04. Troubleshooting Hardware Problems

Question 1

System shuts down unexpectedly

Answer 1

Try to find out what was happening at the time of the shutdowns to pinpoint an application or device causing the problem. Possible sources of the problem are overheating, faulty RAM, the motherboard, or the processor.

Question 2

System shuts down unexpectedly and starts back up

Answer 2

Begin by checking the system for overheating. Is the processor cooler fan working? Go to BIOS/UEFI setup and check the temperature of the processor. When the processor overheats and the system restarts, the problem is called a processor thermal trip error.

Question 3

System locks up with an error message on a blue screen

Answer 3

These Windows errors are caused by problems with devices, device drivers, or a corrupted Windows installation. Begin troubleshooting by searching the Microsoft website for the error message and a description of the problem.

Question 4

System locks up with an error message on a black screen

Answer 4

These error messages on a black background, such as the one shown here, are most likely caused by an error at POST. Begin by troubleshooting the device mentioned in the error message.

Question 5

System freezes or locks up without an error message

Answer 5

If the system locks up without an error screen and while still displaying the Windows Start screen or desktop, the problem is most likely caused by an application not responding, also called an application crash. Sometimes you’ll see the Windows pinwheel indicating the system is waiting for a response from a program or device. Open the Windows Task Manager utility and end any application that is not responding. If that doesn’t work, restart Windows.

Question 6

POST code beeps

Answer 6

One or no beep indicates that all is well after POST.

However, startup BIOS/UEFI communicates POST errors as a series of beeps before it tests video.

Search the website of the motherboard or BIOS/UEFI manufacturer to know how to interpret a series of beep codes. You might need to restart the system more than once so you can carefully count the beeps.

Question 7

No power

Answer 7

If you see no lights on the computer case and hear no spinning fans, make sure the surge protector or wall outlet has power. Is the switch on the rear of the case on? Is the dual-voltage selector switch set correctly? Are power supply connectors securely connected? Is the power supply bad?

Question 8

Blank screen when you first power up the computer, and no noise or indicator lights

Answer 8

Is power getting to the system? If power is getting to the computer, address the problem as electrical. Make sure the power supply is good and power supply connectors are securely connected.

Question 9

Blank screen when you first power up the computer, and you can hear the fans spinning and see indicator lights

Answer 9

Troubleshoot the video subsystem. Is the monitor turned on? Is the monitor data cable securely connected at both ends? Is the indicator light on the front of the monitor on?

Question 10

BIOS/UEFI loses its time and date settings
“CMOS battery low” error message appears during the boot.

Answer 10

The CMOS battery is failing. Replace the battery.

Question 11

System reports less memory than you know is installed

Answer 11

A memory module is not seated correctly or has failed. Begin troubleshooting memory.

Question 12

System attempts to boot to the wrong boot device

Answer 12

Go into BIOS/UEFI setup and change the boot device priority order.

Question 13

Fans spin, but no power to other devices

Answer 13

Begin by checking the power supply. Are connectors securely connected? Use a power supply tester to check for correct voltage outputs.

Question 14

Smoke or burning smell

Answer 14

Consider this a serious electrical problem. Immediately unplug the computer.

Question 15

Loud whining noise

Answer 15

Most likely the noise is made by the power supply or a failing hard drive. There might be a short. The power supply might be going bad or is underrated for the system.

Question 16

Grinding noise

Answer 16

Most likely the noise is made by the ball bearings of a fan. Using compressed air to clean all the fans might fix the problem, but you might have to replace a failing fan.

Question 17

Clicking noise

Answer 17

A clicking noise likely indicates the magnetic hard drive is failing. Replace the drive as soon as possible.

Question 18

Intermittent device failures

Answer 18

Failures that come and go might be caused by overheating or failing RAM, the motherboard, the processor, or the hard drive.

Begin by checking the processor temperature for overheating. Then check RAM for errors and run diagnostics on the hard drive.

Question 19

Distended capacitors

Answer 19

Failed capacitors on the motherboard or other circuit board are sometimes distended and discolored on the top of the capacitor. Replace the motherboard.

Question 20

Possible error messages:

• No boot device available
• Hard drive not found
• Fixed disk error
• Invalid boot disk
• Inaccessible boot device or drive
• Invalid drive specification

Answer 20

Startup BIOS/UEFI did not find a device to use to load the operating system. Make sure the boot device priority order is correct in BIOS/UEFI setup. Try booting from a bootable USB flash drive or DVD. If this works, begin troubleshooting the hard drive.

Question 21

Possible (Windows) error messages:

• Missing operating system
• Error loading operating system

Answer 21

Windows startup programs are missing or corrupted.