Top 10 Troubleshooting Steps:



Step 1 > Define the Problem:



Can you show me the problem?

How often does this happen?

Has any new software been installed recently?

Have any other changes been made to the computer recently?



Step 2 > Check the Simple Stuff First:



Is it plugged in?

Is it turned on?

Is the system ready?

Reseat chips and cables!



Step 3 > Check to See if it's User Error:



Step 4 > Reboot the Computer:



Step 5 > Determine if the Problem is Hardware or Software Related:



Step 6 > If the Problem is Hardware Related, Determine which Component is Failing:



Step 7 > If the Problem is Software Related, Boot Clean



Step 8 > Check Service Information Sources:



Step 9 > If it Broken



Step 10 > Ask for Help:









Troubleshooting Tips:



Software Troubleshooting:



1.In DOS/Windows computers, boot the computer clean.

2.Check the operating system error messages.

3.Uninstall and then reinstall the application that's having problems.

4.Look for ways to repeat the problem.

5.Make sure you are using the latest patches.

6.Check the Internet.

7.Compare and isolate. (could be software or hardware, try on antoher computer)

8.Use the REM Statements& in the Config.sys and or Autoexec.bat



Windows Troubleshooting:



1.System resources:

* For optimal performance, the available system resources should be above 80%.

* Add RAM, Disk space or both.



2.General Protection Faults:

* Use the retail version (not Alpha or betas)

* Try avoiding version 1.0

* Add more RAM







Hardware TroubleShooting:



Post Routines:



1.The processor is tested

* If problem > system halts with no error message (usually)

2.The ROMs are checked

* If checksums do not match, the system halts with no error message

3.The DMA controller is tested

* If problem > system halts

4.The Interrupt controller is tested

* If problem > system will give a long beep, then a short beep, then the system will stop.

5.The system timing chip is tested

* If problem > the system will give a long beep, then a short beep,then halt.

6.The BASIC ROMs are tested (if exist)

* If problem > the system will give a long beep, then a short beep, then halt.

7.The video card is checkedd

* If problem > the system will give 1 long beep, then 2 short beep, then halt.

8.Expansion boards are initialized

* They copy their ROMs into upper memory if necessary.

9.RAM is counted and tested

* If problem > the POST will generate a 201 memory failure on the screen.

10.The keyboard is tested

* If problem > the POST will generate a 301 memory failure, along with a short beep

11.The cassette interface is checked (IBM/XT PCs)

* If problem > a 131-Cassette Interface error is generated. System does not halt.

12.Test floppy drives

* If problem > a 601 Floppy Disk error is generated.

13.Check resources and boot the computer

* Queries any remaining devices (ex: LPT ports, Serial ports, etc.)

* Looks for the operating system. If not found, you will get an error message on the screen

Ex: Operating System not found



Hard Disk System Problems:



1.The adapter is bad

2.The disk is bad

3.Or the 2 are connected incorrectly



Peripheral Problems:



Modems:



1.The modem won't dial.

2.The modem keeps hanging up in the middle of my communication session.

3.The modem spits out strange characters to my terminal screen.



* Check configuratins (ex: IRQ)

* If configuration OK! Check the Initialization commands



Keyboard and Mouse Problems:



They are simple devices. Therefore, they either work or they don't.



* Usually they just require cleaning



Display System Problems:



No Video:



1.Is the power off?

2.Is the contrast or brightness turned down?

3.Turn Off/On the touch the screen for a static discharge.

* If no static charge, chances are the flyback transformer: has blown and the monitor needs repairing.

* If there is a static charge, the video card or cable is suspected.



Bad Video:



1.Bad data cable

* Everything will have a blue or red or green tint to it.

* Try wiggling the data cable

* Try replacing the data cable, if you still have a problem, the Monitor needs repairing.



2.Out of adjustment

* Horizontal & vertical setting on older monitors required partial dissabling to adjust these settings

3.Swirls and fuzziness (caused by magnetic fields)

* On new Monitors, use the degauss feature to return the image back to normal.

* Do not use the degauss feature everyday. Once a month is usually sufficient!



Dislodged Chips and Cards:



Chip Creep:



Caused by temperature variations inside the case when turning the computer on and off.

(Ex: Pentium CPU @ 185*F!). After several hundred cycles of this, some components can't handle the stress and start to move out of their sockets. Can affect > ICs, RAM, chips, and expansion cards.

* Open the case and just reseat the affect device



Environmental Problems:



In Manufacturing, it is not uncommon to find the computers on the manufacturing floor near machines producing a lot of dust, oil mist, etc. The system becomes unoperable (rebooting on its own), because these

Air born particals cover the Keyboard, Systemboard, Power Supply, etc.



* Clean ALL components/devices and replace any failed or damaged ones.



FRUs (Field Replacement Unit):



When a component has been deemed to be bad. It needs to be replaced.

Example: Monitor, Keyboard, Power Supply, Mouse, RAM, Hard Drive, Floppy Drive, Motherboard, etc.



Note: Any component that requires soldering or is intergrated in to the systemboard (for example) is not considered a FRU.