The document provides a comprehensive guide on troubleshooting computer issues, outlining basic steps for identifying and resolving problems related to hardware and software malfunctions. It includes common troubleshooting techniques for issues like printer malfunction, frozen computers, non-functioning keyboards, and slow systems, alongside preventative measures like backing up files and running virus scans. Additionally, it explains error codes and beeping signals during the boot process, highlighting their significance in diagnosing hardware-related failures.

1. BY Celestin NTUZIBAGIRWE
Importance of Troubleshooting ICT
………………………..

2. Troubleshooting is the process of figuring out how to solve
a computer problem. Even with the most updated
software and hardware, occasionally computers can
malfunction.
In order to solve a problem, you must figure out which part
of the system is malfunctioning. You will need to check
each component of the computer, unless it is obvious
where the problem is coming from. Isolating the problem
will help you solve the problem quickly. Knowing how to
solve these problems with a shortcut perhaps using only a
few keys on the keyboard can save time and effort.
Backing up your important computer files to another
source will ensure that if your problem cannot be
corrected, you will still have a safe copy of your
information.
Trouble shooting:

3. Basic Troubleshooting Steps
1. Close open programs and windows you are not currently using.
2. Make sure all of your cords are connected properly.
3. Try to repeat the sequence of commands you performed before
the problem occurred. See if this causes the same response by your
computer.
4. Press the F1 key to access the Help window. You can search for a
solution to your problem once the Help window appears.
5. If there is an error message, record the full message for future
reference.
6. Restart your computer to see if it clears the problem. To restart
your computer, open the start window and select the Restart
button instead of the Log Off button.
7. If restarting the computer does not clear the problem, shut
down the computer and then start it back up again.
8. If the issue is still not resolved, check the common technology
issues below or call your system administrator.

4. Common Solutions for Technology Issues
Issue: The printer is not working.
1. Check if the printer is turned on. If not, turn it on and
try again.
2. Check if the printer has a paper jam. If so, remove the
paper, close the printer, and try printing again.
3. Ensure that all printer cables are properly connected.
4. Turn off the printer and turn on again.
5. Check to see if a new printer driver is needed. Do this
by going to the manufacturer’s website to search for
your printer model and checking for any updated driver.
Seek assistance from your system administrator before
installing any drivers.

5. Issue: The computer is frozen. A program is not
responding.
Push the Ctrl, Alt, and Delete keys at the same
time. Then, start the Task Manager, highlight the
program’s name, and hit the End Task button.
Perform a hard reboot by simply pressing the
on/off button to turn off the computer manually.
This action should only be done as a last resort if
you have an unresponsive program or critical
error. This process could cause data loss or
corruption.
Once the computer is responding again, run a
virus check.

6. Issue: The keyboard is not working.
Make sure the keyboard is connected to the
computer. If not, connect it to the computer.
If you are using a wireless keyboard, try changing the
batteries.
If one of the keys on your keyboard gets stuck, turn
the computer off and clean with a damp cloth.
Use the mouse to restart the computer.

7. Issue: New hardware or software is working
incorrectly.
Verify your computer meets the requirements of the
program or utility.
Uninstall and install the program.
There could be a conflict with another installed program
and you should contact your system administrator.

8. Issue: The mouse is not working correctly.
Check if the mouse is securely plugged into the
computer. If not, plug it in completely.
Check to see if the cord has been damaged. If so, the
mouse may need replacing.
If you are using a cordless mouse, try pushing the
connection button on the underside of the mouse to
reestablish a connection.
Clean the mouse, especially on the bottom.

9. Issue: The computer is slow.
Restart your computer.
Verify that there is at least 200-500 MB of free hard drive
space. To do so, select Start and click on My Computer or
Computer. Then highlight the local C drive by clicking on it
once. Select the Properties button at the top left-hand
corner of the window; this will display a window showing
how much free and used space you have. If you need to
recapture space:
- Empty your recycle bin by right-clicking on the Recycle Bin
icon (usually on the desktop), then selecting Empty Recycle
Bin.
- Check your mail files. Remove any large attachments and
delete unused mail.
- Images and videos take up a lot of space, so consider
moving those to an external drive.

10. - Remove temporary files from the Internet. To do so:
o Click Start button | My Computer or Computer.
o Click Open Control Panel at the top of the window.
o Click Network | Internet |Internet Options.
o Select the General tab and click Delete under
Browsing History.
- Perform a disk cleanup. To do so:
o Click Start button | My Computer or Computer.
o Highlight the local C drive by clicking on it once.
o Select the properties button at the top left of the
window.
o Go to the General tab and select Disk Cleanup.
o Once the Disk Cleanup finishes running, click on Clean
up System Files; this will delete any unnecessary
system-related files from your local disk.

11. - Information in computer files changes often, resulting
in gaps or spaces within the file. This takes up more
space on the computer and can cause the computer to
slow down. To reclaim these gaps in space, run disk
defrag. To do so:
o Click start | My Computer or Computer.
o Highlight the local C drive by clicking on it once.
o Select the properties button at the top left of the
window.
o Go to the Tools tab and select Run Defragmentation.

12. Old or unused programs that aren’t being used may still
have components running behind the scenes when you
start your computer, which can slow down the system.
You can prevent these programs from running when
you start your computer by removing unused shortcuts
and turning off unused program services.
- Remove unused shortcuts from Windows startup
o Click Start button | Select All Programs | Click Startup
o Right-click the shortcuts that you do not use and click
delete

13. - Disable unused program services
o Click Start button | Control Panel | Administrative
Tools | Services
o For each program/service that you are certain that
you do not need, click on the Service to highlight it,
click the Stop link to stop the service from running,
then double-click the service, choose Startup Type of
Disabled, and click OK.

14. Run a virus scan to remove potential viruses that can slow down your
computer.
Issue: The browser’s homepage suddenly changed.
This is a common symptom that a virus or browser hijacker may have
infected the computer.
Try re-setting the home page to the default:
o In Internet Explorer:
On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
Click the General tab.
In the Address box, type the Web address you want for your home page.
Click OK.
o In Mozilla Foxfire:
Open the web site you want to set as your home page.
Click the icon to the left of the web address and drag it to the Home
button.
Click Yes.

15. If the home page still reverts back to the “new” page,
do an Internet search using keywords that include the
name of the “new” homepage and the word “virus.” If
there is a virus, this search may reveal more information
on the virus and how it can be safely removed.
Run a virus scan.

17. The Power-On Self-Test, and error codes Cont..
If something is wrong with your computer, an
error code will be displayed on the top of
your screen. For example, any error between
201 and 299 means that there is a problem
with your RAM memory; any error between
601 and 699 means there is a problem with
your floppy disk drive and/or floppy disk
controller. You will be prompted to press the
"F1" key to continue booting the computer;
normally, you will want to power-down the
PC and repair the problem before continuing
to use it.

18. The Power-On Self-Test, and error codes Cont..
On newer computers, these error codes may be
replaced with English-language error messages,
such as A Keyboard error or no keyboard
present. However, many manufacturers still use
error code messages to report hardware
problems. This forces the consumer to haul the
computer into the repair shop, because they
dont understand the meaning of the error codes.
On the course DVD, there is an exhaustive list of
IBM-compatible error codes and what each code
means. For the A+ examination, you simply need
to memorize the major error code categories
shown in the list above.

19. What happens if the computer just
beeps at you?
You may also hear a series of beeps when you
turn on the computer, IF SOMETHING IS
WRONG. Normally, you hear only one short
beep. The one short beep (or two short beeps if
you have a Compaq computer), indicates that
the POST has completed, and it found no
hardware errors with the tested components. If
there are hardware problems AND the PC
cannot display an error code or message to the
screen, the computer will beep in a predefined
series of beeps to indicate exactly what is wrong
with your PC. This beeping is not random, and it
can instruct you about exactly what is wrong
with your PC.

20. What happens if the computer just
beeps at you? Cont..
Here are some of what the most common DOS Audio
Error codes mean:
 No display, no beeps: No power
 Continuous beep: Power supply failure
 Repeating short beeps: Power supply failure
 Two beeps: Unspecified problem; read message on
screen for further details (such as keyboard error,
drive misconfiguration)
 One long and two short beeps (or three short beeps,
or eight short beeps): Display adapter (video card)
failure

21. Steps in the boot process Cont..
2) As POST checks your computer, it looks to a record of
data stored in CMOS RAM that tells what kinds of
components are in your PC. Specifically, it records what
type of video card, floppy drives, hard disk, memory
and so forth are contained in your PC. POST will test
your computer based on what it believes is in your PC.
If the information is missing or incorrect, the PC will
not recognize or use certain components in your
system. It is important to keep a record of what
specifically is inside your computer, and that you have a
record of what is written into CMOS RAM.

22. Steps in the boot process Cont..
3) If POST finds that there is a problem with
your PC, it will display an error message or an
error code that tells specifically what is wrong
with the unit. If it cannot display such a
message, it will beep in a specific pattern that
indicates exactly what is wrong. If everything
is OK with the computer, POST will sound one
beep to the system speaker, indicating that all
of the tests passed normally with no errors.

23. Steps in the boot process Cont..
4) The ROM BIOS will then look to the boot sector of either a
floppy disk or a hard disk to find the boot loader program of
your operating system. If it cannot find this file in that
location, the PC will give an error message to the screen.
When it does find the file, it loads the file into RAM, and then
your operating system takes charge of the computer. NTLDR
is the boot loader program for Windows NT through
Windows 7. Linux uses a program called GRUB to begin its
boot process.

24. Steps in the boot process Cont..
6) Then, WINLOGON.EXE and EXPLORER.EXE are
loaded; these programs provide the user interface
common to Windows, and also allow you as a user to
log onto the system. If any of these steps do not
occur in a normal manner, your PC may not boot up
as you would expect. Knowing the steps in the boot
process will help you when trouble-shooting or
analyzing problems with your PC.

25.  FOR MORE RESOURCES VISIT:
 https://icict.abu.edu.ng/staff/mohammed-suleiman/teaching.html

26. Thank You