Troubleshooting Computer Hardware.

Troubleshooting is the process of diagnosing and fixing a problem systematically.

Hardware troubleshooting is the process of reviewing, diagnosing and identifying
operational or technical problems within a hardware device or equipment.
The process starts by first identifying the problem and finding different issues that can
cause such a problem and eventually leading to implementing a solution or alternative.
The basic theory of troubleshooting is that you start with the most general (and often
most obvious) possible problems, and then narrow it down to more specific issues.
Some processes within hardware troubleshooting include:
• Removing, repairing and replacing faulty RAM, hard disk or video/graphic card.
• Cleaning dusts from RAM and Video carts slot/ports and from cooling fan.
• Tightening cable and jumpers on motherboard and/or components.
• Software related hardware problems such as device driver update or installation.
• Troubleshoot issues with various CD-ROM and DVD drives
• Troubleshoot noise issues
• No Post - Troubleshoot Computer not booting
• Troubleshoot printer issues
• Troubleshoot why the system shuts off
• Sound.

Examples of scenarios
Power button will not start computer
• Solution 1: If your computer does not start, begin by checking the power cord to
confirm that it is plugged securely into the back of the computer case and the
power outlet.
• Solution 2: If it is plugged into an outlet, make sure it is a working outlet. To
check your outlet, you can plug in another electrical device, such as a lamp.
• Solution 3: If the computer is plugged in to a surge protector, verify that it is
turned on. You may have to reset the surge protector by turning it off and then
back on. You can also plug a lamp or other device into the surge protector to
verify that it's working correctly.
• Solution 4: If you are using a laptop, the battery may not be charged. Plug
the AC adapter into the wall, then try to turn on the laptop. If it still doesn't start
up, you may need to wait a few minutes and try again.

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The Computer Turns On, But Still Doesn’t Work
• If power is obviously flowing to the computer system and its peripherals, there
may be a component issue.
• When you first turn on the computer, do you hear or see anything out of the
ordinary? Many times, the computer’s Power-On Self-Test (POST) will let you
know what’s going on with the machine.
• If you hear any beeps when your computer turns on, they can help you
troubleshoot common PC hardware problems.
o No beep but the system turns on and runs fine - Under normal
circumstances, most computer systems will beep one short beep when
turned on. If yours doesn’t, your “beeper” may have died out.
o No beep - The power supply is not plugged in or turned on. Or, the power
supply is completely dead.
o Steady, short beeps - The power supply may be bad or the voltages
might be wrong. A replacement would usually be necessary.
o Steady, long beeps - The power supply has gone bad.
o Long, continuous beep - Your Random Access Memory (RAM) sticks
may have gone bad. If there is more than one stick installed, try taking one
out to see if the computer boots. If it does not, try the same thing with the
other stick. This will tell you which stick has gone bad and you can replace
or upgrade accordingly. If there is only one stick installed, you will need to
replace or upgrade it to fix the problem.
o One long, two short beeps - There has been a video card failure. Your
first action is to try reseating the video card. This often solves the problem
when the computer system is connected to projectors because the
VGA/DVI/Video cable gets moved so often that the card can be slowly
unplugged. If reseating doesn’t work, replace the video card.

You Get a CMOS Error

• The CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor) is an onboard chip that
stores information ranging from the time and date to system hardware settings.
• If you get a CMOS alert message showing up on your screen, it’s likely you need
to replace the CMOS battery located on the motherboard.
• Remove it carefully, insert a new battery that is exactly the same as the old one,
and enter the CMOS values to the defaults.

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Troubleshooting Display Problems
Monitors seldom fail outright without obvious signs, such as a loud snap or a strong odor
of burning electrical components. Most monitor problems are really problems with the
power, video adapter, cable, or hardware/software settings
Here are some common monitor problems:
Monitor displays no image
• Solution 1: The computer may be in Sleep mode. Click the mouse or press any
key on the keyboard to wake it.
• Solution 2: Make sure the monitor is plugged in and turned on.
• Solution 3: Make sure the computer is plugged in and turned on.
• Solution 4: If you're using a desktop, make sure the monitor cable is properly
connected to the computer tower and the monitor.
Monitor displays only a thin horizontal line or a pinpoint at the center
• This is a hardware problem. The flyback transformer or high-voltage circuitry is
failing or has failed.
• Take the monitor to be repaired, or replace it.
Monitor flashes one color intermittently, even when the screen is blanked
• This is a hardware problem with one of the electron guns. Take the monitor to be
repaired, or replace it.
Monitor displays some colors incorrectly or not at all
• This is usually a minor hardware problem. The most likely cause is that the signal
cable is not connected tightly to the monitor and/or video card, causing some pins
to make contact intermittently or not at all.
• Verify that no pins are loose, bent, or missing on the cable or the connectors on the
monitor and video card, and then tighten the cable at both ends.
• If that doesn't fix the problem, open the computer, remove the video card, and
reset it fully.
Image rolls or a horizontal line scrolls constantly down the screen
• The most likely cause is that the monitor is receiving inadequate power.
• Connect it to a different circuit or to a backup power supply that provides correct
voltage regardless of fluctuations in main voltage.

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Monitor snaps, crackles, or pops when powered up, or emits a strong electrical
odor
• Catastrophic monitor failure is imminent. The noises are caused by high-voltage
arcing, and the smell is caused by burning insulation. Unplug the monitor from the
wall before it catches fire, literally.
Image flickers
• The most likely cause is that the refresh rate is set too low.
• Change the refresh rate to at least 75 Hz.
• Flicker also results from interaction with fluorescent lights, which operate on 60
Hz AC and can heterodyne visually with the monitor.

The mouse or keyboard has stopped working

• Solution 1: If you're using a wired mouse or keyboard, make sure it's
correctly plugged into the computer.
• Solution 2: If you're using a wireless mouse or keyboard, make sure it's turned on
and that its batteries are charged.
Other keyboard issues
• Was any liquid spilled on the keyboard? If so, you may have to replace the
keyboard.
• A key could be stuck. Unplug it from the computer and press every key on the
keyboard to see if it gets unstuck. Also, sometimes an object can get under a key
and this should fix that issue.
• Try the keyboard on another system. If it works there then the problem is
somewhere on the system. If the problem occurs there than the keyboard is bad.
• Install the latest driver for the keyboard. Go to the website of the keyboard and see
if there is a driver for it.

The sound isn't working

• Solution 1: Check the volume level. Click the audio button in the top-right or
bottom-right corner of the screen to make sure the sound is turned on and that the
volume is up.
• Solution 2: Check the audio player controls. Many audio and video players will
have their own separate audio controls. Make sure the sound is turned on and that
the volume is turned up in the player.
• Solution 3: Check the cables. Make sure external speakers are plugged in, turned
on, and connected to the correct audio port or a USB port. If your computer
has color-coded ports, the audio output port will usually be green.

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 • Solution 4: Connect headphones to the computer to find out if you can hear sound
through the headphones.
How to troubleshoot a Windows PC Hard Disk Drive
• Check the BIOS and see if the hard disk drive is being detected.
• Reset the BIOS (Re-boot and tap the F2 Key, Press F9 (Default Settings), Press
F10 (Save and Exit).
• Check for noises - grinding noise means a new hard drive required.
CDROM problem
• If your PC shows problems accessing the CD ROM drive and CD ROM is not
detected, the first thing you would recheck are the physical connections of the
drive.
• Make sure the drive has power. Then check that the data cable is connected
properly.
• In spite of the reassessment, if the PC is still showing errors, then you may have to
check with the issues related to software.
Troubleshooting a printer
If you are having an issue with installing a printer or getting other issues dealing with a
printer or printer setup on the computer, try this troubleshooter. If a step doesn't apply,
skip to next step.
• Turn computer off
• Turn printer off
• Disconnect power to printer for 2 minutes
• Turn printer back on
• Wait one minute
• Make sure all connections are good
• Turn computer back on
• Make sure the printer has ink
Other printer issues
• Paper jam: this is when a paper gets stuck during printing.
• Pull out the stuck paper to clear the error.
• The printer does not show in the computer or does not respond
• Check if it is installed correctly or check the manufacturer of the printer to see if
there is a newer driver for the printer.
If you don’t feel confident doing any of these troubleshooting steps, or the steps you have
tried do not fix the problem, then call an IT professional. There are no reasons to risk the
life of your computer (or your own safety)

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