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HARDWARE TROUBLESHOOTING

Troubleshooting Process

Define your symptoms
Identify and isolate problems
Replace or repair
Retest to see if the problem has been solved
Is the problem solved if not return to service

When dealing with users
Eliminate the users as the problem
Check connection first
Determine if its a hardware or software problem?
Software Configuration problem (most common)
Hardware problems harder to detect

KISS method - Keep it short and simple
Always use this method to methodically determine in fixing a computer problem

Top 10 Troubleshooting Steps

1. Define the Problem
2. Check the simple stuff first
3. Check to see if it's User Error
4. Reboot the Computer
5. Determine if its Hardware or Software Related
6. Determine which component is failing
7. Go to the website
8. Read the Manual
9. If ain't broke don't fix it
10. Ask for help if all else fails

POST

POST or Power On Self-Test
1. Power Supply turned on sends electrical signals to CPU
2. CPU wakes up and runs and invokes the BIOS boot up program
3. CPU sends signals to system bus
4. CPU checks system timer or real time clock
5. POST test video
6.POST test memory (memory amount is run)
7. CPU verifies keyboard
8. POST send signals to floppy and hard disk
9. POST compares results with CMOS setup
10. POST checks BYOB and now is ready to boot up OS

POST visual Errors
This will show up on your computer as visual error codes

Error Range Component with Error

1xx Motherboard
2xx RAM or Memory
3xx Keyboard
5xx Video Color
6xx Floppy Drive
7xx Math Co-Processor
9xx LPT1
10xx LPT2
11xx COM 1
12xx COM 2
17xx Hard Disk
3xxx NIC
86xx Mouse

POST audio Errors
Your will hear these error codes when your computer boots up

Error Code Faulty Component

1 Short Beep: (Normal Boot)
2 Short Beeps: POST error
No Beeps: Speaker broken, turned off, Power Supply or Motherboard
Non Stop Beep Power Supply or Motherboard
Non-Stop continous short beeps Usually Keyboard
1 Long Beep 1 Short Beep: Motherboard
1 Long Beep 2 Short Beeps: Video
1 Lonb Beep 3 Short Beeps: Video or Memory

DISK BOOT FAILURE

Cause:

This issue could be caused by any of the following possibilities.

Boot options are not set properly in CMOS
Non bootable CD or CD-R in computer
All boot devices set are not bootable

CMOS

CMOS problems check battery (especially dealing with mix match time and date)
Forget CMOS password (Remove CMOS battery or clear CMOS Jumpers found on motherboard)
CMOS Checksum error (Battery is dying time to replace it)
CMOS password is use to (protect startup and system setup)
CMOS configuration mismatch error (erase CMOS setting and reconfigure)
CMOS Chip failure (Test CMOS chip and replace)
ESCD (extended system configuration data) makes the BIOS communicate with PnP devices

CD/DVD ROM
CMOS settings setup
ATAPI
Master/Slave settings
Molex Power connector
Pin 1 closest to molex and match on IDE controller
Audio cable connects to motherboard or sound card
Eject inoperative CD by inserting paper clip on CD eject hole
Clean CD with special cleaner or wipe center out
Buffer Underrun is inability of CD/DVD to burn properly

CPU
Problems with heat
5 Minute shut down
Irrational Behavior of computer
Listen for fan for breakdown
Keep air case tight
CPU Compatibility
Not Seated properly
Bent or damage pins
Overclocking

MEMORY
ESD (low and high humidity)
Fried Memory cannot be mixed
Parity Errors or ECC Errors
SIMMS must be installed in pairs
RIMMS must be all installed or CRIMMs must be needed in in unvacated RIMM slots
General Protection Fault
Not enough memory
NMI -Non Maskable Interrupt will cause BSOD
No Video (Reseat memory)
Memory speeds set in CMOS Setup
Virtual Memory (Page fault)
Chip Creep - Thermal expansion and contraction

MOUSE
Dirty
Clean with Q-TIP
IRQ and Drivers needed

FLOPPY DRIVES
Check Cable Connection
Verify CMOS Configuration must be set to A or B drive (enable)
Reverse cable light will always be on
Not accessible cannot detect floppy drive
Abort, Retry, Fail (Non system disk) or disk bad or needs cleaning
No OS (Start up disk)
Check boot sequence
Invalid drive
Drive letter determine by position of cable

HARD DRIVES
CMOS Settings (Auto Detect)
Cable Connections (line up pin one)
Verify Jumper Settings
12 Volt power cable what usually PC uses
Molex connector
ATA/33 (40 wires) ATA/66 and higher (80 wires)

SOUND CARD
Check IRQ, DMA, and I/O
Check Cables to sound
Check Drivers

VIDEO CARDS ADAPTER
No video
Make sure video card is properly installed
Make sure drivers are installed
History, CGA, EGA, VGA, SVGA and XGA
Must conform to monitor Specifications
VGA-uses analog video signals
DAC-digital to analog signals

MONITOR
CRT
Non-Interlaced
Resolution Mode (800 by 600)
Refresh Rate (60HZ and higher)
Check the monitor controls (brightness or contrast)
Flickering (Refresh rate or monitor is bad)
Greenish color (Bent pins or monitor going bad)
Never work on monitors unless qualified very high voltage!!!!!!!!!

Power Supply
Check AC in 110volts
Check Fan
This can affect entire system
Suddenly reboots on its own
Make sure has enough watts

Parallel Ports and Serial Ports
CMOS Settings
Use loop back test plug
IRQ settings (LPT and COM)
Make sure pin1 matches on AT motherboards

Trouble-Shooting tools
Multi-Meter can be used to test a fuse a good fuse will show a reading or 0 ohms
Reading 0 ohms means no resistance
Infinite ohms means there is a break
All fuses should read to zero
Test high voltage on highest settings or fry your motherboard
Test power supply voltage

Slot covers installed in Computer use for
Keeping dust out
Improving air flow

FRU-Field Replaceable Units
Anything you can carry to change parts in computer

Printers
Power on
Bad Drivers
No ink
Online not on
Not connected to network
Paper jam

Safety and Preventative Maintenance

Keeping System Clean
Dust, Hair
Circulation
Compress Air and Vacuums
Damp Cloth
Clean circuit boards with an Emery Cloth
Clean keyboard with damp water and soap also can use sillicone lubricants on keys

Environmental Hazards

Keep Machine cool and ventilated
Power Issues
Spikes - lightning
Surges- Surge Protector (UPS)
Sags-Brownout not enough power

Storage
Use anti-static bags
Keep away from magnets

Safety Procedures
Lasers (CD/ROM and Laser they can blind you)
High voltage equipment
Power Supply
CTR (Monitor)
3 Prong male (gets hot)
Turn off computer and ground yourself

Special Disposal Items
Batteries
Monitors
Toner Cartridges

Computer Fire
Use a class C fire extingusher

MSDS-Material Safety Data Sheets-are white pages that contain information about any substance that is deemed hazardous, most notably cleaning solvents. Its purpose is to inform employees about dangers inherent in hazardous materials and the proper use of these items to prevent potential injuries from occurring.