Hardware Troubleshoot essentials

1. Hardware Troubleshoot

2. Objectives
Overview on Troubleshooting
Understand Basic Hardware Troubleshoot Scenarios
Understand Basic Hardware Troubleshoot Tools
Describe the Steps To Troubleshoot
- Motherboard and Processor
- Hard Disk
- Power supply
- Main Memory

3. Troubleshooting
is the process of identifying and
correcting problems
Common Troubleshooting Methods
Gather information
Check the power and cable connectors
Check if the error is user’s error
Restart the computer

4. Define if the problem is a hardware or software related
is it start-up Problem?
is it windows problem?
is it program Problem?
is it a device problem?
Find out the problem and solve it!

5. Common Types of Hardware Problems
No power light appears on the computer and no display
Still black screen and No fan sound
System unit’s power lights, fan sound and no power to CRT
Both system unit and monitor power lights but no picture on the
screen
Still no picture on the screen
Keyboard error message on black screen
A computer shut down and reboots with out warning

6. Hardware testing tools
can help in isolating the hardware or software problems.
Multi meter
Cable tester
Software diagnostic disk

7. Where is the Problem?
When there is a problem with a PC, a basic troubleshooting
sequence checks four things in a fixed order:
Hardware
BIOS
Operating system, and
Applications

8. Approaches for Troubleshooting a PC: Fundamental Rules
Make backups before making changes .
Follow the important safety precautions .
Approach the problem systematically .
Isolate the problem .
Do not assume the worst .
Check simple things first.
Know your starting point especially on Intermittent Problems .
Do not rush and Write things down and Take a break.

10. Troubleshoot diagram
It may be a hardware problem if the following situations exist:
 device does not seem to be getting power.
 device is making a strange noise, such as grinding or whirring.
 PC sounds like it is starting up but there is no text on the screen.
 BIOS and OS does not see the device,
 PC runs fine for a few minutes but then locks up or shuts down after
it gets warmed up.
 If there is any burned spots or smell of smoke when it is turned on.
 No power goes in to the system.
 Software/device drivers conflicts or incompatibility .
 Hardware device you want to use is set to Disabled in BIOS Setup.

11. Cautions for Power Cabling
 Is it the correct type of power cable?
 Are the amps , watts and voltage correct for the device?
 Is it plugged into the outlet, and is the cable plugged into the
device?
 Are there worn spots or is the cable dangerously hot?

12. Troubleshooting Tips for Monitors…..Problems
 The picture does not appear
 The Screen is not synchronized/ghost image
 The position of the screen is not in the center.
 The screen is too bright or too dark
 The screen is shaking.
 No display
 Vertical & horizontal line and point in the center of the
screen

13. Troubleshooting Tips for Monitors
 Adjust monitor brightness and contrast
 Check the pins of the monitor cable to the system unit
 Fine-tune the position and the size of the screen
 Control the Monitor Color options and degauss
 Regulate the degauss option from monitor menu
 Check the functionality of the monitor power and video cable and
make sure for loose connection
 Check the VGA seated properly

14.  Adjust using factory default setting and correct the
configuration
 Choose VGA option from recovery window
 Check monitor electronics and power supply
 Incompatibility between monitor and display adapter
 Reference the monitor manufacturer's instructions
Replacement

15. Troubleshooting Tips for a Motherboard,
CPU, CMOS, and CPU fan …Problem
 System has no power at all & black screen
 System boot but fail to load OS
 System inoperative.
 Keyboard lights are on, power indicator lights are lit, and hard
drive is spinning.
 System does not boot from hard disk drive, can be booted from
floppy disk drive.

16.  Screen goes blank periodically and dies after several minutes.
 Missing operating system on hard drive.
 Certain keys do not function.
 Keyboard is locked, no keys function or failure, hardware
monitor error displayed.
 CMOS error ,”invalid configuration” message
 System restart spontaneously
 Death of Blue screen

17. Troubleshooting Tips for a VGA problem
 No display on the monitor
 Unending string of beeps….
 Display message “no power to video card adapter”
 System freezes up during POST
 Incompatibility

18. Solution for a VGA
 Check the monitor power comes on.
 Check the outlet.
 Check the monitor cable and the power cord is fully in the
socket.
 Check for missing pin.4 11 12 15
 Check the problem by elimination technique
 Swap and check the functionality of data, video cables and the
VGA step by step.

19. Mouse and keyboard problem
 Mouse doesn’t work properly
 Some keys don’t work
 Some system hangs and shows 300 series error

20. Mouse and keyboard solution
 Clean the mouse and the cavity with proper material
 Adjust the perpendicular bars by your finger for track ball
mouse
 Check the optical mouse board current continuity
 Clean or adjust the sit of the key properly
 Use silicon lubricant to improve the performance of the
keyboard
 check for bad mouse and keyboard controllers

21. Computer will be automatically turn off
Cause:-CPU overheated
 CPU fan-low lubricants
 CPU heat sink no paste
 CPU fan fail
 Motherboard short