Chapter Eight

Troubleshooting
Windows Problem
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Outline

 Fixing problems caused by Hardware's

 Fixing problems caused by Software's/ Applications
 Troubleshooting windows startup problems
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Fixing problems caused by Hardware

 A hardware problem is classified as a fault in an actual component or

in the configuration of that component leading to issues with the
computer.
 It is distinct from a software problem, which is normally caused by
defect in software/operating system.
 Hardware faults are normally more difficult to cure as they usually
require case to be opened up and investigated, rather than just
applying a software patch.
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When will a PC fails to Work?

 A change has been made to the System.

 New device installed
 New software installed
 An important files has been deleted for some reason.
 The PC is too old
 The PC is brand new or a newly assembled one. In both case a
component may be missing or it may be wrongly fixed.
 Poor power supply, keyboard or mouse.
 Power went wrong (high may be).
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The “R” solutions

 If a file is deleted (only delete not shift+delete) and you want to

recover it go to Recycle Bin.
 If a program is missing, use System Restore and restore the system
to previous restore point.
 If an application is not working save all files in another location
and Reinstall the application.
 If your Hard disk or flash asks you to format it, format it and use a
Recovery Software to restore your files.
 If your system crashed and you have organized it with new
operating system Restore files from a Backup set.
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Is it a Hardware or software
Problem?
A) Hardware B) Software
 A printer stops working.
 A printer prints from a word program but not from Adobe.
 PC locks up when you open the same program again and again.
 Computer shuts off itself half an hour after you start running any
program.
 CD-ROM drive no longer slides open.
 Enter key doesn’t work.
 Mouse stops working on only one program.
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Common Hardware Problems

 More than 70% of all computer problems are related to cabling and
connections.

 Ensure all cables are connected and connected firmly. IDE and
floppy ribbon cables and power cables can often go loose.

 Ensure microprocessor, memory modules, and adapters such as

video card are inserted correctly and didn't "pop-up" due to
vibration.
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Common Hardware Problems
 System has no power at all.
 Power light does not illuminate,
fan inside the power supply
does not turn on,
and indicator light on keyboard
does not turn on.
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Common Hardware Problems
 System inoperative. Keyboard lights are on, power indicator lights are lit,
and hard drive is spinning.
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Common Hardware Problems
 Screen is blank.
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Common Hardware Problems
 Screen goes blank periodically.
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Common Hardware Problems
 Keyboard failure.
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Common Hardware Problems
 Keyboard is locked, no keys function.
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Common Hardware Problems
 Cannot boot system after installing second hard drive.
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Common Hardware Problems
 No color on screen.
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Fixing problems caused by Software

 Replacing Missing DLL Files

A Dynamic-Link Library (DLL) file is essentially a unique function that
developers can include with their applications. These files contain
instructions for the computer and OS (operating system). If one of these files
is missing, it can cause a lot of problems.
The best way to deal with missing DLL files is to rely on the System File
Checker - an integrated Windows utility. It will scan the system files on your
computer’s main hard drive and check to see if anything is missing or
corrupted.
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Fixing problems caused by Software

 Applications Not Installing

If an application or piece of software is not installing on your
computer, it typically means one of two things. Either the
application is not compatible with your particular operating
system, or the software has requirements your computer does not
meet.
Always compare the minimum system requirements necessary to
run software with the specs of your computer. If you don’t meet
those requirements, then you simply cannot run the program
without upgrading.
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Fixing problems caused by Software

 Applications Not Installing

Sometimes, it may be because your computer doesn't have
enough hard drive space. If this is the case, you need to free up
some space. This is one of the computer problems that's, well,
least problematic. You can free up some hard drive space by
getting rid of files and folders you don't need. These may be
temporary files, duplicate files or data for software you've
uninstalled.
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Fixing problems caused by Software

 Abnormal Applications Behavior

Your application has been working just fine, but now, seemingly without
reason, it is doing something strange.
 For instance, your Word document will no longer show the top margin of
your document. It still says it's there, and when you print it, there's not a
problem. You just can't see it on your monitor. If this is happening, you may
want to restart your computer. Conducting an internet search for the type
of problem you're experiencing or consulting your user manual may help
you as well.
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Fixing problems caused by Software

 Applications Run Slowly

There are several reasons software might be running at turtle
speed. You may have computer problems that involve your
operating system or an application, your operating system might
be missing updates or your computer doesn't have enough hard
drive space or RAM.
If you don't have enough hard drive space, you can scan, clean
and optimize your hard drive. And if you don’t have sufficient
memory you have to upgrade your memory.
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Fixing problems caused by Software

 Windows does not detect all of the RAM I have installed

This issue, which can be a problem with computers that have four gigabytes
of Random Access Memory (RAM) or more, is evident in the System window.
Instead of listing the proper amount of RAM, Windows will list that some
smaller amount is installed, most likely a number between three and four
gigabytes.
The system information will likely say“32-bit Operating System.” To address
four gigabytes of RAM or more, you must have Windows 64-bit installed. You
will need to re-install Windows with a 64-bit installation disk to resolve the
problem.
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Question Based Troubleshooting
Problem One
Display is Black.
Solutions
1. Power
1. Check power
2. Check power connector to Case and Monitor
3. Check the Battery (Laptops)
2. Monitor
1. Check connection b/n PC and Monitor
2. Check brightness and Contrast setting
3. System Unit
1. Check the lights of the drive
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Cont’d

4. Short on motherboard, bad power supply.

5. Verify all the Expansion slot are placed properly
6. Try unplugging & disconnecting everything except motherboard, PC
speaker and Video card.
7. Try different power supply
8. Replace RAM
9. Try different CPU
10. Replace Motherboard
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Problem Two
The system is booting but no display
Solutions
1. Check monitor is on.
2. Check monitor is connected to PC.
3. Check for brightness & contrast
4. Change VGA Slot
5. Replace Video card
6. Replace Monitor
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Problem Three
The system emits a series of beeps
Solutions
Check the beep codes in the motherboard manual.
Problem Four
The screen displays a numeric error code. (Rare case-only in Modern system)
Solution
Check the codes in the mother board manual.
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Problem Five
System Restarts after loading the OS
Solutions
1. Try log in with safe mode
 Remove any lastly loaded software
 Recover the system to previous restore point
2. Remove any newly added Hardware
3. Check the fans. (Power supply, case and Processor)
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Problem Six
Blue screen with an error message
Reason
Most likely case after power failure.
Solution
Use a bootable disk to recover
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Problem Seven
Missing a file message
Solution
1. Use a bootable disk to recover
2. Coping the missing file
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Problem Eight
Non-System Disk error
Solutions
1. Check the FDD
2. Check the Flash Drive
Problem Nine
Windows was not properly shut down
Solutions
Restart the computer
Automatically starts scandisk
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Problem Ten
Not enough Memory or Insufficient Memory-Virtual memory
Solutions
1. Closing Windows
2. Restart/Reboot
Problem Eleven
No sound comes from the system
Solutions
1. Check for Mute (software & Hardware)
2. Check the Device Driver for the Sound Card
3. Restart System
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Problem Twelve
Machine/System is freezing
Solutions
1. Close applications using task manager
2. Reboot the system
Problem Thirteen
System asks for the date and time always
Solution
Change the CMOS battery
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Problem Fourteen
When I'm opening a web browser what I'm seeing is an advert/ offensive
page, a pop up page and etc.
Reason
An ad software is installed in your system
Solution
1.Change the your Home page address back.
2.Try to remove an known process from the task manager.
3.Disable unknown programs form msconfig startup files.
4.Download an anti spyware and malware software and scan your
system.
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Problem Fifteen
When I'm running a program it displays an error code.
Reason
Missing component or already running process
Solution
1. Try to run a missing component. E.g. start server before running server
script program.
2. Close pervious result windows or end executions.
3. Install missing component.
4. Use a stable version software.
5. Reinstall the software.
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Problem Sixteen
Device is not recognized (extra Hard drive, CD & Floppy drive, Flash, etc)
Solution
Check the following
 driver for the device. There will be a yellow “?” mark in device manager
for that device if not installed or corrupted. Red “X” for disabled.
 is power on or not if applicable. (digital camera)
 the cable connection b/n the device and the system.
 power connection or battery for the device.
 the device if it is a working one.
 Change a port (for external device) or slot (for internal device).
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Problem seventeen
I can’t see the start menu and any of the icons on desktop.
Solution
1. Press Ctrl+Alt+DelTask managerfile new task(run
…)type “explorer” hit Enter. If an error message displayed
the file has been deleted or altered.
2. Restart the system.
3. Restore or Recover your system.
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Troubleshooting windows startup problems

 Start Repair is a Windows recovery tool that can fix certain system
problems like missing or damaged system files. If Windows fails to start
properly, you can often use the startup repair tool to troubleshoot it.
 Here are how to use the built-in Windows recovery tool.
3 Ways to Run a Startup Repair to Fix Windows Startup Problem
1. Run a Startup Repair from Advanced Startup Options
2. Run a Startup Repair from Windows Installation disc or USB Drive
3. Run a Startup Repair from System Recovery Options
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1. Run a Startup Repair from Advanced Startup Options

 If you are experiencing trouble booting into Windows, you can access the
advanced boot options menu, and then run a Startup Repair to
troubleshot it. Here's how:
 Step 1: Boot to Advanced Startup Options.
 If you are unable to boot into Windows, you can boot to advanced
Startup Option from Hard Reboot like this: Press and hold the power button
on your PC until it powers off. Press the power button on your PC to turn it
on. Repeat power on and off your PC until you see the Windows logo
screen or Please wait during boot.
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1. Run a Startup Repair from Advanced Startup Options
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1. Run a Startup Repair from Advanced Startup Options

When displayed, click on See advanced repair options.

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1. Run a Startup Repair from Advanced Startup Options

 Step 2: Click Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Repair.

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1. Run a Startup Repair from Advanced Startup Options

Step 3: If prompted, select the OS you want to perform a startup

repair on. Select an administrator account, type in the password
for the selected account. If you have not set password for
Administrator, leave it blank, and click on Continue.
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1. Run a Startup Repair from Advanced Startup Options

Step 4: Startup Repair will now start Diagnosing your PC, and attempt to
automatically repair it.
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2. Run a Startup Repair from Windows Installation disc or USB
Drive

If Startup Repair option at boot cannot automatically repair your

computer, you can run startup repair from Windows Installation disc or USB
drive.
Step 1: Insert Windows installation USB drive into your computer and then
set computer boot from USB drive.
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2. Run a Startup Repair from Windows Installation disc or USB
Drive

Step 2: On Windows 8 or 10 or 11, click the “Repair your computer” in the

installer screen.
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2. Run a Startup Repair from Windows Installation disc or USB
Drive

Step 3: Then select Troubleshoot > Startup Repair to run startup repair.

On Windows 7, click a Repair your computer link, and then Windows will run
the startup repair tool.
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3. Run a Startup Repair from System Recovery Options

• If you haven't already created a system repair disc or recovery

drive, you can do so from another computer running the same
version of Windows. Windows PC allow you to create a USB
recovery drive or burn a recovery disc.
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3. Run a Startup Repair from System Recovery Options

Once you have a system repair disc or recovery drive, do as

follows:
Step 1: Insert a system repair disc or recovery drive into the PC
that your want to repair.
Step 2: Set your computer boot from the disc or USB drive.
Step 3: Choose an installed version of Windows, and then select
Startup Repair from the recovery options screen.
Startup Repair will now scan your computer to attempt to find
and fix any startup problems
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3. Run a Startup Repair from System Recovery Options

Alternatively, you can use System Restore to recover your computer using a
system image backup that you've created previously.
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End of Chapter 8