PC Troubleshooting

TROUBLESHOOTING

Point wise troubleshooting

Problem 1

No display in computer screen

Causes

a)       Loose connection of monitor cable with VGA card.

b)       Display card not fixed properly on expansion slot.

c)       RAM chips not fixed on memory slot.

d)       CPU not fixed on CPU shocket.

e)       Resolution of monitor is setup in very high resolution, which is not supported by monitor such as 1024 × 1200 in Windows 95 & 98 platform.

f)        Display card may be damaged.

g)       SMPS does not supply accurate power.

h)       May be problem on monitor.

i)         Motherboard may be defective.

j)         Reburse connection of data cable on HDD (Hard Disk).

k)       Due to brightness & contrast button on monitor.

Solution

a)       Connect the monitor cable on display card with properly.

b)       Fixed properly your display card on expansion slot.

c)       Start your computer on safe mode by pressing F8 key on the keyboard on starting phase & reduce the windows resolution (recommended 800 × 600).

d)       Check hard disk & hard disk cable.

e)       Adjust brightness & contrast button on monitor.

Problem 2

No clear display

Causes

a)       Improper installation of display card drives.

b)       High resolution, which is not supported by monitor.

Solution

a)       Reinstall the display card driver software.

b)       Restart on safe mode & set resolution.

Problem 3

Continuous long beep sound when switch on the computer & no display.

Causes

a)       RAM do not fixed properly on RAM slot.

b)       Motherboard may be damaged.

c)       Display card does not fixed properly.

d)       Display card may be damaged.

Solution

a)       Fix RAM on RAM slot & restart.

b)       Change motherboard & restart.

c)       Check & fix properly.

d)       Change display card & check display.

Problem 4

Floppy drive (FDD) power lead glows continuously & FDD does not work.

Causes

a)       Data cable of floppy drive may have plugged in reverse direction.

b)       Not plugged power supply cable of floppy.

c)       FDD is not fixed in casing.

Solution

a)       Check data cable & connect correctly.

b)       Check & connect power connector in floppy drive.

c)       Fit the floppy drive or choose “Not installed floppy drive on BIOS setup.

Problem 5

Floppy cannot open.

Causes

a)       Floppy may be defective.

b)       Improper setting of floppy drive on BIOS setup.

c)       Floppy may be dirty/drive may be.

Solution

a)       Use new floppy.

b)       Check floppy drive setting & choose proper setting on BIOS setup.

c)       Run floppy drive head cleaner & may sure clean that & new floppy.

Problem 6

Hard disk fails.

Causes

a)       Data cable not connected properly.

b)       Data cable connected in reverse order.

c)       Not connected power cable on HDD.

d)       SMPS does not supply required voltage.

e)       Improper setting in BIOS setup for HDD.

f)        Improper setting on HDD for Master& Slave.

g)       Hard disk may be damaged.

Solution

a)       Check data cable & restart computer.

b)       Plug data cable on proper direction.

c)       Plug power connector of HDD properly.

d)       Check power voltage on SMPS (5V or 12V).

e)       Check proper setting on BIOS setup.

f)        Check & fix jumper setting.

g)       If hard disk is damage, it produces some unusual sound from computer. Replace it.

Problem 7

Floppy disk drive error

Potential causes

a)       Data cable of FDD may have plugged in reverse direction.

b)       Not plugged power supply cable on floppy.

c)       FDD is not fitted in the casing.

Solution

a)       Check data cable & connect properly.

b)       Check & connect power connector in floppy drive.

c)       Fit the floppy drive or choose “Not installed floppy drive on BIOS setup”.

Problem 8

Memory test fail.

Causes

a)       Improper setting the RAM on memory slot.

b)       Different types of memory chips used.

c)       Memory slot may be defective on motherboard.

d)       RAM may be damaged.

Solution

a)       Fix RAM in slot as properly.

b)       Use same type of memory chip on slot.

c)       Change other motherboard.

d)       Change other ok RAM & restart.

Problem 9

Processor does not detect properly.

Causes

a)       Improper jumper setting of motherboard.

b)       Improper selection of CPU speed on BIOS setup on CPU menu.

c)       Motherboard does not support current CPU speed.

Solution

a)       Do not remove & add any jumper on motherboard if needed, refer its manual. (It may create critical situation)

b)       Set CPU proper speed on BIOS setup.

c)       Fit the CPU, which is supported by motherboard.

Problem 10

Computer restarts itself frequently.

Potential causes

a)       SMPS does not regulate voltage properly.

b)       May be the problem of voltage fluctuation of our electricity system.

c)       Hard disk is full by data or no free space on HDD.

d)       Motherboard may be defective.

e)       CPU fan is not working properly.

f)        Processor may be damage.

Solution

a)       Check SMPS power by multi-meter.

b)       Use volt guard & UPS.

c)       Delete unnecessary data from hard disk to get free space.

d)       Change other motherboard.

e)       Change CPU cooler fan.

f)        Change other CPU.

Problem 11

Frequently hang the computer.

Causes

a)       Improper BIOS setting.

b)       Virus infection on computer program.

c)       May be memory mismatch.

d)       Conflict of one device with other device.

e)       Improper power output from power supply.

f)        Improper installation of drives of any device.

g)       Not enough free space on HDD.

h)       CPU fan not working properly.

i)         Motherboard may be defective.

j)         Not compatible peripherals with motherboard such as sound cards, display cards, modem & so on.

k)       Mismatch of RAM & display card.

l)         Corrupted any file of program or installed improperly.

m)       Bad sector found on hard disk.

n)       Some games create such problem.

o)       May be mouse & keyboard defective.

p)       Desktop resolution is higher than supported by your computer.

Solution

a)       Set all option as properly on BIOS setup.

b)       Scan your all drive by latest antivirus.

c)       Use same type of memory.

d)       Check device manager on the property of My Computer.

e)       Change or repair power supply unit.

f)        Install the proper driver software of device.

g)       Upgrade memory unit.

h)       Delete unnecessary file to increase free space on HDD.

i)         Change CPU fan.

j)         Change your motherboard.

k)       Use compatible card.

l)         Use same type of memory.

m)       Reinstall the program properly.

n)       Try to remove the bad sector by any program or change other hard disk.

o)       Remove those game & program.

p)       Change keyboard & mouse.

q)       Change that setting in lower order such as 600 × 800 pixels.

Problem 12

Computer slow

Causes

a)       Not enough memory for your program.

b)       Insufficient free disk space in HDD.

c)       Due to virus infection.

d)       Lower speed of CPU.

e)       Several programs are running at same time.

f)        Lots of application kept in start up.

g)       Cache memory disabled in BIOS setup.

h)       Low video memory in display card.

Solution

a)       Upgrade the memory.

b)       Delete unnecessary files or change other hard disk.

c)       Scan HDD by latest antivirus program.

d)       Upgrade the latest CPU.

e)       Do not open several program at same time.

f)        Remove the program from startup.

g)       Enable cache memory in BIOS setup.

h)       Use fine display card.

Problem 13

Mouse hangs

Causes

a)       Conflict the port setting.

b)       Not properly connected in motherboard.

c)       Dust in mouse ball.

d)       Mouse may be damaged.

Solution

a)       Choose empty port of mouse.

b)       Connect properly in motherboard.

c)       Clean the mouse ball & its housing.

d)       Change other fine mouse.

Problem 14

Modem does not work properly.

Causes

a)       Modem is not connected properly.

b)       Due to conflict in COM ports.

c)       Modem drive software not installed properly.

d)       Conflict on I/O address, port, with other device.

Solution

a)       Connect modem properly.

b)       Configure the COM ports properly for modem & other device such as mouse.

c)       Remove & reinstall the modem driver.

d)       Remove the confliction by changing IRQ & I/O address.

Problem 15

Do not generate sound or not clear sound.

Causes

a)       Not properly connected speaker with sound card.

b)       Sound card is not properly fixed on expansion slot.

c)       Sound card driver is not properly installed.

d)       Conflict sound card with other device.

e)       Audio cable is not connected between CD ROM & sound card.

f)        Volume levels are low or mute.

g)       Sound card may be damage.

Solution

a)       Connect the speaker properly.

b)       Fix the sound card properly.

c)       Install the driver software properly.

d)       Remove the confliction of other device.

e)       Connect the audio cable between CD ROM & sound card.

f)        Set volume levels properly & remove the tick mark of mute.

g)       Change the sound card.

h)       Change the speaker.

Problem 16

CD ROM does not work.

Causes

a)       Improper jumper setting.

b)       Dirty lens of CD ROM drive.

c)       Driver software is not installed properly.

d)       Improper cable connection between hard disk & CD ROM.

e)       Power cable connection is not properly.

f)        CD ROM drive is defective.

Solution

a)       Set the jumper setting properly (see on the front panel of CD ROM casing).

b)       Clean the CD ROM driver head by head cleaner.

c)       Install the CD ROM driver software.

d)       Connect cable properly.

e)       Connect power cable properly.

f)        Change other CD ROM drive.

Problem 17

CD is not reading properly.

Causes

a)       CD may be scratched.

b)       Lens of drive may be dirty.

c)       Speed of CD ROM driver is too slow.

d)       CD ROM may be defective.

Solution

a)       Use new CD.

b)       Clean the CD ROM’s lens.

c)       Use high speed driver such as 52X.

d)       Change the fine CD drive.

Problem 18

Printer does not print.

Causes

a)       Printer driver not installed properly.

b)       Printer connection cable may be loose.

c)       Printer is not online.

Solution

a)       Install printer driver properly.

b)       Connect the power cable tightly.

c)       Make sure that printer is on.

Problem 19

Unclear printing

Causes

a)       Print port may have defect.

b)       Printer driver mismatch.

c)       Data switch is defective.

d)       Your document may be attacked by virus.

Solution

a)       Change printer port.

b)       Install exact printer driver.

c)       Change data switch.

d)       Scan HDD with latest antivirus program.

Problem 20

Randomly printout document

Causes

a)       Printer head may be damage.

b)       Printer cartridge not installed properly.

c)       Due to a damage of driver transistor in printer main board.

Solution

a)       Change printer head.

b)       Install cartridge properly.

c)       Change transistor.

Problem 21

Rough color in monitor

Causes

a)       Pin in monitor cable may be defective.

b)       Display card may be damage.

c)       Incompatibility of display card.

d)       Monitor may be damage.

e)       Magnetic attraction to other magnetic device such as speaker.

Solution

a)       Check monitor cable pin.

b)       Change display card.

c)       Use compatible display card.

d)       Change or repair monitor.

e)       Keep these items little bit far from monitor.

f)        Choose high color setting from display properties.

Problem 22

No power when switch on the computer.

Causes

a)       Mismatch the power cable.

b)       Power ON button is defective.

c)       SMPS may be damage.

Solution

a)       Connect the power cable as properly.

b)       Check & repair power switch.

c)       Repair SMPS.

Problem 23

When booting the computer these messages occur on screen.

Causes

a)       No System Disk error.

b)       You inserted other than system disk at the computer booting phase.

c)       Hard disk cannot boot the system file.

Solution

a)       Transfer system files in HDD.

b)       Remove the floppy from floppy drive.

c)       Detect the hard disk.

Problem 24

Windows protection error

Causes

a)       Conflict of two devices.

b)       Some software’s are reinstalled.

c)       May be defective of CPU & motherboard.

Solution

a)       Check the confliction of device from device manager.

b)       Remove or uninstall the particular software.

c)       Change any one if defective.

Problem 25

Fatal error exception

Causes

a)       CPU fan cannot work properly & heat the processor.

b)       Memory module may be damaged.

Solution

a)       Change CPU cooler fan.

b)       Change memory module.

Problem 26

Illegal operation

Causes

a)       Particular software not installed properly or corrupted software files.

Solution

a)       Remove/ uninstall & install the software as properly.

Problem 27

Registry problem appear & restart

Causes

a)       Problem on current Windows 95, 98 & so on.

b)       Motherboard or CPU may be defective.

Solution

a)       Reinstall Windows properly.

b)       Check which one is defective & change it.

Problem 28

VFAT initialization error then computer shutdown

Causes

a)       Path missing in MSDOS.SYS file.

Solution

a)       Copy MSDOS.SYS file in the floppy from other computer & reinstall.

Problem 29

Press F1 to continue, at the time of booting.

Causes

a)       Improper setting of CMOS setting.

Solution

a)       Choose proper setting of CMOS setting.

Problem 30

Document cannot save on any application.

Causes

a)       Virus infection

b)       Not enough space.

Solution

a)       Scan latest antivirus program on HDD.

b)       Delete unnecessary program.

Problem 31

Modem not found

Causes

a)       Conflict to other device.

Solution

a)       Remove the confliction by changing IRQ setting or reinstall driver properly.

Problem 32

No dial tone on modem

Causes

a)       Telephone line is not connected in modem.

b)       Mismatch the phone line.

c)       Phone line is dead.

Solution

Connect phone line as properly.

Connect the phone on port as properly.

Check phone line is correct.

Problem 33

*.VXD files error

Causes

Missing *.XVD files.

Solution

Copy the particular *.XVD files in this location.

Problem 34

Windows shut down frequently.

Causes

a)       Virus infection.

b)       Corrupted of Windows files.

c)       Mishandling of CMOS setting.

d)       HDD defective.

Solution

a)       Scan HDD with latest antivirus program.

b)       Reinstall windows.

c)       CMOS set properly.

d)       Change new hard disk.

Problem 35

Windows document cannot close.

Causes

a)       Virus problem.

b)       Software defect.

Solution

a)       Scan by latest antivirus program.

b)       Reinstall Windows.

Problem 36

CMOS setting change itself when, computer switch off every time.

Causes

a)       CMOS battery low.

Solution

a)       Change new lithium battery.

b)       Change motherboard.

Problem 37

Display message *.VDX error

Causes

a)       Some Windows supported file missing.

Solution

a)       Run Windows 95, 98 or so on. Setup again & select the verify option in safe recovery to replace the missing or damage.

Problem 38

Error message display “Hard disk error”, “Hard disk controller failure” during system initialization

Causes

a)       Drive spin up, but the system fails to recognize the drive.

Solution

a)       Check the data cable, which is connected on hard disk.

b)       Check hard disk jumper Master or Slave.

c)       Check BIOS setup for hard disk drive.

Problem 39

Display on monitor “Disk Boot Failure” or “No ROM basic system halted” error message.

Solution

a)       Check data cable connector.

b)       May be infected by virus.

c)       Replace the hard disk drive connector.

Problem 40

A hard disk controller is replaced but during initialization the system displays error message such as “Hard disk failure” or “Not a recognized drive type”

Solution

Some drive controller may be incompatible in some system. Check with the controller manufacturer & see, try different board & drive controller.

The end