Troubleshooting Computer Hardware

Question 1

Unexpected Shutdown

Answer 1

• No warning , black screen
  
  • May have details in your Event Viewer
• Heat related issue
  
  • High CPU or Graphics, Gaming
  • Check all fans & Heat sinks
  • BIOS may show fan status & temperatures
• Failing Hardware
  
  • Check device manager , run diagnostics
  • Eliminate what’s working

Question 2

Lockups

Answer 2

• System completely stops
  
  • Usually not much in Event Log
  • Similar to unexpected shutdown
• Checks for any activity
  
  • hard drive , status lights , try Ctrl - Alt - Del

-Update drivers & software patches

• Low resources
  
  • RAM , Storage - Hardware diganostics

Question 3

Power On Self Test

POST

Answer 3

• Test major system component before booting OS
  
  • Main systems (CPU , CMOS , etc)
  • Video
  • Memory
• Failures are noted with beeps and / or codes
  
  • BIOS versions can differ
• Don’t bother memorizing beep codes
  
  • Different between manufacturers
  • Know what to do when you hear them

Question 4

POST & BOOT

Answer 4

• Blank screen on boot
  
  • Bad video
  • Listen for beeps
  • BIOS configuration issue
• Attempts to boot to incorrect device
  
  • Set boot order in BIOS configuration
  • Confirm that start-up device has valid OS
  • Check for media in start-up device

Question 5

Continuous Reboots

Answer 5

• How far does the boot go before rebooting
  
  • BIOS only? OS splash screen
• Bad driver or configuration
  
  • F8 , “Boot from last known working Configuration”
• Try F8 , SafeMode
  
  • If system restarts , disable automatic restarts in system properties
• Bad Hardware
  
  • Check connections , remove / replace hardware

Question 6

No Power

Answer 6

• No power
  
  • No power at the source
  • No power from power supply
  • Use multimeter

-Fans spin - No power to other devices
-Where is fan connected
-No post - Bad motherboard?
-Fans require lower voltage requirements
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Question 7

Overheating

Answer 7

• Heat Generation
  
  • CPU , video adapters , memory
• Cooling systems
  
  • Fans & overflow
  • Heat sinks
  • Clean & clear
• Verify with monitor software
  
  • Built into the BIOS

Question 8

Loud Noises

Answer 8

• Computers should hum - Not grind
• Rattling - loose component
• Scraping - Hardware issues
• Clicking - Fan problem
• Pop - Blown capacities

Question 9

Intermittent Device Failure

Answer 9

-Sometimes it works / Sometimes it doesn’t

• Bad install
  
  • Check & reseat
  • Use all the screws
• Bad Hardware
  
  • Poor connection
  • Heat & vibration

Question 10

Indicator Lights

Answer 10

• POST codes on the motherboard
• Power
• Link light (network)
• Speed

Question 11

Smoke & Burning Smell

Answer 11

-Electrical problems

• Always disconnect power
  
  • Never should their be a burning odor
• Locate bad component
  
  • Even after system cool down
  • Replace all damaged components

Question 12

Crash Screen

Answer 12

• Windows stop error
• Blue screen of death
• Contains important information
  
  • Also written on Even Log

-Useful when tracking down problems

Question 13

Spinning Ball of Death (Apple)

Answer 13

• The Mac OS X spinning wait cursor
  
  • Something is happening
• Spin starts , but never stops
  
  • Restart to gain back control
• Many reasons
  
  • Application bug
  • Bad hardware
  • Slow paging to disk