Computer Hardware Troubleshooting Guide for beginners.

Here are some techniques to solve common computer hardware problems. I used to do these techniques over 15 years. In my experience, I would like to say "don’t panic to decide anything at a glance of view". Take your time and decide the right.

Most common problems in computer hardware are, loose connections. So first try to tie up all peripherals, connectors properly before do anything

First I would like to say, this Diagnostics tips are not for the servers, this is just for the desktop Computers. OF course, some remedies are applicable for the Notebooks also.

The most reliable way is, try to isolate the problem by using compatible peripherals from other computers. (If you are a trainee hardware technician, it’s better to have extra standard PC peripherals with you for testing purpose). In this way you can isolate the defective part(s) easily rather than guessing. But of course, keeps in your mind that, if you isolate the defective part(s) don’t forget to fully test the PC with new part(s). It because’ sometimes there may be another problem in addition to this defective part(s). And don’t forget to Re-test the faulty part. And always do test one at a time.

Here are some precautions before the Diagnose or troubleshooting.

1. Never replace a Computer peripheral, when main power code is connected to the power supply.
2. Never touch a Computer peripheral with wet or sweat hands. Keep your hands clean when you handle them.
3. If you can always use an anti statistic computer repair kit.
4. Always use the proper tools.
5. Never use teeth to clean or cut wires or any other electronic, electric parts.
6. Always have a good power codes/ extension board and earthling system with your house/Office power system.

So here we go…

No Power

1. If computer doesn’t power up at all, Reset the BIOS first and try.
2. If still not power up, disconnect all the peripherals and wire harnesses except, Processor, and power supply, then try to switch on from mother board’s front panel connector.
3. If still not power up change the power supply and try.
4. If still not power up remove the mother board with processor from Casing and lay it on antistatic surface and plug a power supply and try.
5. If still it’s happening same problem, replace the processor and try.
6. If it’s not work it because faulty mother board.

Power Comes but no Display

1. Remove the RAM card from the mother board and clean it with rubber eraser and re-plug it and try.
2. Replace a RAM card and try.
3. If it’s having both separate and On board VGA, pull the separate VGA card and try with On-board’s VGA out.
4. If it’s having a separate VGA card, Remove the VGA card from the mother board and clean it with rubber eraser and re-plug and try.
5. If it has only separate VGA card replace the VGA card and try.
6. Reset the BIOS and try.
7. If still not Display, disconnect all the peripherals and wire harnesses except, Processor, RAM card (VGA card, if available) and power supply, and then try to switch on from mother board’s front panel connector. (If computer has separate VGA card and on-board VGA as well, proceed with onboard VGA until isolate the defective part).
8. If still no display, remove the mother board with processor, RAM card and VGA card from Casing and lay it on antistatic surface and plug a power supply and try.
9. Replace the processor and try.
10. Replace the Power supply and try.
11. Still it’s not display means faulty mother board.

Display comes, OS not loading.

1. Check if any abnormal sound comes from the Hard Disk drive. (If so it’s a faulty HDD).
2. Check whether Cooling FANs are working in order.
3. Re-plug all HDD connectors and try.
4. Replace the HDD interface cable and try.
5. Check whether HDD is detected by Mother board (Drive details on the BIOS) if not use a another HDD port (SATA or IDE) on mother board.
6. Reset the BIOS and try.
7. If you have a spare HDD attach it with the faulty PC and check whether mother board detects it.
8. Try to start with safe mode or Last known good configuration mode, by pressing F8 at the startup, if it’s restating.
9. Check the HDD mode (ACHI or IDE) on Advance chip set settings in the BIOS and set the proper setting.
10. Detach if PC has DVD drives, additional Add-On cards and USB cables and try.
11. Replace the RAM card and try.
12. If it’s a windows PC, Remove the HDD from the faulty PC and attach it with healthy PC as a secondary HDD. If that HDD is having a problem with file system, it will run the scan disk utility automatically. After run the scan disk, shut down the testing PC gently and re attach the faulty PC and try.
13. If you are in a position to reinstall the PC at once without doing any software solution do it right now or do fresh OS installation with another HDD.
14. If it’s a hardware error in most cases now you will face it while installing the OS. In such case you have to replace and try with RAM, HDD, Processor and (Separate VGA if you have).

Computer is restarting or getting off, automatically. (Occasionally).

1. First before replacing anything checks the all Cooling FANs are working properly.
2. Re-plug all the Connecters tiredly and Clean all the contacts of RAM, VGA and Other Add-On cards with rubber eraser.
3. Disconnect the HDD and switch on the PC and let it run. If it runs for considerable time, most probably power supply is OK.
4. Then re-Attach the HDD and Run a scan disk for HDD and check.
5. Run a third party RAM test.
6. Disconnect USB cables or any other Add-On card and test.
7. If it’s having a separate VGA card On-board VGA card, try on On-board VGA card. Otherwise replace the VGA card and Try.
8. Disable any Power saving feature or Screen server on the OS and try.
9. Update the Latest BIOS version for Mother Board.
10. If still happens you have to replace RAM, VGA card, Processor, HDD, HDD interface cables ultimately power supply. Replace one at a time and check.
11. After replacing a peripheral, here is some test run I always do for detect these types of errors. Create a note pad Document and write this syntax ( Dir /s “pres Enter” a.bat) save it on the desktop and exit while re-naming this file as a.bat (.TXT extension should be .BAT) then double click on that icon and it will run. Right click again and again on this icon. Then it will run number of sessions. 50 sessions is enough. In this way you can make the busy on PC and test whether Problem is Solve or not.

How we deal with faulty parts?

If you found faulty VGA card, RAM card and Mother Boards, don’t forget to wash with fresh water and dry it well and try again. (If not they have any warranty).

Same time if you have a facility to resold the circuit boards of defective Computer part’s (Chips and Chip’s soldering spots) (such as Mother boards, RAM cards, VGA cards, Processors, HDDs Circuit boards) from a heat blower, do it and try. And most of the time you may see defective capacitors, in that case if have a little ability to replace the Cap, can do it by yourself (If not they have any warranty).

if you got defective power supplies don’t discard it. Open the power supply box and re-sold the circuit board and try. (If not they have any warranty).