1. Troubleshooting PC Hardware

2. Troubleshooting Steps 1. Identify the problem 2. Gather Information 3. Develop & implement a solution 4. If the problem isn't solved, go back to Step 1 and refine your information. 5. Document the problem and the solution.

3. Identify the Problem After the user describes the problem, attempt to recreate it yourself. After the user describes the problem, attempt to recreate it yourself. Make note of other factors that exist when the problem occurs. Make note of other factors that exist when the problem occurs.

4. Gather Information Did the problem start after the user installed hardware or software? Did the problem start after the user installed hardware or software? Did the problem appear suddenly or gradually? Did the problem appear suddenly or gradually? Attempt to recreate the situation leading to the problem. Attempt to recreate the situation leading to the problem. Use available troubleshooting utilities. Use available troubleshooting utilities.

5. Develop and Implement a Solution Remove or replace a suspect part. Remove or replace a suspect part. Uninstall offending software. Uninstall offending software. Run Antivirus or Antispyware utility. Run Antivirus or Antispyware utility. Verify the problem is solved. Verify the problem is solved.

6. Troubleshooting Hardware POST Errors POST Errors BIOS Error Messages BIOS Error Messages OS Load Errors OS Load Errors Errors reported by user Errors reported by user

7. POST Messages Can be audible (Beeps) or visual Can be audible (Beeps) or visual Most are related to system memory or cacheMost are related to system memory or cache Keyboard missing or lockedKeyboard missing or locked Video System failureVideo System failure POST Card POST Card

8. BIOS Messages May be fatal or non-fatal May be fatal or non-fatal Examples Examples CMOS battery low or deadCMOS battery low or dead Incorrect CPU speedIncorrect CPU speed Incorrect memory sizeIncorrect memory size No boot deviceNo boot device For some errors, easy solution is to reset BIOS to factory defaults. For some errors, easy solution is to reset BIOS to factory defaults.

9. OS (Windows) Errors Problems during Windows setup Problems during Windows setup Graphic video systemGraphic video system Loading Hardware or DriversLoading Hardware or Drivers Setting up communications (network)Setting up communications (network) Boot into Safe Mode (F8) Boot into Safe Mode (F8) If Safe Mode is successful, Windows core files are OK, problem is in 3 rd party hardware or drivers.If Safe Mode is successful, Windows core files are OK, problem is in 3 rd party hardware or drivers.

10. Troubleshooting Windows Entering Safe Mode (F8) Entering Safe Mode (F8) Basic Safe Mode – Only very basic drivers and system files are loaded.Basic Safe Mode – Only very basic drivers and system files are loaded. Safe Mode with Networking – NIC drivers and information files are loaded.Safe Mode with Networking – NIC drivers and information files are loaded. Safe Mode with Command Prompt – Windows GUI is not loaded.Safe Mode with Command Prompt – Windows GUI is not loaded.