Hardware Problems

A hardware problem is classified as a fault in an actual component (e.g. electrical failure) – or in

the configuration of that component – leading to issues with the computer. It is distinct from a
software or firmware problem, which is normally caused by a defect in the software or operating
system code respectively.
Problems with your computer’s hardware are a big deal. If your computer is having trouble
starting properly, shuts down or acts up at random, seemingly restarts itself at random, you could
be experiencing a hardware problem. The following common computer problems can easily be
identified as problems with your hardware:
1. Files take a long time to download
2. The blue screen of death
3. Damaged and corrupted files
4. Delays in accessing files
5. Sudden computer shutdown or restart
6. Failure to start up computer
7. Visual glitches and errors, such as a jumbled screen
8. Strange or loud noises, including unusual beeping.
There are several possible ways to fix hardware problems on your computer, such as using a
hardware or hard drive repair software, going in your device’s BIOS setup program to alter the
configuration, or simply replacing the damaged component of your computer, such as a bad hard
drive or broken fan.

Software Problems
For example, you can say: “The problem lies in the software,” meaning that there is a problem
with the program or data, not with the computer itself. You can also say: “It is a software
problem.” The distinction between software and hardware is sometimes confusing because they
are so integrally linked
Software problems are usually a lot easier to fix. Through uninstalling and reinstalling programs,
running repair programs, or updating your software and apps, your computer can be fixed and
ready to go in no time. Software problems can be caused by inaccurate data edits, glitches in out-
of-date installed programs, or even a mistake in a computer’s coding.
Some common software computer problems include,
1. Peripheral commands interpreted incorrectly
2. Computer freezes
3. Attachments won’t open
4. Pop-up Ads
5. Google is acting weird
Other Common Computer Problems
Some computer problems have similar symptoms and could be caused by either hardware or
software malfunctions.
 1. Slow computer
Remember that if you’re watching online videos that buffer a lot or have websites that take
forever to load, this could either be an external site or internet related problem, or you could be
experiencing serious problems on your computer. You may need to fix problems to improve your
computer’s performance, and other times it just requires patience to wait for videos to buffer and
websites to load.
2. Hardware Problem:
Your computer’s hard drive could be damaged or failing, or it could have a full memory. If you
have a slow computer, check your computer’s storage and hard drive memory. Your computer’s
performance suffers when your computer’s memory is full, both the hard drive storage and CPU
usage. Consider upgrading your memory capacity, saving files to an external hard drive or secure
online storage.
3. Software Problem:
A slow computer could be the result of malware or virus, so scan your computer and clean out
and repair and bad or damaged programs. Don’t open too many tabs or applications, since many
open windows take up a lot of CPU memory usage and will slow down your computer.
4. Computer Restarts Randomly
If your computer sometimes seems possessed and will shut down or restart on its own, you need
to check that out. Something is clearly wrong and letting the problem continue could only cause
you further damage and data loss. Figure out what’s causing your computer to fail and take
immediate steps to fix it.
5. Hardware Problem:
Possible hardware issues that could cause your computer to restart or shutdown at random could
be issues with your graphics card or even damages in your network card drivers or your
motherboard.
6. Software Problem:
Again, malware and virus could be the cause of your computer’s untimely decision to shutdown
or restart on its own. Scan and clean your computer accordingly with virus and malware repair
and security programs. Otherwise, make sure all of your programs and applications are updated.
Outdated software and installed programs can go faulty or be riddled with glitches that can cause
issues on your computer if these programs aren’t updated.
7. Slow Internet
Slow internet can be caused by several things. It could be a bad WiFi connection, or maybe you
have too many devices using one router, thus slowing the speed of your internet connection. It
could be a router or a connectivity problem, slow internet or failure to connect to WiFi could be
the result of internal computer problems.
8. Hardware Problem:
You could have a damaged hard drive causing your slow internet or a bad internet card if you
have a laptop and rely on a WiFi connection.

9. Software Problem:
A background program could be eating up a lot of your bandwidth, your DNS tables might be
out of date, or your computer’s memory could be full. You also could have cookies and other
add-on features or plug-ins that are slowing down your internet, do try deleting your internet
history to try and clear up some of that space. Malware and virus can also slow down your
internet, and can even be using your internet to send spam and corrupted content.
There are definitely more reasons your computer could be having problems, but we’ve listed a
lot of the common causes of computer problems to help you discern what is wrong with your
device.
Before trying any other repair solutions, first, try restarting your computer.
It seems simple or too obvious, but it can sometimes be more beneficial than you realize and just
might do the trick.
10. PC Overheating
A heating PC slows down the whole system and leads to frequent crashes. Additionally, PC
components may also get permanently damaged due to constant exposure to heat.
There are two main reasons your PC heats up, i.e. either the cooling system isn’t working
properly or the PC is heating to the point your cooling system can’t handle it anymore. Check
it…..
11. Dysfunctional USB Port
If your USB port stops working, it’s not necessary that it’s broken. Below are some solutions that
can fix this issue:
Method 1: Restart the PC
Restarting the PC is the answer to many problems, and it is a common solution to USB port
problem as well.
Method 2: Uninstall USB port driver
Uninstalling the driver of the USB port will force Windows to reinstall it when you will restart
the PC. This may fix the problem. Here is how to do it:

1. Press Windows + R keys and enter devmgmt.msc in the Run dialog to open the Device
Manager.
2. Here, expand Universal Serial Bus controllers option.
3. Now right-click the entry USB Host Controller and then click on Uninstall.
4. Repeat this for all entries with USB Host Controller to uninstall drivers for all the USB
ports.
5. Once deleted, restart the PC and Windows will automatically reinstall the drivers and
fix any driver issues.
Method 3: Disable USB selective suspend
USB Selective Suspend is a Windows power saving feature that suspends unused or idle USB
ports to conserve power. Sometimes it could stop a USB port from working. Here is how to
disable it:

1. Press Windows + R keys and type powercfg.cpl in the Run dialog to open Windows
Power options.
2. Here click on Change plan settings next to your current plan and then click on Change
advanced power settings.
3. Now, expand USB settings and disable USB selective suspend setting.
4. Restart the PC to see if it fixes the USB port issue.
Note: This option should be kept enabled if you want to save battery power. If it doesn’t fix the
USB port issue, then enable it again.
12.PC keeps disconnecting from WiFi

If your Wi-Fi is working fine but your PC keeps disconnecting from it, then your PC’s network
card may not be receiving full power. Windows has a built-in power saver option that gives
less power to the network card. You need to disable this feature:

1. Go to Advanced settings in the Power Options.

2. Here expand Wireless Adaptor Settings and then expand Power Saving Mode.
3. Set this to Maximum Performance.

13. PC beeps
The PC motherboard is smart enough to detect problems and sounds beeps in different
rhythms to tell you. Here is an article on what it actually means when the PC beeps multiple
times.

If the PC doesn’t start after the beeps, then it’s usually difficult to solve the problem yourself.
However, I’m going to list down two of the most common problems due to which beeps occur,
and thankfully, you can solve them yourself as well.
 14. Problem 1: Out of place RAM
A problem I recently dealt with. If the RAM inside your PC gets loose or out of place, then
your PC will beep 2-3 times and won’t boot at all. The solution is simple, open up the PC
(laptop users should let an expert handle this) and reinsert the RAM. Here’s how:

1. Take out the RAM completely and clean any dirt inside the slot using a cotton bud.
2. Now insert back the RAM and put enough pressure on both ends to ensure it is fully
inside.
3. Afterward, close the clips and make sure they’re properly locked. Even a slightly loose
RAM will be unable to work.

15. Problem 2: Recently added hardware

A damaged or wrongly installed hardware component could lead to beeps. Take out any
newly added hardware components and see if it solves the problem. If the PC works fine
afterward, then either get it installed properly or get it fixed (or replaced).

16. PC not using a portion of RAM

Sometimes your PC may not use a portion of RAM. For example, You may have 4GB of RAM,
but your PC only uses 2GB when you check it from the Task Manager. This is usually a
Windows setting issue.

Note: If only a few MBs (200-400MB) of RAM isn’t being utilized, then it’s probably being
used by PC hardware and you can’t do anything about it.

The solution to this problem is simple – Windows must have been configured to only use a
portion of the RAM. Here is how to fix it:

1. Press Windows + R keys and type msconfig in the Run dialog to open System
Configurations.
2. Move to Boot tab and click on advanced options.
3. Now check the checkbox next to Maximum memory and enter the maximum amount
RAM you have installed (in MBs).
4. Click on OK and restart the PC to let it take effect.

Assignment
17. Blue Screen of Death
18. Blank monitor
19. Monitor goes black after few seconds