 Effective

troubleshooting uses
techniques to diagnose
and then fix computer
problems.
 A series of logical steps
speeds up the
troubleshooting process.
 Rarely will simply
guessing potential
solutions for a problem
work.
 Troubleshooting is a
cycle.
 This step should provide a clear problem
statement that defines the problem as a set
of symptoms and associated causes.
 This is done by identifying the general
symptoms and then determining the possible
causes that could result in these symptoms.
 The outcome of this step should be a written
set of ideas and possibilities.
 The information gathered here will be used to
develop a solution to the problem.
 A technician will be able to make better
decisions when the problem has been
accurately described.
 The technician will assess the gathered data
and its definition.
 The technician will use experience, logic,
reasoning, and common sense to develop a
solution.
 This step involves the technician working on
the computer.
 The technician attempts their solution through
hands-on manipulation of the computer
components, which might be hardware and
software.
 The technician is responsible for verifying that the
system is operating correctly.
 If the system is operating properly, then the
troubleshooting cycle ends successfully.
 If the system is not running correctly, the
troubleshooting cycle will continue.
 If the technician needs more information, go back to
identifying the problem (step one).
 It is important to always document all the
changes that were introduced to the system as
a result of solving one problem.
 This record can be the starting point for
troubleshooting any future problems.
 Every technician should have a good
toolset.
 To correctly troubleshoot hardware
problems, technicians will need to be
equipped with the right tools.
 The average computer problem is not going
to require sophisticated tools.
 Is your computer plugged in?
 Have you checked all the cords?
 How about other connections?
 Unseated cards
 Do you have ink or toner on the printer?
 Have you changed a configuration or
installed some software or device lately?
 USB insertion does not work
 Boot sequence problem
 Reboot
 My monitor is blacked out.
 Solution:
 make sure the monitor is turned on. Try pressing
the power button on the monitor again.
 Check to see if it is in sleep mode. Move the mouse
around or press the enter key or TRY PRESSING
THE SPACE BAR SEVERAL TIMES TO WAKE
COMPUTER FROM SLEEP MODE
 If the green light is not in front, check the power
cord connecting the monitor into the outlet.
 If the green light is on, check the brightness level
by using the buttons on the monitor.
 Check the cable connection from the monitor into
the computer or the equipment that links your
computer to the TV monitor.
 If you still have some problems, call your help desk.
 Troubleshooting Tips for a New Motherboard

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.

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.

PROBABLE CAUSE DIAGNOSIS SOLUTION

Power cable is Visually inspect power Make sure power cable

unplugged. cable. is securely plugged in.

Visual inspection, try

Defective power cable. Replace cable.
another cable.

Power cable and wall Contact technical

Power supply failure. socket are OK, but support
system is still dead.

Use different socket,

Faulty wall Plug device into socket
repair outlet, reset
outlet;circuit breaker or known to work and
circuit breaker or
fuse blown. test.
replace fuse.
 I don’t have any sound
 Solution: Check the cord in the back of the
computer to see if the speakers are plugged
into the computer.
 Plug in your speaker cable and then try
adjusting the volume control (the speaker
icon) on the task bar.
 Make sure it is not set to mute. Click on the
sliding tab should make a sound.
 If you are in the middle of running a
particular application and this occurs, try the
following:
 Hold down the Ctrl Key and the Alt Key at the
same time and then tap on the Delete Key. You
will be given a dialog box.
 Look and see if you see in parenthesis by the
application you are working on the following
words. i.e.: not responding) If you see this, then
highlight the name of the application by clicking
on it and then select END TASK from the choices
in the box below. It may take a few minutes to
comply. You may see another box saying the
application isn’t responding. Click on END TASK
and it will shut down that particular application.
 Ifthe Control/Alt/Delete combination
doesn’t work, then press the power button
on your machine until the power is off.

 Wait till the green light on your monitor

turns amber before turning it on again.
When you reboot, windows should be
working well again.
 First check the cable. Unplug it from the
computer and the outlet. Re plug in both
sides and try booting it again.
 Check the wall outlet. Plug something else
into the outlet and see if it works.
 Turn the system off and wait 30 seconds
and then try again.
 Reach behind the machine and see if you
feel air blowing out of the power supply. If
you do, then you know the machine is
getting some power.
 Make sure the keyboard is connected to
the computer. If not, connect it to the
computer.  If you are using a wireless
keyboard, try changing the batteries.
  If one of the keys on your keyboard
gets stuck, turn the computer off and
clean with a damp cloth.
  Use the mouse to restart the
computer.
 Mice are prone to bad performance mainly because
of dust and dirt corroding the components.
 Maintain a clean environment and clean the mouse
frequently for optimal performance.
 Optical mouse need cleaning of its bottom
every now and then too.
 Issue: The mouse is not working correctly
 Check if the mouse is securely plugged into
the computer. If not, plug it in completely.
  Check to see if the cord has been damaged.
If so, the mouse may need replacing.
  If you are using a cordless mouse, try
pushing the connection button on the
underside of the mouse to reestablish a
connection.
  Clean the mouse, especially on the bottom.
  Check if the printer is turned on. If not, turn it on
and try again.
  Check if the printer has paper. If not, put paper
in the paper tray and try printing again.
  Check if the printer has a paper jam. If so,
remove the paper, close the printer, and try
printing again.
  Ensure that all printer cables are properly
connected.
  Turn off the printer and turn on again.
  Check to see if a new printer driver is needed.
Do this by going to the manufacturer’s website to
search for your printer model and checking for
any updated driver. Seek assistance from your
system administrator before installing any drivers.
 IS THE NETWORK CABLE PLUGGED IN
TIGHTLY AT BOTH ENDS?
 IS THERE A GREEN LIGHT FLASHING WHERE
THE CABLE PUGS INTO THE COMPUTER? IF
NOT, THERE MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH THE
CABLE OR THE WALL PORT
 IS ANYONE ELSE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE?
IT MAY BE A GENERAL OUTAGE
 TRY ANOTHER ACCESS POINT IN THE ROOM
 FOR WIRELESS NETWORK:
 ARE YOU CONNECTED TO THE CORRECT
NETWORK? (GUEST)
 IS YOUR WIFI ON THE COMPUTER TURNED
ON?
 Networking
 These
are things to look for if a PC will not
connect to the internet
 First check to see if the cable connecting the
network card into the network drop is connected
to the drop and to the computer.
 Check the back of the computer to see if the
network card light is on.
 Check to see if the site you are trying to pull up
is at fault by typing in a common URL to see if it
will make it out to that site.
 Check to see in anyone else’s machine is having
problems. If everyone is, then it could be your
entire office or household block having
difficulties. Call your ISP.
 if the internet connection is off in a particular
place only, a switch connection could be down or
bad.
 If there is only one machine having problems
and the light on the network card is not on, try
plugging another machine that works into that
drop. It could be that particular drop is bad, or
plug the machine that doesn’t seem to work into
a different drop to see if it would work there.
 Verify your computer meets the
requirements of the program or utility.
  Uninstall and install the program.
  There could be a conflict with another
installed program and you should
contact your system administrator.
 Restart your computer.
  Verify that there is enough free hard
drive space. To do so, select Start and
click on My Computer or Computer. Then
highlight the local C drive by clicking on it
once. Select the Properties button at the
top left-hand corner of the window; this
will display a window showing how much
free and used space you have. If you
need to recapture space:
 - Empty your recycle bin by right-clicking
on the Recycle Bin icon (usually on the
desktop), then selecting Empty Recycle
Bin.
 Check your mail files. Remove any large
attachments and delete unused mail. -
Images and videos take up a lot of space,
so consider moving those to an external
drive. - Remove temporary files from the
Internet.
 To do so: o Click Start button | My
Computer or Computer.
 o Click Open Control Panel at the top of the
window.
 o Click Network | Internet |Internet Options.
 o Select the General tab and click Delete
under Browsing History.
 Perform a disk cleanup. To do so: o Click
Start button | My Computer or
Computer.
 o Highlight the local C drive by clicking
on it once.
 o Select the properties button at the top
left of the window.
 o Go to the General tab and select Disk
Cleanup.
 o Once the Disk Cleanup finishes
running, click on Clean up System Files;
this will delete any unnecessary system-
related files from your local disk.
 Information in computer files changes often,
resulting in gaps or spaces within the file.
This takes up more space on the computer
and can cause the computer to slow down.
 To reclaim these gaps in space, run disk
defrag.
 To do so:
 o Click start | My Computer or Computer.
 o Highlight the local C drive by clicking on it
once. o Select the properties button at the
top left of the window.
 o Go to the Tools tab and select Run
Defragmentation.
 Old or unused programs that aren’t
being used may still have components
running behind the scenes when you
start your computer, which can slow
down the system.
 You can prevent these programs from
running when you start your computer
by removing unused shortcuts and
turning off unused program services.
 Remove unused shortcuts from
Windows startup
 o Click Start button | Select All Programs
| Click Startup o Right-click the shortcuts
that you do not use and click delete
 Disable unused program services

 o Click Start button | Control Panel |

Administrative Tools | Services
 o For each program/service that you are
certain that you do not need, click on
the Service to highlight it, click the Stop
link to stop the service from running,
then double-click the service, choose
Startup Type of Disabled, and click OK.
 Run a virus scan to remove potential
viruses that can slow down your
computer.
 ARE POWER CABLES CONNECTED
TIGHTLY TO ALL DEVICES?
 ARE POWER CABLES PLUGGED IN TO A
POWER SOURCE?
 IF YOU ARE USING A SURGE PROTECTOR
POWER STRIP, HAS IT TRIPPED?
 UNPLUG THE COMPUTER COMPLETELY
FROM THE POWER SOURCE, WAIT 5
MINUTES, THEN RECONNECT AND TRY
AGAIN.
 ARE YOU TYPING YOUR USERNAME AND
PASSWORD CORRECTLY?
 ARE CAPS LOCK OR NUM LOCK ON?
TURN THEM OFF
 MAKE SURE THE LOGIN BOXES ARE
EMPTY – eliminate SPACES IN THE
USERNAME BOX - WHICH ARE INVISIBLE.
 Every time the computer is turned on, it runs
through a Power-On Self-Test (POST).
 The POST is a series of self-diagnostic tests
that the computer runs through to test the
major hardware.
 The POST performs basic test routines on the
motherboard and major hardware devices.
 It does not perform in-depth testing on the
computer system.
 It can only detect major failures that will
prohibit the bootup process.
 BEEP CODES
The beep pattern is telling you what part of the hardware is
failing. Unfortunately there are different standards for the beep
pattern and you will have to refer to your motherboard's user
manual for the meaning of it. And most common beep codes and
error are as follows.

BEEP DESCRIPTION

1 Short Beep Normal POST,

computer is ok.
Continuous Beep RAM Problem

One Long and Three Short Beeps. Indicates a video

error has occurred
and the BIOS
cannot initialize
the video screen to
display any
additional
Problem CONTINUOS THREE BEEPS
Solution Problem in RAM Connection.

Problem THREE BEEPS ( 1 Long 2 Short)

Solution Problem in Display Card
Connection

Problem THREE LONG BEEPS PERIOD

WISE
Solution Problem in BIOS or RAM (Basic
Input Output System)

Problem CONTINUOS NON-STOP

BEEPING
Solution Key Board Problem (I.e.; Some
 The complementary metal oxide
semiconductor (CMOS) or non-
volatile random access memory
(NVRAM) stores the systems startup
configurations and parameters.
 To access the CMOS setup utility,
press the setup key during the boot
process.
 The setup key must be pressed
early in the boot process, or the
system will load the installed OS.
 The CMOS setup key is usually F1,
F2, or Delete.
 Clearing the CMOS memory is useful
when the computer will not boot at all.
 The easiest way is to clear memory is to
remove the CMOS battery.
1. Turn off the power on the computer.
2. Remove the CMOS battery from the
motherboard.
3. Short the negative and positive
connections (terminals) of the battery
location on the motherboard
4. Replace the CMOS battery in its original
position on the motherboard.
5. Turn the power on (reboot) the system.
 A BIOS upgrade can include patches, fixes,
additional features, and additional support for
the latest devices that should resolve any
problems.
 Special consideration must be taken before
upgrading the BIOS.
 The motherboard is required to have flash BIOS
and it must support the upgraded version.
 The BIOS chip also needs to support the
upgrade version number.
 Only when these criteria are met can the BIOS
be successfully updated.
 Symptoms of a processor error can include
slow performance, POST beep errors, or a
system that is not operating properly.
 These errors usually indicate an internal error
has occurred.
 Most CPUs will have an onboard fan.
 This provides cooling directly to the CPU.
 CPUs must be set to receive the correct
voltages to run properly. Motherboards that
use Socket 5, Socket 7 or Super Socket 7 chips
need to use voltage regulators.
 Typically, the voltage regulators are built into
the board.
 They must be set at the proper voltage, or the
CPU can be damaged.
 ERROR MESSAGE MEANING SOLUTION
400 – Bad Request The uniform resource Make sure the URL
locator (URL) is not you typed is correct
accepted or
incorrect. The server
contacted may be
non existent or you
are not allowed to
access this page.
401 – Unauthorized These are sites that If you have the
require authority to authority to access a
enter. In the US some site, i.e. if you have a
.gov sites will only password, then use
allow users coming it. Carefully and
from .gov or .edu to correctly type it to
access ot. Otherwise, gain access.
no access will be Otherwise do not
granted. access it if you do not
have any authority.
 ERROR MESSAGE MEANING SOLUTION
403 – Forbidden This page or Solution is the
document is same as error
password number 401
protected or your
domain is not
allowed access
404 – not found The server you are Verify the URL that
contacting cannot you typed. Try
find the document again. If it does not
or page you are work, try other
looking for. It may links on the site
no longer exist or which are working
you typed a wrong just to check if the
URL links do work at all
 ERROR MESSAGE MEANING SOLUTION
550 – xxxxxxxxxx This means that Check all
is not a known you reached the characters to see if
user site’s email server you typed it
but unfortunately correctly. Try also
either the user is email address
not connected finding tools to
there or there is no verify if the email
user under that address is correct.
name
Bad File Request The form Try another
requested is either browser to see if
not supported by the problem is still
your browser or there. Otherwise,
there is an error. send an email to
the webmaster to
notify him of this
error.
 ERROR MESSAGE MEANING SOLUTION
Cannot add form This error occurs The Save As
submission result when a save command to save
to bookmark list request is issued a page may do the
and try to trick instead of
bookmark the book marking
resulting form. This immediately. The
means that even saved form can be
though it is valid opened again after
URL, it cannot be it is saved then
reused to put in you can add it to
your bookmark list. your bookmark list.
Connection refused The host server If you have a
by host does nor permit password, try
your domain to retyping it slowly
enter. It may be again checking
password each character to
protected too. try to enter the
 ERROR MESSAGE MEANING SOLUTION
Failed DNS lookup The URL you typed Retype the URL.
is not valid and Try also reloading
cannot be resolved the page. If both
by the domain does not work,
name system. then maybe DNS
really does not
exist.
File contains no The site does not Wait for a while as
data have web pages on the page is being
it. This may also uploaded. Try
show when you again. If it does not
access the site as work now, try
it is being some other time.
uploaded.
 ERROR MESSAGE MEANING SOLUTION
Helper application Sound files, movie, Sometimes, there
not found clips, graphics, ZIP will be a dialog box
archive files, or indicating that a
any other type of helper application
file you may be is needed for this
trying to download file to show up.
is not supported by Download this file
your browser. to allow your
browser to support
this file.
Host unavailable This may mean Try clicking the
that the server is Reload button on
offline or down for the toolbar. If it
maintenance does not work, try
again some other
time.
 ERROR MESSAGE MEANING SOLUTION
Host unknown The server you are Try clicking on the
contacting is not Reload button.
connected or has Sometimes, there
lost connection. is a lapse in the
The URL typed internet
may also be connection. Try
incorrect. also retyping the
URL.
Network This is a generic Try clicking the
connection was message to say Reload button and
refused by the that the limit of the hope you can
server number of people connect. If it is not
allowed to connect possible, then try
to a server is too again some other
busy time.
 ERROR MESSAGE MEANING SOLUTION
NNTP server error NNTP (Network Try clicking the
News Transfer Reload button on
Protocol) is the the toolbar. If it
predominant does not work, try
protocol used by again some other
computers for time.
managing the
notes posted on
newsgroups. An
NTTP server is a
part of your
Internet Service
Provider’s
software, so if this
error occurs the
software may be
malfunctioning or
 ERROR MESSAGE MEANING SOLUTION
Permission denied The site may be busy Observe correct
or FTP is not allowed procedure for
when you are uploading and
connected to an FTP downloading files.
Site for uploading or Keep trying to upload
downloading files. or download.
Otherwise contact
the site’s webmaster
to report this
problem.
Too many You may need to wait Try clicking the
connections – try for your turn since Reload button on the
again later the limit of the toolbar. If it does not
number of work, try again some
connections to this other time.
server has been
exceeded.
 ERROR MESSAGE MEANING SOLUTION
Too many users Webmasters may Keep trying. Try
have set the clicking Reload
number of users to button on the
a website. It may toolbar. If it does
have reached the not work, try again
limit. some other time.
Unable to locate The site is either The internet may
host or server down or under have an
maintenance. intermittent
Connection to this problem. Check
server may have you r internet
been lost. connection too and
try again. Check
also if you have
typed a correct
URL.
 ERROR MESSAGE MEANING SOLUTION
Viewer not found This file type Try getting the
cannot be viewed viewer or try
with your browser. loading the file
using another
browser.
You can’t log on as This is for Try again to
an anonymous connection to and connect. Make
user FTP server. sure you have the
Anonymous access correct username
is not allowed as and password.
indicated.
 Keep a backup
 Secure passwords
 Maintain your hard disk
 Clear the cache
 Update your anti-virus and anti-spyware
definitions
 Clean up
 New equipment
 Changing start-up programs using
mscongfig
 Changing PC registry configuration
using regedit
 Set power saving options
 Put PC in well-ventilated area
 Schedule use of computer for its longer
life
 Move PC only when it is turned off and
unplugged
 Delete programs using uninstall utility
 Treat your computer properly
 Daily
 Update virus and spyware definitions
 Do incremental backup
 Reboot upon crash
 Weekly
 Do a full virus and spyware scan
 Complete backup
 Patch up
 Utility suite
 Monthly
 Clean your PC
 Defrag
 Yearly
 Check your programs
 Make a full diagnostic check
 For overall health. Doing maintenance
on your peripherals calls you to turn off
the power of your PC.
 Check also the surroundings of your
computer for sources of moisture and
dust
 Direct exposure to heat ducts and
sunlight must also be avoided for your
computer
 External Casing
 For the casing
 Clear the case and its ventilation ducts by wiping
it with a cloth or using a dust remover.
 For the mouse
 Clean the bottom of the mechanical mouse by
unscrewing the bottom ring to remove the ball
and scrape the gunk on the rollers of the mouse.
 For the keyboard
 Turn the keyboard upside down and shake it to
cleat dust and dirt in between the keys. Blast
some compressed air to dislodge those hard to
remove dust and dirt. Vacuum the in betweens
of the keyboard.
 For the monitor
 Clean the screen of your monitor with glass
cleaner and lint-free cloth.
 For power sockets
 Check out what you plugged to your AVR. Reseat
them to refresh their connections. Use cable ties
to clean up your cables.
 For the CD/DVD media from readers/writers
 Each disc can be cleaned with the moistened
cloth. Start to wipe from the middle going
outwards. Do not wipe in circular motion.
 Internal parts
 For all the insides
 Unplug the power cord before you open the
computer. Spray the components with
compressed air to dislodge the dust gathered.
 For daughter cards
 Daughters can also be cleaned by unseating
them, cleaning the contact points with some
isopropyl alcohol and let dry if they are very old.
If the cards are quite new, an eraser will remove
the dust that gather at the contact points. A
small point brush will brush off the dust at the
slot on the motherboard on the daughter card.
 For the CMOS
 A computer’s clock that loses time is an indicator
a CMOS battery falling.
 For the motherboard
 Aside from dusting the motherboard, carefully
seat daughter cards, battery and power plugs on
the motherboard to be sure not to bend it too
much. Check the spacers if they are all in place
and not corroded too.
 For the wires
 A tie wire or a simple extra wire can tie the
power supply wires to tidy up. By tidying it up,
you will be able to clearly see the insides of the
computer and do proper maintenance.
 For the floppy /CD/DVD drives
 Check the power and cable connections to see
that they are fully plugged and the wires of the
cable is not broken or connected to corroded
parts.
 Preventive maintenance is predetermined
work performed to a schedule with the aim
of preventing the wear and tear or sudden
failure of equipment components.
 It is a schedule of planned maintenance
actions aimed at the prevention of break
downs and failures.
 Preventive maintenance refers to performing
proactive maintenance in order to prevent to
system problems. It is a service given for the
purpose of maintaining equipments and
facilities in satisfactory operating conditions
by providing systematic inspection detection
and correction of failures either before they
occur or before they develop into major
defects
 Is conducted to keep working and /or
extending the life of the equipment
 Conducted to get equipment working
again sometimes called repairing
 To prevent the failure of equipment
before it occurs.
 Preserve and enhance equipment
reliability by replacing worm
components before they actually fail.
 Protect assets and prolong the useful
life of production equipment
 Improve system reliability
 Decrease cost of replacement
 Decreases system downtime
 Reduce injury