Section 5.2 Motherboard RAM CPU and Power

What does a single POST beep typically indicate?

Successful POST with no errors

What do multiple POST beeps usually indicate?

Hardware error, often related to RAM or motherboard

What does a continuous POST beep often suggest?

RAM failure or improperly seated memory

What is a common cause of a black screen on startup?

Faulty video card, no signal to monitor, or dead power supply

What can cause a system to have no power at all?

Disconnected power cable, bad PSU, or failed motherboard

What is a BSOD?

Blue Screen of Death - indicates a critical system error

What might a spinning pinwheel on Mac indicate?

System is busy or application is unresponsive

What causes sluggish performance in a PC?

Insufficient RAM, overheating CPU, or background processes

What is a common cause of CPU overheating?

Dust buildup, failed fan, or dried thermal paste

What is a sign of a failing power supply?

Intermittent shutdowns or failure to boot

What does a burning smell inside the computer usually indicate?

Electrical short or overheating components

What does an intermittent shutdown typically point to?

Overheating, failing PSU, or loose connections

What is a grinding noise from the PC often caused by?

Failing fan or hard drive

What hardware issue can cause application crashes?

Faulty RAM or overheating CPU

What is capacitor swelling a sign of?

Power regulation failure or motherboard damage

What is the impact of a faulty CMOS battery?

Inaccurate system date/time or BIOS settings reset

How can you detect RAM issues?

POST beeps or system instability during operation

What should you check if the system time resets every reboot?

Replace the CMOS battery

How do you test if a power supply is faulty?

Use a PSU tester or multimeter

What should you check first when troubleshooting no power?

Power cable and switch on PSU

What does thermal throttling cause?

Reduced CPU speed to prevent overheating

How can dust affect computer performance?

Blocks airflow, causing overheating

What can happen if thermal paste is not applied correctly?

CPU can overheat due to poor heat transfer

Why might a PC randomly shut down?

Overheating or failing power supply

What can cause inaccurate BIOS time and date?

Dead or weak CMOS battery

What does a motherboard LED that won’t turn on indicate?

No power or failed motherboard

What should be done if the system is overheating?

Check fans, heatsinks, and clean dust

Why might RAM cause BSODs?

Memory errors or compatibility issues

What does a failed CPU often result in?

No POST or system failing to boot

Why would a system not POST but have fans spinning?

Possible motherboard, CPU, or RAM failure

What causes grinding in the CPU area?

Failing CPU fan

How can you confirm overheating is the issue?

Check BIOS/UEFI or use thermal monitoring software

What might frequent restarts point to?

Power issues or overheating

What can a sudden BSOD indicate?

Driver conflict, bad RAM, or CPU failure

What tool helps diagnose power supply problems?

Multimeter or power supply tester

What role does the CMOS battery serve?

Maintains BIOS settings and time

What symptom might result from capacitor leakage?

Instability or failure to boot

Why does a bad PSU cause system instability?

Provides inconsistent or insufficient power

What should be checked if the power LED is off?

Power supply and front panel connectors

What BIOS setting is reset with a dead CMOS battery?

Boot order and time/date

What happens if a CPU socket is damaged?

System won't boot or POST

What could prevent a CPU from being recognized?

Incompatible motherboard or outdated BIOS

What happens if incompatible RAM is installed?

System may not POST or experience crashes

What symptom is likely if you install mismatched RAM modules?

System instability or failure to boot

What component most often causes a burning smell?

Power supply or motherboard

What issue can result from bent CPU socket pins?

No POST or random crashes

What could grinding noises from the power supply mean?

Failing PSU fan or internal component damage