Scribd
Upload
36 views

Troubleshooting Basics

The document provides 5 common-sense techniques and strategies for solving common computer hardware problems: (1) Use a trial-and-error approach by swapping out components one at a time; (2) Ensure all cables are firmly connected as cable issues cause over 70% of problems; (3) Troubleshooting can be frustrating so take breaks and don't spend too much time on any one problem; (4) Take notes on steps tried and error messages to help solve the problem; (5) Open the computer case to check connections but power down and unplug first for safety.

Uploaded by

PAUL GONZALES
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
36 views

Troubleshooting Basics

The document provides 5 common-sense techniques and strategies for solving common computer hardware problems: (1) Use a trial-and-error approach by swapping out components one at a time; (2) Ensure all cables are firmly connected as cable issues cause over 70% of problems; (3) Troubleshooting can be frustrating so take breaks and don't spend too much time on any one problem; (4) Take notes on steps tried and error messages to help solve the problem; (5) Open the computer case to check connections but power down and unplug first for safety.

Uploaded by

PAUL GONZALES
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 17

TROUBLESHOOTING

BASICS
1. Restart

 The first step when encountering


any computer problem is to stop
what you’re doing and restart the
process. If a particular program is
causing a problem first try
restarting the application.
Restarting the computer is the next
step.
2. Reinstall

 Ifa software application is


particularly troublesome, uninstalling
and reinstalling the application and
any related application is a good
choice for easy resolution.
3. Reformat

 Reformatting may seem a severe


step, but if you haven’t invested a
lot of time in a computer,
reformatting is a quick and dirty
way to solve a lot of problems.
4. Elimination

A good way to resolve almost any


problem is to close or remove
anything that is not absolutely
necessary to the process. Remove
one option at a time to find what
may be causing the problem.
5. Testing

 Testing
software or hardware on
another computer or taking known
working hardware from another
computer to try out on the
problematic computer can help
narrow down what may be broken.
TECHNIQUES & STRATEGIES

“5 common-sense techniques and strategies


to solve common computer hardware
problems.”
(1)Trial-and-error

 Personal computers are highly modular


by design. The most powerful trouble-
shooting technique is to isolate the
problem to a specific component by trial-
and-error. Swap compatible components
and see if the system still works. Try
different peripherals on different
machines and see if the same problem
occurs. Make one change at a time.
(2) “ It’s the cable”

 More than 70% of all computer


problems are related to cabling and
connections. Ensure all cables are
connected firmly. IDE and floppy
ribbon cables and power cables can
often go loose. Ensure
microprocessor, memory modules,
and adapters such as video card and
sound card are inserted correctly and
didn’t ‘pop-up” during transportation.
(3) Don’t be frustrated!

 Don’t be afraid of computer problems. It is open


the best opportunity to learn. Trouble-shooting is
part of the fun of owning a computer. Imagine
the satisfaction you could get by solving a
problem yourself.

Of course the fun could ran out quickly once you


are frustrated and have spent too much time on
the same problem. If you feel frustrated, it’s time
to leave it for a while and go back with some new
ideas or call someone who can help. Rule of
thumb: You shouldn’t spend more than three
hours on the same problem at one time.
(4) Take notes!

 Take notes of what you have done


and all the error messages. You may
need to use them later. For instance,
when you see an unusual blue screen
with an error message, copy the
entire message onto a piece of paper.
In many situations, that message
may point to the right direction in
getting the problem solved quickly.
(5) Take a look?

 It’sOK to open a computer case and


take a look inside. There is only 5V
and 12V DC voltage supplied to the
components outside the power
supply. Those who have never seen
the inside of a computer are often
amazed by how simple it looks. Of
course, still always power down and
unplug the power cord first.
Fundamental Rules of
Troubleshooting
 Sometimes rebooting can resolve certain
computer problems
 Check simple things first

 Make backups before making changes

 Approach the problem systematically

 Make no assumptions

 Write thing down


When troubleshooting problems with
your computer there are some guidelines
that, when followed, may save you time
and effort in finding and correcting the
problem you are having. It is best to
troubleshoot problems whose cause are
unknown by starting with the most basic
components of your computer and working
toward the more complex components.
The term hardware refers to the physical
components of the computer. When
troubleshooting an error such as failure to power
on, keyboard or mouse failure, failure to connect
to the network, or printer failure , check all
physical connections to the computer and its
peripherals. If all of the connections are secure,
boot the computer to the windows desktop and
right-click on the My Computer icon . A drop-
down menu should appear . Select the
Properties option at the bottom of the menu.
You should see the System Properties control
panel appear. Select the Hardware tab from the
tabs across the top of the window. Click on the
button marked Device Manager.
This lists all of the hardware connected to your
computer and shows the status of the connected
devices.
If any of the devices that appear in the list
have a red X, yellow ! Or ? Beside them,
they are either disabled or do not have the
appropriate driver installed for the device.
Disabled devices ( marked with a red X )
may be enabled by right-clicking on the
Properties option, then selecting. Use this
device (enable) from the drop- down menu
at the bottom of the dialogue box. Devices
that do not have the appropriate driver
(marked with a yellow ! Or ?) may require
the download and installation of the .driver.

You might also like