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Purpose and Perspective of the Module 4

The purpose of this module is to covers a variety of different hardware issues that
students may encounter when working on a computer. Cooling methods for
computer cases are also discussed and students will be introduced to factors that
influence power supply usage. Common solutions to typical issues are presented, as
well as some basic steps for troubleshooting regardless of the type of issue.

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Module 4 Objectives
The following objectives are addressed in this module:
1. Describe the methods and devices for keeping a system cool
2. Select a power supply to meet the power needs of a system
3. Demonstrate an organized approach to solving any computer problem,
especially hardware problems occurring during the boot
4. Troubleshoot problems with the electrical system
5. Troubleshoot problems with the motherboard, processor, and RAM

COOLING METHODS AND DEVICES

1. Discuss the following general rules to cool the inside of a computer case:
a. Keeping the case closed
b. Cleaning the inside of the computer
c. Moving the computer

Processor Coolers, Fans, and Heat Sinks

1. Provide information on the role of a cooler, which consists of a fan and a heat
sink, and explain that coolers are typically made of aluminum and/or copper.

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Thermal Compound and Thermal Pads

2. Show students how to apply thermal compound to a processor and explain

how this helps to conduct heat away from the processor onto the cooler heat
sink.

3. Compare the benefits vs. drawbacks of thermal paste to that of a thermal pad
for cooling a computer case.

Case Fans, Other Fans, and Heat Sinks

4. Note that a cooler’s fan has a separate 4-pin connector that connects to the
motherboard for power. Students should understand that the proper
motherboard header should be used, so that the system can properly control
the fan speed.

5. Explain that larger case fans are often preferable to small fans, in that they
produce less noise and greater airflow.

6. Students should be aware of devices that produce the majority of heat in a

computer, such as the processor and graphics card. Discuss options for
lessening the impact of heat from these devices.

7. List options for cooling other devices in the computer, such as RAM coolers
and expansion slot fans.

Pro Tip

Processors often come packaged with approved coolers, but these

coolers are not always the best option. After market coolers and
heat sinks can sometimes provide better cooling capabilities than
stock coolers.

Liquid Cooling Systems

8. Discuss how a liquid cooling system functions similar to a radiator in a car by

circulating liquid and cooling it with fans.

9. Emphasize that while this solution produces less noise than system fans,
liquid is cooled be fans either inside or outside the case.

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SELECTING A POWER SUPPLY

10.Discuss what options exist for purchasing a power supply, noting that new
cases often come with the power supply already installed.

Types and Characteristics of Power Supplies

1. List some of the factors that should be considered when buying a power
supply, such as:
a. ATX or microATX Form factor
b. Wattage ratings
c. Number and type of connectors
d. Fans inside the PSU
e. Dual voltage options
f. Extra features (warranty / quality)

How to Calculate Wattage Capacity

11.Explain that video cards draw the most power from a power supply and draw
from the +12V output of a power supply.

12.Emphasize that a power supply should be rated as much as 30 percent higher

than anticipated power usage in order to ensure reliability.

13.Discuss some typical power usage ratings for various internal components,
such as hard drives, processors, and graphics cards. Use Table 4-2.

Pro Tip

Power supply wattage calculators exist online, and can be very

helpful in determining potential power use:

http://images10.newegg.com/BizIntell/tool/psucalc/index.html

STRATEGIES TO TROUBLESHOOT ANY COMPUTER PROBLEM

14.List the steps to determine the cause of a problem, as well as how to
reproduce the issue. Students should attempt to learn everything they can
about a system, as well as the existence of any backups prior to beginning
work. Use Figure 4-12 which diagrams the six-step method.

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15.Discuss possible sources of information regarding errors or solutions to
problems, such as: web sites, technical support, diagnostic software,
documentation or manuals, or other technically experienced coworkers.

16.Review the 13 rules for troubleshooting system issues as they relate to and
support the six-step method.
a. Rule 1: Approach the Problem Systematically
b. Rule 2: Establish Your Priorities
c. Rule 3: Beware of User Error
d. Rule 4: Keep Your Cool and Don’t Rush
e. Rule 5: Make No Assumptions
f. Rule 6: Try the Simple Things First
g. Rule 7: Become a Researcher
h. Rule 8: Divide and Conquer
i. Rule 9: Write Things Down
j. Rule 10: Don’t Assume the Worst
k. Rule 11: Reboot and Start Over
l. Rule 12: Use the Least Invasive Solution First
m. Rule 13: Know Your Starting Point

Step 1: Interviewing the User and Backing Up Data

17.Discuss the list of questions that can help students learn as much as possible
about a problem and its root cause.

18.Review the three options for backing up user data:

a. Use File Explorer to copy the data to another system
b. Move the hard drive to another system
c. Hire a professional file recovery service

Step 2: Examining the System and Making Your Best Guess

19.Discuss the process students can follow to form their best guess and test it:
a. Reproduce the problem and observe for yourself what the user has
described
b. Decide if the problem is hardware or software related
c. Make your best guess as to the source of the problem, and don’t forget to
question the obvious

20.Educate students on how to research possible sources of the problem and

find ideas and tips to try.

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Step 3: Testing Your Theory

21.Review the flowchart in Figure 4-16 to aid with troubleshooting. Elaborate on

the method of eliminating one major computer subsystem after another until
you zero in on the problem.

22.Use Table 4-4 to examine symptoms or error messages caused by hardware

problems and what to do about them.

Step 4: Planning Your Solution and Then Fixing the Problem

23.Review the suggestions that students should follow in order to plan their
solution and fix the problem.

24.Encourage students to incorporate information from the manufacturer’s

technical documentation in their repair plans.

Step 5: Verifying the Fix and Taking Preventative Action

25.Discuss the importance of verifying all is well with the system once the fix
has been applied.

26.Point out that after the user has verified all is working, ask “Could this
problem have been prevented?”. Instruct the user on what should be done to
prevent future problems.

Step 6: Documenting What Happened

27.Stress the importance of documenting the problem by recording your

findings, actions, and outcomes.

TROUBLESHOOTING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1. Describe how to identify and troubleshoot an issue that may be electrical in
nature. Students should know how to respond to issues that may be
hazardous, such as an electrical fire.

2. Encourage students to familiarize themselves with possible symptoms of a

problem with the electrical system:

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3. Provide basic instructions for troubleshooting electrical issues. For example,
students should test the equipment in different electrical sockets, as well as
check for loose connections.

4. Give students information on how to the safety steps necessary if initial

troubleshooting efforts fail and they need to open the computer case to
repair the power system.
a. Remind students to consider if opening the case will void a warranty that
may be in effect.

Problems that Come and Go

28.List symptoms of an intermittent problem that might occur as a result of an

issue with the electrical system. Discuss ways of troubleshooting this issue,
either by testing all devices in a system under load or by using a power
supply test device.

29.Elaborate on possible causes of an electrical issue. Students may find a faulty

power supply fan or a shorted component on a motherboard causing an
electrical issue.

30.Explain to students that some symptoms may appear to be electrical in

nature but could be caused by other components. Cover the tests that can be
used to eliminate the electrical system as the source of an intermittent
problem.

Power Problems with the Motherboard

1. Explain that a common cause of shorts on a motherboard is improper

grounding or an issue with the standoffs not keeping the motherboard from
contacting the case.

2. Discuss other signs of physical problems with a motherboard, such as

burned-out or exploded capacitors.

Problems with Overheating

1. Describe symptoms of a system that is experiencing overheating issues. A

computer might hang or freeze, or experience blue screen errors.

2. Provide information on how to identify and troubleshoot a computer that is

overheating. Students should be aware of resources, such as SpeedFan, a
utility software that can be used to get temperature sensor data and fan
speed data.

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3. Demonstrate how to check system temperatures within the BIOS/UEFI to

discover any issues with heat.

4. Note that a computer that has collected too much dust will probably
experience overheating issues due to the lack of proper airflow. Dust can also
clog system fans and prevent them from operating properly.

5. Stress the importance of proper cabling organization to ensure that airflow is

maintained inside the case.

6. Discuss proper airflow for computer cases and cover various methods used to
guide airflow, such as: replacing a fan, managing slot openings, maintaining
adequate space around the case, ensuring the cooler is properly connected,
updating the motherboard’s firmware, etc.

Pro Tip

Excessive heat can damage the CPU and the motherboard.

Computer systems should not be operated if cooling fans aren’t
working.

Problems with Laptop Power Systems

1. Discuss how laptops receive power from an AC adapter and store it in lithium-
ion battery packs.

2. Point out that some mobile users like to keep an extra battery on hand in
case the first one uses up its charge.

3. Discuss some of the problems students might encounter with laptop power
systems along with solutions.

TROUBLESHOOTING THE MOTHERBOARD, PROCESSOR, AND RAM

1. Explain what a field replaceable unit is and discuss how to troubleshoot
components by replacing them with known working components.

2. Review the symptoms that can indicate that a motherboard, processor, or

memory module is failing.

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3. Emphasize the importance of discovering any changes that may have
happened recently, prior to making major changes that could contribute to
the problem.

4. Discuss the steps that should be followed in order to eliminate Windows,

software, RAM, BIOS/UEFI settings, and other software and hardware
components as the source of the problem.

5. Note that drivers should be updated if they are out of date and if the problem
seems related to a specific piece of hardware, such as the video card.

6. Discuss the option of updating drivers of motherboard components. Note that

these drivers should be downloaded from the motherboard manufacturer’s
website.

Windows Startup Repair

1. Introduce students to the Startup Repair utility, which can be used to restore
many of the Windows files needed for a successful boot after continuous
restart errors.

2. Explain that Windows will try to automatically run the Startup Repair process.
Demonstrate how to manually run Startup Repair from the Windows 10/8
setup DVD or USB drive.

3. Give students instruction on how to proceed with checking hardware inside

the case and provide a list of steps to take in troubleshooting a possible
hardware issue, such as testing power supply output and visually examining
the motherboard for physical signs of failure.

4. Explain how a POST diagnostic card can be used to help identify issues during
the POST phase of booting a computer.

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Key Terms

AC adapter: A device that converts AC to DC and can use regular house current to
power a laptop computer.
auto-switching: A function of a laptop computer's AC adapter that enables it to
automatically switch between 110-V and 220-V AC power.
blue screen of death (BSOD): A Windows error that occurs in kernel mode, is
displayed against a blue screen, and causes the system to halt. The error might be
caused by problems with devices, device drivers, or a corrupted Windows
installation. Also called a stop error.
case fan: A fan inside a computer case that's used to draw air out of or into the
case.
cooler: A cooling system that sits on top of a processor and consists of a fan and a
heat sink.
discolored capacitor: An indicator of a failing motherboard; such capacitors might
have bulging heads or crusty corrosion at their base.
driver store: The location where Windows stores a copy of the driver software
when first installing a device.
Event Viewer: A Windows tool useful for troubleshooting problems with Windows,
applications, and hardware. It displays logs of significant events, such as a
hardware or network failure, OS failure, OS error messages, a device or service that
has failed to start, and General Protection Faults.
expert system: Software that helps to troubleshoot problems. It uses a database
of known facts and rules to simulate a human expert's reasoning and decision-
making processes.
lithium ion: Currently the most popular type of battery for notebook computers; it
is more efficient than earlier types.
Memory Diagnostic Tool: A Windows utility (mdsched.exe) used to test a
computer’s memory.
modular power supply: Also called a modular cable system, which includes
detached power cables that you can plug into connectors on the side of the unit.
processor thermal trip error: A problem in which the processor overheats and
the system restarts.

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redundant power supply (RPS): A device with two identical power supplies that
works by using one power supply at a time, although both are capable of supplying
the full power requirements of the equipment.
Startup Repair: A Windows utility that restores several Windows files needed for a
successful boot.
technical documentation: Digital or printed technical reference manuals that are
included with software packages and hardware to provide directions for installation,
usage, and troubleshooting. The information extends beyond that given in user
manuals.
thermal pad: An apparatus used to transfer heat by completely filling the gap
between the processor and cooling device.
thermal paste: Also called thermal grease or thermal compound - it is used to
transfer heat by completely filling the gap between the processor and the cooling
device.

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Additional Resources

Internet Resources
 Example of a Mineral Oil Cooled PC:
https://www.pugetsystems.com/submerged.php

 Using Event Viewer in Windows 10:

https://www.itexperience.net/2018/12/13/windows-event-viewer-in-windows-
10-how-to-use-it-correctly/

 How to Build a Custom Water Cooled PC: Beginner's Guide to Your First Open
Loop:
https://www.build-gaming-computers.com/custom-water-cooling-pc.html

 How Heat Sinks Work:

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/heat-sink.htm

 11 Ways to Keep Your Computer Cool:

https://www.lifewire.com/ways-to-keep-your-computer-cool-2624713

 Laptop and PC Failure Rates:

http://techgenix.com/laptop-and-pc-failure-rates/

 15 Common PC Problems and How to Troubleshoot Them:

https://www.hongkiat.com/blog/pc-hardware-problems-solutions/

 Four Common PC Problems and How to Fix Them:

https://www.lifewire.com/common-pc-problems-and-how-to-fix-them-2624457

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