We already knew about the minimum parts required to run a computer from the first article Basic knowledge of Computer. Today I am going share and guide you how do you diagnose a computer fault and troubleshoot that issue? Often I have noticed from my past work experience that a branded Laptop or notebook or desktop computer have a lesser issue than an Assembled Desktop computer. Maybe cause of improper assembling of improper parts. Ok, Now read carefully these troubleshoot recipe that really will help you to get optimum performance from your PC. One more thing before troubleshooting your computer in your home read these precaution that actually will solve your half of the whole problem.
Precautions:
Cleanliness: Today I have visited one of my friends Mobile shop and got a new experience how dust can ruin your computer. He has asked me to know why his computer getting hanged here and there and taking half of an hour to boot up. He has a latest technology desktop computer having Intel i7 processor with 4 GB DDR3 RAM and 1TB SATA 5400 RPM Seagate HDD. I thought there might have some virus issue so I told him to complete a full computer scan. He showed me the quarantine window empty and told me last night he completed the scan. Then I asked him to open his desktop, as he opens one side of his desktop I was shocked to see that motherboard and all other parts are nearly covered by full of dust. I told him to clean well the dust and boot once before I could take a further forward step. After cleaning he booted his desktop and it took a while to get on the desktop and all other programs are working fine as he just installed new OS and his necessary software on it.
Important Note: Always keeping clean a computer can avoid lots of Issues. Dust can slow your computer performance as well as Dust may be a solid cause of short circuit and can fully damage your motherboard, processor, RAM and other parts and accessories.
Isopropyl Alcohol: Isopropyl Alcohol is a liquid that is highly used by AMC (Annual Maintenance Contract) taking company like HCL Infosystems to clean computer parts. You can avail this from the market easily and use it when troubleshooting, for easy cleaning your dusty computer parts.
Temperature: Computer processor and chipset generate heat according to the quantity of data processing, more data processing at a time mean more heat generating. Although every computer uses a heat sink and a processor temperature control fan to control the generated heat but it is advisable to use a computer in a cool air conditioned room. Overheating of a processor may be a cause of several computer issue and can permanently damage your computer parts.
ESD Packet and Gloves: Use ESD or Electro Static Discharge packet or gloves wherever possible as the human body is a great source of Static electricity. Static electricity can cause permanent damage to your Computer parts. Use ESD packet to carry computer parts and use ESD gloves when troubleshooting a computer.
Power supply: Power supply is the most vital point that too is noted for everyone who loves their computer. A faulty power source may lead your computer turn into a crap. Use a good trustworthy power source to avoid power related issue as computer parts uses sensitive and accurate power source. Use a voltmeter to check that your power source has the optimum value.
A right power source gives the voltage output as:
Earth – Phase = 230 V
Phase – Neutral = 230 V
Neutral – Earth = 0 – 3 V
UPS: Uninterrupted or Universal Power Supply is a power backup device which is a must having a device for a desktop computer user. As desktop computer does not have a backup power source it goes power off and shutdown immediately without logoff or save your working data after the direct power source cut. Direct power turns off can damage your computer motherboard, processor, RAM or HDD or other accessories. Using a UPS can save all of this issue and your valuable computer parts.
Diagnose and Troubleshoot:
1. The computer is not powering on or not booting: There are several steps to diagnose the exact problem which causing your Computer is not powering on or not booting.
- Check power supply outlet with a lamp or tester to acknowledge that it is working fine.
- Check power supply cable and external connector is connected properly
- If you are using a surge protector then check surge protector also with a lamp or tester
- If you are using UPS then check it is working fine or not. Unplug power supply connector and reconnect again to sure about there has not any loose connection or connectivity issue.
- Hope this will help to turn on your computer if there was any external connector cable issue. If the computer is not booting after these step you need to check your SMPS.
How to check SMPS is working or loopback test for SMPS:
- To make sure your SMPS (Switch mode power supply) is working great. As a primary test for SMPS, you can short this two pin while plugged only the SMPS into a power source.
- This will start the heat exhaust FAN of SMPS to ensure SMPS is working.
- Before shorting SMPS disconnect all connector from the motherboard and other computer peripherals.
- You need a paper clip or a little hard wire like a paper clip and bend it like English letter “U” shape to insert one side into the black wire terminal hole and another one into the green wire terminal from the notch side of the main motherboard connector.
- The main motherboard connector either will be a 24 Pin connector or a 20 Pin connector. Press the notch to release the connector from the motherboard.
- Use necessary precaution for static electricity discharge issue.
- If you find that your SMPS is working fine and still your computer is not start booting once you need to check by Swapping SMPS. You can borrow an SMPS from your friend to troubleshoot the issue.
- After swapping SMPS if your computer starts booting then it will be great news for you otherwise you need to go the nearest service center may be there will a chance to loose some more penny.
Click Troubleshoot recipe to get optimum performance from your PC-Part 2 to know more troubleshoot an issue like, how to troubleshoot automatic restart of a PC, Computer is not booting and giving beep sound, How to troubleshoot for a missing system file, how to backup and restore registry file of a computer, etc. to the next article which will be publish by the day after tomorrow. Thank you for reading, stay connected to us on Facebook or Twitter or Google Plus for the latest update on the social network. You can also subscribe Digital doubt by email to get article directly to your mailbox or simply subscribe our RSS feed.
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