5.2 Given a scenario, troubleshoot problems related to motherboards, RAM, CPU, and power

Power-on self-test (POST) beeps

• test major system components before booting the OS

• failures are usually noted with beeps and/or codes

Crash screens

• Windows Stop Error

• Blue Screen of Death

• Pinwheel

Blue screen of death (BSOD)

• bad hardware, drivers, and/or application

• use last known good, system restore, or rollback driver

• reseat or remove the hardware

• run hardware diagnostics

Pinwheel

• macOS X Spinning Wait Cursor

• the spin starts, but never stops

• many possible reasons (application bug, bad hardware)

• restart the computer

Black screen

• Is the monitor connected?

• Input selection on monitor

• Image is dim

• Swap the monitor

No power

• Check source/power supply

• Use multimeter

• Power supply output

Sluggish performance

• check task manager

• windows update

• monitor disk space

• use anti-virus and anti-malware

Overheating

• check cooling systems

• clean and clear

• verify with monitoring software (BIOS)

Burning smell

• electrical problems

• always disconnect power

• locate/replace bad components

Intermittent shutdown

• no warning, black screen

• heat-related issue

• failing hardware

• could be anything (eliminate what’s working)

Application crashes

• may provide error message

• check event log

• check reliability monitor

• reinstall the application

Grinding noise

• computers should hum

• rattling = loose components

• scraping = hard drive issues

• clicking = fans problems

• pop = blown capacitor

Inaccurate system date/time

• bad motherboard battery

• requires BIOS configuration or date/time configuration on every boot

• older systems → can reset the BIOS configuration by removing the battery