INFORMATION SHEET 4.3.

Identifying common symptoms and problem associated with each devices

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After reading this INFORMATION SHEET, YOU MUST be able to:
1. Identify different symptoms and problems associated with each device
2. Know the possible cause its symptoms.

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COMMON SYMPTOMS AND PROBLEMS OF THE HARDWARE

SYMPTOMS POSSIBLE CAUSE

Computer appears locked up and Software control of the power switch
will not turn off when the power is not functional.
button is pressed.

Computer will not respond to USB Computer is in standby mode.

keyboard or mouse.

System has locked up.

Power supply shuts down Voltage selector switch on rear of
intermittently. computer chassis (some models) not
switched to correct line voltage
(115V or 230V).
Power supply will not turn on
because of internal power supply
fault.
POWER SUPPLY
Computer powered off Processor thermal protection
automatically and the Power LED activated:
flashes Red two times, once every A fan may be blocked or not turning.
second, followed by a two second OR
pause, and the computer beeps
The heatsink is not properly
two times. (Beeps stop after fifth
attached to the processor.
iteration, but LEDs continue
flashing.)
Power LED flashes Red four times, Power failure (power supply is
once every second, followed by a overloaded).
two second pause, and the
computer beeps four times. (Beeps
stop after fifth iteration, but LEDs
continue flashing.)

HARD DISK DRIVE Hard disk has bad sectors or has

Hard drive error occurs. failed.
Disk transaction problem. Either the directory structure is
bad or there is a problem with a
file.
Drive not found (identified). Cable could be loose.
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 The system may not have
automatically recognized a newly
installed device.
Drive not found (identified). Drive responds slowly immediately
after power-up.
Nonsystem disk/NTLDR missing The system is trying to start from a
message. diskette that is not bootable.
The system is trying to start from
the hard drive but the hard drive
may have been damaged.
Nonsystem disk/NTLDR missing Bootable hard drive's controller is
message. not listed first in the Boot Order.
Computer will not start. Hard drive is damaged.
VIDEO DISPLAY
Monitor is not turned on and the
Blank screen (no video). monitor light is not on.
Bad monitor.

The cable connections are not

correct.
You may have a screen
blanking utility installed or energy
saver features are enabled.
System ROM is corrupted; system is
running is Boot Block Emergency
Recovery Mode (indicated by eight
beeps).
You are using a fixed-sync monitor
and it will not sync at the
resolution chosen.
Computer is in standby mode.
Monitor cable is plugged into the
wrong connector
Monitor does not function Monitor without energy saver
properly when used with energy capabilities is being used with
saver features. energy saver features enabled.
Dim characters. The brightness and contrast
controls are not set properly.
Cables are not properly connected.

Blurry video or requested If the graphics controller was

resolution cannot be set. upgraded, the correct graphics
drivers may not be loaded.
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 Monitor is not capable of displaying
requested resolution.
Graphics card is bad.

“No Connection, Check Signal Monitor video cable is disconnected.

Cable” displays on screen.
“Out of Range” displays on screen. Video resolution and refresh rate are
set higher than what the monitor
supports.
SOUNDS Processor resources are being used
Sound cuts in and out. by other open applications.
Direct sound latency, common in
many media player applications.
Sound does not come out of the Software volume control is turned
speaker or headphones. down.
Sound from headphones is not Headphones are plugged into the
clear or muffled. rear audio output connector. The rear
audio output connector is for powered
audio devices and is not designed
for headphone use.
PRINTER
Printer will not print. Printer is not turned on and online.
The correct printer drivers for the
application are not installed.
If you are on a network, you may
not have made the connection to
the printer.
Printer may have failed.
Printer will not turn on. The cables may not be connected
properly.
Printer prints garbled information. The correct printer driver for the
application is not installed.
The cables may not be connected
properly.
Printer memory may be overloaded.

KEYBOARD Keyboard connector is not

Keyboard commands and typing properly connected.
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are not recognized by the
computer.
Program in use has stopped
responding to commands.
Keyboard needs repairs.

Wireless device error.

MOUSE
Computer is in standby mode.
Mouse does not respond to Mouse connector is not properly
movement or is too slow. plugged into the back of the
computer.
Program in use has stopped
responding to commands.
Mouse may need cleaning.

Mouse may need repair.

NETWORK Wake-on-LAN is not enabled.

Wake-on-LAN feature is not
functioning.
Network driver does not detect Network controller is disabled.
network controller.
Incorrect network driver.
Network status link light never No active network is detected.
flashes.

The network status light is supposed to

flash when there is network
activity.
Network controller is not set up
properly.
Network controller is disabled.

Network driver is not properly

loaded.
System cannot autosense the
network.
Diagnostics reports a failure. The cable is not securely connected.
The cable is attached to the
incorrect connector.
There is a problem with the cable or

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 a device at the other end of the
cable.
Network controller interrupt is
shared with an expansion board.
The network controller is
defective.
Diagnostics passes, but the Network drivers are not loaded, or
computer does not communicate driver parameters do not match
with the network. current configuration.
The network controller is not
configured for this computer.
Network controller stopped Network controller interrupt is
working when an expansion shared with an expansion board.
board was added to the
computer.
The network controller requires
drivers.
The expansion board installed is a
network card (NIC) and conflicts
with the embedded NIC.
Network controller stops The files containing the network
working without apparent cause. drivers are corrupted.
The cable is not securely connected.
Network controller stops working The network controller is defective.
without apparent cause.
New network card will not boot. New network card may be defective
or may not meet industry-standard
specifications.

Cannot connect to network server The network controller is not

when attempting Remote System configured properly.
Installation.
MEMORY
Out of memory error. Memory configuration may not be
set up correctly.
You have run out of memory to run
the application.
Memory count during POST is The memory modules may not be
wrong. installed correctly.
Integrated graphics may use system
memory.
Insufficient memory error during Too many Terminate and Stay
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operation. Resident programs (TSRs) are
installed.
You have run out of memory for the
application.
Power LED flashes Red five times, Memory is installed incorrectly or is
once every second, followed by a bad.
two second pause, and the
computer beeps five times. (Beeps
stop after fifth iteration but LEDs
continue flashing.)
PROCESSOR Processor is hot.
Poor performance is experienced.
Power LED flashes Red three times, Processor is not seated properly or
once every second, followed by a not installed.
two second pause.

ODD Removable Media Boot is disabled in

System will not boot from CD- the
ROM or DVD drive. Computer Setup utility.
Network Server Mode is enabled in
Computer Setup.
Non-bootable CD in drive.

Boot order not correct.

CD-ROM or DVD devices Drive is not connected properly or
are not detected or driver is not not properly configured.
loaded.
Movie will not play in the DVD Movie may be regionalized for a
drive. different country.
Decoder software is not installed.

Damaged media.

Cannot eject compact disc (tray- Disc not properly seated in the drive.
load unit).
CD-ROM, CD-RW, Media has been inserted upside
DVD-ROM, or DVD-R/RW down.
drive cannot read a disc or takes
too long to start.
The DVD-ROM drive takes longer to
start because it has to determine the
type of media played, such as audio or
video.

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 CD or DVD disc is dirty.

Windows does not detect the CD-

ROM or DVD-ROM drive.

Recording audio CDs is difficult or Wrong or poor quality media type.

impossible.

FRONT PANEL COMPONENT

A USB device, headphone, or
microphone is not recognized by Device is not properly connected.
the computer.
The device does not have power.

The correct device driver is not

installed.
A USB device, headphone, or The cable from the device to the
microphone is not recognized by computer does not work.
the computer. (continued)
The device is not working.

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 SELF CHECK 4.3.3
SELF CHECK WRITE POSSIBLE CAUSE(S)
1. Computer appears locked
up and will not turn off
when the power button is
pressed.

2. Computer will not

respond to USB keyboard or
mouse.

3. Power supply shuts down

intermittently.
4.

POWER SUPPLY
5. Computer powered off
automatically and the
Power LED flashes Red two
times, once every second,
followed by a two second
pause, and the computer
beeps two times. (Beeps
stop after fifth iteration but
LEDs continue flashing.)
6. Power LED flashes Red four
times, once every second,
followed by a two second
pause, and the computer
beeps four times.
(Beeps stop after fifth
iteration but LEDs continue
flashing.)
HARD DISK DRIVE
7. Hard drive error occurs.
8. Disk transaction problem.
9. Drive not found
(identified).
10. Network driver does
not detect network
controller.

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problems
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 ANSWR KEY 4.3.3
SYMPTOMS POSSIBLE CAUSE
Computer appears locked up and Software control of the power
will not turn off when the power switch is not functional.
button is pressed.

Computer will not respond to USB Computer is in standby mode.

keyboard or mouse.
System has locked up.
Power supply shuts down Voltage selector switch on rear of
intermittently. computer chassis (some models)
not switched to correct line
voltage (115V or 230V).
Power supply will not turn on
because of internal power supply
fault.
POWER SUPPLY
Computer powered off Processor thermal protection
automatically and the Power LED activated:
flashes Red two times, once A fan may be blocked or not
every second, followed by a two turning.
second pause, and the computer OR
beeps two times. (Beeps stop The heatsink is not properly
after fifth iteration but LEDs attached to the processor.
continue flashing.)
Power LED flashes Red four Power failure (power supply is
times, once every second, overloaded).
followed by a two second pause,
and the computer beeps four
times. (Beeps stop after fifth
iteration, but LEDs continue
flashing.)
HARD DISK DRIVE Hard disk has bad sectors or has
Hard drive error occurs. failed.

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Disk transaction problem. Either the directory structure is
bad or there is a problem with a
file.
Drive not found (identified). Cable could be loose.
Network controller is disabled.

Drive not found (identified). Incorrect network driver.

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 TASK SHEET 4.3-3

Title: Identifying common symptoms and its possible

causes

Performance Objective: Given are the following materials, you

should be able to create a maintenance plan for computer
devices. Allotted time 30 minutes.
Supplies/Materials : anti-static wrist strap, plier, screw
driver, bond paper, pencil
Equipment : working computer

Prerequisites: Disassemble and assemble computer

hardware

Trainer will prepare his selected troubleshooting scenario for you

to identify each symptom and the possible causes.
E.g. Trainer/Teacher will disable LAN network
adapter.

Steps/Procedure:
1. Read information sheet 4.3-3 Identifying Common
Symptoms and Problem Associated with Each
Devices
2. Analyze the given problem
3. Look for the possible causes and symptoms
4. Write down in 1 whole sheet of paper all sited problems.
5. Suggest some possible solutions and write it down
in your paper.

Assessment Method:
Demonstration,
Observation

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 Sample answer
sheet
Answer sheet 3.1

Name Date
Track/Course/Qualification CSS NC II

Problem Symptoms Possible causes Possible

E.g. USB port is not
solutions
E.g. Inserted USB drive is E.g. Disabled USB
functional readable Functionality E. g. Enable USB
function in
BIOS/UEFI Setting

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

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 Performance Criteria Checklist 4.3-3

Trainee’s Name: Date:

During the performance of the task, did you consider the following criteria?

Grade Point
Equivalent
NO
Highest
Possible Score
CRITERIA YES
=5
Lowest
Possible Score
=0
Did the trainee…
1. Carefully analyzed the
given problems?
2. Found the exact problem
and its causes?
3. Used and prepared answer
sheets based from the given
example?
4. Found the possible
solutions for the given
problems?
5. Applied and Performed
occupational health safety
procedures
6. Performed and followed
completely the given tasks?

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Total Points

Total Items

Signature of the
Trainee/Learner

Signature of the Trainer

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Grade Point Equivalent
The table shows the equivalent points that are used and show how they are
calculated to determine the grade point average (GPA), or index.
The highest equivalent points that trainer can give is 5 points per criterion
and the lowest is 0. If the trainee/learner accumulates scores with below two
(2) grade point equivalent, she/he needs to retake the whole given task.

Grade Point Explanation

Equivalent

5 Excellent

4 Very Good

3 Good

2 Average

1 Poor

0 Failure

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