Tools For Troubleshooting

Question 1

Muiltimeter

Answer 1

• AC Voltages
  
  • Check wall outlet voltages
• DC Voltages
  
  • PC power supply output voltages
  • CMOS battery power
• Continuity
  
  • Cable connectivity
  • Fuse status
  • Wire mapping

Question 2

Troubleshooting Outlets

Answer 2

• Don’t touch leads of multimeter together
  
  • You’ll short the circuit

-When in doubt call a licensed technician

Question 3

Power Supply Tester

Answer 3

• Check the power supply without the motherboard load
  
  • Quick red / green light
• LCD panel can show voltages
  
  • Check standard ATX power values
• Relatively inexpensive
  
  • Easier than a multimeter , faster too

Question 4

Loopback Plugs

Answer 4

Useful for testing physical ports

-Serial / RS-232 (9 pin or 25 pin)

Network connections
-Either , T1 , Fiber

• These are not crossover cables
• Single device

Question 5

POST Card / USB

Answer 5

• Detailed diagnostics during POST
  
  • LED numbers & letters
• External Card
  
  • Connects to PCI / PCI Express / Parallel
  • Powered via USB
• Built-in to motherboard
  
  • Easy to troubleshoot