CompTIA A+ 220-1201 (5.1 - Troubleshooting Hardware)

POST (Power On Self Test)

• 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 and boot

• Blank screen on boot

- Listen for beeps

- Bad video, bad RAM, bad CPU, 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

Crash screens

• 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

Bluescreens and spontaneous shutdowns

• Startup and shutdown BSOD

- Bad hardware, bad drivers, bad application

• Use Last Known Good, System Restore, or Rollback Driver

- Try Safe Mode

• Reseat or remove the hardware - If possible

• Run hardware diagnostics

- Provided by the manufacturer

- BIOS may have hardware diagnostics

Proprietary crash screens

• Every application has their own notifications

- Some are very informational

- Some are quite bad

• The quality of information contained in a help desk ticket can vary

- Get as many details as possible

• A detailed transcript of the error would be valuable

- Screenshots are even better

- Ask for the screenshot in the ticket instructions

Blank 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 and 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

Random 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

Unusual noises

• Computers should hum, not grind

• Rattling

- Loose components

• Scraping

- Hard drive issues

• Clicking

- Fan problems

• Pop

- Blown capacitor

Inaccurate system date/time

• Bad motherboard battery

- Often a "button" style battery

• A bad battery will require a BIOS configuration or date/time configuration on every boot

• On older systems, can reset the BIOS configuration by removing the battery

- Newer computers use a jumper