5.2 - Troubleshooting common hardware problems Flashcards
POST
Power on self test
Tests major system components before booting the OS
- CPU, CMOS, etc
- video
- memory
Failures noted by beeps/codes
POST and boot
Blank screen on boot
- listen for beeps
- bad vid, ram, cpu
- BIOS config issue
BIOS time and setting
- Maintained with motherboard activity
- Replace battery
Attempts to boot to incorrect device
- Set boot order in BIOS config
- Confirm the startup device has valid OS
- Check for media in startup device
Crash screen
Windows Stop Error or Blue Screen of Death
Contains important information
– Also written to event log
Useful when tracking down problems
– Sometimes more useful for manufacturer support
Blue-screens + spontaneous shutdowns
Startup and shutdown BSOD
– Bad hardware, drivers, application
Use Last Known Good, System Restore, or Rollback Driver
– Try Safe Mode
Reset or remove the hardware - If possible
Run hardware diagnostics
– Provided by the manufacturer
– BIOS may have hardware diagnostics
Spinning ball of death
The macOS X Spinning Wait Cursor
– Feedback that something is happening
Spin starts and never stops
– You never get back control of your computer
Many possible reasons
– Application bug
– Bad hardware
– Slow paging to disk
Restart the computer
– There may be details in the console logs
Black screen
Is the monitor connected?
– We wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t a common solution
– Check both power and signal cable
Input selection on monitor - HDMI, DVI, VGA, etc.
Image is dim - Check brightness controls
Swap the monitor
– Try the monitor on another computer
No video after Windows loads
– Use VGA mode (F8)
No power
No power
– No power at the source
– No power from the power supply
– Get out your multimeter
Fans spin - no power to other devices
– Where is your fan power connected?
– No POST - bad motherboard?
– Case fans have lower voltage requirements
– Check the power supply output
Sluggish performance
Task Manager
– Check for high CPU utilization and I/O
Windows Update
– Latest patches and drivers
Disk space
– Check for available space and defrag
Laptops may be using power-saving mode
– Throttles the CPU
Anti-virus and anti-malware
– Scan for bad guys
Overheating
Heat generation
– CPUs, video adapters, memory
Cooling systems
– Fans and airflow
– Heat sinks
– Clean and clear
Verify with monitoring software
– Built into the BIOS
– Try HWMonitor
– http://www.cpuid.com/
Smoke + burning smell
Electrical problems
– The smoke makes everything work
Always disconnect power
– There should never be a burned odor
Locate bad components
– Even after the system has cooled down
– Replace all damaged components
Intermittent shutdown
No warning, black screen
– May have some details in your Event Viewer
Heat-related issue
– High CPU or graphics, gaming
– Check all fans and heat sinks
– BIOS may show fan status and temperatures
Failing hardware
– Has anything changed?
– Check Device Manager, run diagnostics
Could be anything
– Eliminate what’s working
Application crashes
Application stops working
– May provide an error message
– May just disappear
Check the Event Log
– Often includes useful reconnaissance
Check the Reliability Monitor
– A history of application problems
– Checks for resolutions
Reinstall the application
– Contact application support
Grinding noises
Computers should hum, not grind
Rattling - Loose components
Scraping - Hard drive issues
Clicking - Fan problems
Pop - Blown capacitor
Lockups
System completely stops
– Completely. Usually not much in the event log
– Similar to unexpected shutdowns
Check for any activity
– Hard drive, status lights, try Ctrl-Alt-Del
Update drivers and software patches
– Has this been done recently?
Low resources - RAM, storage
Hardware diagnostics may be helpful
Continuous reboots
How far does the boot go before rebooting?
– BIOS only? OS splash screen?
Bad driver or configuration
– F8, “Boot from last known working configuration”
Try F8, Safe Mode
– If system starts, disable automatic restarts
in System Properties
Bad hardware
– Try removing or replacing devices
– Check connections and reseat
