Computer Troubleshooting and Repair Basics

Fixing Hardware Problems

 Tools and Safe Repair Practices
• Tools that need to perform basic hardware repair depend on
the type of computers being worked on, and also on what tools
are locally available.
• Quality screwdrivers – Available in different sizes on every
lab equipment list. The majority of the screws in computers
are of the Phillips type (the screw head has an X shape on the
top), but flat head and hex head screws may also occur.
• Need to recognize what types of screws are in use in the lab
before making a purchase. Magnetic tip screwdrivers can be
very useful since the screws will stay magnetically attached to
the screwdriver while user locates the screw hole.
• However it is very important to avoid touching the tips of
magnetic screwdrivers to RAM or hard drives, since the
magnetic storage on those devices could be damaged.
 Tools and Safe Repair Practices
• Cleaning computer parts - Need some method for blowing dust
out of computer hardware.
• Electric blower, hand operated blower (with a bellows or bladder
attached to a narrow outlet) or if affordable, can also purchase
compressed air in aerosol cans.
• For dusting and cleaning computer and monitor cases, a lint free
cloth is best. Screens (LCD and CRT) can be cleaned with
slightly damp cloths or with small amounts of mild cleaning
solutions that have been reported to be safe for computer
monitors.
• If RAM needs to be cleaned, isopropyl alcohol and lint free swaps
can be used.
 Safety Concerns
• Working Environment – Computer work room
should be clean, well organized and properly lit.
• Avoid hazards to the computer (such as dust or
moisture) and hazards to the workers (such as
electrical cords that can be tripped over).
• Should also consider good organization as a way to
make repair work more efficient. It should be easy
for a worker to return to a project without any
difficulty finding the parts involved.
 Safety Concerns
• Static Electricity - Static electricity discharges (sparks) can be
significantly damaging to computer equipment such as RAM,
CPUs and motherboards. Therefore it is important to ground
him or herself before working with computer equipment.
• If electrostatic mats or grounding wrist straps are available
locally, these items can also be used to prevent electrostatic
shocks.
– Avoid walking around as much as possible while working on a
computer. Shuffling your feet (particularly on carpeted surfaces)
can build up electrostatic charges.
– Make sure to ground yourself before beginning a computer repair or
before picking up a new computer component. Touch a large metal
object (such as a filing cabinet or metal computer case) will avoid
this.
 Safety Concerns
• Electrical Shock - Before opening up the case of a
computer or any other electronic device or cleaning it
with any fluid, make sure that it is unplugged.
• Otherwise, electricity can be transmitted through the
electronic device and into the worker’s body. This can
cause severe injury or even death.
• Laptop batteries should also be removed before
performing any laptop computer repairs.
• It is best to avoid attempting repairs on computer
monitors, particularly CRT monitors due to a risk of a
dangerous electrical discharge.
 Hardware Repair, Planning and
Strategy
• Before beginning a computer hardware repair, it is important to make
sure that the repair is necessary and that a repair plan is in place.
• To determine if a repair is necessary, you should have worked
through the troubleshooting steps described earlier.
• If a computer is still operational, user should be using software tools
to diagnose (and in some cases repair) problems before physically
opening the computer.
– For example, the Device Manager can be used to check for hardware
faults, and a hard drive diagnostic tool (such as Chkdsk) can be used
to determine if a hard drive needs to be replaced. Also remember
that error messages can give important information about what is
wrong with a computer.
 Hardware Repair, Planning and
Strategy
• When developing a repair plan, need to know which parts
are going to be replaced and how to find and remove
those parts from the computer. It is also important to
have replacement parts on hand that are known to be in
good condition.
• Part re-seating and part swapping are both good strategies
to keep in mind when repairing computers.
• Re-seating means removing or disconnecting a part,
cleaning it if appropriate, and correctly replacing the part.
Sometimes a computer part can function poorly just
because a connection is loose or dirty, and re-seating will
improve its performance.
 Hardware Repair, Planning and
Strategy
• If this does not solve a problem, a good next step is to try to
swap the same part with one from a functioning computer.
• Those actions can be a useful part of troubleshooting, since
it helps to identify whether or not that part truly is the
source of a computer problem, before a purchase is made.
• People who are just learning about computer repair can
easily practice this with peripheral devices.
• If a desktop computer keyboard appears not to be working,
for example, try replacing it with a keyboard that is known
to work properly.
 Basic Hardware Repairs
• Replacing a Power Supply - For desktop computers in
developing countries, power supply failure is a common
problem.
• This is due to an uneven or “dirty” voltage and power
surges. Before replacing a power supply, you should
make sure that it truly is dead by using some tips.
Tips
• Unplug the power cord from the back of the computer
case.
 Basic Hardware Repairs
• Open up the computer case. The method varies with the
brand and model of computer, but often involves laying
the case on its side and opening up the side panel. Some
computer cases use screws and others have buttons to
press that release one side panel.

FReplacing a Power Supply

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 Basic Hardware Repairs
• Find and unscrew all of the screws attaching the power
supply to the back of the case. Usually there will be four
screws, located just outside the cut out in the case (or
along the mesh grid) where the power supply is found.
Do not disconnect the various cables yet. Move the dead
power supply as far out of the way as the cables will
allow. You may be able to set the power supply on top of
the case (see photo).
• Install the new power supply and screw in all screws.
• One by one, detach the cables from the old power supply
to the various computer components, and replace them
with the cables from the new power supply.
 Basic Hardware Repairs
• Detaching one by one will help make sure that no
components are missed.
• There will be power supply connectors for the
motherboard and all drives. When removing the cables,
keep an eye out for latches that need to be depressed to
release the connector.
• All of the connectors should only fit in one direction, and
with little force. If a connector does not attach easily,
make sure that it is properly aligned before pushing
harder.