profess Messer - troubleshooting common hardware problems Flashcards
This common hardware problem is \_\_\_ • 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
unexpected shutdowns
This common hardware problem is \_\_\_ • 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
Lockups
This common hardware problem is ___
• Test major system components before booting the
operating system
• Main systems (CPU, CMOS, etc.)
• Video
• Memory
• Failures are usually noted with beeps and/or codes
• BIOS versions can differ, check your
documentation
• Don’t bother memorizing the beep codes
• They’re all different between manufacturers
• Know what to do when you hear them
POST (Power On Self Test)
This common hardware problem is \_\_\_ • Blank screen on boot • Bad video • Listen for beeps • BIOS configuration issue • BIOS time and setting • Maintained with the motherboard battery • Replace the battery • Attempts to boot to incorrect device • Set boot order in BIOS configuration • Confirm that the startup device has a valid operating system • Check for media in a startup device
POST and boot
This common hardware problem is ___
• 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
continuous reboots
This common hardware problem is \_\_\_ • 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
no power
This common hardware problem is \_\_\_ • 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/
overheating
This common hardware problem is \_\_\_ • Computers should hum • Not grind • Rattling • Loose components • Scraping • Hard drive issues • Clicking • Fan problems • Pop • Blown capacitor
loud noises
This common hardware problem is \_\_\_ • Sometimes it works • Sometimes it doesn’t • Bad install • Check and reseat • Use all the screws • Bad hardware • Poor connection • Heat and vibration
intermittent device failure
This common hardware problem is \_\_\_ • POST codes on the motherboard • Power • Link light • Speed • Activity
indicator lights
This common hardware problem is \_\_\_ • 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
smoke and burning smell
This common hardware problem is ___
• Windows Stop Error
• Blue Screen of Death - You don’t want this
• Contains important information
• Also written to event log
• Useful when tracking down problems
• Sometimes more useful for manufacturer support
crash screens
This common hardware problem is ___
• The Mac OS X Spinning Wait Cursor
• Feedback that something is happening
• The spin starts, but it 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
the spinning ball of death
This common hardware problem is \_\_\_ • Windows • Event Viewer • Boot logs • System Configuration • C:\Windows\ntbtlog.txt • Linux • Individual application logs - /var/log • Mac OS X - Utilities / Console.app
log entries
This common hardware problem is ___
• The details of an error message can make or
break a troubleshooting session
• Write down everything
• Take a picture, make a video
• Train your users
• The error might not make sense
• Write it down anyway
• The Internet will tell you what it means
• Spend your time troubleshooting the right things
error messages
