rush when diagnosing a problems.
 Look if there has been a recent hardware upgrade to the PC.
 Ask the user if there’s a recent downloaded file from the internet?
 Find out if the user recently installed some new software.

Write things down

 Do not rely on your memory alone while performing troubleshooting.
 If you are going to delete or change something write it down.
 If the problem is not cleared after changing a setting or deleting a file, you should return the
system file or setting to the way you found it.
 Do not simply move on and try something else.

Think, think, and think

 Think the problem through.
 When you run out of test – stop for a while and think about the situation.
 Your fellow technicians are another very important source of information.

PC Power Supplies
 Converts AC to DC
 Reduce the voltage from 120V to power the motherboard and peripherals
 3.3V, +/- 5V, +/- 12 Volts
 Known as rails

58
  Rated in how many watts can be supplied to the computer
 Output Watts
 Some things to remember:
 CPU’s & GPU’s draw the most power in a PC.
 High end GPU’s draw the most power.
 Motors at startup draw up to 10x their running current
 It can be an issue with multiple hard disk drives.

Connect power supply to the motherboard and the various internal peripheral such as hard disk drives,
video adapters, and optical drives

59
Original AT Motherboard Power Connectors

Original 20 pin ATX Motherboard Power Connector

24 Pin MB Connector
 Supports the PCI Express Bus
 Up to 75 watts through the motherboard
 Compatible to a degree with older 20 pin ATX connector
 Clearance under the unused connectors

24 Pin ATX MB Connector

60
20+4 Pin Connector

Other Compatibility Issues

 A power supply with a 20 pin MB connector will work on a 24 pin MB most of the time
 Big variable is how much power is the PCI Express bus & its peripherals are drawing
 Risk of damage to the power supply and components

A No – No!!! 20-pin Connector to a 24-pin MB Power Connector

61
Motherboard EPS Connector
 Originally used to supply 12V power to motherboards with multiple CPU’s.
 Used currently since CPU’s today use much more power.
 Provide power connections for internal peripherals such as hard disk drives, optical drives, etc.

4 Pin Peripheral Power Connector

Floppy Drive Connector

 Used for floppy drives and Compact Flash to IDE converters
 Used by some AGP video adapters
 Use more power than can be supplied through the motherboard

ATX Connector Pinouts

62
SATA Power Connector

SATA Power Connector Pinouts

PCIe 6 pin Connector

 Provides extra 12V power to PCIe expansion cards (ie video adapters)
 Provides 12V supply @75 watts max.
 Also called PEG (PCI Express Graphics) cables

PCIe Connector Pinout

63
PCIe 8 Pin Connector
 Use for PCIe Video adapter that require more current
 Supplies 12V @150 watts maximum.
 Not interchangeable with an EPS connector

PCIe 6 + 2 Pin Power Connector

Common Adapters SATA Power Adapter

12 Volt CPU Adapter PCIe 6 Pin Adapter

Power Supply Troubleshooting: Basics, Overloading, Cooling

Troubleshooting the power supply basically means isolating the supply as the cause of problems
within a system and, if necessary, replacing it.
Many symptoms lead me to suspect that the power supply in a system is failing. This can
sometimes be difficult for an inexperienced technician to see because at times little connection seems to
exist between the symptom and the cause: the power supply.
For example, in many cases a parity check error message can indicate a problem with the power
supply. This might seem strange because the parity check message specifically refers to memory that
has failed. The connection is that the power supply powers the memory, and memory with inadequate
power fails.
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 It takes some experience to know when this type of failure is power related and not caused by the
memory. One clue is the repeatability of the problem. If the parity check message (or other problem)
appears frequently and identifies the same memory location each time, I would suspect that defective
memory is the problem. However, if the problem seems random, or if the memory location the error
message cites as having failed seems random, I would suspect improper power as the culprit. The
following is a list of PC problems that often are related to the power supply:
 Any power-on or system startup failures or lockups
 Spontaneous rebooting or intermittent lockups during normal operation
 Intermittent parity check or other memory-type errors
 Hard disk and fan simultaneously failing to spin (no +12 V)
 Overheating due to fan failure
 Small brownouts that cause the system to reset
 Electric shocks felt on the system case or connectors
 Slight static discharges that disrupt system operation
 Erratic recognition of bus-powered USB peripherals

In fact, just about any intermittent system problem can be caused by the power supply. I always suspect
the supply when flaky system operation is a symptom. Of course, the following fairly obvious
symptoms point right to the power supply as a possible cause:
 System that is completely dead (no fan, no cursor)
 Smoke
 Blown circuit breakers

If you suspect a power supply problem, some of the simple measurements and the more
sophisticated tests outlined in this section can help you determine whether the power supply is at fault.
Because these measurements might not detect some intermittent failures, you might have to use a spare
power supply for a long-term evaluation. If the symptoms and problems disappear when a known-good
spare unit is installed, you have found the source of your problem.
Following is a simple flowchart to help you zero in on common power supply–related problems:
1. Check the AC power input. Make sure the cord is firmly seated in the wall socket and in the
power supply socket. Try a different cord.
2. Check the DC power connections. Make sure the motherboard and disk drive power
connectors are firmly seated and making good contact. Check for loose screws.
3. Check the DC power output. Use a digital multimeter to check for proper voltages. If it’s
below spec, replace the power supply.
4. Check the installed peripherals. Remove all boards and drives and retest the system. If it
works, add items back in one at a time until the system fails again. The last item added before
the failure returns is likely defective.
5. Many types of symptoms can indicate problems with the power supply. Because the power
supply literally powers everything else in the system, everything from disk drive problems to
memory problems to motherboard problems can often be traced back to the power supply as the
65
 root cause.

Overloaded Power Supplies

A weak or inadequate power supply can put a damper on your ideas for system expansion. Some
systems are designed with beefy power supplies, as if to anticipate a great deal of system add- ons and
expansion components. Most desktop or tower systems are built in this manner. Some systems have
inadequate power supplies from the start, however, and can’t adequately service the power-hungry
options you might want to add.
The wattage rating can sometimes be misleading. Not all 500-watt supplies are created the same.
People familiar with high-end audio systems know that some watts are better than others. This is true
for power supplies, too. Cheap power supplies might in fact put out the rated power, but at what
temperature? Many cheap power supplies are rated at ridiculously low temperatures that will never be
encountered in actual use. As the temperature goes up, the power output capability goes down, meaning
that in some cases these supplies will only be capable of 50% less than their rating under normal use.
Also, what about noise and distortion? Some of the supplies are under-engineered to just barely
meet their specifications, whereas others might greatly exceed their specifications. Many of the cheaper
supplies provide noisy or unstable power, which can cause numerous problems with the system.
Another problem with under-engineered power supplies is that they can run hot and force the system to
do so as well. The repeated heating and cooling of solid-state components eventually causes a computer
system to fail, and engineering principles dictate that the hotter a PC’s temperature, the shorter its life.
Many people recommend replacing the original supply in a system with a heavier-duty model, which
solves the problem. Because power supplies come in common form factors, finding a heavy-duty
replacement for most systems is easy, as is the installation process.

Inadequate Cooling
Some replacement power supplies have higher-capacity cooling fans, which can minimize
overheating problems—especially for hotter-running processors. If system noise is a problem, models
with special fans can run more quietly than the standard models. These power supplies often use larger-
diameter fans that spin more slowly, so they run more quietly but move the same amount of air as the
smaller fans. There are even fanless power supplies, although these are more expensive and are
generally available only in lower output ratings.
Ventilation in a system is also important. In most prebuilt systems, this is not much of a concern
because most reputable manufacturers ensure that their systems have adequate ventilation to avoid
overheating. If you are building or upgrading a system your own system, then the responsibility for
proper cooling falls on you. In that situation it’s critical that your processor is cooled by an active heat
sink and that the case include one or more cooling fans for additional ventilation. If you have free
expansion slots, I recommend spacing out any expansion cards in the system to permit airflow between
them. Place the hottest-running boards nearest the fan or the ventilation holes in the system. Make sure
that adequate airflow exists around the hard disk drives, especially for those that spin at high rates of
speed. Some hard disks can generate quite a bit of heat during operation. If the hard disks overheat,
data can be lost.
66
 Always be sure you run your computer with the case cover on, especially if you have an older,
loaded system using passive heat sinks. Removing the cover in that situation can actually cause the
system to overheat. With the cover off, the power supply and chassis fans no longer draw air through
the system. Instead, the fans end up cooling only the supply, and the rest of the system must be cooled
by simple convection. Systems that use an active heat sink on the processor aren’t as prone to this type
of problem; in fact, the cooler air from outside the normally closed chassis can help them to run cooler.
In addition, be sure that any empty slot positions have the filler brackets installed. If you leave
these brackets off after removing a card, the resultant hole in the case disrupts the internal airflow and
can cause higher internal temperatures.
Finally, the location of the system can have an effect on cooling. I don’t recommend placing a
system on a carpeted floor, as most chassis are designed to draw in air at the bottom of the front bezel,
which can easily be blocked or become clogged with carpet fibers. Another problem is that a system
sitting directly on a floor will ingest a large amount of dust and debris, even more so if the floor is
carpeted. If you must place a system on the floor, whether it is carpeted or not I recommend elevating it
at least an inch or so via some sort of platform.
If you experience intermittent problems that you suspect are related to overheating, upgraded
chassis fans and/or a higher-capacity replacement power supply are usually the best cures.

Power Supply Troubleshooting:

Test Equipment Using Digital Multimeter
One simple test you can perform on a power supply is to check the output voltages. This shows
whether a power supply is operating correctly and whether the output voltages are within the correct
tolerance range. Note that you must measure all voltages with the power supply connected to a proper
load, which usually means testing while the power supply is still installed in the system and connected
to the motherboard and peripheral devices.

Selecting a Meter
You need a simple digital multimeter (DMM) or digital volt-ohm meter
(DVOM) to perform voltage and resistance checks on electronic circuits (see
below). Only use a DMM instead of the older needle-type multimeter because
the older meters work by injecting 9 V into the circuit when measuring
resistance, which damages most computer circuits.
A DMM uses a much lower voltage (usually 1.5 V) when making
resistance measurements, which is safe for electronic equipment. You can get a
good DMM with many features from several sources. I prefer the small, pocket-
size meters for computer work because they are easy to carry around.

Some features to look for in a good DMM are as follows:

 Pocket size—this is self-explanatory, but small meters that have many, if not all, of the features
of larger ones are available. The elaborate features found on some of the larger meters are not
really necessary for computer work.
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  Overload protection—if you plug the meter into a voltage or current beyond the meter’s
capability to measure, the meter protects itself from damage. Cheaper meters lack this
protection and can be easily damaged by reading current or voltage values that are too high.
 Auto ranging—the meter automatically selects the proper voltage or resistance range when
making measurements. This is preferable to the manual range selection; however, really good
meters offer both auto ranging capability and a manual range override.
 Detachable probe leads—the leads can be damaged easily, and sometimes a variety of
differently shaped probes are required for different tests. Cheaper meters have the leads
permanently attached, which means you can’t easily replace them. Look for a meter with
detachable leads that plug into the meter.
 Audible continuity test—although you can use the ohm scale for testing continuity (0 ohms
indicates continuity), a continuity test function causes the meter to produce a beep noise when
continuity exists between the meter test leads. By using the sound, you quickly can test cable
assemblies and other items for continuity. After you use this feature, you will never want to use
the ohms display for this purpose again.
 Automatic power-off—these meters run on batteries, and the batteries can easily be worn
down if the meter is accidentally left on. Good meters have an automatic shutoff that turns off
the unit when it senses no readings for a predetermined period of time.
 Automatic display hold—this feature enables you to hold the last stable reading on the display
even after the reading is taken. This is especially useful if you are trying to work in a difficult-
to-reach area single-handedly.
 Minimum and maximum trap—this feature enables the meter to trap the lowest and highest
readings in memory and hold them for later display, which is especially useful if you have
readings that are fluctuating too quickly to see on the display.

Measuring Voltage
To measure voltages on a system that is operating, you must use a technique called back
probing on the connectors. You can’t disconnect any of the connectors while the system is running, so
you must measure with everything connected. Nearly all the connectors you need to probe have
openings in the back where the wires enter the connector. The meter probes are narrow enough to fit
into the connector alongside the wire and make contact with the metal terminal inside. The technique is
called back probing because you are probing the connector from the back. You must use this back-
probing technique to perform virtually all the following measurements.

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 To test a power supply for proper output, check the voltage at the Power_Good pin (P8-1 on AT,
Baby-AT, and LPX supplies; pin eight on the ATX-type connector) for +3 V to +6 V of power. If the
measurement is not within this range, the system never sees the Power_Good signal and therefore does
not start or run properly. In most cases, the power supply is bad and must be replaced.
Continue by measuring the voltage ranges of the pins on the motherboard and drive power
connectors. If you are measuring voltages for testing purposes, any reading within 10% of the specified
voltage is considered acceptable, although most manufacturers of high-quality power supplies specify a
tighter 5% tolerance. For ATX power supplies, the specification requires that voltages must be within
5% of the rating, except for the 3.3 V current, which must be within 4%. The table below shows the
voltage ranges within these tolerances.

Voltage Ranges

Loose Tolerance Tight Tolerance

Desired Voltage Min. –10% Max. (+8%) Min. (–5%) Max. (+5%)

+3.3 V 2.97 V 3.63 V 3.135 V 3.465 V

+/–5.0 V 4.5 V 5.4 V 4.75 V 5.25 V

+/–12.0 V 10.8 V 12.9 V 11.4 V 12.6 V

The Power_Good signal has tolerances that are different from the other voltages, although it is
nominally +5 V in most systems. The trigger point for Power_Good is about +2.4 V, but most systems
require the signal voltage to be within the tolerances listed here.

Signal Minimum Maximum

Power Good (+5 V) 3.0 V 6.0 V

Replace the power supply if the voltages you measure are out of these ranges. Again, it is worth
noting that any and all power-supply tests and measurements must be made with the power supply
properly loaded, which usually means it must be installed in a system and the system must be running.
Specialized Test Equipment
You can use several types of specialized test gear to test power supplies more effectively.
Because the power supply is one of the most failure-prone items in PCs today, you should have these
specialized items if you service many PC systems.

Digital Infrared Thermometer

One of the greatest additions to my toolbox is a digital infrared thermometer. This is also are
called a noncontact thermometer because it measures by sensing infrared energy without having to
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 touch the item it is reading. This enables me to make instant spot checks of the temperature of a chip, a
board, or the system chassis. They are available from companies such as Raytek (www.raytek.com) for
less than $100. To use these handheld items, you point at an object and then pull the trigger. Within
seconds, the display shows a temperature readout accurate to +/–3°F (2°C). These devices are
invaluable in checking to ensure the components in your system are adequately cooled.
Variable Voltage Transformer
When you’re testing power supplies, it is sometimes desirable to simulate different AC voltage
conditions at the wall socket to observe how the supply reacts. A variable voltage transformer is a
useful test device for checking power supplies because it enables you to exercise control over the AC
line voltage used as input for the power supply. This device consists of a large transformer mounted in
a housing with a dial indicator that controls the output voltage. You plug the line cord from the
transformer into the wall socket and plug the PC power cord into the socket provided on the
transformer. The knob on the transformer can be used to adjust the AC line voltage the PC receives.

Most variable transformers can adjust their AC

outputs from 0 V to 140 V no matter what the AC input
(wall socket) voltage is. Some can cover a range from 0
V to 280 V as well. You can use the transformer to
simulate brownout conditions, enabling you to observe
the PC’s response. Thus, you can check a power supply
for proper Power_Good signal operation, among other
things.

By running the PC and dropping the voltage until the PC shuts down, you can see how much
reserve is in the power supply for handling a brownout or other voltage fluctuations. If your transformer
can output voltages in the 200 V range, you can test the capability of the power supply to run on foreign
voltage levels. A properly functioning supply should operate between 90 V and 135 V but should shut
down cleanly if the voltage is outside that range.
One indication of a problem is seeing parity check-type error messages when you drop the
voltage to 80 V. This indicates that the Power_Good signal is not being withdrawn before the power
supply output to the PC fails. The PC should simply stop operating as the Power_Good signal is
withdrawn, causing the system to enter a continuous reset loop.
Variable voltage transformers are sold by a number of electronic parts supply houses, such as Newark
and Digi-Key.

How to test for hardware failures in a computer?

If you suspect a specific piece of hardware is not working correctly, click the appropriate links
below. Otherwise, if you are unsure which hardware may have an issue, we suggest browsing through
the whole document for a proper diagnosis. Although hardware failures most certainly may occur

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within your computer, it is important to check for as many software issues as you can before
proceeding. The fact is, most errors are caused by software (such as drivers) related problems, not by a
failing hardware device. See basic troubleshooting for a good starting point.
 Computer hard drive (HDD)
 Computer memory (RAM)
 Computer motherboard & processor (CPU)
 Computer network, Wi-Fi, or Internet

How to test a hard drive for failures

A bad hard drive can cause an assortment of different issues on
your computer. Below are just a few of the possible issues you may
encounter. It is important to remember that the below issues can also be
caused by more than just a bad disk drive.
1. Errors when reading, copying, moving, or deleting data on the
computer.
2. Extremely slow.
3. Operating system unable to boot.
4. Other random errors or computer reboots.
Software solutions
Below is a listing of a software programs available that are designed to test your computer's hard drive
for errors.
1. Scandisk - Users running Microsoft Windows who're still able to get into Windows can utilize
the already installed disk checking tool Scandisk to find and repair any errors on their hard
drive.
2. Chkdsk - Another Windows command line utility to test the hard drive. If you're unable to boot
into Windows, boot from the Windows CD, enter the recovery console, and run chkdsk /f to fix
errors.
3. TestDisk - Fantastic free and open source utility to test and fix different hard drive errors.
4. Seagate SeaTools - Fantastic and free program that is used to test all computer hard drives.
5. HDD health - Another great program that utilizes S.M.A.R.T technology to display a hard
drive's statistics, such as the temperature of the drive, it's overall health, and every other
SMART attribute.
Another option is to download the files to make an Ultimate Boot CD. The Ultimate Boot CD
contains multiple tools for testing computer hardware, including hard drives, and help fix some of those
issues as well.
Replace the hard drive
If the hard drive appears to be bad or is generating SMART errors indicating its bad even after
trying the above suggestions, we suggest replacing it.
Often hard drives have a several year warranty and if the drive or the computer the drive is in is
relatively new, it may still be under warranty (even if the computer isn't).
If you're concerned about recovering lost data from a defective drive consider using a company

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who specializes in data recovery.

How to test computer memory to determine if it's bad

Bad memory can cause an assortment of different issues on your
computer. Below are just a few of the possible issues you may
encounter. It is important to remember that the below issues can also
be caused by more than just bad memory.
1. Computer does not boot, and you are getting a beep code. See
the POST and beep code page for additional information
about them.
2. Random computer crashes causing BSOD, General Protection Fault error messages, Illegal
Operations, Fatal Exceptions, etc.
3. Random computer reboots.
4. Windows or other program installation failure.
Note: Before testing your memory, if you have recently added any new memory into the computer, we
suggest you temporarily remove it to make sure it is not the cause of your issue.

Software
There are several software programs available that are designed to test your computer's hardware,
including the computer's memory:
 Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 10 have a Windows Memory Diagnostics Tool that
can be accessed by clicking on the Start Orb and typing "memory" in the run line. Running this
command opens the Memory Diagnostics Tool with two options: "Restart now and check for
problems" or "Check for problems the next time I start my computer." Choosing either of these
options runs the computer through a memory test the next time it starts up.
 Memtest86 - Our recommendation for testing computer memory, Memtest86 is an x86
compatible, free memory tester.
 DocMemory - Another great software solution to test the status of your computer's memory.
Below is a listing of some other great products for you to check out.
 Memory testers - Companies offer different hardware solution for testing computer memory.
These are the highest quality methods for testing memory, but likely only to be used at a
computer service center because of their cost.
 PC-doctor - A fantastic, but not cheap solution often used by service centers and technicians to
diagnose computer hardware issues including memory issues.
 PC Diagnostics - A company that offers both hardware and software solutions for testing the
majority of computer hardware in your computer, including memory.
 Ultra-X - A great collection of products that can help test computer hardware, including
memory.
Swap and remove memory
If you have access to compatible memory from another computer, you can swap that memory
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into your computer to see if it's the issue. Using memory known to be functional in a computer that
may have a memory problem is a good method of checking.
If your memory works in another computer without issues, you're likely encountering a
motherboard, PSU, or other hardware issue.
Replace memory
If you have found the memory to be bad, we suggest replacing the memory with new memory.
Additional information and buying tips on computer memory can be found on our memory buying tips
page.

How to test a computer motherboard and CPU for failures?

A bad computer motherboard or CPU can cause an assortment
of different issues on your computer. Below are just a few of the
possible issues you may encounter. It is important to remember that
the issues below can also be caused by more than just a bad
motherboard and CPU.
1. Computer does not boot, instead you get a beep code. See the POST and beep code page for
additional information about beep codes.
2. Random computer crashes causing General Protection Fault error messages, Illegal Operations,
Fatal Exceptions, etc.
3. Computer randomly reboots.
There are different ways to test your computer's motherboard and CPU to determine if it's bad or
has flaws that are causing issues with your computer. Below is a listing of these recommendations.

Visual hardware check

The first thing to do is a visual check of the motherboard. A common cause of motherboard
issues or failure is bulged or blown capacitors. Check the top of each capacitor to see if it is bulging,
even slightly, or if the capacitor is leaking, which is an indication the capacitor is blown. If you find
any bulging or blown capacitors, that is very likely the cause of any motherboard issues in your
computer.
For the CPU, a visual check will require you to remove the CPU from the computer. Once the
CPU is removed, check for bent pins on the side that is inserted into the motherboard. If you find a bent
pin, that is likely to be the cause of issues with the CPU and computer.
It may be possible to replace a bulging or blown capacitor, but it will require precision soldering
to install a new capacitor. Bent pins on a CPU can be bent back into place, but very carefully. It is easy
to accidentally break off a pin when trying to bend it back into place and if that happens, the CPU will
definitely have to be replaced.
If a visual check shows there are no obvious visible issues, you should use a software utility or
hardware tools to diagnose the problem.

Software and Hardware solutions

Below are a couple software programs designed to test your computer's motherboard and CPU.
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However, with the complexity and wide variety of computer motherboards and CPUs, these programs
may not detect every possible failure.
 Hot CPU Tester - Great tool for testing a computers motherboard and CPU. Easy to run and use
to look for failures with your computer. Hot CPU Tester also includes a burn-in feature for new
computers or computers with a new motherboard or CPU.
 Intel Processor Diagnostic Tool - If you have an Intel processor the Intel Processor Diagnostic
Tool is a great free utility for testing variety of Intel processors.
 There are also some excellent hardware tools for testing and diagnosing motherboards and
CPUs. Below are a couple of these tools.
 PC-doctor - A fantastic, but not cheap, solution often used for service centers and technicians to
diagnose computer hardware issues including motherboard issues.
 Ultra-X - Another great collection of products that can help test computer hardware, including
the motherboard.

Replace the motherboard and CPU

If you tried using one of the above software programs or hardware tools to test the motherboard
or CPU and it is determined that one or both are bad, then replace them. There is typically no way, or at
least no easy or cheap way, to fix either piece of hardware.
If you have not tried a software or hardware tool to analyze the motherboard or CPU, you may
want to take your computer to a computer repair shop and have them diagnose the problem. Be aware
that they may also recommend replacing the motherboard or CPU if they find either or both to be bad.

Basic network troubleshooting

Because of the variety of network hardware, network configurations, operating systems, and
setups, not all of the below information may apply to your network or operating system.
Adapter resources

Verify that the network adapter is properly installed and detected by the computer with no
conflicts. In Microsoft Windows, open the Device Manager and verify there are no errors. "Network
adapters" should be present for each network adapter installed in the computer, similar to the example
on the right.
If conflicts exist or the network adapter is being detected as an "Other device", the network card
has likely not been properly installed in the computer. Try letting Windows re-detect and install the
network card by removing the network adapter and any other conflict devices from Device Manager
and then rebooting the computer. If Windows re-detects the card but does not find the drivers,
download the latest network card drivers from the computer manufacturer's website or the network card
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manufacturer's website.

Verify connections
Wired Network
If this is a wired network, verify that the network cable is properly
connected and make sure the LEDs next to the network jack are properly
illuminated. For example, a network card with a solid green LED or light
usually indicates that the card is either connected or receiving a signal. If the
green light is flashing, this is an indication of data being sent or received. The
picture to the right is an example of a LAN port with two LED indicators next
to the RJ-45 port. With this port, one LED will light up if connected properly
and the other will flash when transmitting data.
If there are no lights or the lights are orange or red, the card may be bad, not connected properly,
or may not be receiving a signal from the network. If you are on a small or local network and have the
capability of checking a hub, switch, or router, verify that the cables are properly connected and that it
has power. If after checking the connections, the LED indicators appear bad, the network adapter, port,
or cable may be defective.
Wireless Network
If you're using a laptop with a wireless network, look for the laptop's
Wi- Fi button and make sure it is turned on. Many laptops have a Wi-Fi
button that allows the wireless network to be turned on and off. The Wi-Fi
button is often located just above the keyboard or on the front edge of the
laptop, but it also may be integrated with a F key as well. The pictures to the
right are examples of a Wi-Fi button and Wi-Fi indicator on a F key that are
enabled.
If the button is turned on, make sure you're using the correct Wi- Fi hotspot by right-clicking on
the Network icon in the Windows Notification Area and clicking "Connect to a network". Usually, the
network with the strongest connection (the most bars) will be your wireless router.
Finally, when connecting to most wireless networks, you need to enter the proper SSID
password to connect to the network. If the incorrect password has been entered, you will not be able to
access the network.
Adapter functionality
Verify that the network card is capable of pinging itself by using the ping command. Windows
users can ping the computer from a Windows command line. Unix and Linux users can ping from the
shell.
To ping the card or the localhost, type either of the following commands:
ping 127.0.0.1 or ping localhost
Executing either of the above commands should get replies from the network card. If you receive
an error, or the transmission fails, the network card is not physically installed into the computer
correctly, has the incorrect or outdated drivers installed, or is defective.
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 Make sure the network card is physically installed in the computer correctly by removing it and
re-inserting it again. Check the network card manufacturer's website for the latest drivers and install
those drivers. If the network card is defective, it needs to be replaced.

The Internet is not working

If you're able to ping the router, but are still unable to connect to the Internet, either your router
is improperly configured, or the ISP is having issues.
Note: Some ISPs, such as Comcast, require special software to be installed. Make sure any software
included with your Modem or other hardware has been installed on at least one computer if you are
setting up a new Internet connection.
If your Internet has been working but recently stopped working, give it a few minutes to make
sure it is not a temporary outage. If after waiting a few minutes, you still have problems, and you have
not already disconnected the power to your router and modem, follow the steps below.
1. Turn off the power to the computer and leave it off.
2. Unplug the power cable to your router and cable modem or DSL modem.
3. Leave the power cables disconnected for 10-15 seconds, plug in your modem again, and then
plug in your router again.
4. Finally, turn on your computer and see if you can ping your router.

If after following the above steps, the Internet is still not working, open the Windows command line
and run the below command.
ping google.com
Running the above command should get a reply from Google. If you get a reply, this is an
indication that the Internet is working, but you may be encountering a problem with the Internet
browser you are using to browse the Internet. Try an alternative browser, such as Firefox or Chrome.
If you're getting no reply from Google, your router or modem is not reaching the Internet. If you
have a router, make sure your router has DHCP enabled and that the WAN or Gateway address is the
proper ISP address.
Finally, if trying the above steps has not helped, contact your ISP to make sure there is no
problem on their end and to assist you further with any special configurations.
Additional troubleshooting
Another method of determining network issues is to use the tracert command if you are a
Windows user or the traceroute command if you are a Linux or Unix variant user. This command gives
you an overview of each of the devices (routers) a packet travels (hops) over a network. It can also give
you an idea of where a problem exists in your network or outside of your network.
To use this command, you must be at the command line and type one of the below commands,
depending on your operating system.
tracert google.com or traceroute google.com
If successful, you should begin to see each hop between the computer and network devices. When the
connection fails, determine what device is causing the issue by reviewing the traceroute listing.

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77
 COMPUTER CHECK

List the entire thing that you need in building a gaming pc using the list above and what is the total wattage of

your PSU or power supply unit

Ex.

Motherboard 150 watts

Sata 35 watts.

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  Identify the problem on performance of the computer
 Can test properly the computer system

 Value the testing methods and procedures

LESSON 2. FINALS – TESTING METHODS & PROCEDURES

Windows 7 & 8
Windows 7 and 8 have some great utilities already built into them. In fact, there is so much in
Windows that most of us don’t even know about, that we go and buy software that already does what
Windows does. Even so-called power users can get caught in this trap. It’s almost like having a Swiss
Army knife with so many blades, that we just go out and buy a normal pocket knife.

Resource & Performance Monitor

Both of these operating systems have a built-in diagnostic tool you might not have ever known
about. To access the Resource and Performance Monitor, simply hold down your Windows key and
press the letter R. A new window will open and you can type in the command perform /report, then
click on OK.

A new window will open and will begin collecting data. This process takes a minute.

Then you’ll get a report with more information than you or I will probably ever know what to do
with. The main report that you want to look at though is the Diagnostic Results – Warnings and the
Resource Overview. The Diagnostic Results Warning only comes up if there are some warnings.
What’s nice about this is that there are links to more information about the situation and how to
remedy.

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The Resource Overview is going to give you the red-yellow-green light overview of the major parts of
your system. This gives you an instant overview of the health of these major components. Apparently
my computer could use some more RAM, as I have a red light on my Memory. Or I could close a few
applications I don’t need running right now.

There are several other reports available from the Performance Monitor, but most of those are advanced
information. If you want to take the time to read up on them and understand them better, then good for
you! You will become more intimate and proficient with your Windows system than you ever thought
possible. Go for it!

Test Your RAM – Windows Memory Diagnostic

Another Windows feature is the ability to test your RAM, or memory, and see how that’s all working.
What you’re looking for is the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool. You can find that on your Start
Menu > Administrative Tools > Windows Memory Diagnostic.

Once you click on that, you’ll be given the option to either restart the computer or test the
memory now, or to test the memory on the next system restart. Unless you’re in a rush right now to
find out, go ahead and choose the restart option.

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 Now, when you restart your computer you are going to see a text-based screen telling you that
the memory test is being performed. There are things about the test that you can change, but it will run
a Standard Test by default. That will be good enough for our purposes. Once the test is done, if there
are errors, Windows Memory Diagnostic will try to figure out what memory module is causing the
problem and tell you. That’s a good time to replace that bit of RAM.

PC Wizard – CPUID
Great software, just be a little bit careful on the installation or you’re going to end up with the
Ask.com toolbar installed and have your homepage changed to Ask.com. Minor annoyances really,
when you look at the value of the software package. It will tell you everything you’d ever want to know
about your hardware, system configuration, resources, and help you set benchmarks for testing your
hardware.
That way, you can have a historical view of how your hardware is performing and identify any
decline over time.

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 COMPUTER CHECK

On your own opinion or understanding what are the steps in testing the ram of your computer

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

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