PC Troubleshooting

In this troubleshooting article, you will learn that how to solve the common problems of a PC. By using the right techniques and tools today PCs are much easier to troubleshoot than before. There are many troubleshooting and diagnostic utilities in the Windows based operating systems that help to solve the common configurations, connectivity and other hardware and software related errors. The PC components that are involved with the display are motherboard, processor, RAM, video card and power supply. If your errors are related to the display then the problem will be mostly likely to these components. If you PC does not boot up, make sure everything is plugged correctly and also check the CMOS battery, memory stick, power supply, power button, video card and the processor. If your PC hangs up or freezes it may be due to the hardware/software conflicts, faulty processor fan, inadequate RAM and a virus/spyware attack. To deal with the security related threats such as viruses, hacking attacks, spyware, adware, Trojan horses, browser hijacks and other, you need to install up-to-dated antivirus, anti spyware software and properly configured firewall software or hardware. This article will provide you help in troubleshooting the most common problems with your PC.

• Hard Disk Problems

If you hard disk does not spin up then you need to do the following.

• Check the power connectors are properly connected.
• Check if the IDE ribbon cable is properly connected with the motherboard and hard disk.

If the problem still not resolved then there may be bad sectors or other physical defects in your hard disk. Use a hard disk diagnostic utility, it will diagnose the health status of your hard disk and will help you to troubleshoot the common problems.

• Printer Problems

If your printer does not print, then you need to do the following.

• Check the cables.
• Restart the printer.
• Update the driver.
• Check the alignment of the printer.

If the problem is still not resolved then you need to reinstall the printer.

• Memory Problems

Sometimes bad or low memory leads to system crash, slow response time and the system freeze. To troubleshoot the memory related problems in your system you need to do the following.

• Check the memory sticks.
• Replace the memory modules.
• Increase the amount of memory in your system. It will fix a number of system errors that are caused due to the low memory.

• Motherboard Problems

A PC motherboard consists of an I/O ports, expansion slots, input device ports, RAM memory and CPU socket. A misconfigured motherboard may results in the system errors or no display at all. To troubleshoot the errors with your system’s motherboard you need to do the following.

• Double check the motherboard’s jumper settings
• Upgrade the drivers of the newly installed motherboard and set the BIOS according to the manufacturer’s manual.
• Remove all the optional devices and see if the problem is solved or not.
• Double check all the connections to the motherboard.
• Check the system’s BIOS and see if it is properly configured or not.
• Make sure that the keyboard and mouse are properly inserted into the motherboard.

• Network Troubleshooting

To troubleshoot the connectivity related issues in your computer network, you need to do the following.

• Update the drive of the LAN card.
• Check the network cable at both ends. It should be properly inserted at both ends i.e. one end in the hub/switch and one end in the computer.
• Restart the hub/switch or router.
• Restart your computer.

If your connectivity issue is still not resolved then you need to replace the LAN card with a new one and configure it.

• CD-ROM

The most of the problems in your CD/DVD-ROM are related to lens. If your CD/DVD-ROM does not read the CD/DVD then either the CD has scratches of the lens is covered with the dust particles. Try to replace the CD/DVD with a new one and if you problem is still not resolve then you need to clean your CD/DVD-ROM with a lens cleansing lotion. Additionally, you need to check the power connector to CD-ROM is properly connected.